In a presidential election year, it’s often the Congressional races – besides the race for the Oval Office – that get the attention of voters.
But let’s not forget about California’s state legislative races. There are two dozen Assembly races on the Nov. 5 ballots in Los Angeles County and at least eight — one-third — of those seats will be won by non-incumbents because the current officeholders aren’t seeking reelection.
Below is a summary of these Assembly races.
District 34: It’s a rematch between incumbent Republican Assemblymember Tom Lackey and Democratic challenger Ricardo Ortega, a peer advocate with the Children’s Law Center of California. The two previously went head-to-head during the primary election in what was a two-person race, with both then advancing to the general election. Whoever wins this November will get to represent communities like Barstow, Palmdale, Lancaster and Needles.
District 39: It’s also a rematch for incumbent Democratic Assemblymember Juan Carrillo and Republican challenger Paul Marsh, who faced each other in another two-person race during the primary, just like in District 34. A former Palmdale city councilmember, Carrillo was elected to the Assembly in 2022. Marsh, a member of the Victorville Planning Commission, previously served in the U.S. Army. The winner will represent constituents in Victorville and parts of Palmdale and Lancaster.
District 40: Incumbent Democratic Assemblymember Pilar Schiavo is up against Republican challenger Patrick Gipson, a former L.A. County sheriff’s deputy. Schiavo was first elected to the Assembly in 2022. Gipson, now retired from the county Sheriff’s Department, previously worked as a lifeguard for both the city and county of Los Angeles. The winner will represent Santa Clarita Valley and northwestern San Fernando Valley.
District 41: Former Altadena City Councilmember Michelle Del Rosario Martinez, a Republican, is running against Democrat John Harabedian,…
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