The California Democratic Party is the affiliate of the

Democratic Party Democratic Party most often refers to: *Democratic Party (United States) Democratic Party and similar terms may also refer to: Active parties Africa *Botswana Democratic Party *Democratic Party of Equatorial Guinea *Gabonese Democratic Party *Demo ...

in the U.S. state of California. It is headquartered in Sacramento. With 43.5% of the state's registered voters as of 2018, the Democratic Party has the highest number of registrants of any political party in California. It is currently the dominant party in the state, and is one of the strongest affiliates of the national Democratic Party. The party currently controls the majority of California's U.S. House seats, both U.S. Senate seats, the governorship, and has supermajorities in both houses of the

state legislature A state legislature is a legislative branch or body of a political subdivision in a federal system. Two federations literally use the term "state legislature": * The legislative branches of each of the fifty state governments of the United Sta ...

History

1850s

Since the beginning of the 1850s, issues regarding slavery had effectively split the California

. By the 1853 general election campaign, large majorities of pro-slavery Democrats from Southern California, calling themselves the Chivalry (later branded as Lecompton Democrats), threatened to divide the state in half, should the state not accept slavery.

John Bigler John Bigler (January 8, 1805November 29, 1871) was an American lawyer, politician and diplomat. A Democrat, he served as the third governor of California from 1852 to 1856 and was the first California governor to complete an entire term in office, ...

, along with former state senator and lieutenant governor David C. Broderick from the previous McDougall Administration, formed the Free Soil Democratic faction, modeled after the federal Free Soil Party that argued against the spread of slavery. The Democrats effectively split into two camps, with both the Chivalry and Free Soilers nominating their own candidates for the 1853 election. By 1857, the party had split into the Lecompton and Anti-Lecompton factions. Lecompton members supported the Kansas Lecompton Constitution, a document explicitly allowing slavery into the territory, while Anti-Lecompton faction members were in opposition to slavery's expansion. The violence between supporting and opposition forces led to the period known as Bleeding Kansas. Splits in the Democratic Party, as well as the power vacuum created by the collapse of the Whig Party, helped facilitate the rise of the American Party both in state and federal politics. In particular, state voters voted Know-Nothings into the

California State Legislature The California State Legislature is a bicameral state legislature consisting of a lower house, the California State Assembly, with 80 members; and an upper house, the California State Senate, with 40 members. Both houses of the Legisla ...

, and elected J. Neely Johnson as governor in the 1855 general elections. During the 1859 general elections, Lecompton Democrats voted for Milton Latham, who had briefly lived in the

American South The Southern United States (sometimes Dixie, also referred to as the Southern States, the American South, the Southland, or simply the South) is a geographic and cultural region of the United States of America. It is between the Atlantic Ocean ...

, as their nominee for governor. Anti-Lecomptons in turn selected John Currey as their nominee. The infant

Republican Party Republican Party is a name used by many political parties around the world, though the term most commonly refers to the United States' Republican Party. Republican Party may also refer to: Africa *Republican Party (Liberia) * Republican Part ...

, running in its first gubernatorial election, selected businessman

Leland Stanford Amasa Leland Stanford (March 9, 1824June 21, 1893) was an American industrialist and politician. A member of the Republican Party, he served as the 8th governor of California from 1862 to 1863 and represented California in the United States Se ...

as its nominee. To make matters more complicated, during the campaign, Senator David C. Broderick, an Anti-Lecompton Democrat, was killed in a

duel A duel is an arranged engagement in combat between two people, with matched weapons, in accordance with agreed-upon Code duello, rules. During the 17th and 18th centuries (and earlier), duels were mostly single combats fought with swords (the r ...

by slavery supporter and former state Supreme Court Justice David Terry on September 13.

Late 19th and early 20th centuries

Until the early 1880s the Republican Party held the state through the power and influence of railroad men. The Democratic Party responded by taking an anti-corporate, anti freedom of attainment position. In 1894, Democrat James Budd was elected to the governorship, and the Democratic Party attempted to make good on their promises to reform the booming railroad industry. The party began working closely with the state's railroad commission to create fair rates for passengers and to eliminate monopolies the railroad companies held over the state. The main effort focused on making railroads public avenues of transportation similar to streets and roads. This measure passed and was a great victory for the Democrats, but the honeymoon would not last.Williams Hal, "The Democratic Party and California Politics 1880 - 1896" (Stanford University Press, California, 1973) Budd was to be the last Democratic governor for thirty years. The struggle between the anti-monopolists and the railroad companies was, however, a key and defining issue for the Democratic Party for some time. Despite their relative lack of power during this period, the Democrats in California were still active in pursuing reform. The party supported fairer railroad policies and crusaded for tariff reform. The party also supported the large scale railroad strikes that sprung up statewide. The corruption of the time in both the railroad companies and the government led to a change in political dynamic. The people of the state moved away from both of the main parties and the Progressive Movement began. While the Progressives were successful in creating positive reform and chasing out corruption, the movement drained away many of the Democratic Party's members. As their movement ended, the Republicans won the governorship, but the Democratic Party had a distinct voter advantage. In 1932, Franklin D. Roosevelt was elected president, and the Power balance between the Republicans and the Democrats in California equalized. However, as Roosevelt's

New Deal The New Deal was a series of programs, public work projects, financial reforms, and regulations enacted by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in the United States between 1933 and 1939. Major federal programs agencies included the Civilian Cons ...

policies began to raise the nation out of the depression, Democratic strength mounted. Culbert Olson was elected to the governorship, but his term was rocky, and both parties organized against him. Shortly thereafter,

Earl Warren Earl Warren (March 19, 1891 – July 9, 1974) was an American attorney, politician, and jurist who served as the 14th Chief Justice of the United States from 1953 to 1969. The Warren Court presided over a major shift in American constitution ...

and the Republicans seized power again. The California Democratic Party needed a new strategy to regain power in the state. A strategy of re-organization and popular mobilization emerged and resulted in the creation of the California Democratic Council. The CDC, as it became known, was a way for members of the party from all levels of government to come together, and, as such, the party became more unified. A new network of politically-minded civilians and elected officials emerged, and the party was stronger for it. Despite the fact that the council struggled in the

Cold War The Cold War is a term commonly used to refer to a period of geopolitical tension between the United States and the Soviet Union and their respective allies, the Western Bloc and the Eastern Bloc. The term '' cold war'' is used because the ...

era, due to Republican strength and issues such as the Vietnam War, it still exists today.

