Elections / 1988 · Senate · CA
The Republican candidate won California's Senate seat R+8.8.
California, 1988. Candidate results and statewide totals below. The presidential race shared this ballot.
California — 1988 Senate result
Source: MIT Election Data + Science Lab, 1976–2024 Senate returns (party-classified by literal ballot party).
Democratic (D)
4,287,253
44.0%
Republican (R)
5,143,409
52.8%
All others
312,885
3.2%
Margin
R+8.8
Candidates
Statewide candidate totals — MIT Election Data + Science Lab, 1988 Senate returns.
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pete Wilson | RRepublican | 5,143,409 | 52.8% |
| Leo McCarthy | DDemocrat | 4,287,253 | 44.0% |
| M. Elizabeth Munoz | OPeace And Freedom | 166,600 | 1.7% |
| Jack Dean | OLibertarian | 79,997 | 0.8% |
| Merton D. Short | OIndependent | 66,288 | 0.7% |
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% |