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.
Make It Make Sense: Election 2024 Edition
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!) 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.
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City of Los Angeles
- City Council: Vote for districts 2, 10 and 14.
- Charter Amendment ER: A package of ethics reforms designed to fight corruption at City Hall. Plus: Charter Amendments DD, FF, HH and II.
L.A. County
- Board of Supervisors: Measure G would dramatically overhaul county government.
- District Attorney: Criminal justice reform, or more law-and-order justice?
- LA Unified school board: Voters are also deciding on a $9 billion facilities bond and a redistricting measure.
- School district measures: Schools have a lot of repair needs.
- Superior Court judges: Plus: Tips to make sure you're putting right person on the bench.
Statewide races
- Whoa! There are 10 propositions on the ballot. Here's your cheat sheet to Props. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 32, 33, 34, 35 and 36.
Jump to the full Voter Game Plan for dozens more races ▶
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.
Around three-quarters of lawmakers in both California’s Assembly and State Senate are Democrats, meaning the state doesn'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 candidates
This guide lists races across Los Angeles and Orange counties, and includes voter registration figures from earlier this year. Names appear in the same order as the certified list of candidates.
District 34
At a glance: This northern Los Angeles County district includes parts of Lancaster and Palmdale.
Voter registration: 39% Republican, 31% Democrat, 19% no party preference
Ricardo Ortega
Los Angeles County Youth Commissioner, Democrat
Website: RicardoOrtegaForAssembly.com
Endorsements: Full list here
Tom Lackey (Incumbent)
State Assemblymember, Republican
Website: LackeyForAssembly.com
Endorsements: Full list here
District 39
At a glance: The district Lake Los Angeles, Lancaster, Littlerock, Palmdale, Sun Village, part of Los Angeles and stretches into San Bernardino County.
Voter registration: 46% Democrat, 22% Republican, 22% no party preference
Juan Carrillo Ventura (Incumbent)
State Assemblymember, Democrat
Website: VoteJuanCarrillo.com
Endorsements: Full list here
Paul Andre Marsh
Community services liaison, Republican
Website: PaulMarshForAssembly.com
Endorsements: Full list here
District 40
At a glance: The district includes Castaic, Hasley Canyon, parts of Los Angeles, Santa Clarita, Stevenson Ranch and Val Verde.
Voter registration: 42% Democrat, 29% Republican, 21% no party preference
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 Altadena, Bradbury, Claremont, Duarte, La Cañada Flintridge, La Verne, Monrovia, Pasadena, San Dimas, San Pasqual, Sierra Madre, part of Los Angeles, and also extends into San Bernardino County.
Voter registration: 45% Democrat, 27% Republican, 19% no party preference
John Harabedian
California state boardmember, Democrat
Website: JohnHarabedian.com
Endorsements: Full list here
Michelle Del Rosario Martinez
Community Volunteer, Republican
Website: Linktr.ee/MDM4AD41
More voter resources:
District 42
At a glance: This district includes Agoura Hills, Bel Air, Beverly Glen, Brentwood, Casa Conejo, Calabasas, Hidden Hills, Lake Sherwood, Malibu, Moorpark, Oak Park, Pacific Palisades, Santa Susana, Simi Valley, Thousand Oaks, Topanga, Westlake Village and stretches into Ventura County.
Voter registration: 41% Democrat, 30% Republican, 20% no party preference
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: 54% Democrat, 24% no party preference, 14% Republican
Celeste Rodriguez
San Fernando Mayor, Democrat
Website: CelesteForAssembly.com
Endorsements: Full list here
Victoria Garcia
Councilwoman / attorney / mother, Republican
Website: VictoriaForCA.com
Endorsements: Full list here
More voter resources:
District 44
At a glance: This district includes Burbank, La Crescenta-Montrose, parts of Glendale and Los Angeles.
Voter registration: 50% Democrat, 23% no party preference, 19% Republican
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
More voter resources:
District 46
At a glance: This district straddles the 101 Freeway and stretches into Ventura County.
Voter registration: 50% Democrat, 22% no party preference, 19% Republican
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 Azusa, Baldwin Park, Charter Oak, Citrus, Covina, Duarte, Glendora, Irwindale, Mayflower Village, Monrovia, South Monrovia Island, South San Jose Hills, Valinda, Vincent, West Covina, West Puente Valley and part of Los Angeles.
