Sherman bests Berman in feisty California contest

(CNN) - Rep. Brad Sherman bested fellow Democratic Rep. Howard Berman Tuesday after a bitter intra-party fight for the House seat in California's 30th Congressional District.

Berman released a statement congratulating Sherman early Wednesday morning:

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"Brad Sherman will be the next Congressman from the 30th Congressional District. I congratulate Brad and my friend Tony Cardenas who will have the honor and solemn responsibility of representing the San Fernando Valley in the 113th Congress. I wish both of them the best of luck and the wisdom and strength to confront and overcome the challenges that face our nation," he said.

The two were pitted against each other after redistricting landed them in the same district, and California's new primary system sent the top two primary winners to the general election.
Sherman won the primary with 42.4% of the vote compared with 32.4% for Berman.

The race – which was nasty from the start with accusations flying from both camps – hit a fever pitch in October when a debate at Pierce College in Woodland Hills almost turned physical.

After a heated exchange about the author of the DREAM Act, Sherman stepped in and yelled to Berman, "You want to get into this?" and thrust his arm around Berman. A police officer then stepped in to dissolve the tension.

Sherman apologized for his actions following the disagreement.

Berman was the top Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs committee. This loss ends his decades-long congressional career.

Berman was first elected to Congress in 1982.

- CNN's Rob Yoon and Adam Levy contributed to this report.