CALIFORNIA

Your complete directory of California candidates for Governor, State Cabinet, United State Senator and Congress in the current election cycle ... state political parties ... the official state election office ... and state news sources.

"Politics1 is very impressive." -- Los Angeles Times

CANDIDATE DIRECTORY LEGEND:
Bold = Active Candidate
Italics = Potential Candidate
* = Incumbent
= Election Winner
(Incumbent Party Listed First)

Filing Deadline: March 9, 2012 (or March 14 if incumbent does not file for re-election)
Filing Deadline (Write-Ins): May 22, 2012
Primary: June 5, 2012

This page was last updated on March 27, 2012

STATE CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICERS:

GOVERNOR:
Jerry Brown (D)* - (Campaign Site)
Gavin Newsom (D) - Lt. Gov., Ex-San Francisco Mayor & Businessman

Next State Constitutional Officer Elections in 2014.

LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR:
Gavin Newsom (D)* - (Campaign Site)

SECRETARY OF STATE:
Debra Bowen (D)* - (Campaign Site)
Alex Padilla (D) - State Sen., Ex-Los Angeles City Council President & Mechanical Engineer

STATE CONTROLLER:
[ John Chiang (D)* - Term Limited in 2014. ]
Betty Yee (D) - State Board of Equalization Member & Ex-Deputy State Budget Director

STATE TREASURER:
Bill Lockyer (D)* - (Campaign Site)

ATTORNEY GENERAL:
Kamala Harris (D)* - (Campaign Site)

INSURANCE COMMISSIONER:
Dave Jones (D)*

STATE SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION:
(Note: Superintendent is a Non-Partisan Positition)
Tom Torlakson (D)* - (Campaign Site)

U.S. SENATOR:

Dianne Feinstein (D)* - (Campaign Site)
Colleen Fernald (D) - Consultant, Progressive Activist & '08/'10 Sebastopol City Council Candidate
David Levitt (D) - Computer Research Scientist & Software Engineer
Nak Shah (D) - Envinormental Health Consultant
Diane Stewart (D) - Businesswoman
Mike Strimling (D) - Attorney, Peace Corps Veteran & Progressive Activist
Oscar Braun (R) - Rancher & Environmental Activist
John Boruff (R) - Businessman, Reserve Police Officer & GOP Activist
Greg Conlon (R) - Ex-Public Utilities Commissioner, Accountant, USAF Veteran & Frequent Candidate
Elizabeth Emken (R) - Financial Executive & Autism Activist
Rogelio Gloria (R) - Doctoral Student, Iraq War Veteran & Retired Navy Officer
Dan Hughes (R) - Businessman
Dennis Jackson (R) - Aerospace Engineer & '08 Write-In Presidential Candidate
Dirk Konopik (R) - Ex-Congressional Aide & Iraq War Veteran
Don Krampe (R) - Retired Administrator
Robert Lauten (R) - Vietnam War Veteran, LaRouche Activist, '08 US Rep. Nominee & '10 State Treasurer Candidate
Al Ramirez (R) - Telecommunications Executive
Nachum Shifren (R) - Rabbi, Teacher & '10 State Sen. Candidate
Orly Taitz (R) - Attorney, Dentist, "Birther" Movement Leader & '10 Sec. of State Candidate
Rick Williams (R) - Attorney & Ron Paul Campaign Activist
Don Grundmann (AIP) - Chiropractor, Conservative Activist & Frequent Candidate
Gail Lightfoot (Libertarian) - Ex-State Party Chair, Retired Nurse & Frequent Candidate
Kabiruddin Karim Ali (PFP) - Businessman
Marsha Feinland (PFP) - Ex-State Party Chair, Teacher, Community Activist & Frequent Candidate

Barbara Boxer (D)* - (Campaign Site) - Next Election in 2016.

