2018 United States House of Representatives elections in California

The 2018 United States House of Representatives elections in California were held on November 6, 2018, with the primary elections being held on June 5, 2018. Voters elected the 53 U.S. representatives from the state of California, one from each of the state's 53 congressional districts. The elections coincided with the elections of other offices, including a gubernatorial election, other elections to the House of Representatives, elections to the United States Senate, and various state and local elections.

Democrats won in seven congressional districts previously represented by Republicans, all of which voted for Hillary Clinton in 2016. This reduced the California House Republican delegation by half and left the Republican Party with the fewest seats in California since just before the 1946 election cycle.

Republican incumbents Jeff Denham, David Valadao, Steve Knight, Mimi Walters, and Dana Rohrabacher (who had been elected to fifteen terms) were all defeated. Democrats also picked up two open seats previously held by retiring GOP incumbents: thirteen-term incumbent Ed Royce and nine-term incumbent Darrell Issa. The seven Democratic House pickups in California were the most made by the party in the 2018 election cycle.

By district
Results of the 2018 United States House of Representatives elections in California by district:

District 1
The 1st district is based in inland Northern California and includes Chico and Redding. Incumbent Republican Doug LaMalfa, who had represented the 1st district since 2013, ran for re-election. He was re-elected with 59.1% of the vote in 2016. The district had a PVI of R+11.

Advanced to general

 * Doug LaMalfa, incumbent U.S. Representative

Eliminated in primary

 * Gregory Cheadle, real estate broker and candidate for this seat in 2012, 2014 & 2016

Advanced to general

 * Audrey Denney, educator and farmer

Eliminated in primary

 * Jessica Holcombe, business attorney
 * David Peterson, small business owner
 * Marty Walters, environmental scientist

Withdrawn

 * Dennis Duncan
 * Larry Jordan
 * Brandon Storment

Eliminated in primary

 * Lewis Elbinger, retired diplomatic officer

Campaign
After advancing to the general election, Democratic candidate Audrey Denney was forced to pause her campaign for emergency tumor-removal surgery in August, but returned in time to debate LaMalfa in September.

Results
Denney lost, having received 45.1% of the vote, but would win the Democratic party nomination for the 2020 election.

District 2
The 2nd district is based in California's North Coast and includes Marin County and Eureka. Democrat Jared Huffman, who had represented the 2nd district since 2013, ran for re-election. He was re-elected with 76.9% of the vote in 2016. The district had a PVI of D+22.

Advanced to general

 * Jared Huffman, incumbent U.S. Representative

Eliminated in primary

 * Andy Caffrey, sustainability conversion planner

Advanced to general

 * Dale K. Mensing, cashier and general election candidate for this seat in 2016

District 3
The 3rd district is based in north central California and includes Davis, Fairfield, and Yuba City. Democrat John Garamendi, who had represented the 3rd district since 2013 and had previously represented the 10th district from 2009 to 2013, ran for re-election. He was re-elected with 59.4% of the vote in 2016. The district had a PVI of D+5.

Advanced to general

 * John Garamendi, incumbent U.S. Representative

Eliminated in primary

 * Kevin Puett, retired associate director

Advanced to general

 * Charlie Schaupp, retired Marine officer

District 4
The 4th district is based in east central California and includes Lake Tahoe, Roseville, and Yosemite National Park. Incumbent Republican Tom McClintock, who had represented the 4th district since 2009, ran for re-election. He was re-elected with 62.7% of the vote in 2016. The district had a PVI of R+10.

Advanced to general

 * Tom McClintock, incumbent U.S. Representative

Eliminated in primary

 * Mitchell White, accountant and auditor

Democratic candidates
The 4th district was added as a Republican-held seat that the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee was targeting on November 9, 2017.

Advanced to general

 * Jessica Morse, national security strategist

Eliminated in primary

 * Regina Bateson, military security analyst
 * Roza Calderon, geoscientist, geographer and cartographer
 * Robert Lawton, businessman

Withdrawn

 * Steven Castellano
 * Chris Drew, product specialist
 * Richard Martin
 * Rochelle Wilcox, media law and appeals attorney (endorsed Morse)

Declined

 * Charlie Brown, retired Air Force Lieutenant Colonel and nominee for this seat in 2006 and 2008 (endorsed Morse)

Campaign
In February, the California Democratic Party endorsed Jessica Morse. Calderon was able to successfully collect 322 CDP-credentialed delegate signatures needed to block the endorsement, in which Morse only received 44 delegate votes. However, CDP staff refused to accept the forms after it was alleged they closed doors early to prevent the submission. A petition was later filed with the Compliance Review Commission by Calderon. The CRC voted to accept and count the signatures, ultimately disqualifying enough signatures to proceed with Morse's endorsement.

California allows candidates to include their professional description under their names on the ballot, however Regina Bateson later challenged Morse's ballot designation title of "National Security Fellow" at the Sacramento Superior Court after months of controversy that Morse, who had not worked in three years, was "fluffing" her credentials. California's secretary of state, Alex Padilla, had struck down Morse's 3 ballot designations before Judge Gevercer ruled that she presented "no credible evidence" to use the ballot designation of "National Security Fellow". Instead, he held that this title would mislead the average person about her recent activities. In the official Certified Candidate List, Morse's ballot designation was left blank.

District 5
The 5th district is based in the North Bay and includes Napa, Santa Rosa, and Vallejo. Incumbent Democrat Mike Thompson, who had represented the 5th district since 2013 and previously represented the 1st district from 1999 to 2013, ran for re-election. He was re-elected with 76.9% of the vote in 2016. The district had a PVI of D+21.

