1988 United States Senate election in California

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.

As of , 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, and the last time until 2022 that a man would win a Senate election in California.

Democratic primary

Candidates

• John Hancock Abbott, perennial candidate
• Robert John Banuelos, candidate for Senate in 1986
• Charles Greene, candidate for Senate in 1986 and Los Angeles County Sheriff in 1982
• Leo T. McCarthy, Lieutenant Governor of California and former Speaker of the California State Assembly

Results

Peace and Freedom primary

Candidates

• Gloria Garcia, nominee for California Secretary of State in 1986
• Maria Elizabeth Muñoz, Chicana activist and nominee for Governor in 1986

Results

General election

Candidates

• Joel Britton (Independent)
• Jack Dean (Libertarian)
• Leo T. McCarthy, Lieutenant Governor of California and former Speaker of the California State Assembly (Democratic)
• Maria Elizabeth Muñoz, Chicana activist and nominee for Governor in 1986 (Peace and Freedom)
• Merton D. Short (American Independent)
• Pete Wilson, incumbent Senator (Republican)

Results

Results by county

Counties that flipped from Republican to Democratic

• Humboldt
• Sonoma
• Mendocino
• San Mateo
• Santa Clara
• Solano
• Marin
• Del Norte

Counties that flipped from Democratic to Republican

• Los Angeles

See also

• 1988 United States Senate elections

Notes

References