Unofficial returns show Democrats holding three Northern California Senate seats
Early tallies from San Diego and Orange County districts indicate incumbents and challengers leading as of 8:15 p.m. on Tuesday.
By Ayanda Boateng ·
Three state Senate races in California’s North County and inland regions are trending toward Democratic victories according to unofficial returns released by the Secretary of State. As of 8:15 p.m. Pacific time on Tuesday, November 3, Democrats held leads in Districts 38 and 40, while incumbent Republican Kelly Seyarto maintained a narrow advantage in District 32.
In District 32, which includes parts of Riverside, Orange, and San Bernardino counties, Senator Seyarto led Tiffanie Tate by roughly 3,800 votes. Seyarto, a Republican, had accumulated 67,801 ballots, representing 51.4 percent of the total. Tate, the Democratic challenger, had received 64,023 votes, or 48.6 percent. The district covers communities such as Borrego Springs, Julian, and Warner Springs in San Diego County, along with several cities in the Inland Empire.
District 38, a coastal region spanning parts of San Diego and Orange counties, saw a more decisive result for the incumbent. Democratic Senator Catherine S. Blakespear held a lead of over 33,000 votes over Republican Laura Bassett. Blakespear had secured 101,797 ballots, accounting for 59.8 percent of the vote. Bassett had 68,439 votes, or 40.2 percent. The district includes major cities like Carlsbad, Encinitas, and Oceanside, as well as Laguna Hills and Mission Viejo.
The contest in District 40 is for an open seat previously held by Senator Brian Jones, who did not run for re-election. Democrat Mara Elliott led Republican Kristie Bruce-Lane by approximately 10,000 votes. Elliott had 113,327 ballots, or 52.4 percent, while Bruce-Lane had 103,088, or 47.6 percent. This district covers Escondido, Poway, and San Marcos, along with unincorporated areas such as Fallbrook and Lakeside.
Voters in these three districts are selecting representatives who will help determine the state’s laws and budget for the next four years. The Secretary of State’s office provided these figures as preliminary counts. The results reflect a mix of suburban, coastal, and backcountry populations across the region. No official certification of the winners has been issued as the counting process continues.
The margin of victory in District 32 is the tightest among the three contests. A difference of 3,778 votes between Seyarto and Tate places the race within a narrow range. In contrast, the leads in Districts 38 and 40 are wider, with Blakespear and Elliott both holding advantages above 10,000 votes. The geographic spread of these districts includes both dense urban centers and rural communities with limited population density.
