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One Voter Project

The Online Home of California's Political History

November 7, 2012 By Alex Vassar

La Malfa Vacancy: Nielsen wins Special Election

With Jim Nielsen receiving just over 50% of the vote, the Special Election to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of State Senator Doug La Malfa has been filled. Nielsen will have the option of being sworn in as early as December. Senator La Malfa had resigned on September 1st, at the end of the […]

Filed Under: 2012 Election, Congress, Current Research, JoinCalifornia, Special Elections, State Senate, Top Stories Tagged With: California, Congress, Dan Logue, Doug La Malfa, Election, Jim Nielsen, November, Special Election, State Senate

October 10, 2012 By Alex Vassar

Election Night Parties (A Lesson from Charles F. Van de Water)

Friday marks the 140th birthday of Congressman-elect Charles F. Van de Water. Van de Water was one of those few elected officials in state history who was elected to an office but never took that seat. Van de Water was killed in a late night car crash while returning home from a party to celebrate […]

Filed Under: Congress, Current Research, Deaths, JoinCalifornia, Top Stories Tagged With: 1920s, anniversary, automobile accident, California, Charles Van de Water, Congress, death, election party, House of Representatives, Prohibition Party, Special Election, teachable moments

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Fun Fact

Q: Who was the last Assembly Speaker to later be elected to the State Senate? A: Before Bob Hertzberg (serving since 2014), it was Frank F. Merriam (Speaker in 1923-1926), who was elected to the State Senate in 1928 and went on to be Governor in 1934.

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