The 24th Congressional District of California held an election for the U.S. House of Representatives on November 8, 2016.
Heading into the election, Ballotpedia rated this race as a race to watch. Incumbent Lois Capps (D) did not seek re-election in 2016. Salud Carbajal (D) defeated Justin Fareed (R) in the general election on November 8, 2016. Carbajal and Fareed defeated Benjamin Lucas (D), William Ostrander (D), Helene Schneider (D), Katcho Achadjian (R), Matt Kokkonen (R), Steve Isakson (independent), and John Uebersax (independent) in the top-two primary on June 7, 2016.[4][5][6]
| Candidate Filing Deadline
|
Primary Election
|
General Election
|
| March 11, 2016 |
June 7, 2016 |
November 8, 2016
|
Primary: California uses a top-two primary system, in which all candidates appear on the same ballot. The top two vote-getters, regardless of party affiliation, move on to the general election. In states that do not use a top-two system, all parties are usually able to put forward a candidate for the general election if they choose to.[7][8]
Unlike the top-two format used in some states (Louisiana and Georgia special elections for example), a general election between the top-two candidates in California occurs regardless of whether the top candidate received 50% of the vote in the first round of elections.
As of October 2025, California was one of five states to use a top-two primary system, or a variation of the top-two system for some or all statewide primaries. See here for more information.
For information about which offices are nominated via primary election, see this article.
Incumbent: Heading into the election the incumbent was Lois Capps (D), who was first elected in 1998. Capps did not seek re-election in 2016.[9]
As of the 2010 redistricting cycle, California's 24th Congressional District was located in the southwestern portion of the state and included the counties of San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara, as well as western Ventura County.[10]
Election results
General election
U.S. House, California District 24 General Election, 2016
| Party |
Candidate |
Vote % |
Votes |
| |
Democratic |
 Salud Carbajal |
53.4% |
166,034 |
| |
Republican |
Justin Fareed |
46.6% |
144,780 |
| Total Votes |
310,814 |
| Source: California Secretary of State |
Primary election
U.S. House, California District 24 General Primary, 2016
| Party |
Candidate |
Vote % |
Votes |
| |
Democratic |
Salud Carbajal |
31.9% |
66,402 |
| |
Republican |
Justin Fareed |
20.5% |
42,521 |
| |
Republican |
Katcho Achadjian |
18.1% |
37,716 |
| |
Democratic |
Helene Schneider |
14.9% |
31,046 |
| |
Democratic |
William Ostrander |
6.1% |
12,657 |
| |
Republican |
Matt Kokkonen |
5.6% |
11,636 |
| |
Independent |
John Uebersax |
1.1% |
2,188 |
| |
Independent |
Steve Isakson |
1% |
2,172 |
| |
Democratic |
Bernjamin Lucas |
0.8% |
1,568 |
| Total Votes |
207,906 |
Source: California Secretary of State
|
Candidates
Race background
Salud Carbajal was one of the initial members of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee's Red to Blue Program. The program "highlights top Democratic campaigns across the country, and offers them financial, communications, grassroots, and strategic support."[18]
Justin Fareed and Katcho Achadjian were members of the NRCC's Young Guns Program in 2016. The Young Guns program "supports and mentors challenger and open-seat candidates in races across the country."[19]
Endorsements
Salud Carbajal
- The California Democratic Party[20]
- Incumbent Lois Capps - "This 24th congressional district is a very strongly contested district, and nobody knows that more than the folks in San Luis Obispo. That's why it is especially important that I believe I put my marker down and tell you all that on June 7, 2016, I'm going to be voting for Salud Carbajal for Congress."[21]
- House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi - "Salud Carbajal is a tenacious and effective champion for California's hard-working families -- and he's the best person to carry forward Congresswoman Lois Capps' legacy of bipartisan achievement."[22]
