2012 United States House of Representatives elections in California


The 2012 United States House of Representatives elections in California were held on November 6, 2012, with a primary election on June 5, 2012. Voters elected the 53 U.S. representatives from the state, one from each of the state's 53 congressional districts. The elections coincided with the elections of other federal and state offices, including a quadrennial presidential election and a U.S. Senate election.
According to The Cook Political Report and Roll Call, the most competitive districts were the 7th congressional district|7th], 10th congressional district|10th], 26th congressional district|26th], 36th congressional district|36th], and 52nd congressional district|52nd]; additionally, the 3rd congressional district|3rd], 9th congressional district|9th], 24th congressional district|24th], 41st congressional district|41st], and 47th congressional district|47th] were rated as less than safe. Roll Call additionally listed the 21st district as competitive. Voters in 14 districts elected new representatives: the 1st congressional district|1st], 2nd congressional district|2nd], 7th, 8th congressional district|8th], 15th congressional district|15th], 21st, 26th, 29th congressional district|29th], 35th congressional district|35th], 36th, 41st, 47th, 51st congressional district|51st], and 52nd. Two districts, the 30th congressional district|30th] and the 44th congressional district|44th], had two incumbents running against each other.
This was the first election using congressional districts drawn by the California Citizens Redistricting Commission. The districts, based on the 2010 United States census, were approved on August 15, 2011. It was also the first non-special election to use the nonpartisan blanket primary system established by Proposition 14 (2010)|Proposition 14]. As a result, eight districts featured general elections with two candidates of the same party: the 15th, 30th, 35th, 40th congressional district|40th], 43rd congressional district|43rd], and 44th with two Democrats; and the 8th and 31st congressional district|31st] with two Republicans.

Overview

Map key

This map displays the location of California's congressional districts during this election cycle, allowing the reader to cross-reference the location of each district.

District 1

The 1st district is based in inland Northern California and includes Chico and Redding. Incumbent Republican Wally Herger, who represented the 2nd district from 1987 to 2013, retired. The district had a PVI of R+10.

Primary election

Republican candidates

Advanced to general

Democratic candidates

Advanced to general

Campaign

Reed was endorsed by the California Democratic Party in February 2012. In March 2012, the California Republican Party declined to make an endorsement in the 1st district.

District 2

The 2nd district is based in California's North Coast and includes Marin County and Eureka. Democrat Lynn Woolsey, who represented the 6th district from 1993 to 2013, retired. The district had a PVI of D+19.

Primary election

Democratic candidates

Advanced to general

Republican candidates

Advanced to general
  • Daniel Roberts, Vietnam War veteran and investment company president
    Eliminated in primary
  • Mike Halliwell, college professor
    Declined
  • Jim Judd, manufacturing business owner and nominee for this seat in 2010

Independent candidates

Eliminated in primary

Green Party candidates

Declined

Campaign

Regional delegates of the California Democratic Party met in January 2012 but did not endorse a nominee as no candidate received 50 per cent of the vote. Huffman received 48 per cent, Solomon 37 per cent, Adams 12 per cent and Lawson one percent. Meanwhile, Roberts received the endorsement of the California Republican Party in March 2012.

District 3

The 3rd district is based in north central California and includes Davis, Fairfield, and Yuba City. Incumbent Democrat John Garamendi, who represented the 10th district from 2009 to 2013, ran for re-election. The district had a PVI of D+1.

Primary election

Democratic candidates

Advanced to general

Republican candidates

Advanced to general

Campaign

Garamendi received the endorsement of the California Democratic Party in February 2012. In March 2012, the California Republican Party declined to make an endorsement in the 3rd district.

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. The district had a PVI of R+10.

Primary election

Republican candidates

Advanced to general

Democratic candidates

Advanced to general
  • Jack Uppal, retired semiconductor engineer

Campaign

Uppal was endorsed by the California Democratic Party in February 2012, with McClintock receiving the endorsement of the California Republican Party in March 2012.

