CA 22: Democrat Capps Wins Close Rematch

(AllPolitics, Nov. 6) -- Democrat Walter Holden Capps tried again and won in a close rematch against freshman Republican Rep. Andrea Seastrand to win California's 22nd District seat.

With 100 percent of the precincts counted, Capps had 50 percent of the vote to Seastrand's 44 percent. Four other candidates split the remainder of the votes.

Seastrand battled a perception that she was too conservative even for her district, which had not sent a Democrat to Congress since World War II.

She criticized Capps for opposing California's blocked initiative to end most benefits to illegal immigrants, and accused him of being a big government liberal.

Capps benefitted from an estimated $900,000 worth of anti-Seastrand ads bought by labor. She was attacked for her conservative views on labor issues, education funding and the environment.

Stark ideological differences polarized voters, and minor party candidates factored in. Capps lost to Seastrand by fewer than 1,600 votes two years ago.

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