Lopez narrows Penaloza’s lead in Santa Ana Assembly race

Santa Ana Councilwoman Jessie Lopez moved within one percentage point of Councilman David Penaloza in California’s 68th Assembly District race as counting continued Friday evening, according to Voice of OC. Penaloza held about 50.4% of the vote to Lopez’s 49.6%, leading by more than 700 votes.

The contest will determine state Assembly representation for Santa Ana, Anaheim and Orange. Voice of OC described it as among Orange County’s tightest and costliest races, with business-backed and union-funded groups spending heavily.

Penaloza began election night with a lead of roughly eight percentage points, Voice of OC reported. Subsequent counts brought Lopez closer, though the report did not identify which ballots or precincts accounted for the shift.

Outside spending supporting Penaloza exceeded $8.3 million as of Oct. 27, compared with nearly $2.3 million supporting Lopez, according to Voice of OC. Committees funded by Google and Meta were among the groups backing Penaloza, while union-funded committees supported Lopez.

Groups also spent heavily against the candidates. Outside spending opposing Lopez topped $4.1 million as of Oct. 27. A committee backed by the Service Employees International Union spent more than $1.3 million opposing Penaloza by that date, the publication reported.

Penaloza’s endorsements included law enforcement and public safety unions, labor unions, the OC Register and the California Democratic Party. Lopez drew support from labor unions, the Service Employees International Union, progressive groups, Chispa and Sen. Bernie Sanders, according to Voice of OC.

In a Friday phone interview with Voice of OC, Lopez said her campaign centered on affordability and accountability. She linked the close count to concerns about the influence of major political donors. Penaloza did not respond to the publication’s requests for comment Friday.

The Assembly contest coincided with a potential shift at Santa Ana City Hall. Progressive-backed candidates were on track to overturn a council majority supported primarily by the police union, according to Voice of OC.