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California State Assembly District 54
California State Assembly District 54 is represented by Mark Gonzalez (D).
As of the 2020 Census, California state representatives represented an average of 494,709 residents. After the 2010 Census, each member represented 466,775 residents.
About the office
Members of the California State Assembly serve two-year terms with term limits.[1] California legislators assume office the first Monday in the December following their election.[2]
Qualifications
According to Article IV of the California Constitution:[3]
| “ | A person is ineligible to be a member of the Legislature unless the person is an elector and has been a resident of the legislative district for one year, and a citizen of the United States and a resident of California for 3 years, immediately preceding the election, and service of the full term of office to which the person is seeking to be elected would not exceed the maximum years of service permitted by subdivision (a) of this section.[4] | ” |
Salaries
- See also: Comparison of state legislative salaries
| State legislative salaries, 2024[5] | |
|---|---|
| Salary | Per diem |
| $128,215/year | $214/day |
Term limits
- See also: State legislatures with term limits
The California legislature is one of 16 state legislatures with term limits. Since the passage of Prop 28 in 2012, legislators first elected on or after November 6, 2012, are limited to a maximum of 12 years of service. Prop 140, passed in 1990, affects any members elected prior to November 6, 2012, limiting them to a maximum of three two-year terms (six years total).[6]
Vacancies
If there is a vacancy in the California State Legislature, the governor must call for a special election. The governor must call the election within 14 calendar days of the vacancy. No special election shall be held if the vacancy occurs after the nominating deadline has passed in the final year of the term of office.[7]
See sources: California Code, 1773 and California Cons. Art. IV, § 2
District map
Redistricting
2020 redistricting cycle
The California Citizens Redistricting Commission voted 14-0 in favor of a new state Assembly and Senate district maps on December 20, 2021, and delivered those maps to the secretary of state on December 27, 2021.[8][9] These maps took effect for California's 2022 state legislative 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.[10]
Commissioners must meet the following requirements in order to serve:[10]
- 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.[10]
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.[10]
California State Assembly District 54
until December 4, 2022
Click a district to compare boundaries.
California State Assembly District 54
starting December 5, 2022
Click a district to compare boundaries.
Elections
2024
See also: California State Assembly elections, 2024
General election
General election for California State Assembly District 54
Mark Gonzalez defeated John Yi in the general election for California State Assembly District 54 on November 5, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Mark Gonzalez (D) | 56.3 | 59,549 |
 | John Yi (D)  | 43.7 | 46,309 | |
| Total votes: 105,858 | |||
| = 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 California State Assembly District 54
Mark Gonzalez and John Yi defeated Elaine Alaniz in the primary for California State Assembly District 54 on March 5, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Mark Gonzalez (D) | 45.2 | 19,616 |
| ✔ | | John Yi (D) | 34.5 | 14,963 |
 | Elaine Alaniz (R) | 20.3 | 8,819 | |
| Total votes: 43,398 | |||
| = 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 California State Assembly District 54
Incumbent Miguel Santiago defeated Elaine Alaniz in the general election for California State Assembly District 54 on November 8, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Miguel Santiago (D) | 78.6 | 53,993 |
| Elaine Alaniz (R) | 21.4 | 14,704 | |
| Total votes: 68,697 | |||
| = 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 California State Assembly District 54
Incumbent Miguel Santiago and Elaine Alaniz advanced from the primary for California State Assembly District 54 on June 7, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Miguel Santiago (D) | 99.7 | 37,714 |
| ✔ | | Elaine Alaniz (R) (Write-in) | 0.3 | 129 |
| Total votes: 37,843 | |||
| = 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. | ||||
2021
Nonpartisan primary election
Special nonpartisan primary for California State Assembly District 54
The following candidates ran in the special primary for California State Assembly District 54 on May 18, 2021.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Isaac Bryan (D) | 50.8 | 21,472 |
 | Heather Hutt (D) | 24.9 | 10,538 | |
 | Cheryl Turner (D) | 9.6 | 4,072 | |
 | Dallas Denise Fowler (D) | 7.6 | 3,235 | |
| Bernard Senter (No party preference) | 3.9 | 1,667 | ||
 | Samuel Morales (D) | 3.1 | 1,304 | |
| Total votes: 42,288 | |||
| = 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. | ||||
2020
General election
General election for California State Assembly District 54
