2008Final results
2008 election for California's 4th District
U.S. House · California
Tom McClintock (R) won with 50.2% of the vote, defeating Charlie Brown (D) by 0.5 points.
Tom McClintockRepublican · winner
50.2%185,790
Charlie BrownDemocrat
49.8%183,990
369,780 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 2008
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.
Charlie BrownTom McClintock
$2.6M
Raised by the campaign
$3.7M
$2.6M
Spent by the campaign
$3.5M
$35.3K
Cash on hand
$139.2K
Campaign money: FEC, through Dec 31, 2008.
Source: FEC campaign filingsUpdated Dec 31, 2008