2026 California State Senate election

2026 California State Senate election

←  2024 November 3, 2026 (2026-11-03) 2028 →
20 seats from even-numbered districts in the California State Senate 21 seats needed for a majority
Leader Monique Limón Brian Jones (term-limited) Party Democratic Republican Leader since November 17th, 2025 December 5, 2022 Leader's seat 21st–Santa Barbara 40th–Santee Current seats 30 10 Seats needed 11
Incumbent status in each district Legend:      Democratic incumbent retiring     Republican incumbent retiring      Democratic incumbent     Republican incumbent
Incumbent President pro tempore Monique Limón Democratic

The 2026 California State Senate election will be held on November 3, 2026, with the primary election to be held on June 2. Voters in the 20 even-numbered districts of the California State Senate will elect their representatives to four-year terms. The elections will coincide with elections for other offices, including for governor and the state assembly.

Outgoing incumbents

Democrats

1. 2nd: Mike McGuire (D–Geyserville): Termed out of office and running for U.S. House in 2026.
2. 10th: Aisha Wahab (D–Hayward): Running for U.S. House in 2026. ^[1]
3. 14th: Anna Caballero (D–Merced): Termed out of office and running for state treasurer.
4. 24th: Ben Allen (D–Santa Monica): Termed out of office.
5. 26th: María Elena Durazo (D-Los Angeles): running for the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors. ^[2]
6. 34th: Tom Umberg (D–Santa Ana): Termed out of office.

Republicans

1. 12th: Shannon Grove (R–Bakersfield): Termed out of office and running for the State Board of Equalization. ^[3]
2. 40th: Brian Jones (R-Santee): Termed out of office.

Predictions

Source	Ranking	As of
Sabato's Crystal Ball [4]	Safe D	January 22, 2026

Summary by district

† - Incumbent not seeking re-election

District	Incumbent	Party		Elected Senator	Party
2nd	Mike McGuire†		Dem
4th	Marie Alvarado-Gil		Rep [a]
6th	Roger Niello		Rep
8th	Angelique Ashby		Dem
10th	Aisha Wahab†		Dem
12th	Shannon Grove†		Rep
14th	Anna Caballero†		Dem
16th	Melissa Hurtado		Dem
18th	Steve Padilla		Dem
20th	Caroline Menjivar		Dem
22nd	Susan Rubio		Dem
24th	Ben Allen†		Dem
26th	María Elena Durazo†		Dem
28th	Lola Smallwood-Cuevas		Dem
30th	Bob Archuleta		Dem
32nd	Kelly Seyarto		Rep
34th	Tom Umberg†		Dem
36th	Tony Strickland		Rep
38th	Catherine Blakespear		Dem
40th	Brian Jones†		Rep

District 2

See also: California's 2nd State Senate district

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 three-term Democrat Mike McGuire of Healdsburg, who is term-limited and ineligible to run for re-election.

Candidates

Declared

• Damon Connolly (Democratic), state assemblymember from AD-12 (2022–present) ^[5]
• Tief Gibbs (Republican), office manager and candidate for California's 2nd congressional district in 2024 ^[6]

Withdrawn

• James Gore (Democratic), Sonoma County supervisor (2015–present) ^{[7] [8]}
• Natalie Rogers (Democratic), Santa Rosa city councilor (2020–present) ^{[9] [10]}

Declined

• Ariel Kelley (Democratic), Healdsburg city councilor and candidate for California's 2nd State Assembly district in 2024 ^[5]

District 4

See also: California's 4th State Senate district

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 ^[a] Marie Alvarado-Gil of Jackson, a former Democrat who is eligible to run for re-election.

