2026 California State Senate election
The 2026 California State Senate election will be held on November 3, with the primary election to be held on June 6. Voters in the 20 even-numbered districts of the California State Senate will elect their representatives. The elections coincided with elections for other offices, including the state assembly .
Overview
† - Incumbent not seeking re-election
Outgoing incumbents
Democrats
2nd : Mike McGuire (D–Geyserville ): Termed out of office.14th : Anna Caballero (D–Merced ): Termed out of office.24th : Ben Allen (D–Santa Monica ): Termed out of office.34th : Tom Umberg (D–Santa Ana ): Termed out of office.
Republicans
12th : Shannon Grove (R–Bakersfield ): Termed out of office.36th : Janet Nguyen (R–Huntington Beach ): Termed out of office.
District 2
The 2nd district encompasses most of the North Coast region, stretching from the Oregon border to the northern Bay Area to include Del Norte , Humboldt , Trinity , Mendocino , Sonoma , and Marin Counties. The incumbent is two-term Democrat Mike McGuire of Healdsburg , who is term-limited and ineligible to run for reelection.
District 4
The 4th district is located in the northeastern Central Valley , the central Sierra Nevada , and Death Valley , including Stanislaus , Calaveras , Amador , El Dorado , Placer , Alpine , Tuolumne , Mariposa , Madera , Mono , and Inyo counties. The incumbent is one-term Republican Marie Alvarado-Gil of Jackson , who is eligible to run for reelection.
District 6
The 6th district is located in northern and eastern suburbs of the Sacramento metropolitan area , including the Sacramento County cities of Rancho Cordova , Carmichael , Fair Oaks , Gold River , Arden-Arcade , Folsom , Orangevale , Citrus Heights , and Antelope , and the western Placer County exurbs of Granite Bay , Roseville , Rocklin , Loomis , Whitney, and Lincoln . The incumbent is one-term Republican Roger Niello of Fair OAks , who is eligible to run for reelection.
District 8
The 8th district is located in the core of the Sacramento metropolitan area , consisting of the state capital of Sacramento and surrounding suburbs, including Rio Linda , McClellan Park , North Highlands , Vineyard , Rosemont , Florin , and Elk Grove . The incumbent is one-term Democrat Angelique Ashby of Sacramento , who is eligible to run for reelection.
District 10
The 10th district is located in the East Bay in Alameda County and the northwestern corner of Silicon Valley in Santa Clara County , including Fremont , Hayward , Union City , Newark , Milpitas , Sunnyvale , and Santa Clara . The incumbent is one-term Democrat Aisha Wahab of Hayward , who is eligible to run for reelection.
District 12
The 12th district encompasses the southeastern Central Valley and the northwestern corner of the Mojave Desert , including most of Kern County and the eastern portions of Tulare County and Fresno County . The incumbent is two-term Republican Shannon Grove of Bakersfield , who is term-limited and ineligible to run for reelection.
District 14
The 14th district is located in the western Central Valley , including Merced County and western Fresno County . The incumbent is two-term Democrat Anna Caballero of Merced , who is term-limited and inelible for reelection.
District 16
The new 16th district encompasses the southwestern Central Valley , including Kings County , western Tulare County , and northwestern Kern County . The seat originally had no incumbent, but first-term Democrat Melissa Hurtado of Sanger eventually chose to run for re-election here. On December 14, candidate David Shepard filed for a recount, after the race was certified with Senator Hurtado in the lead by a 20-vote margin.[ 1] [ 2]
Candidates
Declared
Withdrawn
Imelda Ceja (Democratic), nurse[ 8]
Rob Fuentes (Democratic), attorney[ 5]
Endorsements
Bryan Osorio (D)
Individuals Organizations
Results
California's 16th State Senate district, 2022[ 14] [ 15] [ 2]
Primary election
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
Republican
David Shepard
32,579
43.4
Democratic
Melissa Hurtado (incumbent)
22,162
29.6
Democratic
Nicole Parra
9,921
13.2
Republican
Gregory Tatum
6,016
8.0
Democratic
Bryan Osorio
4,344
5.8
Total votes
75,022
100%
General election
Democratic Melissa Hurtado (incumbent) 68,461
50.005
Republican
David Shepard
68,448
49.995
Total votes
136,909
100%
Democratic hold
District 18
The new 18th district stretches along the Mexico–United States border and includes rural Imperial Valley and areas of California along the Colorado River , including Needles , Blythe and Indio , but most of the population is in southern San Diego County , including Imperial Beach , Otay Mesa , Chula Vista , National City , Lincoln Acres , Bonita , the Tijuana River Valley , and the southeast side of San Diego . The incumbent in this area was two-term Democrat Ben Hueso of San Diego and the former 40th district, who was term-limited and could not seek re-election.
