California's 39th Congressional District

The boundaries of this district will change as a result of California Proposition 50, which voters approved on November 5, 2025. Click here to read more about the mid-decade redistricting effort in California and other states.

California's 39th Congressional District

Incumbent

Mark Takano

Assumed office: January 3, 2023

California's 39th Congressional District in the United States House of Representatives is represented by Mark Takano (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

• 2030
• 2028
• 2026
• 2024
• 2022
• 2020
• 2018

See also: California's 39th Congressional District election, 2030

There are no official candidates yet for this election.

See also: United States House of Representatives elections in California, 2028

There are no official candidates yet for this election.

See also: California's 39th Congressional District election, 2026

Note: At this time, Ballotpedia is combining all declared candidates for this election into one list under a general election heading. As primary election dates are published, this information will be updated to separate general election candidates from primary candidates as appropriate.

General election

The general election will occur on November 3, 2026.

General election for U.S. House California District 39

Incumbent Mark Takano (D) is running in the general election for U.S. House California District 39 on November 3, 2026.

		Candidate
		Mark Takano (D)

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined.
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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See also: California's 39th Congressional District election, 2024

General election

General election for U.S. House California District 39

Incumbent Mark Takano (D) defeated David Serpa (R) in the general election for U.S. House California District 39 on November 5, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Mark Takano (D)	56.7	130,191
		David Serpa (R)	43.3	99,469

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 229,660
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Nonpartisan primary

Nonpartisan primary election for U.S. House California District 39

Incumbent Mark Takano (D) and David Serpa (R) advanced from the primary for U.S. House California District 39 on March 5, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Mark Takano (D)	55.5	48,351
✔		David Serpa (R)	44.5	38,750

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 87,101
= 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.
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• Gene Corey (R)

See also: California's 39th Congressional District election, 2022

General election

General election for U.S. House California District 39

Incumbent Mark Takano (D) defeated Aja Smith (R) in the general election for U.S. House California District 39 on November 8, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Mark Takano (D)	57.7	75,896
		Aja Smith (R)	42.3	55,701

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 131,597
= 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

Nonpartisan primary election for U.S. House California District 39

The following candidates ran in the primary for U.S. House California District 39 on June 7, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Mark Takano (D)	57.1	44,067
✔		Aja Smith (R)	12.6	9,751
		Bill Spinney (R)	9.6	7,421
		Tony Moreno (R)	7.2	5,527
		Art Peterson (R)	6.6	5,081
		John Minnella (R)	4.7	3,662
		Emmanuel Suarez (R)	2.1	1,600

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 77,109
= 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.
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• Oray Auzenne (D)

See also: California's 39th Congressional District election, 2020

General election

General election for U.S. House California District 39

Young Kim (R) defeated incumbent Gil Cisneros (D) in the general election for U.S. House California District 39 on November 3, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Young Kim (R)	50.6	173,946
		Gil Cisneros (D)	49.4	169,837

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 343,783
= 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

Nonpartisan primary election for U.S. House California District 39

Young Kim (R) and incumbent Gil Cisneros (D) defeated Steve Cox (Independent) in the primary for U.S. House California District 39 on March 3, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Young Kim (R)	48.3	83,941
✔		Gil Cisneros (D)	46.9	81,402
		Steve Cox (Independent)	4.8	8,286

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 173,629
= 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

• Jay Chen (D)

See also: United States House of Representatives elections in California, 2018

General election

General election for U.S. House California District 39

Gil Cisneros (D) defeated Young Kim (R) in the general election for U.S. House California District 39 on November 6, 2018.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Gil Cisneros (D)	51.6	126,002
		Young Kim (R)	48.4	118,391

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 244,3930
= 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

Nonpartisan primary election for U.S. House California District 39

The following candidates ran in the primary for U.S. House California District 39 on June 5, 2018.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Young Kim (R)	21.2	30,019
✔		Gil Cisneros (D)	19.4	27,469
		Phil Liberatore (R)	14.3	20,257
		Andy Thorburn (D)	9.2	12,990
		Shawn Nelson (R)	6.9	9,750
		Bob Huff (R)	6.2	8,699
		Sam Jammal (D)	5.4	7,613
		Mai Khanh Tran (D)	5.3	7,430
		Herbert Lee (D)	4.2	5,988
		Steve Vargas (R)	2.9	4,144
	Submit photo	Suzi Park Leggett (D)	1.5	2,058
		John Cullum (R)	1.2	1,747
	Submit photo	Karen Lee Schatzle (Independent)	0.6	903
		Steve Cox (Independent)	0.6	856
		Andrew Sarega (R)	0.6	823
		Sophia Alexander (Independent)	0.4	523
		Ted Alemayhu (Independent American Party)	0.1	176

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified.	Total votes: 141,445
= 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

• Jay Chen (D)
• Phil Janowicz (D)
• Ted Rusk (D)
• Cybil Steed (D)
• Julio Castañeda (Independent)

Previous election results

2016

See also: California's 39th Congressional District election, 2016

Heading into the election, Ballotpedia rated this race as safely Republican. Incumbent Edward Royce (R) defeated Brett Murdock (D) in the general election on November 8, 2016. Both candidates advanced past the top-two primary on June 7, 2016, by default.

