1995 California's 15th congressional district special election

none March 2026 March 2026 1995 California's 15th congressional district special election California by-election no 1994 United States House of Representatives elections#California 1994 1996 1996 United States House of Representatives elections#California CA 15 December 12, 1995 Tom Campbell 106th Congress.jpg Tom Campbell Republican Party (United States) 54,372 58.85% 3x4.svg Jerry Estruth Democratic Party (United States) 33,051 35.77% 3x4.svg Linh Keiu Dao Independent (politician) 4,922 5.33% U.S. Representative Norman Mineta Democratic Party (United States) Tom Campbell Republican Party (United States) The 1995 California's 15th congressional district special election took place on December 12, 1995, to replace Democratic Congressman Norman Mineta, who resigned from Congress on October 10, 1995, to accept a position at Lockheed Martin.Dougan Michael Mineta gives up seat in House San Francisco Examiner September 11, 1995 A-1 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-san-francisco-examiner/200806402/ Newspapers.com July 2, 2026 All candidates appeared on the same ballot regardless of party affiliation, and a runoff election would have been held if no candidate received a majority of the vote. While many prominent Democrats considered running in the special election,San Jose lawmaker Mineta to resign The Salinas Californian September 12, 1995 1C, 3C https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-californian/200806792/ Newspapers.com July 2, 2026 stockbroker Jerry Estruth was the only Democratic candidate to file. State Senator Tom Campbell, who represented California's 12th congressional district from 1989 to 1993 before unsuccessfully running for the U.S. Senate in 1992, was likewise the only Republican candidate to file.December election set for Mineta's seat Santa Cruz Sentinel October 12, 1995 A-3 https://www.newspapers.com/article/santa-cruz-sentinel/200805056/ Newspapers.com July 2, 2026 Estruth campaigned on his opposition to the policies of Speaker Newt Gingrich, attacking Campbell for "vot[ing] with Newt Gingrich 76 percent of the time" that they served in Congress together.Simon Mark Gingrich's Shadow Cast on Race for Mineta's Seat San Francisco Chronicle November 21, 1995 A1 https://www.newspapers.com/article/san-francisco-chronicle/200807016/ Newspapers.com July 2, 2026 Campbell ultimately won the election by a wide margin, receiving 59 percent of the vote to Estruth's 36 percent, flipping the seat to Republican control.Simon Mark Campbell Wins Race For Mineta's Seat San Francisco Chronicle December 13, 1995 A1 https://www.newspapers.com/article/san-francisco-chronicle/200807150/ Newspapers.com July 2, 2026 The result split the California congressional delegation evenly at 26 to 26. The subsequent election in 1996 resulted in Democrats regaining the majority of the congressional delegation, which they have held since then. General election Candidates Tom Campbell, State Senator, former Congressman from CA 12 (1989–1993), 1992 Republican candidate for the U.S. Senate (Republican)Simon Mark State Sen. Campbell Says He Will Run For Mineta's Seat San Francisco Chronicle September 15, 1995 A24 https://www.newspapers.com/article/san-francisco-chronicle/200804857/ Newspapers.com July 2, 2026 Jerry Estruth, stockbroker (Democratic)15th District candidate spells it out Santa Cruz Sentinel October 29, 1995 A-3 https://www.newspapers.com/article/santa-cruz-sentinel/200805256/ Newspapers.com July 2, 2026 Linh Keiu Dao, computer engineer (Independent) Declined Karin Dowdy, West Valley–Mission Community College District trustee (Republican) Susan Hammer, Mayor of San Jose (Democratic)Simon Mark San Jose Mayor Balks at Congress, May Try for Governor: Hammer won't seek Mineta's seat San Francisco Chronicle September 20, 1995 A15 https://www.newspapers.com/article/san-francisco-chronicle/200804976/ Newspapers.com July 2, 2026 Results 1995 California's 15th congressional district special electionMarch 26, 1996 Primary Election Statement of Vote 1996 https://sbcvote.com/elect/resources/sov/1996%20PRIM%20ELECT%20SOS%2003-26-96.pdf#page=10 xi California Secretary of State July 2, 2026 Tom Campbell Republican Party (United States) 54,372 58.85% Jerry Estruth Democratic Party (United States) 33,051 35.77% Linh Keiu Dao Independent (politician) 4,922 5.33% Write-ins Connor Vlakancic 42 0.05% 92,387 100.00% Republican Party (United States) Democratic Party (United States) By county County Tom CampbellRepublican Jerry EstruthDemocratic Linh DaoIndependent Connor VlakancicWrite-in Margin Total votes cast # % # % # % # % # % Santa Clara (part)48,32558.9%29,30535.7%7695.3%350.0%19,02023.2%82,027 Santa Cruz (part)6,04758.4%3,74636.2%5605.4%70.1%2,30122.2%10,360Totals54,37258.85%33,05135.77%4,9225.33%420.05%21,32123.08%92,387 References 1995 15 California 15 California 1995 15 United States House of Representatives 15 United States House of Representatives 1995 15