John Campbell, a Republican state senator out of Irvine, handily won the special election for Chris Cox’s former House of Representatives seat.
Campbell, a former auto dealer, counted 45% of the vote, nearly doubling Democrat Steve Young’s 28% and American Independent Jim Gilchrist’s 25%. Gilchrist was running on an anti-illegal immigration platform.
Democrats are easily outnumbered by Republicans in the 48th congressional district, which covers Newport Beach, Laguna Beach and Irvine.
Cox resigned the seat in August after becoming chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission, a presidential appointment.
A special election to fill Campbell’s vacated state senate seat is expected early next year.