U.S. House, California District 39 General Election, 2016

Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Republican	Edward Royce Incumbent	57.2%	150,777
	Democratic	Brett Murdock	42.8%	112,679
Total Votes				263,456
Source: California Secretary of State

U.S. House, California District 39 General Primary, 2016

Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Republican	Edward Royce Incumbent	60.5%	85,035
	Democratic	Brett Murdock	39.5%	55,520
Total Votes				140,555
Source: California Secretary of State

2014

See also: California's 39th Congressional District elections, 2014

The 39th Congressional District of California held an election for the U.S. House of Representatives on November 4, 2014. Incumbent Edward Royce (R) defeated Peter Anderson (R) in the general election.

U.S. House, California District 39 General Election, 2014

Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Republican	Edward Royce Incumbent	68.5%	91,319
	Democratic	Peter Anderson	31.5%	41,906
Total Votes				133,225
Source: California Secretary of State

2012

See also: California's 39th Congressional District elections, 2012

The 39th Congressional District of California held an election for the U.S. House of Representatives on November 6, 2012. District 40 incumbent Edward Royce won election in the district.

U.S. House, California District 39 General Election, 2012

Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Republican	Ed Royce Incumbent	57.8%	145,607
	Democratic	Jay Chen	42.2%	106,360
Total Votes				251,967
Source: California Secretary of State "Official Election Results, 2012 General Election"

2010
On November 2, 2010, Linda Sanchez won re-election to the United States House. She defeated Larry Andre (R) and John Smith (American Independent) in the general election.

U.S. House, California District 39 General Election, 2010
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	Linda Sanchez incumbent	63.3%	81,590
	Republican	Larry Andre	32.6%	42,037
	American Independent	John Smith	4.1%	5,334
Total Votes				128,961

2008
On November 4, 2008, Linda Sanchez won re-election to the United States House. She defeated Diane Lenning (R) in the general election.

U.S. House, California District 39 General Election, 2008
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	Linda Sanchez incumbent	69.7%	125,289
	Republican	Diane Lenning	30.3%	54,533
Total Votes				179,822

2006
On November 7, 2006, Linda Sanchez won re-election to the United States House. She defeated James Andion (R) in the general election.

U.S. House, California District 39 General Election, 2006
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	Linda Sanchez incumbent	65.9%	72,149
	Republican	James Andion	34.1%	37,384
Total Votes				109,533

2004
On November 2, 2004, Linda Sanchez won re-election to the United States House. She defeated Tim Escobar (R) in the general election.

U.S. House, California District 39 General Election, 2004
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	Linda Sanchez incumbent	60.7%	100,132
	Republican	Tim Escobar	39.3%	64,832
Total Votes				164,964

2002
On November 5, 2002, Linda Sanchez won election to the United States House. She defeated Tim Escobar (R) and Richard Newhouse (L) in the general election.

U.S. House, California District 39 General Election, 2002
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	Linda Sanchez	54.8%	52,256
	Republican	Tim Escobar	40.8%	38,925
	Libertarian	Richard Newhouse	4.4%	4,165
Total Votes				95,346

2000
On November 7, 2000, Edward Royce won re-election to the United States House. He defeated Gill Kanel (D), Ron Jevning (Natural Law) and Keith Gann (L) in the general election.

U.S. House, California District 39 General Election, 2000
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Republican	Edward Royce incumbent	62.9%	129,294
	Democratic	Gill Kanel	31.3%	64,398
	Green	Ron Jevning	3.2%	6,597
	Libertarian	Keith Gann	2.6%	5,275
Total Votes				205,564

1998
On November 3, 1998, Edward Royce won re-election to the United States House. He defeated Cecy Groom (D), Jack Dean (L) and Ron Jevning (Natural Law) in the general election.

U.S. House, California District 39 General Election, 1998
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Republican	Edward Royce incumbent	62.6%	97,366
	Democratic	Cecy Groom	34%	52,815
	Libertarian	Jack Dean	2.2%	3,347
	Natural Law	Ron Jevning	1.2%	1,937
Total Votes				155,465

1996
On November 5, 1996, Edward Royce won re-election to the United States House. He defeated Bob Davis (D) and Jack Dean (L) in the general election.

U.S. House, California District 39 General Election, 1996
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Republican	Edward Royce incumbent	62.8%	120,761
	Democratic	Bob Davis	31.9%	61,392
	Libertarian	Jack Dean	5.3%	10,137
Total Votes				192,290

1994
On November 8, 1994, Edward Royce won re-election to the United States House. He defeated Bob Davis (D) and Jack Dean (L) in the general election.

U.S. House, California District 39 General Election, 1994
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Republican	Edward Royce incumbent	66.4%	113,641
	Democratic	Bob Davis	29%	49,696
	Libertarian	Jack Dean	4.6%	7,907
Total Votes				171,244

1992
On November 3, 1992, Edward Royce won election to the United States House. He defeated Molly McClanahan (D) and Jack Dean (L) in the general election.

