California's 42nd Congressional District
California's 42nd Congressional District in the United States House of Representatives is represented by Robert Garcia (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 42nd Congressional District election, 2024
California's 42nd Congressional District election, 2024 (March 5 top-two primary)
General election
General election for U.S. House California District 42
Incumbent Robert Garcia defeated John Briscoe in the general election for U.S. House California District 42 on November 5, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Robert Garcia (D) | 68.1 | 159,153 |
 | John Briscoe (R) | 31.9 | 74,410 | |
| Total votes: 233,563 | |||
 = 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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Nonpartisan primary election
Nonpartisan primary for U.S. House California District 42
Incumbent Robert Garcia and John Briscoe defeated Nicole López and Joaquín Beltrán in the primary for U.S. House California District 42 on March 5, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Robert Garcia (D) | 52.1 | 49,891 |
| ✔ | | John Briscoe (R) | 31.9 | 30,599 |
 | Nicole López (D) | 9.1 | 8,758 | |
 | Joaquín Beltrán (D) | 6.8 | 6,532 | |
| Total votes: 95,780 | |||
| = 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 42
Robert Garcia defeated John Briscoe in the general election for U.S. House California District 42 on November 8, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Robert Garcia (D) | 68.4 | 99,217 |
| John Briscoe (R) | 31.6 | 45,903 | |
| Total votes: 145,120 | |||
| = 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 42
The following candidates ran in the primary for U.S. House California District 42 on June 7, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Robert Garcia (D) | 46.7 | 43,406 |
| ✔ | | John Briscoe (R) | 26.1 | 24,319 |
 | Cristina Garcia (D) | 12.6 | 11,685 | |
 | Peter Mathews (D) | 3.7 | 3,415 | |
| Nicole López (D) | 3.4 | 3,164 | |
 | Julio Cesar Flores (G) | 2.7 | 2,491 | |
 | William Summerville (D) | 2.5 | 2,301 | |
| Joaquín Beltrán (D) | 2.4 | 2,254 | |
| Total votes: 93,035 | |||
| = 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
- Angel Rios (Independent)
- Saul Castillo (D)
2020
General election
General election for U.S. House California District 42
Incumbent Ken Calvert defeated William O'Mara in the general election for U.S. House California District 42 on November 3, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Ken Calvert (R) | 57.1 | 210,274 |
 | William O'Mara (D) | 42.9 | 157,773 | |
| Total votes: 368,047 | |||
| = 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 42
Incumbent Ken Calvert and William O'Mara defeated Regina Marston in the primary for U.S. House California District 42 on March 3, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Ken Calvert (R) | 58.2 | 97,781 |
| ✔ | | William O'Mara (D) | 22.9 | 38,506 |
 | Regina Marston (D) | 18.8 | 31,587 | |
| Total votes: 167,874 | |||
| = 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
- David Fritz (R)
- Julia Peacock (D)
2018
General election
General election for U.S. House California District 42
Incumbent Ken Calvert defeated Julia Peacock in the general election for U.S. House California District 42 on November 6, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Ken Calvert (R) | 56.5 | 131,040 |
 | Julia Peacock (D) | 43.5 | 100,892 | |
| Total votes: 231,932 | |||
| = 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 42
Incumbent Ken Calvert and Julia Peacock defeated Norman Quintero and Matt Woody in the primary for U.S. House California District 42 on June 5, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Ken Calvert (R) | 60.8 | 70,289 |
| ✔ | | Julia Peacock (D) | 26.1 | 30,237 |
 | Norman Quintero (D) | 8.2 | 9,540 | |
| Matt Woody (Independent) | 4.8 | 5,587 | ||
| Total votes: 115,653 | |||
| = 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
- Floyd Harvey (R)
2016
Heading into the election, Ballotpedia rated this race as safely Republican. Incumbent Ken Calvert (R) defeated Tim Sheridan (D) in the general election on November 8, 2016. Calvert and Sheridan defeated Kerri Condley (Independent) in the top-two primary on June 7, 2016.[1][2]
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican |  Ken Calvert Incumbent |
58.8% | 149,547 | |
| Democratic | Tim Sheridan | 41.2% | 104,689 | |
| Total Votes | 254,236 | |||
| Source: California Secretary of State | ||||
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican |
Ken Calvert Incumbent |
54.9% | 66,418 | |
| Democratic | Tim Sheridan |
37.5% | 45,389 | |
| Independent | Kerri Condley | 7.5% | 9,076 | |
| Total Votes | 120,883 | |||
| Source: California Secretary of State |
||||
2014
The 42nd Congressional District of California held an election for the U.S. House of Representatives on November 4, 2014. Incumbent Ken Calvert (R) defeated Tim Sheridan (D) in the general election.