Incumbent Sydney Kamlager-Dove defeated Tracy Bernard Jones in the general election for California State Assembly District 54 on November 3, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D) | 64.2 | 119,818 |
 | Tracy Bernard Jones (D) | 35.8 | 66,915 | |
| Total votes: 186,733 | |||
| = 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 California State Assembly District 54
Incumbent Sydney Kamlager-Dove and Tracy Bernard Jones defeated Glen Ratcliff and Clinton Brown in the primary for California State Assembly District 54 on March 3, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D) | 56.7 | 64,620 |
| ✔ | | Tracy Bernard Jones (D) | 29.8 | 34,005 |
 | Glen Ratcliff (R) | 9.5 | 10,880 | |
 | Clinton Brown (D) | 4.0 | 4,513 | |
| Total votes: 114,018 | |||
| = 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
2018
Regular election
General election
General election for California State Assembly District 54
Incumbent Sydney Kamlager-Dove defeated Tepring Michelle Piquado in the general election for California State Assembly District 54 on November 6, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D) | 62.3 | 95,643 |
 | Tepring Michelle Piquado (D) | 37.7 | 57,760 | |
| Total votes: 153,403 | |||
| = 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 California State Assembly District 54
The following candidates ran in the primary for California State Assembly District 54 on June 5, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D) | 55.5 | 41,838 |
| ✔ | | Tepring Michelle Piquado (D) | 15.4 | 11,615 |
| Glen Ratcliff (R) | 12.4 | 9,359 | |
 | Steve Dunwoody (D) (Write-in) | 8.5 | 6,409 | |
| Lamar Lyons (D) | 6.5 | 4,899 | ||
| Breon Dupree Hollie (D) | 1.6 | 1,223 | ||
| Total votes: 75,343 | |||
| = 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
Special election
A special primary election for the position of California State Assembly District 54 was called for April 3, 2018. Democrat Sydney Kamlager won the seat outright in the primary by receiving a majority of the votes. If no candidate had received a majority of the votes, the top two vote-getters would have advanced to a special general election on June 5, 2018.[11][12]
To qualify for the race, candidates had to obtain nomination documents from election officials in their county of residence by February 8, 2018. Candidates could have qualified by paying a $1,072.42 filing fee. Candidates could have also qualified by submitting petition signatures by January 9, 2018. The filing deadline for write-in candidates was March 20, 2018.[13]
The seat became vacant following Sebastian Ridley-Thomas' (D) resignation on December 27, 2017. He said he resigned due to persistent health issues.[14]
Four candidates—three Democrats and one Republican—filed to run in the race.[15]
General election
Nonpartisan primary election
Special nonpartisan primary for California State Assembly District 54
Sydney Kamlager-Dove won election outright against Tepring Michelle Piquado, Glen Ratcliff, and Grayson Pangilinan in the special primary for California State Assembly District 54 on April 3, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D) | 70.0 | 22,605 |
| Tepring Michelle Piquado (D) | 14.5 | 4,673 | |
| Glen Ratcliff (R) | 11.9 | 3,826 | |
| Grayson Pangilinan (D) | 3.7 | 1,182 | ||
| Total votes: 32,286 | |||
| = 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
2016
Elections for the California State Assembly took place in 2016. The primary election was held on June 7, 2016, and the general election was held on November 8, 2016. The candidate filing deadline was February 25, 2016, for candidates filing with signatures. The deadline for candidates using a filing fee to qualify was March 11, 2016.[16]
Incumbent Sebastian Ridley-Thomas defeated Glen Ratcliff in the California State Assembly District 54 general election.[17][18]
| California State Assembly, District 54 General Election, 2016 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Democratic |  Sebastian Ridley-Thomas Incumbent |
81.58% | 146,723 | |
| Republican | Glen Ratcliff | 18.42% | 33,119 | |
| Total Votes | 179,842 | |||
| Source: California Secretary of State | ||||
Incumbent Sebastian Ridley-Thomas and Glen Ratcliff were unopposed in the California State Assembly District 54 Blanket primary.[19][20]
| California State Assembly, District 54 Blanket Primary, 2016 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | |
| Democratic | Sebastian Ridley-Thomas Incumbent | |
| Republican | Glen Ratcliff | |
2014
Elections for the California State Assembly took place in 2014. A primary election took place on June 3, 2014. The general election was held on November 4, 2014. The signature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was March 7, 2014. Incumbent Sebastian Mark Ridley Thomas (D) and Glen Ratcliff (R) were unopposed in the blanket primary. Ridley-Thomas defeated Ratcliff in the general election.[21][22][23]
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Sebastian Mark Ridley Thomas Incumbent |
79.1% | 66,082 | |
| Republican | Glen Ratcliff | 20.9% | 17,506 | |
| Total Votes | 83,588 | |||
2013
