David Hildebrand

David Hildebrand (Democratic Party) is running for election to the California State Senate to represent District 6. He declared candidacy for the 2026 election.

Hildebrand completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. Click here to read the survey answers.

Biography

David Hildebrand was born in Lodi, California. He earned a high school diploma from Lodi High School and a bachelor's degree from Sacramento State University in 2008. His career experience includes working in government. As of 2025, Hildebrand was affiliated with the Democratic Party of California, the Democratic Party of Placer County, the Democratic Party of Sacramento County, Wellstone Progressive Democrats of Sacramento County, and the Placer Action Network.^[1]

Elections

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 California State Senate District 6

Incumbent Roger Niello and David Hildebrand are running in the general election for California State Senate District 6 on November 3, 2026.

		Candidate
		Roger Niello (R)
		David Hildebrand (D)

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined.
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Endorsements

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2018

See also: United States Senate election in California, 2018

General election

General election for U.S. Senate California

Incumbent Dianne Feinstein defeated Kevin de León in the general election for U.S. Senate California on November 6, 2018.

	Candidate	%	Votes
✔	Dianne Feinstein (D)	54.2	6,019,422
	Kevin de León (D)	45.8	5,093,942

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 11,113,364
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Nonpartisan primary election

Nonpartisan primary for U.S. Senate California

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

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Dianne Feinstein (D)	44.2	2,947,035
✔		Kevin de León (D)	12.1	805,446
		James P. Bradley (R)	8.3	556,252
		Arun Bhumitra (R)	5.3	350,815
		Paul Taylor (R)	4.9	323,533
		Erin Cruz (R)	4.0	267,494
		Tom Palzer (R)	3.1	205,183
		Alison Hartson (D)	2.2	147,061
		Roque De La Fuente (R)	2.0	135,278
		Pat Harris (D)	1.9	126,947
	Submit photo	John Crew (R)	1.4	93,806
		Patrick Little (R)	1.3	89,867
		Kevin Mottus (R)	1.3	87,646
	Submit photo	Jerry Laws (R)	1.0	67,140
		Derrick Michael Reid (L)	0.9	59,999
		Adrienne Nicole Edwards (D)	0.8	56,172
		Douglas Howard Pierce (D)	0.6	42,671
		Mario Nabliba (R)	0.6	39,209
		David Hildebrand (D)	0.5	30,305
	Submit photo	Donnie Turner (D)	0.5	30,101
	Submit photo	Herbert Peters (D)	0.4	27,468
		David Moore (Independent)	0.4	24,614
		Ling Shi (Independent)	0.4	23,506
		John Parker (Peace and Freedom Party)	0.3	22,825
	Submit photo	Lee Olson (Independent)	0.3	20,393
		Gerald Plummer (D)	0.3	18,234
		Jason Hanania (Independent)	0.3	18,171
		Don Grundmann (Independent)	0.2	15,125
	Submit photo	Colleen Shea Fernald (Independent)	0.2	13,536
		Rash Bihari Ghosh (Independent)	0.2	12,557
	Submit photo	Tim Gildersleeve (Independent)	0.1	8,482
	Submit photo	Michael Fahmy Girgis (Independent)	0.0	2,986

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified.	Total votes: 6,669,857
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Campaign themes

2026

Video for Ballotpedia

Video submitted to Ballotpedia Released September 6, 2025

Ballotpedia survey responses

David Hildebrand completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Hildebrand's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

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Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

David Hildebrand is a dedicated public servant, intent on delivering real results for Senate District 6.

Born in a working-class family, David understands the challenges families face. After graduating from Lodi High School, he worked multiple jobs in construction and retail while attending community college, sometimes clocking 60 hours a week to make ends meet. For many years, he could not afford healthcare coverage, and bore the costs of putting off care he could not afford.

While at Sacramento State, David interned with AFSCME California, standing up for workers and unions. He earned a B.A. in Government from Sacramento State, but graduated during the height of the Great Recession, facing six months of unemployment. He eventually secured a job with the State of California, where he has worked for fifteen years as a Transportation Policy Analyst, focusing on keeping California residents safe on our roads.

Beyond public service, David has been active in his community, volunteering with local groups to increase democracy and the representation of the community. He believes that real progress comes from listening to neighbors and working together to solve problems.

