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.

2018 United States House of Representatives elections in California

← 2016 November 6, 2018 2020 →
All 53 California seats to the United States House of Representatives
Turnout	61.86%
Majority party Minority party   Party Democratic Republican Last election 39 14 Seats won 46 7 Seat change 7 7 Popular vote 8,010,445 3,973,396 Percentage 65.74% 32.61% Swing 3.43% 4.28%
Democratic   50–60%   60–70%   70–80%   80–90%   90–100% Republican   50–60%   60–70%   70–80%   90–100% Winners   Democratic hold   Democratic gain   Republican hold

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.

Results of the 2018 United States House of Representatives elections in California by district:^[7]

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.

• Doug LaMalfa, incumbent U.S. Representative

• Gregory Cheadle, real estate broker and candidate for this seat in 2012, 2014 & 2016^[8]

• Audrey Denney, educator and farmer

• Jessica Holcombe, business attorney^[9]
• David Peterson, small business owner
• Marty Walters, environmental scientist^[10]

• Dennis Duncan
• Larry Jordan
• Brandon Storment

• Lewis Elbinger, retired diplomatic officer

After advancing to the general election, Democratic candidate Audrey Denney was forced to pause her campaign for emergency tumor-removal surgery in August,^[12] but returned in time to debate LaMalfa in September.^[13]

Denney lost, having received 45.1% of the vote, but would win the Democratic party nomination for the 2020 election.^[22]

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.

• Jared Huffman, incumbent U.S. Representative

• Andy Caffrey, sustainability conversion planner

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

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.

• John Garamendi, incumbent U.S. Representative

• Kevin Puett, retired associate director

• Charlie Schaupp, retired Marine officer

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.

• Tom McClintock, incumbent U.S. Representative

• Mitchell White, accountant and auditor

The 4th district was added as a Republican-held seat that the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee was targeting on November 9, 2017.^[25]

• Jessica Morse, national security strategist^[26]

• Regina Bateson, military security analyst^[26]
• Roza Calderon, geoscientist, geographer and cartographer^[26]
• Robert Lawton, businessman

• Steven Castellano
• Chris Drew, product specialist
• Richard Martin
• Rochelle Wilcox, media law and appeals attorney (endorsed Morse)^[26]

• Charlie Brown, retired Air Force Lieutenant Colonel and nominee for this seat in 2006 and 2008 (endorsed Morse)^[27][26]

In February, the California Democratic Party endorsed^[28] 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^[29] 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.^[30] California's secretary of state, Alex Padilla, had struck down Morse's 3 ballot designations before Judge Gevercer ruled^[31] 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.

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.

• Mike Thompson, incumbent U.S. Representative

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

• Jason Kishineff, homemaker

• Anthony Mills, mariner

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

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.

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

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.

• Ami Bera, incumbent U.S. Representative

• Brad Westmoreland, lawyer^[44]

California's 7th district was included on the list of Democratic-held seats being targeted by the National Republican Congressional Committee in 2018.^[45]

• Andrew Grant, U.S. Marine officer and businessman^[46]

• Yona Barash, cancer surgeon

• Omba Kipuke, public activist

• Scott Jones, Sacramento County Sheriff and general election candidate for this seat in 2016^[47]

• Robert Richardson, software developer

• Reginald Claytor, aerospace mechanical worker

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.

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

• 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

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.

• Jerry McNerney, incumbent U.S. Representative

• Marla Livengood, agriculture policy advisor

• Marco Gutierrez

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.

• Jeff Denham, incumbent U.S. Representative

• Ted Howze, veterinarian

California's 10th district was included on the list of Republican-held seats being targeted by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee in 2018.^[52]

• Josh Harder, educator and venture capitalist^[53]

• 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^[54][55]
• Sue Zwahlen, registered nurse and former Modesto City Schools Board of Education member

• Lisa Battista
• Mateo Morelos Bedolla
• TJ Cox, engineer and small businessman (running in the 21st)^[56]
• Dotty Nygard, registered nurse and former Riverbank City Council member^[57]
• Seth Vaughn

• Cathleen Galgiani, state senator from the 5th district^[58]
• José Hernández, former NASA astronaut and general election candidate for this seat in 2012^[54][59]

• Scott Shoblom, attorney
• Terra Snover

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.^[72][73]

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.

• Mark DeSaulnier, incumbent U.S. Representative

• Dennis Lytton, transportation manager

• John Fitzgerald, small business owner

• Chris Wood, civil engineer

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.

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

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

• Lisa Remmer, educator

• Chase Demasi

• Barry Hermanson, retired entrepreneur

• Michael Goldstein, lawyer and author

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.

• Barbara Lee, incumbent U.S. Representative

• Jeanne Marie Solnordal

• James M. Eyer

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

• Lanenna Joiner

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.

• Jackie Speier, incumbent U.S. Representative

• Cristina Osmeña, solar industry executive^[92]

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.

• Eric Swalwell, incumbent U.S. Representative

• Rudy Peters, small business owner

• Brendan St. John, medical device consultant

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.

• Jim Costa, incumbent U.S. Representative

• Elizabeth Heng, small business owner and former House staffer

As a minority, millennial female running against an established male politician, Heng received a number of comparisons to Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.^[93] 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.^[94] 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.^[95][96] Both social media sites ended up reversing course and allowed the commercials.^[94]

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.

• Ro Khanna, incumbent U.S. Representative

• Stephen Forbes, business analyst
• Khanh Tran, Alum Rock school board president^[99]

• Ron Cohen, certified public accountant

• Kennita Watson, retired software engineer

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.

• Anna Eshoo, incumbent U.S. Representative

• Christine Russell, technology company director

• John Karl Fredrich, teacher

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.

