1996Final results
1996 election for California's 1st District
U.S. House · California
Frank Riggs (R) won with 49.6% of the vote, defeating Michela Alioto (D) by 6.2 points.
Frank RiggsRepublican · winner
49.6%110,243
Michela AliotoDemocrat
43.5%96,522
Emil P. RossiLibertarian
6.9%15,354
222,119 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 1996
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.
Michela AliotoFrank Riggs
$1.5M
Raised by the campaign
$1.4M
$1.4M
Spent by the campaign
$1.4M
$40.1K
Cash on hand
$554
Campaign money: FEC, through Dec 31, 1996.
Source: FEC campaign filingsUpdated Dec 31, 1996