1990s

By 1992, California was hurting more than most states from a national recession which had started in 1990, causing incumbent Republican president George H. W. Bush's approval rating to tank within the state, giving an opening for the Democratic party to break through and eventually become the largest party. Starting with the double digit victory of Bill Clinton, this became the first time a Democrat had carried the state of California since 1964. Afterwards, a consolidation of the Latino and Asian vote would strengthen the Democratic party's hold in California, when these groups had previously been considered core Republican supporters within the state. The California Democratic Party began re-organizing in 1991, and in 1992, the party won the greatest victories in the history of California. President Clinton won California's 54 electoral votes, and two women, Dianne Feinstein and

Barbara Boxer Barbara Sue Boxer (née Levy; born November 11, 1940) is an American politician and lobbyist who served in the United States Senate, representing California from 1993 to 2017. A member of the Democratic Party, she previously served as the U.S. ...

, were elected as U.S. senators. Even though redistricting (re-apportionment) was executed by a Republican State Supreme Court, California Democrats in November 1992 had increased their margin at all levels—Congressional, state assembly and in the state senate. In 1994, California Democrats suffered a setback by losing the governor's race for the fourth time in a row, and the Democrats became a minority in the State Assembly. However, despite $29 million spent by Republican U.S. Senate candidate Michael Huffington, Democratic incumbent U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein won re-election. The 1996 elections proved to be a dramatic turnaround from the results of 1994, as President Bill Clinton won California's 54 electoral votes for a second consecutive time. Three Republican Congressman were also defeated, including Bob Dornan in the conservative stronghold of Orange County. In addition, California Democrats also regained the majority in the State Assembly, while adding to their majority in the state senate. Gray Davis Bio

1998 was a banner year for California Democrats. An overwhelming majority of Californians elected

Gray Davis Joseph Graham "Gray" Davis Jr. (born December 26, 1942) is an American attorney and former politician who served as the 37th governor of California from 1999 to 2003. In 2003, only a few months into his second term, Davis was recalled and remov ...

, the first Democratic governor in 16 years, and re-elected U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer. Six of eight candidates for statewide constitutional offices won, including Lieutenant Governor Cruz Bustamante, Attorney General

Bill Lockyer William Westwood Lockyer (born May 8, 1941) is a retired American politician from California, who held elective office from 1973 to 2015, as State Treasurer of California, California Attorney General, and President Pro Tempore of the California ...

, Treasurer Phil Angelides, Controller Kathleen Connell, and State Superintendent of Public Instruction Delaine Eastin. In addition, California Democrats increased their majority in the State Assembly from 43 to 48, and also in the state senate from 23 to 25.

21st century

Holding off a national Republican trend in 2002, California Democrats won all eight statewide offices for the first time since 1882. Governor Gray Davis, Lieutenant Governor Cruz Bustamante, Attorney General Bill Lockyer, and State Treasurer Phil Angelides were all re-elected, while Steve Westly was elected State Controller, Kevin Shelley was elected Secretary of State, John Garamendi was elected Insurance Commissioner, and Jack O'Connell was elected State Superintendent of Public Instruction. This feat (winning all statewide offices) was repeated in

2010 File:2010 Events Collage New.png, From top left, clockwise: The 2010 Chile earthquake was one of the strongest recorded in history; The Eruption of Eyjafjallajökull in Iceland disrupts air travel in Europe; A scene from the opening ceremony of ...

, when, despite massive Republican gains nationwide, the California Democratic Party swept all the statewide offices being contested, maintained its 34–19 edge in the 53-member U.S. House delegation, and won one additional seat (thus increasing their majority) in the State Assembly, while maintaining their current majority in the state senate. In the

2012 File:2012 Events Collage V3.png, From left, clockwise: The passenger cruise ship Costa Concordia lies capsized after the Costa Concordia disaster; Damage to Casino Pier in Seaside Heights, New Jersey as a result of Hurricane Sandy; People gather ...

election, California Democrats experienced tremendous success once again: Not only did President Barack Obama win California's 55 electoral votes again, with over 60% of the vote, and Senator Dianne Feinstein was re-elected with over 62% of the vote, but California Democrats – despite running in federal and legislative districts that were redrawn by an

independent redistricting commission In the United States, a redistricting commission is a body, other than the usual state legislative bodies, established to draw electoral district boundaries. Generally the intent is to avoid gerrymandering, or at least the appearance of gerryma ...

for the first time, per the passage of Propositions 11 and 20, and the implementation of a new

blanket primary The blanket primary is a system used for selecting political party candidates in a primary election, used in Argentina and historically in the United States. In a blanket primary, voters may pick one candidate for each office without regard to par ...

– also won a net gain of four House seats by defeating three GOP incumbents and winning an open GOP seat, and won a supermajority in both houses of the state legislature, a feat which the party last accomplished in 1882. Geographically, the 2012 elections also witnessed the California Democratic Party make inroads in traditionally Republican areas: San Diego, the second largest city in California and a long-time GOP stronghold, elected a Democratic mayor for the first time since 1988. California Democrats also notched up victories in other traditionally Republican areas, such as the

Inland Empire The Inland Empire (IE) is a metropolitan area and region inland of and adjacent to coastal Southern California, centering around the cities of San Bernardino and Riverside, and bordering Los Angeles County to the west. It includes the cities o ...

, Ventura County, the Central Valley, and Orange County.

