1998Final results
1998 election for California's 49th District
U.S. House · California
Brian P. Bilbray (R) won with 48.8% of the vote, defeating Christine T. Kehoe (D) by 2.2 points.
Brian P. BilbrayRepublican · winner
48.8%90,516
Christine T. KehoeDemocrat
46.6%86,400
Ernest LippeLibertarian
1.8%3,327
Julia F. SimonNatural Law
1.5%2,829
Janice JordanPeace and Freedom
1.3%2,447
185,519 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 1998
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.
Christine T. KehoeBrian P. Bilbray
$1.3M
Raised by the campaign
$1.4M
$1.3M
Spent by the campaign
$1.3M
$54.7K
Cash on hand
$171.1K
Campaign money: FEC, through Dec 31, 1998.
Source: FEC campaign filingsUpdated Dec 31, 1998
The candidates
Brian P. Bilbray (R)Christine T. Kehoe (D)
Also on the ballot: Ernest Lippe (Libertarian), 1.8%; Julia F. Simon (Natural Law), 1.5%; Janice Jordan (Peace and Freedom), 1.3%