A former Republican congressman narrowly beat his Democratic rival early today to fill the House seat once held by jailed Duke Cunningham, one of several contests closely watched as a possible early barometer of next fall’s vote.

Republican Brian Bilbray emerged victorious after a costly and contentious special election race against Democrat Francine Busby, a local school board member.

"I think that we’re going back to Washington," Bilbray told cheering supporters. He will serve out the remaining seven months of Cunningham’s term and get a boost for the November election.

The race was viewed by Democrats as an opportunity to capture a solidly Republican district and build momentum on their hopes to capture control of the House.

Also in California, State Treasurer Phil Angelides narrowly beat Controller Steve Westly in the state’s gubernatorial primary. He next faces GOP Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, who faced no credible opposition in his party’s nomination.

Elsewhere, Alabama Gov. Bob Riley easily beat back a GOP primary challenge from Judge Roy Moore, while Democratic former Gov. Don Siegelman - who campaigned while on trial on corruption charges - lost his comeback fight against Lt. Gov. Lucy Baxley. Also in Alabama, voters passed a ban on gay marriage by a 4-to-1 margin. In Iowa, the retirement of two-term Democratic Gov. Tom Vilsack set off a wide-open race. Secretary of State Chet Culver will face GOP Rep. Jim Nussle in the fall.

Mississippi, Montana, New Mexico and South Dakota also held primaries. Corruption and allegations of corruption - in California, Alabama and Montana - crossed the country. Immigration was a campaign issue from the South to the Plains.

In New Jersey, Republicans chose Tom Kean Jr., the son of a former governor, to challenge Democratic Sen. Robert Menendez in the fall.

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