What does a state Assemblymember do?

The California Assembly is one-half of our state legislature. Along with the State Senate, it essentially serves as California’s Congress. Voters will choose their representatives in all 80 state Assembly districts. Many will be new due to retirements and term limits, but how many challengers oust incumbents? And how many will flip from one party to the other?

The job duties include:

• Casting as many as 3,000 votes a year — and in theory a way most of your constituents want.   
• Passing a state spending plan when there’s likely to be a deficit and an uncertain financial picture.
• Sitting 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.

Find your district

Not sure who represents you in the California State Legislature? CalMatters has a tool for that. Just type in your address and look it up. (Don't worry — your address is not stored!)

You can also use this same tool to find out where your legislator lands on the "How liberal or conservative are your legislators?" scale.

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, like 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 $15 an hour for businesses with more than 25 employees, but the city of L.A.'s hourly minimum wage went up to $16.04 in July 2022.

There are 80 assembly districts across California, each with its own assemblymember. L.A. County alone has 24 of those districts. Each member serves two-year terms.

If you’ve voted in previous elections, your assembly district may have changed because of the redistricting process, which happens once a decade after the Census count. You can enter your address into this tool from CalMatters to confirm your district.

Around three-quarters of lawmakers in both California’s Assembly and State Senate are Democrats, meaning we don’t just have Democratic majorities, but supermajorities. That doesn’t mean it’s always easy to pass bills, though. There are still divisions among lawmakers that lead to drawn-out arguments and prevent legislation from moving forward.

You might recognize their work from …

In recent years, the legislature has:

• Passed a bill (signed into law in 2021) to make ethnic studies a graduation requirement for California high schoolers
• Passed a bill (signed into law in 2021) allowing duplexes to be built on single-family home lots, effectively ending single-family zoning 
• Passed a bill (signed into law in 2020) to create a task force to determine how the state might deliver reparations to Black descendants of enslaved people

What’s on the agenda for the next term?

California has a lot of problems to tackle — wildfires, climate change, the highest poverty rate in the country, and skyrocketing housing prices, and falling enrollment in public schools and community colleges, to name a few. The legislature will have to figure out ways to address all of these issues and accommodate whatever new problems may arise.

Rank-and-file Assemblymembers are paid $128,215 a year, plus $214 a day for expenses when the Legislature is in session. Party leaders get higher pay.

The top two finishers in March, regardless of party, move on to the November general election.

Races to watch

In many of the State Assembly races, the March 5 primary will be a yawner. Why? There are only two candidates, a Democrat and a Republican. (Voter registration information is as of 2020, but in some cases, is not indicated below because redistricting changed boundaries so dramatically.) And the top two candidates sail through to the fall elections. So, not much to decide until the Fall. But in several races, there’s a much bigger field jostling for those top two spots.

District 34

At a glance: This Antelope Valley district includes parts of Lancaster and Palmdale.

Voter registration: 39% Republican, 32% Democrat, 20% no party preference

Who’s running:

Tom Lackey (Incumbent)
State Assemblymember, Republican
Website: LackeyForAssembly.com
Endorsements: Full list here

Ricardo Ortega
Los Angeles County Youth Commissioner, Democrat
Website: RicardoOrtegaForAssembly.com
Endorsements: Full list here

District 39

At a glance: The district also includes parts of Lancaster and Palmdale and stretches into San Bernardino County.

Voter registration: 53% Democrat, 14% Republican, 27% no party preference

Who's running:

Juan Carrillo (Incumbent)
State Assemblymember, Democrat
Website: VoteJuanCarrillo.com
Endorsements: Full list here

Paul Andre Marsh
Community services liaison, Republican
Website: PaulMarshForAssembly.com

District 40

At a glance: The district includes Santa Clarita and Castaic.

Voter registration:  42% Democrat, 30% Republican, 21% no party preference

Who's running:

Pilar Schiavo (Incumbent)
State Assemblywoman, Democrat
Website: Pilar4CA.com
Endorsements: Full list here

Patrick Lee Gipson
Retired deputy sheriff, Republican
Website: Gipson4Assembly.com
Endorsements: Full list here

District 41

At a glance: The district includes Pasadena, Sierra Madre, La Verne, La Cañada Flintridge and also extends into San Bernardino County. The incumbent, Chris Holden, is being term limited out and is running for Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors.

