LOS ANGELES – Republican U.S. Rep. Mike Garcia claimed victory Friday in his back-and-forth contest with Democrat Christy Smith in the 25th District north of Los Angeles, a Southern California battleground that Democrats had captured just two years ago.
In a statement, Garcia said “victory is clear,” given the votes remaining uncounted.The Associated Press has not declared a winner in the race.
Smith said Garcia's assertion of victory was premature and “dangerous to our democratic process."With thousands of ballots uncounted, "this race remains too close to call,” Smith said in a statement.Garcia, a former fighter pilot, captured the vacant swing district in a May special election following the resignation of Democratic Rep.