Democrat Judy Chu was favored to claim a vacant U.S. House seat

Democrat Judy Chu was favored to claim a vacant U.S. House seat Tuesday after a campaign that tested racial lines in a Los Angeles-area district.

If elected, the former state Assembly member would become Southern California’s only Asian-American in Congress.

Chu, who sits on the state Board of Equalization, easily led a field of 12 candidates in a May primary. Because no candidate claimed a majority of the votes, the top finishers in each party advanced to Tuesday’s runoff.

Most residents in the 32nd Congressional District are Hispanic, but Chu assembled a diverse coalition and stressed her ability to work across racial and ethnic lines. Her supporters include Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, one of the nation’s most recognized Hispanic politicians.

Her opponent is Republican Betty Chu, her sister-in-law by marriage.

The district’s population is about 64 percent Hispanic, 20 percent Asian, 12 percent white and 2 percent black.

Source www.washingtonpost.com

UPDATE: Democrat Judy Chu was elected to Congress on Tuesday by an overwhelming margin over Republican Betty Chu.

Special Section Elections

With results in from all 32nd Congressional District precincts, Judy Chu defeated Betty Chu by a nearly 2-to-1 margin.