Voter registration: 47% Democrat, 22.4% no party preference, 22.1% Republican
Blanca Rubio (Incumbent)
State Assemblywoman / teacher, Democrat
Website: BlancaRubio.com
Dan T. Tran
Real estate businessman, Republican
Website: DanTranForDistrict48.com
More voter resources:
District 49
At a glance: This district includes Alhambra, Arcadia, East Pasadena, East San Gabriel, El Monte, Monterey Park, North El Monte, Rosemead, San Gabriel, San Marino, South Pasadena, South San Gabriel, Temple City and part of Los Angeles.
Voter registration: 45% Democrat, 29% no party preference, 18% Republican
Mike Fong (Incumbent)
State Assemblymember, Democrat
Website: MikeFong.org
Long "David" Liu
Father / attorney / businessman, Republican
Website: DavidLiuForAssembly.com
Endorsements: Full list here
District 51
At a glance: This district stretches up from Santa Monica and includes part of Los Angeles, Beverly Hills and West Hollywood.
Voter registration: 58% Democrat, 22% no party preference, 12% Republican
Rick Chavez Zbur (Incumbent)
State Assemblymember, Democrat
Website: RickChavezZbur.com
Endorsements: Full list here
Stephan Hohil
Entrepreneur, Republican
Website: StephanHohil.com
District 52
At a glance: This district includes part of Los Angeles, East Los Angeles, and part of Glendale.
Voter registration: 61% Democrat, 21% no party preference, 10% Republican
Jessica Caloza
Women's rights advisor, Democrat
Website: JessicaCaloza.com
Endorsements: Full list here
Franky Carrillo
Justice advocate / commissioner, Democrat
Website: FrankyCarrillo.com
Endorsements: Full list here
More voter resources:
District 53
At a glance: This district includes part of Los Angeles, Pomona, Chino, Montclair, Ontario, Upland and part of San Bernardino. The incumbent, Freddie Rodriguez, a Democrat, is vacating the seat due to term limits. His wife is running to succeed him.
Voter registration: 46% Democrat, 22.7% Republican, 22% no party preference
Michelle Rodriguez
Public safety commissioner, Democrat
Website: MichelleForAssembly.com
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, DTLA and Koreatown.
Voter registration: 58% Democrat, 23% no party preference, 11% Republican
Mark Gonzalez
District director / caregiver, Democrat
Website: MarkGonzalezForAssembly.com
Endorsements: Full list here
John K. Yi
Public transit advocate, Democrat
Website: JohnForAssembly.com
Endorsements: Full list here
More voter resources:
- Who will be Assembly District 54’s next representative? (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, View Park-Windsor Hills and part of Los Angeles.
Voter registration: 64% Democrat, 19% no party preferred, 8% Republican
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 Avocado Heights, Diamond Bar, El Monte, Hacienda Heights, Industry, La Habra Heights, La Puente, Rico Rivera, Rose Hills, Rowland Heights, South El Monte, Walknut, West Whittier, Whittier and part of Los Angeles.
Voter registration: 48% Democrat, 24% no party preferred, 21% Republican
Lisa Calderon (Incumbent)
State Assemblymember / mom, Democrat
Website: LisaCalderon4Assembly.com
Endorsements: Full list here
Jessica Martinez
Educator, wife, mother, Republican
Website: @MartinezForAssembly
District 57
At a glance: This LA district straddles the 110 Freeway heading into DTLA.
Voter registration: 61% Democrat, 22% no party preference, 7% Republican
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
More voter resources:
District 59
At a glance: This district includes Orange and San Bernardino counties and includes the cities of Anaheim Hills, Brea, Chino, Chino Hills, Fullerton, North Tustin, Orange, Placentia, Villa Park, and Yorba Linda.
Voter registration: 39% Republicans, 32% Democrats, 21% no party preference
Dave Obrand
Deputy County Counsel, Democrat
Website: DaveObrandForAssembly
Phillip Chen (Incumbent)
State Assemblymember / business owner, Republican
Website: PhillipChen.org
District 61
At a glance: This district includes Del Aire, Gardena, Hawthorne, Inglewood, Lennox, part of Los Angeles, Marina del Rey, West Athens and Westmont.
Voter registration: 61% Democrat, 20% no party preference, 9% Republican
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, Lynwood, Maywood, Paramount, South Gate, Walnut Park and part of Los Angeles. The seat is being vacated by outgoing Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon.
