1996Final results
1996 election for California's 48th District
U.S. House · California
Ron Packard (R) won with 65.9% of the vote, defeating Dan Farrell (D) by 39.0 points.
Ron PackardRepublican · winner
65.9%145,814
Dan FarrellDemocrat
26.9%59,558
William DreuReform
3.6%8,013
Sharon K. MilesNatural Law
3.6%8,006
221,391 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.
Dan FarrellRon Packard
$11K
Raised by the campaign
$353.4K
$10.6K
Spent by the campaign
$264.6K
$354
Cash on hand
$190.7K
Campaign money: FEC, through Dec 31, 1996.
Source: FEC campaign filingsUpdated Dec 31, 1996
The candidates
Ron Packard (R)Dan Farrell (D)
Also on the ballot: William Dreu (Reform), 3.6%; Sharon K. Miles (Natural Law), 3.6%