For the last several months, congressional hopeful Francine Busby could savor the fact that she was the only Democrat in the 50th Congressional District race to replace Randy "Duke" Cunningham, who resigned from office after pleading guilty to taking bribes.

The Cardiff school board member faced a crowded and growing field of Republican aspirants for the House seat. The district covers most of North County, and political analysts said the inevitable split vote for Republicans favored the lone Democrat.

All of that changed this week when Oceanside resident Chris Young, 41, announced that she will run as a Democrat.

A former bank officer, Young is a college graduate who is about to complete her law degree. She said Friday that she believes the administrative and financial expertise she acquired in the banking industry would serve her well if elected to Congress.

Unlike Busby, Young has never held an elected position.

However, "holding a political office does not necessarily make you a qualified Washington lawmaker," Young said.

Some local Democrats, who were counting on Busby being the lone Democrat, are not happy with Young's decision, North County Democratic activist Matt O'Connor said Friday.

"One candidate is the best option for the Democratic Party," said O'Connor, who serves as communications director for the North County Unity Coalition, a Democratic political action group.

"It's already too late for Republicans, but Democrats (had) a chance to have a single candidate on the ballot," he said, adding that the prospect of a split Democratic vote is a "real concern."

A special election will be held April 11 to pick a replacement to serve the remainder of Cunningham's term, which runs through 2006. If a single candidate wins a simple majority, he or she will not only serve out the rest of his term, but will have the advantage of going into the June primary and November's general election as the incumbent, political strategists say.

The winner of the November election will then serve a two-year term in the House. If no candidate wins more than 50 percent in April, the top vote-getters in each party will then compete in a runoff for the temporary assignment; the runoff will be held in tandem with the June primaries.

With 159,000 registered Republicans versus 107,000 Democrats, the 50th District has long been considered a safe one for the GOP. However, the Cunningham scandal has convinced Democrats, even at the national level, that Busby has a good chance of scoring an upset.

Recently, Republican political consultant Jack Orr told the North County Times that one of the biggest advantages Busby had was being the lone Democrat competing against a half-dozen or more Republicans splitting the votes. In the special election, that could definitely work to her advantage, Orr had said.

Young sounded unrepentant for possibly splitting the Democratic vote.

"I totally admire (Busby), I do, but … voters deserve a real choice," Young said.

Among the items she lists as concerns on her Web site, www.chrisyoungforcongress.com, Young includes: "Restore Integrity; Resolve the War in Iraq; Defeat Terrorism; Enhance Emergency Response" and "Revitalize Education."

But O'Connor said that one of the items on her list particularly concerns him. "Protect our borders —— the Common Sense Approach: Finish the Fence," the item reads.

"I am really troubled by that," O'Connor said. "She's starting to sound like Bill Morrow."

He was referring to state Sen. Bill Morrow, R-Oceanside, one of several GOP candidates calling for strengthening the nation's borders and toughening enforcement of immigration laws. O'Connor said that many Democrats are opposed to the fence as a waste of money; as something that goes against American values and is an affront to Latin American neighbors; and because of the damage it will do to the environment.

Young disagrees.

"The border fence is not a wedge issue, it's a real San Diego concern," she said. "The fence works —— just ask the Border Patrol."

If the Democratic Party fails to face the legitimate concerns of North County residents over the problem of illegal immigration, "that is a real weakness," she said.

Cunningham's resignation on Nov. 28 set off a rush by Republican hopefuls to replace him. In recent days, three more North County Republicans have joined the four other declared GOP candidates.

Earlier this week, wealthy businessman and Rancho Santa Fe resident Ken King announced he will run and said he anticipates spending as much as $2 million on the special election. And retired Solana Beach businessman Donald Pando called the North County Times this week to say he is seriously considering running. Pando ran unsuccessfully against Cunningham in 1992 and 1994.

Scott Turner, a former San Diego Charger cornerback, said Friday that he plans to announce next week he will also run on the GOP ticket.

Turner, 33, who retired this year from the National Football League, spent several months as an intern with Rep. Duncan Hunter, R-El Cajon, in 2003 and 2004. He runs a motivational speaking business and has no political experience but for his internship.

He said life experience and leadership skills acquired with the Chargers make him qualified for the race.

"I've been a leader for people for a long time," he said. "I don't have political experience or all the jargon or rhetoric down. But what's going to prove important in this race is the character of the man. I've got that."

The GOP field already includes state Sen. Bill Morrow, R-Oceanside, former state Assemblyman Howard Kaloogian, former Congressman Brian Bilbray, and Del Mar businessman Alan Uke.

Uke is independently wealthy, and a spokesman for his campaign said last week that Uke is prepared to spend a significant amount to win.

Erin Schultz contributed to this story. Contact staff writer William Finn Bennett at (760) 740-5426, or wbennett@nctimes.com.