Democrat Matt Dababneh Wins 45th Assembly District Seat

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — Democrat Matt Dababneh has officially won the 45th Assembly District seat in the western San Fernando Valley, according to a final vote tally released by the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk's Office.

Dababneh, district chief of staff for Rep. Brad Sherman, finished with 14,933 votes, or 50.64 percent, while Republican Susan Shelley earned 14,555 votes, or 49.36 percent. Dababneh won with a 378-vote margin.

Unofficial results released after Tuesday's special election showed Dababneh holding a 173-vote lead.

Shelley had been a writer and associate producer of the television game show "Jeopardy!"

The county Board of Supervisors is scheduled to give final certification of the votes on Dec. 3.

Dababneh will be taking the seat vacated by Bob Blumenfield, who was elected to the Los Angeles City Council in March.

The district includes all or portions of Canoga Park, Encino, Northridge, Reseda, West Hills, Winnetka, Woodland Hills, Calabasas, Hidden Hills and the Ventura County community of Bell Canyon.

(©2013 CBS Local Media, a division of CBS Radio Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Wire services contributed to this report.)