Here are some key races to watch for the 2026 midterm elections in Southern California. Voting is underway across the state, and polls close at 8 p.m. on Tuesday.
California 40th Congressional District – Young Kim vs. Ken Calvert
Thanks to Prop. 50, Republicans Ken Calvert and Young Kim are in an all-out fight against each other to keep their jobs. Calvert had been in Congress for over 33 years and redistricting drew him out of his district, the 41st. But parts of the Inland Empire he’s represented previously are now part of the 40th District, which Young Kim represents.
Los Angeles City Attorney: Marissa Roy vs. John McKinney
Back in June, Los Angeles City Attorney Hydee Feldstein Soto became the first incumbent to lose in a primary in almost a century. She’ll be replaced by either L.A. County Prosecutor John McKinney or Deputy Attorney General with California DOJ Marissa Roy. Both candidates want to lower the millions of dollars the city of Los Angeles has had to pay in liability payouts. Roy is a member of the L.A. chapter of the DSA, the Democratic Socialists of America. McKinney has been critical of Roy’s approach to public safety saying her platform is one of political ideology. Both candidates have pledged to bring back the neighborhood prosecutor program that puts a Deputy City Attorney in every neighborhood across the city and prosecute landlords who are taking advantage of vulnerable tenants.
Los Angeles Mayor
Incumbent Karen Bass and challenger Nithya Raman are facing off in the race for Los Angeles mayor. A Berkeley IGS/L.A. Times poll released last week shows Bass and Raman each have 40% support. The poll also finds that 19% of voters are still undecided in the race. Back in September, Raman had an 11-point lead. But according to the new poll, Bass has erased that advantage.
Los Angeles City Council District 3 – Tim Gaspar vs. Barri Girvan
The race in Los Angeles City Council District 3 with Councilmember Bob Blumenfield termed out has put a lifelong public servant up against a local businessman. Barri Worth Girvan has worked for former Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, former State Senator Bob Hertzberg and L.A. County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath. Tim Gaspar ran a large insurance company in the West Valley until he sold it back in 2021 and has worked with a number of nonprofits and community groups.
Los Angeles City Council District 9 – Jose Ugarte vs. Estuardo Mazariegos
With Councilmember Curren Price termed out, new representation is coming to L.A. City Council District 9. And for the first time in over 60 years, that councilmember won’t be Black. Los Angeles City Council District 9 covers parts of downtown L.A. and much of South L.A. Two Latino immigrants are running — Price’s former deputy chief of staff, Jose Ugarte, and community organizer Estuardo Mazariegos.
California Insurance Commissioner – Ben Allen vs. Jane Kim
California voters will choose between two Democrats for insurance commissioner as the state faces growing wildfire risk, skyrocketing insurance prices and some insurers leaving the state. State Sen. Ben Allen and former San Francisco Supervisor Jane Kim are competing for the office.
Allen, who currently represents the fire-ravaged Pacific Palisades, said his experience with recent fires motivated him to seek the position.
“I don’t think I’d be running for this if it hadn’t been for the fire experience. I got to see the dysfunction of the insurance system up close,” Allen said. “I’ve really become convinced the fact that I could make a difference…This is a really difficult job, but a really important job. Insurance undergirds almost every aspect of our economy, and the lack of insurance, the under-insurance, the challenges that my constituents here face that really harms the recovery and the ability of the community to get back on its feet.”
Kim said climate change has exposed problems within the insurance industry.
“This office sits at the intersection of having the potential to address some of the biggest crises facing our state and our country at this time: wealth inequality, economic fairness and climate disaster,” Kim said. “I actually think this is one of the most exciting offices to serve in as a policy leader and as a political leader if you really want to get things done and make California work for all of us.”
California 45th Congressional District – Derek Tran vs Chuong Vo
California’s 45th Congressional District has new boundaries after redistricting. The race pits incumbent Democrat Derek Tran against Republican challenger Chuong Vo.
Tran has introduced new legislation that would require facilities working with hazardous materials to be more transparent with surrounding communities. Tran is an Army veteran and the son of Vietnamese refugees. He was elected in 2024, flipping the district blue after defeating republican incumbent Michelle Steele.
Following California’s redistricting, the 45th District now includes Fountain Valley, Norwalk, Garden Grove, Westminster, Buena Park and Cerritos. Vo, Tran’s Republican opponent, was the former mayor of Cerritos and worked as a police officer for 28 years. He’s also Vietnamese-American and his family fled the communist regime when he was just 1. He says his priorities include public safety, supporting secure borders and faster asylum decisions, and lowering the cost of living.
Data shows nearly 39% of registered voters in the district are Democrats, and 30% are Republicans, meaning these candidates are in a tight race.
Los Angeles County Sheriff – Robert Luna vs. Alex Villanueva
L.A. County Sheriff Robert Luna is seeking re-election. He faces off against Alex Villanueva, whom he unseated as sheriff in 2022.
California Governor
California voters will choose between gubernatorial candidates Xavier Becerra and Steve Hilton to replace termed-out Gov. Gavin Newsom. If elected, Democratic candidate Becerra would become California’s first Latino elected governor. Hilton would be the first Republican elected governor since Arnold Schwarzenegger won reelection in 2006. A poll by the UC Berkeley Institute of Governmental Studies, co-sponsored by the Los Angeles Times, found 61% of likely voters supported Becerra compared to 34% of likely voters backing Hilton, a former Fox News commentator. The polling figures represent an increase for Becerra, a former U.S. secretary of Health and Human Services, congressman and state attorney general, who held a 25-percentage-point lead in a September poll conducted by the institute.
California Propositions
California voters will weigh in on a number of statewide measures, including Prop. 40, known as the Billionaire Tax. Here’s a breakdown of all 14 propositions on the ballot, what they would do and who’s behind the campaigns.
© 2026 Television,
