1976Final results
1976 election for California's 37th District
U.S. House · California
Shirley N. Pettis (R) won with 71.1% of the vote, defeating Douglas C. Nilson Jr. (D) by 45.0 points.
Shirley N. PettisRepublican · winner
71.1%133,634
Douglas C. Nilson Jr.Democrat
26.1%49,021
Bernard WahlAmerican Independent
2.8%5,352
188,007 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
Shirley N. Pettis (R)Douglas C. Nilson Jr. (D)
Also on the ballot: Bernard Wahl (American Independent), 2.8%