1980Final results
1980 election for California's 5th District
U.S. House · California
John L. Burton (D) won with 51.1% of the vote, defeating Dennis McQuaid (R) by 5.8 points.
John L. BurtonDemocrat · winner
51.1%101,105
Dennis McQuaidRepublican
45.3%89,624
Dan P. DoughertyLibertarian
3.6%7,092
197,821 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.
John L. BurtonDennis McQuaid
$338.1K
Raised by the campaign
$484.7K
$370.5K
Spent by the campaign
$484.1K
$0
Cash on hand
$0
Other candidates' campaigns: Dan P. Dougherty $9.6K.
Campaign money: FEC, through Dec 31, 1980.
Source: FEC campaign filingsUpdated Dec 31, 1980