State Senate

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. Democratic Assemblymember Esmeralda Soria faces Republican Darin DuPont, a Merced city councilmember. This is a must-win for Republicans if they want to end Democrats’ supermajority in the Senate.

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 13 votes in 2022 even as Gavin Newsom lost the district by over 10%, and she is the only Democrat to represent a state Senate district that President Donald Trump won in 2024. She faces a challenge from Republican Guillermo Gonzalez, a small business owner and a former aide to Republican Rep. David Valadao. This is another must-win seat for Republicans if they want to end Democrats’ supermajority in the Senate.

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.

Sen. Ben Allen is terming out and running for insurance commissioner, and two Democrats will face off to succeed him in this safe Democratic district. Brian Goldsmith, an entrepreneur and former senior adviser for the pro-Israel lobby group Democratic Majority for Israel, faces John Erickson, a West Hollywood city councilmember. Erickson emerged as the top vote-getter in the primary despite only spending about $518,000. Goldsmith, who spent nearly $2.5 million in the primary, still has a cash advantage.

Downtown Los Angeles.

With Sen. Maria Elena Durazo stepping down to run for the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, two Democrats are vying for her seat in this deep blue L.A.-based district. Sara Hernandez, a community college trustee, faces Sarah Rascón, a planning commissioner for East Los Angeles. Hernandez, the frontrunner, has strong support from elected California Democrats, including several state senators who would become her colleagues if she wins.

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 against Republican Laura Bassett, a small businesswoman. This is among the 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.

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. The Democratic candidate is former San Diego city attorney Mara Elliott. Voters rejected the wishes of outgoing GOP Leader Sen. Brian Jones, backing Kristie Bruce-Lane, the pick of Assemblymember Carl DeMaio and his insurgent group Reform California.