1980Final results
1980 election for California's 40th District
U.S. House · California
Robert E. Badham (R) won with 70.2% of the vote, defeating Michael F. Dow (D) by 48.4 points.
Robert E. BadhamRepublican · winner
70.2%213,999
Michael F. DowDemocrat
21.8%66,512
Dan MahaffeyLibertarian
8.0%24,486
304,997 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.
Michael F. DowRobert E. Badham
$16.8K
Raised by the campaign
$99.6K
$15.9K
Spent by the campaign
$95.5K
$0
Cash on hand
$0
Other candidates' campaigns: Dan Mahaffey $19.3K.
Campaign money: FEC, through Dec 31, 1980.
Source: FEC campaign filingsUpdated Dec 31, 1980