John Campbell easily emerged Wednesday as the front-runner to replace Chris Cox’s vacated House of Representatives seat.
The state senator and former auto dealer didn’t get the 50% majority he needed to win the seat outright in Tuesday’s election, but Campbell did attract about 46% of the vote in a race that featured 17 candidates.
Campbell, who had the backing of Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, will square off against Democrat lawyer Steve Young and Minuteman founder Jim Gilchrist,an independent,in a special election on Dec. 6. Bea Tiritilli of the Green Party and Bruce Cohen of the Libertarian Party also will vie for the seat.
Young attracted fewer voters than Gilchrist. Marilyn Brewer, a former GOP state assemblywoman with the endorsement of Sen. John McCain, topped Gilchrist but didn’t beat Campbell on the Republican side.
Campbell has benefited from his name recognition and campaigned on themes of less taxes and support for President Bush.
Democrats are outnumbered by Republicans 2-to-1 in the 48th congressional district, which covers Newport Beach, Laguna Beach and Irvine.
Cox resigned the seat in August after becoming chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission, a presidential appointment.
