US Representative In Southern California: Who’s running and why it matters

What does a U.S. Representative for California do?

These lawmakers represent individual districts in the U.S. House of Representatives, shaping and passing laws that govern the country.

A civics refresher: The House is one of two chambers of Congress, the other being the Senate. The House and Senate both draft, debate and pass bills that ultimately need approval from both chambers and a president’s signature to become law. The House has to initiate any bills that have to do with taxation, although the Senate can propose changes.

The House has a total of 435 representatives, each of whom represents a district. District lines are drawn so that each represents roughly the same number of people — 700,000 on average. Since California has the highest population in the country, it has 52 representatives, more than any other state. California voters will pick their representatives in all 52 U.S. House districts this year. The job holder must:

• Help craft legislation — though strictly speaking it is not a requirement.
• Persuade a majority of your 434 colleagues, or at least the leaders, that the specific concerns of your constituents should be a priority.
• Be in constant campaign mode, especially fundraising, because you have to run again in 2026 to keep the post.

Why these races matters:

Looking toward November, California is looming increasingly important for which party will control the U.S. House next year. While Republicans hope to flip several seats now held by Democrats, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee added five California districts to its targets.

When voting, you’re not just thinking about who you want your representative to be, but how they would contribute to the overall makeup and political direction of the House of Representatives. The House’s ability to pass laws, cooperate with the president, or get anything done in general depends a lot on what those divisions look like — if there’s a Republican or Democratic majority, how large that majority is, and the ratio between moderates and those with farther right or farther left views. And often, bills are passed — or rejected — strictly along party lines.

You may recognize their work from…

In recent years, the House has:

• Passed a $1 trillion infrastructure bill to fund roads, rail, public transit, water, internet access and more. 
• Kept the lights on and avoided default by passing the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023, raising the limit on the amount of money the U.S. government is allowed to borrow.
• Expanded services and benefits for service members and veterans, including authorizing the construction of several new Veterans Affairs facilities.

Find your district

Not sure who represents you at the federal level? CalMatters has a tool for that. Just type in your address and look it up. (Don’t worry — your address is not stored!) Note that your district may be different from what it was in the past, thanks to our once-a-decade redistricting process.

What’s on the agenda for the next term?

Along with the Senate, the House has to find solutions or relief measures for the big problems facing the country right now: inflation, high gas prices, the continued threat of climate change, and fallout from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Congress also has to figure out how to solve long-standing issues that have faced legislative impasses, such as immigration reform.

Members of Congress are paid $174,000 a year for rank-and-file. Party leaders get higher salaries.

About this guide

This guide lists races across Los Angeles and Orange counties, and also notes the most-watched and most competitive congressional seats up for grabs as well as voter registration breakdowns. Names appear in the same order as the certified list of candidates.

District 26

At a glance: The majority of this district covers Ventura County, but the southeast corner overlaps with Los Angeles County, and includes parts of Calabasas, Agoura Hills and Westlake Village.

Voter registration: 43.2% Democrat, 28.7% Republican, 20.4% no party preference

Julia Brownley (Incumbent)
Congressmember, Democrat
Website: JuliaBrownley.com
Endorsements: Full list here
More info: Ballotpedia

Michael Koslow
Businessman and healthcare investigator, Republican
Website: VoteMichaelKoslow.com
Endorsements: Full list here
More info: Ballotpedia

District 27

At a glance: This district covers the northwest corner of Los Angeles County and includes the western part of Angeles National Forest, Santa Clarita, Acton, Palmdale, Quartz Hill and Lancaster.

Voter registration: 41.6% Democrat, 29.4% Republican, 21.1% no party preference

George Whitesides
Aerospace businessman and father, Democrat
Website: GeorgeWhitesides.com
Endorsements: See full list here
More info: Ballotpedia

Mike Garcia (Incumbent)
U.S. Rep. and father, Republican
Website: ElectMikeGarcia.com
Endorsements: See full list here
More info: Ballotpedia

District 28

At a glance: This district covers the northeast corner of Los Angeles County, including a large chunk of Angeles National Forest and the areas below it, including La Cañada Flintridge, Altadena, Alhambra, Rosemead and parts of Pasadena, Monterey Park and Arcadia.

