1990Final results
1990 election for California's 37th District
U.S. House · California
Alfred McCandless (R) won with 49.8% of the vote, defeating Ralph Waite (D) by 5.0 points.
Alfred McCandlessRepublican · winner
49.8%115,469
Ralph WaiteDemocrat
44.8%103,961
Gary R. OdomAmerican Independent
2.8%6,474
Bonnie FlickingerLibertarian
2.7%6,178
232,082 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 1990
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.
Ralph WaiteAlfred McCandless
$622.2K
Raised by the campaign
$549.8K
$624.6K
Spent by the campaign
$602.4K
-$2.4K
Cash on hand
$5.6K
Other candidates' campaigns: Bonnie Flickinger $2.3K.
Campaign money: FEC, through Dec 31, 1990.
Source: FEC campaign filingsUpdated Dec 31, 1990
The candidates
Alfred McCandless (R)Ralph Waite (D)
Also on the ballot: Gary R. Odom (American Independent), 2.8%; Bonnie Flickinger (Libertarian), 2.7%