2004_United_States_Senate_election_in_California
The 2004 United States Senate election in California took place on November 2, 2004 alongside other elections to the United States Senate in other states as well as elections to the United States House of Representatives and various state and local elections. Incumbent Democratic U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer ran for re-election and defeated Republican 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's 7.75 million votes in 2012.
Quick Facts Nominee, Party ...
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 County results Boxer: 40-50% 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% 80–90% Jones: 40–50% 50–60% 60–70% | |||||||||||||||||
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Candidates
- Barbara Boxer, incumbent U.S. Senator
Results
More information Party, Candidate ...
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Barbara Boxer (Incumbent) | 2,566,298 | 100.00% | |
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Candidates
- Danney Ball, activist
- Toni Casey, former Mayor of Los Altos Hills[1]
- Barry L. Hatch, activist
- Bill Jones, former Secretary of State of California and candidate for Governor in 2002
- Howard Kaloogian, former State Assemblyman from San Diego County and chair of the Recall Gray Davis Committee
- Rosario Marin, former Treasurer of the United States and mayor of Huntington Park
- James Stewart, businessman[2]
- Tim Stoen, Assistant District Attorney
- Bill Quraishi, businessman[2]
- John Van Zandt, businessman[2]
Results
More information Party, Candidate ...
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Bill Jones | 1,015,748 | 44.81% | |
| Republican | Rosario Marin | 454,176 | 20.03% | |
| Republican | Howard Kaloogian | 253,331 | 11.17% | |
| Republican | Toni Casey | 142,080 | 6.27% | |
| Republican | Tim Stoen | 124,940 | 5.51% | |
| Republican | James Stewart | 78,264 | 3.45% | |
| Republican | Barry L. Hatch | 71,244 | 3.14% | |
| Republican | John M. Van Zandt | 56,925 | 2.51% | |
| Republican | Danney Ball | 37,745 | 1.66% | |
| Republican | Bill Quraishi | 32,515 | 1.43% | |
| Total votes | 2,266,968 | 100.00% | ||
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American Independent
More information Party, Candidate ...
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| American Independent | Don J. Grundmann | 32,025 | 100.00% | |
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Libertarian
More information Candidate, Votes ...
| Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jim Gray | 13,656 | 57.30% | |
| Gail Lightfoot | 10,177 | 42.70% | |
| Total votes | 23,833 | 100.00% | |
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Peace and Freedom
More information Party, Candidate ...
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Peace and Freedom | Marsha Feinland | 4,864 | 100.00% | |
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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 planned to retire in 2004 but changed her mind to "fight for the right to dissent" against conservatives such as House Majority Leader Tom DeLay. Jones was widely considered as the underdog.[3] Jones got a major endorsement from the popular Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger.[4] The two major candidates had a debate. Pre-election polling had Boxer leading in double digits.[5] 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 and an increased minimum wage, and in support of offshore drilling and a loosening of environmental regulations.[6]
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.[7]
Predictions
More information Source, Ranking ...
| Source | Ranking | As of |
|---|---|---|
| Sabato's Crystal Ball[8] | Safe D | November 1, 2004 |
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Polling
More information Poll source, Date(s) administered ...
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size[lower-alpha 1] |
Margin of error |
Barbara Boxer (D) |
Bill Jones (R) |
Other / Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SurveyUSA | October 29–31, 2004 | 763 (LV) | ± 3.6% | 57% | 36% | 7% |
Close
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.
More information Party, Candidate ...
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Barbara Boxer (Incumbent) | 6,955,728 | 57.71% | |
| Republican | Bill Jones | 4,555,922 | 37.80% | |
| Peace and Freedom | Marsha Feinland | 243,846 | 2.02% | |
| Libertarian | James P. "Jim" Gray | 216,522 | 1.80% | |
| American Independent | Don J. Grundmann | 81,244 | 0.67% | |
| No party | Dennis Richter (write-in) | 43 | 0.00% | |
| No party | Howard Johnson (write-in) | 8 | 0.00% | |
| No party | John Emery Jones (write-in) | 2 | 0.00% | |
| Invalid or blank votes | 536,388 | 4.26% | ||
| Total votes | 12,589,703 | 100.00% | ||
| Turnout | 57.03% | |||
| Democratic hold | ||||
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By county
Final results from the Secretary of State of California.[10]
More information County, Boxer ...
