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Gordon to serve a second term in state Assembly
Republican challenger drew 30 percent of votes in newly drawn district

Assemblyman Rich Gordon cruised to an easy victory against Republican challenger Chengzhi "George" Yang. With all precincts reporting Nov. 6, Gordon took 70 percent of the vote to Yang's 30 percent in the race for newly drawn Assembly District 24.

Gordon, a Menlo Park resident, now represents District 21, which includes Menlo Park, Atherton, Woodside, Portola Valley, East Palo Alto, and Palo Alto. But with redistricting, the same area will become part of District 24.

The district has been reshaped to encompass areas including Mountain View, Sunnyvale, and most of the San Mateo County coastside from El Granada south.

Gordon was first elected to the Assembly two years ago. Before Sacramento, the Menlo Park resident had served on the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors.

Gordon, who chairs the California Legislative Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Caucus, had plenty to celebrate Tuesday evening. In addition to his own re-election, he was pleased to see voters in Maine and Maryland legalize gay marriage.

In a statement, Gordon also cited the decision by Wisconsin voters to elect Tammy Baldwin to the U.S. Senate, where she is now the first openly gay member.

"From coast to coast, voters exercised their civic duty and voted with their minds and their hearts," Gordon wrote. "Unswayed by the torrent of money and spread of misinformation, voters did not bow down to incredible intimidation and pressure to dismantle all the progress we have accomplished so far."

—Palo Alto Weekly staff