Governance

The California Democratic Party is a "political party that has detailed statutory provisions applicable to its operation", which are in division 7, part 2 of the California Elections Code. The Democratic State Central Committee, which is the governing body of the California Democratic Party, functions pursuant to its standing rules and bylaws.By-Laws & Rules of the California Democratic Party
. July 2012. The Democratic State Central Committee is composed of approximately 2,900 members that are appointed by Democratic elected officials and nominees, elected by county central committees, and elected in Assembly district election meetings, in roughly equal proportion. The executive board is composed of approximately 320 members and holds all powers and duties of the California Democratic Party while the state central committee or its conventions are not in session. There are semi-autonomous county central committees for each of California's 54 counties. Each county central committee elects 4 members, plus a member for each 10,000 registered Democrats in that county, to the state central committee. The state central committee bylaws specify that county central committees may provide for the election of their allocation of membership on an at-large basis, or by county supervisor districts or Assembly districts, or by any combination thereof. "Assembly district election meetings" are held

biennially Biennial means (an event) lasting for two years or occurring every two years. The related term biennium is used in reference to a period of two years. In particular, it can refer to: * Biennial plant, a plant which blooms in its second year and th ...

in January in every odd-numbered year (immediately after elections for the governor and president) within each of California's 80 Assembly districts. Participation is open to all registered Democrats within the Assembly district. Each meeting elects 14 members to the state central committee, divided as equally as possible between men and women.

County central committees

At every direct primary election, a county central committee is elected in each county. The California Elections Code specifies how county central committee members are elected. Candidates for county central committees are nominated pursuant to division 8, part 1, chapter 1 of the Elections Code, which defines requirements such as the number of Democratic registered voters required (20–40) to sign a nomination. A county central committee may also select its members at any time by holding a caucus or convention or by using any other method of selection approved by the committee. If the number of candidates nominated for election does not exceed the number of candidates to be elected, the candidates are not listed on the ballots, but are instead declared elected by the board of supervisors.

List of chairs

George T. Marye George Thomas Marye Jr. (December 13, 1849 – September 2, 1933) was an American banker from San Francisco, appointed Ambassador to Russia by President Woodrow Wilson. Biography He was born on December 13, 1849, to George Thomas Marye Sr, ...

(1888–1893) *

William Hays Alford William is a masculine given name of Norman French origin.Hanks, Hardcastle and Hodges, ''Oxford Dictionary of First Names'', Oxford University Press, 2nd edition, , p. 276. It became very popular in the English language after the Norman conques ...

(1896) *

Seth Mann Seth,; el, Σήθ ''Sḗth''; ; "placed", "appointed") in Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Mandaeism, and Sethianism, was the third son of Adam and Eve and brother of Cain and Abel, their only other child mentioned by name in the Hebrew Bible. Ac ...

(1898–1900) *

John E. Raker John Edward Raker (February 22, 1863 – January 22, 1926) was an American lawyer and politician who served as a Democratic Party Congressional representative for California, serving eight terms from 1911 to 1926. Life He was born near Knoxv ...

(1908–1910) *

Claude F. Purkitt Claude may refer to: __NOTOC__ People and fictional characters * Claude (given name), a list of people and fictional characters * Claude (surname), a list of people * Claude Lorrain (c. 1600–1682), French landscape painter, draughtsman and etcher ...

(1922–1928) *

Harry H. McPike Harry may refer to: TV shows * ''Harry'' (American TV series), a 1987 American comedy series starring Alan Arkin * ''Harry'' (British TV series), a 1993 BBC drama that ran for two seasons * ''Harry'' (talk show), a 2016 American daytime talk show ...

(1929–1930) * Zachary T. Malaby (1931) * Maurice Harrison (1932-1934) * Culbert L. Olson (1934) *

Clifford C. Anglim Clifford may refer to: People *Clifford (name), an English given name and surname, includes a list of people with that name *William Kingdon Clifford *Baron Clifford *Baron Clifford of Chudleigh *Baron de Clifford *Clifford baronets *Clifford fami ...

(1937) *

Paul Peek Paul Edward Peek, Jr. (June 23, 1937 – April 3, 2001) was an early rockabilly pioneer. Peek was born in High Point, North Carolina, and was raised in Greenville, South Carolina. Paul learned to play the guitar, steel guitar, and bass while ...

(1939) *

William M. Malone William M. Malone (1900–1981) chaired the California Democratic Party during and after World War II. He was the most powerful Democratic Party leader of San Francisco (and, arguably, of California) during the later Roosevelt and Truman Administr ...

(1940-1942) *

(1944–1946) * James Roosevelt (1946-1948) * Oliver Carter (1949) *

Glenn M. Anderson Glenn Malcolm Anderson (February 21, 1913 – December 13, 1994) was an American politician. He was the 37th Lieutenant Governor of California and later represented Southern Los Angeles County (including Carson, San Pedro, and Long Beach) in t ...

(1950–1952) *

George Miller Jr. George Miller Jr. (January 7, 1914 – January 1, 1969) was an American Democratic politician who served as a California State Assemblyman from 1947 to 1949 and a California State Senator from 1949 to 1969. He was a leader of the liberal wing of ...

(1952-1954) *

Elizabeth C. Snyder Elizabeth or Elisabeth may refer to: People * Elizabeth (given name), a female given name (including people with that name) * Elizabeth (biblical figure), mother of John the Baptist Ships * HMS ''Elizabeth'', several ships * ''Elisabeth'' (sch ...

(1954–1956) *

Roger Kent Roger is a given name, usually masculine, and a surname. The given name is derived from the Old French personal names ' and '. These names are of Germanic origin, derived from the elements ', ''χrōþi'' ("fame", "renown", "honour") and ', ' ...

(1958) *

William Munnell William Arthur Munnell (October 9, 1920 – March 1, 2013) was an American politician who served in the California State Assembly for the 51st district from 1951 to 1961 and during World War II he served in the United States Army. While serving ...

(1959-1960) * Charles Warren (1966-1968) * Charles Manatt (1969–1973) * John Burton (1973–1974) *Bert Coffey (1977–1979) *Richard J. O'Neill (1979–1981) *

Nancy Pelosi Nancy Patricia Pelosi (; ; born March 26, 1940) is an American politician who has served as Speaker of the United States House of Representatives since 2019 and previously from 2007 to 2011. She has represented in the United States House of ...

(1981–1983) *Peter D. Kelly III (1983–1985) *Betty Smith (1985–1987) *Peter D. Kelly III (1987–1989) * Jerry Brown (1989–1991) * Phil Angelides (1991–1993) *

Bill Press William H. Press (born April 8, 1940) is an American talk radio host, podcaster, liberal pundit and author. He was chairman of the California Democratic Party from 1993 to 1996, and is a senior political contributor on CNN. He hosts ''The Bill P ...

