1996Final results
1996 election for California's 2nd District
U.S. House · California
Wally Herger (R) won with 60.8% of the vote, defeating Roberts "rob" Braden (D) by 27.1 points.
Wally HergerRepublican · winner
60.8%144,913
Roberts "rob" BradenDemocrat
33.7%80,401
Patrice ThiessenNatural Law
3.0%7,253
William BrunnerLibertarian
2.4%5,759
238,326 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.
Roberts "rob" BradenWally Herger
$166.4K
Raised by the campaign
$743.4K
$161.9K
Spent by the campaign
$536.7K
$4.5K
Cash on hand
$477.7K
Campaign money: FEC, through Dec 31, 1996.
Source: FEC campaign filingsUpdated Dec 31, 1996
The candidates
Wally Herger (R)Roberts "rob" Braden (D)
Also on the ballot: Patrice Thiessen (Natural Law), 3.0%; William Brunner (Libertarian), 2.4%