Democrat Jim Costa reelected to Congress; McNerney-Harmer contest still unsettled

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With only 15 provisional ballots remaining to be counted Tuesday morning, Rep. Jim Costa (D-Fresno) narrowly won his toughest reelection battle.

The Secretary of State’s update showed Costa leading Republican cherry farmer Andy Vidak by 3,031 votes, or 51.8% to 48.2%, in the 20th Congressional District. Costa, who trailed on election night, already had declared victory, confident in the trend that had him overtaking Vidak as the remaining absentee and provisional ballots were being counted.

The only California congressional race still up in the air is for the Bay Area’s 11th District, where Rep. Jerry McNerney (D-Pleasanton) held a 1,788-vote lead over Republican attorney David Harmer on Thursday, according to the Secretary of State.

Counties have until Nov. 30 to complete their ballot counts.

Republicans had targeted both Costa and McNerney, as well as Rep. Loretta Sanchez (D-Garden Grove). She won re-election despite a strong challenge from Republican Assemblyman Van Tran, also of Garden Grove.

-- Jean Merl