1998Final results
1998 election for U.S. Senate in California
U.S. Senate · California
Barbara Boxer (D) won with 53.1% of the vote, defeating Matt Fong (R) by 10.0 points.
Barbara BoxerDemocrat · winner
53.1%4,410,056
Matt FongRepublican
43.0%3,575,078
Ted BrownLibertarian
1.1%93,926
Timothy R. ErichReform
1.0%82,918
H. Joseph Perrin Sr.American Independent
0.7%54,699
Ophie C. BeltranPeace and Freedom
0.6%48,685
Brian M. ReesNatural Law
0.6%46,543
8,311,905 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 BoxerMatt Fong
$12.8M
Raised by the campaign
$10.8M
$13.7M
Spent by the campaign
$10.8M
$128.2K
Cash on hand
$49.4K
Other candidates' campaigns: H. Joseph Perrin Sr. $620.
Campaign money: FEC, through Dec 31, 1998.
Source: FEC campaign filingsUpdated Dec 31, 1998
The candidates
Barbara Boxer (D)Matt Fong (R)
Also on the ballot: Ted Brown (Libertarian), 1.1%; Timothy R. Erich (Reform), 1.0%; H. Joseph Perrin Sr. (American Independent), 0.7%; Ophie C. Beltran (Peace and Freedom), 0.6%; Brian M. Rees (Natural Law), 0.6%