Candidates
Declared
Endorsements
Results
District 20
The new 20th district contains most of the San Fernando Valley section of northern Los Angeles , including Burbank , Van Nuys , Reseda , Canoga Park , Tujunga , Sun Valley , Shadow Hills , Lake View Terrace , Arleta , Panorama City , Pacoima , Mission Hills , San Fernando , and Sylmar . The incumbent in this area was two-term Democrat Robert Hertzberg of Van Nuys and the former 18th district, who was term-limited and could not seek re-election.
Candidates
Declared
Endorsements
Daniel Hertzberg (D)
Federal officials State legislators Organizations
Results
District 22
The new 22nd district consists of the eastern San Gabriel Valley and the Pomona Valley in Los Angeles County , including El Monte , West Covina , Covina , Duarte , Baldwin Park , Irwindale , Vincent , Azusa , San Dimas , La Verne , and Pomona , as well as Montclair , Chino , and Ontario in the southwestern corner of San Bernardino County . The incumbents in this area were first-term Democrat Susan Rubio of Baldwin Park or the former 22nd district, and second-term Democrat Connie Leyva of Chino or the former 20th district. Rubio ran for re-election, while Leyva ran for San Bernardino County Supervisor .
Candidates
Declared
Declined
Endorsements
Results
District 24
The new 24th district contains the Westside Los Angeles neighborhoods of Venice , West Los Angeles , Pacific Palisades , Brentwood , Bel Air , Century City , Sunset Strip , Laurel Canyon , Hollywood , and Miracle Mile , and the Santa Monica Mountains cities such as Hidden Hills , Calabasas , Topanga , and Malibu , as well as most of the South Bay cities of Los Angeles County , including Rancho Palos Verdes , Rolling Hills , Torrance , Redondo Beach , Manhattan Beach , El Segundo , Marina Del Rey , Santa Monica , Beverly Hills , and West Hollywood . The incumbent in this area was two-term Democrat Ben Allen of Santa Monica and the former 26th district, who ran for re-election.
Candidates
Declared
Ben Allen (Democratic), incumbent state senator[ 16] Kristina Irwin (Republican), realtor (write-in) [ 32]
Endorsements
Results
District 26
The new 26th district is located in the central and eastern Los Angeles neighborhoods of Los Feliz , East Hollywood , Silver Lake , Echo Park , Cypress Park , Koreatown , Wilshire Center , Westlake , Glassell Park , Eagle Rock , Garvanza , Lincoln Heights , Hermon , Little Tokyo , Chinatown , Boyle Heights , and El Sereno , along with the adjascent communities of City Terrace , East Los Angeles and Vernon . The incumbent in this area was first-term Democrat Maria Elena Durazo of Los Angeles and the former 24th district, who sought re-election.
Candidates
Declared
Endorsements
Results
District 28
The new 28th district contains Downtown Los Angeles and most of South Central Los Angeles , including Park La Brea , Pico Union , Mid City , West Adams , Baldwin Hills , Hyde Park , Nevin , Leimert Park , Jefferson Park , Crenshaw , Vermont Square , Adams-Normandie , Florence , Exposition Park , and University Park , as well as suburbs of Culver City , Ladera Heights , and a small part of the Westside Los Angeles neighborhoods, including Palms , Mar Vista and Playa Vista . The incumbent in this area was first-term Democrat Sydney Kamlager-Dove of Los Angeles and the former 30th district, who left to run for a seat in the United States House of Representatives .