Advanced to general

 * Mike Thompson, incumbent U.S. Representative

Withdrawn

 * Douglas S. Van Raam, independent candidate for this seat in 2014

Eliminated in primary

 * Jason Kishineff, homemaker

Advanced to general

 * Anthony Mills, mariner

Eliminated in primary

 * Nils Palsson, teacher, nonprofit director and candidate for this seat in 2016

District 6
The 6th district is based in north central California and includes Sacramento. Democrat Doris Matsui, who had represented the 6th district since 2013 and previously represented the 5th district from 2005 to 2013, ran for re-election. She was re-elected with 75.4% of the vote in 2016. The district had a PVI of D+21.

Advanced to general

 * Jrmar Jefferson, business executive
 * Doris Matsui, incumbent U.S. Representative

District 7
The 7th district is based in north central California and includes southern and eastern Sacramento County. Democrat Ami Bera, who had represented the 7th district since 2013, ran for re-election. He was re-elected with 51.2% of the vote in 2016. The district had a PVI of D+3.

Advanced to general

 * Ami Bera, incumbent U.S. Representative

Withdrawn

 * Brad Westmoreland, lawyer

Republican candidates
California's 7th district was included on the list of Democratic-held seats being targeted by the National Republican Congressional Committee in 2018.

Advanced to general

 * Andrew Grant, U.S. Marine officer and businessman

Eliminated in primary

 * Yona Barash, cancer surgeon

Withdrawn

 * Omba Kipuke, public activist

Declined

 * Scott Jones, Sacramento County Sheriff and general election candidate for this seat in 2016

Eliminated in primary

 * Robert Richardson, software developer

Eliminated in primary

 * Reginald Claytor, aerospace mechanical worker

District 8
The 8th district is based in the eastern High Desert and includes Victorville and Yucaipa. Incumbent Republican Paul Cook, who had represented the 8th district since 2013, ran for re-election. He was re-elected with 62.3% of the vote in 2016. The district had a PVI of R+9.

Advanced to general

 * Paul Cook, incumbent U.S. Representative
 * Tim Donnelly, former state assembly member, candidate for governor in 2014 and for this seat in 2016

Eliminated in primary

 * Marge Doyle, registered nurse
 * Ronald O'Donnell, educator, author, businessman and general election candidate for state senator from 23rd district in 2016
 * Rita Ramirez, retired college professor and general election candidate for this seat in 2016

District 9
The 9th district is based in the Central Valley and includes the San Joaquin Delta and Stockton. Incumbent Democrat Jerry McNerney, who had represented the 9th district since 2013 and previously represented the 11th district from 2007 to 2013, ran for re-election. He was re-elected with 57.4% of the vote in 2016. The district had a PVI of D+8.

Advanced to general

 * Jerry McNerney, incumbent U.S. Representative

Advanced to general

 * Marla Livengood, agriculture policy advisor

Withdrawn

 * Marco Gutierrez

District 10
The 10th district was based in the Central Valley and included Modesto (and the remainder of Stanislaus County), Manteca, and Tracy (with other portions of southern San Joaquin County). Republican Jeff Denham, who had represented the 10th district since 2013 and previously represented the 19th district from 2011 to 2013, ran for re-election. He was re-elected with 51.7% of the vote in 2016. The district had a PVI of EVEN.

Advanced to general

 * Jeff Denham, incumbent U.S. Representative

Eliminated in primary

 * Ted Howze, veterinarian

Democratic candidates
California's 10th district was included on the list of Republican-held seats being targeted by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee in 2018.

Advanced to general

 * Josh Harder, educator and venture capitalist

Eliminated in primary

 * Mike Barkley, lawyer, accountant, programmer and candidate for this seat in 2014 & 2016
 * Michael Eggman, farmer, small businessman and general election candidate for this seat in 2014 & 2016
 * Virginia Madueno, former mayor of Riverbank
 * Sue Zwahlen, registered nurse and former Modesto City Schools Board of Education member

Withdrawn

 * Lisa Battista
 * Mateo Morelos Bedolla
 * TJ Cox, engineer and small businessman (running in the 21st)
 * Dotty Nygard, registered nurse and former Riverbank City Council member
 * Seth Vaughn

Declined

 * Cathleen Galgiani, state senator from the 5th district
 * José Hernández, former NASA astronaut and general election candidate for this seat in 2012

Withdrawn

 * Scott Shoblom, attorney
 * Terra Snover

Results
Although Denham led the reported vote count for several days, Harder ultimately won the general election by almost 10,000 votes with Denham conceding defeat on November 14.

District 11
The 11th district is based in the East Bay and includes Concord and Richmond. Incumbent Democrat Mark DeSaulnier, who had represented the 11th district since 2015, ran for re-election. He was re-elected with 72.1% of the vote in 2016. The district had a PVI of D+21.

Advanced to general

 * Mark DeSaulnier, incumbent U.S. Representative

Eliminated in primary

 * Dennis Lytton, transportation manager

Advanced to general

 * John Fitzgerald, small business owner

Eliminated in primary

 * Chris Wood, civil engineer

District 12
The 12th district is based in the Bay Area and includes most of San Francisco. House Democratic Leader and former Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who had represented the 12th district since 2013 and previously represented the 8th district from 1993 to 2013 and the 5th district from 1987 until 1993, ran for re-election. She was re-elected with 80.9% of the vote in 2016. The district had a PVI of D+37.