| County | Boxer | Votes | Jones | Votes | Feinland | Votes | Others | Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco | 82.67% | 277,193 | 12.83% | 43,029 | 2.15% | 7,220 | 2.34% | 7,862 |
| Alameda | 75.66% | 403,892 | 20.23% | 107,966 | 2.22% | 11,851 | 1.89% | 10,103 |
| Marin | 70.86% | 94,164 | 25.81% | 34,301 | 1.44% | 1,915 | 1.89% | 2,505 |
| San Mateo | 70.53% | 196,285 | 26.29% | 73,171 | 1.33% | 3,715 | 1.84% | 5,126 |
| Santa Cruz | 70.58% | 84,840 | 23.49% | 28,239 | 2.77% | 3,329 | 3.15% | 3,791 |
| Los Angeles | 66.75% | 1,940,493 | 28.29% | 822,351 | 2.36% | 68,743 | 2.60% | 75,449 |
| Santa Clara | 66.00% | 380,551 | 29.83% | 172,008 | 1.66% | 9,550 | 2.51% | 14,487 |
| Sonoma | 65.67% | 143,124 | 29.57% | 64,438 | 2.28% | 4,962 | 2.49% | 5,419 |
| Contra Costa | 63.49% | 258,905 | 33.24% | 135,559 | 1.48% | 6,044 | 1.78% | 7,277 |
| Monterey | 62.31% | 76,647 | 32.96% | 40,547 | 1.84% | 2,263 | 2.89% | 3,560 |
| Yolo | 61.94% | 44,085 | 34.05% | 24,234 | 1.88% | 1,340 | 2.13% | 1,518 |
| Mendocino | 61.87% | 23,415 | 29.41% | 11,131 | 2.76% | 1,044 | 5.96% | 2,254 |
| Solano | 61.32% | 89,779 | 35.07% | 51,354 | 1.61% | 2,355 | 2.00% | 2,929 |
| Napa | 60.30% | 33,577 | 35.94% | 20,012 | 1.59% | 884 | 2.17% | 1,208 |
| Humboldt | 58.76% | 38,016 | 34.61% | 22,394 | 3.47% | 2,246 | 3.16% | 2,044 |
| Imperial | 57.65% | 19,498 | 36.06% | 12,195 | 3.43% | 1,159 | 2.87% | 971 |
| Lake | 56.32% | 13,812 | 39.22% | 9,619 | 1.91% | 469 | 2.55% | 625 |
| San Benito | 55.82% | 10,349 | 39.73% | 7,365 | 1.96% | 363 | 2.49% | 462 |
| Santa Barbara | 55.10% | 91,055 | 40.02% | 66,146 | 2.03% | 3,347 | 2.85% | 4,717 |
| Sacramento | 54.16% | 252,016 | 42.34% | 196,984 | 1.50% | 6,995 | 2.00% | 9,283 |
| Alpine | 53.90% | 373 | 41.76% | 289 | 2.31% | 16 | 2.02% | 14 |
| San Joaquin | 53.00% | 99,074 | 42.98% | 80,350 | 1.92% | 3,582 | 2.10% | 3,921 |
| Ventura | 52.13% | 159,920 | 43.66% | 133,917 | 1.84% | 5,630 | 2.37% | 7,284 |
| San Diego | 51.45% | 565,457 | 44.13% | 484,948 | 2.04% | 22,431 | 2.38% | 26,125 |
| Mono | 49.95% | 2,592 | 44.59% | 2,314 | 2.14% | 111 | 3.31% | 172 |
| San Bernardino | 49.76% | 251,776 | 45.36% | 229,527 | 2.18% | 11,038 | 2.70% | 13,655 |
| Merced | 49.65% | 27,975 | 46.18% | 26,023 | 1.95% | 1,098 | 2.22% | 1,251 |
| Riverside | 47.39% | 259,169 | 48.67% | 266,197 | 1.93% | 10,547 | 2.01% | 11,015 |
| Stanislaus | 46.93% | 67,539 | 49.70% | 71,527 | 1.61% | 2,324 | 1.75% | 2,517 |
| San Luis Obispo | 46.49% | 58,212 | 48.48% | 60,708 | 2.12% | 2,659 | 2.91% | 3,646 |
| Trinity | 46.24% | 2,960 | 47.93% | 3,068 | 2.17% | 139 | 3.66% | 234 |
| Del Norte | 46.03% | 4,264 | 48.72% | 4,513 | 2.29% | 212 | 2.97% | 275 |
| Nevada | 45.79% | 24,367 | 49.46% | 26,321 | 1.90% | 1,013 | 2.85% | 1,518 |
| Fresno | 45.36% | 109,849 | 51.59% | 124,937 | 1.61% | 3,905 | 1.44% | 3,495 |
| Butte | 44.96% | 42,512 | 49.12% | 46,446 | 2.52% | 2,385 | 3.39% | 3,204 |
| Tuolumne | 44.38% | 11,538 | 52.39% | 13,620 | 1.23% | 319 | 2.00% | 519 |
| Orange | 43.73% | 458,604 | 50.86% | 533,406 | 1.94% | 20,394 | 3.47% | 36,374 |
| Kings | 42.71% | 13,485 | 54.07% | 17,075 | 1.71% | 539 | 1.51% | 478 |
