1996Final results
1996 election for California's 36th District
U.S. House · California
Jane Harman (D) won with 52.5% of the vote, defeating Susan Brooks (R) by 8.6 points.
Jane HarmanDemocrat · winner
52.5%117,752
Susan BrooksRepublican
43.9%98,538
Bruce DovnerLibertarian
2.2%4,933
Bradley McManusNatural Law
1.4%3,236
224,459 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.
Jane HarmanSusan Brooks
$1.7M
Raised by the campaign
$491.7K
$1.6M
Spent by the campaign
$486.6K
$129.7K
Cash on hand
$7.4K
Campaign money: FEC, through Dec 31, 1996.
Source: FEC campaign filingsUpdated Dec 31, 1996
The candidates
Jane Harman (D)Susan Brooks (R)
Also on the ballot: Bruce Dovner (Libertarian), 2.2%; Bradley McManus (Natural Law), 1.4%