La Malfa Vacancy: Nielsen wins Special Election

Doug La Malfa

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 Legislative Session. La Malfa’s early departure will allow his successor to be sworn in early enough in the term to introduce legislation and participate fully in the legislative calendar.

In other news, La Malfa was elected to Congress.

Two Candidates Drop Out

Two candidates appearing on the November ballot have dropped out of their races in the last week;

In Assembly District 69, Republican Jose Moreno has withdrawn from his race after learning that his candidacy was a violation of the federal Hatch Act. “The Hatch Act restricts the political activity of individuals principally employed by state or local executive agencies and who work in connection with programs financed in whole or in part by federal loans or grants.” [OCPolitical article]

In the current Special Election to fill Senate District 4, candidate Nonpartier Ben Emery announced that he would be withdrawing after learning that his employer “bought a new building with a state grant last year… and one of the group’s committees has been working with Logue to resolve some issues with the state regarding the building. ” [Chico Enterprise article]

Both will remain on the ballot in their races.