California's 21st Congressional District

California's 21st Congressional District

Incumbent

Jim Costa

Assumed office: January 3, 2023

California's 21st Congressional District in the United States House of Representatives is represented by Jim Costa (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 21st Congressional District election, 2024

California's 21st Congressional District election, 2024 (March 5 top-two primary)

General election

General election for U.S. House California District 21

Incumbent Jim Costa defeated Michael Maher in the general election for U.S. House California District 21 on November 5, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Jim Costa (D)	52.6	102,798
		Michael Maher (R)	47.4	92,733

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 195,531
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Nonpartisan primary election

Nonpartisan primary for U.S. House California District 21

Incumbent Jim Costa and Michael Maher advanced from the primary for U.S. House California District 21 on March 5, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Jim Costa (D)	53.0	42,697
✔		Michael Maher (R)	47.0	37,935

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 80,632
= 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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2022

See also: California's 21st Congressional District election, 2022

General election

General election for U.S. House California District 21

Incumbent Jim Costa defeated Michael Maher in the general election for U.S. House California District 21 on November 8, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Jim Costa (D)	54.2	68,074
		Michael Maher (R)	45.8	57,573

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 125,647
= 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 21

Incumbent Jim Costa and Michael Maher defeated Matt Stoll and Eric Garcia in the primary for U.S. House California District 21 on June 7, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Jim Costa (D)	47.0	33,850
✔		Michael Maher (R)	26.4	19,040
		Matt Stoll (R)	16.6	11,931
		Eric Garcia (D)	10.0	7,239

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 72,060
= 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

• Bryan Osorio (D)
• Angel Lara (D)
• Nicole Parra (D)
• Martha Flores-Gibson (R)

2020

See also: California's 21st Congressional District election, 2020

General election

General election for U.S. House California District 21

David G. Valadao defeated incumbent TJ Cox in the general election for U.S. House California District 21 on November 3, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		David G. Valadao (R)	50.4	85,928
		TJ Cox (D)	49.6	84,406

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 170,334
= 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 21

David G. Valadao and incumbent TJ Cox defeated Ricardo De La Fuente and Roque De La Fuente in the primary for U.S. House California District 21 on March 3, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		David G. Valadao (R)	49.7	39,488
✔		TJ Cox (D)	38.7	30,697
		Ricardo De La Fuente (D)	9.2	7,309
		Roque De La Fuente (R)	2.4	1,912

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 79,406
= 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

• Ruben Macareno (D)

2018

See also: California's 21st Congressional District election, 2018

General election

General election for U.S. House California District 21

TJ Cox defeated incumbent David G. Valadao in the general election for U.S. House California District 21 on November 6, 2018.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		TJ Cox (D)	50.4	57,239
		David G. Valadao (R)	49.6	56,377

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 113,616
= 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 21

Incumbent David G. Valadao and TJ Cox advanced from the primary for U.S. House California District 21 on June 5, 2018.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		David G. Valadao (R)	62.8	34,290
✔		TJ Cox (D)	37.2	20,293

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified.	Total votes: 54,583
= 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

• Emilio Huerta (D)

2016

See also: California's 21st Congressional District election, 2016

Heading into the election, Ballotpedia rated this race as safely Republican. Incumbent David Valadao (R) defeated Emilio Huerta (D) in the general election on November 8, 2016. Valadao and Huerta defeated Daniel Parra (D) in the top-two primary on June 7, 2016.

U.S. House, California District 21 General Election, 2016

Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Republican	David Valadao Incumbent	56.7%	75,126
	Democratic	Emilio Huerta	43.3%	57,282
Total Votes				132,408
Source: California Secretary of State

U.S. House, California District 21 Primary, 2016

Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Republican	David Valadao Incumbent	54%	37,367
	Democratic	Emilio Huerta	24.2%	16,743
	Democratic	Daniel Parra	21.8%	15,056
Total Votes				69,166
Source: California Secretary of State

2014

See also: California's 21st Congressional District elections, 2014

California's 21st Congressional District was a battleground district in 2014 due to it being a Democratic leaning district held by a Republican incumbent. Incumbent David Valadao (R) and Amanda Renteria (D) triumphed in the blanket primary over John Hernandez (D). Valadao successfully defended his seat, defeating Renteria in the general election on November 4, 2014.

U.S. House, California District 21 General Election, 2014

Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Republican	David Valadao Incumbent	57.8%	45,907
	Democratic	Amanda Renteria	42.2%	33,470
Total Votes				79,377
Source: California Secretary of State

2012

See also: California's 21st Congressional District elections, 2012

According to a Cook Political Report analysis, the 21st District was one of 13 congressional districts in California that was at least somewhat competitive in 2012. The analysis rated it as Leans Republican. Republican David Valadao won the election in the district.

U.S. House, California District 21 General Election, 2012

Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Republican	David G. Valadao	57.8%	67,164
	Democratic	John Hernandez	42.2%	49,119
Total Votes				116,283
Source: California Secretary of State "Official Election Results, 2012 General Election"

2010
On November 2, 2010, Devin Nunes won re-election to the United States House. He ran unopposed in the general election.

