1987 California's 5th congressional district special election

1987 California's 5th congressional district special election

April 7, 1987 (primary)
June 2, 1987 (runoff)

California's 5th congressional district
 
Candidate Nancy Pelosi Harriet Ross
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 46,428 22,478
Percentage 63.36% 30.68%

U.S. Representative before election

Sala Burton
Democratic

Elected U.S. Representative

Nancy Pelosi
Democratic

A special primary election to determine the member of the United States House of Representatives for California's 5th congressional district was held on April 7, 1987, with a special general election held two months later on June 2.

Incumbent Representative Sala Burton, who herself was elected during a special election following the death of her husband Phillip Burton, the previous incumbent, died on February 1, 1987, from colon cancer. Her death triggered a special election, leading to multiple people running to finish her term. No candidate received 50% in the primary, leading to a special general election won by former California Democratic Party chair Nancy Pelosi.