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.
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. California Elections Code - Sections 10700 through 10707
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. California Constitution - Article 2 - Section 5
Candidates in the general election Janice Hahn, Democratic Party Craig Huey, Republican Party
Candidates in the primaries Democratic Party Dan Adler, businessman from Los Angeles Debra Bowen, Secretary of State of California from Marina Del Rey Loraine Goodwin, physician/arbitrator/teacher Janice Hahn, Los Angeles City Councilwoman from San Pedro Marcy Winograd, teacher and community organizer from Venice
Republican Party Kit Bobko, Hermosa Beach City Councilman and former Mayor Stephen Eisele, Marina del Rey businessman Mike Gin, Redondo Beach Mayor Craig Huey, Rolling Hills Estates businessman George Newberry, businessman Mike Webb, Redondo Beach City Attorney
Peace and Freedom Party Maria E. Montaño, teacher
Libertarian Party Steve Collett, certified public accountant
Independent Michael T. Chamness, consultant Katherine Pilot, longshore office clerk Matthew Roozee, executive at 20th Century Fox
Polling
Primary election Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror DebraBowen (D) MikeGin (R) JaniceHahn (D) MarcyWinograd (D) UndecidedFeldman GroupFeldman Group April 4–7, 2011 401 ± 4.9% 20% 8% 20% 6% 24% Commissioned by the Bowen campaign
General election
Polling Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror JaniceHahn (D) CraigHuey (R) Other UndecidedPublic Policy PollingPublic Policy Polling July 8–10, 2011 619 ± 3.9% 52% 44% — 4%
Commissioned by Daily Kos and the SEIU
Bowen/Hahn runoff Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror DebraBowen (D) JaniceHahn (D) UndecidedFeldman Group April 4–7, 2011 401 ± 4.9% 40% 36% 16%Public Policy PollingPublic Policy Polling February 17–18, 2011 890 ± 3.3% 33% 29% 39%
Commissioned by the Bowen campaign Commissioned by the Progressive Change Campaign Committee
Results Primary
General
See also 2011 United States House of Representatives elections
References
External links Janice Hahn for Congress Craig Huey for Congress