Stephanie Nguyen opens up big lead over Eric Guerra in Sacramento Assembly race

Stephanie Nguyen began Wednesday holding a commanding lead over Eric Guerra in the race to represent south Sacramento and Elk Grove in the state Assembly District 10.

Early unofficial results show Elk Grove City Councilwoman Nguyen with 58% of the vote and Sacramento City Councilman Guerra with 42% as of midnight, according to the Sacramento County Registrar of Voters Office.

The Associated Press estimated about 25% of votes have been counted.

Guerra and Nguyen want to fill the Assembly seat held by Democrat Jim Cooper, who left the Legislature to run for Sacramento County Sheriff.

The two Democrats have spent much of the race sparring over homelessness and housing, the biggest issues facing the Sacramento region.

Nguyen attacked Guerra for failing to address Sacramento’s sprawling homeless encampments, which have grown during the past three years. Guerra went after Nguyen when Elk Grove leaders were rebuked by state housing authorities for failing to approve an affordable apartment complex.

The race also drew millions of dollars in political action committee spending from independent expenditures. An oil PAC funded more than $900,000 in ads supporting Nguyen. Real estate and housing interest groups spent more than $700,000 to back Guerra.

One misleading ad, funded by a real estate PAC, claimed that the nonprofit operated by Nguyen failed to pay its taxes. The organization is tax-exempt.

Incumbent Sacramento Assemblyman Kevin McCarty also got a strong start in his Assembly District 6 re-election bid. Initial results showed the Democrat with 62.75% of the vote, while Republican Cathy Cook had taken 37.25% as of midnight.

This story was originally published November 8, 2022 at 8:30 PM.