1978Final results
1978 election for California's 11th District
U.S. House · California
Leo J. Ryan (D) won with 60.5% of the vote, defeating Dave Welch (R) by 24.9 points.
Leo J. RyanDemocrat · winner
60.5%92,882
Dave WelchRepublican
35.6%54,621
Nicholas W. KudrovzeffAmerican Independent
3.9%5,961
153,464 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 1978
Races before and after
Source: MIT Election Data and Science LabUpdated Sep 30, 2026, 7:25 AM ET
The candidates
Leo J. Ryan (D)Dave Welch (R)
Also on the ballot: Nicholas W. Kudrovzeff (American Independent), 3.9%