Democrat Al Muratsuchi, Deputy Attorney General and member of the Torrance Unified School District, narrowly beat Republican contender, Craig Huey, 48 percent to 38 percent in June’s primary for State Assembly.

Redistricting lines have removed the liberal city of Venice, and replaced it with the much more conservative neighborhood of Rancho Palos Verdes.

According to the California Majority Report, Democrats still maintain a Democratic registration advantage in the 66th District. Yet, registration is split pretty evenly, with Democrat registration at 38 percent, and Republican registration at 35 percent.

Democrats are hoping Muratsuchi will have greater appeal to the newly drawn district, which has one of the largest Asian populations in the state, with one in five voters being Asian.

Muratsuchi also has a financial advantage over his opponent. Despite Huey raising more money during the latest finance reporting period from May 20 to June 30. Huey raised $226,268.58, while Muratsuchi raised $116,595 in the same period.

Still, Muratsuchi has managed to raise $411,327.55 since Jan. 1, while Huey has raised $367,414.27.

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Reach Staff Reporter Angela Blakely here.