Orange County residents in California\u2019s Senate District 34 are guaranteed to get a new representative as two candidates vie for the seat left open by termed-out State Senator Tom Umberg (D-Santa Ana).<\/p>\n
As of 8:25 p.m. Tuesday night, Assemblyman Avelino Valencia (D-Anaheim) led the race with about 63% of the votes, according to initial counts from the California Secretary of State.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Republican Rhonda Shader \u2014 former Placentia mayor \u2014 was trailing with about 37% of the vote, according to initial vote counts.<\/p>\n
So far, 62,933 of ballots have been tallied in the race.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Since only two candidates are running for the state senate seat in the primary, both will appear on November\u2019s general election ballot.<\/p>\n
California\u2019s Senate District 34 covers portions of Anaheim, Buena Park, Fullerton, La Habra, Orange, Placentia and Santa Ana, including landmarks like Disneyland and Angel Stadium. It also reaches Los Angeles County and includes parts of Whittier.<\/p>\n
Umberg has served in this seat since 2018, and his current term runs through Dec. 4, 2026. He\u2019s currently running for a seat on the State Board of Equalization, leaving his state senate seat open to a new officeholder.<\/p>\n
Umberg notably authored two bills that seek to help fund drug treatment courts and make them available for residents across California.\u00a0<\/p>\n
[Read: An OC Senator Pushes to Fund Drug Court Programs Across California<\/a>]<\/p>\n Valencia is an assemblymember<\/a> who currently represents the 68th district. That district is also slated to get a new representative.<\/p>\n