1996Final results
1996 election for California's 21st District
U.S. House · California
William Thomas (R) won with 65.9% of the vote, defeating Deborah A. Vollmer (D) by 39.4 points.
William ThomasRepublican · winner
65.9%125,916
Deborah A. VollmerDemocrat
26.5%50,694
John EvansReform
4.2%8,113
Jane BialoskyNatural Law
1.8%3,380
Mike HodgesLibertarian
1.6%3,049
191,152 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.
Deborah A. VollmerWilliam Thomas
$36.7K
Raised by the campaign
$1.1M
$36.1K
Spent by the campaign
$768.7K
$631
Cash on hand
$577.9K
Other candidates' campaigns: John Evans $5.4K.
Campaign money: FEC, through Dec 31, 1996.
Source: FEC campaign filingsUpdated Dec 31, 1996
The candidates
William Thomas (R)Deborah A. Vollmer (D)
Also on the ballot: John Evans (Reform), 4.2%; Jane Bialosky (Natural Law), 1.8%; Mike Hodges (Libertarian), 1.6%