- Attorney General Kamala Harris - "Salud Carbajal is a hard-working and effective advocate for California’s working-class families. He has a proven track record of bringing people together and delivering real results. I am proud to endorse Salud Carbajal for Congress."[23]
- California Federation of Teachers - "Congress has consistently received a failing grade for their lack of focus on education issues and for blocking progress on issues important to working families. Salud Carbajal has been a champion of early childhood education and afterschool programs and creating safe routes to schools. That’s why he’s our choice for Congress."[24]
- The Service Employees International Union (SEIU) California[25]
Helene Schneider
- State Sen. Hannah-Beth Jackson - "I am proud to endorse Santa Barbara Mayor and long-time women’s advocate, Helene Schneider, to be the next Congressmember representing the 24th Congressional District."[26]
- Lieutenant Governor Gavin Newsom - "As Mayor and on the City Council, Helene Schneider has proven herself as a thoughtful leader who knows how to connect people to government and to encourage competing parties to collaborate for the common good. I respect Helene’s pragmatic approach to finding new solutions and her tireless passion for public service and we need more of that in Washington."[27]
Polls
| California's 24th District - Justin Fareed vs. Salud Carbajal |
| Poll |
 Justin Fareed |
 Salud Carbajal | Margin of Error | Sample Size |
|
The Tarrance Group (R)
September 17-19, 2016 | 46% | 43% | +/-4.9 | 400 |
| Note: A "0%" finding means the candidate was not a part of the poll. The polls above may not reflect all polls that have been conducted in this race. Those displayed are a random sampling chosen by Ballotpedia staff. If you would like to nominate another poll for inclusion in the table, send an email to editor@ballotpedia.org |
Media
Salud Carbajal
Support
| "Values" - Carbajal's first campaign ad, released April 2016
|
|
| "Common Ground" - Carbajal's second ad, released April 2016
|
|
| "Veterans Can't Wait" - Carbajal's third ad, released April 2016
|
|
| "Leadership" - Carbajal campaign ad, released May 2016
|
|
| "Shared Values" - Carbajal ad, released May 2016
|
|
| "Of Course" - House Majority PAC ad supporting Carbajal, released June 2016
|
|
|
| "Same Old" - Carbajal campaign ad, released September 2016
|
|
| "Gun Violence" - Carbajal campaign ad, released October 2016
|
|
| "Running Away" - Carbajal campaign ad, released October 2016
|
|
Opposition
| "Hypocrisy" - NRCC ad opposing Carbajal, released September 2016
|
|
| "His Money" - NRCC ad opposing Carbajal, released October 2016
|
|
Justin Fareed
Support
| "Next Generation Conservative" - Fareed's first ad, released April 2016
|
|
| "Elitist Insider" - Fareed ad opposing Carbajal, released September 2016
|
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| "Budget" - Fareed campaign ad, released October 2016
|
|
Opposition
Helene Schneider
| "Garage" - Schneider's first ad, released April 2016
|
|
|
District history
2014
- See also: California's 24th Congressional District elections, 2014
The 24th Congressional District of California held an election for the U.S. House of Representatives on November 4, 2014. Incumbent Lois Capps (D) defeated Chris Mitchum (R) in the general election.
U.S. House, California District 24 General Election, 2014
| Party |
Candidate |
Vote % |
Votes |
| |
Democratic |
Lois Capps Incumbent |
51.9% |
103,228 |
| |
Republican |
Chris Mitchum |
48.1% |
95,566 |
| Total Votes |
198,794 |
| Source: California Secretary of State |
2012
- See also: California's 24th Congressional District elections, 2012
According to a Cook Political Report analysis, the 24th District was one of 13 congressional districts in California that was at least somewhat competitive in 2012. The analysis rated it as Likely Democratic.[28] The incumbent from the 23rd District, Lois Capps, won election in the district.[29]
Important dates and deadlines
- See also: California elections, 2016
The calendar below lists important dates for political candidates in California in 2016.