Advanced to general

 * Nancy Pelosi, incumbent U.S. Representative, House Democratic Leader and former Speaker of the House

Eliminated in primary

 * Shahid Buttar, lawyer, advocate and artist
 * Stephen Jaffe, civil rights attorney
 * Ryan Khojasteh, immigrant rights commissioner

Advanced to general

 * Lisa Remmer, educator

Withdrawn

 * Chase Demasi

Eliminated in primary

 * Barry Hermanson, retired entrepreneur

Eliminated in primary

 * Michael Goldstein, lawyer and author

District 13
The 13th district is based in the East Bay and includes Berkeley and Oakland. Incumbent Democrat Barbara Lee, who had represented the 13th district since 2013 and previously represented the 9th district from 1998 to 2013, ran for re-election. She was re-elected with 92.0% of the vote in 2016. The district had a PVI of D+40.

Advanced to general

 * Barbara Lee, incumbent U.S. Representative

Eliminated in primary

 * Jeanne Marie Solnordal

Eliminated in primary

 * James M. Eyer

Advanced to general

 * Laura Wells, political activist, financial & business analyst and nominee for governor in 2010

Eliminated in primary

 * Lanenna Joiner

District 14
The 14th district is based in the Bay Area and includes most of San Mateo County. Incumbent Democrat Jackie Speier, who had represented the 14th district since 2013 and previously represented the 12th district from 2008 to 2013, ran for re-election. She was re-elected with 80.9% of the vote in 2016. The district had a PVI of D+27.

Advanced to general

 * Jackie Speier, incumbent U.S. Representative

Advanced to general

 * Cristina Osmeña, solar industry executive

District 15
The 15th district is based in the East Bay and includes Hayward and Livermore. Incumbent Democrat Eric Swalwell, who had represented the 15th district since 2013, ran for re-election. He was re-elected with 73.8% of the vote in 2016. The district had a PVI of D+20.

Advanced to general

 * Eric Swalwell, incumbent U.S. Representative

Advanced to general

 * Rudy Peters, small business owner

Eliminated in primary

 * Brendan St. John, medical device consultant

District 16
The 16th district is based in the Central Valley and includes Fresno, Madera, and Merced. Incumbent Democrat Jim Costa, who had represented the 16th district since 2013 and previously represented the 20th district from 2005 to 2013, ran for re-election. He was re-elected with 58.0% of the vote in 2016. The district had a PVI of D+9.

Advanced to general

 * Jim Costa, incumbent U.S. Representative

Advanced to general

 * Elizabeth Heng, small business owner and former House staffer

Campaign
As a minority, millennial female running against an established male politician, Heng received a number of comparisons to Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. Heng gained notoriety during the campaign for aggressive attack ads, including one where she depicted a silver-haired man who resembled Costa walking on a sidewalk in red high heels, which prompted questions of sexism. More controversially her campaign ran an ad featuring images of the Cambodian genocide, part of her family heritage. This ad was banned on Facebook and Twitter, leading to conservative claims of social media bias and unjustified censorship. Both social media sites ended up reversing course and allowed the commercials.

District 17
The 17th district is based in the Bay Area and includes Sunnyvale, Cupertino, Santa Clara, Fremont, and Milpitas. Incumbent Democrat Ro Khanna, who had represented the 17th district since 2017, ran for re-election. He was elected with 61.0% of the vote in 2016. The district had a PVI of D+25.

Advanced to general

 * Ro Khanna, incumbent U.S. Representative

Eliminated in primary

 * Stephen Forbes, business analyst
 * Khanh Tran, Alum Rock school board president

Advanced to general

 * Ron Cohen, certified public accountant

Eliminated in primary

 * Kennita Watson, retired software engineer

District 18
The 18th district is based in the Bay Area and includes Palo Alto, Redwood City, and Saratoga. Incumbent Democrat Anna Eshoo, who had represented the 18th district since 2013 and previously represented the 14th district from 1993 to 2013, ran for re-election. She was re-elected with 71.1% of the vote in 2016. The district had a PVI of D+23.

Advanced to general

 * Anna Eshoo, incumbent U.S. Representative

Advanced to general

 * Christine Russell, technology company director

Eliminated in primary

 * John Karl Fredrich, teacher

District 19
The 19th district is based in the South Bay and includes most of San Jose. Incumbent Democrat Zoe Lofgren, who had represented the 19th district since 2013 and previously represented the 16th district from 1995 to 2013, ran for re-election. She was re-elected with 73.9% of the vote in 2016. The district had a PVI of D+24.

Advanced to general

 * Zoe Lofgren, incumbent U.S. Representative

Advanced to general

 * Justin James Aguilera

Eliminated in primary

 * Karl Ryan

District 20
The 20th district is based in the Central Coast and includes Monterey and Santa Cruz. Incumbent Democrat Jimmy Panetta, who had represented the 20th district since 2017, ran for re-election. He was elected with 70.8% of the vote in 2016. The district had a PVI of D+23.

Advanced to general

 * Jimmy Panetta, incumbent U.S. Representative

Eliminated in primary

 * Douglas Deitch, nonprofit executive director

Eliminated in primary

 * Casey Clark

Advanced to general

 * Ronald Paul Kabat, certified public accountant

Withdrawn

 * Robert Neil Cheader

District 21
The 21st district is based in the Central Valley and includes Hanford and parts of Bakersfield. Incumbent Republican David Valadao, who had represented the 21st district since 2013, ran for re-election. He was re-elected with 56.7% of the vote in 2016. The district had a PVI of D+5.

Advanced to general

 * David Valadao, incumbent U.S. Representative

Democratic candidates
California's 21st district was included on the list of Republican-held seats being targeted by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee in 2018.

Advanced to general

 * TJ Cox, engineer and small businessman

Withdrawn

 * Emilio Huerta, civil rights attorney and general election candidate for this seat in 2016

Cox was running in the 10th district race before switching to run in the 21st district in March 2017. Democrat Emilio Huerta, who ran for the seat in 2016 and was planning to run again, dropped out shortly before Cox entered the race.

