Free Republic

An election schedule to replace disgraced former Rep. Randy "Duke" Cunningham caused at least one candidate to drop out of the 50th District race yesterday and could force those seeking the seat to run in as many as up to three races in two months. Candidates will vie in a special primary election April 11 to serve the last six months of Cunningham's term. Then, on June 6, there could possibly be a runoff, the same day as a separate primary for the full two-year term. "We're sort of in uncharted waters," said Joe Justin, a consultant for state Sen....

Democrat has all the buzz in 50th district race UNION-TRIBUNE August 8, 2005 Francine Busby is feeling on fire. Thanks to Duke's hari-kari, his effervescent foe has morphed into the It Girl. Why, Busby's so hot she could change her name to Buzz-by. "This is going to be the hottest race on the West Coast," the Cardiff candidate pledges with a sunny, know-it-all grin. "This is going to be the most competitively fought congressional seat this side of the Rockies. It's not a blow-away for Republicans in this district anymore." Two months ago, you'd have said Busby was blowing smoke...

Departure likely to block Democrats' shot at districtRep. Randy "Duke" Cunningham's announcement that he will not run for re-election next year did nothing to lift the spreading ethical cloud hanging over him, but it lifted a cloud of political angst over the Republican Party and touched off an instant scramble among ambitious Republicans. The Rancho Santa Fe Republican is under investigation by a federal grand jury, the FBI and the U.S. Attorney's Office in Washington over his financial ties to defense contractor Mitchell Wade. In announcing July 14 that he would not seek a ninth term, Cunningham, 63, maintained he...