San Diego County Voters Decide on 11 State Legislative Seats

San Diego County voters will choose between 11 candidates for state legislative office on Tuesday. The ballot includes four state Senate seats and seven state Assembly seats. Most of these races feature incumbents seeking reelection against challengers from the opposing party.

In the 18th Senate District, Democrat Steve Padilla faces Republican Art Hodges. Padilla, a former Chula Vista mayor, received nearly 64 percent of the vote in the June primary. He cites cross-border pollution in the Tijuana River Valley and housing costs as his top priorities. Hodges, a Pentecostal bishop, also focuses on the Tijuana sewage crisis and affordability.

The 32nd Senate District contest pits Republican Kelly Seyarto against Democrat Tiffanie Tate. Seyarto, a retired firefighter and former Murrieta mayor, won the primary with just over 58 percent of the vote. He aims to lower living costs by reducing regulation. Tate, a physician and Navy veteran, proposes increasing funding for safety net programs like CalWORKs and SNAP.

Catherine Blakespear, the Democratic incumbent in the 38th Senate District, faces Republican Laura Bassett. Blakespear, a former Encinitas mayor, received nearly 55 percent of the primary vote. She plans to expand health care access and address homelessness. Bassett, a professional fiduciary from Oceanside, argues that higher taxes and regulation drive up living costs.

The 40th Senate District race involves Democrat Mara Elliott and Republican Kristie Bruce-Lane. The seat is currently held by Republican Brian Jones. Elliott, the former San Diego city attorney, won the primary with nearly 48 percent of the vote. Bruce-Lane, a businesswoman, narrowly advanced over another Republican in the primary. Both candidates focus on housing and health care access.

Seven Assembly districts are also up for election. In the 74th District, Republican incumbent Laurie Davies faces Democrat Sergio Farias. Davies, seeking a fourth term, won the primary with 52.3 percent of the vote. She supports moving nuclear waste from the San Onofre site. Farias, a San Juan Capistrano council member, focuses on streamlining homebuilding.

In the 75th District, Republican Carl DeMaio challenges Democrat Gerald Boursiquot. DeMaio received nearly 60 percent of the primary vote. He opposes new taxes and regulations. Boursiquot, a military veteran from Fallbrook, proposes expanding health care access and improving rural public transportation. In the 76th District, Democrat Darshana Patel faces Republican Carrie Espinoza Villanueva. Patel won the primary with nearly 56 percent of the vote and prioritizes wildfire protection.

The remaining Assembly races feature incumbents with high primary vote shares. In the 77th District, Democrat Tasha Boerner faces Republican Trinity Hannaway. Boerner won the primary with more than 61 percent of the vote. In the 78th District, Democrat Chris Ward faces Republican Payton Galvez. Ward won the primary with more than 68 percent of the vote. In the 79th District, Democrat LaShae Sharp-Collins faces Republican Andrew Lawson. Sharp-Collins won the primary with nearly 65 percent of the vote. In the 80th District, Democrat David Alvarez faces Republican Alejandro Galicia. Alvarez won the primary with nearly 60 percent of the vote.