The race for Los Angeles mayor between incumbent Mayor Karen Bass and City Councilmember Nithya Raman has generated approximately $13 million in spending by the two candidates’ campaigns, with millions more spent by outside groups. Meanwhile, the contest for California governor between Xavier Becerra and Steve Hilton follows a record-breaking primary in which billionaire Tom Steyer spent more than $200 million of his own money before losing. But beyond these high-profile contests, here are some of the races to watch statewide and the Los Angeles area on Nov. 3.
CALIFORNIA INSURANCE COMMISSIONER
One statewide race with consequences for Southern California homeowners is the contest for insurance commissioner.
Third-term state Sen. Ben Allen (D–Santa Monica), a member of the California Legislative Jewish Caucus, faces former San Francisco Supervisor Jane Kim (D–San Francisco). Both candidates have called for changes to California’s insurance system, which has faced pressure from wildfire losses, rising premiums and insurers withdrawing coverage from some areas. Allen has proposed greater oversight of the state’s FAIR Plan and stronger protections for policyholders. Kim has proposed creating a public disaster insurance program and additional restrictions on insurance industry practices.
CALIFORNIA ATTORNEY GENERAL
In the race for attorney general, first-term elected incumbent Rob Bonta (D) faces former Huntington Beach City Attorney Michael Gates (R).
Bonta, appointed attorney general in 2021 and elected in 2022, has made California’s legal challenges to Trump administration policies a central part of his tenure. Gates has campaigned on crime, public safety and opposition to California housing and criminal justice policies.
LOS ANGELES CITY COUNCIL DISTRICT 3: AN OPEN SEAT IN THE WEST VALLEY
Businessman Tim Gaspar and former county government official Barri Worth Girvan are competing to replace termed-out Los Angeles City Councilmember Bob Blumenfield, who has represented the district since 2013.
The district includes Woodland Hills, Tarzana, Reseda, Canoga Park and Winnetka.
Gaspar founded an insurance agency in the Valley and sold it in 2021. Worth Girvan, who most recently served as community affairs director for Los Angeles County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath, previously worked in the offices of former Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and State Senate Majority Leader Bob Hertzberg.
Worth Girvan also directed government affairs and community engagement for the Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles and has served in leadership roles at Temple Judea in Tarzana.
Gaspar finished first in the June primary with 46.1% of the vote, followed by Worth Girvan with 42.5%. Both have campaigned on public safety, homelessness and neighborhood concerns.
LOS ANGELES COUNTY SHERIFF: LUNA AND VILLANUEVA MEET AGAIN
First-term incumbent Sheriff Robert Luna faces former Sheriff Alex Villanueva in a rematch of the 2022 election, when Luna defeated Villanueva by a margin of 61% to 39%.
Luna, a former Long Beach police chief, received 44.2% of the vote in June’s primary, compared with Villanueva’s 21.7%, sending both candidates to the November runoff.
The candidates have disputed the department’s progress on deputy staffing, crime reduction and management. Luna points to falling violent crime and improvements in recruitment. Villanueva has criticized department morale, staffing levels and Luna’s leadership. The next sheriff will oversee the department during the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, when local law enforcement agencies will share responsibility for security across the region.
LOS ANGELES CITY ATTORNEY: TWO PROSECUTORS, DIFFERENT PRIORITIES
Los Angeles County Deputy District Attorney John McKinney and California Deputy Attorney General Marissa Roy are competing to replace City Attorney Hydee Feldstein Soto, who finished third in the June primary.
Roy received 43% of the primary vote, compared with McKinney’s 29%. McKinney, backed by Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman, has made crime reduction and public safety central to his campaign. Roy has focused on tenant and worker protections and litigation against the Trump administration. The city attorney represents Los Angeles in legal proceedings, advises city officials and prosecutes misdemeanors. The election will determine who leads an office involved in disputes over public spending, homelessness and municipal policy.
WEST HOLLYWOOD CITY COUNCIL: FOURTEEN CANDIDATES FOR THREE SEATS
Fourteen candidates are competing for three West Hollywood City Council seats.
First-term incumbent Councilmember Chelsea Byers is seeking reelection, while longtime councilmembers John Heilman and Lauren Meister are leaving because of term limits.
The candidates include former Councilmember John Duran, small business owner Larry Block, nonprofit executive Tatyana Tsikanovsky and other residents with backgrounds in business, community organizations and public affairs. The election comes as the city debates housing development, street safety, public surveillance technology and changes to Fountain Avenue.
