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This is the 1978 race. The latest: 2026 →

1978Final results

1978 election for California's 42nd District

U.S. House · California

Lionel Van Deerlin (D) won with 73.7% of the vote, defeating Lawrence C. Mattera (R) by 47.5 points.

Lionel Van DeerlinDemocrat · winner
73.7%85,126
Lawrence C. MatteraRepublican
26.3%30,319
115,445 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

EvenR+6.51980R+40.61982R+48.31984R+48.11986R+31.21988R+22.91990

Source: MIT Election Data and Science LabUpdated Sep 30, 2026, 7:25 AM ET

The candidates

Lionel Van Deerlin (D)Lawrence C. Mattera (R)