Lieu, Runner Win Special Elections, Avoid Runoffs
On Tuesday, former Assembly members Ted Lieu (D-Torrance) and Sharon Runner (R-Lancaster) won their respective special elections for seats in the state Senate. The special elections were the first held under a new state balloting system, in which the two candidates with the most votes compete in a runoff, not the top finisher from each party. However, because both Lieu and Runner won a majority of the vote, there will not be runoff elections.
- "Winners Avoid Runoffs in Two Special Elections for California Senate" (Merl, Los Angeles Times, 2/16).
- "Democrat Ted Lieu, Republican Sharon Runner Appear To Be Winners in State Senate Races" (Valot, "KPCC News," KPCC, 2/15).