David lives in Roseville with his wife, Michelle, and their son, Quang. He’s running for office to champion affordable housing, expanding healthcare, strong schools, and good-paying jobs, because everyone deserves the opportunity to thrive.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

Housing That Works for People, Not Just Developers For too long, housing has been treated like a commodity. When supply can’t keep up with demand, working families, seniors, and young people get pushed out while big developers cash in. I will fight for bold housing strategies that keep our communities affordable and livable. That means cutting red tape to build housing near jobs and transit, protecting tenants from skyrocketing rents, and filling in the “missing middle” so we have starter homes, condos, and affordable apartments, not luxury units that sit empty, waiting for a tenant that will never come. When we build housing, we must guarantee fair wages, safe conditions, and strong unions for the workers who make it possible.
World-Class Schools for Every Child Education is not a business; it’s an investment in our children’s future. In a rapidly changing economy, we need to give our kids the tools to thrive, not saddle them with debt or overcrowded classrooms. Artificial Intelligence is already disrupting the job market, and we cannot afford to be caught flat-footed. I will fight to make sure every student, from kindergarten to career training, has access to excellent schools, modern facilities, and pathways to the jobs of tomorrow. That also means paying teachers a fair wage, respecting their unions, and expanding after-school programs so every child has the chance to succeed.
Healthcare as a Human Right No one should go bankrupt because they get sick. Healthcare is a human right, not a privilege for the wealthy. While we fight for Medicare for All, I will work to expand coverage, integrate mental health services, and cut through the bureaucracy that keeps people from care. We need to protect Medicaid, fully fund community clinics, and make sure nurses and doctors have the staffing and resources to do their jobs. A just healthcare system also promotes healthy living as preventative care.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Healthcare for Every California resident is my top priority. For too long, we have watched family members get sick, and as a result, face financial ruin for no fault of their own. An equitable healthcare system covers everyone, so emergencies don't permanently derail our lives.

Affordable housing is the foundation of the American Dream. Without that foundation, families cannot build their finances and climb the housing ladder. We need more affordable housing, so everyone can have housing security. This means we need to build more housing of all types, and ensure we have a percentage of affordable housing that meets the needs of our communities.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

Franklin D. Roosevelt. He created the American Middle class that was the envy of other nations. This was accomplished through The New Deal, empowering workers and expanding home ownership. If we are going to rebuild the shrinking middle-class in America, we need to reform the system to work for everyone.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

The primary principle of an elected official is to be a representative of their district. While we run under a party banner, once elected, we represent everyone living in our district. Regardless of whether they voted for us, are a member of our party, or voted in the election at all, we are there to listen. I fully intend to listen to all voices before, and after the election.

Another aspect of representation is whether an elected official accepts corporate donations or abstains. While some candidates who take corporate donations still represent their constituents, it is increasingly rare. When an elected official faces a decision and votes on an issue, the only thought should be how it will affect their constituents. I have pledged not to take any corporate PAC money to avoid even the hint of duplicity.

An elected official should come from among the community, and have lived experiences that they share with the majority of voters in their district. Whether that is struggling financially at the start of their life, building a small business from the ground up, or simply being required to work to pay bills. The majority of us cannot afford a life of luxury. We are working to live, and living to work. If this is ever going to change, we can’t elect people who don’t even have a clue as to what most of us face day-to-day.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

The core responsibilities of a State Senator are Lawmaking, Oversight, Budgeting, Confirming Appointments, and Representing and Serving Constituents.

As a State Senator, I will ensure that all laws I write will address the needs of my constituents. Many of the laws that are introduced are not even written by the legislator that introduces them, instead, they are written by an interest group. I fully intend to seek out actual issues in the district and find solutions through legislation.
Oversight of the implementation process and the spending of public funds is also important. Once a law is written, a Legislator should be following the implementation process to ensure that the law is properly carried out as intended, fully and honestly funded, and enforced. If a law is not enforced, it is not actually a law.
The Legislature acts as a check against the Executive Branch. While we often see one-party rule in both the state and federal government, we must still uphold our constitutional duty to act as a check on overreach by the executive. Legislators should not be rubber-stamping Executive appointees, simply because they share a party affiliation. Instead, we should be questioning the merit and experience of all candidates for all positions.

