The California Assembly is half of our state Legislature. Along with the state Senate, it is essentially California’s equivalent of the Congress. On June 2, voters will choose representatives for the entire state Assembly, with each district home to more than 400,000 constituents.
Many Assembly members will be new due to retirements and term limits. That means we’re paying attention to how many challengers oust incumbents and how many will seats flip from one party to the other.
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There are 80 Assembly districts across California, each with its own assembly member. Members serve in two-year terms, making it a much faster turnover than the State Senate.
What does a state Assembly member do?
- Introduces as many as 35 bills in a two-year session.
- Casts as many as 3,000 votes a year.
- Passes, as part of the Legislature, a state spending plan.
- Sits through long meetings, unless you get a spot on the powerful Appropriations Committee, where you’ll decide behind closed doors and then pass or kill all the bills at once.
Why do these races matter?
State lawmakers draft and pass laws that govern the entire state.
These laws can provide benefits that aren’t granted by the federal government, such as paid family leave or in-state tuition for undocumented college students.
They can impose rules that apply statewide, such as restrictions on buying guns, or not allowing restaurants to provide single-use plastic straws unless a customer requests it.
They can also set minimum standards for the state and allow cities and counties to go further. For instance, the state minimum wage is $16.90 an hour, while the city of L.A.’s hourly minimum wage rises generally to $18.42 on July 1.
Where are the party lines drawn?
Around three-quarters of lawmakers in both California’s Assembly and state Senate are Democrats. There are still divisions among lawmakers that lead to drawn-out arguments and prevent legislation from moving forward. We included information below on voter registration breakdowns in each district.
You might recognize their work from
In recent years, the Legislature has:
Background
As with the state Senate, the Democrats’ supermajority is at stake in this election. That battle is expected to be tougher in the Assembly where Democrats have a wider lead.
The current Assembly makeup is 60 Democrats and 20 Republicans. To crack the supermajority, the California GOP would need to pick up at least seven seats.
Rank-and-file assembly members are paid $134,694 a year, plus $236 a day for expenses when the Legislature is in session. They also get reimbursed for mileage at the federal rate. Party leaders get higher pay.
Since these races are considered “voter-nominated” offices, they won’t be decided in the primary. The top two vote-getters, regardless of party, will move on to the general election in November.
About this guide
About LAist’s voter guides
When information is missing
Some candidates did not reply to our requests for images. Some did not have a campaign website and/or list of endorsements available online at the time of publication. We will update this guide as more candidate information becomes available.
This guide lists races across Los Angeles and Orange counties. It notes the most-watched seats up for grabs as well as voter registration breakdowns. Names appear in the same order as the certified list of candidates.
District 34
At a glance: This district covers Kern, Los Angeles, San Bernardino counties. It includes parts of Lancaster and Palmdale, reaching all the way to the Nevada border. The incumbent, Republican Tom Lackey, is termed out.
This is a race to watch because of the semi-purple makeup between Democrats and Republicans.
Voter registration: 39.3% Republican, 30.5% Democrat, 20.6% no party preference
Randall Putz
Mayor/Business Owner, Democrat
Website: putzforassembly.com
Endorsements: Full list here
Steve Fox
Attorney/Businessman, Republican
Website: stevefoxforcalifornia.com
Endorsements: Not available
Charles Frederick Hughes
Small Business Owner, Republican
Website: votecharleshughes.com
Endorsements: Full list here
Manny Lin
School Boardmember/Educator, Republican
Website: mannylin4assembly.com
Endorsements: Full list here
District 39
At a glance: The district has L.A. and San Bernardino counties. It also includes parts of Lancaster and Palmdale and stretches into Victorville.
Voter registration: 43.6% Democrat, 24.2% no party preference, 23.3% Republican
Juan Carrillo (incumbent)
State Assemblymember, Democrat
Website: VoteJuanCarrillo.com
Endorsements: Full list here
Paul Andre Marsh
Community Services Liaison, Republican
Website: paulmarshforassembly39.com
Endorsements: Not available
District 40
At a glance: The district is based in L.A. County. It covers parts of the northern San Fernando Valley, all of Santa Clarita and Castaic, and the upper canyon areas.
