California's 48th Congressional District
California's 48th Congressional District in the United States House of Representatives is represented by Darrell Issa (R).
As of the 2020 Census, California representatives represented an average of 761,091 residents. After the 2010 Census, each member represented 704,566 residents.
Elections
2024
See also: California's 48th Congressional District election, 2024
California's 48th Congressional District election, 2024 (March 5 top-two primary)
General election
General election for U.S. House California District 48
Incumbent Darrell Issa defeated Stephen Houlahan in the general election for U.S. House California District 48 on November 5, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Darrell Issa (R) | 59.8 | 132,404 | |
| Stephen Houlahan (D) | 40.2 | 88,992 | ||
| Total votes: 221,396 | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
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Nonpartisan primary election
Nonpartisan primary for U.S. House California District 48
The following candidates ran in the primary for U.S. House California District 48 on March 5, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Darrell Issa (R) | 62.4 | 111,510 | |
| ✔ | Stephen Houlahan (D) | 14.9 | 26,601 | |
| Whitney Shanahan (D) | 12.2 | 21,819 | ||
| Mike Simon (D) | 7.2 | 12,950 | ||
| Matthew Rascon (D) | 2.2 | 3,988 | ||
| Lucinda Jahn (No party preference) | 1.1 | 1,959 | ||
| Total votes: 178,827 | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
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2022
General election
General election for U.S. House California District 48
Incumbent Darrell Issa defeated Stephen Houlahan in the general election for U.S. House California District 48 on November 8, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Darrell Issa (R) | 60.4 | 155,171 | |
| Stephen Houlahan (D) | 39.6 | 101,900 | ||
| Total votes: 257,071 | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
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Nonpartisan primary election
Nonpartisan primary for U.S. House California District 48
Incumbent Darrell Issa and Stephen Houlahan defeated Matthew Rascon and Lucinda Jahn in the primary for U.S. House California District 48 on June 7, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Darrell Issa (R) | 61.5 | 101,280 | |
| ✔ | Stephen Houlahan (D) | 27.8 | 45,740 | |
| Matthew Rascon (D) | 9.1 | 14,983 | ||
| Lucinda Jahn (Independent) | 1.6 | 2,614 | ||
| Total votes: 164,617 | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Chris Balasinski (Independent)
- Harley Rouda (D)
- Mari Barosay (D)
2020
General election
General election for U.S. House California District 48
Michelle Steel defeated incumbent Harley Rouda in the general election for U.S. House California District 48 on November 3, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Michelle Steel (R) | 51.1 | 201,738 | |
| Harley Rouda (D) | 48.9 | 193,362 | ||
| Total votes: 395,100 | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
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Nonpartisan primary election
Nonpartisan primary for U.S. House California District 48
The following candidates ran in the primary for U.S. House California District 48 on March 3, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Harley Rouda (D) | 46.7 | 99,659 | |
| ✔ | Michelle Steel (R) | 34.9 | 74,418 | |
| Brian Burley (R) | 12.1 | 25,884 | ||
| Richard Mata (American Independent Party of California) | 2.7 | 5,704 | ||
| John Schuesler (R) | 2.3 | 4,900 | ||
| James Griffin (R) | 1.3 | 2,714 | ||
| Total votes: 213,279 | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Hans Keirstead (D)
- Tami Murillo (R)
- Christopher Michael Engels (R)
- Caleb Sturges (R)
- Scott Baugh (R)
2018
General election
General election for U.S. House California District 48
Harley Rouda defeated incumbent Dana Rohrabacher in the general election for U.S. House California District 48 on November 6, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Harley Rouda (D) | 53.6 | 157,837 | |
| Dana Rohrabacher (R) | 46.4 | 136,899 | ||
| Total votes: 294,736 (100.00% precincts reporting) | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
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Nonpartisan primary election
Nonpartisan primary for U.S. House California District 48
The following candidates ran in the primary for U.S. House California District 48 on June 5, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Dana Rohrabacher (R) | 30.3 | 52,737 | |
| ✔ | Harley Rouda (D) | 17.3 | 30,099 | |
| Hans Keirstead (D) | 17.2 | 29,974 | ||
| Scott Baugh (R) | 15.8 | 27,514 | ||
| Omar Siddiqui (D) | 5.0 | 8,658 | ||
| John Gabbard (R) | 3.3 | 5,664 | ||
| Rachel Payne (D) | 2.1 | 3,598 | ||
| Paul Martin (R) | 1.7 | 2,893 | ||
| Shastina Sandman (R) | 1.6 | 2,762 | ||
| Michael Kotick (D) | 1.5 | 2,606 | ||
| Laura Oatman (D) | 1.4 | 2,412 | ||
