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California's 38th Congressional District
California's 38th Congressional District in the United States House of Representatives is represented by Linda Sánchez (D).
As of the 2020 Census, California representatives represented an average of 761,091 residents. After the 2010 Census, each member represented 704,566 residents.
Elections
2024
See also: California's 38th Congressional District election, 2024
California's 38th Congressional District election, 2024 (March 5 top-two primary)
General election
General election for U.S. House California District 38
Incumbent Linda Sánchez defeated Eric Ching in the general election for U.S. House California District 38 on November 5, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Linda Sánchez (D) | 59.8 | 165,110 |
 | Eric Ching (R) | 40.2 | 110,818 | |
| Total votes: 275,928 | |||
 = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Nonpartisan primary election
Nonpartisan primary for U.S. House California District 38
Incumbent Linda Sánchez and Eric Ching defeated John Sarega and Robert Zhang Ochoa in the primary for U.S. House California District 38 on March 5, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Linda Sánchez (D) | 56.2 | 62,325 |
| ✔ | | Eric Ching (R) | 24.1 | 26,744 |
| John Sarega (R) | 12.5 | 13,841 | ||
 | Robert Zhang Ochoa (R) | 7.2 | 8,034 | |
| Total votes: 110,944 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
2022
General election
General election for U.S. House California District 38
Incumbent Linda Sánchez defeated Eric Ching in the general election for U.S. House California District 38 on November 8, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Linda Sánchez (D) | 58.1 | 101,260 |
| Eric Ching (R) | 41.9 | 73,051 | |
| Total votes: 174,311 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Nonpartisan primary election
Nonpartisan primary for U.S. House California District 38
Incumbent Linda Sánchez and Eric Ching defeated John Sarega in the primary for U.S. House California District 38 on June 7, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Linda Sánchez (D) | 58.7 | 58,586 |
| ✔ | | Eric Ching (R) | 30.5 | 30,436 |
| John Sarega (R) | 10.8 | 10,768 | ||
| Total votes: 99,790 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Elizabeth Moreira (D)
- Sylvester Ani (D)
- Mitch Clemmons (R)
2020
General election
General election for U.S. House California District 38
Incumbent Linda Sánchez defeated Michael Tolar in the general election for U.S. House California District 38 on November 3, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Linda Sánchez (D) | 74.3 | 190,467 |
 | Michael Tolar (D) | 25.7 | 65,739 | |
| Total votes: 256,206 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Nonpartisan primary election
Nonpartisan primary for U.S. House California District 38
Incumbent Linda Sánchez and Michael Tolar advanced from the primary for U.S. House California District 38 on March 3, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Linda Sánchez (D) | 77.7 | 90,872 |
| ✔ | | Michael Tolar (D) | 22.3 | 26,075 |
| Total votes: 116,947 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Paul Irving Jones (Independent)
2018
General election
General election for U.S. House California District 38
Incumbent Linda Sánchez defeated Ryan Downing in the general election for U.S. House California District 38 on November 6, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Linda Sánchez (D) | 68.9 | 139,188 |
 | Ryan Downing (R) | 31.1 | 62,968 | |
| Total votes: 202,156 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Nonpartisan primary election
Nonpartisan primary for U.S. House California District 38
Incumbent Linda Sánchez and Ryan Downing advanced from the primary for U.S. House California District 38 on June 5, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Linda Sánchez (D) | 62.7 | 54,691 |
| ✔ | | Ryan Downing (R) | 37.3 | 32,584 |
| Total votes: 87,275 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
2016
Heading into the election, Ballotpedia rated this race as safely Democratic. Incumbent Linda Sanchez (D) defeated Ryan Downing (R) in the general election on November 8, 2016. Sanchez and Downing defeated Scott Michael Adams (Independent) in the top-two primary on June 7, 2016.[1][2]
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic |  Linda Sanchez Incumbent |
70.5% | 163,590 | |
| Republican | Ryan Downing | 29.5% | 68,524 | |
| Total Votes | 232,114 | |||
| Source: California Secretary of State | ||||
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic |
Linda Sanchez Incumbent |
70% | 86,396 | |
| Republican | Ryan Downing |
20.9% | 25,801 | |
| Independent | Scott Adams | 9.1% | 11,189 | |
| Total Votes | 123,386 | |||
| Source: California Secretary of State |
||||
2014
The 38th Congressional District of California held an election for the U.S. House of Representatives on November 4, 2014. Incumbent Linda Sanchez (D) defeated Benjamin Campos (R) in the general election.
