News

State Senate race deals blow to Democratic Party, unions

by: Annie Andersen

Posted: May 21, 2015 / 02:23 AM PDT

Updated: May 21, 2015 / 02:23 AM PDT

FILE — In this April 5, 2011 file photo Gov. Jerry Brown, left, talks with adviser Steve Glazer, after making a speech in Sacramento, Calif. Glazer, currently the Mayor of Orinda, and Democratic challenger, Assemblywoman Susan Bonilla, of Concord, are facing off in a special election to fill the 7th Senate District seat, Tuesday, May […]

by: Annie Andersen

Posted: May 21, 2015 / 02:23 AM PDT

Updated: May 21, 2015 / 02:23 AM PDT

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) – The California Democratic Party and labor unions say they won’t back down any time soon after their candidate lost a costly state Senate race in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Orinda Mayor Steve Glazer, a business-backed moderate, defeated fellow Democratic Assemblywoman Susan Bonilla by a significant margin in a special election this week. Party officials and union leaders blamed higher Republican turnout for their loss and vowed to fight again.

Glazer said Wednesday that he remains committed to the party and is looking forward to building relationships with both Democrats and Republicans in the Senate.

Senate President Pro Tem Kevin de Leon says he reached out to welcome Glazer as a colleague. The Los Angeles Democrat did not endorse either candidate.

Glazer replaces Mark DeSaulnier, who was elected to Congress.