2008Final results
2008 election for California's 5th District
U.S. House · California
Doris Matsui (D) won with 74.3% of the vote, defeating Paul A. Smith (R) by 53.5 points.
Doris MatsuiDemocrat · winner
74.3%164,242
Paul A. SmithRepublican
20.8%46,002
L. R. RobertsPeace and Freedom
4.9%10,731
221,155 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.
Doris MatsuiPaul A. Smith
$964.5K
Raised by the campaign
$4K
$889.1K
Spent by the campaign
$3.6K
$153.9K
Cash on hand
$393
Campaign money: FEC, through Dec 31, 2008.
Source: FEC campaign filingsUpdated Dec 31, 2008