1980Final results
1980 election for California's 13th District
U.S. House · California
Norman Mineta (D) won with 58.9% of the vote, defeating We "ted" Gagne (R) by 23.4 points.
Norman MinetaDemocrat · winner
58.9%132,246
We "ted" GagneRepublican
35.5%79,766
Ray StrongLibertarian
3.9%8,806
Robert GoldsboroughPeace and Freedom
1.7%3,791
224,609 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.
Norman MinetaWe "ted" Gagne
$241.2K
Raised by the campaign
$460
$210.9K
Spent by the campaign
$32
$0
Cash on hand
$0
Other candidates' campaigns: Ray Strong $15.3K.
Campaign money: FEC, through Dec 31, 1980; FEC, through Dec 21, 1980.
Source: FEC campaign filingsUpdated Dec 31, 1980
The candidates
Norman Mineta (D)We "ted" Gagne (R)
Also on the ballot: Ray Strong (Libertarian), 3.9%; Robert Goldsborough (Peace and Freedom), 1.7%