The Ballot Brief
Kern County, California

California Assembly District 34

2 candidates are tracked for California Assembly District 34 on the November 3, 2026 ballot: Randall Putz and Charles Frederick Hughes. Candidate information follows official Kern County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.

About this race

Randall Putz (Democratic) and Charles Frederick Hughes (Republican) meet on the November 3 ballot. The seat is open: Assemblymember Tom Lackey (Republican), the sitting member per the Legislature's roster, is not on the November ballot. June 2 top-two primary result: Randall Putz (DEM) 39.2 percent and Charles Frederick Hughes (REP) 36.7 percent advanced over Steve Fox (REP) 19.0 percent, Manny Lin (REP) 5.1 percent, per the Secretary of State's Statement of Vote. California's top-two primary decides who prints in November; the field is the Secretary of State's Certified List of Candidates for the General Election (August 27, 2026). This seat is elected by district; only the district covering your address appears on your ballot.

What this office does

State legislator. State legislators write and vote on state laws and the state budget, which fund schools, roads, prisons, universities and health programs, and set the rules for local governments and elections. Each member represents one district and serves on committees that shape bills before a floor vote. Terms are two years in most state houses and four in most state senates.

This race. Elected by district: only voters who live in the district see this race on their ballot.

California › Kern County › California Assembly District 34

Randall Putz

Randall Putz

Democratic

Top priorities
  • Expanding healthcare access and provider recruitment in underserved rural areas of San Bernardino County
  • Affordable housing
  • Public education funding

Per the campaign site.

Biography

Randall Putz is a Democratic candidate for California's 34th Assembly District and the mayor of Big Bear Lake, per his campaign website. He has served as an elected official for 18 years, first joining the Bear Valley Unified School District board in 2008 before being elected to the Big Bear Lake City Council in 2014, per the Big Bear Grizzly.

Charles Frederick Hughes

Republican

Top priorities
  • Cutting taxes and regulation, including the gas tax
  • Public safety and addressing the fentanyl crisis
  • Expanding vocational training and parental choice in education

Per the campaign site.

Biography

Hughes is a retired law enforcement officer, a U.S. Navy veteran, and a small business owner, per the campaign site. Hughes is a husband and father of five with eight grandchildren, per the campaign site.

Next on your ballotCalifornia Assembly District 35

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Voting info and more

Voting info and more
Questions about this race

Who is running for California Assembly District 34 in 2026?

2 candidates are tracked for California Assembly District 34 on the November 3, 2026 ballot: Randall Putz and Charles Frederick Hughes. Candidate information follows official Kern County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.

When is the California Assembly District 34 election in California?

Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Registration deadlines, early voting dates and mail ballot rules for California are on the California election hub at theballotbrief.com.

How do I see my exact Kern County ballot?

Enter your ZIP code in the lookup at theballotbrief.com for the statewide and congressional races, or a full street address to add the county, city and district contests for that location.

Verify this race

Candidate roster from official Kern County and state election office filings. Bios and priorities carry their attribution inline.

Cross-check with the official California election office, or see the full Kern County sample ballot and your exact ballot by address.

The rest of your Kern County ballot

5 tracked races in Kern County, California. Landed here from another county's search? Look up your own ballot below.

Also on your ballot
California Senate District 12California Senate District 16California Assembly District 32See all 5 Kern County races
Candidate profiles
Randall Putz, full profileCharles Frederick Hughes, full profileOfficial California election office