Sara Jacobs

The 2020 United States House of Representatives elections in California will be held on November 3, 2020, to elect the 53 U.S. Representatives from the state of California, one from each of the state's 53 congressional districts. The elections will coincide with the 2020 U.S. presidential election, as well as other elections to the House of Representatives, elections to the United States Senate and various state and local elections.

The 1st district covers the northeastern part of the state bordering Nevada. The incumbent is Republican Doug LaMalfa, who was re-elected with 54.9% of the vote in 2018.

Candidates

Declared

• Audrey Denney (Democratic), educator and candidate for California's 1st congressional district in 2018
• Gregory Cheadle (no party preference), perennial candidate

Potential

• Doug LaMalfa (Republican), incumbent U.S. Representative

The 3rd district takes in areas north and west of Sacramento.It consists of Colusa, Sutter, and Yuba counties plus portions of Glenn, Lake, Sacramento, Solano, and Yolo counties. The incumbent is Democrat John Garamendi, who was re-elected with 58.1% of the vote in 2018.

Candidates

Declared

• Sean Feucht (Republican), gospel singer
• Tamika Hamilton (Republican), U.S. Air Force veteran

Potential

• John Garamendi (Democratic), incumbent U.S. Representative

The 4th district encompasses the suburbs of Sacramento and the Sierra Nevada. The incumbent is Republican Tom McClintock, who was re-elected with 54.1% of the vote in 2018.

Candidates

Declared

• Julianne Benzel (Republican), history teacher
• Sean Frame (Democratic), Placerville Union school board member, businessman, and nonprofit executive
• Brynne Kennedy (Democratic), businesswoman

Potential

• Tom McClintock (Republican), incumbent U.S. Representative

Declined

• Jessica Morse (Democratic), deputy secretary of forest resources management at the California Natural Resources Agency and candidate for California's 4th congressional district in 2018

The 5th district encompasses much of California's wine country. It includes Cotati, Rohnert Park, Santa Rosa, Sonoma, Napa, American Canyon, Vallejo, Benicia, Hercules, and part of Martinez. The incumbent is Democrat Mike Thompson, who was re-elected with 78.9% of the vote in 2018.

Candidates

Declared

• Jason Kishineff (Democratic), activist

Potential

• Mike Thompson (Democratic), incumbent U.S. Representative

The 7th district is located in southern and eastern Sacramento County, including the cities of Elk Grove, Folsom, and Rancho Cordova. The incumbent is Democrat Ami Bera, who was re-elected with 55.0% of the vote in 2018.

Candidates

Declared

• Ami Bera (Democratic), incumbent U.S. Representative
• Jeff Burdick (Democratic), public affairs specialist, state employee and former journalist
• Buzz Patterson (Republican), retired United States Air Force Lieutenant Colonel

The 8th district includes most of the eastern desert regions of the state. It stretches from Mono Lake to Twentynine Palms and consists of Inyo and Mono counties plus most of San Bernardino County. The incumbent is Republican Paul Cook, who was re-elected with 60.0% of the vote in 2018. Cook announced on September 17, 2019, that he would not seek re-election, instead planning to run for an open seat on the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors.

Candidates

Declared

• Chris Bubser (Democratic), documentary filmmaker
• Tim Donnelly (Republican), former state assemblyman and candidate for California's 8th congressional district in 2016 & 2018
• Peter Mathisen (no party preference)
• Jay Obernolte (Republican), state assemblyman
• Jeremy Staat (Republican), U.S. Marine veteran and former NFL player

Potential

Declined

• Paul Cook (Republican), incumbent U.S. Representative
• Chad Mayes (Republican), state assemblyman

The 10th district covers San Joaquin Valley, including the cities of Oakdale, Manteca, Modesto, Tracy, and Turlock. The incumbent is Democrat Josh Harder, who flipped the district and was elected with 52.3% of the vote in the 2018 district election.