U.S. CONGRESS:

** New 2012 Districts Used Below **

District 1:
[ Wally Herger (R)* - Retiring in 2012. ]
Sam Aanestad (R) - Ex-State Sen., Ex-State Assemblyman & Dental Surgeon
Gregory Cheadle (R) - Real Estate Broker & Tea Party Activist
Michael Dacquisto (R) - Attorney & Bankruptcy Trustee
Doug LaMalfa (R) - State Sen., Ex-State Assemblyman & Farmer
Pete Stiglich (R) - Teacher, Retired USAF Officer, '10 Candidate & '08 State Assembly Candidate
Nathan Arrowsmith (D) - Rancher & '98 Candidate
Jim Reed (D) - Attorney, '10 Nominee & '08 Superior Court Judge Candidate
Gary Oxley (Independent) - Nurse

District 2:
[ Lynn Woolsey (D)* - Retiring in 2012. ]
Susan Adams (D) - Marin County Supervisor & Maternity Clinical Researcher
Andy Caffrey (D) - Videographer, US Green Party Co-Founder & Environmental Activist
William Courtney (D) - Physician & Cannabis Medical Consultant
Larry Fritzlan (D) - Family Therapist
Jared Huffman (D) - State Assemblyman, Ex-Marin Municipal Water District Board President & Attorney
Stacey Lawson (D) - Ex-Technology Executive, Educator & Progressive Activist
Tiffany Renee (D) - Petaluma City Councilwoman & Environmental Activist
Norman Solomon (D) - Author & Progressive Activist
Mike Halliwell (R) - Retired College Professor & Frequent Candidate
Dan Roberts (R) - Investment Advisor, Disabled Vietnam War Veteran & '10 Write-In Candidate
Brooke Clarke (Independent) - Internet-Based Businessman
John Lewallen (Independent) - Seed Company Owner, Vietnam War Veteran & Peace Activist

District 3:
John Garamendi (D)* - (Campaign Site)
Tony Carlos (R) - Attorney
Eugene Ray (R) - Realtor, Karate Instructor & '10 Candidate
Rick Tubbs (R) - Airline Pilot, Retired USAF Officer & '10 Nominee
Kim Vann (R) - Colusa County Supervisor, Businesswoman, Farmer & Ex-Congressional Aide

District 4:
Tom McClintock (R)* - (Campaign Site)
Jack Uppal (D) - Retired Technology Executive & Chemist

District 5:
Mike Thompson (D)* - (Campaign Site)
Stewart Cilley (R) - Accountant
Randy Loftin (R) - Financial Advisor & Vietnam War Veteran

District 6:
Doris Matsui (D)* - (Campaign Site)
Joseph McCray Sr. (R) - Landscaping Contractor & Retired Army Officer
Erik Smitt (R) - Manufacturing Executive, Mechanical Engineer & '10 Candidate

District 7:
Dan Lungren (R)* - (Campaign Site)
Ami Bera (D) - Physician & '10 Nominee
D.A. "Art" Tuma (Libertarian) - Retired Engineer, Libertarian Activist & Frequent Candidate
Curt Taras (Independent) - Civil Engineer & USAF Veteran

District 8:
[ Jerry Lewis (R)* - Retiring in 2012. ]
Dennis Albertsen (R) - Computer Engineer
Paul Cook (R) - State Assemblyman, Ex-Yucca Valley Mayor, College Professor & Retired USMC Officer
George Craig (R) - Surgeon
Gregg Imus (R) - Homebuilder, Ex-State Assembly Aide & Anti-Immigration Activist
Bill Jensen (R) - Ex-Hesperia Mayor, Realtor, Tea Party Activist & USAF Veteran
Phil Liberatore (R) - Accountant, Businessman & Conservative Activist
Ryan McEachron (R) - Victorville Mayor & Insurance Agency Owner
Brad Mitzelfelt (R) - San Bernardino County Commissioner & USMC Veteran
Joseph Napolitano (R) - Handyman
Angela Valles (R) - Victorville City Councilwoman & Ex-Prison Warden
Jackie Conaway (D) - Law Office Manager, Ex-Home Health Care Worker, Ex-Federal Employee & '08/'10 Nominee
John Pinkerton (D) - High School Counselor
Anthony Adams (Independent) - Ex-State Assemblyman & Ex-Republican

District 9:
Jerry McNerney (D)* - (Campaign Site)
Ricky Gill (R) - Ex-State Board of Education Member, Law School Student & GOP Activist
John McDonald (R) - Technology Executive

