2005 California's 5th congressional district special election

2005 California's 5th congressional district special election

March 8, 2005
 
Nominee Doris Matsui Julie Padilla
Party Democratic Democratic
Popular vote 56,175 7,158
Percentage 67.7% 8.6%

U.S. Representative before election

Bob Matsui
Democratic

Elected U.S. Representative

Doris Matsui
Democratic

On March 8, 2005, a special election was held in the California's 5th congressional district to choose a U.S. Representative to replace Bob Matsui, who had died of pneumonia shortly after being re-elected in the 2004 elections. Matsui's wife, Doris, was quickly able to win support from the Democratic Party officials, and ended up winning over two-thirds of the vote in the special primary election, meaning a run-off would not be needed. As of 2021, this is the last time a widow succeeded their spouse in Congress.