Candidates

Declared

• Bob Elliott (Republican), San Joaquin County supervisor
• Ted Howze (Republican), former Turlock city councilman, veterinarian and candidate for California's 10th congressional district in 2018
• Marla Livengood (Republican), candidate for California's 9th congressional district in 2018

Potential

• Josh Harder (Democratic), incumbent U.S. Representative

Declined

• Jeff Denham (Republican), former U.S. Representative

Withdrawn

• Charles Dossett (Republican), combat veteran

The 12th district is based entirely within San Francisco. The incumbent is the Speaker of the House, Democrat Nancy Pelosi, who was re-elected with 86.8% of the vote in 2018.

Candidates

Declared

• Agatha Bacelar (Democratic), documentary filmmaker
• Shahid Buttar (Democratic), Electronic Frontier Foundation attorney
• Tom Gallagher (Democratic),former Massachusetts state representative (1980–1986)
• DeAnna Lorraine (Republican), Youtube content creator and political commentator

Potential

• Nancy Pelosi (Democratic), incumbent U.S. Representative

Endorsements

The 15th district encompasses eastern Alameda County, including Castro Valley, Dublin, Fremont, Hayward, Livermore, Pleasanton, Sunol, Union City, and parts of Contra Costa County, including San Ramon and part of Danville. The incumbent is Democrat Eric Swalwell, who was re-elected with 73.0% of the vote in 2018, and ran in the 2020 presidential race. Swalwell joined the House race after ending his presidential campaign.

Candidates

Declared

• Eric Swalwell (Democratic), incumbent U.S. Representative.

Potential

• Catharine Baker (Republican), former state assemblywoman
• Ellen Corbett (Democratic), former majority leader of the California State Senate
• Nancy O'Malley (Democratic), Alameda County district attorney
• Tim Sbranti (Democratic), former mayor of Dublin

Withdrawn

• Bob Wieckowski (Democratic), state senator
• Aisha Wahab (Democratic), Hayward city councilwoman

Declined

• Rob Bonta (Democratic), state assemblyman (running for re-election)
• Scott Haggerty (Democratic), Alameda County supervisor
• Bill Quirk (Democratic), state assemblyman

The 16th district is located in central San Joaquin Valley, including the cities of Madera, Merced, and the western half of Fresno. The incumbent is Democrat Jim Costa, who was re-elected with 57.5% of the vote in 2018.

Candidates

Declared

• Kevin Cookingham (Republican), former Clovis Unified School District educator
• Esmeralda Soria (Democratic), Fresno city councilwoman
• Kim Williams (Democratic), former U.S. diplomat and college professor

Potential

• Jim Costa (Democratic), incumbent U.S. Representative
• Mike Murphy (no party preference), mayor of Merced

The 18th district is based in the San Francisco Bay Area and encompasses the cities of Palo Alto, Redwood City, Menlo Park, Stanford, Los Altos, Mountain View, Campbell, Saratoga, and Los Gatos, as well as part of San Jose. The incumbent is Democrat Anna Eshoo, who was re-elected with 74.5% of the vote in 2018.

Candidates

Declared

• Anna Eshoo (Democratic), incumbent U.S. Representative
• Rishi Kumar (Democratic), Saratoga city councilman

The 21st district covers San Joaquin Valley, including Coalinga, Delano, Hanford, and parts of Bakersfield, specifically East Bakersfield and Downtown Bakersfield. The incumbent is Democrat TJ Cox, who flipped the district and was elected in 2018 with 50.4% of the vote.

Candidates

Declared

• Ruben Macareno (Democratic), Farmersville city councilman and former chair of the Tulare County Democratic Party
• David Valadao (Republican), former U.S. Representative

Potential

• TJ Cox (Democratic), incumbent U.S. Representative
• Craig Pedersen (Republican), Kings County supervisor
• Andy Vidak (Republican), former state senator

Polling

General election

The 22nd district covers San Joaquin Valley, including eastern Fresno, Clovis, Tulare, and Visalia. The incumbent is Republican Devin Nunes, who was re-elected with 52.7% of the vote in 2018.