Candidates

Declared

• Marie Alvarado-Gil (Republican), incumbent state senator (2022–present) ^[11]
• Jaron Brandon (Democratic), Tuolumne County supervisor (2020–present) ^[12]
• Alexandra Duarte (Republican), almond farmer and wife of former U.S. representative John Duarte ^[13]

Withdrawn

• Jeramy Young (Republican), Livermore Chief of Police and former mayor of Hughson (2016–2020) ^[14]

Endorsements

Marie Alvarado-Gil (R)

State senators

• Brian Jones, minority leader of the California Senate (2022–present) from the 40th district (2018–present) ^[15]

Former state legislators

• Gloria Romero, former Democratic Majority leader of the California Senate (2005-2008) and state senator from the 35th district (2001–2010) ^[15]
• Scott Wilk, former minority leader of the California Senate (2021–2022) and state senator from the 21st district (2016–2024) ^[15]

County officials

• Jeremy Briese, Mariposa County sheriff ^[15]
• Steve Griefer, Tuolumne County supervisor ^[15]

Municipal officials

• Stephen Opie, Sonora city councilor ^[15]

Jaron Brandon (D)

Statewide officials

• Fiona Ma, State Treasurer of California (2019–present) ^[15]

Former statewide officials

• Dave Jones, former Insurance Commissioner of California (2011–2019) ^[15]

County officials

• Amanda Folendorf, Calaveras County supervisor ^[15]

Municipal officials

• Ann Segerstrom, Sonora city councilor ^[15]
• Andy Merrill, Sonora city councilor ^[15]

Alexandra Duarte (R)

U.S. representatives

• Vince Fong, U.S. representative from CA-20 (2024-present) ^[16]
• Tom McClintock, U.S. representative from CA-5 (2009-present)
• Jay Obernolte, U.S. representative from CA-23 (2021–present)

Jeramy Young (R)

U.S. representatives

• George Radanovich, former U.S. representative from CA-19 (1995–2011) ^[15]

State assemblymembers

• Heath Flora, minority leader (2025–present) and state assemblymember from the 9th district (2016–present) ^[15]

Former state legislators

• Bill Berryhill, former state assemblymember from the 26th district (2008–2012) ^[15]

Political parties

• Calaveras County Republican Central Committee ^[15]

District 6

See also: California's 6th State Senate district

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 re-election.

Candidates

Potential

• Roger Niello (Republican), incumbent state senator

District 8

See also: California's 8th State Senate district

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 re-election.

Candidates

Potential

• Angelique Ashby (Democratic), incumbent state senator

District 10

See also: California's 10th State Senate district

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 re-election, but has chosen to run for California's 14th congressional district instead.

Candidates

Declared

• David Cohen (Democratic), San Jose city councilmember ^[17]
• Paul Fong (Democratic), former state assemblymember (2008—2014) ^[17]
• Harris Mojadedi (Democratic), Chabot-Las Positas Community College District trustee ^[18]
• Carmen Montano (Democratic), mayor of Milpitas ^[19]
• Scott Sakakihara (Democratic), Union City city councilmember ^[20]

Declined

• Alex Lee (Democratic), incumbent state assemblymember from AD-24 (2022–present) (runninng for re-election) ^[21]
• Aisha Wahab (Democratic), incumbent state senator (running for U.S. House) ^[1]

Endorsements

Carmen Montano (D)

Local officials

• Jose Esteves, former mayor of Milpitas (Republican) ^[19]

District 12

See also: California's 12th State Senate district

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 re-election.

Candidates

Declared

• Nathan Magsig (Republican), Fresno County supervisor and candidate for California's 5th congressional district in 2022 ^[22]
• Michael Maher (Republican), aviation business owner and runner-up for California's 21st congressional district in 2022 and 2024 ^[23]

District 14

See also: California's 14th State Senate district

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 ineligible for re-election.

