Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP

On Tuesday, California voters will decide who will hold nine statewide offices, a seat in the U.S. Senate, and a number of competitive seats in U.,S., House of Representatives and state legislature. They will also decide the outcome of dozens of local municipal races and the fate of seven statewide ballot propositions.

Democrats currently hold all eight state offices elected statewide. Governor Gavin Newsom is running for reelection to his second, and last, four-year term. The Republican candidate for controller, Lanhee Chen, is facing off against Democrat Malia Cohen. Chen has outraised Cohen, but Cohen seems likely to prevail. The Democratic voter registration advantage over the GOP is 23 points.

Voters will decide seven statewide propositions on an array of issues. Propositions 1, 26 and 27 are about reproductive freedom, sports betting, education and dialysis. Proposition 30 would require wealthy Californians to pay an additional 1.75% in income tax to incentivize zero-emission vehicle purchases, fund vehicle charging stations and fund wildfire response and prevention activities. It is supported by a former superintendent of the Los Angeles Unified School District. The measure is sponsored by the union of health care workers.

There are a number of interesting races for California seats in the House of Representatives. The redistricting created a lot of competitive seats. Rep. David Valadao is challenging Assemblymember Rudy Salas. Assemblyman Adam Gray is in a high-stakes race against John Duarte. Rep Katie Porter is fending off a challenge by former Assembly Republican Leader Scott Baugh. California’s congressional, legislative and Board of Equalization seats are drawn by an independent citizens redistricting panel. House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy has targeted some of these seats as part of a national drive to regain GOP control over the body.

There will be a change in the California State Legislature due to redistricting, term limits and early retirements. More than a quarter of the 120 members of legislature who take the oath of office in December will take office. Most competitive legislative races in 2022 are between members from the same party.