SACRAMENTO — At a solemn Electoral College ceremony at the state Capitol on Tuesday, electors who had expected to celebrate the historic presidential inauguration of the daughter of California’s Democratic Party held a solemn Electoral College ceremony at the state Capitol, where Republican Donald Trump I voted for Vice President Kamala Harris knowing she would be heading to the White House next month. Instead.
It was a completely different scene than before. in 2020California confirms Democrat Joe Biden’s victory and ousts Trump after his first term as Republicans refuse to concede defeat and make unsubstantiated claims of voter fraud, Sacramento Democratic pollsters say. The people cheered and applauded.
This time, all 54 of California’s electoral votes were cast in favor of Harris, the first California Democrat to run for president, and the chamber fell silent.
“You can talk to your friends. This is not a funeral, it’s a good time,” Secretary of State Shirley Weber said, adding that regardless of how they felt about the election results, electors who sit at desks normally reserved for members of Congress. He praised his “devotion to democracy.” election.
Harris won about 58% of the vote in her home state of California, defeating Trump by more than 20 points, but lost to him nationally.
Although the national popular vote was close between Harris and Trump, Trump won the Electoral College, a system based on population and state representation in Congress, 312-226. Members of the Electoral College convened in each state on Tuesday to vote for candidates. Who won the state?
California Democratic Party Chairman Rusty Hicks said it was not a sad day of defeat, adding that the Golden State remains a “beacon of freedom” for the nation. Despite losing several seats, Democrats retain unfettered power in Sacramento and control the governor’s office and the Legislature.
And while this election was a huge victory nationally for Republicans, who will soon take control of the Senate, House of Representatives, and the Presidency, Democrats unseated three Republican incumbents in the California state House race, leaving a thinly-thin Republican Party. contributed to reducing the majority.
“Do most of us want a different outcome? Absolutely,” Hicks said at the Capitol on Tuesday. “But this is part of our democracy: making our voices heard, coming into the people’s homes and respecting the election results. I think that’s something we should all be proud of.” Masu.”
California’s presidential electors include city councilors, mayors, political strategists, nonprofit leaders, Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas (D-Salinas) and new Assemblyman Mark Gonzalez (D-Los Angeles). It included Democratic lawmakers from across the state, including elected officials. .
Political family members also served as electors, including Karen Waters, daughter of U.S. Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Los Angeles). Angela Padilla, wife of Democratic U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla. Candace Adam Medefind, mother of Democratic Congressman-elect Adam Gray. Elizabeth Cisneros, mother of Democratic Congresswoman-elect Gil Cisneros.
Trump was not mentioned at Tuesday’s official ceremony, but with his impending inauguration hard to escape at the California State Capitol, Gov. Gavin Newsom recently spoke out about Trump’s conservative policies. It launched a special legislative session dedicated to funding litigation against the proposal.
In his welcome address, Mr. Rivas said, “This process is about respecting the voices of people, the values we hold dear, freedom, equity, and the right of every individual to have a voice and shape our future.” It’s a reminder of what’s possible.” Congress floor.
Gray, who won the key seat by defeating Republican U.S. Rep. John Duarte in a close Central Valley race, was at the Capitol on Tuesday as an observer.
The newly elected members said they are cautiously optimistic about the next administration and are ready to work with President Trump on areas where they can agree.
“Nobody wins every election, and that doesn’t stop us from waking up the next day and working on things that are important to our community,” he said.
Xiomara Flores-Holguin was Tuesday’s elector and a top volunteer for Democrat George Whiteside’s congressional campaign. Whiteside, a first-time elected official, defeated Republican Rep. Mike Garcia in another high-profile House race in northern Los Angeles County.
Flores-Holguin said Tuesday she was filled with “mixed emotions.” She plans to help Democrats rethink their voter engagement strategies with a renewed focus on Latino voters before the next election.
“Coming into today, I feel like there’s still a glimmer of hope that Democrats are coming back,” she said. “We learned some lessons from that and we’re not giving up. We’re not going to walk away.”
