1996Final results
1996 election for California's 40th District
U.S. House · California
Jerry Lewis (R) won with 64.9% of the vote, defeating Robert "bob" Conaway (D) by 35.9 points.
Jerry LewisRepublican · winner
64.9%98,821
Robert "bob" ConawayDemocrat
29.0%44,102
Hale McGeeAmerican Independent
3.3%4,963
Joseph T. KelleyLibertarian
2.9%4,375
152,261 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 "bob" ConawayJerry Lewis
$13.8K
Raised by the campaign
$588.5K
$12.4K
Spent by the campaign
$239.4K
$1.6K
Cash on hand
$827.5K
Campaign money: FEC, through Dec 31, 1996.
Source: FEC campaign filingsUpdated Dec 31, 1996
The candidates
Jerry Lewis (R)Robert "bob" Conaway (D)
Also on the ballot: Hale McGee (American Independent), 3.3%; Joseph T. Kelley (Libertarian), 2.9%