An emotional U.S. Rep. Randy "Duke" Cunningham resigned from office after admitting he took more than $2 million in bribes.

"In my life I have known great joy and great sorrow, now I know great shame," said Cunningham.

Cunningham's congressional district stretches from Escondido in the north to Claremont Mesa in the south. And while no one was celebrating, voters in this district hope Cunningham's plea and resignation sends a message.

In Escondido, voters watched as a tearful Cunningham, their congressman, stood up to accept blame.

"It makes it better for me for him to seem to understand that he did the wrong thing," said voter Moneda Ruble.

Others were a bit more cynical.

"My personal opinion (is) he knew he was going to get caught and best to fess up," said voter Carl George.

"At some point, you have to decide when to fish or cut bait and the public sentiment wasn't with him," said voter Audra Burcham.

"I think politicians need to be accountable and for once, it's happening," said voter Elaine Walker.

Some, however, were not convinced.

"I think he was a good congressman. He served his constituents well. He was a war hero and a fighter ace. How can you kick a guy like that?" said voter Remington Jackson.

"I'm not going to the extent to say he's a liar and a cheat, but I will say we need our elected officials to be honest and set an example for others," voter Robert Troutman said.

The overwhelming sentiment that voters had was that trust, accountability and honesty need to be restored.

Cunningham's emotional plea is quite different from the defiant, veteran fighter pilot who faced the press last summer.

Investigators say this is the worst case they've ever seen involving a public servant.

"The level of bribery activity set forth is staggering," said FBI Agent Dan Dzwilewski.

That acitivity includes the sale of Cunningham's Del Mar house to a defense contractor for much more than it was worth, the subsequent payoff of the mortgage on his new Rancho Sante Fe home and the purchase and maintenance of a yacht, 10News reported.

In his plea agreement, Cunningham agreed to cooperate in the prosecution of the other players. He will also forfeit his Rancho Sante Fe property, nearly $2 million in cash and other household items. His focus now is rebuilding the trust he destroyed after a lifetime of service.

Cunningham is due back in court for sentencing on Feb. 27. He faces up to 10 years in federal prison.