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 1st district from 1999 to 2013, ran for re-election. The district had a PVI of D+18.

Primary election

Democratic candidates

Advanced to general

Republican candidates

Advanced to general
  • Randy Loftin, tax and financial planning adviser
    Eliminated in primary
  • Stewart Cilley, accountant

Campaign

Thompson received the endorsement of the California Democratic Party in February 2012, while Loftin was endorsed by the California Republican Party in March.

District 6

The 6th district is based in north central California and includes Sacramento. Incumbent Democrat Doris Matsui, who represented the 5th district from 2005 to 2013, ran for re-election here. The district had a PVI of D+13.

Primary election

Democratic candidates

Advanced to general

Republican candidates

Advanced to general
  • Joseph McCray Sr., business owner
    Eliminated in primary
  • Erik Smitt

Campaign

Matsui was endorsed by the California Democratic Party in February 2012.

District 7

The 7th district is based in north central California and includes eastern Sacramento County. Incumbent Republican Dan Lungren, who represented the 3rd district from 2005 to 2013 and previously served from 1979 until 1989, ran for re-election. The district had a PVI of R+3.

Primary election

Republican candidates

Advanced to general

Democratic candidates

Advanced to general

Campaign

Bera received the endorsement of the California Democratic Party in February 2012. Lungren was endorsed by the California Republican Party in March 2012.

General election

Debates

  • , September 25, 2012

Aftermath

In May 2016, Babulal Bera, Ami Bera's father, pleaded guilty to two felony counts of election fraud affecting the 2010 and 2012 elections, and was convicted of illegally funneling $250,000 to his son's campaigns between 2010 and 2012.

District 8

The 8th district is based in the eastern High Desert and includes Victorville and Yucaipa. Incumbent Republican Jerry Lewis, who represented the 41st district from 2003 to 2013 and its predecessors since 1983, retired. The district had a PVI of R+12.

Primary election

Republican candidates

Advanced to general

Democratic candidates

Eliminated in primary
  • Jackie Conaway, law office manager and nominee for the 25th district in 2008 & 2010
  • John Pinkerton, president of Victor Valley College Board of Trustees

Independent candidates

Eliminated in primary

Campaign

Conaway was endorsed by the California Democratic Party in February 2012. In March 2012, the California Republican Party declined to endorse a candidate in the 8th district.

District 9

The 9th district is based in the Central Valley and includes the San Joaquin Delta and Stockton. Incumbent Democrat Jerry McNerney, who represented the 11th district from 2007 to 2013, ran for re-election here. The district had a PVI of D+2.

Primary election

Democratic candidates

Advanced to general

Republican candidates

Advanced to general

Campaign

Gill was endorsed by the California Republican Party in March 2012.

District 10

The 10th district is based in the Central Valley and includes Modesto and Tracy. Incumbent Democrat Dennis Cardoza, who represented the 18th district from 2003 to 2013, retired. Incumbent Republican Jeff Denham, who represented the 19th district from 2011 to 2013, ran for re-election here. The district had a PVI of R+5.

Primary election

Republican candidates

Advanced to general
  • Jeff Denham, incumbent U.S. representative for the 19th district

Democratic candidates

Advanced to general

Independent candidates

Eliminated in primary
  • Chad Condit, son of former U.S. Representative Gary Condit
  • Troy McComack, small business owner

Campaign

Hernandez was endorsed by the California Democratic Party in February 2012.

District 11

The 11th district is based in the East Bay and includes Concord and Richmond. Incumbent Democrat George Miller, who represented the 7th district from 1975 to 2013, ran for re-election here. The district had a PVI of D+17.

Primary election

Democratic candidates

Advanced to general
  • George Miller, incumbent U.S. representative
    Eliminated in primary
  • John Fitzgerald, small business owner
  • Cheryl Sudduth, public policy advocate

Republican candidates

Advanced to general
  • Virginia Fuller, nurse

Campaign

Miller received the endorsement of the California Democratic Party in February 2012.