Results
On election night, Valadao held an 8-point lead, the Associated Press and other news networks called the race for Valadao, and Cox conceded. However, mail-in and absentee ballots, which constituted about sixty percent of all ballots cast in the race, started arriving in the days and weeks following election day and swung heavily toward Cox. On November 26, Cox took the lead, retaining it until all ballots had been counted; Valadao conceded the race on December 6.

District 22
The 22nd district is based in the Central Valley and includes Clovis, Tulare, and Visalia. Incumbent Republican Devin Nunes, who had represented the 22nd district since 2013 and previously represented the 21st district from 2003 to 2013, ran for re-election. He was re-elected with 67.6% of the vote in 2016. The district had a PVI of R+8.

Primary election
In 2017, Nunes received criticism for his handling of the investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 United States elections.

Advanced to general

 * Devin Nunes, incumbent U.S. Representative

Democratic candidates
California's 22nd district was included on the list of Republican-held seats being targeted by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee in 2018.

Advanced to general

 * Andrew Janz, Fresno County deputy District attorney

Eliminated in primary

 * Bobby Bliatout, nonprofit healthcare executive
 * Ricardo "Rico" Franco, technology consultant

Withdrawn

 * Mallory Kremer, obstetrician-gynecologist physician
 * Jose Sigala, Tulare City Council member
 * Paul Vargas

Eliminated in primary

 * Bill Merryman, human resources analyst

Eliminated in primary

 * Brian Carroll, teacher

District 23
The 23rd district is based in the southern Central Valley and includes parts of Bakersfield. Republican House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy, who had represented the 23rd district since 2013 and previously represented the 22nd district from 2007 to 2013, ran for re-election. He was re-elected with 69.2% of the vote in 2016. The district had a PVI of R+14.

Advanced to general

 * Kevin McCarthy, incumbent U.S. Representative

Withdrawn

 * Joe Aleman

Advanced to general

 * Tatiana Matta, public relations professional

Eliminated in primary

 * Mary Helen Barro, businesswoman and educator
 * Wendy Reed, businesswoman, community advocate and general election candidate for this seat in 2016
 * Kurtis Wilson, realtor and motivational speaker

Withdrawn

 * Robert Owen, former Tulare County Prosecutor and U.S. Marine

Eliminated in primary

 * James Davis

District 24
The 24th district is based in the Central Coast and includes San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties. Incumbent Democrat Salud Carbajal, who had represented the 24th district since 2017, ran for re-election. He was elected with 53.4% of the vote in 2016. The district had a PVI of D+7.

Advanced to general

 * Salud Carbajal, incumbent U.S. Representative

Republican candidates
California's 24th district was included on the list of Democratic-held seats being targeted by the National Republican Congressional Committee in 2018.

Advanced to general

 * Justin Fareed, cattle rancher

Eliminated in primary

 * Michael Erin Woody, civil engineer and former Fresno City Council member

District 25
The 25th district is based in northern Los Angeles County and includes Palmdale and Santa Clarita as well as Simi Valley in Ventura County. Incumbent Republican Steve Knight, who had represented the 25th district since 2015, ran for re-election. He was re-elected with 53.1% of the vote in 2016. The district had a PVI of EVEN.

Advanced to general

 * Steve Knight, incumbent U.S. Representative

Democratic candidates
California's 25th district was included on the list of Republican-held seats being targeted by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee in 2018.

Advanced to general

 * Katie Hill, executive director and deputy CEO of People Assisting the Homeless

Eliminated in primary

 * Bryan Caforio, attorney and general election candidate for this seat in 2016
 * Mary Pallant, small businesswoman and former Oak Park School Board member
 * Jess Phoenix, volcanologist and nonprofit director

Withdrawn

 * Kelan Farrell Smith
 * Daniel Fleming
 * Diedra Greenaway, former budget advocate for the City of Los Angeles
 * Michael Masterman-Smith, cancer biologist
 * Scott McVarish, immigration attorney

Declined

 * Christy Smith, Newhall School District President and general election candidate for State Assembly in 2016

Polling

 * with Caforio
 * with generic Republican and generic Democrat
 * with Knight and generic Democrat

Results
Blue represents counties won by Hill. Red represents counties won by Knight.

District 26
The 26th district is based in the southern Central Coast and includes Oxnard and Thousand Oaks. Incumbent Democrat Julia Brownley, who had represented the 26th district since 2013, ran for re-election. She was re-elected with 60.4% of the vote in 2016. The district had a PVI of D+7.

Advanced to general

 * Julia Brownley, incumbent U.S. Representative

Eliminated in primary

 * John Nelson, attorney

Advanced to general

 * Antonio Sabàto Jr., actor and businessman

Eliminated in primary

 * Jeffrey Burum, business owner and accountant

Withdrawn

 * Rafael Dagnesses, business owner, entrepreneur, candidate for this seat in 2014 and general election candidate in 2016
 * Shane Skelton

District 27
The 27th district is based in the San Gabriel Foothills and includes Alhambra, Glendora and Pasadena. Democrat Judy Chu, who had represented the 27th district since 2013 and previously represented the 32nd district from 2009 to 2013, ran for re-election. She was re-elected with 67.4% of the vote in 2016. The district had a PVI of D+16.

