Democrat Salud Carbajal will defeat Republican Justin Fareed in California’s 24th District, The Associated Press projects. 

Carbajal led Fareed 55 percent to 45 percent with 67 percent of precincts reporting.

Republicans saw the seat as a pick up opportunity with Democratic Rep. Lois Capps retiring.

[Election Results 2016]

California’s 24th District is in the southern part of the state and sits along the Pacific Coast. It includes Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties. 

In 2014, Capps beat Republican Chris Mitchum 52 percent to 48 percent. 

Coming into Election Day, the race was rated Democrat Favored by the Rothenberg & Gonzales Political Report/Roll Call.

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Carbajal has held local office for the past 12 years, serving on the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors. He also has a military background, having spent eight years in the Marine Corps Reserve.

Years after his family immigrated to the United Sates from Mexico when he was five, Carbajal became the first member of his family to earn a college degree. His background explains why he supports overhauling the immigration system and creating more affordable access to higher education.

Carbajal finished first in the June all-party primary with 32 percent, followed by Fareed at 21 percent, in a field that included nine candidates.