GET TO KNOW THE CANDIDATES

• Find your district
• What does a state Assembly member do?
• Why do these races matter?
• Where are the party lines drawn?
• You might recognize their work from
• Background
• District 34
• District 39
• District 40
• District 41
• District 42
• District 43
• District 44
• District 46
• District 48
• District 49
• District 51
• District 52
• District 53
• District 54
• District 55
• District 56
• District 57
• District 59
• District 61
• District 62
• District 64
• District 65
• District 66
• District 67
• District 68
• District 69
• District 70
• District 71
• District 72
• District 73
• District 74

The California Assembly is half of our state Legislature. Along with the state Senate, it is essentially California’s equivalent of Congress. On Nov. 3, 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 seats flip from one party to the other.

Find your district

Not sure who represents you in the California Legislature? CalMatters has a tool for that. Just type in your address and look it up.

You can also use CalMatters' Digital Democracy tool to find out where your legislator lands ideologically.

There are 80 Assembly districts across California, each with its own Assembly member. Members serve 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 them.

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 is $18.42.

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:

• Passed a bill (signed into law in 2025) to set a new state mandate allowing developers to build mid-rises — some as tall as nine stories — near certain major transit lines.
• Passed a bill (signed into law in 2025) to ban certain law enforcement officers, including federal agents, from wearing masks. (A judge has temporarily blocked this law.)
• 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.

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 19 Republicans (one seat is vacant). To crack the supermajority, the California GOP would need to pick up at least eight 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.

These races are decided by a simple majority. Whoever gets more than 50% of the vote wins outright.

About this guide

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 and 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: 39.2% Republican, 30.5% Democrat, 20.6% no party preference

Randall Putz

Mayor/Business Owner, Democrat
Website: putzforassembly.com
Endorsements: Full list here

Charles Frederick Hughes

Small Business Owner, Republican
Website: votecharleshughes.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, 24.3% 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 on website at time of publication.

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, 30.1% Republican, 22.4% no party preference

Pilar Schiavo (incumbent)

Assemblymember, Democrat
Website: Pilar4CA.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. The Eaton Fire heavily impacted parts of this district.

Voter registration: 44% Democrat, 28.3% Republican, 20.4% no party preference

John Harabedian (incumbent)

California State Assemblymember, Democrat
Website: JohnHarabedian.com
Endorsements: Not available on website at time of publication.

Adam Christopher Vena

Father/Sanitation Employee, Republican
Website: Not available at time of publication.
Endorsements: Not available at time of publication.

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. The incumbent, Democrat Jacqui Irwin, is termed out.

This is a race to watch given the Palisades Fire fallout.

Voter registration: 40% Democrat, 31.3% Republican, 21.1% no party preference

Deborah Klein Lopez

City Councilmember, Democrat
Website: deborahkleinlopez.com
Endorsements: Full list here

Ted Nordblum

Small Business Owner, Republican
Website: tednordblum.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, 25.2% no party preference, 16.2% Republican

Celeste Rodriguez (incumbent)

Assemblymember, Democrat
Website: votecelesterodriguez.com
Endorsements: Full list here

Ricardo Benitez

Plumber/Electrical Contractor, Republican
Website: Not available at time of publication.
Endorsements: Not available at time of publication.

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, 23.8% no party preference, 20.7% Republican

Nicholas "Nick" Schultz (incumbent)

California State Assemblymember, Democrat
Website: votenickschultz.com
Endorsements: Full list here

Carolyn Daniels

Independent Contractor/Mother, Republican
Website: daniels4assembly.com
Endorsements: Full list here

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: 48.3% Democrat, 20.8% Republican, 23.8% 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 on website at time of publication.

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 on website at time of publication.

Dan T. Tran

Real Estate Businessman, Republican
Website: dantranfordistrict48.com
Endorsements: Not available on website at time of publication.

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, 30.4% no party preference, 19.4% Republican

Mike Fong (incumbent)

California State Assemblymember, Democrat
Website: mikefong.org
Endorsements: Not available on website at time of publication.

