1996Final results
1996 election for California's 51st District
U.S. House · California
Randall Cunningham (R) won with 65.1% of the vote, defeating Rita Tamerius (D) by 36.1 points.
Randall CunninghamRepublican · winner
65.1%149,032
Rita TameriusDemocrat
28.9%66,250
Miriam E. ClarkPeace and Freedom
2.4%5,407
Jack AndersonLibertarian
2.3%5,298
Eric BourdetteNatural Law
1.3%3,037
229,024 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.
Rita TameriusRandall Cunningham
$20.9K
Raised by the campaign
$734.7K
$19.9K
Spent by the campaign
$425.5K
$2.8K
Cash on hand
$428.8K
Campaign money: FEC, through Dec 31, 1996.
Source: FEC campaign filingsUpdated Dec 31, 1996
The candidates
Randall Cunningham (R)Rita Tamerius (D)
Also on the ballot: Miriam E. Clark (Peace and Freedom), 2.4%; Jack Anderson (Libertarian), 2.3%; Eric Bourdette (Natural Law), 1.3%