The 1990 California gubernatorial election was held on November 6, 1990. Though incumbent Republican Governor George Deukmejian was eligible for a third term, he announced in January 1989 that he would not pursue reelection. Republicans instead nominated Senator Pete Wilson, who defeated Democratic former San Francisco Mayor Dianne Feinstein in a close race.
Feinstein won the Democratic nomination against opponents including California Attorney General John Van de Kamp, while Wilson faced minimal opposition in his bid for the Republican nomination. Feinstein was elected to Wilson's former Senate seat in 1992, and served in the Senate until her death in September 2023.
Republican primary
Candidates
- Donald L. Bullock
- Jeffrey T. Greene
- David M. Williams
- Pete Wilson, incumbent U.S. senator and former mayor of San Diego
Democratic primary
Candidates
- John Hancock Abbott
- Eileen Anderson
- Lydon Byrne
- Mark Calney
- Dianne Feinstein, mayor of San Francisco
- Franklin Geraty
- Charles A. Mahon III
- Charles Pineda Jr.
- Frank L. Thomas
- John van de Kamp, California attorney general
- F. Frank Wong
General election results
Candidates
- Dianne Feinstein, mayor of San Francisco (Democratic)
- Jerome McCready (American Independent)
- Maria Elizabeth Muñoz (Peace and Freedom)
- Dennis Thompson (Libertarian)
- Pete Wilson, U.S. Senator (Republican)
Results
Counties that flipped from Republican to Democratic
- Contra Costa
- Lake
- Los Angeles
- Marin
- Mendocino
- Monterey
- Napa
- San Benito
- San Mateo
- Santa Clara
- Santa Cruz
- Solano
- Sonoma
- Yolo
By congressional district
Pete Wilson won 25 of California's 45 congressional districts, including eight districts that were won by Democrats. Dianne Feinstein won 20 of California's 45 congressional districts, including two districts that were won by Republicans.