1996Final results
1996 election for California's 42nd District
U.S. House · California
George Brown (D) won with 50.5% of the vote, defeating Linda M. Wilde (R) by 1.0 points.
George BrownDemocrat · winner
50.5%52,166
Linda M. WildeRepublican
49.5%51,170
103,336 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.
George BrownLinda M. Wilde
$705.2K
Raised by the campaign
$702.7K
$722.5K
Spent by the campaign
$686.1K
$36.1K
Cash on hand
$16.7K
Campaign money: FEC, through Dec 31, 1996.
Source: FEC campaign filingsUpdated Dec 31, 1996