 | Deanie Schaarsmith (D) | 0.8 | 1,433 | |
| Tony Zarkades (D) | 0.7 | 1,281 | ||
| Brandon Reiser (L) | 0.6 | 964 | ||
| Stelian Onufrei (R) | 0.4 | 739 | ||
| Kevin Kensinger (Independent) | 0.4 | 690 | ||
| Total votes: 174,024 | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Boyd Roberts (D)
2016
Heading into the election, Ballotpedia rated this race as safely Republican. Incumbent Dana Rohrabacher (R) defeated Suzanne Savary (D) in the general election on November 8, 2016. Rohrabacher and Savary defeated Robert John Banuelos (D) in the top-two primary on June 7, 2016.[1][2]
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican |  Dana Rohrabacher Incumbent |
58.3% | 178,701 | |
| Democratic | Suzanne Savary | 41.7% | 127,715 | |
| Total Votes | 306,416 | |||
| Source: California Secretary of State | ||||
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican |
Dana Rohrabacher Incumbent |
56.6% | 92,815 | |
| Democratic | Suzanne Savary |
28.9% | 47,395 | |
| Democratic | Robert Banuelos | 14.5% | 23,867 | |
| Total Votes | 164,077 | |||
| Source: California Secretary of State |
||||
2014
The 48th Congressional District of California held an election for the U.S. House of Representatives on November 4, 2014. Incumbent Dana Rohrabacher (R) defeated Sue Savary (D) in the general election.
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Dana Rohrabacher Incumbent |
64.1% | 112,082 | |
| Democratic | Sue Savary | 35.9% | 62,713 | |
| Total Votes | 174,795 | |||
| Source: California Secretary of State | ||||
2012
The 48th Congressional District of California held an election for the U.S. House of Representatives on November 6, 2012. District 46 incumbent Dana Rohrabacher won election in the district.[3]
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Dana Rohrabacher Incumbent |
61% | 177,144 | |
| Democratic | Ron Varasteh | 39% | 113,358 | |
| Total Votes | 290,502 | |||
| Source: California Secretary of State "Official Election Results, 2012 General Election" | ||||
2010
On November 2, 2010, John Campbell won re-election to the United States House. He defeated Beth Krom (D) and Mike Binkley (L) in the general election.[4]
| U.S. House, California District 48 General Election, 2010 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Republican | John Campbell incumbent |
59.9% | 145,481 | |
| Democratic | Beth Krom | 36.4% | 88,465 | |
| Libertarian | Mike Binkley | 3.6% | 8,773 | |
| Total Votes | 242,719 | |||
2008
On November 4, 2008, John Campbell won re-election to the United States House. He defeated Steve Young (D) and Don Patterson (L) in the general election.[5]
| U.S. House, California District 48 General Election, 2008 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Republican | John Campbell incumbent |
55.6% | 171,658 | |
| Democratic | Steve Young | 40.7% | 125,537 | |
| Libertarian | Don Patterson | 3.7% | 11,507 | |
| Total Votes | 308,702 | |||
2006
On November 7, 2006, John Campbell won re-election to the United States House. He defeated Steve Young (D) and Bruce Cohen (L) in the general election.[6]
| U.S. House, California District 48 General Election, 2006 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Republican | John Campbell incumbent |
59.9% | 120,130 | |
| Democratic | Steve Young | 37.2% | 74,647 | |
| Libertarian | Bruce Cohen | 2.9% | 5,750 | |
| Total Votes | 200,527 | |||
2004
On November 2, 2004, Christopher Cox won re-election to the United States House. He defeated John Graham (D) and Bruce Cohen (L) in the general election.[7]
| U.S. House, California District 48 General Election, 2004 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Republican | Christopher Cox incumbent |
65% | 189,004 | |
| Democratic | John Graham | 32.2% | 93,525 | |
| Libertarian | Bruce Cohen | 2.9% | 8,343 | |
| Total Votes | 290,872 | |||
2002
On November 5, 2002, Christopher Cox won re-election to the United States House. He defeated John Graham (D) and Joe Michael Cobb (L) in the general election.[8]
| U.S. House, California District 48 General Election, 2002 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Republican | Christopher Cox incumbent |
68.4% | 122,884 | |
| Democratic | John Graham | 28.4% | 51,058 | |
| Libertarian | Joe Michael Cobb | 3.1% | 5,607 | |
| Total Votes | 179,549 | |||
2000
On November 7, 2000, Darrell Issa won election to the United States House. He defeated Peter Kouvelis (D), Eddie Rose (Reform), Sharon Miles (Natural Law) and Joe Michael Cobb (L) in the general election.[9]
| U.S. House, California District 48 General Election, 2000 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Republican | Darrell Issa |
61.4% | 160,627 | |
| Democratic | Peter Kouvelis | 28.3% | 74,073 | |
| Reform | Eddie Rose | 4.3% | 11,240 | |
| Natural Law | Sharon Miles | 3.2% | 8,269 | |
| Libertarian | Joe Michael Cobb | 2.8% | 7,269 | |
| Total Votes | 261,478 | |||
1998