District 10:
Jeff Denham (R)* - (Campaign Site)
Mike Barkley (D) - Attorney, Democratic Activist & Navy Veteran
Jose Hernandez (D) - Retired NASA Astronaut, Engineer & Ex-Farm Worker
Chad Condit (Independent) - State Legislative Aide, Navy Veteran & Son of Ex-US Rep. Gary Condit
Troy McComak (Independent) - Teacher & Businessman

District 11:
George Miller (D)* - (Campaign Site)
John Fitzgerald (D) - Businessman, Ron Paul Campaign Activist & 9/11 Conspiracy Theorist
Cheryl Sudduth (D) - Compliance Director
Virginia Fuller (R) - Nurse & Nursing Home Owner

District 12:
Nancy Pelosi (D)* - (House Minority Leader Site) - (DCCC Political Site)
Americo Arturo Diaz (D) - Designer
David Peterson (D) - Technology Executive
Summer Shields (D) - LaRouche Political Organizer & '10 Candidate
John Dennis (R) - Businessman, Ron Paul Campaign Activist & '10 Nominee
Barry Hermanson (Green) - Businessman, Community Activist & '08 Nominee

District 13:
Barbara Lee (D)* - (Campaign Site)
Justin Jelincic (D) - Finance Manager & '10 Candidate
Marilyn Singleton (Independent) - Attorney & Physician

District 14:
Jackie Speier (D)* - (Campaign Site)
Deborah Bacigalupi (R) - Biotechnology Consultant

District 15:
Fortney "Pete" Stark (D)* - (Campaign Site)
Eric Swalwell (D) - Dublin City Councilman, Attorney & Ex-Congressional Aide
Chris Pareja (Independent) - Businessman

District 16:
[ Dennis Cardoza (D)* - Current CD-18 Incumbent - Retiring in 2012. ]
Jim Costa (D)* - Current CD-20 Incumbent - (Campaign Site)
Loraine Goodwin (D) - Physician, Attorney, Democratic State Committeewoman & '10/'11 Candidate
Mark Garcia (R) - Farmer
Johnny Tacherra (R) - Farmer & Metal Fabricator
Brian Whelan (R) - Attorney

District 17:
Mike Honda (D)* - (Campaign Site)
Evelyn Li (R) - Physician
Charles Richardson (Independent) - Businessman

District 18:
Anna Eshoo (D)* - (Campaign Site)
William Parks (D) - Attorney & Engineer
David Chapman (R) - Software Engineer
Carol Brouillet (Green) - 9/11 Conspiracy Theorist, Ex-Public Relations Executive & '06/'08 Nominee

District 19:
Zoe Lofgren (D)* - (Campaign Site)
Robert Murray (R) - Businessman & Attorney
Phat Nguyen (R) - Software Engineer
Jay Cabrera (Independent) - Businessman

District 20:
Sam Farr (D)* - (Campaign Site)
Art Dunn (D) - Businessman, USMC Veteran & Frequent Candidate
Mike LeBarre (R) - Agricultural Lab Technician
Jeff Taylor (R) - Farmer, Real Estate Developer & Frequent Candidate
Eric Petersen (Green) - Promoter, Community Activist & '10 Nominee
Dan Caudle (Independent) - Realtor
Ron Kabat (Independent) - Accountant

District 21:
** NEW DISTRICT - NO INCUMBENT **
John Hernandez (D) - Central California Hispanic Chamber of Commerce CEO
Blong Xiong (D) - Fresno City Councilman, Businessman & Ex-Investigator
David Valadao (R) - State Assemblyman, Dairy Owner & Farmer

District 22:
Devin Nunes (R)* - (Campaign Site)
Otto Lee (D) - Ex-Sunnyvale Mayor, Attorney & Iraq War Veteran

District 23:
Kevin McCarthy (R)* - (House Majority Whip Site) - (Campaign Site)
Eric Parker (R) - Business Manager
Terry Phillips (Independent) - Broadcast Journalist, Businessman & Author

District 24:
Lois Capps (D)* - (Campaign Site)
Abel Maldonado (R) - Ex-Lt. Governor, Ex-State Sen., Ex-State Assemblyman & Ex-Santa Maria Mayor
Chris Mitchum (R) - Actor & '98 State Assembly Nominee
Matt Boutte (Independent) - Law School Student & Ex-San Luis Obispo City Council Intern

