The 1982 United States Senate election in California took place on November 2, 1982. Incumbent Republican U.S. Senator S. I. Hayakawa decided to retire after one term. Republican Pete Wilson, the mayor of San Diego, won Hayakawa's open seat over Democratic Governor Jerry Brown and several minor candidates.
Republican primary
Candidates
Robert K. Booher
Ted Bruinsma, president of the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce
Incumbent Senator S.I. Hayakawa became a somewhat controversial figure due to his propensity for off-color statements and for his tendency to doze off in meetings, earning him the nickname "Sleeping Sam".[2] As a result, Hayakawa had a high unfavorability rating of 57%.[3] In spite of this, Hayakawa initially made clear his intent to run for re-election in spite of any potential challenges.[4]
However, Hayakawa trailed in polls badly,[5] and at one point saw his funds dwindle down to less than $40,000.[6] In spite of earlier promises not to, Hayakawa announced his withdrawal from the race on January 31, 1982.[1]
Wilson was known as a fiscal conservative who supported
U.S. Senate
seats falling into Democrats' hands, especially if they were occupied by the man who had succeeded him as governor. Despite exit polls indicating a narrow Brown victory, Wilson won by a wide margin.
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