Despite the Obama mailer (or because of it?) Republican Sam Blakeslee comes out on top in the California Senate District 15 Special Election.

From mercurynews.com:

Republican Sam Blakeslee defeated Democrat John Laird in Tuesday’s closely-watched state Senate race, keeping the highly coveted seat vacated by Republican Abel Maldonado in GOP hands.

The unofficial election results have the San Luis Obispo Assemblyman in front of the former Santa Cruz Assemblyman by nearly 5 percentage points.

“I’m very excited,” said Blakeslee, who was celebrating victory late Tuesday with supporters in his hometown. “I’m deeply aware of the challenges of the state. Tomorrow we roll up our sleeves and go back to work.”

The 15th District seat, which opened up when Maldonado was appointed lieutenant governor this spring, gave Democrats the opportunity to gain another vote in the Senate and potentially control the state’s prickly budget negotiations. The stakes summoned millions of dollars in special interest money and even an endorsement from President Barack Obama.

Read the Rest…