1986Final results
1986 election for California's 16th District
U.S. House · California
Leon Panetta (D) won with 78.4% of the vote, defeating Louis Darrigo (R) by 59.2 points.
Leon PanettaDemocrat · winner
78.4%128,151
Louis DarrigoRepublican
19.2%31,386
Ron WrightPeace and Freedom
1.2%2,017
Bill AndersonLibertarian
1.2%1,944
163,498 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 1986
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.
Leon PanettaLouis Darrigo
$166.8K
Raised by the campaign
$9.4K
$115.4K
Spent by the campaign
$9.6K
$116.2K
Cash on hand
$79
Other candidates' campaigns: Ron Wright $1.2K.
Campaign money: FEC, through Dec 31, 1986.
Source: FEC campaign filingsUpdated Dec 31, 1986
The candidates
Leon Panetta (D)Louis Darrigo (R)
Also on the ballot: Ron Wright (Peace and Freedom), 1.2%; Bill Anderson (Libertarian), 1.2%