Roach Quits Run for Seat in Congress

And then there were two.

Republican Brian Bilbray is now free to concentrate on defeating Democrat Francine Busby in both the election to finish ex-Rep. Randy “Duke” Cunningham’s term and the election to fill the seat next year.

Eric Roach, a millionaire from Rancho Santa Fe who almost edged Bilbray for the GOP nomination to finish Cunningham’s term, announced Monday that he would not campaign for the full term that starts next year.

Although he did not explicitly endorse Bilbray, Roach said that he would devote his energies to ensuring that the seat -- long a Republican stronghold -- does not go to the Democrats.

The political community had been wondering if Roach would continue campaigning for the GOP nomination for the full two-year term. That would have forced Bilbray to campaign simultaneously against Busby and Roach.

In an election that is bound to confuse many voters in the 50th Congressional District, they will be asked to vote twice on June 6.

In one election, the choice is among Busby, Bilbray or one of two minor party candidates to fill the final six months of Cunningham’s term.

In the other election, voters will pick a candidate from their party to compete in the November general election. The winner in November gets a full two-year term.

Bilbray edged Roach in the April 11 special election to complete Cunningham’s term. But Roach and several other Republicans will still be listed as candidates in the GOP primary on the June 6 ballot for the full term.

As a millionaire, Roach could have bankrolled a campaign against Bilbray, making it harder for him to defeat Busby in the special election and raising the possibility that he could lose the primary for the full term.

After visiting party leaders in Washington, Roach decided against further campaigning.

In the April 11 election, Busby took 44% of the vote, Bilbray 15% and Roach 14%. Registration in the district gives Republicans a 44% to 30% edge over Democrats. The district includes the northern part of San Diego and the cities of Del Mar, Solana Beach, Encinitas, Carlsbad, San Marcos and Escondido.

Busby, 55, a Cardiff school board member, said Roach’s decision made her the only candidate in the race who is dedicated to reform. She has attacked Bilbray for acting as a lobbyist after he lost his seat in Congress.

Bilbray, 55, saw Roach’s decision differently.

“We still have to get the word out that Republicans have to vote twice,” he said. “Our slogan is: two votes, one candidate.”