California's 35th Congressional District

California's 35th Congressional District

Incumbent

Norma Torres

Assumed office: January 3, 2015

California's 35th Congressional District in the United States House of Representatives is represented by Norma Torres (D).

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 35th Congressional District election, 2024

California's 35th Congressional District election, 2024 (March 5 top-two primary)

General election

General election for U.S. House California District 35

Incumbent Norma Torres defeated Mike Cargile in the general election for U.S. House California District 35 on November 5, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Norma Torres (D)	58.4	136,413
		Mike Cargile (R)	41.6	97,142

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 233,555
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Nonpartisan primary election

Nonpartisan primary for U.S. House California District 35

Incumbent Norma Torres and Mike Cargile defeated Melissa May and Vijal Suthar in the primary for U.S. House California District 35 on March 5, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Norma Torres (D)	48.2	39,051
✔		Mike Cargile (R)	39.6	32,082
		Melissa May (D)	7.9	6,432
		Vijal Suthar (R)	4.3	3,491

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 81,056
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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

See also: California's 35th Congressional District election, 2022

General election

General election for U.S. House California District 35

Incumbent Norma Torres defeated Mike Cargile in the general election for U.S. House California District 35 on November 8, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Norma Torres (D)	57.4	75,121
		Mike Cargile (R)	42.6	55,832

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 130,953
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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 35

Incumbent Norma Torres and Mike Cargile defeated Rafael Carcamo, Bob Erbst, and Lloyd Stevens in the primary for U.S. House California District 35 on June 7, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Norma Torres (D)	54.3	37,554
✔		Mike Cargile (R)	25.2	17,431
		Rafael Carcamo (R)	11.0	7,619
		Bob Erbst (R)	5.0	3,480
	Submit photo	Lloyd Stevens (D)	4.4	3,022

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 69,106
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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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2020

See also: California's 35th Congressional District election, 2020

General election

General election for U.S. House California District 35

Incumbent Norma Torres defeated Mike Cargile in the general election for U.S. House California District 35 on November 3, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Norma Torres (D)	69.3	169,405
		Mike Cargile (R)	30.7	74,941

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 244,346
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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 35

Incumbent Norma Torres and Mike Cargile advanced from the primary for U.S. House California District 35 on March 3, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Norma Torres (D)	70.8	70,813
✔		Mike Cargile (R)	29.2	29,234

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 100,047
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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

• Alfredo Ahumada (D)

2018

See also: California's 35th Congressional District election, 2018

General election

General election for U.S. House California District 35

Incumbent Norma Torres defeated Christian Valiente in the general election for U.S. House California District 35 on November 6, 2018.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Norma Torres (D)	69.4	103,420
		Christian Valiente (R)	30.6	45,604

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 149,024
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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 35

Incumbent Norma Torres and Christian Valiente defeated Joe Baca in the primary for U.S. House California District 35 on June 5, 2018.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Norma Torres (D)	51.2	32,474
✔		Christian Valiente (R)	34.0	21,572
		Joe Baca (D)	14.8	9,417

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified.	Total votes: 63,463
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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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2016

See also: California's 35th Congressional District election, 2016

Heading into the election, Ballotpedia rated this race as safely Democratic. Incumbent Norma Torres (D) defeated Tyler Fischella (R) in the general election on November 8, 2016. Both candidates advanced past the top-two primary on June 7, 2016, by default.

U.S. House, California District 35 General Election, 2016

Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	Norma Torres Incumbent	72.4%	124,044
	Republican	Tyler Fischella	27.6%	47,309
Total Votes				171,353
Source: California Secretary of State

U.S. House, California District 35 Primary, 2016

Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	Norma Torres Incumbent	75.6%	65,226
	Republican	Tyler Fischella	24.4%	21,089
Total Votes				86,315
Source: California Secretary of State

2014

See also: California's 35th Congressional District elections, 2014

The 35th Congressional District of California held an election for the U.S. House of Representatives on November 4, 2014. Incumbent Gloria Negrete McLeod did not seek re-election in 2014. Norma Torres (D) defeated Christina Gagnier (D) in the general election.

U.S. House, California District 35 General Election, 2014

Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	Norma Torres	63.5%	39,502
	Democratic	Christina Gagnier	36.5%	22,753
Total Votes				62,255
Source: California Secretary of State

2012

See also: California's 35th Congressional District elections, 2012

The 35th Congressional District of California held an election for the U.S. House of Representatives on November 6, 2012. Democrat Gloria Negrete McLeod won election in the district.