Voter registration: 46.9% Democrat, 24.8% no party preference, 22.1% Republican

Judy Chu (Incumbent)
U.S. Rep., Democrat
Website: JudyChu.org
Endorsements: See full list here
More info: Ballotpedia

April A. Verlato
Mayor/Business owner, Republican
Website: VerlatoForCongress.com
Endorsements: See full list here
More info: Ballotpedia

District 29

At a glance: This district covers a good chunk of the San Fernando Valley, including Van Nuys, Valley Village, Panorama City, Pacoima, Sylmar and parts of the Angeles National Forest, North Hollywood and Sun Valley. The incumbent, Congressman Tony Cárdenas is not seeking reelection.

Voter registration: 55.6% Democrat, 23.7% no party preference, 13.9% Republican

Luz Maria Rivas
State Assemblywoman and science educator, Democrat
Website: LuzForCongress.com
Endorsements: Full list here
More info: Ballotpedia, CalMatters Legislative Tracker 

Benito Benny Bernal
Family Youth Advocate, Republican
Website: BernalForCongress.com
Endorsements: See full list here
More info: Ballotpedia

More voter resources:

District 30

At a glance: The communites in this district include Atwater Village, Burbank, East Hollywood, Echo Park, Elysian Valley, Fairfax, Glendale, Griffith Park, Hancock Park, Hollywood, Hollywood Hills, Larchmont Village, Los Feliz, Mid-Wilshire, Miracle Mile, Park La Brea, Pasadena, Shadow Hills, Silver Lake, Sunland, Tujunga, Universal City and West Hollywood.

Voter registration: 54.5% Democrat, 23.2% no party preference, 16.1% Republican

Why this is a key race: With incumbent Rep. Adam Schiff running for U.S. Senate, it opens a coveted seat in a Democratic stronghold that he held for two decades. Whoever wins in November could hold onto the seat for as long as they want.

Laura Friedman
State Assemblymember, Democrat
Website: LauraForCongress.org
Endorsements: Full list here
More info: Ballotpedia, CalMatters Legislative Tracker

Alex Balekian
Intensive care physician, Republican
Website: AlexForCA30.com
Endorsements: Full list here
More info: Ballotpedia

More voter resources:

District 31

At a glance: This district runs through parts of the San Gabriel Valley (Monrovia, Azusa, Glendora), East Los Angeles (El Monte, Puente Hills, La Puente) and further east into Baldwin Park, Covina, West Covina, San Dimas and La Verne. It also includes a sparsely populated section stretching into the San Gabriel Mountains.

Voter registration: 48.1% Democrat, 22.6% no party preference, 21.7% Republican

Why this is a key race: After more than two decades in Congress, Rep. Grace Napolitano announced that she would not run for re-election. Her solidly Democratic district has attracted a slew of hopeful successors, including one of her former colleagues — Gil Cisneros, who represented inland Orange County in the House for one term before losing to Republican Young Kim in 2020.

Gil Cisneros
Educator and veterans advocate, Democrat
Website: GilOnTheHill.com
Endorsements: See full list here
More info: Ballotpedia, Politico story

Daniel Jose Bocic Martinez
Lawyer, entrepreneur and educator, Republican
Website: DanMartinez4Congress.com
More info: Ballotpedia

More voter resources:

District 32

At a glance: This district spans Malibu and other communities including Pacific Palisades, Bel Air, Brentwood, Sherman Oaks, Encino, Studio City, Canoga Park and Winnetka.