U.S. House, California District 39 General Election, 1992
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Republican	Edward Royce	57.3%	122,472
	Democratic	Molly McClanahan	38.2%	81,728
	Libertarian	Jack Dean	4.4%	9,484
Total Votes				213,684

1990
On November 6, 1990, William Dannemeyer won re-election to the United States House. He defeated Francis Hoffman (D) and Maxine Quirk (P&F) in the general election.

U.S. House, California District 39 General Election, 1990
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Republican	William Dannemeyer incumbent	65.3%	113,849
	Democratic	Francis Hoffman	30.8%	53,670
	Peace and Freedom	Maxine Quirk	3.9%	6,709
Total Votes				174,228

District map

Redistricting

2025-2026

See also: Redistricting in California ahead of the 2026 elections

After Texas Republicans launched their congressional redistricting effort, California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) tweeted on July 15, 2025, "two can play that game." In August 2025, California began taking official action toward congressional redistricting ahead of the 2026 elections. Redistricting in California required the passage of a constitutional amendment in a November special election to permit the adoption of a replacement map through 2030. On August 21, 2025, the California Legislature passed a redistricting plan setting a special election for a constitutional amendment to redraw the state's congressional district boundaries. Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) signed the two bills and scheduled a Nov. 4, 2025, special election. Voters approved the proposition by a 65%-35% vote, allowing the map that would make five districts more favorable to Democrats to take effect.

2020-2021

See also: Redistricting in California after the 2020 census

After the 2020 census, 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. 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.

Commissioners must meet the following requirements in order to serve:

1. Members must have voted in at least two of the last three statewide elections.
2. Members cannot have switched party affiliation for at least five years.
3. "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."
4. 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.

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.

2020

2024

2010-2011

This is the 39th Congressional District of California after the 2001 redistricting process.

See also: Redistricting in California after the 2010 census

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+7. This meant that in those two presidential elections, this district's results were 7 percentage points more Democratic than the national average. This made California's 39th the 147th most Democratic district nationally.

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+12. This meant that in those two presidential elections, this district's results were 12 percentage points more Democratic than the national average. This made California's 39th the 117th most Democratic district nationally.

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) 62.0%-35.8%.

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+12. This meant that in those two presidential elections, this district's results were 12 percentage points more Democratic than the national average. This made California's 39th the 116th most Democratic district nationally.

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 62.0% of the vote in this district and Donald Trump (R) would have received 35.8%.

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 EVEN. This meant that in those two presidential elections, this district's results were within 1 percentage point of the national average. This made California's 39th Congressional District the 200th most Democratic nationally.

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 0.95. This means that for every 1 point the national political mood moved toward a party, the district was expected to move 0.95 points toward that party.

See also

• Redistricting in California
• California's 39th Congressional District election, 2024
• California's 39th Congressional District election, 2022
• California's 39th Congressional District election, 2020
• California's 39th Congressional District election, 2018

External links

• GovTrack District 39

Footnotes

[show]

California's current delegation to the United States Congress

Senators

Alex Padilla (D)

Adam Schiff (D)

Representatives

District 1

Doug LaMalfa (R)

District 2

Jared Huffman (D)

District 3

Kevin Kiley (R)

District 4

Mike Thompson (D)

District 5

Tom McClintock (R)

District 6

Ami Bera (D)

District 7

Doris Matsui (D)

District 8

John Garamendi (D)

District 9

Josh Harder (D)

District 10

Mark DeSaulnier (D)

District 11

Nancy Pelosi (D)

District 12

Lateefah Simon (D)

District 13

Adam Gray (D)

District 14

Eric Swalwell (D)

District 15

Kevin Mullin (D)

District 16

Sam Liccardo (D)

District 17

Ro Khanna (D)

District 18

Zoe Lofgren (D)

District 19

Jimmy Panetta (D)

District 20

Vince Fong (R)

District 21

Jim Costa (D)

District 22

David Valadao (R)

District 23

Jay Obernolte (R)

District 24

Salud Carbajal (D)

District 25

Raul Ruiz (D)

District 26

Julia Brownley (D)

District 27

George Whitesides (D)

District 28

Judy Chu (D)

District 29

Luz Rivas (D)

District 30

Laura Friedman (D)

District 31

Gil Cisneros (D)

District 32

Brad Sherman (D)

District 33

Pete Aguilar (D)

District 34

Jimmy Gomez (D)

District 35

Norma Torres (D)

District 36

Ted Lieu (D)

District 37

Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D)

District 38

Linda Sánchez (D)

District 39

Mark Takano (D)

District 40

Young Kim (R)

District 41

Ken Calvert (R)

District 42

Robert Garcia (D)

District 43

Maxine Waters (D)

District 44

Nanette Barragán (D)

District 45

Derek Tran (D)

District 46

Lou Correa (D)

District 47

Dave Min (D)

District 48

Darrell Issa (R)

District 49

Mike Levin (D)

District 50

Scott Peters (D)

District 51

Sara Jacobs (D)

District 52

Juan Vargas (D)

Democratic Party (45)

Republican Party (9)