AP Declares Bera Winner in California's 7th District Race

Dr. Ami Bera (left) with fellow Democratic Congressman

Jared Huffman at a recent campaign rally in Elk Grove, Calif. |    

November, 18, 2016 |

It took about 10 day, but Dr. Ami Bera (D - Elk Grove) was declared the winner of the closely contested race for California's 7th Congressional District this afternoon by the Associated Press.

Bera won his third term over Republican challenger, Sacramento County Sheriff Scott Jones. The AP's declaration came following updates posted earlier this afternoon by the Sacramento County Board of Elections. 

The close result were nothing new for Bera who beat then incumbent Dan Lungren and former Congressman Doug Ose by razor thin margins in 2012 and 2014 respectively. This years margin of victory was 6,008 votes, or about two-percent.

"It's been my honor to serve this community first as a doctor and for these past four years as a member of Congress,”  Bera said in a statement. “I'm incredibly thankful for the hundreds of volunteers who knocked doors and made phone calls during this campaign because they believe in standing up for women’s access to health care, protecting Medicare and Social Security, and ensuring all of our Veterans receive the benefits they’ve earned. After months of a divisive national election, our job now is to bring our country back together.”  

The race between Bera and Jones was one of two Congressional races that had not been determined. Jones, who is in his second term as Sheriff, ran on a platform that emphasized strict border and immigration enforcement.

As of posting time, Jones has not issued a concession statement.