Election season is officially upon us.
The deadlines to file to run for state Senate or Assembly have come and gone, and while the field of contenders vying to represent Orange County communities in the statehouse isn’t quite set in stone, voters are beginning to get a look at who may be on the ballot.
Friday, March 6, was the deadline for candidates to file for office. That date was extended, though, to March 11 in races where an eligible incumbent decided not to run.
In Orange County, that deadline was extended in the races for Assembly District 68 and Assembly District 72.
Here we have a snapshot of who filed to run in Orange County’s legislative races and a look at the communities that will be voting. The top two vote-getters move on to the general election, regardless of political party. That holds true, even if one candidate receives a majority of votes. That means, even in races with just two candidates, you can expect a general election.
But keep in mind: The California secretary of state has not officially certified the list of candidates who will appear on the June 2 primary ballots. That official list is expected to be posted on March 26. Just who is on the ballot may be slightly different from the lists below.
State Senate District 30
Sen. Bob Archuleta, a Democrat, is running for re-election in California’s 30th State Senate District. Republican Araceli Martinez has also filed to run.
This district spans mostly southern Los Angeles County, but dips into Orange County to pick up Brea.
Here, 47% of voters are registered Democrats, while 23.3% are Republicans and another 23.3% are no party preference, according to the latest stats from the secretary of state’s office.
Senate District 32
Sen. Kelly Seyarto, a Republican, has filed to run for re-election in California’s 32nd State Senate District. Tiffanie Tate, a Democrat, has also filed to run.
This Senate district includes Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino counties. It includes parts of Yorba Linda.
Registered Republicans account for nearly 40.3% of voters in this district, while Democrats make up nearly 30.7% of voters and another 21% are no party preference.
Senate District 34
With Sen. Tom Umberg, D-Santa Ana, prevented from running for re-election due to term limits, California’s 34th State Senate District is considered to be an open race.
Former Placentia City Councilmember Rhonda Shader, a Republican, has filed to run for this seat, as has Democratic Assemblymember Avelino Valencia.
This district includes a portion of L.A. County, but is mostly in Orange County, picking up communities in Anaheim, Buena Park, Fullerton, La Habra and Santa Ana.
About 46% of registered voters in this district are Democrats, while 24.3% are Republicans and 23.7% are no party preference.
Senate District 36
In California’s 36th State Senate District, Republican Sen. Tony Strickland is vying for re-election. Former San Clemente City Councilmember Chris Duncan, a Democrat, has also filed to run.
This largely coastal Senate district, spanning Orange and Los Angeles counties, includes Dana Point, Fountain Valley, Garden Grove, Huntington Beach, Laguna Beach, Newport Beach, San Clemente and Westminster.
Here, registered Republicans account for nearly 37.3% of voters, while Democrats make up about 33.4% and 22.84% are no party preference.
Senate District 38
California’s 38th Senate District saw Sen. Catherine Blakespear, a Democrat, file to run for re-election, along with Republican Laura Bassett.
This district includes San Diego and Orange counties, including communities in Mission Viejo, Rancho Santa Margarita and San Juan Capistrano.
Registered Democrats make up 37.3% of voters in this district, with Republicans accounting for about 31.8% and no party preference 23.1%.
Assembly District 59
California’s 59th Assembly District spans San Bernardino and Orange counties. Here, Assemblymember Phillip Chen, a Republican, is running for re-election. Green Party candidate Victor Hernandez also filed to run in this race.
This district includes communities in Brea, Placentia, Villa Park and Yorba Linda.
Here, registered Republicans make up 39.6% of voters, with another 32.2% Democratic voters and 21.9% are no party preference.
Assembly District 64
Assemblymember Blanca Pacheco, a Democrat, is seeking re-election in California’s 64th Assembly District. Raul Ortiz Jr., a Republican, also filed to run for the seat that includes Los Angeles and Orange counties.
La Habra residents are represented by the legislator in this district.
Registered Democrats make up 48.5% of voters in this district, with 21.8% identifying as no party preference. Republicans account for just 23.1% of voters here.
Assembly District 67
California’s 67th Assembly District drew a host of people filing to run in this race, since the incumbent, Assemblymember Sharon Quirk-Silva, D-Fullerton, is prevented from running again due to term limits.
Those who filed include Adrian Oscar Ayub, Ada Briceño, Paul Gonzales, Paulo Morales, Mark Pulido and Ali Taj. Ayub and Morales are Republicans, and the rest are Democrats.
This district includes Buena Park, Cypress and Fullerton, as well as some communities in southern Los Angeles County.
About 41.7% of voters here are registered Democrats, while another 27.8% are registered Republicans. No party preference accounts for 24.8% of voters here.
Assembly District 68
With Valencia vying for a state Senate seat, California’s 68th Assembly District is open, drawing a handful of people who filed to run. That includes Jessie Lopez, David Penaloza, Mayra Ruiz and Shannon Wingfield. Ruiz is a Republican; the rest are Democrats.
This district is only in Orange County and includes communities in Anaheim, Orange and Santa Ana.
Here, 48.2% of voters are Democrats, while 23.5% are no party preference and 22.2% are Republicans.
Assembly District 70
Assemblymember Tri Ta, a Republican, is running for re-election in California’s 70th Assembly District. Paula Swift, a Democrat, has also filed to run here.
This district is solely in Orange County, including communities in Fountain Valley, Garden Grove and Westminster.
Here, 35.8% of voters are registered Democrats and 33.6% are Republicans. Another 24.6% are no party preference voters.
Assembly District 71
Assemblymember Kate Sanchez, a Republican, filed to run for re-election in California’s 71st Assembly District. Democrat JJ Galvez also filed to run here.
Spanning Orange and Riverside counties, this district includes Ladera Ranch, Mission Viejo and Rancho Santa Margarita.
Republicans make up 40.6% of registered voters in this district; nearly 30% are registered Democrats. Another 21.4% of voters in this district are no party preference.
Assembly District 72
GOP Assemblymember Diane Dixon is running for a spot on the Orange County Board of Supervisors, meaning California’s 72nd Assembly District is an open race.
Republicans Matthew Harper and Gracey Van Der Mark have filed to run for this seat, as have Democrat Chris Kluwe and Frank Wagoner, who is registered no party preference.
Coastal communities from Seal Beach down to Laguna Beach are included in this district, but it also juts inland to include Aliso Viejo, Laguna Woods and Lake Forest.
Here, 39.7% of voters are registered Republicans, 32% are Democrats and 21.4% are no party preference.
Assembly District 73
In California’s 73rd Assembly District race, Democratic Assemblymember Cottie Petrie-Norris filed to run for re-election. Republican Urson Russell also filed to run.
This Orange County District includes Costa Mesa, Irvine and Tustin.
Here, 38.7% of voters are registered Democrats, 27.8% are Republicans and 27.7% are no party preference.
Assembly District 74
Assemblymember Laurie Davies, a Republican, is running for re-election in California’s 74th Assembly District race. She is joined by Tokunbo Alimi and Sergio Farias, both Democrats.
This district spans Orange and San Diego counties and includes Dana Point, Laguna Niguel, San Clemente and San Juan Capistrano.
Registered Republicans account for 35.2% of voters in this district. Meanwhile, 34.5% are Democrats and 21.9% are no party preference.