Voter registration: 51.8% Democrat, 22.1% no party preference and 19.4% Republican

Brad Sherman (Incumbent)
U.S. Rep., Democrat
Website: BradSherman.com
Endorsements: See full list here
More info: Ballotpedia

Larry Thompson
Lawyer, manager and producer, Republican
Website: LarryThompsonForCongress.com
Endorsements: See full list here
More info: Ballotpedia, Deadline profile

District 34

At a glance: This district includes Boyle Heights, Chinatown, City Terrace, Cypress Park, downtown Los Angeles, Eagle Rock, El Sereno, Glassell Park, Highland Park, Koreatown, Little Tokyo, Lincoln Heights, Pico Union, and Westlake.

Voter registration: 61% Democrat, 22.6% no party preference, 9.7% Republican

Jimmy Gomez (Incumbent)
U.S. Rep. and educator, Democrat
Website: JimmyGomezForCongress.com
Endorsements: See full list here
More info: Boyle Heights Beat, Ballotpedia

David Kim
Children’s court attorney, Democrat
Website: DavidKimForCA
Endorsements: Full list here
More info: Boyle Heights Beat, Ballotpedia

District 35

At a glance: This district covers the eastern corner of Los Angeles County, including Pomona and part of Claremont before crossing into San Bernardino County to include Chino, Montclair and Ontario and parts of Rancho Cucamonga and Fontana.

Voter registration: 46.7% Democrat, 22.9% Republican, 22.2% no party preference.

Norma J. Torres (Incumbent)
U.S. Rep., Democrat
Website: NormaTorres.com
Endorsements: Full list here
More info: Ballotpedia, Los Angeles Times profile

Mike Cargile
Small businessman, Republican
Website: CargileForCongress.com
Endorsements: See full list here
More info: Ballotpedia, L.A. Mag article

District 36

At a glance: This district includes the cities of Rancho Palos Verdes, Palos Verdes Estates, Rolling Hills, Rolling Hills Estates, Lomita, Redondo Beach, Hermosa Beach, Manhattan Beach, El Segundo, Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, unincorporated Marina Del Rey, part of Culver City, part of the city of Torrance, and the neighborhoods of Mar Vista, Playa Del Rey, Playa Vista, Harbor City, Sawtelle, Westwood, and parts of San Pedro, Palms and Westchester in the city of Los Angeles.

Voter registration: 51.1% Democrat, 22.4% no party preference, 20.1% Republican

Ted W. Lieu (Incumbent)
U.S. Rep., Democrat
Website: LieuForCongress.com
Endorsements: Full list here
More info: Ballotpedia, MSNBC profile

Melissa Toomim
Investigative Journalist, Republican
Website: Toomim4Congress.com
More info: Ballotpedia

District 37

At a glance: This district covers a large part of west Los Angeles, Mid-City and south Los Angeles, including Century City, Culver City, Baldwin Hills, Crenshaw, West Adams, Leimert Park and Exposition Park.

Voter registration: 65% Democrat, 20.5% no party preference, 7.3% Republican

Sydney Kamlager-Dove (Incumbent)
U.S. Rep., Democrat
Website: SydneyKamlager.com
Endorsements: Full list here
More info: CalMatters Legislator Tracker, Ballotpedia

Juan Rey
Train mechanic, no party preference
Website: WorkingClassFight.com
More info: Ballotpedia

District 38

At a glance: This district includes cities and unincorporated communities in Los Angeles and Orange Counties including Diamond Bar, La Habra, La Habra Heights, Hacienda Heights, La Mirada, Los Nietos, Norwalk, Montebello, Pico Rivera, Rowland Heights, Santa Fe Springs, South Whittier, Walnut, Whittier, and parts of Downey and Industry.