Voter registration: 40.3% Democrat, 30.2% Republican, 22.4% no party preference
Pilar Schiavo (incumbent)
Assemblymember, Democrat
Website: Pilar4CA.com
Endorsements: Full list here
Elizabeth Wong Ahlers
Business Owner, Republican
Website: elizabeth4assembly.com
Endorsements: Full list here
Andreas Farmakalidis
Business Owner/Professor, Republican
Website: andreas-ad40.com
Endorsements: Full list here
Rickey Tracy Hayes II
Lineman/Entrepreneur/Businessman, Republican
Website: rickeyhayesforassembly.com
Endorsements: Full list here
District 41
At a glance: The district is based in L.A. and San Bernardino counties. It includes Pasadena, Altadena, parts of Rancho Cucamonga and Phelan. Parts of this district were heavily by the Eaton Fire.
Voter registration: 44% Democrat, 28.4% Republican, 20.4% no party preference
John Harabedian (incumbent)
California State Assemblymember, Democrat
Website: JohnHarabedian.com
Endorsements: Not available
Adam Christopher Vena
Father/Sanitation Employee, Republican
Website: Not available
Endorsements: Not available
District 42
At a glance: This district has parts of L.A. and Ventura counties. It includes Malibu, Pacific Palisades, Simi Valley and Thousand Oaks. Parts of this district were heavily impacted by the Palisades Fire. The incumbent, Democrat Jacqui Irwin, is termed out.
This is a race to watch given the district’s semi-purple voter base, roster of candidates and Palisades Fire fallout.
Voter registration: 40% Democrat, 31.4% Republican, 21% no party preference
Deborah Klein Lopez
Councilmember/Environmental Advocate, Democrat
Website: deborahkleinlopez.com
Endorsements: Full list here
Ted Nordblum
Small Business Owner, Republican
Website: tednordblum.com
Endorsements: Full list here
Rocky Rhodes
Simi Valley City Councilman/Businessman, Republican
Website: rockyforassembly.com
Endorsements: Full list here
District 43
At a glance: This district is in L.A. County. It includes all of the city of San Fernando, as well as parts of Sylmar down to North Hollywood.
Voter registration: 52.1% Democrat, 25.1% no party preference, 16.3% Republican
Celeste Rodriguez (incumbent)
Assemblymember, Democrat
Website: votecelesterodriguez.com
Endorsements: Full list here
Ricardo Benitez
Plumber/Electrical Contractor, Republican
Website: Not available
Endorsements: Not available
District 44
At a glance: This L.A. County district includes Burbank, La Crescenta-Montrose, parts of Glendale and Los Angeles.
Voter registration: 48.8% Democrat, 23.7% no party preference, 20.8% Republican
Nicholas “Nick” Schultz (incumbent)
California State Assemblymember, Democrat
Website: votenickschultz.com
Endorsements: Not available
Carolyn Daniels
Independent Contractor/Mother, Republican
Website: daniels4assembly.com
Endorsements: Not available
Charlotte Gerry
Dentist, Republican
Website: Not available
Endorsements: Not available
District 46
At a glance: This district straddles L.A. and Ventura counties along the 101 Freeway. It includes the western side of the San Fernando Valley, stretching from Van Nuys to Bell Canyon.
Voter registration: 48.4% Democrat, 20.8% Republican, 23.7% no party preference
Jesse Gabriel (incumbent)
Member of the State Assembly, 46th District, Democrat
Website: jessegabriel.com
Endorsements: Full list here
Tracey Schroeder
Teacher, Republican
Website: traceyschroeder.com
Endorsements: Not available
District 48
At a glance: This L.A. County district has parts of the San Gabriel Valley, including Baldwin Park, Duarte, Irwindale, Azusa, Covina and Glendora.
Voter registration: 46.1% Democrat, 23.4% no party preference, 23.3% Republican
Blanca Rubio (incumbent)
State Assemblymember/Teacher, Democrat
Website: blancarubio.com
Endorsements: Not available
Dan T. Tran
Real Estate Businessman, Republican
Website: dantranfordistrict48.com
Endorsements: Not available
District 49
At a glance: This L.A. County district covers parts of the San Gabriel Valley. It includes Alhambra, East Pasadena, San Gabriel, Monterey Park and San Marino.