U.S. House, California District 35 General Election, 2012

Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	Gloria Negrete McLeod	55.9%	79,698
	Democratic	Joe Baca Incumbent	44.1%	62,982
Total Votes				142,680
Source: California Secretary of State "Official Election Results, 2012 General Election"

2010
On November 2, 2010, Maxine Waters won re-election to the United States House. She defeated K. Bruce Brown (R) and Suleiman Charles Edmondson (Write-in) in the general election.

U.S. House, California District 35 General Election, 2010
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	Maxine Waters incumbent	79.3%	98,131
	Republican	K. Bruce Brown	20.7%	25,561
	N/A	Suleiman Charles Edmondson	0%	2
Total Votes				123,694

2008
On November 4, 2008, Maxine Waters won re-election to the United States House. She defeated Ted Hayes (R) and Herb Peters (L) in the general election.

U.S. House, California District 35 General Election, 2008
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	Maxine Waters incumbent	82.6%	150,778
	Republican	Ted Hayes	13.2%	24,169
	Libertarian	Herb Peters	4.2%	7,632
Total Votes				182,579

2006
On November 7, 2006, Maxine Waters won re-election to the United States House. She defeated Gordon Michael Mego (American Independent) and Paul Ireland (L) in the general election.

U.S. House, California District 35 General Election, 2006
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	Maxine Waters incumbent	83.7%	82,498
	Republican	Gordon Michael Mego	8.5%	8,343
	Libertarian	Paul Ireland	7.8%	7,665
Total Votes				98,506

2004
On November 2, 2004, Maxine Waters won re-election to the United States House. She defeated Ross Moen (R), Gordon Michael Mego (American Independent) and Charles Tate (L) in the general election.

U.S. House, California District 35 General Election, 2004
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	Maxine Waters incumbent	80.5%	125,949
	Republican	Ross Moen	15.1%	23,591
	American Independent	Gordon Michael Mego	2.2%	3,440
	Libertarian	Charles Tate	2.2%	3,427
Total Votes				156,407

2002
On November 5, 2002, Maxine Waters won re-election to the United States House. She defeated Ross Moen (R) and Gordon Michael Mego (American Independent) in the general election.

U.S. House, California District 35 General Election, 2002
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	Maxine Waters incumbent	77.5%	72,401
	Republican	Ross Moen	19.4%	18,094
	American Independent	Gordon Michael Mego	3.1%	2,912
Total Votes				93,407

2000
On November 7, 2000, Maxine Waters won re-election to the United States House. She defeated Carl McGill (R), Gordon Michael Mego (American Independent) and Rick Joseph Dunstan (Natural Law) in the general election.

U.S. House, California District 35 General Election, 2000
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	Maxine Waters incumbent	86.5%	100,569
	Republican	Carl McGill	10.8%	12,582
	American Independent	Gordon Michael Mego	1.6%	1,911
	Natural Law	Rick Joseph Dunstan	1%	1,153
Total Votes				116,215

1998
On November 3, 1998, Maxine Waters won re-election to the United States House. She defeated Gordon Michael Mego (American Independent) in the general election.

U.S. House, California District 35 General Election, 1998
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	Maxine Waters incumbent	89.3%	78,732
	American Independent	Gordon Michael Mego	10.7%	9,413
Total Votes				88,145

1996
On November 5, 1996, Maxine Waters won re-election to the United States House. She defeated Eric Carlson (R) and Gordon Michael Mego (American Independent) in the general election.

U.S. House, California District 35 General Election, 1996
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	Maxine Waters incumbent	85.5%	92,762
	Republican	Eric Carlson	12.1%	13,113
	American Independent	Gordon Michael Mego	2.4%	2,610
Total Votes				108,485

1994
On November 8, 1994, Maxine Waters won re-election to the United States House. She defeated Nate Truman (R) in the general election.

U.S. House, California District 35 General Election, 1994
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	Maxine Waters incumbent	78.1%	65,688
	Republican	Nate Truman	21.9%	18,390
	N/A	Write-in	0%	3
Total Votes				84,081

1992
On November 3, 1992, Maxine Waters won re-election to the United States House. She defeated Nate Truman (R), Alice Mae Miles (P&F) and Carin Rogers (L) in the general election.

