Francine Busby Top Vote-Getter in San Diego Special Election

Democrat Francine Busby won 44 percent of the vote to replace jailed Representative Randy "Duke" Cunningham (R) in a special election held yesterday. Busby, a school board member, will face Republican Brian Bilbray in a run-off election on June 6 to represent the San Diego-area Congressional district. Bilbray, a lobbyist and former member of Congress, won only 15 percent of the vote, according to Bloomberg News.

Cunningham was convicted of bribery and sentenced in March to eight years and four months in prison. “For too long, Washington politicians from both parties have told us that the status quo culture of corruption is as good as it gets. But now, we have a chance to tell Washington that we don’t want more of the same Duke Cunningham style of pay-to-play politics,” said Busby, in a statement on her website.

Media Resources: Bloomberg News 4/12/06; LA Times 4/13/06; Francine Busby for Congress website

© Feminist Majority Foundation, publisher of Ms. magazine

If you liked this story, consider making a tax-deductible donation to support Ms. magazine.