SAN DIEGO, June 7 (UPI) -- The Republican Party appeared Wednesday to have narrowly hung onto a U.S. House of Representatives seat vacated by a jailed California congressman.
Final totals in Tuesday's San Diego-area special election were not complete by daybreak, but former Republican Rep. Brian Bilbray had been leading in polls against Democratic opponent Francine Busby, The Los Angeles Times reported.
Various local media said Bilbray had as much as a 5-percent lead over Busby.
The seat was left vacant when former Rep. Randy Cunningham was sent to jail for eight years for bribery and corruption. Tuesday's winner will serve the rest of Cunningham's term and face a rematch in November.
Meanwhile, state Treasurer Phil Angelides won the Democratic primary to square off against Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger after opponent Steve Westly conceded in a 1:15 a.m. phone call, the Times said.
Schwarzenegger faced no serious primary challengers and easily won the Republican nomination.
