California's 26th State Assembly district facts for kids
Quick facts for kids California's 26th State Assembly district |
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Current assemblymember |
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Population (2010) • Voting age • Citizen voting age |
470,166 320,827 241,074 |
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Demographics |
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Registered voters | 172,092 | ||
Registration | 42.02% Republican 32.37% Democratic 20.77% No party preference |
California's 26th State Assembly district is one of 80 special areas in California. Each area chooses a person to represent them in the California State Assembly. Think of the Assembly as one part of California's government, where laws are made. The person representing this district helps make important decisions for the state.
Currently, the 26th district is represented by Devon Mathis. He is a Republican and lives in Visalia.
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What is the 26th District Like?
This district is located in the southern part of California. It stretches across the southern Sierra Nevada mountains. It also includes a big part of the southeastern Central Valley, which is where most of the people in the district live. You'll also find almost all of the Owens Valley here.
The 26th district includes parts of three different counties:
- Inyo County: This includes the town of Bishop.
- Kern County: A small part of this county is in the district, including Lake Isabella.
- Tulare County: Most of this county is in the district, with cities like Dinuba, Exeter, Farmersville, Lindsay, Porterville, Tulare, Visalia, and Woodlake.
Who Represents the District?
The boundaries of the 26th district have changed over the years. This happens because of something called "redistricting." Every ten years, after the U.S. Census, California redraws its district maps. This makes sure each district has about the same number of people. The current shape of the 26th district was decided in 2011 by a group called the California Citizens Redistricting Commission.
The current Assembly Member for the 26th district is Devon Mathis. He has been serving the district since December 1, 2014.
How Elections Work in the 26th District
People in the 26th district vote for their Assembly Member. Here's a look at some recent election results:
2020 Election
In the 2020 election, Devon Mathis won re-election.
- Devon Mathis (Republican): 61.5% of votes in the primary, 54.9% in the general election.
- Drew Phelps (Democratic): 38.5% of votes in the primary, 45.1% in the general election.
2018 Election
In 2018, Devon Mathis was also re-elected.
- Devon Mathis (Republican): 30.3% in the primary, 57.9% in the general election.
- Jose Sigala (Democratic): 29.8% in the primary, 42.1% in the general election.
- Warren Gubler (Republican): 28.0% in the primary.
- Jack Lavers (Republican): 11.9% in the primary.
2016 Election
The 2016 election also saw Devon Mathis win.
- Devon Mathis (Republican): 42.4% in the primary, 63.3% in the general election.
- Ruben Macareno (Democratic): 30.5% in the primary, 36.7% in the general election.
- Rudy Mendoza (Republican): 27.1% in the primary.
2014 Election
In 2014, Devon Mathis was first elected to represent the district.
- Rudy Mendoza (Republican): 40.3% in the primary, 46.4% in the general election.
- Devon Mathis (Republican): 20.5% in the primary, 53.6% in the general election.
- Carlton Jones (Democratic): 17.2% in the primary.
- Ruben Macareno (Democratic): 8.1% in the primary.
- Derek A. Thomas (Democratic): 6.2% in the primary.
- Teresita "Tess" Andres (Republican): 4.5% in the primary.
- Esther Barajas (Republican): 3.2% in the primary.
2012 Election
In 2012, Connie Conway was the Assembly Member for this district.
- Connie Conway (Republican): 71.8% in the primary, 66.5% in the general election.
- Jonathan Louis Sosa (Democratic): 28.2% in the primary, 33.5% in the general election.