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Linda Sanchez Incumbent |
59.1% | 58,192 | |
| Republican | Benjamin Campos | 40.9% | 40,288 | |
| Total Votes | 98,480 | |||
| Source: California Secretary of State | ||||
2012
The 38th Congressional District of California held an election for the U.S. House of Representatives on November 6, 2012. District 39 incumbent Linda Sanchez won election in the district.[3]
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Linda Sanchez Incumbent |
67.5% | 145,280 | |
| Republican | Benjamin Campos | 32.5% | 69,807 | |
| Total Votes | 215,087 | |||
| Source: California Secretary of State "Official Election Results, 2012 General Election" | ||||
2010
On November 2, 2010, Grace Napolitano won re-election to the United States House. She defeated Robert Vaughn (R) in the general election.[4]
| U.S. House, California District 38 General Election, 2010 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Democratic | Grace Napolitano incumbent |
73.5% | 85,459 | |
| Republican | Robert Vaughn | 26.5% | 30,883 | |
| Total Votes | 116,342 | |||
2008
On November 4, 2008, Grace Napolitano won re-election to the United States House. She defeated Christopher Agrella (L) in the general election.[5]
| U.S. House, California District 38 General Election, 2008 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Democratic | Grace Napolitano incumbent |
81.7% | 130,211 | |
| Libertarian | Christopher Agrella | 18.3% | 29,113 | |
| Total Votes | 159,324 | |||
2006
On November 7, 2006, Grace Napolitano won re-election to the United States House. She defeated Sidney Street (R) in the general election.[6]
| U.S. House, California District 38 General Election, 2006 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Democratic | Grace Napolitano incumbent |
75.3% | 75,181 | |
| Republican | Sidney Street | 24.7% | 24,620 | |
| Total Votes | 99,801 | |||
2004
On November 2, 2004, Grace Napolitano won re-election to the United States House. She ran unopposed in the general election.[7]
| U.S. House, California District 38 General Election, 2004 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Democratic | Grace Napolitano incumbent |
100% | 116,851 | |
| Total Votes | 116,851 | |||
2002
On November 5, 2002, Grace Napolitano won re-election to the United States House. She defeated Alex Burrola (R) and Al Cuperus (L) in the general election.[8]
| U.S. House, California District 38 General Election, 2002 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Democratic | Grace Napolitano incumbent |
71.1% | 62,600 | |
| Republican | Alex Burrola | 26.3% | 23,126 | |
| Libertarian | Al Cuperus | 2.6% | 2,301 | |
| Total Votes | 88,027 | |||
2000
On November 7, 2000, Stephen Horn won re-election to the United States House. He defeated Gerrie Schipske (D), Karen Blasdell-Wilkinson (Natural Law) and Jack Neglia (L) in the general election.[9]
| U.S. House, California District 38 General Election, 2000 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Republican | Stephen Horn incumbent |
48.4% | 87,266 | |
| Democratic | Gerrie Schipske | 47.5% | 85,498 | |
| Natural Law | Karen Blasdell-Wilkinson | 2.1% | 3,744 | |
| Libertarian | Jack Neglia | 2% | 3,614 | |
| Total Votes | 180,122 | |||
1998
On November 3, 1998, Stephen Horn won re-election to the United States House. He defeated Peter Mathews (D) and David Bowers (L) in the general election.[10]
| U.S. House, California District 38 General Election, 1998 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Republican | Stephen Horn incumbent |
52.9% | 71,386 | |
| Democratic | Peter Mathews | 44.3% | 59,767 | |
| Libertarian | David Bowers | 2.7% | 3,705 | |
| Total Votes | 134,858 | |||
1996
On November 5, 1996, Stephen Horn won re-election to the United States House. He defeated Rick Zbur (D), William Yeager (G) and Paul Gautreau (L) in the general election.[11]
| U.S. House, California District 38 General Election, 1996 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Republican | Stephen Horn incumbent |
52.6% | 88,136 | |
| Democratic | Rick Zbur | 42.7% | 71,627 | |
| Green | William Yeager | 2.7% | 4,610 | |
| Libertarian | Paul Gautreau | 2% | 3,272 | |
| Total Votes | 167,645 | |||
1994
On November 8, 1994, Stephen Horn won re-election to the United States House. He defeated Peter Mathews (D), Lester Mueller (L) and Richard Green (P&F) in the general election.[12]
| U.S. House, California District 38 General Election, 1994 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Republican | Stephen Horn incumbent |
