On November 3, 2026, voters across Los Angeles County cast ballots for several key federal and state legislative positions. Preliminary data indicates that Democratic incumbents are currently maintaining significant leads in the majority of these high-profile contests.
The Democratic Stronghold of the San Fernando Valley
The early results from the Los Angeles County election reflect a broader trend of Democratic dominance in Southern California's urban corridors. According to the report , the Los Angeles County registrar's office released the first batch of results at 8:17 p.m., which primarily consisted of vote-by-mail ballots received before Election Day. This initial snapshot suggests that the region remains a reliable bastion for the Democratic party, even in the face of competitive challenges.
This pattern echoes previous electoral cycles where the San Fernando Valley has served as a critical power base for Democratic candidates.. By securing early leads in both congressional and assembly races, the party demonstrates a resilient grip on the diverse populations of Los Angeles County, ranging from the dense urban centers to the newly redistricted outskirts.
Luz Rivas and Laura Friedman's Double-Digit Leads
In California's 29th congressional district, Democratic Rep. Luz Rivas has established a commanding position with 63% of the vote, according to the report, comfortably leading her Democratic primary challenger, Angélica Dueñas, who holds 37%. This race is particularly notable as it represents an internal party struggle within a district that includes Panorama City, Van Nuys, and Sylmar.
Simultaneously, Democratic Rep. Laura Friedman has seen overwhelming support in California's 30th congressional district. Friedman captured 77% of the initial tallies, leaving Republican challenger Scott Alan Meyers with 23%. The 30th district now includes Acton and Agua Dulce following recent redistricting, yet the early numbers suggest these geographic shifts have not significantly eroded the Democratic advantage in areas like Burbank and West Hollywood.
Brad Sherman's Three-Decade Grip on the 32nd District
Long-term incumbency continues to pay dividends in California's 32nd congressional district, where Democratic Rep . Brad Sherman holds 70% of the vote.. His Republican opponent, attorney and talent manager Larry Thompson, has secured nearly 30% of the ballots. Having served in Congress for nearly thirty years, Sherman's influence extends across a wide geography, from Woodland Hills and Tarzana to the newly incorporated Simi Valley in Ventura County.
Deborah Klein Lopez and the Battle for Assembly District 42
The race for Assembly District 42 stands out as a critical open-seat contest to succeed the termed-out Democratic Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin. Early returns show Democratic Agoura Hills Councilmember Deborah Klein Lopez leading Republican small business owner Ted Nordblum with 60% of the vote compared to Nordblum's 40%. This district, which spans portions of both Los Angeles and Ventura counties, serves as a bellwether for how the party handles transitions of power in suburban areas like Calabasas and Thousand Oaks.
Other state-level races show similar Democratic strength. Democratic Assemblymember Celeste Rodriguez is dominating her district with nearly 80% of the vote against Republican Ricardo Benitez. Additionally, Democratic Assemblymember Nick Schultz leads Republican Carolyn Daniels in Assembly District 44 with 73% of the vote, maintaining a strong hold over a region that stretches from Sherman Oaks to La Crescenta.
The Impact of In-Person Ballots Yet to be Counted
While the early numbers are promising for Democrats, a significant portion of the electorate remains unaccounted for. The current data is based on vote-by-mail ballots, and the final outcome depends on the remaining in-person ballots cast at vote centers. It remains unclear if in-person voters in Los Angeles County will mirror the trends seen in the mail-in data or if Republican candidates like Ricky Tracy Hayes II—who currently trails Pilar Schiavo 40% to 60% in Assembly District 40—will see a late surge.
Furthermore, the source does not provide total voter turnout percentages or a breakdown of how many ballots are still pending. Without these figures , it is difficult to determine if the current leads are statistically insurmountable or if a significant shift could occur as the Los Angeles County registrar's office continues the count.
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