California's 21st Congressional District election, 2016
The 21st Congressional District of California held an election for the U.S. House of Representatives on November 8, 2016.
Heading into the election, Ballotpedia rated this race as safely Republican. Incumbent David Valadao (R) defeated Emilio Huerta (D) in the general election on November 8, 2016. Valadao and Huerta defeated Daniel Parra (D) in the top-two primary on June 7, 2016.[4][5][6]
| Candidate Filing Deadline | Primary Election | General Election |
|---|---|---|
Primary: California uses a top-two primary system, in which all candidates appear on the same ballot. The top two vote-getters, regardless of party affiliation, move on to the general election. In states that do not use a top-two system, all parties are usually able to put forward a candidate for the general election if they choose to.[7][8]
Unlike the top-two format used in some states (Louisiana and Georgia special elections for example), a general election between the top-two candidates in California occurs regardless of whether the top candidate received 50% of the vote in the first round of elections.
As of August 2024, California was one of five states to use a top-two primary system, or a variation of the top-two system. See here for more information.
For information about which offices are nominated via primary election, see this article.
Incumbent: Heading into the election the incumbent was David Valadao (R), who was first elected in 2012.
California's 21st Congressional District is located in the south-central portion of the state and includes Kings County and parts of Fresno, Tulare and Kern counties.[9]
Election results
General election
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican |  David Valadao Incumbent |
56.7% | 75,126 | |
| Democratic | Emilio Huerta | 43.3% | 57,282 | |
| Total Votes | 132,408 | |||
| Source: California Secretary of State | ||||
Primary election
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican |
David Valadao Incumbent |
54% | 37,367 | |
| Democratic | Emilio Huerta |
24.2% | 16,743 | |
| Democratic | Daniel Parra | 21.8% | 15,056 | |
| Total Votes | 69,166 | |||
| Source: California Secretary of State |
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Candidates
|
General election candidates:  David Valadao   Emilio Huerta |
|
Primary candidates: Daniel Parra[10] Emilio Huerta[11] David Valadao - Incumbent |
|
Withdrew: Connie Perez[12][13] |
Race background
Incumbent David Valadao was a member of the NRCC's Patriot Program. The program is designed to help raise money and assist vulnerable incumbents seeking re-election.[14]
Media
David Valadao
|
District history
2014
California's 21st Congressional District was a battleground district in 2014 due to it being a Democratic leaning district held by a Republican incumbent. Incumbent David Valadao (R) and Amanda Renteria (D) triumphed in the blanket primary over John Hernandez (D). Valadao successfully defended his seat, defeating Renteria in the general election on November 4, 2014.[15][16]
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | David Valadao Incumbent |
57.8% | 45,907 | |
| Democratic | Amanda Renteria | 42.2% | 33,470 | |
| Total Votes | 79,377 | |||
| Source: California Secretary of State | ||||
2012
According to a Cook Political Report analysis, the 21st District was one of 13 congressional districts in California that was at least somewhat competitive in 2012. The analysis rated it as Leans Republican.[17] Republican David Valadao won the election in the district.[18]
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | David G. Valadao |
57.8% | 67,164 | |
| Democratic | John Hernandez | 42.2% | 49,119 | |
| Total Votes | 116,283 | |||
| Source: California Secretary of State "Official Election Results, 2012 General Election" | ||||
Important dates and deadlines
- See also: California elections, 2016
The calendar below lists important dates for political candidates in California in 2016.
| Dates and requirements for candidates in 2016 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Deadline | Event type | Event description | |
| February 1, 2016 | Campaign finance | Semi-annual report due | |
| February 25, 2016 | Ballot access | Close of signature in lieu of filing fee period for voter-nominated offices | |
| March 11, 2016 | Ballot access | Close of declaration of candidacy and nomination paper period for voter-nominated offices | |
| April 28, 2016 | Campaign finance | Pre-election report due | |
| May 26, 2016 | Campaign finance | Pre-election report due | |
| August 1, 2016 | Campaign finance | Semi-annual report due | |
| June 7, 2016 | Election date | Primary election | |
| November 8, 2016 | Election date | General election | |
| Sources: California Secretary of State, "Key Dates and Deadlines," accessed January 11, 2016 California Fair Political Practices Commission, "Filing Schedule for State Candidate Controlled Committees Listed on the June 7, 2016 Ballot," accessed January 11, 2016 | |||
See also
- United States House of Representatives elections in California, 2016
- United States House of Representatives elections, 2016
Footnotes
- ↑ Cook Political Report, "2016 House Race Ratings," accessed November 6, 2016
- ↑ Sabato's Crystal Ball, "2016 House," accessed November 6, 2016
- ↑ Rothenberg & Gonzales Political Report, "House Ratings," accessed November 6, 2016
- ↑ 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
- ↑ California Secretary of State, "Statement of Vote," June 7, 2016
- ↑ National Conference of State Legislatures, "State Primary Election Types," accessed August 13, 2024
- ↑ California Secretary of State, "Primary Elections in California," accessed August 13, 2024
- ↑ California Redistricting Map, "Map," accessed September 25, 2012
- ↑ Roll Call, "Democrat Announces Bid Against Valadao in California," April 6, 2015
- ↑ The Bakersfield Californian, "Huerta brings name recognition to 21st District race," January 4, 2016
- ↑ The Bakersfield Californian, "Bakersfield accountant announces bid for Congress," October 9, 2015
- ↑ The Fresno Bee, "Connie Perez drops out of 21st Congressional District race," November 3, 2015
- ↑ Roll Call, "Exclusive: NRCC Announces 12 Members in Patriot Program," February 13, 2015
- ↑ The New York Times, "California Primary Results," June 3, 2014
- ↑ The Huffington Post, "Election 2014," November 4, 2014
- ↑ The Cook Political Report, "2012 Competitive House Race Chart," accessed July 10, 2012
- ↑ Politico, "2012 Election Map, California," accessed August 15, 2012
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For information about public policy issues in the 2016 elections, see: Public policy in the 2016 elections!