(1993–1996) * Art Torres (1996–2009) * John Burton (2009–2017) *

Eric C. Bauman Eric Carl Bauman (born December 10, 1958) is an American political operative who was, until 2018, the chair of the California Democratic Party. Previously the vice chair of the state party (2009–2017) and chair of the Los Angeles Democratic Pa ...

(2017–2018) *

Alex Gallardo-Rooker Alexandra "Alex" Gallardo-Rooker is a Mexican-American lobbyist and political executive who has served as vice chair of the California Democratic Party since 1997. After the resignation of Eric C. Bauman amid sexual assault allegations, Gallardo ...

(acting, 2018–2019) * Rusty Hicks (2019–present)

Organization

The Democratic State Central Committee of the California Democratic Party of California is organized into nine standing committees: Platform, Resolutions, Rules, Legislation, Affirmative Action, Credentials, Finance, Organizational Development, and Voter Services.

Platform

The California Democratic Party published
2022 platform.

Current elected officials

The following is a list of Democratic statewide and legislative officeholders, as of June 12, 2019 (federal office holders as of January 20, 2021);

Statewide constitutional officers

After the last election, Democrats maintained control over all eight elected statewide constitutional offices: File:Gavin Newsom by Gage Skidmore.jpg, Governor File:Eleni Kounalakis in 2021.jpg,

Lieutenant Governor A lieutenant governor, lieutenant-governor, or vice governor is a high officer of state, whose precise role and rank vary by jurisdiction. Often a lieutenant governor is the deputy, or lieutenant, to or ranked under a governor — a "second-in-comm ...

File:Shirley Weber (cropped).jpg, Secretary of the State File:AG Rob Bonta official (cropped).jpg,

Attorney General In most common law jurisdictions, the attorney general or attorney-general (sometimes abbreviated AG or Atty.-Gen) is the main legal advisor to the government. The plural is attorneys general. In some jurisdictions, attorneys general also have exec ...

File:Betty Yee official photo (cropped).jpg, Controller File:Fiona Ma official1 (cropped).jpg, Treasurer * Insurance Commissioner: Ricardo Lara *

Superintendent of Public Instruction A state education agency or state department of education is the state-level government organization within each U.S. state or territory responsible for education, including providing information, resources, and technical assistance on educationa ...

: Tony Thurmond (''this office is officially non-partisan, and Thurmond was elected as a non-partisan'')

Federal executive officials

File:Kamala Harris Vice Presidential Portrait.jpg, Vice President

Federal officeholders for the 117th United States Congress

U.S. Senate

Both of California's seats in the U.S. Senate have been under Democratic control since

1992 File:1992 Events Collage V1.png, From left, clockwise: 1992 Los Angeles riots, Riots break out across Los Angeles, California after the Police brutality, police beating of Rodney King; El Al Flight 1862 crashes into a residential apartment buildi ...

: File:Dianne Feinstein, official Senate photo 2.jpg, Senior U.S. Senator File:Alex Padilla 117th Congress portrait (cropped).jpg, Junior U.S. Senator

U.S. House of Representatives

Of the 53 seats California is apportioned in the U.S. House following the 2010 census, 42 are held by Democrats: Official_photo_of_Speaker_Nancy_Pelosi_in_2019

Official_photo_of_Speaker_Nancy_Pelosi_in_2019

* CA-02: Jared Huffman *

CA-03 California's 3rd congressional district is a List of United States congressional districts, U.S. congressional district in California. John Garamendi, a Democratic Party (United States), Democrat, has represented the district since January 2013 ...

: John Garamendi *

CA-05 California's 5th congressional district is a List of United States congressional districts, U.S. congressional district in California. The district is located in the northern San Joaquin Valley and central Sierra Nevada. The district includes ...

: Mike Thompson * CA-06: Doris Matsui * CA-07: Ami Bera * CA-09: Jerry McNerney * CA-10:

Josh Harder Joshua Keck Harder (born August 1, 1986) is an American politician and venture capital investor who has served as the U.S. representative from California's 9th congressional district since 2019 (known as the 10th congressional district until 20 ...

CA-11 California's 11th congressional district is a congressional district in the U.S. state of California. Currently, the 11th district consists of most of Contra Costa County. Mark DeSaulnier, a Democrat, has represented the district since January ...

: Mark DeSaulnier * CA-12:

(''

Speaker of the House The speaker of a deliberative assembly, especially a legislative body, is its presiding officer, or the chair. The title was first used in 1377 in England. Usage The title was first recorded in 1377 to describe the role of Thomas de Hunger ...

'') *

CA-13 California's 13th congressional district is a California's congressional districts, congressional district in the U.S. state of California. Barbara Lee, a Democratic Party (United States), Democrat, has represented this district since Januar ...

: Barbara Lee *

CA-14 California's 14th congressional district is a congressional district in the U.S. state of California. Eric Swalwell, a Democrat, has represented the district since January 2023. Currently, the 14th district is in Alameda County and includes th ...

Jackie Speier Karen Lorraine Jacqueline Speier ( ; born May 14, 1950) is an American lawyer and politician serving as the U.S. representative for , serving in Congress since 2008. She is a member of the Democratic Party. The district, numbered as the 12th Distr ...

* CA-15: Eric Swalwell *

CA-16 California's 16th congressional district is a congressional district in the U.S. state of California, which as of the most recent general election was located in the central San Joaquin Valley. The district is currently represented by . On 20 ...

Jim Costa James Manuel Costa (born April 13, 1952) is an American politician serving as the United States House of Representatives, U.S. representative for since 2023, previously representing the California's 20th congressional district, 20th congressio ...

CA-17 California's 17th congressional district is a congressional district in the U.S. state of California that is currently represented by Ro Khanna. It is located in the South Bay and East Bay regions of the San Francisco Bay Area. The dist ...

: Ro Khanna *

CA-18 California's 18th congressional district is a congressional district located in the U.S. state of California. The district is currently represented by . It includes portions of Santa Clara, San Mateo, and Santa Cruz counties, extending from ...

