2011 California's 36th congressional district special election

A 2011 special election filled the vacancy in California's 36th congressional district after the resignation of incumbent Jane Harman on February 28, 2011; Harman vacated her seat in the U.S. House of Representatives to become head of the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars.

The special primary election occurred on May 17, 2011. Democrat Janice Hahn received the highest number of votes, with Republican Craig Huey taking second place. Because no candidate received more than 50 percent of the vote in the primary, a special general election was held on July 12, 2011, between the top two vote recipients. The runoff election was won by Janice Hahn.

Background and procedures
An election was called to fill the rest of Harman's term, which ends January 2013. An all-party primary was held on May 17. Since no candidate received more than 50% of the vote, the top two primary finishers, regardless of party, met in a run-off on July 12.

The special election was held under California statutes regarding special elections and not under California's newly in force Proposition 14, which does not apply to special elections.

Candidates in the general election

 * Janice Hahn, Democratic Party
 * Craig Huey, Republican Party

Democratic Party

 * Dan Adler, businessman from Los Angeles
 * Debra Bowen, Secretary of State of California from Marina Del Rey
 * Loraine Goodwin, physician/arbitrator/teacher
 * Janice Hahn, Los Angeles City Councilwoman from San Pedro
 * Marcy Winograd, teacher and community organizer from Venice

Republican Party

 * Kit Bobko, Hermosa Beach City Councilman and former Mayor
 * Stephen Eisele, Marina del Rey businessman
 * Mike Gin, Redondo Beach Mayor
 * Craig Huey, Rolling Hills Estates businessman
 * George Newberry, businessman
 * Mike Webb, Redondo Beach City Attorney

Peace and Freedom Party

 * Maria E. Montaño, teacher

Libertarian Party

 * Steve Collett, certified public accountant

Independent

 * Michael T. Chamness, consultant
 * Katherine Pilot, longshore office clerk
 * Matthew Roozee, executive at 20th Century Fox

Primary election

 * Commissioned by the Bowen campaign

Polling

 * Commissioned by Daily Kos and the SEIU

Bowen/Hahn runoff

 * Commissioned by the Bowen campaign
 * Commissioned by the Progressive Change Campaign Committee