1988_United_States_Senate_election_in_California Knowpia

1988 United States Senate election in California
	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.

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 edit

Candidates edit

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 edit

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 edit

Candidates edit

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

Results edit

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 edit

Candidates edit

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 edit

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

Notes edit

References edit

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