Anna Eshoo Anna A. Eshoo ( ; née Georges; born December 13, 1942) is an American politician serving as the U.S. representative from . She is a member of the Democratic Party. The district, numbered as the 14th district from 1993 to 2013, is based in Silico ...

* CA-19: Zoe Lofgren *

CA-20 California's 20th congressional district is a congressional district in the U.S. state of California. The district is currently represented by Democrat Jimmy Panetta. It encompasses much of the Central Coast region. The district includes M ...

: Jimmy Panetta *

CA-24 California's 24th congressional district is a congressional district in the U.S. state of California. The district is currently represented by Salud Carbajal. It contains all of Santa Barbara County, most of San Luis Obispo County, and part ...

: Salud Carbajal * CA-26: Julia Brownley *

CA-27 California's 27th congressional district is a congressional district in the U.S. state of California. The district is currently represented by . It comprises parts of Los Angeles and San Bernardino counties and covers much of the San Gabriel ...

: Judy Chu * CA-28: Adam Schiff * CA-29: Tony Cardenas * CA-30: Brad Sherman *

CA-31 California's 31st congressional district is a congressional district in San Bernardino County, in the U.S. state of California. The district is located in the Inland Empire region, including the city of San Bernardino and portions of Rancho Cuc ...

: Pete Aguilar *

CA-32 California's 32nd congressional district is a congressional district in the U.S. state of California based in Los Angeles County. The 32nd district takes in the city of Malibu and the Los Angeles neighborhoods of Pacific Palisades, Beverly G ...

Grace Napolitano Graciela Flores "Grace" Napolitano (; born December 4, 1936) is an American Democratic Party politician who has represented California's San Gabriel Valley and other parts of Los Angeles County in the United States House of Representatives sin ...

* CA-33: Ted Lieu * CA-34: Jimmy Gomez * CA-35:

Norma Torres Norma Judith Torres (née Barillas ; born April 4, 1965) is an American politician. She is a member of the United States House of Representatives for California's 35th congressional district. Previously, she was a member of the California State S ...

* CA-36: Raul Ruiz * CA-37: Karen Bass * CA-38: Linda Sánchez *

CA-40 California's 40th congressional district is a congressional district in the U.S. state of California. The district is currently represented by . The district includes Downey, East Los Angeles, Commerce, Paramount, Bell, Bell Gardens, Bellfl ...

: Lucille Roybal-Allard * CA-41: Mark Takano *

CA-43 California's 43rd congressional district is a congressional district in the U.S. state of California that is currently represented by . The district is centered in the southern part of Los Angeles County, and includes portions of the cities ...

: Maxine Waters * CA-44: Nanette Barragán * CA-45: Katie Porter * CA-46: Lou Correa *

CA-47 California's 47th congressional district is a congressional district in the U.S. state of California. The district is centered in Long Beach, extends into the western Orange County cities of Garden Grove, Westminster, Stanton, Buena Park, L ...

: Alan Lowenthal *

CA-49 California's 49th congressional district is a congressional district in the U.S. state of California. The district is represented by Mike Levin. The district currently covers the northern coastal areas of San Diego County, including Oceansid ...

: Mike Levin *

CA-51 California's 51st congressional district is a congressional district in the U.S. state of California. The district is currently represented by . The district currently includes central and eastern portions of San Diego, as well as eastern sub ...

: Juan Vargas *

CA-52 California's 52nd congressional district is a congressional district in the U.S. state of California. The district is currently represented by . The district currently includes south western portions of San Diego County. Cities in the di ...

: Scott Peters *

CA-53 California's 53rd congressional district was a former congressional district in the U.S. state of California. It was last represented by Sara Jacobs, who succeeded Susan Davis following the 2020 election. It was eliminated following the 20 ...

Sara Jacobs Sara Josephine Jacobs (born February 1, 1989) is an American politician serving as the United States House of Representatives, U.S. representative for . Her district includes central and eastern portions of San Diego, California, San Diego, as we ...

Board of Equalization, State Senate, and State Assembly

Board of Equalization

Democrats hold four of the five seats on the

State Board of Equalization The California State Board of Equalization (BOE) is a public agency charged with tax administration and fee collection in the state of California in the United States. The authorities of the Board fall into four broad areas: sales and use t ...

: three of the four district-based seats, and the at-large ''ex officio'' seat reserved for the incumbent State Controller, who, in this instance, is Democrat Betty Yee. *2nd District:

Malia Cohen Malia M. Cohen (born December 16, 1977) is an American politician serving as the California State Controller following the 2022 election. A member of the Democratic Party, Cohen previously served as the Chair of the California California State B ...

*3rd District:

Tony Vazquez Tony Vazquez is an American politician and former educator serving as a member of the California Board of Equalization from the third district. Elected in 2018, he assumed office on January 12, 2019. Vazquez graduated from the University of Sout ...

*4th District:

Mike Schaefer John Michael Schaefer (born March 25, 1938) is an American politician and former perennial candidate who served on the San Diego City Council from 1965 to 1971 and then ran for 33 local and state offices in California, Arizona, Maryland, and Ne ...

*State Controller: Betty Yee

State Senate

As of December 2022, Democrats hold a 32–8 supermajority in the 40-member

California State Senate The California State Senate is the upper house of the California State Legislature, the lower house being the California State Assembly. The State Senate convenes, along with the State Assembly, at the California State Capitol in Sacramento, Cal ...

. The Democrats have been the majority party in the Senate continuously since

1956 Events January * January 1 – The Anglo-Egyptian Sudan, Anglo-Egyptian Condominium ends in Sudan. * January 8 – Operation Auca: Five U.S. evangelical Christian Missionary, missionaries, Nate Saint, Roger Youderian, Ed McCully, Jim ...

. * SD 2: Mike McGuire (''Majority Leader'') * SD 3: Bill Dodd * SD 4:

Marie Alvarado-Gil Marie Alvarado-Gil is an American politician who represents California's 4th State Senate district in the California State Senate following her election in the 2022 California State Senate election. She is a member of the Democratic Party. Educ ...

