FACTBOX- Key facts about primaries in 8 US states | Reuters.com

FACTBOX- Key facts about primaries in 8 US states | Reuters.com: "June 6 (Reuters) - Here are key facts about primary elections being held in eight U.S. states on Tuesday.

* California - Key race is a special election to fill the U.S. House of Representatives seat vacated by Republican Rep. Randy Cunningham, who pleaded guilty to bribery charges. Democrats hope to pick up the seat in the Republican district north of San Diego and start a trend that will allow them to take over the House in the November elections. Democrat Francine Busby, who lost badly to Cunningham in 2004, was running even with Republican former Rep. Brian Bilbray.

Democrats are also choosing between state Treasurer Phil Angelides and state Controller Steve Westly to challenge Republican Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger in November, who has been battered in the polls but may be bouncing back.

* Alabama - Both parties have contested races for governor with some of the most colorful candidates on the ballot anywhere on Tuesday. Democratic Lt. Gov. Lucy Baxley faces former Gov. Don Siegelman, who has been running his race from a Montgomery courtroom during his racketeering trial. The winner is likely to face Republican Gov. Bob Riley, who first must put aside a challenge from former state Chief Justice Roy Moore. Moore lost his state Supreme Court seat in a fight over a monument to the Ten Commandments.

* Montana - State Auditor John Morrison and state Senate President Jon Tester face off in the Democratic primary to take on Republican Sen. Conrad Burns. Burns' popularity has gone down after being drawn into the scandal involving disgraced Republican lobbyist Jack Abramoff and is considered one of the most vulnerable Republican senators in November.

* Iowa - Three Democrats are battling to win the nomination to succeed Democratic Gov. Tom Vilsack, who is eyeing a run for president in 2008. The winner"