1998Final results
1998 election for California's 9th District
U.S. House · California
Barbara Lee (D) won with 82.8% of the vote, defeating Claiborne "clay" Sanders (R) by 69.6 points.
Barbara LeeDemocrat · winner
82.8%140,722
Claiborne "clay" SandersRepublican
13.2%22,431
Gerald SandersPeace and Freedom
2.8%4,767
Walter RuehligNatural Law
1.2%1,975
169,895 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.
Barbara LeeClaiborne "clay" Sanders
$511.5K
Raised by the campaign
$10.7K
$504.2K
Spent by the campaign
$9.6K
$7.3K
Cash on hand
$1.1K
Campaign money: FEC, through Dec 31, 1998.
Source: FEC campaign filingsUpdated Dec 31, 1998
The candidates
Barbara Lee (D)Claiborne "clay" Sanders (R)
Also on the ballot: Gerald Sanders (Peace and Freedom), 2.8%; Walter Ruehlig (Natural Law), 1.2%