2004Final results
2004 election for California's 17th District
U.S. House · California
Sam Farr (D) won with 66.7% of the vote, defeating Mark Risley (R) by 37.6 points.
Sam FarrDemocrat · winner
66.7%148,958
Mark RisleyRepublican
29.2%65,117
Ray Glock-GrueneichGreen
1.6%3,645
Joe WilliamsPeace and Freedom
1.3%2,823
Joel SmolenLibertarian
1.2%2,607
223,225 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 2004
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.
Sam FarrMark Risley
$612K
Raised by the campaign
$145.7K
$616.3K
Spent by the campaign
$144.6K
$18.2K
Cash on hand
$1.1K
Campaign money: FEC, through Dec 31, 2004.
Source: FEC campaign filingsUpdated Dec 31, 2004
The candidates
Sam Farr (D)Mark Risley (R)
Also on the ballot: Ray Glock-Grueneich (Green), 1.6%; Joe Williams (Peace and Freedom), 1.3%; Joel Smolen (Libertarian), 1.2%