RIALTO - Assembly Majority Leader Alberto Torrico (D-Newark) expects Democrats to pick up at least two Republican seats on Nov. 4. Democrats currently hold 48 seats in the State Assembly, six shy of a two-thirds majority, which would allow them to pass crucial legislation without Republican cooperation.
 
"I would be disappointed if we didn't come in with at least 50," Torrico told PolitickerCA.com.
 
He was particularly confident about the party's prospects in two competitive Southern California races. "It's surprising how well it's been going in the 80th and the 78th," Torrico said.
 
"I think the Republicans have put up the white flag [in those districts]. Just look at what they're doing financially. They're not moving any resources over. I think they've given up on their candidates."
 
Over the last month, the California Democratic Party has outspent their Republican counterpart by more than $700,000 in the 80th Assembly District, where Gary Jeandron (R-Palm Springs) faces Manuel Perez (D-Coachella), and by almost $830,000 in the 78th, where John McCann (R-Chula Vista) is battling Marty Block (D-San Carlos).
 
Torrico expects Democrats will reach a two-thirds majority in the assembly in 2010. "Our objective," Torrico said, "is to get to 54 in 2010."
 
Torrico predicted the party would target open seats in the 37th and 63rd Assembly Districts, where both Audra Strickland (R-Thousand Oaks) and Bill Emmerson (R-Redlands) will be termed out, respectively. "I know that those two are close to being seats we could almost take this year," Torrico said.

Democrats need a super-majority in the state legislature in order to pass state budgets without Republican cooperation. This year's budget was 85 days late largely because Republicans refused to vote for any compromise that included a tax increase.