1996Final results
1996 election for California's 49th District
U.S. House · California
Brian P. Bilbray (R) won with 52.6% of the vote, defeating Peter Navarro (D) by 10.7 points.
Brian P. BilbrayRepublican · winner
52.6%108,806
Peter NavarroDemocrat
41.9%86,657
Ernie LippeLibertarian
2.0%4,218
Kevin Philip HambschReform
1.8%3,773
Peter SterlingNatural Law
1.6%3,314
206,768 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.
Peter NavarroBrian P. Bilbray
$450.9K
Raised by the campaign
$1.2M
$450.4K
Spent by the campaign
$1.1M
$501
Cash on hand
$75.2K
Other candidates' campaigns: Kevin Philip Hambsch $4.6K.
Campaign money: FEC, through Dec 31, 1996.
Source: FEC campaign filingsUpdated Dec 31, 1996
The candidates
Brian P. Bilbray (R)Peter Navarro (D)
Also on the ballot: Ernie Lippe (Libertarian), 2.0%; Kevin Philip Hambsch (Reform), 1.8%; Peter Sterling (Natural Law), 1.6%