Democrat elected to California's 53rd Assembly district

[Ernesto]

LOS ANGELES (AP) - Democrat Ted W. Lieu handily defeated three Republican opponents to win election to California's 53rd Assembly district in a special election called after the June death of incumbent Mike Gordon.

http://www.sacbee.com/state_wire/story/13562492p-14403109c.html

[davidinalameda]

1. this was a Democratic seat, no?

[Oerdin]

2. Yes

http://www.calvoter.org/voter/maps/assembly/AD53.pdf

That's a map of the AD 53 which shows it is a coastal area going from Torrence/Lomita to the coastal areas west of Culver City. A Democrat named Gordon won the election last year but for some reason the seat is open again. Anyone know why?

http://www.sacbee.com/state_wire/story/13562492p-14403109c.html