logo

Same Party Runoffs Slated for California General Election

image
Author: Lucy Ma
Created: 20 July, 2012
Updated: 13 October, 2022
3 min read
Credit: laist.com

california-general-election

California’s political landscape has undergone some major changes in 2012 due to redistricting and the introduction of the state’s first top two open primary. New district lines created by the independent California Citizens Redistricting Commission, managed to not only change the makeup of the electorate in some areas, it also created a scenario where several incumbents are locked in tough campaigns to keep their seat after being drawn into the same district. The rules that went into effect under the new “top two” system made it so that like-minded candidates, in an effort to make it through to November, had to engage early on with voters that they might have otherwise ignored. The combined effects of the two will be felt even more strongly this November as voters head to the ballot boxes.

Some of June’s toughest campaign battles will be carrying through to November, and the general election will be anything but typical this year. Several races throughout the state won’t feature the traditional Democrat vs. Republican lineup, but rather a truer reflection of voter preference in the district. Voters in several areas will be choosing between candidates from the same party or a match-up between a No Party Preference candidate against a candidate from one of the major two parties.

As far as same party contests go, there will be 28 in total this fall- including Congressional, State Senate, and State Assembly races. It will be essential for these candidates to reach a broader spectrum of voters in order to cinch victory, and that includes those from the opposing party. Candidates and consultants that are accustomed to running in tough races where independent voters often cast the deciding vote, now have a significant advantage. The trick is in messaging across party lines without alienating loyalists, or worse yet, sending them to the opposition.

Here’s a rundown of same party races this November:

Congressional Races:

CD 8- Paul Cook and Gregg Imus (Republican)

CD 15- Fortney “Pete” Stark* and Eric Swalwell (Democrat)

CD 30- Howard Berman* and Brad Sherman* (Democrat)

IVP Existence Banner

CD 31- Gary Miller* and Bob Dutton (Republican)

CD 35- Joe Baca* and Gloria Negrete McLeod (Democrat)

CD 40- Lucille Royball-Allard* and David Sanchez (Democrat)

CD 43- Maxine Waters* and Bob Flores (Democrat)

CD 44- Janice Hahn* and Laura Richardson* (Democrat)

State Senate Races:

SD 13- Jerry Hill and Sally Lieber (Democrat)

SD 15- Jim Beall and Joe Coto (Democrat)

IVP Existence Banner

State Assembly Races:

AD 1- Brian Dahle and Rick Bosetti (Republican)

AD 2- Wesley Chesbro* and Tom Lynch (Democrat)

AD 5- Frank Bigelow and Rico Oller (Republican)

AD 6- Beth Gaines* and Andy Pugno (Republican)

AD 10- Michael Allen* and Marc Levine (Democrat)

AD 18- Rob Bonta and Abel Guillen (Democrat)

AD 19- Phil Ting and Michael Breyer (Democrat)

IVP Existence Banner

AD 20- Bill Quirk and Jennifer Ong (Democrat)

AD 23- Jim Patterson and Bob Whalen (Republican)

AD 39- Raul Bocanegra and Richard Alarcon (Democrat)

AD 47- Joe Baca, Jr. and Cheryl Brown (Democrat)

AD 50- Betsy Butler* and Richard Bloom (Democrat)

AD 51- Jimmy Gomez and Luis Lopez (Democrat)

AD 59- Reggie Jones-Sawyer and Rodney Robinson (Democrat)

AD 62- Steven Bradford* and Mervin Evans (Democrat)

IVP Existence Banner

AD 67- Phil Paule and Melissa Melendez (Republican)

AD 72- Troy Edgar and Travis Allen (Republican)

AD 76- Rocky Chavez and Sherry Hodges (Republican)

 

*Denotes Incumbent

 

Latest articles

votes
Wyoming Purges Nearly 30% of Its Voters from Registration Rolls
It is not uncommon for a state to clean out its voter rolls every couple of years -- especially to r...
27 March, 2024
-
1 min read
ballot box
The Next Big Win in Better Election Reform Could Come Where Voters Least Expect
Idaho isn't a state that gets much attention when people talk about politics in the US. However, this could change in 2024 if Idahoans for Open Primaries and their allies are successful with their proposed initiative....
21 March, 2024
-
3 min read
Courts
Why Do We Accept Partisanship in Judicial Elections?
The AP headline reads, "Ohio primary: Open seat on state supreme court could flip partisan control." This immediately should raise a red flag for voters, and not because of who may benefit but over a question too often ignored....
19 March, 2024
-
9 min read
Nick Troiano
Virtual Discussion: The Primary Solution with Unite America's Nick Troiano
In the latest virtual discussion from Open Primaries, the group's president, John Opdycke, sat down ...
19 March, 2024
-
1 min read
Sinema
Sinema's Exit Could Be Bad News for Democrats -- Here's Why
To many, the 2024 presidential primary has been like the movie Titanic - overly long and ending in a disaster we all saw coming from the start. After months of campaigning and five televised primary debates, Americans are now faced with a rematch between two candidates polling shows a majority of them didn’t want....
19 March, 2024
-
7 min read