1988 United States Senate election in California
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 County results Wilson: 40–50% 50–60% 60–70% McCarthy: 40–50% 50–60% 60–70% | |||||||||||||||||
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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
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
| 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
Candidates
- Gloria Garcia, nominee for California Secretary of State in 1986
- Maria Elizabeth Muñoz, Chicana activist and nominee for Governor in 1986
Results
| 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
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
| 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 | ||||
