1988 United States Senate election in California

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1988 United States Senate election in California
Flag of California.svg
  1982 November 8, 1988 1992 (special)  
  PeteWilson (3x4a).jpg Leo T. McCarthy, 1975.jpg
Nominee Pete Wilson Leo T. McCarthy
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote5,143,4094,287,253
Percentage52.79%44.00%

1988 United States Senate election in California results map by county.svg
County results

Wilson:     40–50%     50–60%     60–70%

McCarthy:     40–50%     50–60%     60–70%

U.S. senator before election

Pete Wilson
Republican

Elected U.S. Senator

Pete Wilson
Republican

The 1988 United States Senate election in California took place on November 8, 1988. Incumbent Senator Pete Wilson won re-election to a second term.

Contents

As of 2023, this is the last time a Republican won a U.S. Senate election in California. This was also the first time since 1952 that an incumbent Senator was re-elected to this seat.

Democratic primary

Candidates

Results

1988 Democratic Senate primary [1]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Leo T. McCarthy 2,367,067 81.69%
Democratic John H. Abbott220,3317.60%
Democratic Robert J. Banuelos163,8825.66%
Democratic Charles Greene146,3075.05%
Total votes2,897,587 100.0%

Peace and Freedom primary

Candidates

Results

1988 Peace and Freedom Senate primary [2]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Peace and Freedom Maria Elizabeth Muñoz 3,701 58.52%
Peace and Freedom Gloria Garcia2,62341.48%
Total votes6,324 100.0%

General election

Candidates

Results

1988 U.S. Senate election in California [3]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Republican Pete Wilson (incumbent) 5,143,409 52.79% Increase2.svg1.25
Democratic Leo T. McCarthy 4,287,25344.00%Decrease2.svg0.78
Peace and Freedom Maria Elizabeth Muñoz166,6001.71%Increase2.svg0.47
Libertarian Jack Dean79,9970.82%Decrease2.svg0.51
American Independent Merton D. Short66,2910.68%Decrease2.svg0.39
Independent Joel Britton510.00%N/A
Total votes9,743,601 100.00%
Republican hold Swing

See also

Notes

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    References

    1. "Statement of vote". 1968.
    2. "Our Campaigns - CA US Senate - PFP Primary Race - Jun 07, 1988".
    3. "Our Campaigns - CA US Senate Race - Nov 08, 1988". www.ourcampaigns.com. Retrieved April 6, 2018.