1982Final results
1982 election for U.S. Senate in California
U.S. Senate · California
Pete Wilson (R) won with 51.5% of the vote, defeating Edmund G. Brown Jr. (D) by 6.8 points.
Pete WilsonRepublican · winner
51.5%4,022,565
Edmund G. Brown Jr.Democrat
44.8%3,494,968
Joseph FuhrigLibertarian
1.4%107,720
David WaldPeace and Freedom
1.2%96,388
Theresa "tena" DietrichAmerican Independent
1.1%83,809
7,805,450 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.
Edmund G. Brown Jr.Pete Wilson
$5.5M
Raised by the campaign
$6.6M
$5.4M
Spent by the campaign
$6.8M
$0
Cash on hand
$0
Other candidates' campaigns: Joseph Fuhrig $10K · Theresa "tena" Dietrich $600.
Campaign money: FEC, through Dec 31, 1982.
Source: FEC campaign filingsUpdated Dec 31, 1982
The candidates
Pete Wilson (R)Edmund G. Brown Jr. (D)
Also on the ballot: Joseph Fuhrig (Libertarian), 1.4%; David Wald (Peace and Freedom), 1.2%; Theresa "tena" Dietrich (American Independent), 1.1%