1988Final results
1988 election for California's 38th District
U.S. House · California
Robert Dornan (R) won with 59.5% of the vote, defeating Jerry Yudelson (D) by 23.9 points.
Robert DornanRepublican · winner
59.5%87,690
Jerry YudelsonDemocrat
35.6%52,399
Bruce McKayLibertarian
2.5%3,733
Frank GermanPeace and Freedom
2.4%3,547
147,369 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 1988
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.
Jerry YudelsonRobert Dornan
$250.2K
Raised by the campaign
$1.7M
$247.7K
Spent by the campaign
$1.8M
$2K
Cash on hand
$15.5K
Campaign money: FEC, through Dec 31, 1988.
Source: FEC campaign filingsUpdated Dec 31, 1988
The candidates
Robert Dornan (R)Jerry Yudelson (D)
Also on the ballot: Bruce McKay (Libertarian), 2.5%; Frank German (Peace and Freedom), 2.4%