Advanced to general

 * Judy Chu, incumbent
 * Bryan Witt, railroad operations supervisor

Withdrawn

 * Beatrice Cardenas

Withdrawn

 * Brian Espinoza

District 28
The 28th district is based in the northern Los Angeles suburbs and includes Burbank, Glendale, La Cañada Flintridge as well as parts of central Los Angeles. Incumbent Democrat Adam Schiff, who had represented the 28th district since 2013 and previously represented the 29th district from 2003 to 2013 and the 27th district from 2001 to 2003, ran for re-election. He was re-elected with 78.0% of the vote in 2016. The district had a PVI of D+23.

Advanced to general

 * Adam Schiff, incumbent U.S. Representative

Eliminated in primary

 * Sal Genovese, community services director and candidate for this seat in 2012, 2014 & 2016

Withdrawn

 * Kim Gruenenfelder
 * Damien Nichols

Advanced to general

 * Johnny Nalbandian, food industry businessman

Withdrawn

 * Juan Markos
 * Mark Shayani

District 29
The 29th district is based in the northeastern San Fernando Valley. Incumbent Democrat Tony Cárdenas, who had represented the 29th district since 2013, ran for re-election. He was re-elected with 74.7% of the vote in 2016. The district had a PVI of D+29.

Advanced to general

 * Tony Cárdenas, incumbent U.S. Representative

Eliminated in primary

 * Joseph Shammas, retired military officer

Advanced to general

 * Benito Bernal, educational transportation supervisor

Eliminated in primary

 * Angelica Dueñas, Sun Valley Neighborhood Council member

Eliminated in primary

 * Juan Rey, mechanic

District 30
The 30th district is based in the western San Fernando Valley and includes Sherman Oaks. Democrat Brad Sherman, who had represented the 30th district since 2013 and previously represented the 27th district from 2003 to 2013 and the 24th district from 1997 to 2003, ran for re-election. He was re-elected with 72.6% of the vote in 2016. The district had a PVI of D+18.

Advanced to general

 * Brad Sherman, incumbent U.S. Representative

Eliminated in primary

 * Jon Pelzer
 * Raji Rab, aviator, educator and candidate for this seat in 2016

Advanced to general

 * Mark Reed, realtor, businessman, rancher and general election candidate for this seat in 2014 & 2016

Withdrawn

 * Joseph Schrage

Withdrawn

 * Rick Dawson

District 31
The 31st district is based in the Inland Empire and includes San Bernardino, Redlands and Rancho Cucamonga. Incumbent Democrat Pete Aguilar, who had represented the 31st district since 2015, ran for re-election. He was re-elected with 56.1% of the vote in 2016. The district had a PVI of D+8.

Advanced to general

 * Pete Aguilar, incumbent U.S. Representative

Eliminated in primary

 * Kaisar Ahmed, retired teacher

Advanced to general

 * Sean Flynn, business owner and economist

District 32
The 32nd district is based in the San Gabriel Valley and includes El Monte and West Covina. Democrat Grace Napolitano, who had represented the 32nd district since 2013 and previously represented the 38th district from 2003 to 2013 and the 34th district from 1999 to 2003, ran for re-election. She was re-elected with 61.6% of the vote in 2016. The district had a PVI of D+17.

Advanced to general

 * Grace Napolitano, incumbent U.S. Representative

Eliminated in primary

 * Ricardo De La Fuente, businessman and son of 2016 presidential candidate Rocky De La Fuente

Withdrawn

 * Mary Ann Lutz, former mayor of Monrovia and policy advisor to Napolitano

Declined

 * Andre Quintero, Mayor of El Monte

Advanced to general

 * Joshua Scott

District 33
The 33rd district is based in coastal Los Angeles County and includes Beverly Hills and Santa Monica. Democrat Ted Lieu, who had represented the 33rd district since 2015, ran for re-election. He was re-elected with 66.4% of the vote in 2016. The district had a PVI of D+16.

Advanced to general

 * Ted Lieu, incumbent U.S. Representative

Eliminated in primary

 * Emory Rodgers, human rights advocate

Withdrawn

 * Alexis Edelstein

Advanced to general

 * Kenneth Wright, physician, surgeon and general election candidate for this seat in 2016

District 34
The 34th district is based in central Los Angeles and includes Boyle Heights, Chinatown and Downtown Los Angeles. Incumbent Democrat Jimmy Gomez, who had represented the 34th district since 2017, ran for re-election. He was elected with 59.2% of the vote in 2017. The district had a PVI of D+35.

Advanced to general

 * Jimmy Gomez, incumbent U.S. Representative

Withdrawn

 * Simon Mark Alvarez

Eliminated in primary

 * Angela McArdle, paralegal, Secretary of the Libertarian Party of California and candidate for this seat in 2017

Advanced to general

 * Kenneth Mejia, certified public accountant and candidate for this seat in 2016 & 2017

District 35
The 35th district is based in the Inland Empire and includes Fontana, Ontario, and Pomona. Incumbent Democrat Norma Torres, who had represented the 35th district since 2015, ran for re-election. She was re-elected with 72.4% of the vote in 2016. The district had a PVI of D+19.

Advanced to general

 * Norma Torres, incumbent U.S. Representative

Eliminated in primary

 * Joe Baca, former U.S. Representative

Advanced to general

 * Christian Valiente, small business owner

District 36
The 36th district is based in eastern Riverside County and includes Palm Springs. Democrat Raul Ruiz, who had represented the 36th district since 2013, ran for re-election. He was re-elected with 62.1% of the vote in 2016. The district had a PVI of D+2.

Advanced to general

 * Raul Ruiz, incumbent U.S. Representative

Republican candidates
California's 36th district was included on the list of Democratic-held seats being targeted by the National Republican Congressional Committee in 2018.

