Dead candidate wins CA state senate election

[cowcommander]

Source: MSNBC

With 100 percent of the precincts reporting, deceased candidate, Democrat Jenny Oropeza, defeated Republican John Stammreich in the race for State Senate in the 28th district. Oropeza, 53, died on Oct. 20. Because her death was within 10 days of the election, her name remained on the ballot.The governor now has two weeks to declare her seat empty, and schedule a special election within three to four months.

This allows Democrats a chance to find a new candidate to run for Oropeza's seat.A week after her death, Democrats sent out mailers to residents, calling for voters to still reelect Oropeza. The mailers featured Secretary of State Debra Bowen and Democratic Party general counsel Martha Escutia.Republicans responded to the mailers, filing a complaint that the pamphlets were too similar to official election documents and were confusing voters, violating California law. Stammreich and GOP Chairman Ron Nehring filed the complaint.

"The Republicans are trying to take unfair advantage of Jenny's tragedy," the mailer reads, according to the Los Angeles Times. "They suggest that voting for Jenny will only result in a costly Special Election. I am asking you to vote for Jenny Oropeza. If a Special Election is called in a few months, you'll have the chance to thoughtfully elect your Senator for a new four-year term."


Read more: http://www.dailybreeze.com/news/ci_16506535

[CaliforniaPeggy]

1. I was so proud to vote for Jenny...

I'd met her, and was so impressed at her energy, and her intelligence.

Her death is a real tragedy for all of us in her district, and for all the people she never got to serve.

[Hekate]

2. That is terribly sad. At least she leaves a legacy of a district that shows it wants a Democrat

Condolences to her family and friends, and best luck to the district in finding a replacement.

[Ken Burch]

3. How did she die? 53 is awfully young for that.

Don't mean to be intrusive, just wondering if anybody knew the story.

[rox63]

8. Details about her passing here

http://www.dailybreeze.com/latestnews/ci_16396467

Sounds like a pulmonary emboli.

[proud2BlibKansan]

4. Same thing happened in MO

http://www.kansascity.com/2010/11/03/2389062/voters-in-northwest-missouri-elect.html

[sakabatou]

5. If there is a special election, who will take her place?

[urgk]

6. So, Mitch McConnell wasn't the first?

That Weekend at Bernie's automaton freaks me out. I keep checking the podium when he speaks to see if he keeps a mug of embalming fluid to replace the natural seepage.

[Ian David]

7. Calif. Republican John Stammerich Loses to Dead Democrat Oropez by 58-35 margin

See prior thread:

Calif. Republican John Stammerich Loses to Dead Democrat Oropez by 58-35 margin
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x9462437