| Dates and requirements for candidates in 2016
|
| Deadline
|
Event type
|
Event description
|
| February 1, 2016 |
Campaign finance |
Semi-annual report due
|
| February 25, 2016 |
Ballot access |
Close of signature in lieu of filing fee period for voter-nominated offices
|
| March 11, 2016 |
Ballot access |
Close of declaration of candidacy and nomination paper period for voter-nominated offices
|
| April 28, 2016 |
Campaign finance |
Pre-election report due
|
| May 26, 2016 |
Campaign finance |
Pre-election report due
|
| August 1, 2016 |
Campaign finance |
Semi-annual report due
|
| June 7, 2016 |
Election date |
Primary election
|
| November 8, 2016 |
Election date |
General election
|
Sources: California Secretary of State, "Key Dates and Deadlines," accessed January 11, 2016
California Fair Political Practices Commission, "Filing Schedule for State Candidate Controlled Committees Listed on the June 7, 2016 Ballot," accessed January 11, 2016
|
See also
- ↑ Cook Political Report, "2016 House Race Ratings," accessed October 20, 2016
- ↑ Sabato's Crystal Ball, "2016 House," accessed October 20, 2016
- ↑ Rothenberg & Gonzales Political Report, "House Ratings," accessed October 20, 2016
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 California Secretary of State, "Certified List of Candidates for Voter-Nominated Offices June 7, 2016, Presidential Primary Election," accessed April 4, 2016
- ↑ The New York Times, "California Primary Results," June 7, 2016
- ↑ California Secretary of State, "Statement of Vote," June 7, 2016
- ↑ California Legislative Information, "California Constitution, Article II, Section 5," accessed October 29, 2025
- ↑ California Secretary of State, "Primary Elections in California," accessed October 29, 2025
- ↑ Roll Call, "Lois Capps to Retire (Video)," April 8, 2015
- ↑ California Redistricting Map, "Map," accessed September 25, 2012
- ↑ The Sacramento Bee, "Rep. Lois Capps to retire, touching off a scramble," April 8, 2015
- ↑ Lompoc Record, "Congressional race gets more crowded," January 12, 2016
- ↑ The Tribune, "Newcomers announce bids for seats held by Capps, Achadjian," February 20, 2015
- ↑ 14.0 14.1 National Journal, "California Democratic Rep. Lois Capps to Retire in 2016," April 8, 2015
- ↑ Roll Call, "Republican Launches Bid to Succeed Lois Capps in California," April 16, 2015
- ↑ John Uebersax for Congress, "Home," accessed February 29, 2016
- ↑ Tyler Gross for Congress, "Home," accessed January 13, 2016
- ↑ DCCC, "DCCC Chairman Luján Announces First 31 Districts In Red To Blue Program," February 11, 2016
- ↑ NRCC, "32 Congressional Candidates Announced “On the Radar” as Part of NRCC’s Young Guns Program," November 19, 2015
- ↑ California Democratic Party, "Statewide Endorsed Candidate," accessed March 3, 2016
- ↑ The Tribune, "Lois Capps endorses Salud Carbajal to be her successor," June 7, 2015
- ↑ Twitter, "Emily Cahn," August 24, 2015
- ↑ Facebook, "Salud Carbajal For U.S. Congress," August 27, 2015
- ↑ Paso Robles Daily News, "California Federation of Teachers endorses Salud Carbajal for congress," December 9, 2015
- ↑ Politico, "ARNOLD stars for KASICH -- CD25 game changer? -- SUPER BOWL windfall," March 4, 2016
- ↑ Santa Barbara Independent, "SEN. Hannah-Beth Jackson Endorses Helene Schneider for Congress," September 8, 2015
- ↑ Politico, "POLITICO California Playbook, presented by PhRMA: LIBBY on ‘hot’ Oakland -- KAMALA’S grande -- STEINBERG making his move," October 27, 2015
- ↑ The Cook Political Report, "2012 Competitive House Race Chart," accessed July 10, 2012
- ↑ Politico, "2012 Election Map, California," accessed August 15, 2012
For information about public policy issues in the 2016 elections, see: Public policy in the 2016 elections!
Senators
Representatives
Democratic Party (45)
Republican Party (8)
Vacancies (1)
Steve Isakson (Independent)[4]