* SD 5:

Susan Eggman Susan Talamantes Eggman (born March 3, 1961) is an American politician who is currently serving in the California State Senate. A Democrat, she represents the 5th Senate District, which encompasses western San Joaquin County, since January 19, ...

* SD 7:

Steve Glazer Steven Mitchell Glazer (born August 10, 1957) is an American politician and former political advisor serving as a member of the California State Senate from the 7th Senate District, which includes most of Contra Costa County and eastern porti ...

* SD 8:

Angelique Ashby Angelique Ashby is an American politician and a member of the California State Senate. A Democrat, she represents the 8th State Senate District. References External links Official websiteAngelique Ashbyat Ballotpedia Ballotpedia is a n ...

* SD 9: Nancy Skinner * SD 10: Aisha Wahab * SD 11: Scott Wiener * SD 13: Josh Becker * SD 14: Anna Caballero * SD 15: Dave Cortese * SD 16: Melissa Hurtado *

SD 17 South Dakota Highway 17 (SD 17) is a state highway in southeastern South Dakota, United States. It runs along the eastern edge of Lennox. SD 17 formerly continued south to what is now SD 46 near Centerville, and north to ...

John Laird John Laird may refer to: * John Laird (American politician) (born 1950), California State Senator * John Laird (footballer) (1935–2016) Australian rules footballer * John Laird (philosopher) (1887–1946), Scottish philosopher * John Laird (ship ...

* SD 18:

Steve Padilla Stephen C. Padilla (born 1967) is an American politician, public policy, advocacy and communications consultant serving in the California State Senate since 2022. From 1994 to 2002, he served two terms on the city council of Chula Vista, Calif ...

* SD 19:

Monique Limón Monique Limón (born October 30, 1979) is an American politician serving as a member of the California State Senate. She is a Democrat representing the 19th Senate District, encompassing all of Santa Barbara County, as well as over half of Ve ...

* SD 20:

Caroline Menjivar Caroline Menjivar is an American politician and United States Marine Corps veteran. She has served as a member of the California State Senate since 2022. A Democrat, she represents the 20th district. She became the first LGBTQ legislator to rep ...

* SD 22:

Susan Rubio Susan Rubio (born December 25, 1970) is an American politician serving in the California State Senate. A Democrat, she represents the 22nd Senate District in eastern Los Angeles County. Prior to being elected to the California Legislature in 201 ...

* SD 24: Ben Allen * SD 25: Anthony Portantino * SD 26: Maria Elena Durazo * SD 27: Henry Stern * SD 28:

Lola Smallwood-Cuevas Lola Smallwood-Cuevas is an American politician and a member of the California Senate. A Democrat, she represents the 28th Senate District. References External links SD 29:

Josh Newman Joshua Paul Newman (born June 11, 1982) is an American former Major League Baseball relief pitcher. He played parts of and for the Colorado Rockies and Kansas City Royals. Biography A native of Wheelersburg, Ohio, Newman played college baseba ...

* SD 30:

Bob Archuleta Bob Jerry Archuleta (born June 1, 1945) is an American politician serving in the California State Senate. He is a Democrat representing the 30th district, encompassing parts of southeastern Los Angeles County and Orange County. Prior to being el ...

* SD 31: Richard Roth * SD 33: Lena Gonzalez * SD 34: Tom Umberg * SD 35:

Steven Bradford Steven Bradford (born January 12, 1960) is an American politician currently serving in the California State Senate. He is a Democrat representing the 35th district, encompassing parts of Los Angeles County. Prior to his election to the state s ...

* SD 37: Dave Min * SD 38:

Catherine Blakespear Catherine Smith Blakespear (born February 26, 1976) is an American politician who is currently serving in the California State Senate. She is a Democrat representing the 38th Senate District, which encompasses the Northern San Diego County and ...

* SD 39: Toni Atkins (''Senate President pro Tempore'')

State Assembly

As of December 2022, Democrats hold a 62–18 supermajority in the 80-seat

California State Assembly The California State Assembly is the lower house of the California State Legislature, the upper house being the California State Senate. The Assembly convenes, along with the State Senate, at the California State Capitol in Sacramento. The A ...

. The Democrats have been the majority party in the Assembly continuously since 1996. * AD 2: Jim Wood * AD 4: Cecilia Aguiar-Curry * AD 6:

Kevin McCarty Kevin M. McCarty (born January 6, 1972) is an American politician currently serving in the California State Assembly. He is a Democrat representing the 7th Assembly District, which encompasses a portion of the Sacramento metropolitan area, i ...

* AD 10:

Stephanie Nguyen Stephanie Nguyen may refer to: * Stephanie Nguyen (dancer) (born 1986), a Danish dancer * Stephanie Nguyen (politician), a member of the California State Assembly {{DEFAULTSORT:Nguyen, Stephanie ...

* AD 11: Lori Wilson * AD 12:

Damon Connolly Damon Connolly is an American attorney and politician serving as a member of the California State Assembly for the 12th district. Elected in November 2022, he assumed office on December 5, 2022. Early life and education Connolly was raised in ...

* AD 13:

Carlos Villapudua Carlos Villapudua (born March 10, 1968) is an American politician who is currently serving in the California State Assembly. A Democrat, he represents the 13th Assembly District, which encompasses western San Joaquin County, including the city ...

* AD 14: Buffy Wicks * AD 15:

Tim Grayson Tim Grayson (born September 17, 1967) is an American politician serving in the California State Assembly. He is a Democrat representing the 14th Assembly District, encompassing parts of the East Bay and the North Bay, including Concord, Pit ...

* AD 16: Rebecca Bauer-Kahan (''Assistant Speaker pro tempore'') * AD 17: Matt Haney * AD 18:

Mia Bonta Mia Bonta ( Mialisa Tania Villafañe; born January 26, 1972) is an American politician serving as a member of the California State Assembly. A member of the Democratic Party, she represents the 18th Assembly District, which consists of Oakland, ...

* AD 19: Phil Ting * AD 20:

Liz Ortega Elizabeth Ortega-Toro (''née'' Ortega; born August 26, 1977) is an American politician and labor executive who is a member of the California State Assembly from the 20th district since 2022. A member of the Democratic Party, her district incl ...

