1996Final results
1996 election for California's 3rd District
U.S. House · California
Victor Fazio (D) won with 53.5% of the vote, defeating Tim Lefever (R) by 12.4 points.
Victor FazioDemocrat · winner
53.5%118,663
Tim LefeverRepublican
41.1%91,134
Timothy R. ErichReform
3.5%7,701
Erin D. DonelleLibertarian
1.9%4,239
221,737 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.
Victor FazioTim Lefever
$2.4M
Raised by the campaign
$648.6K
$2.3M
Spent by the campaign
$645K
$159.3K
Cash on hand
$5.6K
Campaign money: FEC, through Dec 31, 1996.
Source: FEC campaign filingsUpdated Dec 31, 1996
The candidates
Victor Fazio (D)Tim Lefever (R)
Also on the ballot: Timothy R. Erich (Reform), 3.5%; Erin D. Donelle (Libertarian), 1.9%