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 represented the 8th district from 1993 to 2013 and previously represented the 5th district from 1987 until 1993, ran for re-election here. The district had a PVI of D+35.

Primary election

Democratic candidates

Advanced to general
  • Nancy Pelosi, incumbent U.S. representative and House Minority Leader
    Eliminated in primary
  • Americo Artura Diaz, self-employed designer
  • David Peterson, businessman
  • Summer Justice Shields

Republican candidates

Advanced to general
  • John Dennis, real estate developer

Green candidates

Eliminated in primary
  • Barry Hermanson

Campaign

Pelosi was endorsed by the California Democratic Party in February 2012.

District 13

The 13th district is based in the East Bay and includes Berkeley and Oakland. Democrat Barbara Lee, who represented the 9th district from 1998 to 2013, ran for re-election here. The district had a PVI of D+37.

Primary election

Democratic candidates

Advanced to general
  • Barbara Lee, incumbent U.S. representative
    Eliminated in primary
  • Justin Jelincic

Independent candidates

Advanced to general
  • Marilyn Singleton, physician

Campaign

Lee received the endorsement of the California Democratic Party in February 2012.

District 14

The 14th district is based in the Bay Area and includes most of San Mateo County. Incumbent Democrat Jackie Speier, who represented the 12th district from 2008 to 2013, ran for re-election here. The district had a PVI of D+23.

Primary election

Democratic candidates

Advanced to general

Republican candidates

Advanced to general
  • Deborah Bacigalupi, businesswoman

Campaign

Speier was endorsed by the California Democratic Party in February 2012.

District 15

The 15th district is based in the East Bay and includes Hayward and Livermore. Incumbent Democrat Pete Stark, who represented the 13th district from 1993 to 2013 and its predecessors since 1973, ran for re-election here. The district had a PVI of D+15.

Primary election

Democratic candidates

Advanced to general

Independent candidates

Eliminated in primary
  • Christopher Pareja, businessman

Campaign

Stark received the endorsement of the California Democratic Party in February 2012. Swalwell won the Tri Valley Democratic Club's Straw Poll on February 20.

District 16

The 16th district is based in the Central Valley and includes Fresno and Merced. Incumbent Democrat Jim Costa, who represented the 20th district from 2005 to 2013, ran for re-election here. The district had a PVI of D+2.

Primary election

Democratic candidates

Advanced to general

Republican candidates

Advanced to general
  • Brian Whelan, farmer and attorney
    Eliminated in primary
  • Mark Garcia, small business owner
  • Johnny Tacherra, farmer
    Declined
  • Jeff Denham, incumbent U.S. representative for the 19th district
  • Case Lawrence, entrepreneur
  • Clint Olivier, member of the Fresno City Council
  • Jim Patterson, former mayor of Fresno
  • Mark Pazin, Merced County sheriff
  • Andy Vidak, farmer and nominee for this seat in 2010

District 17

The 17th district is based in the Bay Area and includes Sunnyvale, Cupertino, Santa Clara, Fremont, and Milpitas. Democrat Mike Honda, who represented the 15th district from 2001 to 2013, ran for re-election here.
Charles Richardson ran as a Libertarian Party candidate.

Primary election

Democratic candidates

Advanced to general

Republican candidates

Advanced to general
  • Evelyn Li, cardiologist and founder of patient advocate organization

Campaign

Honda received the endorsement of the California Democratic Party in February 2012. Li was endorsed by the California Republican Party in March 2012.

District 18

The 18th district is based in the Bay Area and includes Palo Alto, Redwood City, and Saratoga. Democrat Anna Eshoo, who represented the 14th district from 1993 to 2013, ran for re-election.

Primary election

Democratic candidates

Advanced to general
  • Anna Eshoo, incumbent U.S. representative
    Eliminated in primary
  • William Parks

Republican candidates

Advanced to general
  • Dave Chapman, nominee for this seat in 2010

Green candidates

Eliminated in primary

Campaign

Eshoo was endorsed by the California Democratic Party in February 2012. Chapman received the endorsement of the California Republican Party in March 2012.