Voter registration: 48.2% Democrat, 22.8% no party preference, 22.6% Republican

Linda T. Sanchez (Incumbent)
U.S. Rep. and mom, Democrat
Website: VoteForLinda.com
Endorsements: Full list here
More info: Ballotpedia

Eric J. Ching
Entrepreneur and councilmember, Republican
Website: EricChingForCongress.com
Endorsements: See full list here
More info: Ballotpedia

District 40

At a glance: This district includes portions of Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino counties, including the cities of Aliso Viejo, Anaheim, Brea, Chino Hills, Corona, Lake Forest, Laguna Hills, Laguna Woods, Mission Viejo, Orange, Rancho Santa Margarita, Tustin, Villa Park and Yorba Linda. It also includes the unincorporated communities of Coto De Caza, North Tustin and the eastern Orange County canyon communities.

Voter registration: 37.9% Republican, 33.9% Democrat, 21.9% no party preference

Joe Kerr
Retired firefighter captain, Democrat
Website: JoeKerrForCongress.com
Endorsements: See full list here
More info: Ballotpedia, O.C. Register profile, O.C. Register questionnaire

Young Kim (Incumbent)
U.S. Rep., Republican
Website: YoungKimForCongress.com
Endorsements: Full list here
More info: Ballotpedia, O.C. Register questionnaire

More voter resources:

District 42

At a glance: This district covers cities and communities including Avalon, Long Beach, Signal Hill, Lakewood, Bellflower, Downey, Bell Gardens, Commerce, Cudahy, Bell, Maywood, Vernon, Huntington Park, Walnut Park and Florence-Firestone.

Voter registration: 54.2% Democrat, 21.49% no party preference, 16.8% Republican

Robert Garcia (Incumbent)
U.S. Rep., Democrat
Website: RobertGarcia.com
Endorsements: Full list here
More info: Ballotpedia, The Hill profile

John Briscoe
Business owner, Republican
Website: JohnBriscoe.us
More info: Ballotpedia

District 43

At a glance: This district covers large parts of South Los Angeles, including Gardena, Hawthorne, Inglewood, Lawndale, Lomita and Torrance.

Voter registration: 60.3% Democrat, 21.3% no party preference, 10.4% Republican

Maxine Waters (Incumbent)
U.S. Rep., Democrat
Website: Waters.House.Gov
Endorsements: Full list here
More info: Ballotpedia

Steve Williams
Small business owner, Republican
Website: Steve4Congress.com
Endorsements: See full list here
More info: Ballotpedia

District 44

At a glance: This district covers a large swath of South Los Angeles neighborhoods, including communities in Bellflower, Carson, Harbor City, Harbor Gateway, Lakewood, Long Beach, Lynwood, Paramount, Rancho Dominguez, San Pedro, South Gate, West Carson, and Wilmington.

Voter registration: 55.4% Democrat, 22% no party preference, 15.4% Republican

Nanette Barragán (Incumbent)
U.S. Rep., Democrat
Website: BarraganForCongress.com
Endorsements: Full list here
More info: Ballotpedia

Roger Groh
Republican
Website: RogerGroh.com
More info: Ballotpedia

District 45

At a glance: This district includes portions of Los Angeles and Orange counties, including the cities of Fountain Valley, Westminster, Garden Grove, Cypress, Buena Park, Cerritos, Artesia, La Palma, Placentia, Hawaiian Gardens, Los Alamitos, Rossmoor, and parts of Brea, Lakewood, Fullerton, and Yorba Linda.

Voter registration: 37.9% Democrat, 32.4% Republican, 24% no party preference

Why this is a key race: This politically diverse district is among the key ones in California that have helped determine control of Congress in past elections and is one of eight districts in California targeted by national Democrats in 2024. It is home to Little Saigon, the largest Vietnamese enclave outside Vietnam itself. Asian Americans — who make up 36% of the district population — are a key voting bloc in this district. Latino and white people each account for roughly a third of the district’s registered voters. The district voted for President Joe Biden in 2020, but for Republican John Cox for governor in 2018. But district voters have mostly sent Republicans to Congress: Rep. Katie Porter, who was elected before the 2020 redistricting, is the only Democrat to have represented the district.