Voter registration: 44.6% Democrat, 30.3% no party preference, 19.5% Republican
Mike Fong (incumbent)
California State Assemblymember, Democrat
Website: mikefong.org
Endorsements: Not available
Long David Liu
Attorney/Father, Republican
Website: liuforassembly.com
Endorsements: Full list here
District 51
At a glance: This district is based in L.A. County. It stretches from Santa Monica over to Griffith Park, including Beverly Hills and West Hollywood.
Voter registration: 57.2% Democrat, 22.9% no party preference, 13.6% Republican
Colin D. Hernandez
Digital Communication Strategist, Democrat
Website: colinforcalifornia.com
Endorsements: Not available
Rick Chavez Zbur (incumbent)
California Assemblymember, Democrat
Website: rickchavezzbur.com
Endorsements: Full list here
Michael Geraghty
Retired Businessman, Republican
Website: save-losangeles.com
Endorsements: Not available
Jake Head
Military College Recruiter, Republican
Website: jakeheadforca.com
Endorsements: Not available
Dick Lucas
Business Owner, No Party Preference
Website: dicklucas.com
Endorsements: Not available
District 52
At a glance: This L.A. County district includes East Los Angeles and part of Glendale.
Voter registration: 60.1% Democrat, 22.7% no party preference, 11.2% Republican
Jessica Caloza (incumbent)
California State Assemblymember, Democrat
Website: jessicacaloza.com
Endorsements: Full list here
Andrea Lee Anderson
No Ballot Designation, Republican
Website: Not available
Endorsements: Not available
District 53
At a glance: This district is in L.A. and San Bernardino counties. It includes Pomona, Ontario and much of Chino.
Voter registration: 44.8% Democrat, 24.1% Republican, 23.1% no party preference
Michelle Rodriguez (incumbent)
Assemblymember/Mom, Democrat
Website: michelleforassembly.com
Endorsements: Full list here
Rafaela Romero
Special Education Aide, Republican
Website: Not available
Endorsements: Not available
District 54
At a glance: This L.A. County district includes Montebello, Boyle Heights, downtown L.A. and Koreatown.
Voter registration: 56.2% Democrat, 24.5% no party preference, 12.5% Republican
Mark Gonzalez (incumbent)
Member of the State Assembly, Democrat
Website: markgonzalezforassembly.com
Endorsements: Full list here
District 55
At a glance: This L.A. County district includes Culver City, Ladera Heights and View Park-Windsor Hills.
Voter registration: 63.1% Democrat, 20.8% no party preference, 9.7% Republican
Ashley M. Brown
School Social Worker, Democrat
Website: ashleybrownforassembly.com
Endorsements: Full list here
Isaac G. Bryan (incumbent)
State Assemblymember, Democrat
Website: isaacbryanforca.com
Endorsements: Full list here
Keith G. Cascio
Software Engineer, Republican
Website: keithfor55.org
Endorsements: Full list here
William “Billion” Campbell
No Ballot Designation, No Party Preference
Website: billionis55.com
Endorsements: Not available
District 56
At a glance: This L.A. County district includes La Habra Heights, Hacienda Heights, Pico Rivera, La Puente, Rowland Heights, Whittier, Industry and Diamond Bar.
Voter registration: 46.2% Democrat, 24.9% no party preference, 22.7% Republican
Lisa Calderon (incumbent)
Assembly Member/Mom, Democrat
Website: lisacalderon4assembly.com
Endorsements: Full list here
Jessica Martinez
Retired Teacher, Republican
Website: martinezforassembly.org
Endorsements: Not available
District 57
At a glance: This L.A. County district straddles the 110 Freeway heading into downtown L.A. It includes South L.A., Florence-Graham and the Green Meadows neighborhood.
Voter registration: 59.3% Democrat, 24.3% no party preference, 8.5% Republican
Sade Elhawary (incumbent)
California State Assemblymember, Democrat
Website: sadeforassembly.com
Endorsements: Full list here
Constance Jewel Menzies
In-Home Care Provider, Republican
Website: martinezforassembly.org
Endorsements: Not available
District 59
At a glance: This district has parts of Orange and San Bernardino counties. It includes Yorba Linda, Anaheim Hills and Chino Hills.
This is a race to watch. While it leans Republican, the district is somewhat purple.
