Rep. Scott Peters widens lead over DeMaio in Congressional race

SAN DIEGO (CNS) – Rep. Scott Peters, D-San Diego, expanded his lead over Republican challenger Carl DeMaio Friday after further counting in the bitterly contested 52nd Congressional District race.

With 183,000 or so ballots counted, Peters’ margin was 4,491 votes, according to data released by the San Diego County Registrar of Voters Office.

Peters trailed on Election Night and took the lead for the first time Thursday. Registrar Michael Vu said counting would continue until Monday.

Workers in the registrar’s office have been counting provisional ballots or absentees dropped off too late to be included in the original count for the race to represent parts of central and northern San Diego County.

Both candidates have representatives watching over the ballot counting.

The nasty campaign saw allegations of sexual misconduct, office vandalism, and a torrent of television advertising and mailers.

Prosecutors declined to file criminal charges after an investigation into claims by a former DeMaio staffer that he was harassed by the former San Diego City Council member. No charges were filed in the office break-in either.

In both instances, the District Attorney’s Office cited insufficient evidence.