Parker has uphill climb against Runner in 17th District Senate race
Darren W. Parker, a Democrat in a sprawling high desert district that consistently votes Republican, is counting on help from labor and independents to pull off an upset of Sharon Runner in a special election next week.
The Palmdale Holiday Inn banquet room at Darren W. Parker's recent 51st birthday party was jammed with supporters who had gathered on the chilly high desert evening to celebrate their candidate and wish him luck. By most accounts, he'll need it.