State Senate
California state senators serve four-year terms, with half up for reelection every two years. Several races could play a role in Republicans’ efforts to chip away at the Democratic supermajority this year, while others feature crowded Democratic primaries. Here are the contests CalMatters is watching in the primary.
Key races
District 10
Partisan Lean: Safe Democratic
Voter Registration: Democratic 50%, Republican 16%, no party preference 29%
South Bay Area, from Hayward down to Santa Clara north of San Jose.
With incumbent Sen. Aisha Wahab opting to instead run for Congress, there are five major Democrats in the primary field. Scott Sakakihara, a city councilmember from Union City, seeded his campaign with $250,000 of his own money. Behind him in fundraising is Anne Kepner, a community college trustee, and San Jose Councilmember David Cohen. The Democratic Party did not endorse in the race.
Candidates
David Cohen
Key Endorsements
- California Environmental Voters
- Housing Action Coalition
Anne Kepner
Key Endorsements
Raymond Liu
Carmen Montano
Linda R. Price
Scott Sakakihara
Key Endorsements
- California AAPI Legislative Caucus
Fundraising
District 14
Partisan Lean: Competitive
Voter Registration: Democratic 42%, Republican 27%, no party preference 24%
Central Valley south of Highway 99. Includes Merced, Madera, Chowchilla, Fresno and Mendota.
Once a Democratic stronghold, this district has been trending rightward in recent cycles and is a Republican target in 2026. Democratic Assemblymember Esmeralda Soria is the clear frontrunner, although she faces a fellow Democrat, Sanger City Councilmember Esmeralda Hurtado (sister of Sen. Melissa Hurtado, who is running in SD-16). Darin DuPont, a Merced city councilmember, is running on the Republican side.
Candidates
Darin S. DuPont
Esmeralda Hurtado
Esmeralda Soria
Key Endorsements
Fundraising
District 16
Partisan Lean: Competitive
Voter Registration: Democratic: 38.7%, Republican: 30.1%, no party preference: 23.1%
Central Valley district that includes portions of Fresno, Kings, Tulare and Kern counties. Captures much of Bakersfield’s east side.
Incumbent Democrat Melissa Hurtado won this district by just 13 votes in 2022, but district voters backed Trump in 2024. Hurtado faces Republican Guillermo Gonzalez, a field representative for Rep. David Valadao. Bakersfield Vice Mayor Manpreet Kaura, a Democrat, is also in the running.
Candidates
Guillermo Asuncion Gonzalez
Key Endorsements
Melissa Hurtado
Key Endorsements
Manpreet Kaur
Fundraising
District 24
Partisan Lean: Safe Democratic
Voter Registration: Democratic 50%, Republican 21%, no party preference 23%
This coastal Los Angeles County district is home to hundreds of thousands of people displaced by the Los Angeles wildfires in 2025. Its population anchors are Malibu, Santa Monica and Torrance.
Support is split among several Democrats who are vying for this open seat being vacated by Democratic Sen. Ben Allen. Physician Dr. Sion Roy notched the Democratic Party endorsement, but Brian Goldsmith, a Democratic media consultant, has a roster of prominent names behind him and has outraised the others. West Hollywood City Councilmember John Erickson and Palos Verdes Peninsula School Board member Eric Alegria are also in the running.
Candidates
Eric Alegria
Amaris Samara Dordar
John M. Erickson
Key Endorsements
- California Teachers Association
- California Working Families Party
- California YIMBY
Ellen Evans
Brian Goldsmith
Key Endorsements
- California Association of Highway Patrolmen
- California Legislative Jewish Caucus
- Blue Wave Democratic Club
Kristina Irwin
G. Rick Marshall
Mike Newhouse
Sion Roy
Key Endorsements
- California Democratic Party
- SEIU California
- California Medical Association
Zennon Ulyate-Crow
Fundraising
District 26
Partisan Lean: Safe Democratic
Voter Registration: Democratic 60%, Republican 11%, no party preference 23%
Downtown Los Angeles.
Several Democrats are running to succeed Sen. Maria Elena Durazo, including Sara Hernandez, an L.A. Community College District trustee, and former Assemblymember Wendy Carillo. The California Democratic Party did not endorse in this race.
Candidates
Claudia Agraz
Paul A. Bowers
Juan Camacho
Wendy Carrillo
Key Endorsements
- California Faculty Association
- Communications Workers of America
- California Dental Association
Sara Hernandez
Key Endorsements
- California Teachers Association
- Western States Regional Council of Carpenters
- California YIMBY
Sang “Sam Shin” Masog
Maebe Pudlo
Sarah Rascón
Fundraising
District 38
Partisan Lean: Leans Democratic
Voter Registration: Democratic 37%, Republican 32%, no party preference 23%
Coastal north of San Diego, including Mission Viejos, Carlsbad, Encinitas and La Jolla.
Moderate first-time Sen. Catherine Blakespear flipped this seat from red to blue in 2022 and is seeking reelection for the first time. This is one of the few target districts the California GOP hopes it can flip to try to block a Democratic supermajority. The seat has historically been a toss-up, but is trending more Democratic as it encompasses the more left-leaning portion of San Diego County, countering the conservative influence of Orange County. Blakespear faces leading Republican Laura Bassett, a small businesswoman.
Candidates
Catherine S. Blakespear
Key Endorsements
Fundraising
District 40
Partisan Lean: Competitive
Voter Registration: Democratic 35%, Republican 34%, no party preference 24%
Inland San Diego County, north and east of city of San Diego (includes Escondido).
This competitive district in inland San Diego County has been trending Democratic but still retains a slight Republican lean, making it a top Democratic target this year. Their candidate is former San Diego city attorney Mara Elliott. Republicans are split between San Marcos City Councilmember Ed Musgrove and Kristie Bruce-Lane, a twice unsuccessful Assembly candidate who is endorsed by Assemblymember Carl DeMaio.
Candidates
Ed Musgrove
Key Endorsements
- Peace Officers Research Association
- California Republican Assembly
- California Association of Realtors
