PETALUMA, CA — Rohnert Park councilwoman Jackie Elward credited grassroots supporters with standing up to millions of dollars in outside spending while she awaited more election results before making an official announcement about her North Bay Assembly campaign. On Wednesday morning Elward announced her win.
More ballots remained to be counted and the race had not yet been called for who would represent District 12, which covers Marin County and nearly half of Sonoma County.
Elward said she made the announcement after Marin County Supervisor Eric Lucan, called to concede.
Elward had 57 percent of the vote in the contest between two Democrats.
"We want to honor the democratic process and allow additional results to come in before making an official announcement," Elward said in a message on her campaign website Tuesday.
Lucan confirmed that he called to congratulate Elward on the results while acknowledging that many votes remained uncounted, according to KQED.
An educator and labor organizer, Elward has served on the Rohnert Park City Council since 2020, including as mayor and vice mayor.
Grow California, a super PAC financed by billionaires Chris Larsen and Tim Draper, spent nearly $4 million to defeat Elward. Union-funded Californians United for Progress spent nearly $2 million supporting her, KQED reported.
Her supporters also include outgoing Assemblymember Damon Connolly, whose seat Elward will fill.
She also had endorsements from the Sierra Club, firefighters, teachers, nurses, and organized labor, she told Patch in October.
Rep. Mike Thompson, Attorney General Rob Bonta, and the California Working Families Party also endorsed Elward, according to KQED.
Elward thanked volunteers who knocked on doors, made calls, sent texts, contributed, and supported her campaign's vision for a more affordable, equitable, and inclusive California.
"You helped build a movement that stood up to millions of dollars in outside spending and powerful special interests," Elward said. "You showed that the voices of everyday people matter more than the size of anyone's bank account."
Assembly District 12 includes Cotati, Petaluma, Rohnert Park, and part of Santa Rosa, along with surrounding unincorporated areas, and all of Marin County.
Elward identified affordability, housing and homelessness, and wildfire resilience as her district's leading concerns.
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