Candidates

Declared

• Phil Arballo (Democratic), financial adviser
• Bobby Bliatout (Democratic), healthcare executive, entrepreneur, and candidate for California's 22nd congressional district in 2018
• Dary Rezvani (Democratic), management consultant

Potential

• Devin Nunes (Republican), incumbent U.S. Representative

Declined

• Ricardo Franco (Democratic), candidate for California's 22nd congressional district in 2018
• Andrew Janz (Democratic), Fresno County prosecutor and candidate for California's 22nd congressional district in 2018 (running for mayor of Fresno)

The 23rd district is based in the southern Central Valley, taking in parts of Bakersfield, Porterville, California City, Ridgecrest, western Lancaster, and Quartz Hill. The incumbent is House Minority Leader, Republican Kevin McCarthy, who was re-elected with 63.7% of the vote in 2018.

Candidates

Declared

• Kim Mangone (Democratic), systems engineer and U.S. Air Force veteran

Potential

• Kevin McCarthy (Republican), incumbent U.S. Representative

The 24th district is based in the Central Coast and includes San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties. The incumbent is Democrat Salud Carbajal, who was re-elected with 58.6 % of the vote in 2018.

Candidates

Declared

• Andy Caldwell (Republican), nonprofit executive
• Michael Erin Woody (Republican), civil engineer, former member of the Fresno City Council, and candidate for California's 24th congressional district in 2018

Potential

• Salud Carbajal (Democratic), incumbent U.S. Representative

The 25th district is based in northern Los Angeles County and eastern Ventura County, and includes the cities of Santa Clarita, Simi Valley, Palmdale, and eastern Lancaster. The seat is currently vacant after Democrat Katie Hill announced her resignation from Congress on October 27, 2019 after allegations of having inappropriate relations with her congressional staffers were reported. Hill had flipped the district in 2018 and was elected with 54.4% of the vote. A special election to fill Hill's vacancy will be held before the general election in 2020.

The 26th district is based in the southern Central Coast and is located entirely within Ventura County, taking in Camarillo, Oxnard, Ventura, Santa Paula, Thousand Oaks, Westlake Village, Moorpark, and parts of Simi Valley. The incumbent is Democrat Julia Brownley, who was re-elected with 61.9% of the vote in 2018.

Candidates

Declared

• Ronda Baldwin-Kennedy (Republican), attorney and candidate for California State Assembly in 2018

Potential

• Julia Brownley (Democratic), incumbent U.S. Representative

The 28th district is based in the San Fernando Valley and includes West Hollywood, Burbank, parts of Pasadena, Glendale, the Verdugo Hills communities of Sunland and Tujunga, as well as parts of central Los Angeles including Hollywood, the Hollywood Hills, Echo Park, Silver Lake, and Los Feliz. The incumbent is Democrat Adam Schiff, who was re-elected with 78.4% of the vote in 2018.

Candidates

Declared

• Akinyemi Agbede (Democratic), mathematician and candidate for Governor of California in 2018
• Jennifer Barbosa (no party preference), former Hollywood Studio neighborhood councilwoman
• Eric Early (Republican), attorney and candidate for Attorney General of California in 2018
• Maebe A. Girl (Democratic), Silver Lake neighborhood councilwoman and drag queen
• Jon Hollis (Republican)

Potential

• Adam Schiff (Democratic), incumbent U.S. Representative

The 33rd district spans the coastal region of Los Angeles County, including the Beach Cities, Westside Los Angeles, and the Palos Verdes Peninsula. The incumbent is Democrat Ted Lieu, who was re-elected with 70.0% of the vote in 2018.

Candidates

Declared

• James Bradley (Republican), businessman and candidate for U.S. Senate in 2018
• Brandon Fricke (Independent), former advisor to the NFL

Potential

• Ted Lieu (Democratic), incumbent U.S. Representative

The 34th district is located entirely in the city of Los Angeles and includes the Central, East, and Northeast neighborhoods, such as Chinatown, Downtown, Eagle Rock, and Koreatown. The incumbent is Democrat Jimmy Gomez, who was re-elected with 72.5% of the vote in 2018.

