Posted on 04/11/2006 10:48:59 PM PDT by FairOpinion
A school board member running for Congress led in early results Tuesday of a special election to fill the unfinished term of former Rep. Randy "Duke" Cunningham, now in prison for bribery.
Democrat Francine Busby moved a step closer to the congressional office she first sought in 2004, when she lost badly to Cunningham. But the self-described soccer mom appeared to fall short of the majority she would need to stage an upset in California's 50th District, where Republicans outnumber Democrats 3-to-2.
In absentee voting, Busby had 27,332 votes, or 42 percent, to lead all 18 candidates in the nonpartisan, all-on-the-ballot format.
The two GOP front-runners were locked in a tight race. Lobbyist and former Rep. Brian Bilbray had a slight lead with 9,159 votes, or 14 percent, while Eric Roach, a political newcomer who spent $1.8 million on his own campaign, had 9,011 votes, or 14 percent.
If no candidate gets more than 50 percent of the vote, the top finisher from each party competes in a June 6 contest for the eight months remaining on Cunningham's term - and then immediately begins campaigning for the November election.
(Excerpt) Read more at mercurynews.com ...
With 22% counted, Busby still has 42%.
While Republicans are fighting among themselves, the Dem gets far ahead.
But it will have a runoff, correct?
Not that big of a deal IMO.
The GOP candidate will walk away big in the runoff.
42% is probably around Busby's ceiling.
Yes...the top two will be in the runoff and the seat will stay GOP.
IN a district where 2/3 are Republican, I would be very uncomfortable with a Dem taking 42%.
Polls showed Busby about 38%, close to the registered number.
Busby got 37% in 2004.
FRANCINE BUSBY 45963 43.28%
BRIAN P. BILBRAY 16268 15.32%
ERIC ROACH 15197 14.31%
HOWARD KALOOGIAN 7856 7.40%
BILL MORROW 6148 5.79%
I pray that Roach wins.
Looks like a runoff but there are no demographics on the results so far. I'd say it's between Roach and Bilbray now.
Unless I'm mistaken, the runoff will be between the top vote getters of each party... meaning the RINO twit vs. the 'Rat twat. What a joke. :-(
Maybe Roach can still pull it out with the absentee ballots.
Any guess whatwill be the MSM's spin regarding the results?
The election to fill Cunningham's seat will be held June 6, 2006.
Does anyone else wonder why someone with this kind of money wants to be in Congress?
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