Advanced to general

 * Kimberlin Brown Pelzer, actress and small business owner

Eliminated in primary

 * Dan Ball, television journalist and realtor
 * Robert Bentley, software developer
 * Doug Hassett, businessman
 * Stephan Wolkowicz, financial accountant and candidate for this seat in 2016

District 37
The 37th district is based in South Los Angeles and includes Crenshaw, Exposition Park and Culver City. Incumbent Democrat Karen Bass, who had represented the 37th district since 2013 and previously represented the 33rd district from 2011 to 2013, ran for re-election. She was re-elected with 81.1% of the vote in 2016. The district had a PVI of D+37.

Advanced to general

 * Karen Bass, incumbent U.S. Representative

Advanced to general

 * Ron J. Bassilian, e-mail administrator

District 38
The 38th district is based in the eastern Los Angeles suburbs and includes Norwalk and Whittier. Incumbent Democrat Linda Sánchez, who had represented the 38th district since 2013 and previously represented the 39th district from 2003 to 2013, ran for re-election. She was re-elected with 70.5% of the vote in 2016. The district had a PVI of D+17.

Advanced to general

 * Linda Sánchez, incumbent U.S. Representative

Advanced to general

 * Ryan Downing, taxpayer advocate and general election candidate for this seat in 2016

District 39
The 39th district straddles the Los Angeles–Orange–San Bernardino tri-county border and includes Chino Hills, Diamond Bar, and Fullerton. Incumbent Republican Ed Royce, who had represented the 39th district since 2013 and had represented the 40th district from 2003 to 2013 and the 39th district from 1993 to 2003, retired. He was re-elected with 57.6% of the vote in 2016. The district had a PVI of Even.

Advanced to general

 * Young Kim, former state assembly member

Eliminated in primary

 * John Cullum, business owner and accountant
 * Bob Huff, former state senate minority leader
 * Shawn Nelson, Orange County Supervisor
 * Andrew Sarega, La Mirada city council member
 * Steve Vargas, Brea city council member

Declined

 * Ed Royce, incumbent U.S. Representative

Advanced to general

 * Gil Cisneros, Navy veteran

Eliminated in primary

 * Sam Jammal, former Obama official under USDC
 * Phil Janowicz, retired professor
 * Ted Rusk, contractor
 * Andy Thorburn, health insurance executive
 * Mai Khanh Tran, pediatrician

Withdrawn

 * Jay Chen, Mt. San Antonio College board member
 * Phil Janowicz
 * Ted Rusk
 * Cybil Steed

Eliminated in primary

 * Ted Alemayhu, social entrepreneur
 * Sophia Alexander

Eliminated in primary

 * Steve Cox, Marine veteran
 * Karen Schatzle, deputy district attorney

Withdrawn

 * Julio Castañeda

Endorsements
See main article for details.

Debates

 * Complete video of debate, October 16, 2018

District 40
The 40th district is based in central Los Angeles County and includes Downey and East Los Angeles. Incumbent Democrat Lucille Roybal-Allard, who had represented the 40th district since 2013 and previously represented the 34th district from 2003 to 2013 and the 33rd district from 1993 to 2003, ran for re-election. She was re-elected with 71.4% of the vote in 2016. The district had a PVI of D+33.

Advanced to general

 * Lucille Roybal-Allard, incumbent U.S. Representative

Advanced to general

 * Rodolfo Cortes Barragan

District 41
The 41st district is based in the Inland Empire and includes Moreno Valley, Perris, and Riverside. Democrat Mark Takano, who had represented the 41st district since 2013, ran for re-election. He was re-elected with 65.0% of the vote in 2016. The district had a PVI of D+12.

Advanced to general

 * Mark Takano, incumbent U.S. Representative

Advanced to general

 * Aja Smith, U.S. Air Force veteran

Withdrawn

 * Doug Shepherd, realtor and general election candidate for this seat in 2016

District 42
The 42nd district is based in the Inland Empire and includes Corona and Murrieta. Incumbent Republican Ken Calvert, who had represented the 42nd district since 2013 and previously represented the 44th district from 2003 to 2013 and the 43rd district from 1993 to 2003, ran for re-election. He was re-elected with 58.8% of the vote in 2016. The district had a PVI of R+9.

Advanced to general

 * Ken Calvert, incumbent U.S. Representative

Withdrawn

 * Floyd Harvey

Advanced to general

 * Julia Peacock, high-school teacher and activist

Eliminated in primary

 * Norman Quintero, pastor, psychotherapist and entrepreneur

Eliminated in primary

 * Matt Woody, sommelier

District 43
The 43rd district is based in South Los Angeles and includes Hawthorne and Inglewood. Incumbent Democrat Maxine Waters, who had represented the 43rd district since 2013 and previously represented the 35th district from 1993 to 2013 and the 29th district from 1991 to 1993, ran for re-election. She was re-elected with 76.1% of the vote in 2016. The district had a PVI of D+29.

Advanced to general

 * Maxine Waters, incumbent U.S. Representative

Advanced to general

 * Omar Navarro, small business owner and general election candidate for this seat in 2016

Eliminated in primary

 * Frank DeMartini, film producer and attorney
 * Edwin Duterte, investment advisor

Withdrawn

 * Forest Baker
 * Candance Camper

Eliminated in primary

 * Miguel Angel Zuniga, salesperson

District 44
The 44th district is based in south Los Angeles County and includes Carson, Compton, and San Pedro. Incumbent Democrat Nanette Barragán, who had represented the 44th district since 2017, ran for re-election. She was elected with 52.2% of the vote in 2016. The district had a PVI of D+35.