AD 21 AD 21 ( XXI) was a common year starting on Friday of the Julian calendar. At the time, it was known as the Year of the Consulship of Tiberius and Drusus (or, less frequently, year 774 ''Ab urbe condita''). The denomination AD 21 for this year has ...

Diane Papan The 2022 California State Assembly election will be held on Tuesday, November 8, 2022, with the primary election being held on June 7, 2022. All of the seats of the California State Assembly will be elected as part of the 2022 California elect ...

* AD 23: Marc Berman * AD 24: Alex Lee * AD 25: Ash Kalra * AD 26:

Evan Low Evan Low (born June 5, 1983) is an American politician currently serving in the California State Assembly. He is a Democrat representing the 26th Assembly District, which encompasses parts of the Northern CA South Bay and Silicon Valley, includ ...

* AD 27:

Esmeralda Soria Esmeralda Zamudio Soria (born April 22, 1982) is an American politician and adjunct professor who is serving in the California State Assembly for the 27th district since 2022. Previously, she served as a member of the Fresno City Council from 2 ...

* AD 28:

Gail Pellerin Gail Pellerin (born May 31, 1962) is an American politician who is a member of the California State Assembly from 28th district. The district includes most of Santa Cruz County and part of Santa Clara County. She previously served as Santa Cru ...

* AD 29:

Robert Rivas Robert Rivas O.P. (born 1946) is the Roman Catholic archbishop of the Archdiocese of Castries in St. Lucia. Early life Rivas was born in the village of La Pastora, Arouca, Trinidad and Tobago, on June 7, 1946. He is the son of the late Sab ...

* AD 30: Dawn Addis * AD 31: Joaquin Arambula *

AD 35 __NOTOC__ AD 35 (XXXV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar) of the Julian calendar. At the time, it was known as the Year of the Consulship of Gallus and Nonianus (or, less frequently, year 788 ''Ab urb ...

Jasmeet Bains Jasmeet Kaur Bains (born 1986) is an American physician and politician serving as a member of the California State Assembly for the 35th district. She assumed office on December 5, 2022. Early life and education Bains was born in Delano, Cali ...

* AD 36: Eduardo Garcia *

AD 37 AD 37 ( XXXVII) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar) of the Julian calendar. At the time, it was known as the Year of the Consulship of Proculus and Pontius (or, less frequently, year 790 ''Ab urbe condita' ...

: Gregg Hart * AD 38: Steve Bennett * AD 39:

Juan Carrillo Juan Carrillo is an American politician. He serves as a Democratic member for the 39th district of the California State Assembly, which includes Palmdale, Lake Los Angeles, Adelanto, and Victorville. Life and career Carrillo was born in ...

* AD 40:

Pilar Schiavo Pilar Schiavo is an American politician, nurse advocate, and labor activist currently serving in the California State Assembly representing the western San Fernando Valley, including Santa Clarita, Northridge, Chatsworth, Porter Ranch, and Gra ...

* AD 41:

Chris Holden Chris Holden (born July 19, 1960) is an American politician serving in the California State Assembly. He is a Democrat representing the 41st Assembly District, which encompasses the northern San Gabriel Valley, and is centered in Pasadena. ...

AD 42 AD 42 ( XLII) was a common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar) of the Julian calendar. At the time it was known as the Year of the Consulship of Caesar and Largus (or, less frequently, year 795 ''Ab urbe condita''). ...

: Jacqui Irwin *

AD 43 AD 43 chars (Roman numerals, XLIII) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar) of the Julian calendar. At the time, it was known as the Year of the Consulship of Claudius, Caesar and Lucius Vitellius the Elder, Vi ...

: Luz Rivas * AD 44:

Laura Friedman Laura Friedman (born December 3, 1966) is an Americans, American politician serving in the California State Assembly and a candidate for California's 30th congressional district. A Democratic Party (United States), Democrat, she represents the ...

* AD 45:

James Ramos James C. Ramos (born January 29, 1967) is an American politician who is currently in the California State Assembly. A Democratic Party (United States), Democrat, he represents the California's 40th State Assembly district, 40th Assembly Distric ...

* AD 46: Jesse Gabriel (''Majority Whip'') * AD 48:

Blanca Rubio Blanca Estela Rubio (born September 15, 1969) is an American politician serving in the California State Assembly since 2016. She is a Democrat representing the 48th Assembly District, encompassing parts of the eastern San Gabriel Valley, includin ...

* AD 49:

Mike Fong Mike Fong (, born 1976/77) is an American politician serving in the California State Assembly from the California's 49th State Assembly district, 49th district, which includes parts of the San Gabriel Valley, including El Monte, California, El Mo ...

* AD 50: Eloise Reyes (''Majority Leader'') * AD 51:

Rick Zbur Rick Chavez Zbur (born March 2, 1957 in New Mexico) is an American attorney currently serving in the California State Assembly. He is also a former United States House of Representatives candidate. He is a well-known LGBT civil rights advocate ...

AD 52 AD 52 ( LII) was a leap year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar) of the Julian calendar. At the time, it was known as the Year of the Consulship of Sulla and Otho (or, less frequently, year 805 ''Ab urbe condita''). The de ...

Wendy Carrillo Wendy Maria Carrillo Dono is an American politician serving in the California State Assembly. A Democrat, she represents the 51st State Assembly district, encompassing parts of northeastern Los Angeles and East Los Angeles. She was sworn into o ...

* AD 53:

Freddie Rodriguez Freddie Rodriguez (born September 8, 1965) is an American politician currently serving in the California State Assembly. He is a Democrat representing the 52nd Assembly District, which encompasses portions of the Pomona Valley. Rodriguez wa ...

AD 54 AD 54 ( LIV) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar) of the Julian calendar. At the time, it was known as the Year of the Consulship of Lentulus and Marcellus (or, less frequently, year 807 ''Ab urbe condita'' ...

Miguel Santiago Miguel Santiago (born March 6, 1973) is an American politician, currently serving in the California State Assembly, where he serves as chairman of the Communications and Conveyance Committee. Santiago is a Democrat representing the 53rd Assembl ...