Candidates
Declared
Jamaal Gulledge (Democratic), human resources manager[ 34]
Joe Lusizzo (Republican), restaurant owner[ 16]
Kamilah Victoria Moore (Democratic), attorney and activist[ 16]
Lola Smallwood-Cuevas (Democratic), labor advocate[ 35] Cheryl Turner (Democratic), civil rights lawyer[ 35]
Endorsements
Lola Smallwood-Cuevas (D)
Results
California's 28th State Senate district, 2022[ 14] [ 15]
Primary election
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
Democratic
Lola Smallwood-Cuevas
63,211
44.8
Democratic
Cheryl Turner
42,728
30.3
Republican
Joe Lusizzo
20,785
14.7
Democratic
Kamilah Victoria Moore
9,162
6.5
Democratic
Jamaal Gulledge
5,267
3.7
Total votes
141,153
100%
General election
Democratic Lola Smallwood-Cuevas 117,315
59.9
Democratic
Cheryl Turner
78,453
40.1
Total votes
195,768
100%
Democratic hold
District 30
The new 30th district contains the Gateway Cities region of southeastern Los Angeles County , including Downey , Norwalk , Bellflower , La Mirada , Santa Fe Springs , Los Nietos , Montebello , Pico Rivera , Whittier , Hacienda Heights , La Puente , Valinda , Avocado Heights , Industry , Rowland Heights , Walnut , and Diamond Bar , along with Brea in northeastern Orange County . The incumbent in this area was first-term Democrat Bob Archuleta of the former 32nd district, who sought re-election.
Candidates
Declared
Endorsements
Results
District 32
The new 32nd district consists of the southwestern corner of the Inland Empire , including the Riverside County communities of Temecula , Murrieta , Wildomar , Lake Elsinore , Canyon Lake , Lakeland Village , Alberhill , Menifee , Sage , and Idyllwild , along with Yorba Linda in eastern Orange County , Chino Hills in southwestern San Bernardino County and the rural, northeastern corner of San Diego County . The incumbent in this area, Republican Melissa Melendez of the former 28th district, was term-limited and could not seek re-election.
Candidates
Declared
Endorsements
Results
District 34
The 34th district is based in northern Orange County , including most of Santa Ana , Anaheim , Placentia , Fullerton , Buena Park , La Habra , and the west side of Orange , along with the unincorporated community of South Whittier in Los Angeles County. The incumbent was first-term Democrat Tom Umberg of Santa Ana , who sought re-election.
Candidates
Declared
Endorsements
Results
District 36
The new 36th district encompasses most of coastal Orange County , including Seal Beach , Huntington Beach , Newport Beach , Emerald Bay , Laguna Beach , and Dana Point , and the Little Saigon area of northwestern Orange County, including Garden Grove , Westminster , Fountain Valley , Midway City , Stanton , Cypress , Rossmoor , and Los Alimitos , along with Artesia , Cerritos , and Hawaiian Gardens in southwestern Los Angeles County . The seat had no incumbent.
Candidates
Declared
Endorsements
Results
District 38
The new 38th district encompasses the coastal North County San Diego County communities of La Jolla , Del Mar , Solana Beach , Cardiff , Rancho Santa Fe , Encinitas , Carlsbad , Vista , Oceanside , San Luis Rey , and Camp Pendleton Marine Corps Base , along with the southern edge of Orange County , including San Clemente , San Juan Capistrano , Ladera Ranch , Las Flores , and Rancho Santa Margarita . The incumbent in this area, Republican Patricia Bates (R–Laguna Niguel ), was term-limited and could not seek re-election.
