Peters, DeMaio House race too close to call
Rep. Scott Peters (D-San Diego) and Republican businessman Carl DeMaio, a former San Diego city councilman, remain deadlocked in one of the costliest and most closely watched House races in the country.
DeMaio, who is openly gay and seen as a rising GOP star, and Peters, a Democrat serving his first term after narrowly defeating Republican Rep. Brian Bilbray two years ago, drew national attention—and lots of money—to their bruising contest for the largely coastal district seat.
Some $10.5 million was spent by the parties and other interest groups to try to influence the outcome.
That was more than the combined amounts the candidates had raised for their own campaigns by mid-October, the end of the latest regular reporting.
Peters had raised $3.6 million by then and DeMaio, $2.9 million, according to campaign reports filed with the Federal Election Commission.
The race for the 52nd Congressional District turned personal when a former campaign aide accused DeMaio of making sexual advances and firing him after he refused the overtures.
DeMaio said the aide was fired for plagiarism and was suspected of breaking into his campaign office.
Both men denied one another’s accusations, and no charges were filed.
Follow @jeanmerl for the latest in Southern California politics news.
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