1996Final results
1996 election for California's 35th District
U.S. House · California
Maxine Waters (D) won with 85.5% of the vote, defeating Eric Carlson (R) by 73.4 points.
Maxine WatersDemocrat · winner
85.5%92,762
Eric CarlsonRepublican
12.1%13,116
Gordon Michael MegoAmerican Independent
2.4%2,610
108,488 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.
Maxine WatersEric Carlson
$191.6K
Raised by the campaign
$2.4K
$235.9K
Spent by the campaign
$2.4K
-$71
Cash on hand
$10
Campaign money: FEC, through Dec 31, 1996; FEC, through Sep 30, 1996.
Source: FEC campaign filingsUpdated Dec 31, 1996
The candidates
Maxine Waters (D)Eric Carlson (R)
Also on the ballot: Gordon Michael Mego (American Independent), 2.4%