U.S. House, California District 21 General Election, 2010
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Republican	Devin Nunes incumbent	100%	135,979
Total Votes				135,979

2008
On November 4, 2008, Devin Nunes won re-election to the United States House. He defeated Larry Johnson (D) in the general election.

U.S. House, California District 21 General Election, 2008
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Republican	Devin Nunes incumbent	68.4%	143,498
	Democratic	Larry Johnson	31.6%	66,317
Total Votes				209,815

2006
On November 7, 2006, Devin Nunes won re-election to the United States House. He defeated Steven Haze (D) and John Roger Miller (G) in the general election.

U.S. House, California District 21 General Election, 2006
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Republican	Devin Nunes incumbent	66.7%	95,214
	Democratic	Steven Haze	29.9%	42,718
	Green	John Roger Miller	3.3%	4,729
Total Votes				142,661

2004
On November 2, 2004, Devin Nunes won re-election to the United States House. He defeated Fred Davis (D) in the general election.

U.S. House, California District 21 General Election, 2004
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Republican	Devin Nunes incumbent	73.2%	140,721
	Democratic	Fred Davis	26.8%	51,594
Total Votes				192,315

2002
On November 5, 2002, Devin Nunes won election to the United States House. He defeated David LaPere (D) and Jonathan Richter (L) in the general election.

U.S. House, California District 21 General Election, 2002
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Republican	Devin Nunes	70.5%	87,544
	Democratic	David LaPere	26.2%	32,584
	Libertarian	Jonathan Richter	3.3%	4,070
Total Votes				124,198

2000
On November 7, 2000, William Thomas won re-election to the United States House. He defeated Pedro Martinez, Jr. (D) and James Manion (L) in the general election.

U.S. House, California District 21 General Election, 2000
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Republican	William Thomas incumbent	71.6%	142,539
	Democratic	Pedro Martinez, Jr.	24.8%	49,318
	Libertarian	James Manion	3.6%	7,243
Total Votes				199,100

1998
On November 3, 1998, William Thomas won re-election to the United States House. He defeated John Evans (Reform) in the general election.

U.S. House, California District 21 General Election, 1998
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Republican	William Thomas incumbent	78.9%	115,989
	Reform	John Evans	21.1%	30,994
Total Votes				146,983

1996
On November 5, 1996, William Thomas won re-election to the United States House. He defeated Deborah Vollmer (D), John Evans (Reform), Jane Bialosky (Natural Law) and Mike Hodges (L) in the general election.

U.S. House, California District 21 General Election, 1996
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Republican	William Thomas incumbent	65.9%	125,916
	Democratic	Deborah Vollmer	26.5%	50,694
	Reform	John Evans	4.2%	8,113
	Natural Law	Jane Bialosky	1.8%	3,380
	Libertarian	Mike Hodges	1.6%	3,049
Total Votes				191,152

1994
On November 8, 1994, William Thomas won re-election to the United States House. He defeated John Evans (D) and Mike Hodges (L) in the general election.

U.S. House, California District 21 General Election, 1994
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Republican	William Thomas incumbent	68.1%	116,874
	Democratic	John Evans	27.7%	47,517
	Libertarian	Mike Hodges	4%	6,899
	N/A	Write-in	0.2%	339
Total Votes				171,629

1992
On November 3, 1992, William Thomas won re-election to the United States House. He defeated Deborah Vollmer (D) in the general election.

U.S. House, California District 21 General Election, 1992
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Republican	William Thomas incumbent	65.2%	127,758
	Democratic	Deborah Vollmer	34.7%	68,058
	N/A	Write-in	0.1%	149
Total Votes				195,965

1990
On November 6, 1990, Elton Gallegly won re-election to the United States House. He defeated Richard Freiman (D) and Peggy Christensen (L) in the general election.

U.S. House, California District 21 General Election, 1990
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Republican	Elton Gallegly incumbent	58.4%	118,326
	Democratic	Richard Freiman	34%	68,921
	Libertarian	Peggy Christensen	7.6%	15,364
Total Votes				202,611

Redistricting

2020-2021

See also: Redistricting in California 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.

California District 21
until January 2, 2023

Click a district to compare boundaries.

California District 21
starting January 3, 2023

Click a district to compare boundaries.

2010-2011

This is the 21st 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+4. This meant that in those two presidential elections, this district's results were 4 percentage points more Democratic than the national average. This made California's 21st the 173rd 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+9. This meant that in those two presidential elections, this district's results were 9 percentage points more Democratic than the national average. This made California's 21st the 134th 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) 59.1%-38.8%.

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+9. This meant that in those two presidential elections, this district's results were 9 percentage points more Democratic than the national average. This made California's 21st the 134th 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 59.1% of the vote in this district and Donald Trump (R) would have received 38.8%.

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 D+5. This meant that in those two presidential elections, this district's results were 5 percentage points more Democratic than the national average. This made California's 21st Congressional District the 168th 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 0.93. This means that for every 1 point the national political mood moved toward a party, the district was expected to move 0.93 points toward that party.

See also

• Redistricting in California
• California's 21st Congressional District election, 2024
• California's 21st Congressional District election, 2022
• California's 21st Congressional District election, 2020
• California's 21st Congressional District election, 2018

External links

• GovTrack District 21

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)