Nov. 05--REPORTING FROM SACRAMENTO -- Democratic Assemblyman Steve Fox has been defeated by GOP challenger Tom Lackey in a closely watched Palmdale-area Assembly race.
Republicans had made Fox's ouster a top priority in hopes of breaking the Democratic supermajority in the lower house.
Fox, a first-term legislator, won his seat in Assembly District 36 in 2012 by just 145 votes. He had previously been a Republican and often broke from Democrats on issues such as gun control.
Lackey is a Palmdale city council member and a former California Highway Patrol sergeant.
Democrats had put significant effort into voter registration in the area; they now hold a five-point advantage in the district.
Lackey was the top vote-getter in the June primary, winning 41% to Fox's 32%. Two other Republicans and one other Democrat also competed in the June contest.
Follow @melmason for more on California government and politics.