On November 3, 1998, Ron Packard won re-election to the United States House. He defeated Sharon Miles (Natural Law) and Daniel Muhe (L) in the general election.[10]
| U.S. House, California District 48 General Election, 1998 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Republican | Ron Packard incumbent |
76.9% | 138,948 | |
| Natural Law | Sharon Miles | 12.9% | 23,262 | |
| Libertarian | Daniel Muhe | 10.2% | 18,509 | |
| Total Votes | 180,719 | |||
1996
On November 5, 1996, Ron Packard won re-election to the United States House. He defeated Dan Farrell (D), William Dreu (Reform) and Sharon Miles (Natural Law) in the general election.[11]
| U.S. House, California District 48 General Election, 1996 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Republican | Ron Packard incumbent |
65.9% | 145,814 | |
| Democratic | Dan Farrell | 26.9% | 59,558 | |
| Reform | William Dreu | 3.6% | 8,013 | |
| Natural Law | Sharon Miles | 3.6% | 8,006 | |
| Total Votes | 221,391 | |||
1994
On November 8, 1994, Ron Packard won re-election to the United States House. He defeated Andrei Leschick (D) and Donna White (P&F) in the general election.[12]
| U.S. House, California District 48 General Election, 1994 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Republican | Ron Packard incumbent |
73.4% | 143,570 | |
| Democratic | Andrei Leschick | 22.2% | 43,523 | |
| Peace and Freedom | Donna White | 4.4% | 8,543 | |
| Total Votes | 195,636 | |||
1992
On November 3, 1992, Ron Packard won re-election to the United States House. He defeated Michael Farber (D), Donna White (P&F) and Ted Lowe (L) in the general election.[13]
| U.S. House, California District 48 General Election, 1992 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Republican | Ron Packard incumbent |
61.1% | 140,935 | |
| Democratic | Michael Farber | 29.2% | 67,415 | |
| Peace and Freedom | Donna White | 5.8% | 13,396 | |
| Libertarian | Ted Lowe | 3.8% | 8,749 | |
| Total Votes | 230,495 | |||
District map
Redistricting
2020-2021
The California Citizens Redistricting Commission voted 14-0 in favor of a new congressional district map on December 20, 2021, and delivered those maps to the secretary of state on December 27, 2021.[14][15] California was apportioned 52 seats in the U.S. House of Representatives after the 2020 census, a net loss of one seat compared to apportionment after the 2010 census. This map took effect for California's 2022 congressional elections.
How does redistricting in California work? In California, a non-politician commission draws both congressional and state legislative district lines. Established in 2008 by ballot initiative, the commission comprises 14 members: five Democrats, five Republicans, and four belonging to neither party. A panel of state auditors selects the pool of nominees from which the commissioners are appointed. This pool comprises 20 Democrats, 20 Republicans, and 20 belonging to neither party. The majority and minority leaders of both chambers of the state legislature may each remove two members from each of the aforementioned groups. The first eight commission members are selected at random from the remaining nominees. These first eight comprise three Democrats, three Republicans, and two belonging to neither party. The first eight commissioners appoint the remaining six, which must include two Democrats, two Republicans, and two belonging to neither party.[16]
Commissioners must meet the following requirements in order to serve:[16]
- Members must have voted in at least two of the last three statewide elections.
- Members cannot have switched party affiliation for at least five years.
- "Neither commissioners nor immediate family may have been, within 10 years of appointment, a candidate for federal or state office or member of a party central committee; an officer, employee, or paid consultant to a federal or state candidate or party; a registered lobbyist or paid legislative staff; or a donor of more than $2,000 to an elected candidate."
- Members cannot be "staff, consultants or contractors for state or federal government" while serving as commissioners. The same prohibition applies to the family of commission members.
In order to approve a redistricting plan, nine of the commission's 14 members must vote for it. These nine must include three Democrats, three Republicans, and three belonging to neither party. Maps drawn by the commission may be overturned by public referendum. In the event that a map is overturned by the public, the California Supreme Court must appoint a group to draw a new map.[16]
The California Constitution requires that districts be contiguous. Further, the state constitution mandates that "to the extent possible, [districts] must ... preserve the geographic integrity of cities, counties, neighborhoods and communities of interest." Districts must also "encourage compactness." State Senate and Assembly districts should be nested within each other where possible.[16]
California District 48
until January 2, 2023
Click a district to compare boundaries.
