1980Final results
1980 election for U.S. Senate in California
U.S. Senate · California
Alan Cranston (D) won with 56.5% of the vote, defeating Paul Gann (R) by 19.4 points.
Alan CranstonDemocrat · winner
56.5%4,704,098
Paul GannRepublican
37.1%3,091,671
David BerglandLibertarian
2.4%202,410
David WaldPeace and Freedom
2.4%196,260
James C. (jim) GriffinAmerican Independent
1.6%129,573
8,324,012 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.
Alan CranstonPaul Gann
$3.1M
Raised by the campaign
$1.2M
$2.8M
Spent by the campaign
$1.2M
$0
Cash on hand
$0
Other candidates' campaigns: David Bergland $26.4K · James C. (jim) Griffin $1.2K.
Campaign money: FEC, through Dec 31, 1980.
Source: FEC campaign filingsUpdated Dec 31, 1980
The candidates
Alan Cranston (D)Paul Gann (R)
Also on the ballot: David Bergland (Libertarian), 2.4%; David Wald (Peace and Freedom), 2.4%; James C. (jim) Griffin (American Independent), 1.6%