MODESTO, Calif., Nov. 6 (UPI) -- California's 18th Congressional District is no longer "Condit Country," but it will remain in the hands of the Democrats following Assemblyman Dennis Cardoza's win Tuesday over Republican state Sen. Dick Montieth.
Cardoza, a protégé of Condit's, captured 52 percent of the vote in the rural San Joaquin Valley district to Montieth's 43 percent in a race that was in the national spotlight largely because of the fall from grace of Condit, who held a virtual lock on the seat for six terms.
When Condit lost in the primary amid the controversy over the disappearance of Washington intern Chandra Levy, the Republicans saw a chance to prevail in an area noted for its well-heeled and GOP-leaning agribusiness.
The Modesto Bee reported that Cardoza and Montieth spent more than $2 million on the campaign in the district, which has a large Democratic base and was redrawn last year.
Cardoza, 43, was publicly vilified as an opportunist by Condit's adult children, who had themselves worked in politics.
Cardoza went on the offensive against the 70-year-old Montieth, who had pledged to be a loyal supporter of President Bush and voiced his opposition to abortion.
