California’s Legislature will see significant changes after the upcoming election, with 19 assemblymembers and 11 senators not returning to their positions. Additionally, several closely contested races could result in seats shifting from Democrat to Republican control.
Term limits, established by voters in 2012 through Proposition 28, dictate that lawmakers can serve a maximum of 12 years in the Legislature. This affects eight members of the Assembly and nine senators.
Assemblyman Jim Wood, who has been serving as Assembly Speaker pro-Tempore since November 2023, is retiring. Other assemblymembers such as Evan Low, Luz Rivas, and Laura Friedman have resigned to run for Congress. Assemblyman Kevin McCarty is running for Mayor of Sacramento.
Former Assemblyman and current Rep. Vince Fong (R-Calif.) left his seat in June to fill a vacancy created by former Rep. Kevin McCarthy’s resignation from Congress.
Four members attempted unsuccessful runs for local government positions in Los Angeles. Four Democratic assemblymembers—Carlos Villapudua, Tim Grayson, Eloise Reyes, and Sabrina Cervantes—retired from their positions to run for state Senate seats.
California is divided into 80 Assembly districts and 40 Senate districts. Currently, there is a Democratic supermajority in the Legislature with Democrats holding a majority of seats both in the Assembly (62-17) and the Senate (31-9). However, this balance may change due to recent developments such as Sen. Marie Alvarado-Gil switching parties.
Assemblymembers serve two-year terms while senators serve four-year terms with elections held every two years for half of the seats.
Some closely contested races include California’s 27th Assembly district covering parts of Fresno, Madera, and Merced counties where incumbent Democrat Esmeralda Soria faces Republican challenger Joanna Garcia Rose—a tax auditor with California Employment Development Department background—who won the primary election by a narrow margin.
In another race within California’s 40th Assembly district representing northern parts of Los Angeles County including Santa Clarita City; incumbent Democrat Pilar Schiavo received slightly more votes than her Republican opponent Patrick Lee Gipson—a retired deputy sheriff—in the primary election.
The race for California’s 58th Assembly district covering parts of Riverside and San Bernardino counties features Leticia Castillo—a psychotherapist running as a Republican—and Clarissa Cervantes—the sister of former Democratic incumbent Sabrina Cervantes—who retired to run for state Senate—as candidates competing against each other after splitting votes with another Democratic candidate during primaries.
Incumbent Democratic Assemblyman Corey Jackson seeks re-election against Republican business owner Ron Edwards within California’s 60th district encompassing part of Riverside County.
Lastly,in California’s76th district representing part San Diego County;Republican Kristie Bruce-Lane,a former Olivenhain Municipal Water District board director,and Democrat Darshana Patel,president Poway Unified School Board are vying against each other after winning their respective primaries.
In terms of State Senators,eight Democrats including Bill Dodd,Susan Talamantes Eggman,and Anthony Portantino are being forced out due term limits.Based on primary results,the party control over these seats is expected remain unchanged.
The upcoming election will determine which candidates secure these vacant positions or retain their current ones.The campaigning efforts are underway across districts as candidates strive secure voter support ahead November elections
