Fuentes headed to the Assembly

Felipe Fuentes is the newest state Assembly member, winning with a depressingly low 5,432 votes (so far), in a district where 112,656 people are registered. He nevertheless received more than 50% of the vote, so the deed is done.

Turnout in the Los Angeles special election was 9.5%.

Fuentes, the grandson of Mexican immigrants, served as chief of staff to former City Councilman Alex Padilla and more than two years as deputy mayor for the San Fernando Valley during the Hahn administration. Fuentes told supporters he "plans to spend a little time with my family this weekend, and then get to Sacramento as soon as possible so I can weigh in on the budget process," the Times reports.

According to his campaign website, Fuentes is a hero: "As a junior at San Fernando High School, Felipe witnessed a small child being struck by a delivery truck. Felipe was understandably frightened, but he did not panic. He used his first-aid training, learned as an Explorer Scout, to apply a tourniquet to the boy’s leg, effectively saving his life."

Fuentes replaces Richard Alarcon, who left the Assembly in March to return to the Los Angeles City Council. The district includes the city of San Fernando as well as parts or all of Panorama City, North Hills, Pacoima, Sun Valley, Mission Hills, Arleta, Lakeview Terrace and Sylmar.

UPDATE: He's controversial even before he arrives with the big boys.