Candidates
Declared
Withdrawn
Declined
Endorsements
Results
District 40
The new 40th district encompasses much of inland San Diego County , including Santee , Poway , Alpine , Pine Valley , Ramona , San Marcos , Escondido , Hidden Meadows , Valley Center , Pauma Valley , and Fallbrook , as well as the northeastern parts of the city of San Diego . The incumbent in this area was Republican Brian Jones of Santee and the former 38th district, who sought re-election.
Candidates
Declared
Endorsements
Results
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^ Patino, Vania (December 14, 2022). "District 16 candidate David Shepard announces recount effort" . KERO-TV ^ a b Taub, David (January 18, 2023). "GOP's Shepard Concedes State Senate Race to Hurtado" . GV Wire . ^ Cite error: The named reference bakersfield1 was invoked but never defined (see the help page ). ^ "Delano Mayor Bryan Osorio switches candidacy to state Senate" . www.bakersfield.com . The Bakersfield Californian . 24 February 2022. Retrieved 8 March 2022 .^ a b White, Jeremy B. "New year, new districts. Here's a guide" . POLITICO . Retrieved 2022-01-14 . ^ Stone, Reid (15 February 2022). "Shepard, Porterville farmer, jumps into south Valley Senate tussle" . sjvsun.com . Retrieved 3 March 2022 . ^ Cite error: The named reference Kerncand was invoked but never defined (see the help page ). ^ Rockfellow, Mason (3 February 2022). "Imelda Ceja announces run for CA 16th Senate District" . www.kget.com . KGET-TV . Retrieved 3 March 2022 . ^ Taub, David (December 30, 2021). "Exclusive: Why Sen. Hurtado Is Risking Her Political Career to Stay in Sanger" . GV Wire . Retrieved January 18, 2022 . ^ Korte, Lara; White, Jeremy; Doshi, Juhi (26 May 2022). "Newsom is ready to sign the gun bills" . www.politico.com . Politico . Retrieved 28 May 2022 . ^ a b Chavez, Angela (May 6, 2022). "Courge California Endorses Six Legislative Candidates" . ^ a b Cite error: The named reference UFWEndorse was invoked but never defined (see the help page ). ^ a b c d e f g h i j Cite error: The named reference GOPEndorse was invoked but never defined (see the help page ). ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m Cite error: The named reference sos was invoked but never defined (see the help page ). ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m Cite error: The named reference genr was invoked but never defined (see the help page ). ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Cite error: The named reference CAprimsos was invoked but never defined (see the help page ). ^ Jennewein, Chris (28 January 2021). "Chula Vista Councilman and Former Mayor Steve Padilla to Run for State Senate" . timesofsandiego.com . Times of San Diego . Retrieved 4 December 2021 . ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Cite error: The named reference DemEndorse was invoked but never defined (see the help page ). ^ a b c d e f g Cite error: The named reference CTAEndorse was invoked but never defined (see the help page ). ^ a b c d e f g h i j Cite error: The named reference EQCAEndorse was invoked but never defined (see the help page ). ^ a b c d e f g h i Cite error: The named reference SEIUEndorse was invoked but never defined (see the help page ). ^ a b c Thomas, George (19 August 2021). "Daniel Hertzberg Launches Bid For California State Senate" . www.vannuysnewspress.com . Retrieved 8 December 2021 . ^ ^ Thomas, George. "Senator Richard Pan Backs Hertzberg For Senate" . www.vannuysnewspress.com . Retrieved 8 December 2021 . ^ "Endorsement: Carolina Menjivar for State Senate" Los Angeles Times . Retrieved May 16, 2022 .^ a b c d "Endorsements" . NARAL Pro-Choice California . Retrieved May 12, 2022 .^ a b c d e f "Endorsements" . www.stonewalldems.org . Stonewall Democrats . Retrieved 7 March 2022 .