WASHINGTON, June 6 (UPI) -- Voters in San Diego, went to the polls in a special congressional election Tuesday with scandal-damaged Republicans hoping for a major victory.
The vote became necessary when U.S. Rep. Randy Cunningham, R-Calif., resigned after pleading guilty to bribery and corruption charges, The New York Times reported.
But amid fears Republicans could lose their majority in either chamber of the U.S. Congress in November's balloting, the National Republican Congressional Committee spent at least $4.5 million campaigning in the district. President George Bush, Vice President Dick Cheney and first lady Laura Bush also made recordings for automated telephone calls to voters, the Times said.
There was also a Senate primary in Montana, where Sen. Conrad Burns, implicated in dealings with disgraced lobbyist Jack Abramoff, faces a Republican challenge, The Wall Street Journal reported.
The Journal said if recent polling patterns hold, the Democrats are in a position to win the 15 seats they need to take control of the House of Representatives in November.
