2001 California's 32nd congressional district special election

Summary

A special election was held on June 5, 2001, to elect a member of the United States House of Representatives from California's 32nd congressional district to replace Julian Dixon, who died on December 8, 2000, of a heart attack.

2001 California's 32nd congressional district special election

← 2000 June 5, 2001 (2001-06-05) 2002 →

California's 32nd congressional district
Turnout15.27%
 
Nominee Diane Watson Noel Hentschel
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 72,995 19,403
Percentage 74.8% 19.9%

U.S. Representative before election

Julian Dixon
Democratic

Elected U.S. Representative

Diane Watson
Democratic

A special open primary election was held on June 1, 2001, of which Democratic Ambassador Diane Watson won nearly a third of the vote in a field of sixteen candidates. She handily defeated her main challenger, Republican Noel Hentschel, in the general election. Watson was redistricted to 33rd district for the 2002 election, in which she was re-elected.

Background edit

Located mainly in the Culver City area of Los Angeles County, the 32nd district was considered a Democratic stronghold. It voted strongly Democratic in the past few presidential elections, giving Al Gore a lead of 70 percentage points over George W. Bush in the 2000 election.[1]

Julian Dixon was first elected in the 1978 election to represent the 28th district. He never faced serious competition during his tenure, and would serve eleven terms. Before starting his twelfth term, of which he was elected to with 83.5% of the vote, he died in Los Angeles of a heart attack.[2]

Candidates edit

Democratic Party edit

Republican Party edit

Green Party edit

  • Donna J. Warren, human rights activist

Reform Party edit

Endorsements edit

Tad Daley (D)
Noel Hentschel (R)

Results edit

Primary edit

Special election[6]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Diane Watson 29,524 32.87
Democratic Kevin Murray 23,697 26.38
Democratic Nate Holden 15,005 16.70
Republican Noel Hentschel 4,806 5.35
Democratic Leo Terrell 4,387 4.88
Democratic Philip A. Lowe 2,742 3.05
Republican Mike Schaefer 2,315 2.58
Democratic Tad Daley 1,407 1.57
Green Donna J. Warren 1,167 1.30
Democratic Jules Bagneris 1,145 1.28
Republican Mike Cyrus 982 1.09
Democratic Kirsten W. Albrecht 768 0.86
Democratic Wanda James 572 0.64
Democratic Blair H. Taylor 558 0.62
Reform Ezola Foster 514 0.57
Democratic Frank Evans III 244 0.27
Total votes 89,833 100.00
Turnout 3.51

General edit

Special election
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Diane Watson 72,995 74.81
Republican Noel Hentschel 19,403 19.89
Green Donna J. Warren 3,661 3.75
Reform Ezola Foster 1,512 1.55
Majority 53,592 54.93
Total votes 97,571 100.00
Turnout 15.27
Democratic hold

References edit

  1. ^ Statement of Vote (2000 President)
  2. ^ Simon, Richard; Anderson, Nick (December 9, 2000). "Respected lawmaker Julian Dixon dies". Los Angeles Times.
  3. ^ Tad Daley (April 13, 2001). "2001 Congressional Campaign: Platform". Daley Planet.
  4. ^ a b Daley Planet
  5. ^ newsmeat.com
  6. ^ "CA District 32 - Special Election Race - Apr 10, 2001". Our Campaigns. January 29, 2012.

See also edit