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Ken Calvert Incumbent |
65.7% | 74,540 | |
| Democratic | Tim Sheridan | 34.3% | 38,850 | |
| Total Votes | 113,390 | |||
| Source: California Secretary of State | ||||
2012
The 42nd Congressional District of California held an election for the U.S. House of Representatives on November 6, 2012. District 44 incumbent Ken Calvert won election in the district.[3]
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Ken Calvert Incumbent |
60.6% | 130,245 | |
| Democratic | Michael Williamson | 39.4% | 84,702 | |
| Total Votes | 214,947 | |||
| Source: California Secretary of State "Official Election Results, 2012 General Election" | ||||
2010
On November 2, 2010, Gary Miller won re-election to the United States House. He defeated Michael Williamson (D) and Mark Lambert (L) in the general election.[4]
| U.S. House, California District 42 General Election, 2010 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Republican | Gary Miller incumbent |
62.2% | 127,161 | |
| Democratic | Michael Williamson | 31.9% | 65,122 | |
| Libertarian | Mark Lambert | 5.9% | 12,115 | |
| Total Votes | 204,398 | |||
2008
On November 4, 2008, Gary Miller won re-election to the United States House. He defeated Edwin Chau (D) in the general election.[5]
| U.S. House, California District 42 General Election, 2008 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Republican | Gary Miller incumbent |
60.2% | 158,404 | |
| Democratic | Edwin Chau | 39.8% | 104,909 | |
| Total Votes | 263,313 | |||
2006
On November 7, 2006, Gary Miller won re-election to the United States House. He ran unopposed in the general election.[6]
| U.S. House, California District 42 General Election, 2006 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Republican | Gary Miller incumbent |
100% | 129,720 | |
| Total Votes | 129,720 | |||
2004
On November 2, 2004, Gary Miller won re-election to the United States House. He defeated Lewis Myers (D) in the general election.[7]
| U.S. House, California District 42 General Election, 2004 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Republican | Gary Miller incumbent |
68.1% | 167,632 | |
| Democratic | Lewis Myers | 31.9% | 78,393 | |
| Total Votes | 246,025 | |||
2002
On November 5, 2002, Gary Miller won re-election to the United States House. He defeated Richard Waldron (D) and Donald Yee (L) in the general election.[8]
| U.S. House, California District 42 General Election, 2002 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Republican | Gary Miller incumbent |
67.8% | 98,476 | |
| Democratic | Richard Waldron | 29% | 42,090 | |
| Libertarian | Donald Yee | 3.2% | 4,680 | |
| Total Votes | 145,246 | |||
2000
On November 7, 2000, Joe Baca won re-election to the United States House. He defeated Elia Pirozzi (R), John Ballard (L) and Gwyn Hartley (Natural Law) in the general election.[9]
| U.S. House, California District 42 General Election, 2000 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Democratic | Joe Baca incumbent |
59.8% | 90,585 | |
| Republican | Elia Pirozzi | 35.1% | 53,239 | |
| Libertarian | John Ballard | 2.7% | 4,059 | |
| Natural Law | Gwyn Hartley | 2.4% | 3,694 | |
| Total Votes | 151,577 | |||
1998
On November 3, 1998, George Brown, Jr. won re-election to the United States House. He defeated Elia Pirozzi (R), Hale McGee (American Independent) and David Lynn Hollist (L) in the general election.[10]
| U.S. House, California District 42 General Election, 1998 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Democratic | George Brown, Jr. incumbent |
55.3% | 62,207 | |
| Republican | Elia Pirozzi | 40.3% | 45,328 | |
| American Independent | Hale McGee | 2.7% | 3,086 | |
| Libertarian | David Lynn Hollist | 1.7% | 1,899 | |
| Total Votes | 112,520 | |||
1996
On November 5, 1996, George Brown, Jr. won re-election to the United States House. He defeated Linda Wilde (R) in the general election.[11]
| U.S. House, California District 42 General Election, 1996 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Democratic | George Brown, Jr. incumbent |
50.5% | 52,166 | |
| Republican | Linda Wilde | 49.5% | 51,170 | |
| Total Votes | 103,336 | |||
1994
