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.

Candidates

 * Barbara Boxer, incumbent U.S. Senator

Candidates

 * Danney Ball, activist
 * Toni Casey, former Mayor of Los Altos Hills
 * 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
 * Tim Stoen, Assistant District Attorney
 * Bill Quraishi, businessman
 * John Van Zandt, businessman

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. Jones got a major endorsement from 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 and an increased minimum wage, and in support of 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.

Results
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.

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)