Candidates

Declared

• Esmeralda Hurtado (Democratic), Sanger city councilmember (2019–present) and sister of state senator Melissa Hurtado ^[24]
• Esmeralda Soria (Democratic), state assemblymember from the 27th district (2022–present) ^[25]

Withdrawn

• Nelson Esparza, Fresno city councilor (2019–present) (endorsed Soria) ^[26]

Endorsements

Esmeralda Soria (D)

State legislators

• Anna Caballero, incumbent state senator ^[25]

Local officials

• Nelson Esparza, Fresno city councilor (2019–present) and former candidate for this district ^[26]

Nelson Esparza (D) (withdrawn)

Federal officials

• Jim Costa, U.S. Representative from CA-21 (2005–present) ^[27]
• Adam Gray, U.S. Representative from CA-13 (2025–present) ^[25]

Municipal officials

• Jerry Dyer, mayor of Fresno (2021–present) (Republican) ^[27]

District 16

See also: California's 16th State Senate district

The 16th district encompasses the southwestern Central Valley, including Kings County, western Tulare County, and northwestern Kern County. The incumbent is two-term Democrat Melissa Hurtado of Bakersfield, who is eligible to run for re-election.

Candidates

Declared

• Guillermo Gonzalez (Republican), businessman ^[28]
• Melissa Hurtado (Democratic), incumbent state senator ^[29]

Filed paperwork

• Manpreet Kaur (Democratic), vice mayor of Bakersfield ^[30]

District 18

See also: California's 18th State Senate district

The 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 is one-term Democrat Steve Padilla of Chula Vista, who is eligible for re-election.

Candidates

Declared

• Steve Padilla (Democratic), incumbent state senator ^[31]

District 20

See also: California's 20th State Senate district

The 20th district contains most of the San Fernando Valley section of northern Los Angeles County, including the cities of Burbank, San Fernando and the Los Angeles neighborhoods of Van Nuys, Reseda, Canoga Park, Tujunga, Sun Valley, Shadow Hills, Lake View Terrace, Arleta, Panorama City, Pacoima, Mission Hills, and Sylmar. The incumbent is one-term Democrat Caroline Menjivar of Panorama City, who is eligible for reelection.

Candidates

Declared

• Caroline Menjivar (Democratic), incumbent state senator ^[31]

District 22

See also: California's 22nd State Senate district

The 22nd district consists of the eastern San Gabriel Valley and the Pomona Valley in eastern 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 incumbent is two-term Democrat Susan Rubio, who is eligible to run for re-election.

Candidates

Potential

• Susan Rubio (Democratic), incumbent state senator

District 24

See also: California's 24th State Senate district

The 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 is three-term Democrat Ben Allen of Santa Monica, who is term-limited and ineligible to run for re-election.

Candidates

Declared

• Eric Alegria (Democratic), Palos Verdes Peninsula School Board member ^[32]
• Amaris Dordar (Democratic), private practice attorney ^[33]
• Ellen Evans (Democratic), president of the Doheny Sunset Plaza neighborhood council ^[34]
• John Erickson (Democratic), West Hollywood city councilor (2020–present) ^[35]
• Brian Goldsmith (Democratic), consultant ^[36]
• Kristina Irwin (Republican), Palisades Charter High School trustee and runner-up for this district in 2022 ^[37]
• Brittany McKinley (Democratic), member of the Los Angeles Human Relations Commission ^[35]
• Zoë Muntaner (Democratic), journalist ^[33]
• Mike Newhouse (Democratic), member of the Los Angeles Planning Commission and candidate for Los Angeles's 11th City Council district in 2022 ^[35]
• Sion Roy (Democratic), Santa Monica College trustee and former president of the Los Angeles County Medical Association ^[38]
• Nico Ruderman (Democratic), Venice neighborhood councilor ^[39]
• Maryam Zar (Democratic), chair emeritus of Pacific Palisades community council ^[33]

Endorsements

John Erickson (D)

Labor unions

• California Federation of Teachers ^[40]
• Los Angeles County Federation of Labor ^[41]

Ellen Evans (D)

State legislators

• Rick Zbur, state assemblymember from the 51st district (2022–present) (co-endorsement with Goldsmith, Newhouse, and Roy) ^[42]

Brian Goldsmith (D)

Executive branch officials

• Pete Buttigieg, former U.S. Secretary of Transportation (2021–2025) ^[43]

U.S. representatives

• Nancy Pelosi, U.S. representative from CA-11 (2023–present) ^[43]

