Elections / 1982 · Senate · CA
The Republican candidate won California's Senate seat R+6.8.
California, 1982. Candidate results and statewide totals below.
California — 1982 Senate result
Source: MIT Election Data + Science Lab, 1976–2024 Senate returns (party-classified by literal ballot party).
Democratic (D)
3,494,968
44.8%
Republican (R)
4,022,565
51.5%
All others
287,917
3.7%
Margin
R+6.8
Candidates
Statewide candidate totals — MIT Election Data + Science Lab, 1982 Senate returns.
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pete Wilson | RRepublican | 4,022,565 | 51.5% |
| JR. Edmund G. Brown | DDemocrat | 3,494,968 | 44.8% |
| Joseph Fuhrig | OLibertarian | 107,720 | 1.4% |
| David Wald | OPeace And Freedom | 96,388 | 1.2% |
| Theresa "Tena" Dietrich | OAmerican Independent | 83,809 | 1.1% |
California's Senate margins
Every contest in our store, 1976–2024
| Year | Margin (D minus R) |
|---|---|
| 1976 | −3.3% |
| 1980 | +19.4% |
| 1982 | −6.8% |
| 1986 | +1.4% |
| 1988 | −8.8% |
| 1992 | +4.9% |
| 1994 | +1.9% |
| 1998 | +10.0% |
| 2000 | +19.3% |
| 2004 | +19.9% |
| 2006 | +24.4% |
| 2010 | +10.0% |
| 2012 | +25.0% |
| 2016 | +100.0% |
| 2018 | +100.0% |
| 2022 | +22.1% |
| 2024 | +17.7% |