2 candidates are tracked for California Assembly District 68 on the November 3, 2026 ballot: Jessie Lopez and David Penaloza. Candidate information follows official Orange County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.
Jessie Lopez (Democratic) and David Penaloza (Democratic) meet on the November 3 ballot. The seat is open: Assemblymember Avelino Valencia (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: David Penaloza (DEM) 32.5 percent and Jessie Lopez (DEM) 31.4 percent advanced over Mayra Ruiz (REP) 29.4 percent, Shannon Wingfield (DEM) 6.6 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.
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 › Orange County › California Assembly District 68
Democratic
Per the campaign site.
Jessie Lopez is a Democratic candidate for California's 68th Assembly District and a Santa Ana City Council member, first elected in 2020 and reelected in 2024, per her campaign website. She is the daughter of immigrants from El Salvador, per the same source.
Democratic
Per the campaign site.
Penaloza is a city councilmember and businessman who is a lifelong resident of Orange County's 68th Assembly District, per the campaign site.
Who is running for California Assembly District 68 in 2026?
2 candidates are tracked for California Assembly District 68 on the November 3, 2026 ballot: Jessie Lopez and David Penaloza. Candidate information follows official Orange County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.
When is the California Assembly District 68 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 Orange 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.
Candidate roster from official Orange County and state election office filings, last verified September 8, 2026. Bios and priorities carry their attribution inline.
Cross-check with the official California election office, or see the full Orange County sample ballot and your exact ballot by address.
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