2000Final results
2000 election for California's 44th District
U.S. House · California
Mary Bono (R) won with 59.2% of the vote, defeating Ron Oden (D) by 21.2 points.
Mary BonoRepublican · winner
59.2%123,738
Ron OdenDemocrat
37.9%79,302
Gene SmithReform
2.0%4,135
Jim MeuerNatural Law
1.0%2,012
209,187 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 2000
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.
Ron OdenMary Bono
$127.4K
Raised by the campaign
$559.3K
$125.9K
Spent by the campaign
$500.7K
$1.5K
Cash on hand
$134.9K
Other candidates' campaigns: Gene Smith $25.3K.
Campaign money: FEC, through Dec 31, 2000.
Source: FEC campaign filingsUpdated Dec 31, 2000
The candidates
Mary Bono (R)Ron Oden (D)
Also on the ballot: Gene Smith (Reform), 2.0%; Jim Meuer (Natural Law), 1.0%