Congrats' Janet Nguyen leads in races for state seats

 

 

Janet Nguyen smiles as she is surrounded by well wishers at Azteca Mexican restaurant in Garden Grove on Tuesday evening.

The Democratic hopes of a dual supermajority in California appeared to be ending with Republicans taking a deep lead in two key races late Tuesday.

Republican County Supervisor Janet Nguyen retained her a commanding late night lead over former Assemblyman Jose Solorio, a Democrat, for the senate seat. Both were vying to replace the termed-out Democrat Lou Correa.

“We are definitely in strong position,” Nguyen said.

Nguyen lives in Garden Grove, Solorio lives in Santa Ana. The district includes the northern half of the county. Democrats in the district have a slight advantage in voter registration.

In the race for Assembly District 74, Huntington Beach Mayor Matthew Harper held a strong lead over fellow Republican Keith Curry, a Newport Beach council member. The seat would remain Republican whomever wins.

“I’m ecstatic right now,” Harper said, feeling confident with the early returns.

“It’s extremely unlikely that you’ll find a different result,” Harper said. “But it could tighten. I am feeling confident, but it’s not impossible.”

Curry, on the other hand, who held a substantial lead in fund raising, felt the early numbers could change.

“It is discouraging,” Curry said late Tuesday. “I have a good base in Newport Beach, he has a good one in Huntington Beach.”

Contact the writer: mfleming@ocregister.com; @mattfleming1181

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