Voter registration:  47% Democrat, 26% Republican, 22% no party preference

Who's running:

John Harabedian
California state boardmember, Democrat
Website: JohnHarabedian.com
Endorsements: Full list here

Jed Leano
Businessman and council member, Democrat
Website: JedForCA.com
Endorsements: Full list here

Phlunté Riddle
Public Safety Commissioner, Democrat
Website: PhlunteRiddleForAssembly.com
Endorsements: Full list here

Michelle Del Rosario Martinez
Community Volunteer, Republican
Website: Linktr.ee/MDM4AD41

More voter resources:

• Guide To The State Assembly District 41 Race (Los Angeles Times)
• Homelessness, Housing And Mental Health Dominate Assembly District 41 Forum (Pasadena Now)

District 42

At a glance: This district includes Bel Air, Beverly Glen, Brentwood, Malibu, Pacific Palisades and stretches into Ventura County. (Here's a look at how redistricting changed boundaries.)

Who's running:

Jacqui Irwin (Incumbent)
State Assemblymember, Democrat
Website: JacquiIrwin.com
Endorsements: Full list here

Ted Nordblum
Local small businessman, Republican
Website: TedNordblum.com
Endorsements: Full list here

District 43

At a glance: This district in the eastern San Fernando Valley is up for grabs after the incumbent, Luz Rivas, a Democrat, announced she would run for Congress.

Voter registration:  49% Democrat, 18% Republican, 27% no party preference

Who's running:

Walter Garcia
Attorney General spokesperson, Democrat
Website: WalterForAssembly.com

Celeste Rodriguez
San Fernando Mayor, Democrat
Website: CelesteForAssembly.com
Endorsements: Full list here

Felicia L. Novick
Mother/Office administrator, Republican
Website: FeliciaNovick4StateAssembly43.com

Carmenlina Minasova
Homeless crisis advocate, no party preference (also running for the L.A. City Council’s District 6 seat)
Website: MyDistrict6.com

Victoria Garcia
Commissioner/attorney/mother, Republican

Saul Hurtado
Childcare provider, Democrat

More voter resources:

• Guide To The State Assembly District 43 Race (Los Angeles Times)

District 44

At a glance: This district includes Burbank, La Crescenta-Montrose, parts of Glendale and Los Angeles. The incumbent, Laura Friedman, a Democrat, is running for Congress.

Voter registration:  43% Democrat, 29% Republican, 22% no party preference

Who's running:

Elen Asatryan
Glendale councilwoman/businesswoman, Democrat
Website: ElectElen.com
Endorsements: Full list here

Carmenita Helligar
Businesswoman/nonprofit director, Democrat
Website: VoteCarmenitaHelligar.com

Ed Han
Educator/military prosecutor, Democrat
Website: EdHanca.com
Endorsements: Full list here

Steve Pierson
Entertainment media engineer, Democrat
Website: PiersonForCA.com
Endorsements: Full list here

Adam Pryor
Server, Democrat
Website: Pryor4Assembly.com

Nick Schultz
Deputy Attorney General, Democrat
Website: VoteNickSchultz.com
Endorsements: Full list here

Tony Rodriguez
Construction regional manager, Republican
Website: Tony4California.us
Endorsements: Full list here

Adam Summer
Entrepreneur/nonprofit director, no party preference
Website: Summer4California.com

More voter resources:

• Guide To The State Assembly District 44 Race (Los Angeles Times)

District 46

At a glance: This district straddles the 101 Freeway and stretches into Ventura County.

Voter registration:  55% Democrat, 14% Republican, 26% no party preference

Who's running:

Jesse Gabriel (Incumbent)
State Assemblymember, Democrat
Website: JesseGabriel.com
Endorsements: Full list here

Tracey Schroeder
Teacher, Republican
Website: TraceySchroeder.com

District 48

At a glance: This district includes Baldwin Park, Duarte, Irwindale, Azusa, Covina and Glendora.

Voter registration:  48% Democrat, 21% Republican, 25% no party preference

Who's running:

Blanca Rubio (Incumbent)
State Assemblywoman/teacher, Democrat
Website: BlancaRubio.com

Brian Calderón Tabatabai
Teacher/Mayor/Coach, Democrat
Website: BrianTabatabai.com
Endorsements: Full list here

[Editor's note: An earlier version of this story incorrectly said Tabatabai is a Republican.]

Dan T. Tran
Real estate businessman, Republican

More voter resources:

• 5 Races To Watch California's Independent Voters (IVN News)

District 49

At a glance: This district includes Alhambra, East Pasadena, San Gabriel, Monterey Park and San Marino.

Voter registration:  44% Democrat, 19% Republican, 33% no party preference

Who's running:

Mike Fong (Incumbent)
State Assemblymember, Democrat
Website: MikeFong.org

Long "David" Liu
Father/attorney/businessman, Republican
Website: DavidLiuForAssembly.com

District 51

At a glance: This district stretches up from Santa Monica and includes Beverly Hills and West Hollywood.

