1982Final results
1982 election for California's 20th District
U.S. House · California
William Thomas (R) won with 68.1% of the vote, defeating Robert J. Bethea (D) by 36.2 points.
William ThomasRepublican · winner
68.1%123,312
Robert J. BetheaDemocrat
31.9%57,769
181,081 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 1982
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 J. BetheaWilliam Thomas
$7.2K
Raised by the campaign
$198.8K
$7.2K
Spent by the campaign
$178.3K
$0
Cash on hand
$0
Campaign money: FEC, through Jan 14, 1983; FEC, through Dec 31, 1982.
Source: FEC campaign filingsUpdated Dec 31, 1982