State´s Closest Race Finally Over

Republican Dean Gardner has conceded defeat in California´s closest legislative race of the year, but he says the GOP will continue to investigate rumors of election improprieties.

Gardner is a general contractor and custom gun-stock maker from Bakersfield. He lost to Democrat Nicole Parra by 265 votes out of the more than 52,000 that were cast, according to election officials in the four counties that make up parts of the 30th Assembly District.

Gardner released a statement this afternoon wishing Parra the best of luck in the Assembly.

But he said the Republican Party is still investigating rumors of election improprieties in the race and isn´t ruling out action to try to overturn the results. Parra says there´s no validity to any rumors cited by the GOP. She is scheduled to take office Monday when the Legislature begins its 2003 session.