Sam Liccardo defeats Evan Low for U.S. House seat

SAN JOSE, Calif. (KRON) -- Former San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo defeated state assembly member Evan Low in the race to represent California's 16th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives.

With 54% of the vote reporting, Liccardo received 59.86% to Low's 40.14%. The Associated Press called the race on Wednesday afternoon.

The two candidates were running to replace Rep. Anna Eshoo, who is retiring after three decades in Congress. Liccardo spent 16 years as a city council member and mayor in San Jose. Low is currently a state assembly member representing parts of Silicon Valley.

Other South Bay politicians such as Mayor Matt Mahan and City Councilmember Bien Doan supported Liccardo. Gov. Gavin Newsom endorsed Low.

Liccardo hosted a watch party Tuesday night at Santana Row. There, he said he wants to work across the aisle with Republicans.

"I recognize the winds are blowing nationally. If we have a Republican House and Senate, we need to find ideas that we can get Republican support for," he said.

Liccardo's other priorities include addressing housing affordability through revitalizing empty downtown commercial buildings and tackling homelessness by building affordable housing fast.