CASE STUDY: CERC TIME CAPSULE 2006 General Special Election SITUATION: In 2006, California’s 50th Congressional District needed to choose a new member of the U.S. House of Representatives to fill the vacancy caused by the 2005 resignation of disgraced Republican Randy “Duke” Cunningham. Nearly 20 candidates jumped into the race amid the scandal, including former Republican Congressman Brian Bilbray. He forced a run-off with Democrat Francine Busby, who had received 44 percent of the vote in the Primary Special Election. Long-considered a Republican stronghold district, the Cunningham scandal and subsequent sentencing to more than eight years in federal prison just months before the General Special Election cast a cloud over Bilbray’s candidacy. “THE DCCC FORCED THE NRC

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