1980Final results
1980 election for California's 3rd District
U.S. House · California
Robert Matsui (D) won with 70.6% of the vote, defeating Joseph Murphy (R) by 44.0 points.
Robert MatsuiDemocrat · winner
70.6%170,670
Joseph MurphyRepublican
26.5%64,215
Bruce A. DanielLibertarian
2.9%6,980
241,865 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.
Robert MatsuiJoseph Murphy
$248.4K
Raised by the campaign
$8.3K
$212K
Spent by the campaign
$9K
$0
Cash on hand
$0
Other candidates' campaigns: Bruce A. Daniel $6.1K.
Campaign money: FEC, through Dec 31, 1980; FEC, through Nov 5, 1980.
Source: FEC campaign filingsUpdated Dec 31, 1980