Free Republic

Republicans on Monday accused the state Democratic Party and Secretary of State Debra Bowen of using "illegal campaign tactics" to influence voters to cast a ballot for late Sen. Jenny Oropeza in a Long Beach state Senate district. Democrat Oropeza died unexpectedly last month but remains as a candidate for re-election on today's ballot. The California Democratic Party recently sent Democratic and decline-to-state voters in the district a letter from Bowen, a Democrat, outlining what would happen if Oropeza wins. "Jenny Oropeza's name is on the ballot. You have the right to vote for her," the letter reads. "If you...