1982Final results
1982 election for California's 38th District
U.S. House · California
Jerry M. Patterson (D) won with 52.4% of the vote, defeating William F. "bill" Dohr (R) by 8.9 points.
Jerry M. PattersonDemocrat · winner
52.4%73,914
William F. "bill" DohrRepublican
43.4%61,279
Anita K. BarrLibertarian
4.2%5,989
141,182 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.
Jerry M. PattersonWilliam F. "bill" Dohr
$226.9K
Raised by the campaign
$249.1K
$276.7K
Spent by the campaign
$248.4K
$0
Cash on hand
$0
Campaign money: FEC, through Dec 31, 1982.
Source: FEC campaign filingsUpdated Dec 31, 1982
The candidates
Jerry M. Patterson (D)William F. "bill" Dohr (R)
Also on the ballot: Anita K. Barr (Libertarian), 4.2%