58.5% | 85,225 | |
| Democratic | Peter Mathews | 36.8% | 53,681 | |
| Libertarian | Lester Mueller | 2.6% | 3,795 | |
| Peace and Freedom | Richard Green | 2.1% | 2,995 | |
| N/A | Write-in | 0.1% | 73 | |
| Total Votes | 145,769 | |||
1992
On November 3, 1992, Stephen Horn won election to the United States House. He defeated Evan Anderson Braude (D), Paul Burton (P&F) and Blake Ashley (L) in the general election.[13]
| U.S. House, California District 38 General Election, 1992 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Republican | Stephen Horn |
48.6% | 92,038 | |
| Democratic | Evan Anderson Braude | 43.4% | 82,108 | |
| Peace and Freedom | Paul Burton | 4.4% | 8,391 | |
| Libertarian | Blake Ashley | 3.6% | 6,756 | |
| N/A | Write-in | 0% | 28 | |
| Total Votes | 189,321 | |||
1990
On November 6, 1990, Robert Dornan won re-election to the United States House. He defeated Barbara Jackson (D) in the general election.[14]
| U.S. House, California District 38 General Election, 1990 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Republican | Robert Dornan incumbent |
58.1% | 60,561 | |
| Democratic | Barbara Jackson | 41.9% | 43,693 | |
| Total Votes | 104,254 | |||
District map
Redistricting
2020-2021
The California Citizens Redistricting Commission voted 14-0 in favor of a new congressional district map on December 20, 2021, and delivered those maps to the secretary of state on December 27, 2021.[15][16] California was apportioned 52 seats in the U.S. House of Representatives after the 2020 census, a net loss of one seat compared to apportionment after the 2010 census. This map took effect for California's 2022 congressional elections.
How does redistricting in California work? In California, a non-politician commission draws both congressional and state legislative district lines. Established in 2008 by ballot initiative, the commission comprises 14 members: five Democrats, five Republicans, and four belonging to neither party. A panel of state auditors selects the pool of nominees from which the commissioners are appointed. This pool comprises 20 Democrats, 20 Republicans, and 20 belonging to neither party. The majority and minority leaders of both chambers of the state legislature may each remove two members from each of the aforementioned groups. The first eight commission members are selected at random from the remaining nominees. These first eight comprise three Democrats, three Republicans, and two belonging to neither party. The first eight commissioners appoint the remaining six, which must include two Democrats, two Republicans, and two belonging to neither party.[17]
Commissioners must meet the following requirements in order to serve:[17]
- Members must have voted in at least two of the last three statewide elections.
- Members cannot have switched party affiliation for at least five years.
- "Neither commissioners nor immediate family may have been, within 10 years of appointment, a candidate for federal or state office or member of a party central committee; an officer, employee, or paid consultant to a federal or state candidate or party; a registered lobbyist or paid legislative staff; or a donor of more than $2,000 to an elected candidate."
- Members cannot be "staff, consultants or contractors for state or federal government" while serving as commissioners. The same prohibition applies to the family of commission members.
In order to approve a redistricting plan, nine of the commission's 14 members must vote for it. These nine must include three Democrats, three Republicans, and three belonging to neither party. Maps drawn by the commission may be overturned by public referendum. In the event that a map is overturned by the public, the California Supreme Court must appoint a group to draw a new map.[17]
The California Constitution requires that districts be contiguous. Further, the state constitution mandates that "to the extent possible, [districts] must ... preserve the geographic integrity of cities, counties, neighborhoods and communities of interest." Districts must also "encourage compactness." State Senate and Assembly districts should be nested within each other where possible.[17]
California District 38
until January 2, 2023
Click a district to compare boundaries.
California District 38
starting January 3, 2023
Click a district to compare boundaries.
2010-2011
In 2011, the California State Legislature re-drew the congressional districts based on updated population information from the 2010 census.