U.S. House, California District 35 General Election, 1992
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	Maxine Waters incumbent	82.5%	102,941
	Republican	Nate Truman	14%	17,417
	Peace and Freedom	Alice Mae Miles	2.2%	2,797
	Libertarian	Carin Rogers	1.3%	1,618
	N/A	Write-in	0%	3
Total Votes				124,776

1990
On November 6, 1990, Jerry Lewis won re-election to the United States House. He defeated Barry Norton (D) and Jerry Johnson (L) in the general election.

U.S. House, California District 35 General Election, 1990
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Republican	Jerry Lewis incumbent	60.6%	121,602
	Democratic	Barry Norton	32.9%	66,100
	Libertarian	Jerry Johnson	6.5%	13,020
Total Votes				200,722

Redistricting

2020-2021

See also: Redistricting in California after the 2020 census

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. 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.

Commissioners must meet the following requirements in order to serve:

1. Members must have voted in at least two of the last three statewide elections.
2. Members cannot have switched party affiliation for at least five years.
3. "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."
4. 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.

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.

California District 35
until January 2, 2023

Click a district to compare boundaries.

California District 35
starting January 3, 2023

Click a district to compare boundaries.

2010-2011

This is the 35th Congressional District of California after the 2001 redistricting process.

See also: Redistricting in California after the 2010 census

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 D+13. This meant that in those two presidential elections, this district's results were 13 percentage points more Democratic than the national average. This made California's 35th the 107th most Democratic district nationally.

Daily Kos calculated what the results of the 2020 presidential election in this district would have been following redistricting. Joe Biden (D) would have defeated Donald Trump (R) 62.7%-35.1%.

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 D+13. This meant that in those two presidential elections, this district's results were 13 percentage points more Democratic than the national average. This made California's 35th the 105th most Democratic district nationally.

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 62.7% of the vote in this district and Donald Trump (R) would have received 35.1%.

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 D+19. This meant that in those two presidential elections, this district's results were 19 percentage points more Democratic than the national average. This made California's 35th Congressional District the 69th most Democratic nationally.

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 0.85. This means that for every 1 point the national political mood moved toward a party, the district was expected to move 0.85 points toward that party.

See also

• Redistricting in California
• California's 35th Congressional District election, 2024
• California's 35th Congressional District election, 2022
• California's 35th Congressional District election, 2020
• California's 35th Congressional District election, 2018

External links

• GovTrack District 35

Footnotes

[show]

California's current delegation to the United States Congress

Senators

Alex Padilla (D)

Adam Schiff (D)

Representatives

District 1

Doug LaMalfa (R)

District 2

Jared Huffman (D)

District 3

Kevin Kiley (R)

District 4

Mike Thompson (D)

District 5

Tom McClintock (R)

District 6

Ami Bera (D)

District 7

Doris Matsui (D)

District 8

John Garamendi (D)

District 9

Josh Harder (D)

District 10

Mark DeSaulnier (D)

District 11

Nancy Pelosi (D)

District 12

Lateefah Simon (D)

District 13

Adam Gray (D)

District 14

Eric Swalwell (D)

District 15

Kevin Mullin (D)

District 16

Sam Liccardo (D)

District 17

Ro Khanna (D)

District 18

Zoe Lofgren (D)

District 19

Jimmy Panetta (D)

District 20

Vince Fong (R)

District 21

Jim Costa (D)

District 22

David Valadao (R)

District 23

Jay Obernolte (R)

District 24

Salud Carbajal (D)

District 25

Raul Ruiz (D)

District 26

Julia Brownley (D)

District 27

George Whitesides (D)

District 28

Judy Chu (D)

District 29

Luz Rivas (D)

District 30

Laura Friedman (D)

District 31

Gil Cisneros (D)

District 32

Brad Sherman (D)

District 33

Pete Aguilar (D)

District 34

Jimmy Gomez (D)

District 35

Norma Torres (D)

District 36

Ted Lieu (D)

District 37

Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D)

District 38

Linda Sánchez (D)

District 39

Mark Takano (D)

District 40

Young Kim (R)

District 41

Ken Calvert (R)

District 42

Robert Garcia (D)

District 43

Maxine Waters (D)

District 44

Nanette Barragán (D)

District 45

Derek Tran (D)

District 46

Lou Correa (D)

District 47

Dave Min (D)

District 48

Darrell Issa (R)

District 49

Mike Levin (D)

District 50

Scott Peters (D)

District 51

Sara Jacobs (D)

District 52

Juan Vargas (D)

Democratic Party (45)

Republican Party (9)