Republican Assemblyman's Defeat Gives California Democrats A Supermajority

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) - Republican Assemblyman Eric Linder has been defeated by Democratic challenger Sabrina Cervantes, giving the Democrats a supermajority in the California Assembly.

Linder was one of at least two GOP incumbents who lost re-election after last week's election.

Results from Riverside County showed Wednesday that Cervantes won 53 percent to 47 percent.

Cervantes was previously an aide to Assemblyman Jose Medina of Riverside. Her victory gives Democrats at least 54 seats in the 80-member Assembly. That's enough votes to approve tax increases or pass emergency legislation without Republicans.

In San Jose, union-backed Democrat Ash Kalra defeated fellow Democrat Madison Nguyen, who was favored by the business community.

Linder did not immediately respond to a request for comment made through his Assembly office Wednesday.