Hart Wins Reelection in California Assembly Race

Democrats retained several State Assembly seats in the Tri-Counties region in races decided on November 4.

Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in Elections

Bold flat-color editorial illustration of a plain civic building with a flagpole on a golden hillside, in navy, cream, and ochre. — Democrat Gregg Hart won reelection to California's 37th State Assembly District, while Steve Bennett and Deborah Klein Lopez also claimed Assembly seats in the Tri-Counties region on November 4. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Democrat Gregg Hart won reelection to the State Assembly 37th District seat, defeating Republican Sari Domingues. In the 38th District, Democrat Steve Bennett won a fourth term, topping fellow Democrat Michael MacDonald, while Democrat Deborah Klein Lopez won the open 42nd District seat over Republican Ted Nordblum.

Why it matters

The results determine which lawmakers will represent Tri-Counties and parts of Ventura and Los Angeles Counties in the State Assembly in Sacramento. The open 42nd District seat changed hands because term limits barred incumbent Jacqui Irwin from seeking reelection.

Bennett won 70% of the 38th District vote against 30% for MacDonald, while Klein Lopez took 56% in the 42nd District against 44% for Nordblum. The source does not provide total vote counts or turnout for either race.

The players

Gregg Hart

Gregg Hart is a Democrat from Santa Barbara who won reelection to the State Assembly 37th District seat.

Steve Bennett

Steve Bennett is a Democratic State Assembly member who won a fourth term in the 38th District.

Deborah Klein Lopez

Deborah Klein Lopez is a Democrat who won the open 42nd District State Assembly seat.

Jacqui Irwin

Jacqui Irwin is a former State Assembly member who was barred by term limits from seeking reelection and won the 26th District Congressional seat.

The details

Voters in the Tri-Counties cast ballots in State Assembly races on November 4. Jacqui Irwin, who could not seek reelection in the 42nd District due to term limits, ran for and won the 26th District Congressional seat.

November 4, 2026: Voters cast ballots and results were published for Tri-Counties State Assembly races.

Political Context

Term limits under California law forced Jacqui Irwin out of the 42nd District seat, opening it to new candidates. Democrats retained the 37th and 38th District seats in the same election cycle.

Voters in these districts now have newly elected or re-elected representatives in the State Assembly who will shape state law from Sacramento. Residents of the 42nd District, which includes parts of Ventura and Los Angeles Counties, have a new representative because the seat was open.

The takeaway

Term limits continue to reshape California's legislature by regularly opening seats, as the 42nd District race shows. Voters in affected districts should review each candidate's record before the next election cycle.