District 19

The 19th district is based in the South Bay and includes most of San Jose. Democrat Zoe Lofgren, who represented the 16th district from 1995 to 2013, ran for re-election here.

Primary election

Democratic candidates

Advanced to general

Republican candidates

Advanced to general
  • Robert Murray
    Eliminated in primary
  • Phat Nguyen

Campaign

Lofgren received the endorsement of the California Democratic Party in February 2012. Murray was endorsed by the California Republican Party in March 2012.

District 20

The 20th district is based in the Central Coast and includes Monterey and Santa Cruz. Democrat Sam Farr, who represented the 17th district from 1993 to 2013, ran for re-election here.

Primary election

Democratic candidates

Advanced to general
  • Sam Farr, incumbent U.S. representative
    Eliminated in primary
  • Art Dunn, vice president of Ansavoice Communications

Republican candidates

Advanced to general
  • Jeff Taylor, farmer
    Eliminated in primary
  • Mike LeBarre

Campaign

Farr was endorsed by the California Democratic Party in February 2012.

District 21

The 21st district is based in the Central Valley and includes Hanford and parts of Bakersfield. This new district had no incumbent.

Primary election

Republican candidates

Advanced to general

Democratic candidates

Advanced to general

Campaign

Valadao was endorsed by the California Republican Party in March 2012.

District 22

The 22nd district is based in the Central Valley and includes Clovis, Tulare, and Visalia. Republican Devin Nunes, who represented the 21st district from 2003 to 2013, ran for re-election here.

Primary election

Republican candidates

Advanced to general

Democratic candidates

Advanced to general

Campaign

Nunes received the endorsement of the California Democratic Party in March 2012.

District 23

The 23rd district is based in the southern Central Valley and includes parts of Bakersfield. House Majority Whip and Republican Kevin McCarthy, who represented the 22nd district from 2007 to 2013, ran for re-election here.

Primary election

Republican candidates

Advanced to general

Democratic candidates

No Democrats filed.

Independent candidates

Advanced to general

Campaign

McCarthy was endorsed by the California Republican Party in March 2012.

District 24

The 24th district is based in the Central Coast and includes San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara. Democrat Lois Capps, who represented California's 23rd congressional district from 2003 to 2013 and the 22nd district from 1998 to 2003, ran for re-election here.

Primary election

Democratic candidates

Advanced to general

Republican candidates

Advanced to general

Campaign

Capps received the endorsement of the California Democratic Party in February 2012. In March 2012, the California Republican Party declined to endorse any candidate, while the Santa Barbara County party endorsed Mitchum.

District 25

The 25th district is based in northern Los Angeles County and includes Palmdale and Santa Clarita. Republican Howard McKeon, who had represented the 25th district since 1993, ran for re-election.

Primary election

Republican candidates

Advanced to general

Democratic candidates

Advanced to general

Withdrawn

Campaign

Rogers was endorsed by the California Democratic Party in February 2012. McKeon received the endorsement of the California Republican Party in March 2012.

District 26

The 26th district is based in the southern Central Coast and includes Oxnard and Thousand Oaks. Republican Elton Gallegly, who represented the 24th district from 2003 to 2013 and its predecessors since 1987, retired.

Primary election

Republican candidates

Advanced to general

Democratic candidates

Advanced to general
  • Julia Brownley, state assembly member
    Eliminated in primary
  • Albert Maxwell Goldberg, real estate agent and broker
  • Jess Herrera, commissioner of the Oxnard Harbor District
  • David Cruz Thayne, businessman and former professional tennis player
    Withdrawn
  • Steve Bennett, member of the Ventura County Board of Supervisors
  • David Pollock, member of the Moorpark City Council
  • Esequiel Ruelas, retired longshoreman; ended his campaign and endorsed Brownley
    Declined
  • Richard Francis, former mayor of Ventura
  • Fran Pavley, state senator
  • Mary Anne Rooney, commissioner of the Oxnard Harbor District
  • Brad Sherman, incumbent U.S. representative for the 27th district

Independent candidates

Eliminated in primary

Campaign

At the California Democratic Party convention, held in February 2012, delegates voted to make no endorsement. In March 2012, Strickland was endorsed by the California Republican Party.

