The seat has been held by republicans since the district was formed in 1992 and was one of the 23 democrats needed to gain control of the House.
CBS2/KCAL9’s Stacey Butler was in Costa Mesa, where the Rohrabacher camp was holding its election night gathering. The mood was somber as supporters in the longtime republican stronghold felt a shift.
Rohrabacher, addressing supporters, suggested big money was to blame for the unusually close race.
“This race represents David versus Goliath,” Rohrabacher said. “They have spent $20 million trying to defeat me. I am very confident we can overcome that. The importance of this is that was $20 million less they had to spend on other vulnerable republicans across this country. So I am very pleased that we have managed to at least make it a better fight or more event fight in other areas.”
“I still have total faith in the people down here, total faith in the American people and I have faith in President Donald Trump,” he continued, adding: “We will save America.”
CBS2/KCAL9’s Michelle Gile was in Newport Beach with Rouda supporters, energized by late-night numbers and hopes of turning the tide in Orange County.
She reports there could be as many as a half-million mail-in ballots in the race, possibly delaying the release of the final results.