State legislators

• Rick Zbur, state assemblymember from the 51st district (2022–present) (co-endorsement with Evans, Newhouse, and Roy) ^[42]

Municipal officials

• Antonio Villaraigosa, former mayor of Los Angeles (2005–2013) ^[44]

Individuals

• Rick Caruso, CEO of Caruso ^[44]
• Katie Couric, journalist ^[45]

Labor unions

• CAL FIRE Local 2881 ^[46]

Mike Newhouse (D)

State legislators

• Rick Zbur, state assemblymember from the 51st district (2022–present) (co-endorsement with Evans, Goldsmith, and Roy) ^[42]

Sion Roy (D)

State legislators

• Richard Bloom, former state assemblyman ^[38]
• Rick Zbur, state assemblymember from the 51st district (2022–present) (co-endorsement with Evans, Goldsmith, and Newhouse) ^[42]

District 26

See also: California's 26th State Senate district

The 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 is second-term Democrat Maria Elena Durazo of Los Angeles, who is eligible to run for re-election but is instead running for the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors.

Candidates

Declared

• Juan Camacho (Democratic), Equality California Institute board president ^[47]
• Wendy Carrillo (Democratic), former state assemblymember from the 52nd district (2017–2024) and candidate for Los Angeles's 14th City Council district in 2024 ^[48]
• Maebe A. Girl (Democratic), Silver Lake neighborhood councilmember and candidate for California's 30th congressional district in 2020, 2022, and 2024 ^[49]
• Sara Hernandez (Democratic), Los Angeles Community College District trustee ^[2]
• Sarah Rascón (Democratic), former director of county and regional affairs for Los Angeles mayor Karen Bass ^[50]

Declined

• Maria Elena Durazo (Democratic), incumbent state senator (running for the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors) ^[2]

Endorsements

Juan Camacho (D)

Statewide officials

• Ricardo Lara, insurance commissioner (2019–present) ^[51]

State legislators

• Mark Gonzalez, state assemblymember from the 54th district (2024–present) ^[47]
• Rick Zbur, state assemblymember from the 51st district (2022–present) ^[47]

Organizations

• Equality California ^[51]

District 28

See also: California's 28th State Senate district

The 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 is first-term Democrat Lola Smallwood-Cuevas of Los Angeles, who is eligible to run for re-election.

Candidates

Potential

• Lola Smallwood-Cuevas (Democratic), incumbent state senator

District 30

See also: California's 30th State Senate district

The 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 is second-term Democrat Bob Archuleta of Pico Rivera, who is eligible to run for re-election.

Candidates

Potential

• Bob Archuleta (Democratic), incumbent state senator

District 32

See also: California's 32nd State Senate district

The 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 is first-term Republican Kelly Seyarto of Murrieta, who is eligible to run for re-election.

Candidates

Potential

• Kelly Seyarto (Republican), incumbent state senator

District 34

See also: California's 34th State Senate district

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 is second-term Democrat Tom Umberg of Santa Ana, who is term-limited and ineligible to run for re-election.

Candidates

Declared

• Rhonda Shader (Republican), former mayor of Placentia and runner-up for this district in 2022 ^[52]
• Avelino Valencia (Democratic), state assemblymember from the 68th district (2022–present) ^[53]

Declined

• Josh Newman (Democratic), former state senator from the 29th district (2016–2018, 2020–2024) (running for superintendent of public instruction) ^[54]

Endorsements

Avelino Valencia (D)

Federal officials

• Adam Schiff, U.S. senator from California (2025–present) ^[55]

District 36

See also: California's 36th State Senate district

The 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 southeastern Los Angeles County. The incumbent is Republican Tony Strickland, who was elected in a special election in 2025.

Candidates

Declared

• Chris Duncan (Democratic), former mayor of San Clemente and candidate for California's 74th State Assembly district in 2024 ^[56]
• Rick Foster (Democratic), member of the Orange County Development Processing Review Committee ^[57]

Potential

• Tony Strickland (Republican), incumbent state senator

District 38

See also: California's 38th State Senate district

The 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 is one-term Democrat Catherine Blakespear of Encinitas, who is eligible to run for re-election.

