California's 8th congressional district: election results

U.S. House elections in California's 8th congressional district, 1976 to 2024: winners, vote shares and margins. District lines are redrawn after each census, so the area covered changes over time.

Current representative: John Garamendi (Democrat), term ends 2027-01-03.

California's 8th congressional district: Republican minus Democratic share, in points. Bars above the line lean Republican, below lean Democratic.

Year	Winner	Party	Share	Margin
2024	John Garamendi	Democratic	74.0%	47.9
2022	John Garamendi	Democratic	75.7%	51.5
2020	Jay Obernolte	Republican	56.1%	12.1
2018	Paul Cook	Republican	60.0%	19.9
2016	Paul Cook	Republican	62.3%	24.5
2014	Paul Cook	Republican	67.6%	35.3
2012	Paul Cook	Republican	57.4%	14.8
2010	Nancy Pelosi	Democratic	80.1%	65.0
2008	Nancy Pelosi	Democratic	71.9%	55.7
2006	Nancy Pelosi	Democratic	80.4%	69.7
2004	Nancy Pelosi	Democratic	83.0%	71.4
2002	Nancy Pelosi	Democratic	79.6%	67.1
2000	Nancy Pelosi	Democratic	84.4%	72.7
1998	Nancy Pelosi	Democratic	85.8%	73.8
1982	Ronald V. Dellums	Democratic	55.9%	11.9
1980	Ronald V. Dellums	Democratic	55.5%	16.3
1978	Ronald V. Dellums	Democratic	57.4%	14.7
1976	Ronald V. Dellums	Democratic	62.1%	27.4

2024

Candidate	Party	Votes	Share
John Garamendi Won	DEM	201,962	73.97%
Rudy Recile	REP	71,068	26.03%
Total		273,030

2022

Candidate	Party	Votes	Share
John Garamendi Won	DEM	145,501	75.73%
Rudy Recile	REP	46,634	24.27%
Total		192,135

2020

Candidate	Party	Votes	Share
Jay Obernolte Won	REP	158,711	56.06%
Christine Bubser	DEM	124,400	43.94%
Total		283,111

Questions and answers

Who represents California's 8th congressional district?

John Garamendi (Democrat) is the current representative; the term ends on 2027-01-03.

Who won the last election in California's 8th congressional district?

John Garamendi won in 2024 by 47.9 points.

Results: FiveThirtyEight, from official sources.