July 12, 2011 2012 → 54.9% 45.1% | 47,000 38,624 | |
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A 2011 special election filled the vacancy in California's 36th congressional district after the resignation of incumbent Jane Harman on February 28, 2011; Harman vacated her seat in the U.S. House of Representatives to become head of the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars.
Contents
- Background and procedures
- Candidates in the general election
- Democratic Party
- Republican Party
- Peace and Freedom Party
- Libertarian Party
- Independent
- Primary election
- Polling
- References
The special primary election occurred on May 17, 2011. Democrat Janice Hahn received the highest number of votes, with Republican Craig Huey taking second place. Because no candidate received more than 50 percent of the vote in the primary, a special general election was held on July 12, 2011, between the top two vote recipients. The runoff election was won by Janice Hahn.
Background and procedures
An election was called to fill the rest of Harman's term, which ends January 2013. An all-party primary was held on May 17. Since no candidate received more than 50% of the vote, the top two primary finishers, regardless of party, met in a run-off on July 12.
The special election was held under California statutes regarding special elections and not under California's newly in force Proposition 14, which does not apply to special elections.