Voter registration:  62% Democrat, 8% Republican, 25% no party preference

Who's running:

Rick Chavez Zbur (Incumbent)
State Assemblymember, Democrat
Website: RickChavezZbur.com
Endorsements: Full list here

Shiva Bagheri
Small business owner, Republican
Website: Instagram.com/Shiva4StateAssembly

Stephan Hohil
Entrepreneur, Republican
Website: StephanHohil.com

District 52

At a glance: This district includes East Los Angeles, and part of Glendale. The incumbent, Wendy Carrillo, a Democrat, is running for Los Angeles City Council District 14, setting off a scramble to nab her assembly seat.

Voter registration:  48% Democrat, 21% Republican, 24% no party preference

Who's running:

Jessica Caloza
Women's rights advisor, Democrat
Website: JessicaCaloza.com
Endorsements: Full list here

Franky Carrillo
Justice advocate/commissioner, Democrat
Website: FrankyCarrillo.com

Genesis Coronado
Public education advocate, Democrat
Website: GenesisForAssembly.com

Anthony Libertino Fanara
Restaurant owner, Democrat

David Girón
Environmental policy advisor, Democrat
Website: DavidGiron2024.com
Endorsements: Full list here

Carlos J. León
Deputy Probation Officer, Democrat
Website: CarlosJLeon.com

Sofia G. Quinones
Community advocate, Democrat
Website: SofiaForAssembly.com

Ari Ruiz
Housing advocate/commissioner, Democrat
Website: AriRuiz.com
Endorsements: Full list here

Stephen Sills
Nonprofit research assistant, Republican

Shannel Pittman
National Diversity Co-chair, Green Party
Website: @ElectShannel

More voter resources:

• Guide To The State Assembly District 52 Race (Los Angeles Times)

District 53

At a glance: This district includes Pomona, Montclair and much of Chino. The incumbent, Freddie Rodriguez, a Democrat, is vacating the seat due to term limits. His wife is among the candidates for his seat.

Voter registration:  59% Democrat, 8% Republican, 27% no party preference

Who's running:

Carlos Goytia
Director, Three Valleys Municipal Water District, Democrat
Website: ElectCarlosGoytia.com
Endorsements: Full list here

Javier Hernandez
Nonprofit executive director, Democrat
Website: Hernandez4Assembly.com
Endorsements: Full list here

Michelle Rodriguez
Public safety commissioner, Democrat
Website: MichelleForAssembly.com
Endorsements: Full list here

Robert S. Torres
Pomona City Councilmember/Businessman, Democrat
Website: RobertTorres.org
Endorsements: Full list here

Nick Wilson
Law enforcement educator, Republican
Website: NickWilsonCA.com
Endorsements: Full list here

More voter resources:
Guide To The State Assembly District 53 Race (Los Angeles Times)

District 54

At a glance: This district includes Boyle Heights, downtown LA and Koreatown. The incumbent, Miguel Santiago, a Democrat, is departing his seat to run for L.A. City Council in the 14th district.

Voter registration:  64% Democrat, 9% Republican, 23% no party preference

Who's running:

Mark Gonzalez
Assembly district director, Democrat
Website: MarkGonzalezForAssembly.com
Endorsements: Full list here

John K. Yi
Public transit advocate, Democrat
Website: JohnForAssembly.com
Endorsements: Full list here

Elaine Alaniz
Medical healthcare recruiter, Republican
Website: ElaineReadyToServeAssembly54.vote
Endorsements: Full list here

More voter resources:

• Who will be Assembly District 54’s next representative? Here’s everyone on the ballot (Boyle Heights Beat)
• Guide To The State Assembly District 54 Race (Los Angeles Times)

District 55

At a glance: This district includes Culver City, Ladera Heights and View Park-Windsor Hills.

Voter registration: 65% Democrat, 9% Republican, 20% no party preferred

Isaac G. Bryan (Incumbent)
State Assemblymember, Democrat
Website: IsaacBryanForCA.com
Endorsements: Full list here

Keith G. Cascio
Software developer, Republican
Website: KeithFor55.org
Endorsements: Full list here

District 56

At a glance: This district includes La Habra Heights, Hacienda Heights, Pico Rivera, La Puente, Rowland Heights, Whittier, Industry and Diamond Bar. (A look at how boundaries changed with redistricting.)

