Ashby Will Face Mason in California Senate District 8
Incumbent Senator Angelique Ashby will compete against Republican Susan Mason in the upcoming November 3 general election.
Updated on Sept. 27, 2026 in Elections
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Incumbent Democrat Angelique Ashby and Republican challenger Susan Mason will appear on the ballot for California's 8th Senate District on November 3, 2026. The district, which encompasses Sacramento, Elk Grove, and Rio Linda, heads to the polls following a primary that solidified the candidates.
Why it matters
The race pits the state Senate majority leader against an opponent who does not currently maintain a campaign website or committee. This election will determine representation for a key region that includes Sacramento and several of its surrounding suburbs.
Angelique Ashby secured 63.3% of the primary vote, while Susan Mason received 32.4% and Linda Roberts earned 4.3%. As of late 2025, Mason lacks an active campaign website or committee for the current cycle.
The players
Angelique Ashby
She is the incumbent Democratic state senator for the 8th District who became majority leader in December 2025.
Susan Mason
She is the Republican challenger running against the incumbent for the seat in the 8th Senate District.
Linda Roberts
She was a candidate in the primary election who received 4.3% of the total vote share.
The details
The 8th Senate District covers the state capital of Sacramento along with neighboring communities such as Elk Grove and Rio Linda. Ashby, who previously served on the Sacramento City Council for 12 years, was first elected to the state Senate in 2022 and assumed the role of majority leader in December 2025.
Timeline
Angelique Ashby was first elected to the state Senate in 2022.
Susan Mason lacked a registered campaign committee as of the end of 2025.
Angelique Ashby was named majority leader in December 2025.
The general election for the 8th Senate District is scheduled for November 3, 2026.
Political Context
This election follows the precedent set during the 2022 California state Senate election cycle by formalizing the transition from primary results to the general ballot. The contest serves as a localized test of incumbent power against challenges in the Sacramento region.
The outcome of this race will dictate which candidate represents Sacramento, Elk Grove, and Rio Linda in the state Senate. Residents will see this candidate's influence on future state legislative policy and local infrastructure funding following the November 3 vote.
The takeaway
Voters in the 8th Senate District must choose between an incumbent majority leader and a challenger who has not established a public campaign committee. The race highlights the importance of candidate engagement in regional representation.
Further reading
For more background on state contests, visit California Elections.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Sacramento Bee.
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