Assembly Races in Districts 9 and 13 Head to Voters
Incumbents Heath Flora and Rhodesia Ransom face challengers in western San Joaquin County and surrounding areas ahead of the November 3, 2026 election.
Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Elections
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Voters in California Assembly Districts 9 and 13 will choose their representatives on November 3, 2026. In District 9, Republican incumbent Heath Flora faces Democrat Matthew Adams, while in District 13, Democratic incumbent Rhodesia Ransom faces Republican Tom Patti.
Why it matters
The contests determine who represents portions of San Joaquin, Amador, Calaveras, Sacramento and Stanislaus counties in the state Assembly. Both districts reflect the redrawn boundaries that now shape representation across the Central Valley region of California.
District 9 has 493,962 residents and District 13 has 489,925 residents, based on Census Reporter and 2020 Census figures. Assembly members serve two-year terms, and the extraction does not indicate current polling for either race.
The players
Heath Flora
Flora is a Republican incumbent from Ripon who has served in the California State Assembly since 2016 and is seeking re-election in District 9.
Rhodesia Ransom
Ransom is a Democrat from Stockton who has represented Assembly District 13 since 2024 and is seeking re-election in the 2026 contest.
The details
Flora, who has served continuously in the Assembly since 2016 and represented District 9 since 2022, is challenged by Adams, a local teacher and activist. Ransom, who has represented District 13 since 2024, faces Patti, a business owner who served eight years on the San Joaquin County Board of Supervisors. Candidates addressed affordability and workforce development in interviews with the Stockton Record.
Timeline
2016: Heath Flora began continuous service in the California Assembly.
2022: Flora began representing District 9 after redistricting.
2024: Rhodesia Ransom began representing District 13.
November 3, 2026: Voters decide the Assembly District 9 and 13 races.
Political Context
California's term limits allow legislators up to 12 years of combined service, which shapes how long incumbents such as Flora and Ransom can remain in their seats. Both races take place within that framework, with challengers in each district competing for seats whose future occupants will face the same limits.
Voters in the affected counties will select an Assembly member for a two-year term on November 3, 2026. The outcome determines which representative handles state legislation affecting these communities.
The takeaway
Residents of these districts can review the candidates' positions on affordability and workforce development before casting ballots in the November 3, 2026 election. Checking each candidate's background and local ties can help voters weigh the choices ahead of the vote.
Further reading
For more on how state legislative contests are decided, explore the Elections section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Palm Springs Desert Sun.
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