Senate win gives California Dems supermajority in both houses

In this Nov. 8, 2016 photo, Democratic candidate for state Senate Josh Newman speaks with supporters at his campaign rally on election night in Brea, Calif. The Associated Press on Monday, Nov. 28, 2016 reported that Newman narrowly defeated Assemblywoman Ling Ling Chang, R-Diamond Bar, for the 29th state Senate District Seat in Orange County. (Rod Veal/Orange County Register/SCNG via AP) less In this Nov. 8, 2016 photo, Democratic candidate for state Senate Josh Newman speaks with supporters at his campaign rally on election night in Brea, Calif. The Associated Press on Monday, Nov. 28, 2016 ... more Photo: Rod Veal, Associated Press Photo: Rod Veal, Associated Press Image 1 of / 1 Caption Close Senate win gives California Dems supermajority in both houses 1 / 1 Back to Gallery

Democrats apparently wrapped up a two-thirds supermajority in both houses of the California Legislature on Monday, enough to pass tax increases or any other legislation on their own, with a victory in a state Senate district based in Orange County.

Democrat Josh Newman of Fullerton (Orange County) edged out Republican Assemblywoman Ling Ling Chang of Diamond Bar (Los Angeles County) in final results for the 29th Senate District, the Associated Press reported.

While most legislation in Sacramento needs only a majority vote, a two-thirds majority — 27 seats in the state Senate and 54 in the Assembly — is required for tax increases, measures taking effect immediately rather than the following year, and votes to override a governor’s veto.

Democrats entered the Nov. 8 election with 26 state senators and 52 Assembly members, and had cleared the 54-seat Assembly hurdle in election results already announced. Their caucus does not always vote uniformly, however — moderate, pro-business Democrats sometimes differ from more left-leaning members — and Democratic Gov. Jerry Brown has vetoed some bills carried by fellow party members.

Newman has directed a nonprofit providing employment assistance to military veterans. He ran unsuccessfully for the San Francisco Board of Supervisors while living in the city in 1994 but has never held political office, and declared on his campaign Web page that he was “not a party loyalist.”

Chang, who came to the United States from her native Taiwan at age 3, was elected to the Assembly in 2014. Her campaign platform included cutting taxes and business regulations and opposing reductions in criminal sentences.

The results reflected demographic and ideological changes in an area that had long been one of the most conservative in California.

Much of the 29th District is in Orange County, but it also includes parts of Los Angeles and San Bernardino counties. Republicans held a one-percentage-point registration edge in the district, now represented by Republican Sen. Bob Huff, who is leaving office in January because of term limits.

Bob Egelko is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: begelko@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @egelko