Dec. 6, 2018

On a chilly Monday in Sacramento, new paths converged as veteran and rookie lawmakers stood side by side to reconvene the California Legislature for the 93^rd time in state history after a historic midterm election. The 2018 midterms had a turnout rate of 64%; the highest level for a midterm election since 1982 which had featured marquee match ups for Governor and US Senate.  

As a result of the 2018 elections, a total of 17 new legislators took new positions in both the Senate and Assembly. Of these 17, three were county supervisors and five served on a city council for a total of eight new members with local government experience. The three new legislators who served as county supervisors include Supervisor Andreas Borgeas from Fresno County, Supervisor James Ramos from San Bernardino County, and Supervisor Robert Rivas from San Benito County.

Monday also marked the first day to introduce new bills for the upcoming two-year legislative session. Housing, disaster recovery, utility liability, DNA testing, bail, and redevelopment were among the hot topics of the hundreds of bills introduced so far. The Legislature is wasting no time putting its new members to work.

The 40-member California State Senate has been joined by nine new members. Of this new class of members, six are Democrats and three are Republicans. Four of these members have experience as elected members of the Assembly, while the other five are brand new to the California capitol. Five of the nine new members are women. Democrats have supermajority of 29 members to the 11 member Republicans caucus. A two/thirds vote of 27 is required for urgency and appropriations measures. Appropriations measures can include tax and bond measures.

The 80-member California Assembly has been joined by eight new members. Of these eight, seven are Democrats and one is Republican. Five of the new Assemblymembers are women. Democrats have a supermajority in the chamber with a 60-member Democratic caucus to a 20-member Republican caucus. A 2/3rds vote in the Assembly for urgency and appropriations measures requires 54 votes.

Here is a brief description of how the California’s new members got to the Capitol.

Senate

SD 8:

Fresno County Supervisor Andreas Borgeas ran as a Republican and defeated Democratic Business woman Paulina Miranda. Incumbent Republican Senator Tom Berryhill was termed out.

Senate District 8 stretches from the Southeastern part of Sacramento County down to Death Valley and encompasses most of the Southern Sierra Nevada, Gold Country and parts of the Central Valley. Counties in the district include: Amador, Calaveras, Fresno, Inyo, Madera, Mariposa, Mono, Sacramento, Stanislaus, Tulare, and Tuolumne.

SD 12

Democrat Assemblywoman Anna Caballero defeated Madera County Supervisor Rob Poythress, who ran as a Republican. Incumbent Republican Senator Anthony Cannella was termed out.

Senate District 12 lies mostly in the Salinas Valley and parts of the Central Valley between Modesto and Fresno. Counties in the district include: Fresno, Madera, Merced, Monterey, San Benito, and Stanislaus.

SD 14

Former Sanger City Councilmember Democrat Melissa Hurtado defeated Incumbent Republican Senator Andy Vidak.

Senate District 14 is located in the Southern Central Valley. Counties in the district include: Fresno, Kern, King, and Tulare.

 SD 16

Former Assemblywoman Shannon Grove ® defeated Republican archeologist Ruth Musser-Lopez. Incumbent Republican Senator Jean Fuller was termed out.

Senate District 16 is located in the southern end of the Central Valley and includes the High Desert. Counties in the district include: Kern, San Bernardino, and Tulare. 

SD 22

Former Baldwin Park City Councilmember Democrat Susan Rubio defeated former Democrat Assemblymember Mike Eng. Incumbent Democrat Senator Dr. Ed Hernandez was termed out and ran unsuccessfully for Lieutenant Governor.

Senate District 22 is located in the San Gabriel Valley and includes portions of the foothills. The district is completely in Los Angeles County.

SD 24

Hotel worker union leader Democrat Maria Elena Durazo defeated Temple City Chamber of Commerce executive Democrat Peter Choi (D). Incumbent Democratic Senator and former Pro Tem, Kevin de Leon  was termed out and ran unsuccessfully for U.S. Senate.

Senate District 24 is in the central Los Angeles County.

SD 32

Pico Rivera City Councilman Democrat Bob Archuleta defeated Republican businesswoman Rita Topalian. Former Senator Democrat Tony Mendoza resigned the seat after allegations of inappropriate sexual advances.

Senate District 32 is located in mostly in southeastern Los Angeles County but includes a small portion of Orange County.

SD 34

Former Democrat Assemblymember Tom Umberg defeated Republican incumbent Senator Janet Nguyen.

Senate District 34 includes parts of Los Angeles and Orange counties including the cities of Long Beach and Santa Ana.

SD 38

Former Republican Assemblymember Brian Jones defeated Democrat firefighter Jeff Griffith. Incumbent Republican Senator Joel Anderson was termed out and ran unsuccessfully for BOE.

Assembly

AD 15

Grassroots organizer Democrat Buffy Wicks defeated mental health professional Democrat Jovanka Beckles. Incumbent Tony Thurmond successfully ran for Superintendent of Public Instruction.

Assembly District 15 is located in northern part of the East Bay. Counties in the district include Alameda and Contra Costa.

AD 16

Attorney and law professor Democrat Rebecca Bauer-Kahan (D) defeated incumbent Republican Assemblymember Catherine Baker.

Assembly District 16 is located east of the Berkley hills in the East Bay Region and includes the Tri-Valley area of eastern Alameda County. Counties in the district include Alameda and Contra Costa.

AD 30

San Benito County Supervisor Robert Rivas ran as a Democrat and defeated Republican rancher Neil Kitchens. Incumbent Democrat Assemblywoman Anna Caballero was termed out and successfully ran for State Senate.

Assembly District 30 is located in the southern end of the San Francisco Bay area and includes the inland Monterey Bay area and Salinas Valley.

AD 38

Newhall School Board Member Democrat Christy Smith defeated Republican incumbent Assemblymember Dante Acosta.

Assembly District 38 is located in the northern part of Los Angeles County and includes Santa Clarita, Simi Valley, and part of the Soledad Canyon and San Fernando Valley. Counties in the district include Los Angeles and Ventura.

AD 40

San Bernardino County Supervisor James Ramos ran as a Democrat and defeated Mayor of San Bernardino Henry Nickel who ran as a Republican. Incumbent Republican Marc Steinorth ran unsuccessfully for the San Bernardino Board of Supervisors.

Assembly District 40 is located in the Inland Empire on the western side of San Bernardino County.

AD 72

Westminster Vice-Mayor Tyler Diep ran as a Republican and defeated Democrat business owner Josh Lowenthal. Incumbent Republican Assemblyman Travis Allen ran unsuccessfully for governor.

Assembly District 72 is located in northern Orange County.   

AD 74

Democrat community leader Cottie Petrie-Norris defeated Republican incumbent Assemblymember Matthew Harper.

Assembly District 74 is located in central Orange County.

AD 76

Encinitas City Councilmember Tasha Boerner Horvath ran as a Democrat and defeated former reporter and MoveOn.Org organizer Democrat Elizabeth Warren. Incumbent Republican Assemblyman Rocky Chavez ® ran unsuccessfully for Congress.

Assembly District 76 is located in northern San Diego County.