Projected to be one of the closest local races in the 2024 election cycle, a victor has been declared in the race for California Assembly District 7. As of Nov. 17, 89% of the estimated votes cast have been counted. Josh Hoover, the incumbent Republican, earned 53.6% of the vote, while challenger Democrat Porsche Middleton earned 46.4%.
Despite not receiving the results she hoped for, Middleton took to social media to thank her countless volunteers for the time they spent phone banking and door knocking. In a Facebook post on Nov. 6, Middleton said, “Whatever happens, know that our work is just beginning, and I am here for each of you.” While no specifics have been announced, it is clear Middleton will continue to strive to play a role in the local community.
In the opposite camp, Hoover posted his victory announcement on Nov. 13. He spent some time congratulating his supporters who made his victory possible before reinforcing his plans for a second term. For Hoover, bringing down costs, reducing state spending, and protecting the community are all top priorities. In addition, Hoover expressed his gratitude for his growth in support since his first election in 2022. In 2022, Hoover won with only a 1,383-vote margin. As of today, he is up 14,586 votes over Middleton. While some votes are still being counted, it is unlikely this margin will significantly change.
While this result may have been a strong victory for California Republicans, this conservative momentum did not necessarily carry over for Hoover’s potential colleagues. Out of the 80 California Assembly seats, only 16 have been called for Republicans like Hoover. In contrast, 60 seats have been called for Democrats. This pattern is reflected in the California State Senate, where 28 of the 40 seats have been called for Democrats, while only eight seats have been called for Republicans. With this Democratic trifecta controlling the Assembly, Senate, and governor’s office, it is likely going to be an uphill battle for Hoover to institute many of his policies rooted in conservative values.
“I am honored that the voters of the 7th Assembly District have placed their faith in me to represent our community in the Legislature for another two years. We have much more work to do to make our neighborhoods safer, hold our government accountable, and bring down costs for hard-working Californians,” said Hoover after announcing the latest round of results.
As stated earlier in the article, many votes have still not been counted for local propositions, measures, and races. While to many this may not seem like a big deal, a great stir of controversy has begun to spread online. Many conservatives, like Hoover and his colleagues, have been critical of the lengthy amount of time California takes to count its citizens’ votes.
“Two years ago we defeated a 10-year incumbent in this seat by less than 1% with just a 1383 vote margin and 83,768 total votes. This year our current lead sits at over 7% with a 12,177 vote margin and 91,346 total votes. I am truly humbled by this growth in support and grateful for the opportunity to continue being your representative in the State Capitol,” added Hoover.
A small group of people in the deep depths of the internet even likes to connect this with the idea of fraudulent activity in elections. According to California officials, this time delay is due to the state’s more inclusive voting policies. For instance, California is one of only eight states to mail ballots to every eligible citizen. Additionally, the state is one of the few to allow and encourage early voting. As a result of these policies, many races in the area have not yet been determined. For example, there is still no winner in the Sacramento mayoral race 12 days after the election. Thankfully, Assembly District 7 has a clear winner in its election.
“Thank you to all of our Team Hoover volunteers, staff, and supporters. None of this is possible without an amazing team. Finally, a very special thank you to my family for their unwavering support throughout this demanding campaign,” Hoover added.
Article authored by Dylan Smith, a student writer and Folsom resident.
