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20 seats from odd-numbered districts in theCalifornia State Senate 21 seats needed for a majority | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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 Results: Democratic gain Democratic hold Republican hold No election held | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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The2020 California State Senate election was held on Tuesday, November 3, 2020, with the primary election scheduled for March 3, 2020. Voters in the20 odd-numbered districts of theCalifornia State Senate elected their representatives. The elections coincided with the elections for other offices, including forU.S. president and thestate assembly.
| Source | Ranking | As of |
|---|---|---|
| The Cook Political Report[1] | Safe D | October 21, 2020 |
| Sabato's Crystal Ball[2] | Safe D | May 7, 2020 |
| 2020 California State Senate election Primary election – March 3, 2020 | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Votes | Percentage | Candidates | Advancing to general | Seats contesting | |
| Democratic | 3,274,204 | 71.23% | 38 | 23 | 20 | |
| Republican | 1,218,374 | 26.51% | 22 | 15 | 15 | |
| No party preference | 62,094 | 1.35% | 5 | 0 | 0 | |
| American Independent | 34,253 | 0.75% | 1 | 1 | 1 | |
| Libertarian | 7,036 | 0.15% | 4 | 1 | 1 | |
| Green | 530 | 0.01% | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
| Totals | 4,596,491 | 100.00% | 61 | 40 | — | |
 | ||||||||||||||
| 2020 California State Senate election General election – November 3, 2020[3] | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Votes | % | Before | Up | Won | After | +/– | |||||||
| Democratic | 5,795,870 | 66.09 | 29 | 15 | 17 | 31 |  2 | |||||||
| Republican | 2,831,711 | 32.29 | 11 | 5 | 3 | 9 |  2 | |||||||
| American Independent | 89,080 | 1.02 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |  | |||||||
| Libertarian | 53,256 | 0.61 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | | |||||||
| Totals | 8,769,917 | 100.00 | 40 | 20 | 20 | 40 | — | |||||||
The 1st district stretches along the eastern edge of the state from the Oregon border to theLake Tahoe area, wrapping around theSacramento Valley along the northernSierra Nevada to the easternSacramento suburbs. The incumbent was RepublicanBrian Dahle, who was elected in aspecial election with 53.9% of the vote in 2019.[4]
| Primary election | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
| Republican | Brian Dahle (incumbent) | 200,537 | 57.7 | |
| Democratic | Pamela Dawn Swartz | 125,585 | 36.1 | |
| No party preference | Linda Kelleher | 21,557 | 6.2 | |
| Total votes | 347,679 | 100.0 | ||
| General election | ||||
| Republican | Brian Dahle (incumbent) | 326,836 | 59.7 | |
| Democratic | Pamela Dawn Swartz | 220,563 | 40.3 | |
| Total votes | 547,399 | 100.0 | ||
| Republicanhold | ||||
The 3rd district encompasses the northernSan Francisco Bay Area and theSacramento–San Joaquin River Delta regions. It includes parts of theNorth Bay,Wine Country, and theSacramento Valley. The incumbent was DemocratBill Dodd, who was elected with 58.1% of the vote in 2016.[8]
| Primary election | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
| Democratic | Bill Dodd (incumbent) | 212,004 | 98.6 | |
| Republican | Carlos Santamaria (write-in) | 2,126 | 1.0 | |
| Green | Karen I. Nyhus (write-in) | 530 | 0.2 | |
| No party preference | Jaclyn Qirreh (write-in) | 421 | 0.2 | |
| Total votes | 215,081 | 100.0 | ||
| General election | ||||
| Democratic | Bill Dodd (incumbent) | 323,317 | 68.4 | |
| Republican | Carlos Santamaria | 149,461 | 31.6 | |
| Total votes | 472,778 | 100.0 | ||
| Democratichold | ||||
The 5th district is centered on theSacramento–San Joaquin River Delta and forms the gateway between theCentral Valley, theSan Francisco Bay Area, theSacramento metropolitan area, andGold Country. The incumbent was DemocratCathleen Galgiani, who wasterm-limited and could not run for reelection.
