Rep. Jim Costa (right) widens his lead in California’s 21st District over Michael Maher (right), while Nick Richardson maintains a slim advantage in Fresno City Council District 6 race over Roger Bonakdar. (GV Wire Composite/Paul Marshall)
- Rep. Jim Costa (D-Fresno) expands his lead, holding 50.8% of the vote against GOP challenger Michael Maher.
- Rep. John Duarte (R-Modesto) widens his lead in California's 13th District with a 3,303-vote advantage.
- Fresno City Council District 6 race sees Nick Richardson with a narrow lead of 259 votes.
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With control of Congress still up in the air, eyes across the nation are focused on three Central Valley races.
However, in a blow to Democratic Party hopes, two Republican incumbents appear to be on their way back to Washington D.C.
The lone Democrat holding a lead over a GOP challenger, Rep. Jim Costa (D-Fresno) added to his margin over Michael Maher in the latest tally announced Thursday afternoon.
Costa has taken a 1,951 vote lead in California’s 21st District race.
Related Story: Maher Thinks Votes Will Turn His Way Against Costa
Costa now holds 50.8% of the vote, with Maher trailing at 49.2%. This padded Costa’s edge by more than 900 votes since Wednesday.
Maher, in a news release, requested donations for a campaign recount.
“We’re in an incredibly tight race, and we’re not taking any chances,” said Maher. “Our team is ready to take action if the final count requires it.”
Costa made a statement on Thursday saying, “There are more than 135,000 ballots still to be counted in the 21st Congressional District. We gained more than 400 votes yesterday with the most recent report, and we are now ahead by 1,492 votes.” He continued, “I am looking forward to returning to Congress and continuing to work for the people of the 21st Congressional District.”
In California’s 13th District, incumbent Rep. John Duarte (R-Modesto) also expanded his lead over Democratic challenger Adam Gray.
Duarte now leads by 3,303 votes, up slightly from 3,200 votes earlier in the week, holding 51.5% to Gray’s 48.5%.
In California’s 22nd District, Rep. David G. Valadao (R-Kings County) maintained his 10-point lead over Democratic challenger Rudy Salas.
Valadao leads by 9,961 votes, securing 55% of the total vote as counting continues.
Richardson Clings to Slight Lead in Fresno City Council Race
In the tightly contested race for the open Fresno City Council District 6 seat, grassroots candidate and military veteran Nick Richardson now leads attorney Roger Bonakdar by 259 votes as of Thursday afternoon.
Richardson previously held a 319-vote edge in the battle to represent northeast Fresno constituents.
Vote counting continues across the district as some of these tight races are still too close to call.
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