Constituent services are a main part of a Legislator’s job. Legislators must have an open-door policy where constituents can redress grievances, obtain access to services, and introduce solutions for local problems. In addition, Legislator’s should hold frequent town halls to hear from all constituents. As stated previously, the primary responsibility of a Legislator is to represent all of their constituents.

What legacy would you like to leave?

I want people to look back at my legacy as one who worked to solve the problems facing working families. While I am running to be a State Senator, which is only 1 of 40 members of the Senate, and 1 of 120 members in the full State Legislature, I hope to build coalitions to solve the problems that families face, and create opportunities for those families to become successful.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

I vividly remember the Savings and Loan Crisis in the 1980s. My father worked in construction, and when the housing market collapsed, the jobs disappeared almost overnight. He was out of work for months, and our family felt the strain in every way imaginable. My parents had to make difficult choices about which bills to pay and what we could go without.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

I started working at 15, pouring concrete with my neighbor. I held this job for the summer and it allowed me enough spending money to hang out with my friends.

What is your favorite book? Why?

The Ambition and the Power, by John Barry. It is a biography of the life of Jim Wright, following his rise to power and attaining the position of Speaker of the House. It also catalogs his fall from power, and missteps he made along the way. It is a great reminder of the purpose of a legislator, to represent their district and avoid becoming greedy for money and power.

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

While I have worked since I was 15 years old, I struggled to find good-paying jobs with benefits for much of my adult life. I have learned that no matter how hard people work, it is only one ingredient in the recipe of success. Jobs with fair salaries and benefits are becoming even more rare. Through help from family and friends, I was able to stay afloat and stay housed. This should not be the situation for working families in the wealthiest state in the wealthiest nation in the world.

What do you believe is the ideal relationship between the governor and state legislature?

The relationship between the Governor and the State Legislature should be that which is defined in the Constitution. To act as a check against Executive overreach. That doesn’t mean constant animosity, but it means constant scrutiny. The Legislature should be in constant contact with the Governor’s office to ensure a smooth legislative process. However, the Governor’s policy agenda may differ from the needs of any single district. Legislators are responsible for fulfilling the needs of their district, not aligning with the Executive.

What do you perceive to be your state's greatest challenges over the next decade?

The state’s greatest challenges will be budgetary. It has become obvious that the state cannot rely on federal funding for necessary programs. We need to fund our own priorities despite the whims of the President and Congress. That means we need to reassess priorities, and ensure we can fund healthcare, housing programs, and attract employers to the state. Increasing the number of good-paying jobs will return more revenues for the state and local governments.

Do you believe that it’s beneficial for state legislators to have previous experience in government or politics?

I believe that Legislators should understand the legislative process, and have lived experience that matches their constituent’s experiences. I have worked as a Legislative Analyst with the state for more than 15 years. I know the legislative process, but I have also experienced what working families experience. The latter, in my opinion, is the primary form of experience that matters to truly represent a district.

Do you believe it’s beneficial to build relationships with other legislators? Please explain your answer.

It is always important to build relationships, both with other legislators, but also with everyone involved in the legislative process. When we are addressing the needs of our constituents, discussions can become heated, but that does not mean we need to attack other members. Every member should have their constituent’s needs in mind, and they do not always align. We will have to build coalitions to pass legislation. We may find agreement on a single issue that benefits constituents in all districts, and it is important to leave the door open so we can pass beneficial legislation, even as we are fighting legislation that may harm our district.

Is there a particular legislator, past or present, whom you want to model yourself after?

Governor Hiram Johnson, while not a State Legislator, led the fight to bring more direct-democracy to California, increased necessary regulations on the robber barons of his time, initiated the Workers Compensation, Insurance, and Safety Act, and expanded Labor protections, supported environmental protections. Overall, he put working families first.
Johnson went on to become a U.S. Senator, where he supported the New Deal and opposed United States involvement in foreign wars.

Are you interested in running for a different political office (for example, the U.S. Congress or governor) in the future?

I intend to serve in the California State Senate for the full three terms allowed by the constitution. I will weigh other options after that public service is complete.

