PolitiFinder

1986 California U.S. House District 16 Election

California · 4 candidates · See every 1986 U.S. House race

Who won the 1986 California U.S. House District 16 Election?

Leon E. Panetta won the 1986 California U.S. House District 16 Election. Leon E. Panetta received 128,151 popular votes (78.38%). The main challenger was Louis Darrigo (19.2%).

See the full head-to-head between Panetta and Darrigo

Panetta +59.2 pts · won by 96,765 votes
Leon E. PanettaDemocraticWINNER78.38%
128,151 votes
Louis DarrigoRepublican19.2%
31,386 votes
Ron Wrightpeace and freedom1.23%
2,017 votes
Bill AndersonLibertarian1.19%
1,944 votes
Popular-vote totals for U.S. House elections come from the MIT Election Data and Science Lab (1976–2024).

Data last verified July 28, 2026.