The fight for the state senate seat for the 40th district is going the distance.
As of 5:30 a.m. Wednesday, with 92 percent of precincts reporting, State Rep. Mary Salas and former State Rep. Juan Vargas were in a dead heat splitting the vote 50-50 with only 250 votes separating them.
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Family members, friends and supporters of Salas and Vargas gathered Tuesday night at different restaurants just a couple miles apart from each other in Chula Vista, waiting to hear the results of the hotly state Senate contested race.
The biggest difference in the two election night parties: One featured Italian food, the other, Mexican.
The two sides were locked in a true neck-and-neck fight that is looking like it will last well into the day after voters went to the polls. In a race that was full of finger pointing and alleged false accusations via mailers and commercial ads -- not to mention a brief scuffle on the downtown San Diego court house steps between two supporters of the opposite sides -- it almost seems appropriate that the fight will go the distance.
The Democrats are in a fierce face-off for a shot at replacing Denise Ducheny, who has termed out.
Salas is currently the state representative for the 79th District (and a former member of the Chula Vista city council).
Vargas left his job at an insurance company to run for office. But he preceded Salas in that 79th district assembly position.
The winner will face republican Brian Hendry in the fall.