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: 57.1% Democrat, 23% no party preference, 13.6% Republican

Colin D. Hernandez

Digital Communication Strategist, Democrat
Website: colinforcalifornia.com
Endorsements: Full list here

Rick Chavez Zbur (incumbent)

California Assemblymember, Democrat
Website: rickchavezzbur.com
Endorsements: Full list here

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: andrealeeanderson.com
Endorsements: Full list here

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, 23.2% no party preference

Michelle Rodriguez (incumbent)

Assemblymember/Mom, Democrat
Website: michelleforassembly.com
Endorsements: Full list here

Rafaela Romero

Special Education Aide, Republican
Website: rafaelaromero.com
Endorsements: Full list here

District 54

At a glance: This L.A. County district includes Montebello, Boyle Heights, downtown L.A. and Koreatown.

Voter registration: 56.1% Democrat, 24.6% no party preference, 12.6% Republican

Mark Gonzalez (incumbent)

Member of the State Assembly, Democrat
Website: markgonzalezforassembly.com
Endorsements: Full list here

Alexandra Briseño (write-in candidate)

No ballot designation, Republican
Website: Not available at time of publication.
Endorsements: Not available at time of publication.

District 55

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

Voter registration: 63% Democrat, 20.9% 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

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, 25% no party preference, 22.6% 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 on website at time of publication.

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: 59.2% Democrat, 24.4% 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: constancemenziesforassembly.com
Endorsements: Full list here

District 59

At a glance: This district has parts of Orange and San Bernardino counties. It includes Yorba Linda, Anaheim Hills and Chino Hills.

Voter registration: 39.4% Republican, 32.3% Democrat, 22.1% no party preference

Phillip Chen (incumbent)

Assemblyman/Business Owner, Republican
Website: phillipchen.org
Endorsements: Not available on website at time of publication.

Victor Hernandez

Account Sales Manager, Green
Website: victorforassembly.com
Endorsements: Full list here

District 61

At a glance: This L.A. County district includes Marina del Rey, Lawndale, Hawthorne and Inglewood.

Voter registration: 59.8% Democrat, 21.9% no party preference, 10.9% Republican

Tina Simone McKinnor (incumbent)

State Assemblymember, Democrat
Website: tina4ca.com
Endorsements: Full list here

Brian Lockwood (write-in candidate)

No ballot designation, Republican
Website: electbrianlockwood.com
Endorsements: Not available on website at time of publication.

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 on website at time of publication.

Paul Irving Jones

Retired Combat Marine, Republican
Website: jonesforassembly.weebly.com
Endorsements: Not available on website at time of publication.

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: Full list here

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: 56.3% Democrat, 23.2% no party preference, 12.8% Republican

Ayanna Davis

Educator/School Boardmember, Democrat
Website: ayannadavis.com
Endorsements: Full list here

Lydia A. Gutiérrez

Public School Teacher, Republican
Website: lydia4education.com
Endorsements: Not available on website at time of publication.

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, 23.2% no party preference

Sara Deen

School Boardmember/Businesswoman, Democrat
Website: saradeenforca.com
Endorsements: Full list here

Paul Seo

Mayor/Corruption Prosecutor, Democrat
Website: paulseo.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, 27.5% Republicans, 25% no party preference

Mark Pulido

City Councilmember, Democrat
Website: markpulido.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, 23.7% no party preference, 22% Republicans

Jessie Lopez

City Councilwoman, Democrat
Website: votejessielopez.com
Endorsements: Full list here

David Penaloza

Councilmember/Dad/Businessman, Democrat
Website: davidpenaloza.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

Legislative Policy Analyst, Democrat
Website: carolynjessex.com
Endorsements: Not available on website at time of publication.

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, 33.3% Republicans, 24.8% 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: 40.4% 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 on website at time of publication.

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: 39.4% Republicans, 32% Democrats, 21.5% no party preference

Chris Kluwe

Businessman/Coach/Father, Democrat
Website: kluweoc.com
Endorsements: Full list here

Gracey Van Der Mark

Councilwoman/Business Owner, Republican
Website: graceyforassembly.com
Endorsements: Full list here

District 73

At a glance: This district is in Orange County. It includes Costa Mesa, Irvine and Tustin.

Voter registration: 38.6% Democrats, 27.7% no party preference, 27.6% Republicans

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% Republicans, 34.5% Democrats, 22% no party preference

Sergio Farias

City Councilmember/Businessman, 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.