Harris takes slight lead over Cooley in attorney general’s race

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Democrat Kamala Harris pulled slightly ahead of Republican Steve Cooley in California’s attorney general’s race early Wednesday, leading the Los Angeles County district attorney on his home turf.

With 89% of precincts reporting statewide, Harris, the San Francisco district attorney, had a half-point lead. In Los Angeles County, Harris was ahead by 14 points.

‘Steve Cooley, who declared victory and went home, should be up biting his nails,’ state Sen. Mark Leno said shortly before 1 a.m. to a dwindling crowd of Harris backers. ‘It’s going to be a story long into tomorrow, but my own assessment and opinion is, we win this race!’

‘It’s looking good for California,’ he said of the other Democratic wins. ‘We’re as blue as we can be. It’s going to be one more piece of blue for Kamala.’

--Lee Romney and Bettina Boxall