1976Final results
1976 election for California's 12th District
U.S. House · California
Paul N. "pete" McCloskey Jr. (R) won with 66.2% of the vote, defeating David Harris (D) by 35.0 points.
Paul N. "pete" McCloskey Jr.Republican · winner
66.2%130,332
David HarrisDemocrat
31.3%61,526
Joseph David CooneyAmerican Independent
2.5%4,999
196,857 votes
Source: MIT Election Data and Science LabUpdated Sep 30, 2026, 7:25 AM ET
The seat over time
D − R margin in this seat's races around 1976
Races before and after
Source: MIT Election Data and Science LabUpdated Sep 30, 2026, 7:25 AM ET
The candidates
Paul N. "pete" McCloskey Jr. (R)David Harris (D)
Also on the ballot: Joseph David Cooney (American Independent), 2.5%