After a bruising campaign with mudslinging that mentioned referred to strippers and subpoenas, the Democrat, Los Angeles City Councilwoman Janice Hahn, won Tuesday’s special House election in California’s 36th congressional district.

Los Angeles City councilwoman Janice Hahn celebrates her victory at Ports O’ Call Restaurant in San Pedro. (AP Photo/Sean Hiller – Daily Breeze)

She won by a comfortable margin — 55% of the vote compared with 45% for her Republican rival, businessman Craig Huey. Tallies of mailed-in ballots earlier this month suggested the race could be close, but Democrats have an 18-point advantage in registered voters. The seat had been held by long-time Democratic Rep. Jane Harman, who resigned earlier this year.

President Barack Obama’s campaign arm, Obama for America, made calls on Ms. Hahn’s behalf, and the president weighed in with a statement Wednesday. “Janice and I both believe that in order to win the future, we need to create jobs and grow our economy and pursue a balanced approach to deficit reduction,” Mr. Obama said. “In Congress, Janice will continue to fight for the people of the South Bay and add another chapter to her family’s long history of dedicated service to the people of California.”