Candidates

Declared

• Shannel Pittman (Green)

Potential

• Jimmy Gomez (Democratic), incumbent U.S. Representative
• Frances Motiwalla (Democratic), activist

The 36th district encompasses eastern Riverside County, including the desert communities of Palm Springs, Palm Desert, Indio, Coachella, Rancho Mirage, Desert Hot Springs, Indian Wells, and Cathedral City, as well as Calimesa, Banning, Beaumont, San Jacinto, and Hemet. The incumbent is Democrat Raul Ruiz, who was re-elected with 59.0% of the vote in 2018.

Candidates

Declared

• Gina Chapa (Democratic), community activist
• Erin Cruz (Republican), author and candidate for U.S. Senate in 2018
• Raul Ruiz (Democratic), incumbent U.S. Representative
• Raul Ruiz (Republican), construction contractor

The 37th district encompasses west and southwest Los Angeles, as well as Culver City and Inglewood. The incumbent is Democrat Karen Bass, who was re-elected with 89.1% of the vote in 2018.

Candidates

Declared

• Errol Webber (Republican)

Potential

• Karen Bass (Democratic), incumbent U.S. Representative

The 39th district encompasses parts of the San Gabriel Valley, taking in La Habra Heights, Diamond Bar, Walnut, Hacienda Heights and Rowland Heights, as well as northern Orange County, including Fullerton, La Habra, Brea, Buena Park, Placentia, and Yorba Linda. The district also takes in a small portion of southwestern San Bernardino County, covering Chino Hills. The incumbent is Democrat Gil Cisneros, who flipped the district and was elected in 2018 with 51.6% of the vote.

Candidates

Declared

• Steve Cox (no party preference), motorcycle journalist and candidate for California's 39th congressional district in 2018
• Ignacio Cruz (Republican), international affairs and public policy adviser
• Young Kim (Republican), former state assemblywoman and candidate for California's 39th congressional district in 2018

Potential

• Gil Cisneros (Democratic), incumbent U.S. Representative

The 41st district is located in the Inland Empire and takes in western Riverside County, including Jurupa Valley, Moreno Valley, Perris, and Riverside. The incumbent is Democrat Mark Takano, who was re-elected with 65.1% of the vote in 2018.

Candidates

Declared

• Grace Williams (Democratic), Perris city official
• Mark Takano (Democratic), incumbent U.S. Representative.

The 42nd district is encompasses western and southwestern Riverside County, and includes Eastvale, Norco, Corona, Temescal Valley, Lake Elsinore, Canyon Lake, Wildomar, north Temecula, Murrieta and Menifee. The incumbent is Republican Ken Calvert, who was re-elected with 56.5% of the vote in 2018.

Candidates

Declared

• Liam O'Mara (Democratic), historian and college professor

Potential

• Ken Calvert (Republican), incumbent U.S. Representative

Withdrew

• Julia Peacock (Democratic), public high school teacher and candidate for California's 42nd congressional district in 2018

The 43rd district is based in southern Los Angeles County and includes portions of Los Angeles and Torrance, as well as all of Hawthorne, Lawndale, Gardena, Inglewood and Lomita. The incumbent is Democrat Maxine Waters, who was re-elected with 77.7% of the vote in 2018.

Candidates

Declared

• Omar Navarro (Republican), businessman and candidate for California's 43rd congressional district in 2016 and 2018

Potential

• Maxine Waters (Democratic), incumbent U.S. Representative

The 44th district is based in southern Los Angeles County and includes Carson, Compton, Lynwood, North Long Beach, and San Pedro. The incumbent is Democrat Nanette Barragán, who was re-elected with 68.3% of the vote in 2018.

Candidates

Potential

• Nanette Barragán (Democratic), incumbent U.S. Representative
• Annette McDonald Trani (Democratic), former field representative for Janice Hahn

The 45th district is based in central Orange County, encompassing Irvine, Tustin, North Tustin, Villa Park, Anaheim Hills, eastern Orange, Laguna Hills, Laguna Woods, Lake Forest, Rancho Santa Margarita, Coto de Caza and Mission Viejo.The incumbent is Democrat Katie Porter, who flipped the district and was elected with 52.1% of the vote in 2018.