• Zoe Lofgren, incumbent U.S. Representative

• Justin James Aguilera

• Karl Ryan

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.

• Jimmy Panetta, incumbent U.S. Representative

• Douglas Deitch, nonprofit executive director

• Casey Clark

• Ronald Paul Kabat, certified public accountant

• Robert Neil Cheader

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.

• David Valadao, incumbent U.S. Representative

California's 21st district was included on the list of Republican-held seats being targeted by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee in 2018.^[52]

• TJ Cox, engineer and small businessman^[100]

• 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.^[101] Democrat Emilio Huerta, who ran for the seat in 2016 and was planning to run again, dropped out shortly before Cox entered the race.^[102]

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.

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.

In 2017, Nunes received criticism for his handling of the investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 United States elections.^[108]

• Devin Nunes, incumbent U.S. Representative

California's 22nd district was included on the list of Republican-held seats being targeted by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee in 2018.^[52]

• Andrew Janz, Fresno County deputy District attorney^[109]

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

• Mallory Kremer, obstetrician-gynecologist physician^[110]
• Jose Sigala, Tulare City Council member
• Paul Vargas

• Bill Merryman, human resources analyst

• Brian Carroll, teacher

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.

• Kevin McCarthy, incumbent U.S. Representative

• Joe Aleman

• Tatiana Matta, public relations professional^[120]

• Mary Helen Barro, businesswoman and educator^[121]
• Wendy Reed, businesswoman, community advocate and general election candidate for this seat in 2016^[122]
• Kurtis Wilson, realtor and motivational speaker

• Robert Owen, former Tulare County Prosecutor and U.S. Marine^[123]

• James Davis

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.

• Salud Carbajal, incumbent U.S. Representative

California's 24th district was included on the list of Democratic-held seats being targeted by the National Republican Congressional Committee in 2018.^[45]

• Justin Fareed, cattle rancher^[125]

• Michael Erin Woody, civil engineer and former Fresno City Council member^[126][127]

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.

• Steve Knight, incumbent U.S. Representative

California's 25th district was included on the list of Republican-held seats being targeted by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee in 2018.^[52]

• Katie Hill, executive director and deputy CEO of People Assisting the Homeless^[132][133]

• 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^[134]

• Kelan Farrell Smith
• Daniel Fleming
• Diedra Greenaway, former budget advocate for the City of Los Angeles
• Michael Masterman-Smith, cancer biologist^[135]
• Scott McVarish, immigration attorney^[135]

• Christy Smith, Newhall School District President and general election candidate for State Assembly in 2016^[133][136]

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.

• Julia Brownley, incumbent U.S. Representative

• John Nelson, attorney

• Antonio Sabàto Jr., actor and businessman

• Jeffrey Burum, business owner and accountant

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

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.

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

• Beatrice Cardenas

• Brian Espinoza

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.

• Adam Schiff, incumbent U.S. Representative

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

• Kim Gruenenfelder
• Damien Nichols

• Johnny Nalbandian, food industry businessman

• Juan Markos
• Mark Shayani

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.

• Tony Cárdenas, incumbent U.S. Representative

• Joseph Shammas, retired military officer

• Benito Bernal, educational transportation supervisor

• Angelica Dueñas, Sun Valley Neighborhood Council member

• Juan Rey, mechanic

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.

• Brad Sherman, incumbent U.S. Representative

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

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

• Joseph Schrage

• Rick Dawson^[171]

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.

• Pete Aguilar, incumbent U.S. Representative

• Kaisar Ahmed, retired teacher

• Sean Flynn, business owner and economist

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.

• Grace Napolitano, incumbent U.S. Representative

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

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

• Andre Quintero, Mayor of El Monte^[172]

• Joshua Scott

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.

• Ted Lieu, incumbent U.S. Representative

• Emory Rodgers, human rights advocate

• Alexis Edelstein

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

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.^[173] The district had a PVI of D+35.

• Jimmy Gomez, incumbent U.S. Representative

• Simon Mark Alvarez

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

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

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.

• Norma Torres, incumbent U.S. Representative

• Joe Baca, former U.S. Representative^[176]

• Christian Valiente, small business owner

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.

• Raul Ruiz, incumbent U.S. Representative

California's 36th district was included on the list of Democratic-held seats being targeted by the National Republican Congressional Committee in 2018.^[45]

• Kimberlin Brown Pelzer, actress and small business owner^[177][178]

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

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.

• Karen Bass, incumbent U.S. Representative

• Ron J. Bassilian, e-mail administrator

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.

• Linda Sánchez, incumbent U.S. Representative

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

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.^[179] He was re-elected with 57.6% of the vote in 2016. The district had a PVI of Even.

• Young Kim, former state assembly member^[180]

• John Cullum, business owner and accountant
• Bob Huff, former state senate minority leader^[181]
• Shawn Nelson, Orange County Supervisor^[181]
• Andrew Sarega, La Mirada city council member
• Steve Vargas, Brea city council member

• Ed Royce, incumbent U.S. Representative

• Gil Cisneros, Navy veteran^[182]

• Sam Jammal, former Obama official under USDC^[182]
• Phil Janowicz, retired professor^[183]
• Ted Rusk, contractor^[184]
• Andy Thorburn, health insurance executive^[185]
• Mai Khanh Tran, pediatrician^[186]

• Jay Chen, Mt. San Antonio College board member^[187]
• Phil Janowicz
• Ted Rusk
• Cybil Steed

• Ted Alemayhu, social entrepreneur
• Sophia Alexander

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

• Julio Castañeda

See main article for details.

• Complete video of debate, October 16, 2018

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.

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

• Rodolfo Cortes Barragan

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.

• Mark Takano, incumbent U.S. Representative

• Aja Smith, U.S. Air Force veteran

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