AD 55 AD 55 ( LV) was a common year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar) of the Julian calendar. At the time, it was known as the Year of the Consulship of Caesar and Vetus (or, less frequently, year 808 ''Ab urbe condita''). Th ...

: Isaac Bryan * AD 56:

Lisa Calderon Lisa Yvette Calderon (née Rodriguez) (born January 25, 1965) is an American politician serving in the California State Assembly. She is a Democrat representing the 57th Assembly District, which encompasses the Gateway Cities and portions of t ...

* AD 57:

Reggie Jones-Sawyer Reginald Byron Jones-Sawyer, Sr., (born January 14, 1957) is an American politician currently serving in the California State Assembly. He is a Democrat representing the 59th Assembly District, which encompasses portions of South Central Los An ...

AD 58 AD 58 ( LVIII) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar) of the Julian calendar. At the time, it was known as the Year of the Consulship of Caesar and Messalla (or, less frequently, year 811 '' Ab urbe condita'') ...

: Sabrina Cervantes * AD 60: Corey Jackson * AD 61:

Tina McKinnor Tina McKinnor is an American politician serving as a member of the California State Assembly for the 62nd district, encompassing portions of the Westside and the South Bay regions of Los Angeles County, including Inglewood, Hawthorne, and Law ...

* AD 62: Anthony Rendon (''Speaker of the Assembly'') * AD 64:

Blanca Pacheco Blanca Pacheco is an American attorney and politician serving as a member of the California State Assembly for the California's 64th State Assembly district, 64th district, which includes Downey, California, Downey, Norwalk, California, Norwalk, W ...

AD 65 AD 65 ( LXV) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar) of the Julian calendar. At the time, it was known as the Year of the Consulship of Nerva and Vestinus (or, less frequently, year 818 ''Ab urbe condita''). ...

: Mike Gipson (''Majority Caucus Chair'') *

AD 66 __NOTOC__ AD 66 ( LXVI) was a common year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar) of the Julian calendar. At the time, it was known as the Year of the Consulship of Telesinus and Paullinus (or, less frequently, year 819 '' ...

Al Muratsuchi Albert Yasuro Muratsuchi (born September 4, 1964) is an American politician serving the California State Assembly. A Democrat, he represents the 66th Assembly District, encompassing parts of the South Bay region of Los Angeles, including the ci ...

* AD 67:

Sharon Quirk-Silva Sharon Quirk-Silva (born September 17, 1962) is an American politician and educator serving as a member of the California State Assembly, representing the 65th Assembly District, which includes portions of northern Orange County, including La ...

* AD 68:

Avelino Valencia Avelino Valencia (born November 12, 1988) is an American Democratic politician who is currently serving as a member of the California State Assembly for the 68th district since 2022. Previously, he was a member of the Anaheim City Council. Ear ...

* AD 69:

Josh Lowenthal Joshua Adler Lowenthal is an American politician from California. A Democrat, Lowenthal is a member of the California State Assembly, representing Long Beach and Carson. Lowenthal is the son of Bonnie and Alan Lowenthal. In 2018, Lowenthal ran for ...

* AD 73:

Cottie Petrie-Norris Catherine Ann "Cottie" Petrie-Norris (born August 7, 1975) is an American politician who is in the California State Assembly. A Democrat, she represents the 73rd Assembly District, which encompasses inland Orange County communities of Costa ...

* AD 76: Brian Maienschein * AD 77:

Tasha Boerner Horvath Tasha Nicolle Boerner (formerly Boerner Horvath; born February 1, 1973) is an American politician who is serving in the California State Assembly. A Democrat, she represents the 77th Assembly District, which encompasses coastal parts of norther ...

(''Assistant Majority Leader for Policy and Research'') *

AD 78 AD 78 ( LXXVIII) was a common year starting on Thursday (link will display the full calendar) of the Julian calendar. At the time, it was known as the Year of the Consulship of Novius and Commodus (or, less frequently, year 831 ''Ab urbe condita ...

: Chris Ward (''Assistant Majority Whip'') * AD 79:

Akilah Weber Akilah Faizah Weber (born July 2, 1978) is an American politician and physician serving in the California State Assembly from the 79th district, which includes parts of eastern San Diego, and all of La Mesa, El Cajon, Lemon Grove, and La Pres ...

* AD 80: David Alvarez

Mayoral offices

Most of the state's major cities have Democratic mayors. As of 2023, Democrats control the mayor's offices in eight of California's ten largest cities: * Los Angeles (1): Karen Bass * San Diego (2): Todd Gloria * San Jose (3):

Matt Mahan Matthew Mahan (born November 18, 1982) is an American politician and tech entrepreneur, now serving his first term on the San Jose City Council as the District 10 Councilmember representing the Almaden Valley, Blossom Valley, and Vista ...

* San Francisco (4):

London Breed London Nicole Breed (born August 11, 1974) is an American politician who is the 45th and current mayor of the City and County of San Francisco. She was supervisor for District 5 and was president of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, Board ...

* Sacramento (6): Darrell Steinberg * Long Beach (7): Rex Richardson *

Oakland Oakland is the largest city and the county seat of Alameda County, California, United States. A major West Coast port, Oakland is the largest city in the East Bay region of the San Francisco Bay Area, the third largest city overall in the Bay A ...

(8): Libby Schaaf *

Anaheim Anaheim ( ) is a city in northern Orange County, California, part of the Los Angeles metropolitan area. As of the 2020 United States Census, the city had a population of 346,824, making it the most populous city in Orange County, the 10th-most p ...

(10):

Ashleigh Aitken Ashleigh is the feminine form of the Old English name Ashley (given name), Ashley, which means "dweller near the ash tree forest". It is most common in the United States and United Kingdom. Notable people B *Ashleigh Ball (born 1983), Canadian ...

Election results

Presidential

Gubernatorial

References

External links

California Democratic Party

California State Assembly Democratic Caucus
{{U.S. Democratic Party state parties California Progressivism in the United States

Democratic Democrat, Democrats, or Democratic may refer to: Politics *A proponent of democracy, or democratic government; a form of government involving rule by the people. *A member of a Democratic Party: **Democratic Party (United States) (D) **Democratic ...