SAN FRANCISCO - Democrat Steve Westly will be California's next controller, following a very tight race with state Sen. Tom McClintock, a contest that had remained too close to call since the election on Nov. 5.
The win means Democrats hold all constitutional offices in the state. The party last swept all top offices, including governor, treasurer, attorney general, and about five other offices, in the '80s -- the 1880s, that is.
Westly had about 3.220 million votes, or about 45.4% of what had been counted as of early Tuesday.
McClintock had about 3.199 million and conceded defeat, though more than 150,000 ballots remained uncounted.
The controller is a member of 52 boards and commissions, and is authorized to audit any state agency. The office also plays a key role in structuring issues of revenue anticipation notes and revenue anticipation warrants, of which the state has issued billions in the last year to cover cash flow needs.
Westly, a former senior vice president at eBay, has been active in the state and national Democratic parties and has held various political positions everywhere from San Mateo County to Capitol Hill. He also spent time as an investment banker at Bridgmere Capital, a San Francisco-based firm, and taught at his alma mater, Stanford University Graduate School of Business.
He will replace current Controller Kathleen Connell who will step down at the end of the year. Connell did not run again due to term limits.
McClintock has two years left in his term as senator representing the Thousand Oaks area in southern California.
As of Oct. 24, he had spent just over $1 million on his campaign.
Westly spent $8.2 million as of Nov. 1, according to reports filed with the secretary of state, several million from his own pocket.