Candidates

Declared

• Laura Bassett (Republican), professional fiduciary ^[58]

Potential

• Catherine Blakespear (Democratic), incumbent state senator

District 40

See also: California's 40th State Senate district

The 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 is second-term Republican Brian Jones of Santee, who is term-limited and ineligible to run for re-election.

Candidates

Declared

• Sabrina Bazzo (Democratic), San Diego Unified School District trustee ^[59]
• Kristie Bruce-Lane (Republican), former member of the Olivenhain Municipal Water District Board of Directors and runner-up for California's 76th State Assembly district in 2022 and 2024 ^[60]
• Mara Elliott (Democratic), former San Diego City Attorney (2016–2024) ^[61]
• Ed Musgrove (Republican), San Marcos city councilor ^[60]
• Suzanne Till (Democratic), teacher (previously ran for U.S. House) ^[62]

Withdrawn

• Marni von Wilpert (Democratic), San Diego city councilor from District 5 (2020–present) (running for U.S. House) ^[63]

Endorsements

Kristie Bruce-Lane (R)

Executive branch officials

• Richard Grenell, Special Presidential Envoy for Special Missions (2025–present) ^[63]

Ed Musgrove (R)

State legislators

• Brian Jones, incumbent state senator for this district ^[63]

Notes

1. Originally elected as a Democrat in 2022, switched parties August 8, 2024.

References

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39. "Longtime Westside Advocate Seeks State Senate Seat in Expansive District 24". Westside Current. April 21, 2025. Retrieved June 18, 2025.
40. Mason, Melanie; Gardiner, Dustin; Jones, Blake (November 24, 2025). "The shapeshifting governor's race". Politico . Retrieved November 24, 2025.
41. Gardiner, Dustin; Jones, Blake (January 28, 2026). "The case for (and against) a Matt Mahan run". Politico . Retrieved January 28, 2026.
42. Jones, Blake; Gardiner, Dustin; White, Jeremy (November 19, 2025). "Maybe this time… Tom Steyer will break through". Politico . Retrieved November 19, 2025.
43. Jones, Blake; Gardiner, Dustin (November 3, 2025). "Gavin Newsom's mountain top moment". Politico . Retrieved November 3, 2025.
44. Jones, Blake; Gardiner, Dustin (June 30, 2025). "Newsom just can't quit Fox News". Politico . Retrieved June 30, 2025.
45. Gardiner, Dustin; Jones, Blake (December 17, 2025). "Meet the crypto billionaire hedging his bets for governor". Politico . Retrieved December 19, 2025.
46. Gardiner, Dustin; Jones, Blake; Mason, Melanie (February 9, 2026). "LA gets its own Zohran — kinda". Politico . Retrieved February 10, 2026.
47. Gardiner, Dustin; Piper, Jessica; Jones, Blake (July 7, 2025). "How trolling Trump is helping Gavin Newsom". Politico . Retrieved July 7, 2025.
48. Tat, Linh (March 13, 2025). "Former Assemblymember Wendy Carrillo announces run for state Senate". Los Angeles Daily News .
49. Lang, Nico (June 16, 2025). "Meet the Silver Lake drag queen looking to make history in the Senate race". Los Angeles Public Press. Retrieved June 18, 2025.
50. Tat, Linh (June 5, 2025). "Environmental advocate Sarah Rascón seeks state Senate seat representing parts of Northeast LA". Los Angeles Daily News . Retrieved July 9, 2025.
51. Bajko, Matthew (July 14, 2025). "Political Notes: CA LGBTQ rights group wades into 1st 2026 legislative race". Bay Area Reporter . Retrieved July 14, 2025.
52. Kang, Hanna (February 8, 2025). "Former Placentia Mayor Rhonda Shader running for California's 34th Senate District". The Orange County Register . Retrieved April 6, 2025.
53. Schallhorn, Kaitlyn (December 12, 2024). "Assemblyman Avelino Valencia launches 2026 bid for state Senate seat". Orange County Register . Retrieved December 18, 2024.
54. Schallhorn, Kaitlyn (April 11, 2025). "Former Sen. Josh Newman is now running for California's schools chief". Los Angeles Daily News . Retrieved April 13, 2025. Newman, earlier this year, had said he planned to run for the 34th State Senate District in 2026
55. Jones, Blake; Gardiner, Dustin (February 6, 2025). "Newsom buddies up to Trump". Politico . Retrieved February 6, 2025.
56. Jones, Blake; Gardiner, Dustin (2025-12-18). "Kamala Harris makes a Kimmel cameo". Politico . Retrieved 2025-12-18.
57. Schallhorn, Kaitlyn (August 25, 2025). "Democrat Rick Foster launches bid for coastal state Senate seat". The Orange County Register . Retrieved October 13, 2025.
58. "Republican Laura Bassett, interested in coastal issues, launches bid for state Senate seat". Orange County Register. 2025-12-03. Retrieved 2025-12-16.
59. Jennewein, Chris (September 20, 2025). "School trustee Bazzo to run for 40th District state Senate seat in 2026". Times of San Diego. Retrieved December 22, 2025.
60. Place, Leo (January 21, 2025). "Three candidates vying for 40th state Senate seat in 2026". The Coast News . Retrieved February 9, 2025.
61. "Former city attorney Mara Elliott announces candidacy for state Senate". Times of San Diego. September 4, 2025. Retrieved October 14, 2025.
62. Gardiner, Dustin; Jones, Blake (August 25, 2025). "How California Dems bluffed their way into a gerrymandering showdown". Politico . Retrieved August 25, 2025.
63. Gardiner, Dustin; Jones, Blake; Mason, Melanie (September 4, 2025). "SCOOP: Villaraigosa swipes at Porter and Becerra". Politico . Retrieved September 4, 2025.

