1986Final results
1986 election for California's 5th District
U.S. House · California
Sala Burton (D) won with 75.2% of the vote, defeating Mike Garza (R) by 53.1 points.
Sala BurtonDemocrat · winner
75.2%122,688
Mike GarzaRepublican
22.1%36,039
Sam GroveLibertarian
1.5%2,409
Theodore "ted" ZuurPeace and Freedom
1.3%2,078
163,214 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.
Sala BurtonNo Republican
$167K
Raised by the campaign
—
$176.2K
Spent by the campaign
—
$86.9K
Cash on hand
—
Campaign money: FEC, through Dec 31, 1986.
Source: FEC campaign filingsUpdated Dec 31, 1986
The candidates
Sala Burton (D)Mike Garza (R)
Also on the ballot: Sam Grove (Libertarian), 1.5%; Theodore "ted" Zuur (Peace and Freedom), 1.3%