^ a b c "Endorsed Candidates" . votevets.org . Retrieved May 11, 2022 .^ a b Cite error: The named reference WFP was invoked but never defined (see the help page ). ^ "What's behind the 'Great Resignation' of California lawmakers?" . abc10.com . January 10, 2022. Retrieved 2022-01-14 .^ "State Sen. Connie Leyva announces she will not seek reelection this year" . Fontana Herald News . Retrieved 2022-01-14 .^ "Write-in candidate to challenge Allen for CA-24 seat in November – Santa Monica Daily Press" .^ a b c Cite error: The named reference SierraEndorse was invoked but never defined (see the help page ). ^ Bajko, Matthew S. (February 23, 2022). "Political Notebook: Gulledge aims to be first gay Black CA state senator" . Bay Area Reporter . ^ a b Bajko, Matthew S. (March 9, 2022). "Political Notebook: Slew of LGBTQ candidates seek CA legislative seats" . Bay Area Reporter . ^ Sprague, Mike (3 September 2021). "Bob Archuleta announces re-election bid for state Senate" . www.whittierdailynews.com . Whittier Daily News . Retrieved 26 December 2021 . ^ "Whittier councilman plans to take on incumbent state senator Archuleta" . July 12, 2021.^ "Candidate List: STATEWIDE DIRECT PRIMARY ELECTION 07/06/2022" . Lavote.gov. Retrieved 2022-04-06 .^ Horseman, Jeff (January 3, 2022). "Inland Assemblyman Kelly Seyarto to run for state Senate" . The Press-Enterprise . Retrieved January 16, 2022 . ^ "2022 Election: New districts, new contenders for Orange County state seats" . March 17, 2022.^ "Senator Thomas J. Umberg announces his 2022 re-election campaign" . 23 December 2021. Retrieved 26 December 2021 .^ Christian, Susan; Golding (January 18, 2022). "Huntington Beach Councilwoman Kim Carr to run for State Senate against Janet Nguyen" . Orange County Register . Retrieved February 18, 2022 . ^ Staggs, Brooke (December 21, 2021). "Assemblywoman Janet Nguyen to run for state Senate in coastal Orange County seat" . Orange County Register . Retrieved January 16, 2022 . ^ Brennan, Deborah Sullivan (March 16, 2021). "Encinitas Mayor Blakespear announces run for State Senate" . Encinitas Advocate . Retrieved March 18, 2021 . ^ "The Lincoln Club of Orange County endorses Matt Gunderson for State Senate" . Orange County Breeze . March 1, 2022.^ Wyer, Stephen (March 26, 2022). "38th CA Senate District race intensifies with criticism, complaints" . The Coast News ^ "Carlsbad City Councilmember and Indian American Public Health Expert Priya Bhat-Patel to Run for State Senate Spot in California" . India West . January 25, 2021. Archived from the original on October 29, 2021. Retrieved October 17, 2021 .^ @priyabhatpatel (July 20, 2021). "Given the current situation in Carlsbad, w/the departure of one of our council colleagues & the many issues facing our community, I have decided to suspend my campaign for State Senate to focus more on solutions for our city right now. Please see the image for my full statement" (Tweet ) – via Twitter . ^ a b Staggs, Brooke (February 5, 2021). "Who's running, so far, for Orange County's state senate and assembly seats in 2022?" . Orange County Register . Retrieved October 17, 2021 . ^ Staggs, Brooke (2021-12-30). "Supervisor Lisa Bartlett enters CA-49 race against Rep. Mike Levin, GOP challengers" . Orange County Register Archived from the original on December 30, 2021. Retrieved 2022-01-14 . ^ Brian Jones Senate ^ Jennewein, Chris (2022-01-05). "Redistricting Forces Democrat Joseph Rocha to End Challenge to Rep. Issa" . Times of San Diego . Archived from the original on January 5, 2022. Retrieved 2022-01-20 . ^ "LGBTQ Victory Fund Endorses 80 More LGBTQ Candidates, Including Robert Zimmerman for U.S. Congress" . www.victoryfund.org . LGBTQ Victory Fund . Retrieved 25 February 2022 . 
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