1982Final results
1982 election for California's 6th District
U.S. House · California
Barbara Boxer (D) won with 52.4% of the vote, defeating Dennis McQuaid (R) by 7.7 points.
Barbara BoxerDemocrat · winner
52.4%96,379
Dennis McQuaidRepublican
44.6%82,128
Howard CreightonLibertarian
1.7%3,191
Timothy-Allen AlbertsonPeace and Freedom
1.3%2,366
184,064 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.
Barbara BoxerDennis McQuaid
$519.3K
Raised by the campaign
$622.1K
$531.4K
Spent by the campaign
$621.5K
$0
Cash on hand
$0
Other candidates' campaigns: Howard Creighton $10.7K.
Campaign money: FEC, through Dec 31, 1982.
Source: FEC campaign filingsUpdated Dec 31, 1982
The candidates
Barbara Boxer (D)Dennis McQuaid (R)
Also on the ballot: Howard Creighton (Libertarian), 1.7%; Timothy-Allen Albertson (Peace and Freedom), 1.3%