Candidates

Declared

• Peggy Huang (Republican), Yorba Linda city councilwoman and former mayor of Yorba Linda
• Aditya Pai (Democratic), attorney
• Katie Porter (Democratic), incumbent U.S. Representative
• Greg Raths (Republican), mayor of Mission Viejo and candidate for California's 45th congressional district in 2016
• Don Sedgwick (Republican), mayor of Laguna Hills
• Lisa Sparks (Republican), Orange County Department of Education trustee and Chapman University professor
• Brenton Woolworth (Republican), businessman

Potential

• Ernie Konnyu (Republican), former U.S. Representative for California's 12th congressional district (1987–1989)
• Mimi Walters (Republican), former U.S. Representative

Withdrew

• Ray Gennawey (Republican), Orange County prosecutor

Endorsements

Polling

Primary election

The 46th district is based in north-central Orange County, taking in Anaheim, Santa Ana, western Orange, and eastern Garden Grove. The incumbent is Democrat Lou Correa, who was reelected with 69.1% of the vote in 2018.

Candidates

Declared

• Lou Correa (Democratic), incumbent U.S. Representative
• Pablo Mendiolea (Democratic)
• James Waters (Republican)

The 47th district is centered in Long Beach and extends into the southwestern Orange County, taking in Garden Grove, Westminster, Stanton, Los Alamitos, and Cypress. The incumbent is Democrat Alan Lowenthal, who was reelected with 64.9% of the vote in 2018.

Candidates

Declared

• Sou Mana (Republican)
• Amy Phan West (Republican), candidate for Westminster city council in 2018 and former member of Orange County Parks Commission

Potential

• Alan Lowenthal (Democratic), incumbent U.S. Representative

The 48th district encompasses coastal Orange County, taking in Seal Beach, Sunset Beach, Huntington Beach, Midway City, Fountain Valley, Costa Mesa, Newport Beach, Laguna Beach, Aliso Viejo, and Laguna Niguel, as well as parts of Westminster and Garden Grove. The incumbent is Democrat Harley Rouda, who flipped the district and was elected with 53.6% of the vote in 2018.

Candidates

Declared

• Brian Burley (Republican), information technology entrepreneur
• Christopher Engels (Republican), attorney
• Harley Rouda (Democratic), incumbent U.S. Representative
• Michelle Steel (Republican), Orange County supervisor
• Caleb Sturges (Republican)

Withdrew

• James Bradley (Republican), businessman and candidate for U.S. Senate in 2018

Declined

• Scott Baugh (Republican), former chair of the Orange County Republican Party and candidate for California's 48th congressional district in 2018
• Janet Nguyen (Republican), former state senator

The 49th district encompasses the northern coastal areas of San Diego County, including the cities of Oceanside, Vista, Carlsbad, and Encinitas, as well as a small part of southern Orange County, taking in Dana Point, Ladera Ranch, San Clemente, and San Juan Capistrano. The incumbent is Democrat Mike Levin, who flipped the district and was elected with 56.4% of the vote in 2018.

Candidates

Declared

• Mara Fortin (Republican), businesswoman
• Steve Knoblock (Republican), former San Clemente city councilman
• Brian Maryott (Republican), mayor of San Juan Capistrano and candidate for California's 49th congressional district in 2018
• Mike Levin (Democratic), incumbent U.S. Representative.

Potential

• Lisa Bartlett (Republican), Orange County supervisor

Declined

• Kristin Gaspar (Republican), San Diego County supervisor, former mayor of Encinitas, and candidate for California's 49th congressional district in 2018

The 50th district covers inland San Diego County consisting of suburban and outlying areas of the county, including Fallbrook, San Marcos, Valley Center, Ramona, Escondido, Santee, Lakeside, parts of El Cajon and a slice of southwestern Riverside County, taking in parts of Temecula. The incumbent is Republican Duncan D. Hunter, who was re-elected with 51.7% of the vote in 2018.