Voter registration: 39.4% Republican, 32.2% Democrat, 22% no party preference
Phillip Chen (incumbent)
Assemblyman/Business Owner, Republican
Website: phillipchen.org
Endorsements: Not available
Victor Hernandez
Account Sales Manager, Green
Website: Not available
Endorsements: Not available
District 61
At a glance: This L.A. County district includes Marina del Rey, Lawndale, Hawthorne and Inglewood.
Voter registration: 59.9% Democrat, 21.8% no party preference, 10.9% Republican
Tina Simone McKinnor (incumbent)
State Assemblymember, Democrat
Website: tina4ca.com
Endorsements: Full list here
District 62
At a glance: This L.A. County district includes Bellflower, Huntington Park, Lakewood and South Gate.
Voter registration: 53.5% Democrat, 22.7% no party preference, 17.2% Republican
José Luis Solache (incumbent)
California State Assemblymember, Democrat
Website: solacheforassembly.com
Endorsements: Not available
Paul Irving Jones
Retired Combat Marine, Republican
Website: jonesforassembly.com
Endorsements: Not available
District 64
At a glance: This district is in L.A. and Orange counties. It includes Bell, Downey, Norwalk, La Mirada and La Habra.
Voter registration: 48.4% Democrat, 23% Republican, 22% no party preference
Blanca Pacheco (incumbent)
Assemblywoman, Democrat
Website: pachecoforassembly.com
Endorsements: Full list here
Raul Ortiz Jr.
Pest Control Manager, Republican
Website: raulortizforassembly.com
Endorsements: Not available
District 65
At a glance: This L.A. County district includes Compton, West Carson, East Rancho Dominguez and Willowbrook. The incumbent, Democrat Mike Gipson, is termed out.
Voter registration: 56.4% Democrat, 23.1% no party preference, 12.9% Republican
Vinson Eugene Allen
Medical Doctor/Businessman, Democrat
Website: electdrallen2026.com
Endorsements: Full list here
Ayanna Davis
Educator/School Boardmember, Democrat
Website: ayannadavis.com
Endorsements: Full list here
Fatima Iqbal-Zubair
Advocacy Nonprofit Manager, Democrat
Website: fatimaforassembly.com
Endorsements: Full list here
Lamar Lyons
President Neighborhood Council, Democrat
Website: lyonsforassembly.com
Endorsements: Full list here
Magali Sanchez-Hall
Environmental Justice Advocate, Democrat
Website: magali4ca.com
Endorsements: Not available
Lydia A. Gutiérrez
Public School Teacher, Republican
Website: lydia4education.com
Endorsements: Not available
District 66
At a glance: This L.A. County district includes El Segundo, Hermosa Beach, Manhattan Beach, Palos Verdes Estates and Redondo Beach. The incumbent, Democrat Al Muratsuchi, is termed out.
Voter registration: 43.3% Democrat, 26.8% Republican, 23.1% no party preference
Sara Deen
School Boardmember/Businesswoman, Democrat
Website: saradeenforca.com
Endorsements: Full list here
Scott Houston
Small Business Owner, Democrat
Website: scotthouston.org
Endorsements: Full list here
Shannon Ruiz-Ross
Beach Commissioner, Democrat
Website: shannonrossforassembly.com
Endorsements: Full list here
Paul Seo
Mayor/Corruption Prosecutor, Democrat
Website: paulseo.com
Endorsements: Full list here
George Barks
Small Business Owner, Republican
Website: voteforgeorgebarks.com
Endorsements: Full list here
Jessica Zonia Maldonado
Registered Nurse, Republican
Website: jzmaldonado4assembly2026.com
Endorsements: Full list here
District 67
At a glance: This district covers parts of L.A. and Orange counties, including Anaheim, Artesia, Cerritos, Cypress, Buena Park, Fullerton, Hawaiian Gardens and La Palma. The incumbent, Democrat Sharon Quirk-Silva, is termed out.
Voter registration: 41.7% Democrats, 27.6% Republicans, 24.9% no party preference
Ada Briceño
Workers’ Rights Advocate, Democrat
Website: adabriceno.com
Endorsements: Full list here
Paul Gonzales
County Safety Representative, Democrat
Website: gonzales4assembly.com
Endorsements: Full list here
Mark Pulido
City Councilmember, Democrat
Website: markpulido.com
Endorsements: Full list here
Ali Taj
Councilmember/Small Businessman, Democrat
Website: ali4assembly.com
Endorsements: Full list here
Adrian Oscar Ayub
Real Estate Entrepreneur, Republican
Website: adrianayub4assembly.com
Endorsements: Full list here
Paulo Morales
Law Enforcement Officer, Republican
Website: paulomoralesca.com
Endorsements: Full list here
District 68
At a glance: This Orange County district includes parts of Anaheim, the city of Orange and Santa Ana. The incumbent, Democrat Avelino Valencia, is vacating this seat to run for State Senate.
