San Diego’s Todd Gloria swept into the state Assembly on Tuesday and vowed that California would not be swayed by a Donald Trump presidency.

“The world will continue to look to California for progressive leadership,” Gloria said, “and continue on the path we’re on — regardless of what happens in D.C.”

The councilman, whose 37-point margin of victory over Republican Kevin Melton was the second-largest in San Diego County, laughed when asked about California seceding from the union — as suggested by a “Calexit” website and a young woman screaming out her car window on a downtown street.

San Diego City Councilman Todd Gloria won his first race for the state Assembly.
San Diego City Councilman Todd Gloria won his first race for the state Assembly. Photo by Chris Stone

“I don’t think that’s going to happen,” Gloria said at Golden Hall, where he gave broadcast interviews and embraced friends and political colleagues.

Instead, the 78th District Assembly member-elect said the state — boasting a Democratic-dominated Legislature — would continue its leftward course of recent years.

“While the rest of the country has been indifferent to issues like climate change and minimum wage increases, California has led,” he said before Trump locked down his electoral victory. “I’m proud of our state. … And if that’s in contrast with what’s going on in D.C., so much the better.”

Mark West, who won election to the Imperial Beach City Council, congratulates Todd Gloria (right) on his Assembly victory. Photo by Ken Stone
Mark West, who won election to the Imperial Beach City Council, congratulates Todd Gloria (right) on his Assembly victory. Photo by Ken Stone

In Sacramento, he’ll be joining star Democrat Lorena Gonzalez, who defeated her 80th District GOP challenger — Lincoln Pickard — by 51 percentage points in that Mexico-bordering district that also includes Chula Vista, National City and the San Diego neighborhoods of City Heights and Barrio Logan.

Pickard used the slogan “Make California Great Again!” but couldn’t make a dent in his latest run in the heavily Democratic district. (He lost to David Alvarez 76 percent to 24 percent in the June 2014 City Council primary.)

Besides Gloria, the San Diego County delegation will feature Assembly newcomer Randy Voepel, the Republican mayor of Santee, taking the 71st District seat occupied by termed-out Brian Jones. Voepel’s rival, local jeweler Leo Hamel, dropped out early in the race.

Easily winning re-election were Republicans Marie Waldron in the 75th District, Rocky Chavez in the 76th District and Brian Maienschein in the 77th District. Democrat Shirley Weber was re-elected in the 79th District.

Donald Trump fans display signs at Golden Hall before the Republican’s victory was assured. Photo by Ken Stone
Termed out Assemblyman Brian Jones (with arms crossed) plans to run for state Senate in 2018. Photo by Ken Stone
Mark West, who won election to the Imperial Beach City Council, congratulates Todd Gloria (right) on his Assembly victory. Photo by Ken Stone
Supporters of Doug Applegate display signs behind GOP Rep. Darrell Issa during one of his broadcast interviews. Photo by Ken Stone
District 9 San Diego City Council candidate Georgette Gomez is introduced to Democrats by county chairwoman Francine Busby. Photo by Ken Stone
Supporters greet Democratic challenger Doug Applegate, seeking to oust Rep. Darrell Issa from the House. Photo by Ken Stone
Democrat Doug Applegate prepares to speak to supporters at the Westin Hotel. Photo by Ken Stone
Democrats gathered on the fourth floor of the Westin Hotel had little to point to amid a growing Donald Trump sweep of key states. Photo by Chris Stone
Republicans at the U.S. Grant Hotel celebrated the rising count of electoral votes for Donald Trump. Photo by Chris Stone
Donald Trump fans showed their colors at Golden Hall. Photo by Chris Stone
KFMB radio crew worked amid cutouts of the presidential rivals. Hillary Clinton’s head rolled over. Photo by Chris Stone
Jack Minnick of San Diego shows his disappointment in the election results at the Westin Hotel gathering of Democrats. Photo by Chris Stone
Tony Krvaric, chairman of the San Diego County Republican Party, held court at a GOP get-together at the U.S. Grant Hotel. Photo by Chris Stone
Dave Roberts, the lone Democrat on the county Board of Supervisors, was leading in his District 3 race. Photo by Chris Stone
Marty Block. File photo by Chris Stone
Josh Butner signals victory in his race for a seat on the Jamul-Dulzura school board. Photo by Chris Stone
Todd Gloria after his election to the state Assembly in November 2016. Photo by Chris Stone
Assemblywoman Shirley Weber easily won a third term in the 79th District. Photo by Chris Stone