District analysis
- See also: The Cook Political Report's Partisan Voter Index
- See also: FiveThirtyEight's elasticity scores
2026
Heading into the 2026 elections, based on results from the 2024 and 2020 presidential elections, the Cook Partisan Voter Index for this district is D+10. This meant that in those two presidential elections, this district's results were 10 percentage points more Democratic than the national average. This made California's 38th the 129th most Democratic district nationally.[18]
2024
Heading into the 2024 elections, based on results from the 2020 and 2016 presidential elections, the Cook Partisan Voter Index for this district was D+14. This meant that in those two presidential elections, this district's results were 14 percentage points more Democratic than the national average. This made California's 38th the 100th most Democratic district nationally.[19]
Daily Kos calculated what the results of the 2020 presidential election in this district would have been following redistricting. Joe Biden (D) would have defeated Donald Trump (R) 64.1%-33.9%.[20]
2022
Heading into the 2022 elections, based on results from the 2020 and 2016 presidential elections, the Cook Partisan Voter Index for this district was D+14. This meant that in those two presidential elections, this district's results were 14 percentage points more Democratic than the national average. This made California's 38th the 98th most Democratic district nationally.[21]
Daily Kos calculated what the results of the 2020 presidential election in this district would have been following redistricting. Joe Biden (D) would have received 64.1% of the vote in this district and Donald Trump (R) would have received 33.9%.[22]
2018
Heading into the 2018 elections, based on results from the 2016 and 2012 presidential elections, the Cook Partisan Voter Index for this district was D+17. This meant that in those two presidential elections, this district's results were 17 percentage points more Democratic than the national average. This made California's 38th Congressional District the 78th most Democratic nationally.[23]
FiveThirtyEight's September 2018 elasticity score for states and congressional districts measured "how sensitive it is to changes in the national political environment." This district's elasticity score was 0.85. This means that for every 1 point the national political mood moved toward a party, the district was expected to move 0.85 points toward that party.[24]
See also
- Redistricting in California
- California's 38th Congressional District election, 2024
- California's 38th Congressional District election, 2022
- California's 38th Congressional District election, 2020
- California's 38th Congressional District election, 2018
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ 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
- ↑ Politico, "2012 Election Map, California," accessed August 15, 2012
- ↑ U.S. Congress House Clerk, "Statistics of the Congressional Election of November 2, 2010," accessed March 28, 2013
- ↑ U.S. Congress House Clerk, "Statistics of the Congressional Election of November 4, 2008," accessed March 28, 2013
- ↑ U.S. Congress House Clerk, "Statistics of the Congressional Election of November 7, 2006," accessed March 28, 2013
- ↑ U.S. Congress House Clerk, "Statistics of the Congressional Election of November 2, 2004," accessed March 28, 2013
- ↑ U.S. Congress House Clerk, "Statistics of the Congressional Election of November 5, 2002," accessed March 28, 2013
- ↑ U.S. Congress House Clerk, "Statistics of the Congressional Election of November 7, 2000," accessed March 28, 2013
- ↑ U.S. Congress House Clerk, "Statistics of the Congressional Election of November 3, 1998," accessed March 28, 2013
- ↑ U.S. Congress House Clerk, "Statistics of the Congressional Election of November 5, 1996," accessed March 28, 2013
- ↑ U.S. Congress House Clerk, "Statistics of the Congressional Election of November 8, 1994," accessed March 28, 2013
- ↑ U.S. Congress House Clerk, "Statistics of the Congressional Election of November 3, 1992," accessed March 28, 2013
- ↑ U.S. Congress House Clerk, "Statistics of the Congressional Election of November 6, 1990," accessed March 28, 2013
- ↑ Politico, "California’s new congressional map boosts Democrats," Dec. 21, 2021
- ↑ Lake County News, "California Citizens Redistricting Commission delivers maps to California Secretary of State," Dec. 28, 2021
- ↑ 17.0 17.1 17.2 17.3 All About Redistricting, "California," accessed April 21, 2015
- ↑ Cook Political Report, "2025 Cook PVI℠: District Map and List (119th Congress)," accessed July 1, 2025
- ↑ Cook Political Report, "The 2022 Cook Partisan Voting Index (Cook PVI℠)," accessed January 10, 2024
- ↑ Daily Kos, "Daily Kos Elections' 2020 presidential results by congressional district, for new and old districts," accessed September 15, 2022
- ↑ Cook Political Report, "The 2022 Cook Partisan Voting Index (Cook PVI℠)," accessed February 6, 2023
- ↑ Daily Kos, "Daily Kos Elections' 2020 presidential results by congressional district, for new and old districts," accessed September 15, 2022
- ↑ Cook Political Report, "Introducing the 2017 Cook Political Report Partisan Voter Index," April 7, 2017
- ↑ FiveThirtyEight, "Election Update: The Most (And Least) Elastic States And Districts," September 6, 2018
