The Ballot Brief
Los Angeles County, California

California Senate District 24

2 candidates are tracked for California Senate District 24 on the November 3, 2026 ballot: John M. Erickson and Brian Goldsmith. Candidate information follows official Los Angeles County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.

About this race

John M. Erickson (Democratic) and Brian Goldsmith (Democratic) meet on the November 3 ballot. The seat is open: Sen. Benjamin Allen (Democratic), the sitting member per the Legislature's roster, is not on the November ballot. Both are Democrats: the top-two primary sends the two leading vote-getters to November regardless of party. June 2 top-two primary result: John M. Erickson (DEM) 20.5 percent and Brian Goldsmith (DEM) 18.3 percent advanced over G. Rick Marshall (REP) 17.5 percent, Kristina Irwin (REP) 14.1 percent, Sion Roy (DEM) 13.8 percent and 5 others, 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 › Los Angeles County › California Senate District 24

John M. Erickson

Democratic

Top priorities
  • Tenant protections and affordable housing production
  • Protecting community health clinics and healthcare affordability
  • Wildfire rebuilding and disaster recovery

Per the Santa Monica Daily Press.

Biography

John M. Erickson is a West Hollywood councilmember and former mayor, per the Santa Monica Daily Press. He previously served as vice president of public affairs, communications and marketing at Planned Parenthood of Los Angeles, per the same source. No campaign website was found as of September 7, 2026.

Brian Goldsmith

Democratic

Top priorities
  • Make housing and daily costs more affordable
  • Address crime and homelessness with accountable, results-focused programs
  • Prepare schools and communities for climate change and new technology

Per the campaign site.

Biography

Goldsmith worked as a journalist covering politics, including presidential campaigns, and contributed to Politico and The Atlantic, per the campaign site. Goldsmith also trained as a lawyer, launched two technology startups, and worked as a political operative on campaigns including Pete Buttigieg, Catherine Cortez Masto, and Shontel Brown, per the campaign site.

Campaign site (opens in a new tab)
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Questions about this race

Who is running for California Senate District 24 in 2026?

2 candidates are tracked for California Senate District 24 on the November 3, 2026 ballot: John M. Erickson and Brian Goldsmith. Candidate information follows official Los Angeles County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.

When is the California Senate District 24 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 Los Angeles 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 Los Angeles 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 Los Angeles County sample ballot and your exact ballot by address.

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Candidate profiles
John M. Erickson, full profileBrian Goldsmith, full profileOfficial California election office