District 27

The 27th district is based in the San Gabriel Foothills and includes Alhambra and Pasadena. Democrat Judy Chu, who represented the 32nd district from 2009 to 2013, ran for re-election here.

Primary election

Democratic candidates

Advanced to general

Republican candidates

Advanced to general
  • Jack Orswell, small business owner
    Eliminated in primary
  • Bob Duran, tax attorney and businessman

Campaign

Chu received the endorsement of the California Democratic Party in February 2012. Orswell received the endorsement of the California Republican Party in March 2012.

District 28

The 28th district is based in the northern Los Angeles suburbs and includes Burbank and Glendale as well as parts of central Los Angeles. Democrat Adam Schiff, who represented the 29th district from 2003 to 2013 and the 27th district from 2001 to 2003, ran for re-election here.

Primary election

Democratic candidates

Advanced to general
  • Adam Schiff, incumbent U.S. representative
    Eliminated in primary
  • Sal Genovese, community services administrator
  • Jonathan Ryan Kalbfeld, entrepreneur and software engineer
  • Massie Munroe, civil engineer

Republican candidates

Advanced to general
  • Phil Jennerjahn, political consultant, candidate for mayor of Los Angeles in 2009 and for the 33rd District in 2010
    Eliminated in primary
  • Garen Mailyan, security officer
  • Jenny Worman, actress and Hollywood stand-in

Campaign

Schiff was endorsed by the California Democratic Party in February 2012.

District 29

The 29th district is based in the northeastern San Fernando Valley. This new district had no incumbent.

Primary election

Democratic candidates

Advanced to general

Republican candidates

No Republicans filed.

Independent candidates

Advanced to general
  • David Hernandez, president of the San Fernando Chamber of Commerce

Campaign

Cardenas received the endorsement of the California Democratic Party in February 2012.

District 30

The 30th district is based in the western San Fernando Valley and includes Sherman Oaks. Democrat Brad Sherman, who represented the 27th district from 2003 to 2013 and the 24th district from 1997 to 2003, ran for re-election against fellow Democrat Howard Berman, who represented the 28th district from 2003 to 2013 and the 26th district from 1983 to 2003.

Primary election

Democratic candidates

Advanced to general
  • Howard Berman, incumbent U.S. representative for the 28th district
  • Brad Sherman, incumbent U.S. representative for the 27th district
    Eliminated in primary
  • Vince Gilmore

Republican candidates

Eliminated in primary
  • Mark Reed, actor, rancher and businessman
  • Susan Shelley, novelist
  • Navraj Singh, businessman and restaurateur

Campaign

At the California Democratic Party's annual convention in February 2012, Sherman received the support of more delegates than Berman, but did not reach the 60-percent threshold necessary to receive the party's endorsement. In March 2012, the California Republican Party declined to endorse any candidate while the Los Angeles County party endorsed Reed.

General election

Campaign

The campaign was one of the most expensive in the nation.

District 31

The 31st district is based in the Inland Empire and includes San Bernardino and Rancho Cucamonga. Republicans David Dreier, who represented the 26th district from 2003 to 2013 and its predecessors since 1981, and Jerry Lewis, who represented the 41st district from 2003 to 2013 and its predecessors since 1979, retired. Republican Gary Miller, who represented the 42nd district from 2003 to 2013 and the 41st district from 1999 to 2003, ran for re-election here.

Primary election

Republican candidates

Advanced to general

Democratic candidates

Eliminated in primary

Campaign

At its February 2012 convention, the California Democratic Party did not endorse a candidate in the 31st district, while Miller was endorsed by the California Republican Party in March 2012.

