California's 12th congressional district special election, 2008 occurred on April 8, 2008. California's 12th congressional district was vacated following the death of DemocratTom Lantos on February 11, 2008.[1] The special election was called by GovernorArnold Schwarzenegger to fill the vacancy for the remainder of Lantos's term ending on January 3, 2009.[2]
The special election took the form of an open primary. Another election would have taken place on June 3 had no candidate received a majority.[3]
Democrat Jackie Speier won a majority of the votes in the open primary and therefore won the election.