Democrat Alyson Huber has beaten Jack Sieglock for the 10th Assembly District seat after a last-minute spike in ballot counting, according to a check of election offices.
Sieglock said Wednesday that he was very disappointed, but that barring "divine intervention" he can't overtake Huber.
"I don't believe, mathematically, that the numbers are there," Sieglock said.
Huber will assume the seat of Republican Alan Nakanishi, a Lodi Republican who will be termed out when the session officially ends Sunday.
Huber overtook her Republican opponent Tuesday night and held a 507-vote lead Wednesday morning, more than three weeks after Election Day.
New legislators will be administered the oath of office Monday at the Capitol.
Even if Sieglock captures every vote left to be counted, he cannot overcome the 507-vote margin, according to a check by The Bee of election offices.
San Joaquin and Amador counties are through counting ballots, officials said.
El Dorado County has about 250 ballots left to count and Sacramento, less than 100, although it is not known how many are from the 10th District.
Huber, a business attorney who lives in El Dorado Hills, could not immediately be reached for comment Wednesday.
Huber never has held public office before. She painted herself as a political outsider but received heavy labor union support.
Art Torres, chairman of the California Democratic Party, said in a written statement that "it now appears" that Huber has won.
Torres said the seat will be a "key pickup for the Democratic Party."
"We are grateful for the hard-working Democratic activists who helped lead Alyson past the finish line."
Sieglock, a former San Joaquin County supervisor, thanked his supporters, family and friends for their support Wednesday.
"We really felt we were going to win this thing," he said.
Huber's victory gives Assembly Democrats a net gain of three seats this year. They will dominate Republicans, 51-29, in the coming year.
Call Jim Sanders, Bee Capitol Bureau, (916) 326-5538.
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