Voter registration: 55% Democrat, 21% no party preference, 15% Republican
José Luis Solache
Mayor of Lynwood, nonprofit director, Democrat
Website: SolacheForAssembly.com
Endorsements: Full list here
Paul Jones
Retired combat Marine, Republican
Website: PaulJonesForStateAssembly2024.com
Endorsements: Full list here
More voter resources:
District 64
At a glance: This district includes Bell, Bell Gardens, Cudahy, Downey, East Whittier, La Mirada, Norwalk, Santa Fe Springs, South Whittier, part of Los Angeles and La Habra.
Voter registration: 50% Democrat, 21% Republican, 21% no party preference
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 Carson, Compton, West Carson, East Rancho Dominguez and Willowbrook.
Voter registration: 58% Democrat, 11% Republican, 21% no party preference
Mike Gipson (Incumbent)
State Assemblymember, Democrat
Website: MikeGipson.net
Endorsements: Full list here
Lydia A. Gutierrez
Public school teacher, Republican
Website: @Lydia4Assembly
District 66
At a glance: This district includes El Segundo, Gardena, Hermosa Beach, Lomita, Manhattan Beach, Palos Verdes Estates, Rancho Palos Verdes, Redondo Beach, Rolling Hills, Rolling Hills Estates, San Pedro and Torrance.
Voter registration: 44% Democrat, 26% Republican, 22% no party preference
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: 43% Democrats, 26% Republicans, 24% no party preference
Sharon Quirk-Silva (Incumbent)
State Assemblywoman, Democrat
Website: SharonQuirkSilva.com
Elizabeth “Beth” Culver
Retired entrepreneur, Republican
Website: Ballotpedia
District 68
At a glance: This district includes parts of Anaheim, Santa Ana, Orange and unincorporated Orange County.
Voter registration: 49% Democrats, 22% no party preference, 21% Republicans
Avelino Valencia (Incumbent)
State Assemblymember, Democrat
Website: AvelinoValencia.com
Mike Tardif
Retired businessman, Republican
Website: CAFamilyVoter.com
District 69
At a glance: This district includes Avalon, Signal Hill and much of Carson and Long Beach. See how district boundaries have changed.
Voter registration: 52% Democrats, 17% Republicans, 21% no party preference
Josh Lowenthal (Incumbent)
State Assemblymember and business owner, Democrat
Website: JoshLowenthal.com
Endorsements: Full list here
Joshua Rodriguez
Police Officer / father, Republican
Website: @JoshuaRodriguez4Assembly69
District 70
At a glance: This district includes Fountain Valley, Garden Grove, Los Alamitos, Midway City, Rossmoor, Stanton, Westminster, and portions of Huntington Beach, Santa Ana and Seal Beach.
Voter registration: 37% Democrats, 33% Republicans, 24% no party preference
Jimmy D. Pham
Attorney / business owner, Democratic
Website: JimmyPhamCA.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 includes Mission Viejo and Rancho Santa Margarita and unincorporated parts of Orange County, as well as parts of Riverside County.
Voter registration: 40% Republicans, 30% Democrats, 20% no party preference
Gary Kephart
Software engineer, Democrat
Website: GaryKephart.com
Kate Sanchez (Incumbent)
State Assemblywoman, Republican
Website: SanchezForAssembly.com
District 72
At a glance: This coastal district includes Huntington Beach, Newport Beach and Laguna Beach.
Voter registration: 39% Republicans, 32% Democrats, 21% no party preference
Dom Jones
Nonprofit executive / businesswoman, Democrat
Website: DomJones.org
Endorsements: See full list here
Diane Dixon (Incumbent)
State Assemblymember, Republican
Website: DianeDixonForAssembly.com
Endorsements: See full list here
District 73
At a glance: This district includes Irvine, Costa Mesa and Tustin.
Voter registration: 40% Democrats, 27% Republicans, 26% no party preference
Cottie Petrie-Norris (Incumbent)
State Assemblymember, Democrat
Website: Cottie.com
Endorsements: Full list here
Scotty Peotter
Architect, Republican
Website: TaxFighter.com
Endorsements: Full list here
District 74
At a glance: This district includes Laguna Niguel, San Juan Capistrano, Dana Point, San Clemente and Camp Pendleton.
Voter registration: 35% Democrats, 34% Republicans, 21% no party preference
Laurie Davies (Incumbent)
State Assemblymember, Republican
Website: DaviesForCA.com
Endorsements: Full list here
Chris Duncan
San Clemente councilmember, Democrat
Website: VoteChrisDuncan.com
Endorsements: Full list here
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.
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