Election results uncertain

DEL MAR, Calif. – A special election to replace convicted U.S. Rep. Randy “Duke” Cunningham remained undecided Wednesday, with the second- and third-place challengers separated by a slim margin and thousands of last-minute ballots yet to be counted.

Democratic school board member Francine Busby led all 18 candidates on the ballot with 44 percent of the vote and easily advanced to a runoff June 6. But her challenger was not yet determined.

With all precincts counted, lobbyist and former GOP Rep. Brian Bilbray had 19,366 votes, or 15 percent.

Eric Roach, a venture capitalist who poured at least $1.8 million of his own money into the race, trailed with 18,486 votes, or 14 percent.

County officials said 10,000 last-minute absentee and provisional ballots were being tallied, with updated results expected today.

The winner of the June runoff will finish the final eight months of Cunningham’s term – and immediately begin campaigning for November.