| Primary election | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
| Democratic | Susan Eggman | 71,808 | 34.9 | |
| Republican | Jim Ridenour | 49,398 | 24.0 | |
| Democratic | Mani Grewal | 40,086 | 19.5 | |
| Republican | Jesús Andrade | 32,836 | 16.0 | |
| Republican | Kathleen A. Garcia | 11,499 | 5.6 | |
| Total votes | 205,627 | 100.0 | ||
| General election | ||||
| Democratic | Susan Eggman | 217,651 | 54.9 | |
| Republican | Jim Ridenour | 178,915 | 45.1 | |
| Total votes | 396,566 | 100.0 | ||
| Democratichold | ||||
The 7th district is located in theEast Bay east of theBerkeley Hills, taking in suburban and bedroom communities ofSan Francisco Bay Area. The incumbent was DemocratSteve Glazer, who was re-elected with 66.7% of the vote in 2016.[8]
| Primary election | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
| Democratic | Steve Glazer (incumbent) | 135,123 | 48.3 | |
| Republican | Julie Mobley | 76,180 | 27.2 | |
| Democratic | Marisol Rubio | 68,362 | 24.4 | |
| Total votes | 279,665 | 100.0 | ||
| General election | ||||
| Democratic | Steve Glazer (incumbent) | 339,925 | 66.0 | |
| Republican | Julie Mobley | 174,729 | 34.0 | |
| Total votes | 514,654 | 100.0 | ||
| Democratichold | ||||
The 9th district encompasses the northernEast Bay, stretching along the eastern shores ofSan Francisco Bay andSan Pablo Bay. The incumbent was DemocratNancy Skinner, who was elected with 62.2% of the vote in 2016.[8]
| No. | Date | Host | Moderator | Link | Democratic | Libertarian |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Key: P Participant A Absent N Not invited I Invited W Withdrawn | ||||||
| Nancy Skinner | Jamie Dluzak | |||||
| 1 | Sep. 23, 2020 | League of Women Voters ofBerkely,Albany,Emeryville League of Women Voters ofPiedmont | Elise Mills | YouTube | P | P |
| Primary election | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
| Democratic | Nancy Skinner (incumbent) | 263,751 | 99.95 | |
| Libertarian | Jamie Dluzak (write-in) | 126 | 0.05 | |
| Total votes | 263,877 | 100.0 | ||
| General election | ||||
| Democratic | Nancy Skinner (incumbent) | 404,455 | 88.4 | |
| Libertarian | Jamie Dluzak | 53,256 | 11.6 | |
| Total votes | 457,711 | 100.0 | ||
| Democratichold | ||||
The 11th district encompasses the northernSan Francisco Peninsula, including theconsolidated city-county of San Francisco and northernSan Mateo County. The incumbent was DemocratScott Wiener, who was elected with 51.0% of the vote in 2016.[8]
| Primary election | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
| Democratic | Scott Wiener (incumbent) | 167,124 | 55.7 | |
| Democratic | Jackie Fielder | 99,566 | 33.2 | |
| Republican | Erin Smith | 33,321 | 11.1 | |
| Total votes | 300,011 | 100.0 | ||
| General election | ||||
| Democratic | Scott Wiener (incumbent) | 254,635 | 57.1 | |
| Democratic | Jackie Fielder | 191,065 | 42.9 | |
| Total votes | 445,700 | 100.0 | ||
| Democratichold | ||||
The 13th district encompasses theSan Francisco Peninsula and the northwestern reaches ofSilicon Valley. The incumbent was DemocratJerry Hill, who wasterm-limited and could not run for reelection.
| Primary election | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
| Democratic | Josh Becker | 66,428 | 23.8 | |
| Republican | Alexander Glew | 48,378 | 17.3 | |
| Democratic | Sally Lieber | 47,773 | 17.1 | |
| Democratic | Shelly Masur | 45,211 | 16.2 | |
| Democratic | Annie Oliva | 33,311 | 11.9 | |
| Democratic | Mike Brownrigg | 32,481 | 11.6 | |
| Libertarian | John H. Webster | 5,910 | 2.1 | |
| Total votes | 279,492 | 100.0 | ||
| General election | ||||
| Democratic | Josh Becker | 348,005 | 75.4 | |
| Republican | Alexander Glew | 113,315 | 24.6 | |
| Total votes | 461,320 | 100.0 | ||
| Democratichold | ||||
The 15th district encompasses most ofSilicon Valley, centered aroundSan Jose. The incumbent was DemocratJim Beall, who wasterm-limited and could not run for reelection.
| Primary election | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
| Democratic | Dave Cortese | 79,507 | 33.9 | |
| Democratic | Ann Ravel | 51,752 | 22.1 | |
| Democratic | Nora Campos | 39,683 | 16.9 | |
| Republican | Robert Howell | 23,840 | 10.2 | |
| No party preference | Johnny Khamis | 23,747 | 10.1 | |
| Republican | Ken Del Valle | 14,280 | 6.1 | |
| No party preference | Tim Gildersleeve | 1,635 | 0.7 | |
| Total votes | 234,444 | 100.0 | ||
| General election | ||||
| Democratic | Dave Cortese | 212,207 | 54.8 | |
| Democratic | Ann M. Ravel | 175,203 | 45.2 | |
| Total votes | 387,410 | 100.0 | ||
| Democratichold | ||||
The 17th district encompasses the extreme southern parts of theSan Francisco Bay Area and northernCentral Coast centering on the coastalMonterey Bay Area. The incumbent was DemocratBill Monning, who wasterm-limited and could not run for reelection.
