1988Final results
1988 election for California Senate District 21
California State Senate · California
Newton R. Russell (R) won with 68.6% of the vote, defeating Louise C. Gelber (D) by 40.4 points.
Newton R. RussellRepublican · winner · incumbent
68.6%188,573
Louise C. GelberDemocrat
28.1%77,362
Robert H. ScottLibertarian
1.9%5,236
Michael W. BlumenthalPeace and Freedom
1.4%3,792
274,963 votes
Source: Harvard Dataverse / Carl KlarnerUpdated Sep 30, 2026, 7:29 AM ET
The seat over time
D − R margin in this seat's races around 1988
Races before and after
Source: Harvard Dataverse / Carl KlarnerUpdated Sep 30, 2026, 7:29 AM ET
The candidates
Newton R. Russell (R)Louise C. Gelber (D)
Also on the ballot: Robert H. Scott (Libertarian), 1.9%; Michael W. Blumenthal (Peace and Freedom), 1.4%