| Amador | 42.16% | 7,445 | 54.15% | 9,562 | 1.53% | 271 | 2.15% | 380 |
| Calaveras | 42.17% | 9,339 | 53.58% | 11,865 | 1.51% | 334 | 2.75% | 608 |
| Inyo | 40.68% | 3,474 | 54.37% | 4,643 | 2.08% | 178 | 2.86% | 244 |
| Mariposa | 40.38% | 3,437 | 55.82% | 4,751 | 1.69% | 144 | 2.10% | 179 |
| Siskiyou | 39.92% | 8,215 | 54.95% | 11,308 | 1.94% | 399 | 3.18% | 655 |
| Placer | 39.70% | 59,554 | 56.78% | 85,163 | 1.46% | 2,197 | 2.06% | 3,086 |
| Plumas | 39.59% | 4,347 | 54.82% | 6,019 | 2.21% | 243 | 3.38% | 371 |
| El Dorado | 39.58% | 33,715 | 56.09% | 47,775 | 2.05% | 1,743 | 2.29% | 1,950 |
| Madera | 39.15% | 15,058 | 57.84% | 22,249 | 1.67% | 641 | 1.35% | 519 |
| Yuba | 38.94% | 6,926 | 55.80% | 9,925 | 2.21% | 393 | 3.05% | 542 |
| Kern | 38.13% | 79,769 | 56.82% | 118,882 | 2.17% | 4,543 | 2.88% | 6,026 |
| Tulare | 37.11% | 36,181 | 59.55% | 58,066 | 1.84% | 1,798 | 1.50% | 1,464 |
| Colusa | 36.61% | 2,228 | 60.10% | 3,657 | 1.23% | 75 | 2.05% | 125 |
| Sutter | 36.61% | 10,864 | 60.06% | 17,824 | 1.47% | 436 | 1.86% | 553 |
| Tehama | 36.18% | 8,285 | 58.89% | 13,488 | 1.76% | 403 | 3.17% | 726 |
| Shasta | 35.21% | 26,795 | 60.00% | 45,667 | 1.86% | 1,412 | 2.94% | 2,235 |
| Sierra | 34.89% | 679 | 58.74% | 1,143 | 1.90% | 37 | 4.47% | 87 |
| Glenn | 33.87% | 3,147 | 61.77% | 5,739 | 1.86% | 173 | 2.50% | 232 |
| Lassen | 32.36% | 3,655 | 62.43% | 7,051 | 1.97% | 223 | 3.24% | 366 |
| Modoc | 28.48% | 1,253 | 66.27% | 2,916 | 1.52% | 67 | 3.73% | 164 |
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Trend by county
Legend
- Republican — >15%
- Republican — +12.5−15%
- Republican — +10−12.5%
- Republican — +7.5−10%
- Republican — +5−7.5%
- Republican — +2.5−5%
- Republican — +0−2.5%
- Democratic — +0−2.5%
- Democratic — +2.5−5%
- Democratic — +5−7.5%
- Democratic — +7.5-10%
- Democratic — +10−12.5%
- Democratic — +12.5−15%
- Democratic — >15%
Counties that flipped from Republican to Democratic
- Mono (largest municipality: Mammoth Lakes)
- San Diego (largest community: San Diego)
- San Joaquin (largest city: Stockton)
- Ventura (largest city: Ventura)
- "GOP race in state draws little cash, attention : 4 candidates seek chance to replace Boxer in Senate". June 29, 2011. Archived from the original on June 29, 2011.
- "NewsLibrary Search Results". nl.newsbank.com. Archived from the original on June 9, 2011. Retrieved July 2, 2010.
- "John J. Miller on U.S. Senate & Election 2004 on National Review Online". Archived from the original on March 9, 2012. Retrieved September 4, 2010.
- "CAMPAIGN 2004 / Jones, Boxer mix it up in only live debate / Challenger plays up Schwarzenegger ties, senator counters". Sfgate.com. August 11, 2004. Archived from the original on September 5, 2010.
- "Los Angeles Times: Archives - CALIFORNIA ELECTIONS; Jones Pulls Out Cash He Lent to Campaign". Archived from the original on November 3, 2012. Retrieved May 13, 2018.
- "The Final Predictions". Sabato's Crystal Ball. Archived from the original on May 2, 2021. Retrieved May 2, 2021.
- "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on July 31, 2008. Retrieved July 31, 2008.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)