| Primary election | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
| Democratic | John Laird | 138,986 | 44.4 | |
| Republican | Vicki Nohrden | 98,649 | 31.5 | |
| Democratic | Maria Cadenas | 65,525 | 20.9 | |
| Democratic | John M. Nevill | 10,040 | 3.2 | |
| Total votes | 313,200 | 100.0 | ||
| General election | ||||
| Democratic | John Laird | 320,090 | 64.7 | |
| Republican | Vicki Nohrden | 174,587 | 35.3 | |
| Total votes | 494,677 | 100.0 | ||
| Democratichold | ||||
The 19th district takes in the southernCentral Coast, including all ofSanta Barbara County and westernVentura County. The incumbent was DemocratHannah-Beth Jackson, who wasterm-limited and could not run for reelection.
| Primary election | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
| Democratic | Monique Limón | 152,745 | 61.1 | |
| Republican | Gary J. Michaels | 82,466 | 33.0 | |
| No party preference | Anastasia Stone | 14,734 | 5.9 | |
| Total votes | 249,945 | 100.0 | ||
| General election | ||||
| Democratic | Monique Limón | 272,442 | 64.5 | |
| Republican | Gary J. Michaels | 150,089 | 35.5 | |
| Total votes | 422,531 | 100.0 | ||
| Democratichold | ||||
The 21st district takes in northernLos Angeles County and parts of theHigh Desert including, theAntelope Valley,Victor Valley, and most of theSanta Clarita Valley. The incumbent was RepublicanScott Wilk, who was elected with 52.8% of the vote in 2016.[8]
| Primary election | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
| Republican | Scott Wilk (incumbent) | 96,701 | 53.1 | |
| Democratic | Kipp Mueller | 34,232 | 18.8 | |
| Democratic | Dana LaMon | 21,911 | 12.0 | |
| Democratic | Warren Heaton | 18,554 | 10.2 | |
| Democratic | Steve Hill | 10,863 | 6.0 | |
| Total votes | 182,261 | 100.0 | ||
| General election | ||||
| Republican | Scott Wilk (incumbent) | 199,342 | 50.8 | |
| Democratic | Kipp Mueller | 193,202 | 49.2 | |
| Total votes | 392,544 | 100.0 | ||
| Republicanhold | ||||
The 23rd district encompasses a wide arc of theInland Empire, circling clockwise fromRancho Cucamonga in the northwest toMenifee in the south. It also includes several resort communities in theSan Bernardino Mountains and a sliver of theHigh Desert. The incumbent was RepublicanMike Morrell, who wasterm-limited and could not run for reelection.
| Primary election | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
| Democratic | Abigail Medina | 59,881 | 28.1 | |
| Republican | Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh | 52,820 | 24.8 | |
| Republican | Lloyd White | 46,267 | 21.7 | |
| Democratic | Kris Goodfellow | 37,153 | 17.4 | |
| Republican | Cristina Puraci | 17,028 | 8.0 | |
| Total votes | 213,149 | 100.0 | ||
| General election | ||||
| Republican | Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh | 224,945 | 52.5 | |
| Democratic | Abigail Medina | 203,403 | 47.5 | |
| Total votes | 428,348 | 100.0 | ||
| Republicanhold | ||||
The 25th district encompasses theSan Gabriel Mountains and its adjacentSan Gabriel Valley foothill communities, anchored byGlendale andPasadena. The incumbent was DemocratAnthony Portantino, who was elected with 57.8% of the vote in 2016.[8]
| Primary election | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
| Democratic | Anthony Portantino (incumbent) | 185,405 | 99.1 | |
| Republican | Kathleen Hazelton (write-in) | 952 | 0.5 | |
| Libertarian | Evan Wecksell (write-in) | 811 | 0.4 | |
| Total votes | 187,168 | 100.0 | ||
| General election | ||||
| Democratic | Anthony Portantino (incumbent) | 295,432 | 64.0 | |
| Republican | Kathleen Hazelton | 166,529 | 36.0 | |
| Total votes | 461,961 | 100.0 | ||
| Democratichold | ||||
The 27th district takes in theConejo Valley, parts of theSan Fernando Valley, and a slice of theSanta Clarita Valley, including most of Los Angeles's westernsuburbs, as well asSimi Valley andThousand Oaks. The incumbent was DemocratHenry Stern, who was elected with 55.9% of the vote in 2016.[8]
| Primary election | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
| Democratic | Henry Stern (incumbent) | 158,184 | 63.8 | |
| Republican | Houman Salem | 89,646 | 36.2 | |
| Total votes | 247,830 | 100.0 | ||
| General election | ||||
| Democratic | Henry Stern (incumbent) | 284,797 | 60.2 | |
| Republican | Houman Salem | 188,421 | 39.8 | |
| Total votes | 473,218 | 100.0 | ||
| Democratichold | ||||
