By Mary O’KEEFE

Election night saw a couple of close battles but, for the most part, the races were not enough to bring out voters. The preliminary stats show 23.4% of registered voters in Los Angeles County cast ballots, according to the website of the California Secretary of State.

Congressman Adam Schiff easily won reelection to his seat in the U.S. House of Representatives District 28 with 76% of the vote.

“It was a mixed night,” said Schiff.

He said he was “thrilled” with the election results allowing him to continue his work in Washington but not so thrilled with the gains by the Republicans who now control both the House and the Senate.

Washington has not been a haven for bipartisanship in the last several years; however, Schiff is optimistic that the new Senate will work with both sides of the aisle.

“I think every election is a chance for a change,” he said.

There will be a number of pressures on the [Grand Old Party] to create legislation that emphasizes what they stand for, he said.

“I hope they can do it in a bipartisan way,” Schiff said.

For his part, Schiff will continue to work with the other side of the aisle focusing on the economy and keeping the country safe.

“The economy hasn’t fully recovered,” he said. “I think there is a profound desire [by American citizens] that both parties work to get the economy fully recovered.”

He will also focus on the safety of Americans from terrorism and other violence.

Schiff said Americans should be concerned with the recent violence by alleged followers of radical groups. He encouraged family members and the community to speak out if someone they know is exhibiting extreme behavior.     Assemblymember Mike Gatto also retained his seat with a strong 65.8% of the vote.

“I am so thankful to [the voters],” Gatto said.

This is Gatto’s third and last term in the Assembly due to term limits. He said he would continue to do what he has been doing throughout his time in the Assembly, working to “make life easier for Californians.”

Gatto has been a strong supporter of small business and plans to continue to find ways to help the small business owner.

“I grew up patronizing small businesses,” he said. “Every time I walk down Honolulu Avenue I realize how important small businesses are … they anchor the [community].”

Two of the propositions that Gatto supported and co-authored passed Tuesday night. Prop. 1 dealt with water quality and Prop. 2 focused on state budget stabilization also known as the “rainy day” proposal.

Edmund G. “Jerry” Brown will continue in his role as California’s governor as will Gavin Newsom as the lt. governor. Secretary of State is Alex Padilla, controller is Ashley Swearingin, treasurer is John Chiang, attorney general is Kamala Harris, Dave Jones is insurance commissioner and the hotly contested seat for superintendent of public education was won by incumbent Tom Torlakson.

Propositions 45, 46 and 48 all failed, while Prop. 47 passed.

For more information on the elections and the results visit the California Secretary of State website www.sos.ca.gov.

  Mary Okeefe