1996Final results
1996 election for California's 23rd District
U.S. House · California
Elton Gallegly (R) won with 59.6% of the vote, defeating Robert R. Unruhe (D) by 24.5 points.
Elton GalleglyRepublican · winner
59.6%118,880
Robert R. UnruheDemocrat
35.1%70,035
Gail LightfootLibertarian
4.2%8,346
Stephen P. HospodarNatural Law
1.1%2,246
199,507 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.
Robert R. UnruheElton Gallegly
$25.6K
Raised by the campaign
$486.9K
$30.9K
Spent by the campaign
$294.9K
$495
Cash on hand
$338K
Campaign money: FEC, through Dec 31, 1996.
Source: FEC campaign filingsUpdated Dec 31, 1996
The candidates
Elton Gallegly (R)Robert R. Unruhe (D)
Also on the ballot: Gail Lightfoot (Libertarian), 4.2%; Stephen P. Hospodar (Natural Law), 1.1%