Sebastian Ridley-Thomas (D) won election in a special election for California State Assembly District 54. The seat was vacant following Rep. Holly Mitchell's (D) election to the California State Senate. Ridley-Thomas defeated John Jake (D) and Sebastian Ridley-Thomas (D) in the special election, which took place on December 3.[24][25][26]
| California State Assembly, District 54, Special Election, 2013 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Democratic | Sebastian Ridley-Thomas |
60.3% | 13,992 | |
| Democratic | Christopher R. Armenta | 35.7% | 8,270 | |
| Democratic | John Jake | 4% | 931 | |
| Total Votes | 23,193 | |||
2012
Elections for the office of California State Assembly consisted of a primary election on June 5, 2012, and a general election on November 6, 2012. The signature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was March 9, 2012. Incumbent Holly Mitchell (D) and Keith Brandon McCowen (R) defeated Ed Nicoletti (D) in the June 5 blanket primary. Mitchell went on to defeat McCowen in the general election.[27] [28]
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Holly J. Mitchell Incumbent |
83.3% | 143,530 | |
| Republican | Keith Brandon McCowen | 16.7% | 28,688 | |
| Total Votes | 172,218 | |||
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic |
Holly J. Mitchell Incumbent |
70.9% | 33,920 | |
| Democratic | Ed Nicoletti | 11.7% | 5,601 | |
| Republican | Keith Brandon McCowen |
17.4% | 8,350 | |
| Total Votes | 47,871 | |||
Campaign contributions
From 2000 to 2024, candidates for California State Assembly District 54 raised a total of $15,974,308. Candidates who raised money in contributions earned $420,377 on average. All figures come from Follow the Money
| Campaign contributions, California State Assembly District 54 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Amount | Candidates | Average |
| 2024 | $1,828,355 | 3 | $609,452 |
| 2022 | $1,601,280 | 2 | $800,640 |
| 2021 | $981,204 | 6 | $163,534 |
| 2020 | $823,378 | 1 | $823,378 |
| 2016 | $731,486 | 2 | $365,743 |
| 2014 | $1,183,587 | 2 | $591,794 |
| 2012 | $459,686 | 3 | $153,229 |
| 2010 | $763,662 | 2 | $381,831 |
| 2008 | $1,446,522 | 5 | $289,304 |
| 2006 | $568,196 | 3 | $189,399 |
| 2004 | $2,526,858 | 3 | $842,286 |
| 2002 | $716,396 | 2 | $358,198 |
| 2000 | $2,343,698 | 4 | $585,925 |
| Total | $15,974,308 | 38 | $420,377 |
See also
- California State Legislature
- California State Senate
- California State Assembly
- California state legislative districts
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ California State Constitution, accessed December 16, 2013
- ↑ California Constitution, "Article 4, Section 2. (a)(3)," accessed November 1, 2021
- ↑ California Legislature, "Qualifications for State Legislature," accessed May 21, 2025
- ↑ Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ National Conference of State Legislatures, "2024 Legislator Compensation," August 21, 2024
- ↑ California Legislative Information, "Article IV Legislative (Sec. 1 - Sec. 28)," accessed February 9, 2021
- ↑ California Legislative Information, "California Code," accessed February 9, 2021 (Statute, 1773-California Government Code)
- ↑ 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
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3 All About Redistricting, "California," accessed April 21, 2015
- ↑ Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk, "Calendar of Events: Assembly Districts 45 and 54 Special Primary Elections," accessed February 9, 2018
- ↑ California Secretary of State, "State Assembly District 54 - Districtwide Results," accessed April 4, 2018
- ↑ California Secretary of State, "Special Election Calendar: Special Primary Election April 3, 2018 California State Assembly, 54th District (Sebastian Ridley-Thomas)," accessed January 11, 2018
- ↑ Los Angeles Times, "Assemblyman Sebastian Ridley-Thomas is resigning," December 27, 2017
- ↑ California Secretary of State, "Official Certified List of Candidates: State Assembly Member District 54," accessed March 29, 2018
- ↑ California Secretary of State, "Key Dates and Deadlines," accessed April 18, 2017
- ↑ California Secretary of State, "Certified List of Candidates for the November 8, 2016, General Election," accessed September 7, 2016
- ↑ California Secretary of State, "2016 General Election results," accessed December 23, 2016
- ↑ California Secretary of State, "Certified List of Candidates for Voter-Nominated Offices," accessed April 4, 2016
- ↑ California Secretary of State, "Statement of Vote," accessed August 22, 2016
- ↑ California Secretary of State, "Official 2014 Primary election candidate list," accessed March 27, 2014
- ↑ California Secretary of State, "Official primary election results," accessed July 15, 2014
- ↑ California Secretary of State, "Official general election results," accessed December 14, 2014
- ↑ latimes.com, "Jerry Brown calls Dec. 3 election for vacant L.A.-area Assembly seat," September 30, 2013
- ↑ fresnobee.com, "Ridley-Thomas wins race for Calif. Assembly seat," December 3, 2013
- ↑ California Secretary of State, "Official election results," December 19, 2013
- ↑ " California Secretary of State, "2012 General Election," November 7, 2013 (dead link)
- ↑ California Secretary of State, "2012 General Primary,” November 7, 2013