Advanced to general

 * Nanette Barragán, incumbent U.S. Representative
 * Aja Brown, Mayor of Compton

Withdrawn

 * Isadore Hall, III, former state senator and general election candidate for this seat in 2016

Eliminated in primary

 * Jazmina Saavedra, businesswoman

Withdrawn

 * Stacey Dash, actress

Withdrawn

 * Ashley Wright

District 45
The 45th district is based in inland Orange County and includes the cities of East Anaheim, Irvine and Mission Viejo. Incumbent Republican Mimi Walters, who had represented the 45th district since 2015, ran for re-election. She was re-elected with 58.6% of the vote in 2016. The district had a PVI of R+3.

Advanced to general

 * Mimi Walters, incumbent U.S. Representative

Declined

 * Greg Raths, Mayor Pro Tempore of Mission Viejo
 * Rob Schneiderman, union president

Democratic candidates
California's 45th district was included on the list of Republican-held seats being targeted by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee in 2018. On February 25, Dave Min received the endorsement of the California Democratic Party at the party convention in San Diego.

Advanced to general

 * Katie Porter, law professor

Eliminated in primary

 * Brian Forde, former White House technology adviser
 * Kia Hamadanchy, former aide to Sen. Sherrod Brown
 * Dave Min, law professor and former aide to Sen. Chuck Schumer

Withdrawn

 * Greg Ramsay, ice cream shop owner
 * Eric Rywalski, business affairs consultant
 * Ron Varasteh, small business owner and general election candidate for this seat in 2016

Eliminated in primary

 * John Graham, retired business professor

Results
Blue represents county supervisorial districts won by Porter. Red represents county supervisorial districts won by Walters. Gray represents county supervisorial districts with no data.

District 46
The 46th district is based in central Orange County and includes Anaheim and Santa Ana. Incumbent Democrat Lou Correa, who had represented the 46th district since 2017, ran for re-election. He was elected with 70.0% of the vote in 2016. The district had a PVI of D+15.

Advanced to general

 * Lou Correa, incumbent U.S. Representative

Withdrawn

 * Alan Schlar

Advanced to general

 * Russell Rene Lambert, fraud investigator and businessman

Withdrawn

 * Ben Garrett
 * Jeffrey Johnston
 * Adam Orozco
 * Maria Slater
 * David Tran

Eliminated in primary

 * Will Johnson, driver and caregiver
 * Ed Rushman, IT project manager

District 47
The 47th district encompasses Long Beach, Catalina Island, and parts of western Orange County, including Garden Grove and Westminster. Incumbent Democrat Alan Lowenthal, who had represented the 47th district since 2013, ran for re-election. He was re-elected with 63.7% of the vote in 2016. The district had a PVI of D+13.

Advanced to general

 * Alan Lowenthal, incumbent U.S. Representative

Advanced to general

 * John Briscoe, business professor and Ocean View School District board member

Eliminated in primary

 * David Michael Clifford, small business owner

District 48
The 48th district is based in coastal Orange County and includes Costa Mesa, Huntington Beach and Newport Beach. Incumbent Republican Dana Rohrabacher, who had represented the 48th district since 2013 and previously represented the 46th district from 2003 to 2013, the 45th district from 1993 to 2003, and the 42nd district from 1989 to 1993, ran for re-election. He was re-elected with 58.5% of the vote in 2016. The district had a PVI of R+4.

Advanced to general

 * Dana Rohrabacher, incumbent U.S. Representative

Eliminated in primary

 * Scott Baugh, former state assembly member
 * John Gabbard, small business owner
 * Paul Martin, businessman
 * Stelian Onufrei, construction business owner

Democratic candidates
California's 48th district was included on the list of Republican-held seats being targeted by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee in 2018.

Advanced to general

 * Harley Rouda, real estate executive

Eliminated in primary

 * Hans Keirstead, stem cell biologist
 * Michael Kotick, global business executive
 * Laura Oatman, architect
 * Rachel Payne, businesswoman
 * Deanie Ann Schaarsmith
 * Omar Siddiqui, attorney
 * Tony Zarkades, Marine veteran

Withdrawn

 * Michael Anthony Ellinger
 * Boyd Roberts

Eliminated in primary

 * Brandon Reiser, businessman

Eliminated in primary

 * Kevin Kensinger, licensed investment professional

Results
Rouda won all 3 county supervisorial districts. Blue represents county supervisorial districts won by Rouda.

District 49
The 49th district is based in northern San Diego County and parts of southern Orange County. It includes the cities of Carlsbad, Oceanside, San Juan Capistrano and San Clemente. Incumbent Republican Darrell Issa, who had represented the 49th district since 2003 and the 48th district from 2001 to 2003, retired and did not run in 2018. He was re-elected with 50.3% of the vote in 2016. The district had a PVI of R+1.

Primary election
California's 49th district was included on the list of Republican-held seats being targeted by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee in 2018. Given the close margin in 2016, this election was considered to be highly competitive.

Advanced to general

 * Diane Harkey, representative on California State Board of Equalization, and former state assembly member

Eliminated in primary

 * Rocky Chávez, state assembly member
 * Kristin Gaspar, member of San Diego County Board of Supervisors, and former mayor of Encinitas
 * Brian Maryott, San Juan Capistrano city council member
 * David Medway, physician
 * Craig Arthur Nordal, real estate agent
 * Mike Schmitt, audiologist
 * Josh Schoonover, patent attorney

Advanced to general

 * Mike Levin, environmental attorney

Eliminated in primary

 * Doug Applegate, retired Marine colonel and general election candidate for this seat in 2016
 * Sara Jacobs, former CEO of non-profit organization and foreign policy advisor on Hillary Clinton's 2016 campaign
 * Paul Kerr, real estate investor

Withdrawn

 * Christina Prejean, attorney

Eliminated in primary

 * Joshua Hancock, Marine veteran

Eliminated in primary

 * Danielle St. John, human rights advocate

Eliminated in primary

 * Robert Pendleton, surgeon, businessman and artist

Eliminated in primary

 * Jordan Mills, college professor and union organizer

Polling

 * Without Paul Kerr


 * Without Kristin Gaspar and Paul Kerr

Polling

 * With Darrell Issa

Results
Blue represents counties won by Levin. Red represents counties won by Harkey.