Both sitting legislators and candidates for office hear many personal stories from the residents of their district. Is there a story that you’ve heard that you found particularly touching, memorable, or impactful?

I have known people who have fallen out through the cracks of our current broken system and ended up living on the streets. Some have not survived the lack of physical and mental healthcare services provided to low-income individuals. These stories are multiplying, because our current system is broken. While I am not at liberty to discuss the stories of some people I have known personally, they are tragic. However, they could have been avoided with the right services in place at the right time.

Should the legislature oversee or grant the use of emergency powers?

The Legislature should always oversee emergency powers. Those powers which exist in statute should be constantly reviewed and amended as needed when the Executive oversteps, and their actions exceed the necessary authority to address an emergency.

What is the first bill you would introduce if elected?

Universal Healthcare

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

Marisol Rubio - City Council Member - San Ramon

Hilary Hodge - Mayor - Grass Valley

Elizabeth Betancourt - Former Assembly Candidate - District 1

Do you support or oppose changes to the current state ballot initiative process? If so, what kind of changes would you consider?

Yes, we need to regulate the funding of initiatives. Too often, wealthy individuals, corporations, and special interests steer the discussion away from what is needed for those living in the state. A fair process is one with funding limits.

What legislation would you enact related to election administration in your state?

Ban all Corporate PAC money from financing elections in the state.

Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

Campaign finance summary

Note: The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may represent only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf. Satellite spending groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer. Campaign finance data from elections may be incomplete. For elections to federal offices, complete data can be found at the FEC website. Click here for more on federal campaign finance law and here for more on state campaign finance law.

David Hildebrand campaign contribution history
Year	Office	Status	Contributions	Expenditures
2018	U.S. Senate California	Lost primary	$21,283	N/A**
Grand total			$21,283	N/A**
Sources: OpenSecrets, Federal Elections Commission *This product uses the openFEC API but is not endorsed or certified by the Federal Election Commission (FEC).
** Data on expenditures is not available for this election cycle
Note: Totals above reflect only available data.

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Candidate

California State Senate District 6

Personal

Footnotes

↑ Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on October 13, 2025

[show]

Current members of the California State Senate

Leadership

Minority Leader:Brian Jones

Senators

District 1

Megan Dahle (R)

District 2

Mike McGuire (D)

District 3

Christopher Cabaldon (D)

District 4

Marie Alvarado-Gil (R)

District 5

Jerry McNerney (D)

District 6

Roger Niello (R)

District 7

Jesse Arreguín (D)

District 8

Angelique Ashby (D)

District 9

Tim Grayson (D)

District 10

Aisha Wahab (D)

District 11

Scott Wiener (D)

District 12

Shannon Grove (R)

District 13

Josh Becker (D)

District 14

Anna Caballero (D)

District 15

Dave Cortese (D)

District 16

Melissa Hurtado (D)

District 17

John Laird (D)

District 18

Steve Padilla (D)

District 19

Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh (R)

District 20

Caroline Menjivar (D)

District 21

S. Limón (D)

District 22

Susan Rubio (D)

District 23

Suzette Valladares (R)

District 24

Ben Allen (D)

District 25

Sasha Renée Pérez (D)

District 26

Maria Durazo (D)

District 27

Henry Stern (D)

District 28

Lola Smallwood-Cuevas (D)

District 29

Eloise Reyes (D)

District 30

Bob Archuleta (D)

District 31

Sabrina Cervantes (D)

District 32

Kelly Seyarto (R)

District 33

Lena Gonzalez (D)

District 34

Tom Umberg (D)

District 35

Laura Richardson (D)

District 36

Tony Strickland (R)

District 37

Steven Choi (R)

District 38

Catherine Blakespear (D)

District 39

Akilah Weber (D)

District 40

Brian Jones (R)

Democratic Party (30)

Republican Party (10)

[1] Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on October 13, 2025

[1]

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David Hildebrand

Contents

Biography

Elections

2026

General election

General election for California State Senate District 6

Endorsements

2018

General election

General election for U.S. Senate California

Nonpartisan primary election

Nonpartisan primary for U.S. Senate California

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Campaign themes

2026

Video for Ballotpedia

Ballotpedia survey responses

Campaign finance summary

See also

External links

Footnotes

Information about voting

2025 Elections

2026 Elections

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Public Policy

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