District 25:
Howard "Buck" McKeon (R)* - (Campaign Site)
Dante Acosta (R) - Financial Advisor
Cathie Wright (R) - Graduate Student & Daughter of Ex-State Sen. Catherine Wright
Lee Rogers (D) - Podiatrist & Author

District 26:
[ Elton Gallegly (R)* - Retiring in 2012. ]
Tony Strickland (R) - State Sen., Ex-State Assemblyman, Businessman & '06/'10 State Controller Nominee
Julia Brownley (D) - State Assemblywoman & Ex-Marketing Executive
Al Goldberg (D) - Realtor & '00 Candidate
Jess Herrera (D) - Oxnard Harbor District Commissioner, Longshoreman & Army Veteran
David Cruz Thayne (D) - Ex-Professional Tennis Player, Tennis Instructor & Documentary Film Producer
Linda Parks (Independent) - Ventura County Supervisor, Ex-Thousand Oaks Mayor, Urban Planner & Republican

District 27:
Judy Chu (D)* - (Campaign Site)
Bob Duran (R) - Attorney
Jack Orswell (R) - Private Investigator & Ex-FBI Agent

District 28:
Adam Schiff (D)* - (Campaign Site)
Sal Genovese (D) - Community Services Administrator
Jonathan Kalbfeld (D) - Software Engineer
Massie Munroe (D) - Civil Engineer
Phil Jennerjahn (R) - Political Consultant, Army Veteran, GOP Activist & '09 Los Angeles Mayor Candidate
Garen Mailyan (R) - Security Officer, Political Scientist & '11 Glendale City Council Candidate
Jenny Worman (R) - Actor & Writer

District 29:
** NEW DISTRICT - NO INCUMBENT **
Tony Cardenas (D) - Los Angeles City Councilman, Ex-State Assemblyman & Engineer
Richard Valdez (D) - Mortgage Loan Officer, Realtor, Army Veteran & Peace Activist
David Hernandez (Independent) - Insurance Adjuster, Ex-Police Officer & Vietnam War Veteran

District 30:
Howard Berman (D)* - Current CD-28 Congressman - (Campaign Site)
Brad Sherman (D)*- Current CD-27 Congressman - (Campaign Site)
Vince Gilmore (D) - Gardener
Mark Reed (R) - Rancher, Businessman, Actor & '10 Nominee
Susan Shelley (R) - Author & Blogger
Navraj Singh (R) - Hotel Developer, Ex-Restaurant Owner, Indian Army Veteran & '08 Nominee
Mike Powelson (Green) - College Professor

District 31:
Gary Miller (R)* - (Campaign Site)
Bob Dutton (R) - State Sen., Ex-State Assemblyman, Ex-Rancho Cucamonga City Councilman & National Guard Veteran
Pete Aguilar (D) - Redlands Mayor, Lobbyist & Ex-Gubernatorial Aide
Justin Kim (D) - Attorney & Ex-Congressional Aide
Rita Ramirez-Dean (D) - Copper Mountain Community College Trustee & Educator
Renea Wickman (D) - Non-Profit Group Founder & '10 State Assembly Nominee

District 32:
[ David Dreier (R)* - Current CD-26 Incumbent - Retiring in 2012. ]
Grace Napolitano (D)* - Current CD-38 Incumbent - (Campaign Site)
Bill Gonzalez (D) - Public Policy Analyst & Ex-Congressional Aide
David Miller (R) - Businessman & '10 AIP Nominee

District 33:
Henry Waxman (D)* - (Campaign Site)
Bruce Margolin (D) - Attorney & Marijuana Legalization Activist
Zein Obagi (D) - Attorney
Tim Pape (D) - Filmmaker & Occupy Movement Activist
Christopher David (R) - Businessman & Ron Paul Campaign Activist
David Steinman (Green) - Consumer Health Advocate & Magazine Publisher
Steve Collett (Libertarian) - Accountant
Bill Bloomfield (Independent) - Businessman

District 34:
Xavier Becerra (D)* - (Campaign Site)
Stephen Smith (R) - Investor
Howard Johnson (PFP) - Attorney & '86/'88 Nominee

