San Diego voters face eleven state legislative races Tuesday
Incumbents hold strong primary advantages in four Senate and seven Assembly districts, with housing and living costs dominating campaign platforms.
By Bianca Herrera ·
Eleven California state legislative seats are up for grabs in San Diego County on Tuesday.
The ballot includes four state Senate races and seven state Assembly contests. Most of these races feature incumbents who secured decisive victories in the June primary. Candidates across party lines are focusing their messaging on high living costs, housing shortages, and regional environmental issues.
Four Senate districts are deciding leadership for their respective regions. In the 18th District, former Chula Vista mayor Steve Padilla seeks a second term against Republican Art Hodges. Padilla won the June primary with nearly 64 percent of the vote. His platform targets cross-border pollution in the Tijuana River Valley and electricity costs tied to data centers. Hodges, a Pentecostal bishop, cites parental rights and the Tijuana sewage crisis as key issues.
The 32nd District pits retired firefighter Kelly Seyarto against physician Tiffanie Tate. Seyarto, who previously served in the Assembly and as Murrieta mayor, won the primary with just over 58 percent of the vote. He blames overregulation for high living costs. Tate, a Navy veteran, promises to expand Medi-Cal eligibility and increase funding for safety net programs like CalWORKs and SNAP.
In the 38th District, former Encinitas mayor Catherine Blakespear faces Laura Bassett. Blakespear secured nearly 55 percent of the primary vote. She plans to support small businesses and invest in mental health resources. Bassett, a licensed professional fiduciary, argues that state spending and taxes drive up costs and aims to address coastal erosion in beach communities.
The 40th District race pits Mara Elliott against Kristie Bruce-Lane. Elliott, the former city attorney, received nearly 48 percent of the primary vote. She emphasizes public safety and housing access. Bruce-Lane, a businesswoman, opposes tax increases and regulations that hinder housing construction.
Seven Assembly seats are also on the ballot. Incumbents hold the majority of these races with substantial primary lead advantages. Laurie Davies seeks a fourth term in the 74th District with 52.3 percent of the primary vote. She supports moving nuclear waste from the San Onofre site. Sergio Farias, a city council member, focuses on making homebuilding more efficient.
Carl DeMaio, founder of Reform California, seeks reelection in the 75th District after winning the primary with nearly 60 percent of the vote. He opposes new taxes and regulations. In the 76th District, Darshana Patel, a research scientist, faces Carrie Espinoza Villanueva. Patel won the primary with nearly 56 percent of the vote and authored legislation on mass shooting prevention. Espinoza Villanueva, a businesswoman, cites the burden of taxes and regulations on small families.
Tasha Boerner seeks a fifth term in the 77th District, having won the primary with more than 61 percent of the vote. She authored bills to lower utility costs and expand affordable internet access. Chris Ward faces Payton Galvez in the 78th District, where Ward won the primary with more than 68 percent of the vote. Ward targets homelessness and the Tijuana River sewage crisis.
LaShae Sharp-Collins seeks a second term in the 79th District after winning the primary with nearly 65 percent of the vote. She aims to expand public transportation and affordable housing. David Alvarez faces Alejandro Galicia in the 80th District. Alvarez, seeking a third term, won the primary with nearly 60 percent of the vote. He focuses on cross-border pollution and housing expansion.
