California's 26th Congressional District
California's 26th Congressional District in the United States House of Representatives is represented by Julia Brownley (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 26th Congressional District election, 2024
California's 26th Congressional District election, 2024 (March 5 top-two primary)
General election
General election for U.S. House California District 26
Incumbent Julia Brownley defeated Michael Koslow in the general election for U.S. House California District 26 on November 5, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Julia Brownley (D) | 56.1 | 187,393 |
 | Michael Koslow (R)  | 43.9 | 146,913 | |
| Total votes: 334,306 | |||
| = 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 26
Incumbent Julia Brownley and Michael Koslow defeated Bruce Boyer and Chris Anstead in the primary for U.S. House California District 26 on March 5, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Julia Brownley (D) | 51.4 | 84,997 |
| ✔ | | Michael Koslow (R) | 33.8 | 55,908 |
 | Bruce Boyer (R) | 10.7 | 17,707 | |
 | Chris Anstead (D) | 4.1 | 6,841 | |
| Total votes: 165,453 | |||
| = 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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Joseph Marotta (R)
2022
General election
General election for U.S. House California District 26
Incumbent Julia Brownley defeated Matt Jacobs in the general election for U.S. House California District 26 on November 8, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Julia Brownley (D) | 54.5 | 134,575 |
 | Matt Jacobs (R) | 45.5 | 112,214 | |
| Total votes: 246,789 | |||
| = 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 26
Incumbent Julia Brownley and Matt Jacobs defeated Paul Nathan Taylor, David Goodman, and Fadde Mikhail in the primary for U.S. House California District 26 on June 7, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Julia Brownley (D) | 54.3 | 91,535 |
| ✔ | | Matt Jacobs (R) | 38.4 | 64,835 |
 | Paul Nathan Taylor (R) | 3.3 | 5,612 | |
 | David Goodman (Independent) | 2.3 | 3,950 | |
 | Fadde Mikhail (R) | 1.6 | 2,775 | |
| Total votes: 168,707 | |||
| = 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
- Daniel Wilson (Independent)
- Peter Austin (Independent Party)
2020
General election
General election for U.S. House California District 26
Incumbent Julia Brownley defeated Ronda Kennedy in the general election for U.S. House California District 26 on November 3, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Julia Brownley (D) | 60.6 | 208,856 |
 | Ronda Kennedy (R) | 39.4 | 135,877 | |
| Total votes: 344,733 | |||
| = 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 26
Incumbent Julia Brownley and Ronda Kennedy defeated Robert Salas and Enrique Petris in the primary for U.S. House California District 26 on March 3, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Julia Brownley (D) | 55.8 | 106,141 |
| ✔ | | Ronda Kennedy (R) | 35.6 | 67,579 |
| Robert Salas (D) | 6.7 | 12,717 | ||
 | Enrique Petris (D) | 1.9 | 3,624 | |
| Total votes: 190,061 | |||
| = 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
- Crystal Golden (R)
2018
General election
General election for U.S. House California District 26
Incumbent Julia Brownley defeated Antonio Sabato Jr. in the general election for U.S. House California District 26 on November 6, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Julia Brownley (D) | 61.9 | 158,216 |
 | Antonio Sabato Jr. (R) | 38.1 | 97,210 | |
| Total votes: 255,426 | |||
| = 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 26
Incumbent Julia Brownley and Antonio Sabato Jr. defeated Jeffrey Burum and John Nelson in the primary for U.S. House California District 26 on June 5, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Julia Brownley (D) | 54.1 | 72,764 |
| ✔ | | Antonio Sabato Jr. (R) | 22.4 | 30,107 |
 | Jeffrey Burum (R) | 19.8 | 26,656 | |
| John Nelson (D) | 3.7 | 4,959 | ||
| Total votes: 134,486 | |||
| = 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
- Rafael Dagnesses (R)
- Shane Skelton (R)
2016
Heading into the election, Ballotpedia rated this race as safely Democratic. Incumbent Julia Brownley (D) defeated Rafael Dagnesses (R) in the general election on November 8, 2016. Both candidates advanced past the top-two primary on June 7, 2016, by default.[1][2]
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic |  Julia Brownley Incumbent |
60.4% | 169,248 | |
| Republican | Rafael Dagnesses | 39.6% | 111,059 | |
| Total Votes | 280,307 | |||
| Source: California Secretary of State | ||||
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic |
Julia Brownley Incumbent |
64% | 108,937 | |
| Republican | Rafael Dagnesses |
36% | 61,219 | |
| Total Votes | 170,156 | |||
| Source: California Secretary of State |
||||
2014
The 26th Congressional District of California held an election for the U.S. House of Representatives on November 4, 2014. Incumbent Julia Brownley (D) defeated Jeff Gorell (R) in the general election.