District 35:
Joe Baca (D)* - (Campaign Site)
Gloria Negrete McLeod (D) - State Sen. & Ex-State Assemblywoman
Anthony Vieyra (Green) - Financial Advisor

District 36:
Mary Bono Mack (R)* - (Campaign Site)
Raul Ruiz (D) - Emergency Room Physician & Affordable Health Care Advocate

District 37:
Karen Bass (D)* - (Campaign Site)

District 38:
Linda Sanchez (D)* - (Campaign Site)
Benjamin Campos (R) - Accountant & Army Veteran
Jorge Robles (R) - Police Officer

District 39:
Ed Royce (R)* - (Campaign Site)
Jay Chen (D) - Hacienda-La Puente School Board Member, Businessman & Navy Veteran
D'Marie Mulattieri (Independent) - Community Organizer & Non-Profit Group Founder

District 40:
Lucille Roybal-Allard (D)* - (Campaign Site)
David John Sanchez (D) - College Instructor

District 41:
** NEW DISTRICT - NO INCUMBENT **
George Pearne (R) - Retired Teacher
Vince Sawyer (R) - Tea Party Activist, Ex-Building Contractor & '92 Sheriff Candidate
John Tavaglione (R) - Riverside County Supervisor, Ex-Riverside City Councilman, Realtor & Army Veteran
Anna Nevenic (D) - Nurse, Peace Activist & Frequent Candidate
Mark Takano (D) - Riverside Community College Board Trustee & '92/'94/'02 Nominee

District 42:
Ken Calvert (R)* - (Campaign Site)
Eva Johnson (R) - Non-Profit Group Founder & Community Activist
Clayton Thibodeau (R) - Businessman, Conservative Activist & '10 Candidate
Cliff Smith (D) - Defense Systems Engineer
Curt Novak (Independent) - Research Development Engineer

District 43:
Maxine Waters (D)* - (Campaign Site)
Bob Flores (D)

District 44:
Janice Hahn (D)* - Current CD-36 Incumbent - (Campaign Site)
Laura Richardson (D)* - Current CD-37 Incumbent - (Campaign Site)

District 45:
John Campbell (R)* - (Campaign Site)
Sukhee Kang (D) - Irvine Mayor, Ex-Irvine City Councilman & Ex-Retail Store Manager
John Webb (R) - Businessman, Ex-Police Officer & USMC Veteran

District 46:
Loretta Sanchez (D)* - (Campaign Site)
John Cullum (R) - Businessman & '02 Placentia City Council Candidate
Pat Garcia (R) - Office Manager & Tea Party Activist
Jerry Hayden (R) - Stockbroker
Jorge Rocha (Independent) - Tax Consultant & Realtor

District 47:
** NEW DISTRICT - NO INCUMBENT **
Alan Lowenthal (D) - State Sen., Ex-State Assemblyman, Ex-Long Beach City Councilman & Retired College Professor
Peter Mathews (D) - College Professor & Frequent Candidate
Jay Shah (D) - Retired Physician, USAF Veteran, Frequent Candidate & Husband of Usah Shah
Usah Shah (D) - Community Activist & Wife of Jay Shah
Gary DeLong (R) - Long Beach City Councilman & Telecommunications Executive
Sanford Kahn (R) - Businessman
Steve Kuykendall (R) - Ex-Congressman, Ex-State Assemblyman, Ex-Rancho Palos Verdes Councilman & Vietnam War Veteran

District 48:
Dana Rohrabacher (R)* - (Campaign Site)
Ron Varasteh (D) - Engineer, Businessman & Democratic Activist
Alan Schlar (Independent) - Marketing Executive

District 49:
Darrell Issa (R)* - (Campaign Site)
Jerry Tetalman (D) - Realtor & Peace Activist
Dick Eiden (Independent) - Retired Attorney & Progressive Activist
Albin Novinec (Independent) - Realtor & USMC Veteran

District 50:
Duncan Hunter (R)* - (Campaign Site)
Terri Linnell (R) - Homemaker & '10 Candidate
Connie Frankowiak (D) - Homemaker, Progressive Activist & '06/'10 Candidate
David Secor (D) - Retired Court System Employee & Vietnam War Veteran
Michael Benoit (Libertarian) - Businessman & Frequent Candidate

