Democrat Raul Ruiz pulled out a surprise win against Republican Mary Bono Mack, who labeled her opponent as "anti-American" because he participated in Native protests in the 1990s.

Bono Mack has been generally supportive of tribes, especially those in the 45th Congressional district. But her attacks on Ruiz, who participated in Thanksgiving Day protests while he was a student at Harvard Medical School in Massachusetts, drew criticism from the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians and the Tribal Alliance of Sovereign Nations.

California's map was redrawn so Ruiz will be representing the 36th Congressional district when the 113th Congress convenes in January 2013. He is of Hispanic heritage.

Incidentally, Bono Mack's husband, Rep. Connie Mack (R-Florida), lost his bid for U.S. Senate in Florida.

Get the Story:
CONGRESS DISTRICT 36: Raul Ruiz unseats Mary Bono Mack in upset (The Riverside Press-Enterprise 11/7)
Raul Ruiz defeats Mary Bono Mack in congressional race (The Palm Springs Desert Sun 11/7)

Related Stories:
Opinion: Tribes blast Rep. Mary Bono Mack's campaign attacks (10/24)
ICT Interview: Raul Ruiz discusses 1997 arrest at Native protest (10/23)
Agua Caliente Band slams Rep. Mary Bono Mack for comments (10/19)
Rep. Mary Bono Mack blasts opponent for 1997 Native protest (10/16)