Bono, Lee Win Special House Elections In California
WASHINGTON (AllPolitics, April 16) -- Two women scored expected victories in special congressional elections in California on Tuesday, bringing to 55 the number of women serving in the House of Representatives.
In Southern California's 44th District, Mary Bono, widow of Rep. Sonny Bono, won her late husband's House seat by easily beating Democrat Ralph Waite, an actor best known for his role as the father on "The Waltons" TV show.
In complete returns, Bono captured 50,841 votes and 64.1 percent, to Waite's 22,787 votes and 28.7 percent. Four other candidates trailed far behind, and turnout was 29 percent.
In Northern California's 9th District, voters chose Barbara Lee, a state senator and former chief of staff to Rep. Ron Dellums, a Democrat who retired in February after more than 27 years in Congress, to succeed him.
In complete returns, Lee had 31,025 votes and 66.8 percent to 7,504 votes and 16.1 percent for Democrat Greg Harper, an Emeryville city council member. Turnout was a meager 15 percent.
Bono said she won because she talked about issues.
"I believe it's really very simple, running a positive campaign on the issues," Bono, a Republican, said at a victory party.(288K wav sound)
Her husband died in a Sierra Nevada skiing accident Jan. 5. "He'd be proud and he'd be thinking 'I knew you could do it,' " she said.
Dellums, a liberal Democrat whose politics were rooted in the anti-war protests of the 1960s, said he was quitting Congress to spend more time with his family. He had endorsed Lee.
Bono, 36, ran for her husband's seat at the urging of GOP leaders and her family, except her mother-in-law, who publicly chastised her for seeking office while raising two young children.
Waite, 68, was virtually an absentee candidate, starring in a production of "Death of a Salesman" in New Jersey during much of the campaign. Contractual obligations prevented him from campaigning much.
Both elections Tuesday were to fill out the remainder of the current term, which expires at the end of the year. A primary election for the term that begins in January is scheduled for June 2.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
|
News
Bono
California