Costa trailed Vidak by 145 votes on Monday.
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PRESS RELEASE FROM CONGRESSMAN JIM COSTA
For Immediate Release
November 10, 2010
Congressman Jim Costa today declared victory in his re-election campaign for Congress. Costa now leads by 1,200 votes over Republican challenger Andy Vidak. ***
This has been a hard-fought campaign. It appears that it is now over. I believe our 1,200 vote margin will not only stand up, but will increase as the remaining few ballots are counted.
So today, I want to offer my heartfelt thanks. I am humbled by all the people of our Valley who have given me the honor and privilege of continuing to serve you.
Together we have accomplished a lot for our Valley over the years. But much more needs to done.
We need to acknowledge that tough times for my constituents and our nation make our challenges that much harder to overcome.
To Andy Vidak: I commend you on your commitment to the Valley. It is also true that seeing problems is not the same as solving them.
More than ever, we need a less political and more bi-partisan approach; a team effort with all of us in the Valley - Democrats and Republicans - pulling together for a common goal.
Andy, I hope you will be part of that bi-partisan team. I will certainly make every effort to reach across the political aisle - as I always have.
Because now is the time for all of us to pull together on our shared Valley priorities. Jobs. Water. Healthcare. Public safety. Schools. Transportation. A healthy agricultural economy.
I especially want to recognize the large coalition of support that includes but is not limited to the Latino Mayors' Coalition, the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and other ethnic groups who played a large role in my re-election as well as the bipartisan support I got from the labor, business, agriculture and water communities that have stayed with me in good and difficult times.
As I have always said, I put my trust and faith in the voters of the San Joaquin Valley. Thank you all. Now let's get back to work.
Current vote totals are:
Kern County: Costa 13,907; Vidak 8,871
Kings County: Costa 7,890; Vidak 18,247
Fresno County: Costa 18,169; Vidak 11,648
Total: Costa 39,966 (50.8%); Vidak 38,766 (49.2%)