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Julia Brownley Incumbent |
51.3% | 87,176 | |
| Republican | Jeff Gorell | 48.7% | 82,653 | |
| Total Votes | 169,829 | |||
| Source: California Secretary of State | ||||
2012
According to a Cook Political Report analysis, the 26th District was one of 13 congressional districts in California that was competitive in 2012. The analysis rated it as Republican Toss Up.[3] Democrat Julia Brownley won election in the district.[4]
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Julia Brownley |
52.7% | 139,072 | |
| Republican | Tony Strickland | 47.3% | 124,863 | |
| Total Votes | 263,935 | |||
| Source: California Secretary of State "Official Election Results, 2012 General Election" | ||||
2010
On November 2, 2010, David Dreier won re-election to the United States House. He defeated Russ Warner (D), David Miller (American Independent) and Randall Weissbuch (L) in the general election.[5]
| U.S. House, California District 26 General Election, 2010 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Republican | David Dreier incumbent |
54.1% | 112,774 | |
| Democratic | Russ Warner | 36.5% | 76,093 | |
| American Independent | David Miller | 6.1% | 12,784 | |
| Libertarian | Randall Weissbuch | 3.2% | 6,696 | |
| Total Votes | 208,347 | |||
2008
On November 4, 2008, David Dreier won re-election to the United States House. He defeated Russ Warner (D) and Ted Brown (L) in the general election.[6]
| U.S. House, California District 26 General Election, 2008 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Republican | David Dreier incumbent |
52.6% | 140,615 | |
| Democratic | Russ Warner | 40.4% | 108,039 | |
| Libertarian | Ted Brown | 6.9% | 18,476 | |
| Total Votes | 267,130 | |||
2006
On November 7, 2006, David Dreier won re-election to the United States House. He defeated Cynthia Rodriguez Matthews (D), Ted Brown (L) and Elliott Graham (American Independent) in the general election.[7]
| U.S. House, California District 26 General Election, 2006 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Republican | David Dreier incumbent |
57% | 102,028 | |
| Democratic | Cynthia Rodriguez Matthews | 37.9% | 67,878 | |
| Libertarian | Ted Brown | 3.3% | 5,887 | |
| American Independent | Elliott Graham | 1.9% | 3,351 | |
| Total Votes | 179,144 | |||
2004
On November 2, 2004, David Dreier won re-election to the United States House. He defeated Cynthia Matthews (D) and Randall Weissbuch (L) in the general election.[8]
| U.S. House, California District 26 General Election, 2004 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Republican | David Dreier incumbent |
53.6% | 134,596 | |
| Democratic | Cynthia Matthews | 42.8% | 107,522 | |
| Libertarian | Randall Weissbuch | 3.6% | 9,089 | |
| Total Votes | 251,207 | |||
2002
On November 2, 2004, David Dreier won re-election to the United States House. He defeated Marjorie Mikels (D) and Randall Weissbuch (L) in the general election.[9]
| U.S. House, California District 26 General Election, 2004 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Republican | David Dreier incumbent |
63.8% | 95,360 | |
| Democratic | Marjorie Mikels | 33.5% | 50,081 | |
| Libertarian | Randall Weissbuch | 2.7% | 4,089 | |
| Total Votes | 149,530 | |||
2000
On November 7, 2000, Howard Berman won re-election to the United States House. He defeated Bill Farley (L) and David Cossak (Natural Law) in the general election.[10]
| U.S. House, California District 26 General Election, 2000 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Democratic | Howard Berman incumbent |
84.1% | 96,500 | |
| Libertarian | Bill Farley | 11.4% | 13,052 | |
| Natural Law | David Cossak | 4.6% | 5,229 | |
| Total Votes | 114,781 | |||
1998
On November 3, 1998, Howard Berman won re-election to the United States House. He defeated Juan Carlos Ros (L), Maria Armoudian (G) and David Cossak (Natural Law) in the general election.[11]
| U.S. House, California District 26 General Election, 1998 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Democratic | Howard Berman incumbent |
82.5% | 69,000 | |