MALIBU CITY COUNCIL: TWO SEATS AFTER THE PALISADES FIRE
Four candidates are on the ballot for two Malibu City Council seats: first-term incumbents Doug Stewart and Marianne Riggins, attorney A. Sam Dibaei and community member Danny Smith. Jason Herz also qualified as a write-in candidate. The contest takes place amid the continuing aftermath of the January 2025 Palisades Fire, which damaged neighborhoods and displaced residents along the coast. Rebuilding, emergency preparedness and development decisions will confront the council members elected Tuesday.
STATE SENATE DISTRICT 24: TWO DEMOCRATS SEEK BEN ALLEN’S SEAT
Brian Goldsmith, a small business owner and former senior adviser to Democratic Majority for Israel, faces West Hollywood City Councilmember John Erickson.
The seat is being vacated by third-term state Sen. Ben Allen, who is running for California insurance commissioner.
The coastal district encompasses Malibu, Santa Monica and other Westside communities, including areas affected by the January 2025 wildfires.
Goldsmith has campaigned on affordability, public safety and combating antisemitism. Erickson has emphasized housing and his experience in municipal government.
Erickson led the June primary, while Goldsmith entered the general election after spending more than his opponent during the primary campaign.
STATE ASSEMBLY DISTRICT 42: FROM MALIBU TO THOUSAND OAKS
Agoura Hills Democratic City Councilmember Deborah Klein Lopez faces Republican businessman Ted Nordblum for the seat held by Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin, who is leaving the Legislature because of term limits. The district stretches across parts of Los Angeles and Ventura counties, including Malibu, Pacific Palisades, Calabasas, Simi Valley and Thousand Oaks.
Klein Lopez has served on the Agoura Hills City Council since 2019. Nordblum owns a medical device business and challenged Irwin in the 2022 and 2024 elections.
Housing costs, wildfire recovery and insurance availability have emerged as issues across a district that includes communities affected by the Woolsey and Palisades fires.
SANTA MONICA CITY COUNCIL: THREE SEATS, TWELVE CANDIDATES
Santa Monica voters will select three councilmembers from a field of 12 candidates.
Among them are first-term incumbent Mayor Caroline Torosis, first-term elected incumbent Councilmember Lana Negrete and former Mayor Phil Brock, who lost his council seat in 2024.
The field also includes Rent Control Board Chair Daniel Ivanov, Rent Control Board member Ericka Lesley, health official Brett Morrow and several other challengers. Councilmember Jesse Zwick is not seeking reelection, leaving one seat without an incumbent candidate.
Housing, rent control, downtown economic activity and public safety are among the issues confronting the next council.
U.S. HOUSE DISTRICT 26: A NEW REPRESENTATIVE FOR VENTURA COUNTY
State Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin (D–Thousand Oaks) faces Republican pastor and former business executive Samuel Gallucci for an open congressional seat. Seven-term incumbent Rep. Julia Brownley is retiring after 14 years in Congress. The 26th District includes Thousand Oaks, Calabasas, Agoura Hills, Simi Valley, Oxnard, Camarillo and other Ventura County communities. Irwin, a former Thousand Oaks mayor, has served in the State Assembly since 2014. Gallucci previously worked in the technology industry and has led nonprofit organizations providing services to vulnerable populations. The district’s next representative will take office following changes to its boundaries under California’s 2025 redistricting measure.
U.S. HOUSE DISTRICT 27: WHITESIDES SEEKS A SECOND TERM
Democratic first-term incumbent Rep. George Whitesides faces Republican Santa Clarita City Councilmember Jason Gibbs. Whitesides defeated Republican incumbent Mike Garcia in 2024. The district’s new boundaries include additional communities in the northwestern San Fernando Valley, including Porter Ranch and Granada Hills, along with Santa Clarita and the Antelope Valley. Gibbs has focused on household costs, taxes and border security. Whitesides has emphasized health care, insurance costs and federal spending. The contest is one of several California congressional races taking place under maps redrawn after voters approved Proposition 50 in 2025.
THOUSAND OAKS CITY COUNCIL: THREE DISTRICT ELECTIONS
Thousand Oaks voters have three City Council contests.
In District 1, first-term incumbent Councilmember Mikey Taylor, a business owner and former professional skateboarder, faces retired biotechnology executive Karen Arreola.
In District 2, businessman Gus Gougas and executive producer Kyle Rohrbach are competing for the seat being vacated by Councilmember Bob Engler.
In District 3, first-term incumbent Councilmember David Newman faces Deputy Superintendent Victor Hayek.
California polls close at 8 p.m. Tuesday. Close contests may remain unresolved beyond Election Night as counties continue counting ballots.
