The 2004 United States Senate election in California took place on November 2, 2004 alongside other elections to the
United States Senate
The United States Senate is the upper chamber of the United States Congress, with the House of Representatives being the lower chamber. Together they compose the national bicameral legislature of the United States.
The composition and pow ...
in other states as well as elections to the
United States House of Representatives
The United States House of Representatives, often referred to as the House of Representatives, the U.S. House, or simply the House, is the lower chamber of the United States Congress, with the Senate being the upper chamber. Together they ...
and various state and local elections. Incumbent Democratic U.S. Senator
Barbara Boxer ran for re-election and defeated
Republican
Republican can refer to:
Political ideology
* An advocate of a republic, a type of government that is not a monarchy or dictatorship, and is usually associated with the rule of law.
** Republicanism, the ideology in support of republics or agains ...
former
Secretary of State Bill Jones. Boxer's 6.96 million votes set the all-time record for the most votes cast for one candidate in one state in one election, although it was surpassed by Senator
Dianne Feinstein
Dianne Goldman Berman Feinstein ( ; born Dianne Emiel Goldman; June 22, 1933) is an American politician who serves as the senior United States senator from California, a seat she has held since 1992. A member of the Democratic Party, she wa ...
's 7.75 million votes
in 2012.
Democratic primary
Candidates
*
Barbara Boxer, incumbent U.S. Senator
Results
Republican primary
Candidates
* Danney Ball, activist
* Toni Casey, former Mayor of
Los Altos Hills
Los Altos Hills (; ''Los Altos'', Spanish for "The Heights") is an incorporated town in Santa Clara County, California, United States. The population was 8,489 at the 2020 census. The town is known for its affluence and expensive residential rea ...
* Barry L. Hatch, activist
*
Bill Jones, former
Secretary of State of California
The secretary of state of California is the chief clerk of the U.S. state of California, overseeing a department of 500 people. The secretary of state is elected for four year terms, like the state's other constitutional officers; the officeh ...
and candidate for
Governor
A governor is an administrative leader and head of a polity or political region, ranking under the head of state and in some cases, such as governors-general, as the head of state's official representative. Depending on the type of political ...
in
2002
*
Howard Kaloogian
Howard James Kaloogian (born December 30, 1959) is an American politician and a former Republican member of the California State Assembly, having served in the State Assembly for the 74th district from 1994 to 2000. After leaving office, he was ...
, former State Assemblyman and Former Chairman of the Recall Gray Davis Committee
*
Rosario Marin, former
Treasurer of the United States
The treasurer of the United States is an officer in the United States Department of the Treasury who serves as custodian and trustee of the federal government's collateral assets and the supervisor of the department's currency and coinage produc ...
* James Stewart, businessman
* Tim Stoen, Assistant District Attorney
* Bill Quraishi, businessman
* John Van Zandt, businessman
Results
Third party primaries
American Independent
Libertarian
Peace and Freedom
General election
Candidates
Major
*
Barbara Boxer (D), incumbent U.S. Senator
*
Bill Jones (R), former California Secretary of State
Minor
*
Marsha Feinland (PF), perennial candidate
*
James P. Gray (L),
Superior Court jurist
* Don J. Grundmann (AI)
Campaign
Boxer originally had decided to retire in 2004 but changed her mind to "fight for the right to dissent" against conservatives like Majority Leader
Tom DeLay
Thomas Dale DeLay (; born April 8, 1947) is an American author and retired politician who served as a member of the United States House of Representatives, representing Texas's 22nd congressional district from 1985 until 2006. He was Republic ...
. Jones was widely considered as the underdog. Jones got a major endorsement form the popular Governor
Arnold Schwarzenegger. The two major candidates had a debate. Pre-election polling had Boxer leading in double digits. But he never released a single TV ad. Boxer portrayed Jones as too conservative for California, citing his votes in the California Assembly (1982 to 1994) against gun control, increased minimum wage, support for offshore drilling, and a loosening of environmental regulations.
Fundraising
Jones raised about $700,000 more than Boxer during the third quarter, pulling in $2.5 million to Boxer's $1.8 million. But overall, Boxer has raised $16 million to Jones' $6.2 million. And Boxer has spent about $7 million on radio and television ads alone.
Predictions
Polling
Results
Overall
The election was not close, with Boxer winning by an authoritative 20 point margin. Jones only performed well in rural parts of the state. Boxer on the other hand won almost all major metropolitan areas in the state. The race was called right when the polls closed at 11:00 P.M. EST, and 7:00 P.M. PTZ. Jones conceded defeat to Boxer at 11:12 P.M. EST, and 7:12 PTZ.
By county
Final results from the
Secretary of State of California
The secretary of state of California is the chief clerk of the U.S. state of California, overseeing a department of 500 people. The secretary of state is elected for four year terms, like the state's other constitutional officers; the officeh ...
.
See also
*
2004 United States Senate election
The 2004 United States Senate elections were held on November 2, 2004, with all Classes of United States senators, Class 3 Senate seats being contested. They coincided with the 2004 United States presidential election, re-election of George W. Bu ...
Notes
References
External links
* JoinCaliforni
2004 General ElectionFinal results from the Secretary of State of California
{{California elections
2004
California
California is a state in the Western United States, located along the Pacific Coast. With nearly 39.2million residents across a total area of approximately , it is the most populous U.S. state and the 3rd largest by area. It is also the m ...
2004 California elections