On November 8, 1994, George Brown, Jr. won re-election to the United States House. He defeated Rob Guzman (R) in the general election.[12]
| U.S. House, California District 42 General Election, 1994 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Democratic | George Brown, Jr. incumbent |
51.1% | 58,888 | |
| Republican | Rob Guzman | 48.8% | 56,259 | |
| N/A | Write-in | 0.1% | 58 | |
| Total Votes | 115,205 | |||
1992
On November 3, 1992, George Brown, Jr. won re-election to the United States House. He defeated Dick Rutan (R) and Fritz Ward (L) in the general election.[13]
| U.S. House, California District 42 General Election, 1992 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Democratic | George Brown, Jr. incumbent |
50.7% | 79,780 | |
| Republican | Dick Rutan | 44% | 69,251 | |
| Libertarian | Fritz Ward | 5.4% | 8,424 | |
| Total Votes | 157,455 | |||
1990
On November 6, 1990, Dana Rohrabacher won re-election to the United States House. He defeated Guy Kimbrough (D) and Richard Gibb Martin (L) in the general election.[14]
| U.S. House, California District 42 General Election, 1990 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Republican | Dana Rohrabacher incumbent |
59.3% | 109,353 | |
| Democratic | Guy Kimbrough | 36.5% | 67,189 | |
| Libertarian | Richard Gibb Martin | 4.2% | 7,744 | |
| Total Votes | 184,286 | |||
1988
On November 8, 1988, Dana Rohrabacher won election to the United States House. He defeated Guy Kimbrough (D) and Richard Rose (Peace and Freedom) in the general election.[15]
| U.S. House, California District 42 General Election, 1988 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Republican | Dana Rohrabacher |
64.2% | 153,280 | |
| Democratic | Guy Kimbrough | 33% | 78,778 | |
| Peace and Freedom | Richard Rose | 2.8% | 6,563 | |
| Total Votes | 238,621 | |||
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.[16][17] 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.[18]
Commissioners must meet the following requirements in order to serve:[18]
- 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.[18]
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.[18]
California District 42
until January 2, 2023
Click a district to compare boundaries.
California District 42
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+18. This meant that in those two presidential elections, this district's results were 18 percentage points more Democratic than the national average. This made California's 42nd the 68th most Democratic district nationally.[19]
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+22. This meant that in those two presidential elections, this district's results were 22 percentage points more Democratic than the national average. This made California's 42nd the 53rd most Democratic district nationally.[20]
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) 71.7%-25.9%.[21]
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+22. This meant that in those two presidential elections, this district's results were 22 percentage points more Democratic than the national average. This made California's 42nd the 54th most Democratic district nationally.[22]
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 71.7% of the vote in this district and Donald Trump (R) would have received 25.9%.[23]
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 R+9. This meant that in those two presidential elections, this district's results were 9 percentage points more Republican than the national average. This made California's 42nd Congressional District the 156th most Republican nationally.[24]
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 1.04. This means that for every 1 point the national political mood moved toward a party, the district was expected to move 1.04 points toward that party.[25]
See also
- Redistricting in California
- California's 42nd Congressional District election, 2024
- California's 42nd Congressional District election, 2022
- California's 42nd Congressional District election, 2020
- California's 42nd 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
- ↑ U.S. Congress House Clerk, "Statistics of the Congressional Election of November 8, 1988," 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
- ↑ 18.0 18.1 18.2 18.3 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