Candidates

Declared

• Ammar Campa-Najjar (Democratic), former Department of Labor official and candidate for California's 50th congressional district in 2018
• Carl DeMaio (Republican) former San Diego city councilman and candidate for California's 52nd congressional district in 2014
• David Edick Jr. (no party preference), consultant
• Helen Horvath (no party preference), psychologist
• Darrell Issa (Republican), former U.S. Representative for California's 49th congressional district
• Brian Jones (Republican), state senator
• Duncan D. Hunter (Republican), incumbent U.S. Representative.

Withdrew

• Sam Abed (Republican), former mayor of Escondido
• Alex Balkin (Democratic), former U.S. Navy Inspector General
• Larry Wilske (Republican), retired Navy SEAL
• Bill Wells (Republican), mayor of El Cajon and candidate for California's 50th congressional district in 2018

Declined

• Joel Anderson (Republican), former state senator
• Matt Rahn (Republican), Temecula city councilman and former mayor of Temecula

Polling

Primary election

The 51st district runs along the border with Mexico and includes Imperial County and southern San Diego, including western Chula Vista, Imperial Beach, and National City. The incumbent is Democrat Juan Vargas, who was re-elected with 71.2% of the vote in 2018.

Candidates

Declared

• Juan Hidalgo (Republican), U.S. Marine Corps veteran and candidate for California's 51st congressional district in 2016 & 2018
• Aeiramique Glass-Blake (Democratic), restorative justice consultant

Potential

• Juan Vargas (Democratic), incumbent U.S. Representative

The 52nd district is based in San Diego County, including coastal and central portions of the city of San Diego in addition to Carmel Valley, La Jolla, Point Loma and downtown San Diego and the suburbs of Poway and Coronado. The incumbent is Democrat Scott Peters, who was re-elected with 63.8% of the vote in 2018.

Candidates

Declared

• Nancy Casady (Democratic), member of the California Department of Food and Agriculture
• Scott Peters (Democratic), incumbent U.S. Representative

The 53rd district encompasses eastern San Diego and its eastern suburbs, including, eastern Chula Vista, western El Cajon, Bonita, La Mesa, Lemon Grove, and Spring Valley. The incumbent is Democrat Susan Davis, who was re-elected with 69.1% of the vote in 2018. On September 4, 2019, Davis announced she would not seek re-election.

Candidates

Declared

• Jose Caballero (Democratic), political consultant
• Marisa Calderon (Democratic), executive director of the National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals
• Janessa Goldbeck (Democratic), humans rights activist and U.S. Marines veteran
• Georgette Gomez (Democratic), president of the San Diego City Council
• Sara Jacobs (Democratic), candidate for California's 49th congressional district in 2018, policy advisor for the Hillary Clinton 2016 presidential campaign, and granddaughter of Qualcomm founder Irwin Jacobs
• Famela Ramos (Republican), nurse
• Joaquin Vazquez (Democratic), economic policy adviser, community advocate, alumni of Organizing For Action (Obama affiliated progressive advocacy organization), served in the President Obama administration and organized for Obama's presidential campaign

Potential

• Steve Padilla (Democratic), Chula Vista city councilman and former mayor of Chula Vista
• Racquel Vasquez (Democratic), mayor of Lemon Grove
• Chris Ward (Democratic), San Diego city councilman
• Shirley Weber (Democratic), state assemblywoman
• Akilah Weber (Democratic), La Mesa city councilwoman

Declined

• Toni Atkins (Democratic), president pro tempore of the California State Senate
• Susan Davis (Democratic), incumbent U.S. Representative
• Nathan Fletcher (Democratic), San Diego County supervisor
• Todd Gloria (Democratic), state assemblyman (running for mayor of San Diego)
• Lorena Gonzalez (Democratic), state assemblywoman
• Morgan Murtaugh (Republican), former OAN political commentator and candidate for California's 53rd congressional district in 2018

Endorsements