Irwin Wins California's 26th District Seat
State Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin is projected to win the Democratic-leaning seat being vacated by retiring Rep. Julia Brownley.
Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in Elections
Live Poll
Do you think your local representatives are doing enough on housing affordability?
Democrat Jacqui Irwin was projected to win California's 26th Congressional District after defeating Republican Sam Gallucci, with Decision Desk HQ calling the race as polls closed in California. Julia Brownley (D-Calif.) is retiring from the seat.
Why it matters
The 26th District is regarded by the Cook Political Report as solidly Democratic, so the projected outcome keeps the seat in Democratic hands as Brownley departs. The race offers a view of how the district, which covers much of Ventura County and part of Los Angeles County, will be represented in California's congressional delegation.
Decision Desk HQ projected Irwin as the winner as polls closed in California on Election Day, November 3, 2026. The extraction does not include vote tallies or the margin of victory.
The players
Jacqui Irwin
A Democratic state assemblymember who previously served as mayor of Thousand Oaks and on its Planning Commission, and who was projected to win California's 26th Congressional District.
Julia Brownley
A Democratic member of Congress from California who is retiring from the 26th District seat after representing it.
The details
Irwin, a state assemblymember, received endorsements from Brownley, Sens. Adam Schiff and Alex Padilla, Lindsey Horvath, and Gavin Newsom. She previously served on the Thousand Oaks Planning Commission, was elected mayor of Thousand Oaks in 2008, and won a seat in the 44th State Assembly District in 2014.
Timeline
2003: Irwin is appointed to the Thousand Oaks Planning Commission.
2008: Irwin is elected mayor of Thousand Oaks.
2014: Irwin is elected to the 44th State Assembly District.
2022: Irwin begins her fourth term representing the 42nd State Assembly District after redistricting.
November 3, 2026: Election Day; Irwin is projected winner of CA-26.
Seasonal Patterns
The projected win extends the Democratic hold on the 26th District that Julia Brownley built during her time representing it, as she steps away from the seat. Compared with the district's solidly Democratic rating from the Cook Political Report, the outcome reflects continuity rather than a shift in partisan control.
For California residents in the 26th District, the projected outcome determines who will represent Ventura County and part of Los Angeles County in Congress. Voters who relied on the endorsements of Brownley, Schiff, Padilla, Horvath, and Newsom can see which candidate those officials backed.
The takeaway
Projected results on election night can shift as remaining ballots are counted, so readers should treat early calls as provisional until official certification. Checking county election offices in Ventura and Los Angeles counties will provide the final tallies for the district.
Further reading
Explore more on the Elections coverage for California's congressional races.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Hill.
Live Poll
Do you think your local representatives are doing enough on housing affordability?