| Libertarian | Juan Carlos Ros | 7.8% | 6,556 | |
| Green | Maria Armoudian | 5.8% | 4,858 | |
| Natural Law | David Cossak | 3.9% | 3,248 | |
| Total Votes | 83,662 | |||
1996
On November 5, 1996, Howard Berman won re-election to the United States House. He defeated Bill Glass (R), Scott Fritschler (L) and Gary Hearne (Natural Law) in the general election.[12]
| U.S. House, California District 26 General Election, 1996 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Democratic | Howard Berman incumbent |
65.9% | 67,525 | |
| Republican | Bill Glass | 28.6% | 29,332 | |
| Libertarian | Scott Fritschler | 3.5% | 3,539 | |
| Natural Law | Gary Hearne | 2.1% | 2,119 | |
| Total Votes | 102,515 | |||
1994
On November 8, 1994, Howard Berman won re-election to the United States House. He defeated Gary Forsch (R) and Erich Miller (L) in the general election.[13]
| U.S. House, California District 26 General Election, 1994 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Democratic | Howard Berman incumbent |
62.6% | 55,145 | |
| Republican | Gary Forsch | 32.2% | 28,423 | |
| Libertarian | Erich Miller | 5.2% | 4,570 | |
| Total Votes | 88,138 | |||
1992
On November 3, 1992, Howard Berman won re-election to the United States House. He defeated Gary Forsch (R), Margery Hinds (P&F) and Bernard Zimring (L) in the general election.[14]
| U.S. House, California District 26 General Election, 1992 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Democratic | Howard Berman incumbent |
61% | 73,807 | |
| Republican | Gary Forsch | 30.1% | 36,453 | |
| Peace and Freedom | Margery Hinds | 5.9% | 7,180 | |
| Libertarian | Bernard Zimring | 2.9% | 3,468 | |
| Total Votes | 120,908 | |||
1990
On November 6, 1990, Howard Berman won re-election to the United States House. He defeated Roy Dahlson (R) and Bernard Zimring (L) in the general election.[15]
| U.S. House, California District 26 General Election, 1990 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Democratic | Howard Berman incumbent |
61.1% | 78,031 | |
| Republican | Roy Dahlson | 34.8% | 44,492 | |
| Libertarian | Bernard Zimring | 4.1% | 5,268 | |
| Total Votes | 127,791 | |||
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 26
until January 2, 2023
Click a district to compare boundaries.
California District 26
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+8. This meant that in those two presidential elections, this district's results were 8 percentage points more Democratic than the national average. This made California's 26th the 144th 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+8. This meant that in those two presidential elections, this district's results were 8 percentage points more Democratic than the national average. This made California's 26th the 143rd 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) 58.9%-39.0%.[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+8. This meant that in those two presidential elections, this district's results were 8 percentage points more Democratic than the national average. This made California's 26th the 141st 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 58.9% of the vote in this district and Donald Trump (R) would have received 39.0%.[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 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 26th Congressional District the 149th most Democratic 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 1.18. This means that for every 1 point the national political mood moved toward a party, the district was expected to move 1.18 points toward that party.[25]
See also
- Redistricting in California
- California's 26th Congressional District election, 2024
- California's 26th Congressional District election, 2022
- California's 26th Congressional District election, 2020
- California's 26th 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
- ↑ The Cook Political Report, "2012 Competitive House Race Chart," accessed July 10, 2012
- ↑ 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 2, 2004," 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
- ↑ 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
