Dead candidate re-elected in California

This reminds me of the fourth season of The West Wing, wherein a similar (albeit fictional) situation occurred.

A Democratic state senator who died last month was easily re-elected in California, denying the GOP the seat and probably forcing the governor to call a special election.

Sen. Jenny Oropeza was leading Republican challenger John Stammreich 58.4 percent to 35.7 percent, according to the latest vote count, The Sacramento Bee reported.

If the results hold up, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger will call a special election.

Oropeza, who represented a district in Southern California's Long Beach area, died Oct. 20 at age 53 of complications from a blot clot in her abdomen. Because she died so close to the election, her name stayed on the ballot.

See the whole story here.