Incumbent Representative Sala Burton, who herself was elected during a special election following the previous incumbent's death, died on February 1, 1987, from colon cancer.

[1] Her death triggered a special election, leading to multiple people running to finish her term.

No candidate received a 50% election in the general, leading to a run-off which former California Democratic Party chair Nancy Pelosi won.

If a candidate won 50% of the vote, they would automatically fill in the vacant seat.

The runoff election took place on June 2, 1987, with Nancy Pelosi gaining the majority of the vote, winning her the special election for Burton's seat.