District 51:
[ Bob Filner (D)* - Candidate for San Diego Mayor in 2012. ]
John Brooks (D) - Retired Federal Wildlife Agent & Writer
Denise Moreno Ducheny (D) - Ex-State Sen., Ex-State Assemblywoman & Attorney
Daniel Ramirez (D) - Businessman
Juan Vargas (D) - State Sen., Ex-Atate Assemblyman, Ex-San Diego City Councilman, Businessman, Attorney & '06 Candidate
Michael Crimmins (R) - Teacher, USMC Veteran & '08/'10 Nominee
Xanthi Gionis (R) - Attorney & Busineswoman
Bernard Portley (R) - Computer Scientist

District 52:
Brian Bilbray (R)* - (Campaign Site)
Gene Hamilton Carswell (R) - Real Estate Developer, Retired Airline Pilot & USAF Veteran
Wayne Iverson (R) - Physician & Realtor
John Stahl (R) - Technology Sales Executive, Tea Party Activist, Navy Veteran & '94 Candidate
John Subka (R) - Corporate Consultant
Shirley DeCourt-Park (D) - Realtor & Women's Rights Activist
Scott Peters (D) - San Diego Port Commission Chair, Ex-San Diego City Council President & Attorney
Lori Saldaña (D) - Ex-State Assemblywoman, Ex-Teacher & Environmental Activist
Jack Doyle (Independent) - Ex-Sante Mayor, Businessman & Retired Navy Officer
Ehab Shehata (Independent) - Physician

District 53:
Susan Davis (D)* - (Campaign Site)
Nick Popaditch (R) - Iraq War Veteran, Retired USMC Veteran, Teacher & '10 Nominee

STATE POLITICAL PARTIES:

American Independent Party
California Democratic Party
Constitution Party of California
Green Party of California
Libertarian Party of California
Peace & Freedom Party
Reform Party of California
California Republican Party
Socialist Party of California

STATE ELECTION OFFICE:

Secretary of State's Office

STATE NEWS SOURCES:

Alameda Times-Star
Antelope Valley Press (Palmdale)
Around the Capitol
Bakersfield Californian
Beverly Hills Weekly
California Greening
California Voter Foundation
CalNews.com (Conservative)
Capitol Alert (Sacramento)
Contra Costa Times
Davis Enterprise
East Bay Express (Alternative)
ElectionVolunteer.com
Eureka Times-Standard
FlashReport.org (Conservative)
Frontiers Newsmagazine (Gay)
Law.com California
League of Women Voters: California Education Fund
Lompoc Record
Long Beach Press-Telegram
Los Angeles City Beat (Alternative)
Los Angeles Daily Breeze
Los Angeles Daily News
Los Angeles Jewish Journal
Los Angeles Times - (Politics Section)
Los Angeles Weekly (Alternative) - (Politics Section)
Modesto Bee
Nevada City Union

North County Times (San Diego/Riverside)
Oakland Tribune
Orange County Now
Orange County Register
Orange County Weekly (Alternative)
Ontario Inland Valley Daily Bulletin
Palm Springs Desert Sun News
Pasadena Star-News
Placerville Mountain Democrat
Political Vanguard (Republican)
PolitickerCA
Pomona Inland Valley News (African-American)
Redlands Daily Facts
Ridgecrest Daily Independent
Riverside Press-Enterprise / Inland Empire Online
Rough & Tumble
Sacramento Bee
San Bernadino County Sun
San Diego Daily Transcript - (Government Section)
San Diego Union Tribune - (Politics Section)
San Francisco Bay Area Reporter (Gay)
San Francisco Bay Guardian (Alternative)
San Francisco Bay View (African-American)
San Francisco Chronicle
San Francisco Usual Suspects (Politics)
San Francisco Weekly (Alternative)
San Gabriel Valley Tribune
San Jose Mercury News
San Luis Obispo County Telegram-Tribune
Santa Barbara News-Press
Santa Rosa Press-Democrat
Siskiyou Daily News
Smart Voter - League of Women Voters
Solano County Daily Republic
Sonoma Index-Tribune
Stockton Record
Tahoe World
Torrance Daily Breeze
Vacaville Reporter
Valley Roadrunner
Ventura County Star
Watch Sonoma County (Politics)
Whittier Daily News