1986Final results
1986 election for U.S. Senate in California
U.S. Senate · California
Alan Cranston (D) won with 49.3% of the vote, defeating Ed Zschau (R) by 1.4 points.
Alan CranstonDemocrat · winner
49.3%3,646,672
Ed ZschauRepublican
47.9%3,541,804
Edward B. "ed" VallenIndependent
1.5%109,856
Breck McKinleyLibertarian
0.9%66,261
Paul KangasPeace and Freedom
0.5%33,869
7,398,462 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.
Alan CranstonEd Zschau
$10.9M
Raised by the campaign
$11.8M
$11M
Spent by the campaign
$11.8M
$16.6K
Cash on hand
$8.2K
Other candidates' campaigns: Edward B. "ed" Vallen $5.3K.
Campaign money: FEC, through Dec 31, 1986.
Source: FEC campaign filingsUpdated Dec 31, 1986
The candidates
Alan Cranston (D)Ed Zschau (R)
Also on the ballot: Edward B. "ed" Vallen (Independent), 1.5%; Breck McKinley (Libertarian), 0.9%; Paul Kangas (Peace and Freedom), 0.5%