Assemblymember Al Muratsuchi (D-Torrance), who ran for re-election on Nov. 4, issued the following message to his supporters on Thursday:
“While late ballots are still being counted in my close State Assembly election, I would like to give my heartfelt thanks for all your support.
“We ran a great campaign. Unfortunately, with a historic low voter turnout in a competitive district, combined with an unprecedented $1.1 million smear campaign funded by billionaire outsider Charles Munger Jr., we may not prevail.
“Regardless of the final outcome, I am proud of my team and what we have delivered for the South Bay in my first term as your state assemblymember. We worked across party lines to balance the budget, enact job-creator laws for the aerospace and solar industries and for small businesses, and restore over $10 billion in funding for our schools, community colleges, and universities.
“We would not have been able to accomplish all this without your strong support. I cannot thank you enough.
“If I don’t win this time, then I will begin preparing for a comeback in 2016. I look forward to continuing to work with you, to keep fighting for the South Bay and for California.
“Thank you!”
The latest results for the 66th Assembly District (as of Monday) show Republican David Hadley with 51,989 votes (50.6 percent) and Muratsuchi with 50,678 (49.4 percent), a difference of 1,311 votes. Hadley has declared victory but Muratsuchi has not conceded.