1980Final results
1980 election for California's 26th District
U.S. House · California
John H. Rousselot (R) won with 70.9% of the vote, defeating Joseph Louis Lisoni (D) by 46.6 points.
John H. RousselotRepublican · winner
70.9%116,715
Joseph Louis LisoniDemocrat
24.4%40,099
William J. "bj" WagenerLibertarian
4.7%7,700
164,514 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.
Joseph Louis LisoniJohn H. Rousselot
$41.6K
Raised by the campaign
$165.1K
$41.4K
Spent by the campaign
$92.8K
$0
Cash on hand
$0
Other candidates' campaigns: William J. "bj" Wagener $1.1K.
Campaign money: FEC, through Dec 31, 1980.
Source: FEC campaign filingsUpdated Dec 31, 1980
The candidates
John H. Rousselot (R)Joseph Louis Lisoni (D)
Also on the ballot: William J. "bj" Wagener (Libertarian), 4.7%