1980Final results
1980 election for California's 12th District
U.S. House · California
Paul N. "pete" McCloskey Jr. (R) won with 72.2% of the vote, defeating Kirsten Olsen (D) by 53.6 points.
Paul N. "pete" McCloskey Jr.Republican · winner
72.2%143,817
Kirsten OlsenDemocrat
18.6%37,009
Bill EversLibertarian
7.6%15,073
Adele FuminoPeace and Freedom
1.6%3,184
199,083 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 1980
Races before and after
Source: MIT Election Data and Science LabUpdated Sep 30, 2026, 7:25 AM ET
Money in this race
Each line compares the two campaigns on one scale.
Kirsten OlsenPaul N. "pete" McCloskey Jr.
$6.6K
Raised by the campaign
$94.7K
$4.5K
Spent by the campaign
$84.1K
$0
Cash on hand
$0
Other candidates' campaigns: Bill Evers $16.5K.
Campaign money: FEC, through Dec 31, 1980.
Source: FEC campaign filingsUpdated Dec 31, 1980
The candidates
Paul N. "pete" McCloskey Jr. (R)Kirsten Olsen (D)Bill Evers (L)
Also on the ballot: Adele Fumino (Peace and Freedom), 1.6%