1988Final results
1988 election for U.S. Senate in California
U.S. Senate · California
Pete Wilson (R) won with 52.8% of the vote, defeating Leo McCarthy (D) by 8.8 points.
Pete WilsonRepublican · winner
52.8%5,143,409
Leo McCarthyDemocrat
44.0%4,287,253
M. Elizabeth MunozPeace and Freedom
1.7%166,600
Jack DeanLibertarian
0.8%79,997
Merton D. ShortIndependent
0.7%66,288
9,743,598 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.
Leo McCarthyPete Wilson
$7M
Raised by the campaign
$11.4M
$7M
Spent by the campaign
$13M
$2K
Cash on hand
$54.1K
Other candidates' campaigns: Jack Dean $11.8K · Merton D. Short $1.8K.
Campaign money: FEC, through Dec 31, 1988.
Source: FEC campaign filingsUpdated Dec 31, 1988
The candidates
Pete Wilson (R)Leo McCarthy (D)
Also on the ballot: M. Elizabeth Munoz (Peace and Freedom), 1.7%; Jack Dean (Libertarian), 0.8%; Merton D. Short (Independent), 0.7%