2008Final results
2008 election for California's 51st District
U.S. House · California
Bob Filner (D) won with 72.7% of the vote, defeating David Lee Joy (R) by 48.5 points.
Bob FilnerDemocrat · winner
72.7%148,281
David Lee JoyRepublican
24.2%49,345
Dan "frodo" LitwinLibertarian
3.0%6,199
203,825 votes
Source: MIT Election Data and Science LabUpdated Sep 30, 2026, 7:25 AM ET
The seat over time
D − R margin in this seat's races around 2008
Races before and after
Source: MIT Election Data and Science LabUpdated Sep 30, 2026, 7:25 AM ET
Money in this race
Each line compares the two campaigns on one scale.
Bob FilnerNo Republican
$990.6K
Raised by the campaign
—
$927.6K
Spent by the campaign
—
$69.3K
Cash on hand
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Campaign money: FEC, through Dec 31, 2008.
Source: FEC campaign filingsUpdated Dec 31, 2008