1986Final results
1986 election for California's 2nd District
U.S. House · California
Wally Herger (R) won with 58.3% of the vote, defeating Stephen C. "steve" Swendiman (D) by 18.7 points.
Wally HergerRepublican · winner
58.3%109,758
Stephen C. "steve" SwendimanDemocrat
39.6%74,602
Harry H. PenderyLibertarian
2.2%4,054
188,414 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.
Stephen C. "steve" SwendimanWally Herger
$246.9K
Raised by the campaign
$647K
$244.1K
Spent by the campaign
$628.4K
$2.8K
Cash on hand
$18.6K
Campaign money: FEC, through Dec 31, 1986.
Source: FEC campaign filingsUpdated Dec 31, 1986
The candidates
Wally Herger (R)Stephen C. "steve" Swendiman (D)
Also on the ballot: Harry H. Pendery (Libertarian), 2.2%