NORTH COUNTY -- The race to replace imprisoned former Congressman Randy "Duke" Cunningham in June garnered hundreds of millions of dollars from national parties and special-interest groups.

This time, the media, the national parties and the money from special-interest groups have all but abandoned the formerly hot race, apparently assuming that the June victory of Republican Brian Bilbray of Carlsbad has set the stage for another GOP win in November.

But Democrat Francine Busby says she hasn't given up on the race. She's focusing on the war in Iraq and government accountability. Bilbray, whose win in June allowed him to fill the seat in Washington until Cunningham's term expires, said he will focus on national security and illegal immigration in the November election.

"I'm representing a voice not just for change, but to restore a system of checks and balances," Busby said.

While Busby has spent the last few months talking about problems, Bilbray said he was addressing them. He said he is using his experience as a former congressman for the South Bay and a lobbyist in Washington, D.C., to bring federal attention to the region's problems.

"Ms. Busby may have an opinion" on issues of homeland security, Bilbray said, but "she's never done anything like this. That's the difference. I'm working with the mayors of North County to make sure there is a direct line to the White House. I'm doing it right now."

Busby and Bilbray faced off in the June election to finish Cunningham's term through the end of the year. Cunningham was sentenced in March to eight years, four months for his role in a bribery scheme.

Also running to represent the district are:

n Peace and Freedom Party candidate Miriam Clark of Encinitas said she is in the contest to promote her anti-Iraq war stance. Her campaign platform includes withdrawing all U.S. troops from Iraq and Afghanistan, amnesty for illegal immigrants and a single-payer, universal health care system.

n Libertarian Paul King of Carlsbad is a small-business owner, whose platform includes transparency in government and withdrawing troops from Iraq.

Earlier this year, the race for the 50th District, which includes much of coastal North County, attracted national attention because it was considered a bellwether election to see if Republicans can keep control of Congress. Despite the district's Republican majority makeup, many pundits believed a victory was within Busby's reach.

The odds tilted back in Bilbray's favor after he won the district by 5 percentage points.

Last month, the Washington-based publication The Hill reported the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, which pours money into district races, had set aside nearly $52 million in ad dollars for 32 top-priority congressional elections in the fall. Busby's campaign was not one of them.

She said she prefers it that way. Busby said she can overcome Bilbray's narrow margin victory because there are more people -- Democrats, Republicans and independents -- now than there were then who are concerned about the war in Iraq and other issues.

"The closeness of the election was an indication of that they are more interested in the direction of this country than the (candidate's) party," she said.

Iraq a central theme

In a recent campaign speech, Busby said the Iraq war has drained resources away from homeland security and inspired new terrorists around the globe. The message echoes campaign themes emphasized by national Democratic leaders.

She said Tuesday she would rather see Congress debate and create a plan defining the military's mission in Iraq. She said Congress should also make it clear to the Iraqi government that "we are not there indefinitely."

Bilbray answered the criticism saying that she is following a strategy promoted by the liberal Internet organization MoveOn.org.

"I think Ms. Busby is doing the only thing she can do, hope to use the tragedy of the war to get elected," he said. "I totally understand why her political advisers are telling her to do it … she's desperate to find some political traction."

In a recent interview, Bilbray said abandoning Iraq before the country's government has been able to achieve stability and quell the violence would be a mistake. He said last week that he saw the Iraq war as part of a comprehensive strategy for national security, which includes addressing illegal immigration.

"Democrats don't want to talk about illegal immigration," he said Wednesday. "They don't see it as part of national security. The fact is there is no exclusive agenda. You need to protect the border. You need to fight in Afghanistan and in Iraq to protect the homeland."

House Republican leaders held a series of more than 20 hearings around the country this year focusing on illegal immigration. While they were seen by critics as political theater, Bilbray said the hearings demonstrated the American public's interest in addressing the issue.

Congress approved widely differing legislation for immigration reform, including a Senate bill that would grant millions of illegal immigrants a path to citizenship and a House bill focusing mainly on enforcement strategies. Despite the president's call for a comprehensive reform bill, no compromise has been reached.

In the few remaining days of the legislative year, Bilbray said Republicans would focus on pieces of immigration reform, including a proposal to build a 700-mile, double-layered fence along the border with Mexico. He said he favors cracking down on businesses that hire illegal immigrants, but also giving business owners an easy way to identify those who are legally eligible to work.

On the other hand, Busby said she supports the Senate immigration reform bill, which toughens enforcement measures and creates a guest-worker program that allows businesses to hire foreign workers.

"We all agree we need to stop illegal immigration," Busby said. "You need to give the Border Patrol what they are asking for. They want a smart fence. You do enforcement at the workplace. But you also need a guest-worker program. You can't have one without the other."

In a clear sign that the election is now in full swing, Busby's camp issued a statement last week challenging all district candidates to a debate. Bilbray's campaign consultant said the congressman would agree to a debate that is sponsored by a media outlet so that the "entire district can see it."

Contact staff writer Edward Sifuentes at (760) 740-3511 or esifuentes@nctimes.com.

The fight for Congress

Sunday: Democrat Francine Busby and Republican Brian Bilbray to face off in 50th District election.

Monday: GOP incumbent Darrell Issa is trying to win a fourth term in Congress.