District 32

The 32nd district is based in the San Gabriel Valley and includes El Monte and West Covina. Republican David Dreier, who represented the 26th district from 2003 to 2013 and its predecessors since 1978, retired. Democrat Grace Napolitano, who represented the 38th district from 2003 to 2013 and the 34th district from 1999 to 2003, ran for re-election here.

Primary election

Democratic candidates

Advanced to general

Republican candidates

Advanced to general
  • David Miller, CEO of Pacific Development Incorporated

Campaign

Napolitano was endorsed by the California Democratic Party in February 2012.

District 33

The 33rd district is based in coastal Los Angeles County and includes Beverly Hills and Santa Monica. Democrat Henry Waxman, who represented the 30th district from 2003 to 2013 and the 24th and 29th districts from 1975 to 1993 and 1993 to 2003 respectively, ran for re-election here.

Primary election

Democratic candidates

Advanced to general
  • Henry Waxman, incumbent U.S. representative
    Eliminated in primary
  • Bruce Margolin, attorney
  • Zein Obagi, attorney
  • Tim Pape

Republican candidates

Eliminated in primary
  • Christopher David, entrepreneur

Independent candidates

Advanced to general
  • Bill Bloomfield, businessman

Green candidates

Eliminated in primary
  • David Steinman

Libertarian candidates

Eliminated in primary

Campaign

Waxman received the endorsement of the California Democratic Party in February 2012. In March 2012, the California Republican Party declined to endorse David.

District 34

The 34th district is based in central Los Angeles and includes Chinatown and Downtown Los Angeles. Democrat Xavier Becerra, who represented the 31st district from 2003 to 2013 and the 30th district from 1993 to 2003, ran for re-election here.

Democratic candidates

Advanced to general

Primary election

Republican candidates

Advanced to general

Campaign

Becerra was endorsed by the California Democratic Party in February 2012.

District 35

The 35th district is based in the Inland Empire and includes Fontana, Ontario, and Pomona. Democrat Joe Baca, who represented the 43rd district from 2003 to 2013 and the 42nd district from 1999 to 2003, ran for re-election here.

Primary election

Democratic candidates

Advanced to general

Green candidates

Eliminated in primary
  • Anthony Vieyra, former IRS employee

Campaign

Baca was endorsed by the California Democratic Party in February 2012.

District 36

The 36th district is based in eastern Riverside County and includes Palm Springs. Republican Mary Bono Mack, who represented the 45th district from 2003 to 2013 and the 44th district from 1998 to 2003, ran for re-election here.

Primary election

Republican candidates

Advanced to general

Democratic candidates

Advanced to general

Campaign

Ruiz received the endorsement of the California Democratic Party in February 2012. Bono Mack was endorsed by the California Republican Party in March 2012.

General election

Debates

  • , October 12, 2012

District 37

The 37th district is based in West Los Angeles and includes Crenshaw and Culver City. Democrat Karen Bass, who represented the 33rd district from 2011 to 2013, ran for re-election here.

Primary election

Democratic candidates

Advanced to general
  • Karen Bass, incumbent U.S. representative
    Withdrawn
  • Mervin Evans
    Declined
  • Maxine Waters, incumbent U.S. representative for the 35th district

Republican candidates

Advanced to general
  • Morgan Osborne

Campaign

Bass was endorsed by the California Democratic Party in February 2012.

District 38

The 38th district is based in the eastern Los Angeles suburbs and includes Norwalk and Whittier. Democrat Linda Sánchez, who represented the 39th district from 2003 to 2013, ran for re-election here.

Primary election

Democratic candidates

Advanced to general

Republican candidates

Advanced to general

Campaign

Sánchez received the endorsement of the California Democratic Party in February 2012.

District 39

The 39th district straddles the Los Angeles–Orange county border and includes Chino Hills, Diamond Bar, and Fullerton. Republican Ed Royce, who represented the 40th district from 2003 to 2013 and the 39th district from 1993 to 2003, ran for re-election here.