District 50
The 50th district is based in inland San Diego County and includes Escondido and Santee. Incumbent Republican Duncan D. Hunter, who had represented the 50th district since 2013 and previously represented the 52nd district from 2009 to 2013, ran for re-election. He was re-elected with 63.5% of the vote in 2016. The district had a PVI of R+11.

Advanced to general

 * Duncan D. Hunter, incumbent U.S. Representative

Eliminated in primary

 * Shamus Sayed, CEO of Interpreters Unlimited
 * Bill Wells, Mayor of El Cajon

Withdrawn

 * Andrew Zelt, San Diego County sheriff's deputy

Democratic candidates
California's 50th district was included on the list of Republican-held seats being targeted by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee in 2018.

Advanced to general

 * Ammar Campa-Najjar, small business owner

Eliminated in primary

 * Josh Butner, former Navy SEAL
 * Patrick Malloy, business owner, realtor and general election candidate for this seat in 2016

Withdrawn

 * Pierre Beauregard
 * Gloria Chadwick
 * Glenn Jensen
 * Alex Spilger

Eliminated in primary

 * Rich Kahle, personal trainer

Campaign
On August 22, 2018, Hunter and his wife were both indicted on federal charges for alleged misuse of campaign funds.

Hunter repeatedly attacked his Campa-Najjar over his half-Palestinian heritage claiming that Campa-Najjar, who converted to Christianity from Islam in high school, was an "Islamist" trying to "infiltrate Congress", describing him as a "security threat" with terrorist ties. The Washington Post fact-checkers wrote that an October 1, 2018, television ad by Hunter's campaign used "naked anti-Muslim bias" and sought to scare Californians from voting for Campa-Najjar, despite the fact that Campa-Najjar "isn't even Muslim. All the claims in the ad are false, misleading or devoid of evidence." Hunter also claimed that Campa-Najjar was being supported by CAIR and the Muslim Brotherhood; PolitiFact gave this claim its "Pants on Fire" rating. CNN, The Guardian, Buzzfeed News, and The Daily Beast described Hunter's campaign as "anti-Muslim", Vox described it as "race-baiting", and The Atlantic called it "one of the most brazenly anti-Muslim smear campaigns in recent history." After Hunter's attacks on Campa-Najjar were widely condemned, Hunter doubled down on the attacks in a direct mail letter written and signed by three defense industry lobbyists, characterizing Campa-Najjar as a national security risk. Campa-Najjar described Hunter's attacks as "pathological."

Aftermath
In June 2019, federal prosecutors showed that from 2009 to 2016, Hunter had spent campaign funds on extramarital affairs with five women, including lobbyists and congressional staff. In December 2019 Hunter changed his plea to guilty on one count of misusing campaign funds. On January 7, 2020, he submitted letters of resignation to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and California Governor Gavin Newsom, that took effect on January 13, 2020. On March 17, 2020, Hunter was sentenced to 11 months in prison, scheduled to begin in January 2021.

District 51
The 51st district runs along the border with Mexico and includes Imperial County and San Diego. Democrat Juan Vargas, who had represented the 51st district since 2013, ran for re-election. He was re-elected with 72.2% of the vote in 2016. The district had a PVI of D+22.

Advanced to general

 * Juan Vargas, incumbent U.S. Representative

Advanced to general

 * Juan Hidalgo Jr., retired U.S. Marine

Eliminated in primary

 * Louis Fuentes, air conditioning contractor
 * John Renison, small business owner

Eliminated in primary

 * Juan Carlos Mercado, deputy sheriff
 * Kevin Mitchell

District 52
The 52nd district is based in coastal San Diego and includes La Jolla and Poway. Democrat Scott Peters, who had represented the 52nd district since 2013, ran for re-election. He was re-elected with 56.5% of the vote in 2016. The district had a PVI of D+6.

Advanced to general

 * Scott Peters, incumbent U.S. Representative

Withdrawn

 * Alexander Miller

Republican candidates
California's 52nd district was included on the list of Democratic-held seats being targeted by the National Republican Congressional Committee in 2018.

Advanced to general

 * Omar Qudrat, counter terrorism attorney

Eliminated in primary

 * Michael Allman, direct democracy advocate
 * Danny Casara, retired army sergeant
 * Jeff Cullen, internal medicine doctor
 * John Horst, cyber security engineer
 * James Veltmeyer, physician and surgeon

Withdrawn

 * Freeman Michaels

District 53
The 53rd district is based in Central San Diego and includes La Mesa and Lemon Grove. Democrat Susan Davis, who had represented the 53rd district since 2003 and previously represented the 49th district from 2001 to 2003, ran for re-election. She was re-elected with 67.0% of the vote in 2016. The district had a PVI of D+14.

Advanced to general

 * Susan Davis, incumbent U.S. Representative

Advanced to general

 * Morgan Murtaugh, political commentator

Eliminated in primary

 * Brett Goda, sales representative
 * Shawn Gino Kane, small business manager
 * Matt Mendoza, Lemon Grove City council member

Eliminated in primary

 * Bryan Kim, community organizer