[KR: There will be a runoff in July, but it seems all but a formality in this eastern metro LA Congressional District. The race may have been too small for exit polling, but it would be interesting to see if Chu won a majority of Latino votes, or instead relied on support from other constituent groups. Either way, a significant development in terms of race/ethnicity and representation.]
Asian-American leads Latino district in Calif.
By MICHAEL R. BLOOD, Associated Press Writer
May 20, 2009
LOS ANGELES – In an election that highlighted America’s fluid racial landscape, an Asian-American candidate emerged as the leading contender to fill a U.S. House seat in an overwhelmingly Hispanic district.
Democrat Judy Chu topped a field of 12 candidates Tuesday, making her the favorite to claim the seat in a July runoff. Democrats hold a more than 2-1 registration edge in the district.
If elected, she would be Southern California’s only Asian-American in Congress.