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.

1988 United States Senate election in California

← 1982 November 8, 1988 1992 (special) →
 
Nominee Pete Wilson Leo T. McCarthy
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 5,143,409 4,287,253
Percentage 52.79% 44.00%

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

As of 2024, 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

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Candidates

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Results

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1988 Democratic Senate primary[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Leo T. McCarthy 2,367,067 81.69%
Democratic John H. Abbott 220,331 7.60%
Democratic Robert J. Banuelos 163,882 5.66%
Democratic Charles Greene 146,307 5.05%
Total votes 2,897,587 100.0%

Peace and Freedom primary

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Candidates

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

Results

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1988 Peace and Freedom Senate primary[2]
Party Candidate Votes %
Peace and Freedom Maria Elizabeth Muñoz 3,701 58.52%
Peace and Freedom Gloria Garcia 2,623 41.48%
Total votes 6,324 100.0%

General election

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Candidates

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Results

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1988 U.S. Senate election in California[3]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Pete Wilson (incumbent) 5,143,409 52.79%  1.25
Democratic Leo T. McCarthy 4,287,253 44.00%  0.78
Peace and Freedom Maria Elizabeth Muñoz 166,600 1.71%  0.47
Libertarian Jack Dean 79,997 0.82%  0.51
American Independent Merton D. Short 66,291 0.68%  0.39
Independent Joel Britton 51 0.00% N/A
Total votes 9,743,601 100.00%
Republican hold Swing

See also

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Notes

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References

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  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.