2002Final results
2002 election for California's 13th District
U.S. House · California
Fortney Pete Stark (D) won with 71.1% of the vote, defeating Syed R. Mahmood (R) by 49.0 points.
Fortney Pete StarkDemocrat · winner
71.1%86,495
Syed R. MahmoodRepublican
22.1%26,852
Mark W. StrobergLibertarian
3.0%3,703
Don J. GrundmannAmerican Independent
2.3%2,772
John J. BambeyReform
1.6%1,901
121,723 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 2002
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.
Fortney Pete StarkSyed R. Mahmood
$454.2K
Raised by the campaign
$50K
$438.1K
Spent by the campaign
$51.3K
$465.5K
Cash on hand
-$1.3K
Campaign money: FEC, through Dec 31, 2002; FEC, through Oct 16, 2002.
Source: FEC campaign filingsUpdated Dec 31, 2002
The candidates
Fortney Pete Stark (D)Syed R. Mahmood (R)
Also on the ballot: Mark W. Stroberg (Libertarian), 3.0%; Don J. Grundmann (American Independent), 2.3%; John J. Bambey (Reform), 1.6%