PASADENA – Voters Tuesday returned local incumbents to the state assembly, according to early election results.
While state Assemblyman Anthony Portantino, D-Pasadena, called immigration reform a “federal issue,” Assemblyman Mike Eng, D-El Monte, pledged to collaborate with federal officials to pass immigration reform. Both vowed to make the state budget their top priority.
Portantino said Tuesday night he was “cautiously optimistic” about his early lead and excited to return to the Assembly.
“Obviously, higher education continues to be a passion of mine (and) fiscal responsibility and accountability,” he said. “I’ve been a strong proponent of pay as you go form of budgeting which will force fiscal discipline and prioritization into the way we budget.”
As for Eng, he said was humbled by his reelection.
“I’ve always felt that the biggest campaign has to come after the election,” Eng said. “Now we have to address the issues.”
Portantino represents the 44th state Assembly District, which includes Altadena, Duarte, La Ca ada Flintridge, Pasadena, South Pasadena, Temple City, and portions of Arcadia, Monrovia and Los Angeles.
Portantino’s challengers were Republican Alvaro Day and Libertarian Eytan Kollin.
Eng’s 49th District includes Alhambra, El Monte, Monterey Park, Rosemead, San Gabriel, San Marino, South El Monte and portions of South San Gabriel and Los Angeles.
The incumbent Eng faced a challenge from Republican Brad Jonathan Taylor.
In two local state Senate races, candidates ran unopposed. Dr. Ed Hernandez, D-La Puente, who will be leaving the state Assembly, won election to the state Senate in the 24th District. He will replace Democrat Gloria Romero, who was termed out.
The district includes Azusa, Baldwin Park, Covina, Duarte, El Monte, Irwindale, La Puente, Monterey Park, Rosemead, South San Gabriel, Valinda, West Covina and parts of Industry, East Los Angeles, Hacienda and Rowland Heights.
Hernandez said he wants to bring manufacturing jobs to the San Gabriel Valley and implement national health care reform at the state level.
Similarly, Assemblyman Kevin de Leon ran unopposed for state Senate in the 22nd District. De Leon said his agenda includes creating new jobs.
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