Who's running:

Lisa Calderon (Incumbent)
State Assemblymember/mom, Democrat
Website: LisaCalderon4Assembly.com
Endorsements: Full list here

Jessica Martinez
Whittier City Councilmember, Republican
Website: @MartinezForAssembly

Natasha Serrano
Human resources administrator, Republican
Website: Natasha4Assembly.com

District 57

At a glance: This district straddles the 110 Freeway heading into DTLA. The incumbent, Reggie Jones-Sawyer, is being term limited out and is running for the Los Angeles City Council, District 10.

Voter registration:  49% Democrat, 22% Republican, 24% no party preference

Who's running:

Greg Akili
Educator/nonprofit director, Democrat
Website: Akili4ThePeople.com
Endorsements: Full list here

Sade Elhawary
Educator/community organizer, Democrat
Website: SadeForAssembly.com
Endorsements: Full list here

Efren Martinez
Education commissioner/businessman, Democrat
Website: EfrenMartinez.com
Endorsements: Full list here

Tara Perry
Reparations advocate, Democrat
Website: PerryForProgress.com

Dulce Vasquez
Neighborhood councilmember, Democrat
Website: DulceVasquez.com
Endorsements: Full list here

More voter resources:

• Guide To The State Assembly District 57 Race (Los Angeles Times)

District 61

At a glance: This district includes Marina del Rey, Lawndale, Hawthorne and Inglewood. See how district boundaries have changed.

Who's running:

Tina Simone McKinnor (Incumbent)
State Assemblymember, Democrat
Website: Tina4CA.com
Endorsements: Full list here

Alfonso Hernandez
Restauranteur/coach/councilmember, Republican
Website: VoteAlHernandez.com

District 62

At a glance: This district includes Bellflower, Huntington Park, LAkewood, and South Gate. The seat is being vacated by outgoing Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon.

Voter registration:  60% Democrat, 11% Republican, 24% no party preference

Who's running:

Maria Estrada
Accountant, Democrat
Website: @mariaestrada63rd

Jose Luis Solache
Mayor of Lynwood, nonprofit director, Democrat
Website: SolacheForAssembly.com
Endorsements: Full list here

Paul Jones
Retired combat Marine, Republican
Website: PaulJonesForStateAssembly2024.com

More voter resources:

• Guide To The State Assembly District 62 Race (Los Angeles Times)

District 64

At a glance: This district includes Bell, Cudahy, Downey, La Mirada and Norwalk.

Voter registration:  62% Democrat, 8% Republican, 24% no party preference

Who's running:

Blanca Pacheco (Incumbent)
State Assemblywoman, Democrat
Website: PachecoForAssembly.com
Endorsements: Full list here

Raul Ortiz Jr.
Pest control manager, Republican
Website: RaulOrtizForAssembly.com
Endorsements: Full list here

District 65

At a glance: This district includes Compton, West Carson, East Rancho Dominguez and Willowbrook.

Voter registration:  43% Democrat, 29% Republican, 24% no party preference

Who's running:

Mike Gipson (Incumbent)
State Assemblymember, Democrat
Website: MikeGipson.net
Endorsements: Full list here

District 66

At a glance: This district includes El Segundo, Hermosa Beach, Manhattan Beach, Palos Verdes Estates and Redondo Beach.

Voter registration:  43% Democrat, 27% Republican, 25% no party preference

Who's running:

Al Muratsuchi (Incumbent)
State Assemblymember, Democrat
Website: AlForAssembly.com
Endorsements: Full list here

George Barks
Business owner, Republican
Website: VoteForGeorgeBarks.com

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.

Voter registration: 44% Democrats, 27% Republicans, 24% no party preference.

Who's running:

Sharon Quirk-Silva (Incumbent)
State Assemblywoman, Democrat
Website: SharonQuirkSilva.com

Elizabeth “Beth” Culver
Retired Entrepreneur, Republican

Jacob Woo Ho Lee
Pastor, No party preference

District 69

At a glance: This district includes Avalon, Signal Hill and much of Carson and Long Beach. See how district boundaries have changed.

Who's running:

Josh Lowenthal (Incumbent)
State Assemblymember and business owner, Democrat
Website: JoshLowenthal.com
Endorsements: Full list here

Joshua Rodriguez
Police Officer/father, Republican

More reading

• California Politics & Policy: A Primer (CalMatters): An overview of what our state government accomplished in 2021, and developments in major issues from housing to education.
• How Diverse Is The California Legislature? (CalMatters): An interactive tool that lets you input your demographic information — including age, gender, sexual orientation and income — and see how well our state lawmakers reflect those traits.

LAist staff also contributed to this report.