External links

Official campaign websites for 2nd district candidates

• Damon Connolly (D) for State Senate
• James Gore (D) for State Senate
• Natalie Rogers (D) for State Senate

Official campaign websites for 4th district candidates

• Marie Alvarado-Gil (R) for State Senate
• Jaron Brandon (D) for State Senate
• Alexandra Duarte (R) for State Senate
• Jeramy Young (R) for State Senate

Official campaign websites for 12th district candidates

• Nathan Magsig (R) for State Senate
• Michael Maher (R) for State Senate

Official campaign websites for 14th district candidates

• Nelson Esparza (D) for State Senate
• Esmeralda Soria (D) for State Senate

Official campaign websites for 18th district candidates

• Steve Padilla (D) for State Senate

Official campaign websites for 20th district candidates

• Caroline Menjivar (D) for State Senate

Official campaign websites for 24th district candidates

• Eric Alegria (D) for State Senate
• John Erickson (D) for State Senate
• Ellen Evans (D) for State Senate
• Brian Goldsmith (D) for State Senate
• Kristina Irwin (R) for State Senate
• Brittany McKinley (D) for State Senate
• Mike Newhouse (D) for State Senate
• Sion Roy (D) for State Senate
• Nico Ruderman (D) for State Senate

Official campaign websites for 26th district candidates

• Juan Camacho (D) for State Senate
• Wendy Carrillo (D) for State Senate
• Sara Hernandez (D) for State Senate
• Maebe Pudlo (D) for State Senate
• Sarah Rascón (D) for State Senate

Official campaign websites for 34th district candidates

• Rhonda Shader (R) for State Senate
• Avelino Valencia (D) for State Senate

Official campaign websites for 36th district candidates

• Chris Duncan (D) for State Senate
• Rick Foster (D) for State Senate

Official campaign websites for 38th district candidates

• Laura Bassett (R) for State Senate

Official campaign websites for 40th district candidates

• Kristie Bruce-Lane (R) for State Senate
• Mara Elliott (D) for State Senate
• Ed Musgrove (R) for State Senate
• Suzanne Till (D) for State Senate