Incumbent representative Chris Lee resigned on February 9, 2011, after a scandal erupted over him soliciting a woman on Craigslist. The special election was held on May 24, 2011. In an upset victory, Democrat Kathy Hochul narrowly beat Republican Assemblywoman Jane Corwin with 47% of the vote.
2011 New York's 26th congressional district special election
Jane Harman resigned on February 28, 2011, to become head of the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars.[3] The special primary election occurred on May 17, 2011. Democrat Janice Hahn received the highest number of votes, with Republican Craig Huey taking second place. Because no candidate received more than 50 percent of the vote in the primary, a special general election was held on July 12, 2011, between the top two vote recipients. The runoff election was won by Janice Hahn.[8]
2011 California's 36th congressional district special election[9]
The special election was held on September 13, 2011. Despite the district being heavily Democratic, Republican businessman Bob Turner narrowly won against Democratic Assemblyman David Weprin by under 4,000 votes.
2011 New York's 9th congressional district special election[11]