Voter registration: 48.2% Democrats, 23.6% no party preference, 22.1% Republicans
Jessie Lopez
City Councilwoman, Democrat
Website: votejessielopez.com
Endorsements: Full list here
David Penaloza
Mayor Pro Tem, Democrat
Website: davidpenaloza.com
Endorsements: Full list here
Shannon Wingfield
Tribal Council Secretary, Democrat
Website: shannonwingfield.com
Endorsements: Not available
Mayra Ruiz
Small Business Owner, Republican
Website: mayraruiz.com
Endorsements: Full list here
District 69
At a glance: This L.A. County district includes Avalon, Signal Hill and much of Carson and Long Beach.
Voter registration: 51.2% Democrats, 22.5% no party preference, 18.4% Republicans
Carolyn J. Essex
Policy Analyst, Democrat
Website: carolynjessex.com
Endorsements: Not available
Josh Lowenthal (incumbent)
Business Owner/Assemblymember, Democrat
Website: joshlowenthal.com
Endorsements: Full list here
District 70
At a glance: This Orange County district includes parts of Fountain Valley, Garden Grove and Los Alamitos.
This is a race to watch because it’s a solidly purple district.
Voter registration: 35.9% Democrats, 33.5% Republicans, 24.7% no party preference
Paula Swift
Small Business Owner, Democrat
Website: votepaulaswift.com
Endorsements: Full list here
Tri Ta (incumbent)
California Assemblyman/Businessman, Republican
Website: trita4assembly.com
Endorsements: Full list here
District 71
At a glance: This district is in Orange and Riverside counties. It includes Mission Viejo, Ladera Ranch, Temecula and Murrieta.
Voter registration: 40.5% Republicans, 29.9% Democrats, 21.4% no party preference
JJ Galvez
Appointed Director, Silverado-Modjeska Recreation and Park District, Democrat
Website: jjgalvez.com
Endorsements: Full list here
Kate Sanchez (incumbent)
California State Assemblywoman, Republican
Website: sanchezforassembly.com
Endorsements: Not available
District 72
At a glance: This district is in Orange County. It includes Huntington Beach, Laguna Beach and Lake Forest. The incumbent, Republican Diane Dixon, is vacating this seat to run for Orange County supervisor.
Voter registration: 39.5% Republicans, 32% Democrats, 21.4% no party preference
Chris Kluwe
Small Businessman/Coach, Democrat
Website: kluweoc.com
Endorsements: Full list here
Matthew Harper
Small Business Owner, Republican
Website: votematthewharper.com
Endorsements: Full list here
Gracey Van Der Mark
Councilwoman/Business Owner, Republican
Website: graceyforassembly.com
Endorsements: Full list here
Frank Wagoner
CEO, No Party Preference
Website: intelprocessors.com/electwp
Endorsements: Not available
District 73
At a glance: This district is in Orange County. It includes Costa Mesa, Irvine and Tustin.
Voter registration: 38.7% Democrats, 27.7% Republicans, 27.7% no party preference
Cottie Petrie-Norris (incumbent)
California State Assemblymember, Democrat
Website: cottie.com
Endorsements: Full list here
Urson Russell
Businessman, Republican
Website: ursonrussell.com
Endorsements: Full list here
District 74
At a glance: This district is in Orange and San Diego counties. It includes Laguna Niguel, Dana Point and Oceanside.
This is a race to watch because it’s a solidly purple district.
Voter registration: 35.1% Republicans, 34.5% Democrats, 21.9% no party preference
Sergio Farias
San Juan Capistrano City Councilmember, Democrat
Website: sergiofarias.com
Endorsements: Full list here
Laurie Davies (incumbent)
Assemblywoman/Business Owner, Republican
Website: daviesforca.com
Endorsements: Full list here
CalMatters also contributed to this report.