Elliott Declares Victory in Senate District 40 Race
Democrat Mara Elliott claims the California Senate District 40 seat as her lead over Republican Kristie Bruce-Lane grows past 28,000 votes.
Updated on Nov. 11, 2026 in Elections
Live Poll
Do you trust Mara Elliott to deliver on affordability for your family?
Democrat Mara Elliott declared victory in the California Senate District 40 race over Republican Kristie Bruce-Lane via a Facebook post published Monday. Her lead grew to nearly 29,000 votes as additional ballots were tabulated after Election Day.
Why it matters
The seat was vacated by Senate Minority Leader Brian Jones, a Republican who reached his term limit, and the race attracted millions of dollars in campaign spending. For residents of California, the outcome determines who will represent a district spanning North County, East County and several northern San Diego neighborhoods.
Elliott leads 54% to 46% with a margin of nearly 29,000 votes as of Tuesday evening, based on unofficial tabulations still being updated after Election Day. The source does not specify when final certified totals will be published.
The players
Mara Elliott
A Democrat and former San Diego city attorney who served from 2016 to 2024, now claiming victory in the Senate District 40 race.
Kristie Bruce-Lane
A Republican businesswoman trailing in the Senate District 40 race against Democrat Mara Elliott.
Brian Jones
A Republican California state senator serving as Senate Minority Leader whose term limit opened the District 40 seat.
The details
Elliott's lead has grown steadily since Election Day as more votes were tabulated, and she now holds an apparently insurmountable advantage. Elliott, a former San Diego city attorney who served from 2016 to 2024, is running against Bruce-Lane, a Republican businesswoman, for the district that covers a wide swath of North County and East County.
Timeline
Nov. 3, 2026: Election Day for the Senate District 40 race.
Nov. 9, 2026: Elliott posts her victory declaration on Facebook.
Nov. 10, 2026: Elliott's lead is reported at nearly 29,000 votes Tuesday evening.
Political Context
The open seat exists because Brian Jones reached California's legislative term limit, which forces periodic turnover in leadership seats. Bruce-Lane's campaign, like most challengers in competitive districts, faced the task of overcoming the advantage of an open race funded by heavy spending.
Residents of Senate District 40 will be represented by whoever is certified as the winner, which determines their state senator for the next term. Voters in the district should watch for final certified totals to confirm the outcome.
The takeaway
Open-seat races shaped by term limits can decide which priorities a legislative chamber pursues, so the outcome in District 40 matters beyond one district. Readers can track the final certified count as it replaces unofficial totals.
Further reading
For broader context on how district contests like this one are decided, see Elections coverage across the state.
Source note: This article includes information reported by San Diego Union-Tribune.
Live Poll
Do you trust Mara Elliott to deliver on affordability for your family?