California District 48
starting January 3, 2023
Click a district to compare boundaries.
2010-2011
In 2011, the California State Legislature re-drew the congressional districts based on updated population information from the 2010 census.
District analysis
- See also: The Cook Political Report's Partisan Voter Index
- See also: FiveThirtyEight's elasticity scores
2024
Heading into the 2024 elections, based on results from the 2020 and 2016 presidential elections, the Cook Partisan Voter Index for this district was R+9. This meant that in those two presidential elections, this district's results were 9 percentage points more Republican than the national average. This made California's 48th the 151st most Republican district nationally.[17]
Daily Kos calculated what the results of the 2020 presidential election in this district would have been following redistricting. Donald Trump (R) would have defeated Joe Biden (D) 55.0%-42.7%.[18]
2022
Heading into the 2022 elections, based on results from the 2020 and 2016 presidential elections, the Cook Partisan Voter Index for this district was R+9. This meant that in those two presidential elections, this district's results were 9 percentage points more Republican than the national average. This made California's 48th the 149th most Republican district nationally.[19]
Daily Kos calculated what the results of the 2020 presidential election in this district would have been following redistricting. Joe Biden (D) would have received 42.7% of the vote in this district and Donald Trump (R) would have received 55.0%.[20]
2018
Heading into the 2018 elections, based on results from the 2016 and 2012 presidential elections, the Cook Partisan Voter Index for this district was R+4. This meant that in those two presidential elections, this district's results were 4 percentage points more Republican than the national average. This made California's 48th Congressional District the 202nd most Republican nationally.[21]
FiveThirtyEight's September 2018 elasticity score for states and congressional districts measured "how sensitive it is to changes in the national political environment." This district's elasticity score was 0.99. This means that for every 1 point the national political mood moved toward a party, the district was expected to move 0.99 points toward that party.[22]
See also
- Redistricting in California
- California's 48th Congressional District election, 2024
- California's 48th Congressional District election, 2022
- California's 48th Congressional District election, 2020
- California's 48th Congressional District election, 2018
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ California Secretary of State, "Certified List of Candidates for Voter-Nominated Offices June 7, 2016, Presidential Primary Election," accessed April 4, 2016
- ↑ The New York Times, "California Primary Results," June 7, 2016
- ↑ Politico, "2012 Election Map, California," accessed August 15, 2012
- ↑ U.S. Congress House Clerk, "Statistics of the Congressional Election of November 2, 2010," accessed March 28, 2013
- ↑ U.S. Congress House Clerk, "Statistics of the Congressional Election of November 4, 2008," accessed March 28, 2013
- ↑ U.S. Congress House Clerk, "Statistics of the Congressional Election of November 7, 2006," accessed March 28, 2013
- ↑ U.S. Congress House Clerk, "Statistics of the Congressional Election of November 2, 2004," accessed March 28, 2013
- ↑ U.S. Congress House Clerk, "Statistics of the Congressional Election of November 5, 2002," accessed March 28, 2013
- ↑ U.S. Congress House Clerk, "Statistics of the Congressional Election of November 7, 2000," accessed March 28, 2013
- ↑ U.S. Congress House Clerk, "Statistics of the Congressional Election of November 3, 1998," accessed March 28, 2013
- ↑ U.S. Congress House Clerk, "Statistics of the Congressional Election of November 5, 1996," accessed March 28, 2013
- ↑ U.S. Congress House Clerk, "Statistics of the Congressional Election of November 8, 1994," accessed March 28, 2013
- ↑ U.S. Congress House Clerk, "Statistics of the Congressional Election of November 3, 1992," accessed March 28, 2013
- ↑ Politico, "California’s new congressional map boosts Democrats," Dec. 21, 2021
- ↑ Lake County News, "California Citizens Redistricting Commission delivers maps to California Secretary of State," Dec. 28, 2021
- ↑ 16.0 16.1 16.2 16.3 All About Redistricting, "California," accessed April 21, 2015
- ↑ Cook Political Report, "The 2022 Cook Partisan Voting Index (Cook PVI℠)," accessed January 10, 2024
- ↑ Daily Kos, "Daily Kos Elections' 2020 presidential results by congressional district, for new and old districts," accessed September 15, 2022
- ↑ Cook Political Report, "The 2022 Cook Partisan Voting Index (Cook PVI℠)," accessed February 6, 2023
- ↑ Daily Kos, "Daily Kos Elections' 2020 presidential results by congressional district, for new and old districts," accessed September 15, 2022
- ↑ Cook Political Report, "Introducing the 2017 Cook Political Report Partisan Voter Index," April 7, 2017
- ↑ FiveThirtyEight, "Election Update: The Most (And Least) Elastic States And Districts," September 6, 2018