Derek Tran 
Workers’ rights advocate, Democrat
Website: DerekTranForCongress.com
Endorsements: See full list here
More info: Ballotpedia, O.C. Register questionnaire

Michelle Steel (Incumbent)
U.S. Rep., Republican 
Website: MichelleSteelCA.com
Endorsements: Full list here
More info: Ballotpedia, O.C. Register questionnaire, ProPublica Legislative Tracker

LAist stories related to the race

More voter resources:

Follow the money

District 46

At a glance: This district covers a swath of Orange County, and includes the cities of Santa Ana, Anaheim, Orange, Stanton, and Fullerton. 

Voter registration: 48.8% Democrat, 23.1% no party preference, 22.1% Republican

Lou Correa (Incumbent)
U.S. Rep., Democrat
Website: LouCorrea.com
Endorsements: Full list here
More info: Ballotpedia, O.C. Register questionnaire

David Pan 
Professor, Republican
Website: DavidPanForCongress.com
More info: Ballotpedia, O.C. Register questionnaire

District 47

At a glance: This district covers a coastal portion of Orange County, including Seal Beach, Huntington Beach, Costa Mesa, Irvine, Newport Beach and Laguna Beach.

Voter registration: 35.6% Democrat, 34.3% Republican, 23.8% no party preference.

Why this is a key race: The district is represented by Rep. Katie Porter, who vacated the seat to run for U.S. Senate, but failed to get enough votes to make it through the primary. In 2022, she narrowly fended off a challenge from GOP attorney and former state lawmaker Scott Baugh, who is running again this year and outraising all his primary opponents. Baugh is backed by the state GOP and its Orange County branch. Democrats, of course, are hoping to hold onto the seat.

Dave Min
State Senator and dad, Democrat
Website: DaveMin.com
Endorsements: See full list here
More info: Ballotpedia, O.C. Register questionnaire

Scott Baugh
Orange County businessowner, Republican 
Website: BaughForCongress.com
Endorsements: Full list here
More info: O.C. Register questionnaire, Huffington Post profile

More voter resources:

Follow the money

District 49

At a glance: This district covers portions of Orange and San Diego counties, including Dana Point, Laguna Niguel, San Clemente, Oceanside and Carlsbad.

Voter registration: 36.6% Democrat, 33.3% Republican, 22.1% no party preference

Who’s running:

Mike Levin (Incumbent)
U.S. Rep., Democrat
Website: MikeLevin.org
Endorsements: Full list here
More info: Ballotpedia, O.C. Register questionnaire

Matt Gunderson 
Small business owner, Republican
Website: GoWithGunderson.com
Endorsements: See full list here
More info: Ballotpedia, O.C. Register questionnaire

More voter resources:

LAist staff also contributed to this report.

This voter guide originally published Sept. 20.

Did LAist help you vote? Member support made these voter guides possible.

Our election coverage is focused on you: helping you understand the results of these races and their impact on our everyday lives. And we don’t stop there, even after results are in, you need a source of trusted reporting that will hold those in power to account and shine a light on issues important to our communities.

Even after the last ballot is cast, LAist reporting and voting guides are here for you. But we need to hear from you now with your support to know that this work we’re doing is important.

We cannot do this essential work without your help. We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.

At a time when the need for local journalism has never been greater, many newsrooms are facing cutbacks, including LAist. Member support — your support — is what will sustain a free press in Southern California.

LAist’s mission is to be here for you, so please be here for us now with a donation to power our trusted local reporting. Step up right now and make the choice to give. Because that’s exactly what it is — a choice. It’s a choice with consequences. If readers do not choose to step up and donate, the future of fact-based news in Southern California will not be as strong.

No matter what happens in the world, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust.

Thank you for your generous support.

Sincerely,

Chip in now to fund your local journalism

Continue