Addis Leads District 30 Assembly Race
Democrat Dawn Addis holds a commanding lead over Shannon Kessler with most votes counted in the November election.
Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in Legislative Policy
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Democrat Dawn Addis leads the District 30 Assembly race with 67.7% of votes counted, receiving 75,291 votes to Shannon Kessler's 35,911 in initial results. The Secretary of State had counted 35.6% of votes as of 9:25 p.m.
Why it matters
Addis, first elected in 2022, is positioned to hold the seat for a third term and would become the first Democratic woman to represent District 30. The result carries weight for California's state Assembly representation in the region.
Addis received 75,291 votes and Kessler 35,911 in the initial count, with Addis winning 60% of votes in San Luis Obispo County. Final totals remain pending as the count continues, and the Secretary of State will certify results by Dec. 11.
The players
Dawn Addis
A Democrat who has served in the California State Assembly since 2022, Addis chairs the health budget subcommittee and previously worked in local government in Morro Bay.
Shannon Kessler
Kessler is the Republican challenger in the District 30 race who trails Addis in the initial November count.
California Secretary of State
The state office responsible for publishing election vote counts and certifying final results in California.
The details
Addis and Kessler advanced from the June primary to the November ballot, where Addis earned 54.8% of the overall vote and Kessler 35.9%. Addis, who oversees a $175 billion health budget as subcommittee chair, has represented the district since 2022 and began her government career in Morro Bay.
Timeline
June 2026: Addis and Kessler advance from the primary to the November ballot.
2022: Addis is first elected as assemblymember.
November 4, 2026: Early returns show Addis leading the general election.
Dec. 11, 2026: The Secretary of State is scheduled to certify election results.
First Monday in December 2026: Addis is expected to assume office for a third term.
Legislative Context
Results in the District 30 race are being tallied under California's established certification process, which requires the Secretary of State to finalize counts by Dec. 11. Addis's expected third term continues a pattern of Democratic control in the district's Assembly seat since her first election in 2022.
Residents of District 30 will be represented by the Assembly member elected in this race, who will oversee state health budget decisions. The certified result determines who votes on state health policy and funding for the district's communities over the next term.
The takeaway
Election results can shift as more ballots are counted, so the initial lead is not final until certification. Readers should watch for the official Secretary of State certification by Dec. 11 to confirm the outcome.
What happens next
The Secretary of State will certify election results by Dec. 11, and Addis is expected to assume office the first Monday in December.
Further reading
Track the broader balance of power in the Legislative Policy section, where California Assembly races shape state lawmaking.
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