The 29th district straddles the intersection ofLos Angeles County,Orange County, andSan Bernardino County. It encompasses the northernSanta Ana Valley, including western and centralAnaheim,Fullerton, andYorba Linda. The incumbent was RepublicanLing Ling Chang, who was elected in aspecial election with 33.8% of the vote in 2018.[35]
| Primary election | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
| Republican | Ling Ling Chang (incumbent) | 98,687 | 47.4 | |
| Democratic | Josh Newman | 69,732 | 33.5 | |
| Democratic | Joseph Cho | 39,643 | 19.1 | |
| Total votes | 208,062 | 100.0 | ||
| General election | ||||
| Democratic | Josh Newman | 214,456 | 51.3 | |
| Republican | Ling Ling Chang (incumbent) | 203,762 | 48.7 | |
| Total votes | 418,218 | 100.0 | ||
| Democraticgain fromRepublican | ||||
The 31st district takes in northwesternRiverside County, includingCorona,Moreno Valley, andRiverside. The incumbent was DemocratRichard Roth, who was re-elected with 60.5% of the vote in 2016.[8]
| Primary election | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
| Democratic | Richard Roth (incumbent) | 106,435 | 98.9 | |
| Republican | Rod D. Taylor (write-in) | 959 | 0.9 | |
| Libertarian | John K. Farr (write-in) | 189 | 0.2 | |
| Total votes | 107,583 | 100.0 | ||
| General election | ||||
| Democratic | Richard Roth (incumbent) | 216,910 | 59.0 | |
| Republican | Rod D. Taylor | 150,734 | 41.0 | |
| Total votes | 367,644 | 100.0 | ||
| Democratichold | ||||
The 33rd district encompasses a strip of theGateway Cities, stretching from parts of eastern Los Angeles to the coast, including thePort of Long Beach and a significant portion ofLong Beach itself. The incumbent was DemocratLena Gonzalez, who was elected in aspecial election with 69.8% of the vote in 2019.[38]
| Primary election | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
| Democratic | Lena Gonzalez (incumbent) | 109,428 | 99.8 | |
| Democratic | Elizabeth C. Castillo (write-in) | 205 | 0.2 | |
| Total votes | 109,633 | 100.0 | ||
| General election | ||||
| Democratic | Lena Gonzalez (incumbent) | 164,752 | 61.8 | |
| Democratic | Elizabeth C. Castillo | 101,831 | 38.2 | |
| Total votes | 266,583 | 100.0 | ||
| Democratichold | ||||
The 35th district takes in the inland portions of theSouth Bay stretching fromInglewood in the north down to thePort of Los Angeles and theSan Pedro neighborhood of Los Angeles. The incumbent was DemocratSteven Bradford, who was elected with 53.5% of the vote in 2016.[8]
| Primary election | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
| Democratic | Steven Craig Bradford (incumbent) | 106,742 | 75.7 | |
| American Independent | Anthony Perry | 34,253 | 24.3 | |
| Total votes | 140,995 | 100.0 | ||
| General election | ||||
| Democratic | Steven Craig Bradford (incumbent) | 234,881 | 72.5 | |
| American Independent | Anthony Perry | 89,080 | 27.5 | |
| Total votes | 323,961 | 100.0 | ||
| Democratichold | ||||
The 37th district encompasses centralOrange County, centered on easternAnaheim andIrvine. The incumbent was RepublicanJohn Moorlach, who was re-elected with 57.0% of the vote in 2016.[8]
| Primary election | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
| Republican | John Moorlach (incumbent) | 132,275 | 47.3 | |
| Democratic | Dave Min | 78,293 | 28.0 | |
| Democratic | Katrina Foley | 68,952 | 24.7 | |
| Total votes | 279,520 | 100.0 | ||
| General election | ||||
| Democratic | Dave Min | 270,522 | 51.1 | |
| Republican | John Moorlach (incumbent) | 258,421 | 48.9 | |
| Total votes | 528,943 | 100.0 | ||
| Democraticgain fromRepublican | ||||
The 39th district is centered ondowntown San Diego and mainly stretches along the city's coastline, including part ofSan Diego Bay.The incumbent was DemocratState Senate President pro temporeToni Atkins, who was elected with 62.5% of the vote in 2016.[8]
| Primary election | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
| Democratic | Toni Atkins (incumbent) | 212,626 | 91.9 | |
| Republican | Linda Blankenship (write-in) | 18,643 | 8.1 | |
| Total votes | 231,269 | 100.0 | ||
| General election | ||||
| Democratic | Toni Atkins (incumbent) | 336,467 | 66.2 | |
| Republican | Linda Blankenship | 171,952 | 33.8 | |
| Total votes | 508,419 | 100.0 | ||
| Democratichold | ||||
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