Primary election

Republican candidates

Advanced to general

Democratic candidates

Advanced to general

Campaign

Chen was endorsed by the California Democratic Party in February 2012.

General election

Aftermath

Jay Chen did much better than previous Royce opponents among the Asian American community, earning 62% of the overall Asian American vote, and 95% of the Chinese American vote.

District 40

The 40th district is based in central Los Angeles County and includes Downey and East Los Angeles. Democrat Lucille Roybal-Allard, who represented the 34th district from 2003 to 2013 and the 33rd district from 1993 to 2003, ran for re-election here.

Primary election

Democratic candidates

Advanced to general

Republican candidates

No Republicans filed.

Campaign

Roybal-Allard received the endorsement of the California Democratic Party in February 2012.

District 41

The 41st district is based in the Inland Empire and includes Moreno Valley, Perris, and Riverside. This new district had no incumbent.

Primary election

Democratic candidates

Advanced to general

Republican candidates

Advanced to general

Campaign

Takano was endorsed by the California Democratic Party in February 2012. Tavaglione received the endorsement of the California Republican Party in March 2012.

District 42

The 42nd district is based in the Inland Empire and includes Corona and Murrieta. Republican Ken Calvert, who represented the 44th district from 2003 to 2013 and the 43rd district from 1993 to 2003, ran for re-election here.

Primary election

Republican candidates

Advanced to general
  • Ken Calvert, incumbent U.S. representative
    Eliminated in primary
  • Eva Johnson, former division director, Western Municipal Water District
  • Clayton Thibodeau, author and entrepreneur

Democratic candidates

Advanced to general
  • Michael Williamson, attorney
    Eliminated in primary
  • Cliff Smith

Campaign

Calvert was endorsed by the California Republican Party in March 2012.

District 43

The 43rd district is based in South Los Angeles and includes Hawthorne and Inglewood. Democrat Maxine Waters, who represented the 35th district from 1993 to 2013 and the 29th district from 1991 to 1993, ran for re-election here.

Primary election

Democratic candidates

Advanced to general
  • Bob Flores, self-employed communications manager
  • Maxine Waters, incumbent U.S. representative

Republican candidates

Withdrawn
  • Marco Antonio Leal

Campaign

Waters received the endorsement of the California Democratic Party in February 2012.

District 44

The 44th district is based in south Los Angeles County and includes Carson, Compton, and San Pedro. Democrat Janice Hahn, who represented the 36th district from 2011 to 2013, ran for re-election against fellow Democrat Laura Richardson, who represented the 37th district from 2007 to 2013.

Primary election

Democratic candidates

Advanced to general

Republican candidates

Withdrawn
  • John Lauro

Campaign

In February 2012, Hahn became the officially endorsed candidate of the California Democratic Party.

District 45

The 45th district is based in inland Orange County and includes Irvine and Mission Viejo. Republican John Campbell, who represented the 48th district from 2005 to 2013, ran for re-election here.

Primary election

Republican candidates

Advanced to general

Democratic candidates

Advanced to general

Campaign

Kang was endorsed by the California Democratic Party in February 2012. Campbell received the endorsement of the California Republican Party in March 2012.

District 46

The 46th district is based in central Orange County and includes Anaheim and Santa Ana. Democrat Loretta Sanchez, who represented the 47th district from 2003 to 2013 and the 46th district from 1997 to 2003, ran for re-election here.

Primary election

Democratic candidates

Advanced to general

Republican candidates

Advanced to general
  • Jerry Hayden, independent businessman
    Eliminated in primary
  • John H. Cullum, accountant
  • Pat Garcia, escrow company owner

Independent candidates

Eliminated in primary
  • Jorge Rocha, tax accountant

Campaign

Sanchez received the endorsement of the California Democratic Party in February 2012. Hayden was endorsed by the California Republican Party in March 2012.

District 47

The 47th district includes Long Beach and parts of Orange County. This new district had no incumbent.

