Scott Wiener, Dave Cortese appear headed to victory in state Senate contests

Democrats Dave Cortese and Scott Wiener appear headed to victory in a pair of closely watched Bay Area races for state Senate.

In the 15th District covering most of San Jose, Cortese, a county supervisor, leads former Federal Election Commission chair Ann Ravel, 54% to 46%, as of early Wednesday.

“We’re feeling very, very good,” Cortese told KQED on Tuesday night. “Feels good to have a very solid lead.”

Cortese and Ravel engaged in the most expensive legislative race in California, with millions pouring in from independent expenditure committees on behalf of both Democrats.

Cortese had the backing of organized labor, while business groups lined up behind Ravel.

In San Francisco, Wiener, an incumbent, took to Twitter on Tuesday night to declare victory against Democratic Socialist Jackie Fielder.

Wow. Thank you for re-electing me with ~60% of the vote. I’m so honored to continue representing you in the Senate.

Nearly $1.5M was spent by or on behalf of my opponent & we prevailed.

Representing this community is the honor of my life. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

— Senator Scott Wiener (@Scott_Wiener) November 4, 2020

“Representing this community is the honor of my life,” Wiener wrote. “Thank you from the bottom of my heart.”

Fielder tweeted to her supporters that her vote count was “not enough,” but said she was “proud of every single one.”

Wiener has been the driving force behind proposals to reform California’s zoning laws in hopes of spurring housing development. During the campaign, Cortese voiced support for Wiener’s controversial Senate Bill 50 and was supported by local pro-housing groups.

“The public has come to realize that we have a housing production issue,” he said.

— Guy Marzorati (@GuyMarzorati)

Copyright 2020 KQED