Dead Candidate Wins California State Senate Race
Nov. 3 2010, Published 10:10 a.m. ET
Wow - that's gotta hurt if you were her opponent.
California Democrat Jenny Oropeza won re-election Tuesday to the State Senate by a comfortable margin over her Republican challenger - the only problem is, Oropeza died last month.
How big was her victory? Oropeza actually beat her GOP opponent, John Stammreich, 58% to 36%.
Oropeza, 53, died on October 20 of complications from a blood clot that first developed in May.
Because the election was only TWO weeks away, it was too late to replace her on the ballot for the State Of California's 28th Senate district race, which includes parts of Long Beach, Los Angeles and the South Bay.
A special election will now be held to fill the vacant state senate seat.
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