Spending millions in Calif.-50

The House GOP and Democratic fundraising arms continue to spend millions to fill the unexpired term of jailed former Rep. Randy “Duke” Cunningham (R-Calif.).

On May 22, the National Republican Congressional Committee reported having spent $1.1 million on direct mail, phone calls, polling and issue ads to help former Rep. Brian Bilbray (R-Calif.), according to records filed with the Federal Election Commission (FEC). On May 11, the committee reported spending more than $641,000.

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee spent $790,000 between May 14 and 20 on television advertising in California’s 50th Congressional District on behalf of Bilbray’s Democratic opponent, Francine Busby.