California Lt. Gov. John Garamendi has won a special election to a Northern California congressional seat, keeping the district in Democratic hands.
Garamendi's victory on Tuesday was all but certain after he won the September primary election because Democrats enjoy an 18-point registration edge over Republicans in the 10th Congressional District.
He easily defeated Republican David Harmer, a 47-year-old attorney.
Garamendi served more than three decades as a state lawmaker and state insurance commissioner before he was elected lieutenant governor.
He said throughout the campaign that he will support the Obama administration in its effort to repair the economy and reform health care.