In the hotly contested race for California Assembly District 50, Santa Monica Mayor Richard Bloom ran strong in a close, four-way battle that included Democratic Assemblywoman Betsy Butler, Democratic candidate Torie Osborn, and gay Republican Brad Torgan.

At 2:58 a.m., with 100 percent of the total vote counted, Bloom finished in second place with 25.6 percent, Butler came in first with 25.8 percent, and Osborn and Torgan finished with 24.2 percent and 24.2 percent, respectively. If nothing changes, Bloom and Butler, the top two winners, will face each other in November.

California Assembly District 50 is one of the wealthiest, most liberal political districts in the United States. Whoever wins the election in November will have a plum job that will come with great connections to deep-connected contributors.

Read the L.A. Weekly feature story, “Democratic War for L.A.'s Richest,” for the inside scoop about this competitive, hard-charging race.

During the campaign, Osborn, who was considered a front runner, tried to paint herself as a battling outsider fighting Sacramento's political establishment in Assemblywoman Betsy Butler, who has the support of the California State Democratic Party and Assembly Speaker John Perez.

While Butler herself didn't engage in publicly trashing Osborn, her supporters were doing that job for her. The fighting between the two campaigns created tension and ill will among local Democrats in the 50th district.

Bloom, in the meantime, kept his head low, hoping voters would be turned off by the bickering and choose him. That strategy appeared to pay off for the underdog. Torgan, a longshot, was banking on a good turnout by Republicans. He finished surprisingly strong.

Contact Patrick Range McDonald at pmcdonald@laweekly.com.

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