Primary election

Democratic candidates

Advanced to general

Republican candidates

Advanced to general

Campaign

Lowenthal was endorsed by the California Democratic Party in February 2012. Delong received the endorsement of the California Republican Party in March 2012.

District 48

The 48th district is based in coastal Orange County and includes Huntington Beach. Republican Dana Rohrabacher, who represented the 46th district from 2003 to 2013 and the 42nd and 45th districts from 1989 to 1993 and 1993 to 2003 respectively, ran for re-election here.

Primary election

Republican candidates

Advanced to general

Democratic candidates

Advanced to general
  • Ron Varasteh, scientist and engineer

Independent candidates

Eliminated in primary
  • Alan Schlar, marketing executive

Campaign

Rohrabacher was endorsed by the California Republican Party in March 2012.

District 49

The 49th district is based in northern San Diego County and includes Carlsbad and Oceanside. Republican Darrell Issa, who had represented the 49th district since 2003 and the 48th district from 2001 to 2003, ran for re-election.

Primary election

Republican candidates

Advanced to general

Democratic candidates

Advanced to general
  • Jerry Tetalman, realtor

Independent candidates

Eliminated in primary
  • Dick Eiden, retired attorney and poet
  • Albin Novinec, U.S. Marine

Campaign

Tetalman received the endorsement of the California Democratic Party in February 2012. Issa was endorsed by the California Republican Party in March 2012.

District 50

The 50th district is based in inland San Diego County and includes Escondido and Santee. Republican Duncan D. Hunter, who represented the 52nd district from 2009 to 2013, ran for re-election here.

Primary election

Republican candidates

Advanced to general
  • Duncan D. Hunter, incumbent U.S. representative
    Eliminated in primary
  • Terri Linnell, Tea Party activist and candidate for this seat in 2010

Democratic candidates

Advanced to general
  • David Secor, retired clerk of the San Diego Superior Court
    Eliminated in primary
  • Connie Frankowiak, community activist and candidate for this seat in 2006 & 2010

Campaign

Hunter received the endorsement of the California Republican Party in March 2012.

District 51

The new 51st district runs along the border with Mexico and includes Imperial County and San Diego. Democrat Bob Filner, who represented the 51st district from 2003 to 2013 and the 50th district from 1993 until 2003, retired to run for mayor of San Diego.

Primary election

Democratic candidates

Advanced to general

Republican candidates

Advanced to general
  • Michael Crimmins, high school principal, retired Marine Corps major and nominee for 53rd district in 2008 & 2010
    Eliminated in primary
  • Xanthi Gionis, businesswoman and author
  • Bernard Portley, computer scientist

Campaign

Vargas was endorsed by the California Democratic Party in February 2012. Gionis received the endorsement of the California Republican Party in March 2012.
Vargas was predicted to face fellow Democratic state senator Denise Moreno Ducheny in the general election, but he spent some of his funds on mailers to help Republican Michael Crimmins, who he preferred to face in the general election in this heavily Democratic seat. Vargas spent $40–50,000 helping Crimmins, at least eight times more than Crimmins spent himself. The effort was successful as Crimmins finished 2,909 votes ahead of Ducheny.

General election

Results

Vargas won the general election in a landslide.

District 52

The 52nd district is based in coastal San Diego and includes La Jolla and Poway. Republican Brian Bilbray, who represented the 50th district from 2006 to 2013 and previously served from 1995 until 2001, ran for re-election here.

Primary election

Republican candidates

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Democratic candidates

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Campaign

At its February 2012 convention, the California Democratic Party declined to endorse a candidate for the 52nd district. Bilbray was endorsed by the California Republican Party in March 2012.

District 53

The 53rd district is based in Central San Diego and includes La Mesa and Lemon Grove. Democrat Davis (politician)|Susan Davis], who had represented the 53rd district since 2003 and previously represented the 49th district from 2001 to 2003, ran for re-election here.

Primary election

Democratic candidates

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Republican candidates

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Campaign

Davis received the endorsement of the California Democratic Party in February 2012.