On March 8, 2005, a special election was held in the California's 5th congressional district

California's 5th congressional district

California's 5th congressional district is a congressional district in the U.S. state of California. It currently covers the city of Sacramento, the state capital, its suburbs and the surrounding area....

 to choose a U.S. Representative to replace Bob Matsui

Bob Matsui

Robert Takeo Matsui was an American politician from the state of California. Matsui was a member of the Democratic Party and served in the U.S...

, who had died of pneumonia

Pneumonia

Pneumonia is an inflammatory condition of the lung—especially affecting the microscopic air sacs —associated with fever, chest symptoms, and a lack of air space on a chest X-ray. Pneumonia is typically caused by an infection but there are a number of other causes...

 shortly after being re-elected in the 2004 elections. Matsui's wife, Doris

Doris Matsui

Doris Okada Matsui is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 2005. She is a member of the Democratic Party. The district consists of the city of Sacramento and the surrounding area...

, was quickly able to win support from the Democratic Party

Democratic Party (United States)

The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...

 officials, and ended up winning over two-thirds of the vote in the special primary election, meaning a run-off would not be needed.

Results