 The 1970 reapportionment added five new districts to California, and in 1972, Brown sought election to the redistricted 38th congressional district and won.He was elected to the Ninety-third and to the 13 succeeding Congresses (January 3, 1973 – July 15, 1999).Being a progressive Democrat from a largely-Republican area, Brown was famous for running in more close elections than any other representatives in the 20th century without being defeated.