The Ballot Brief
Orange County, California

California Senate District 34

2 candidates are tracked for California Senate District 34 on the November 3, 2026 ballot: Avelino Valencia and Rhonda Shader. Candidate information follows official Orange County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.

About this race

Avelino Valencia (Democratic) and Rhonda Shader (Republican) meet on the November 3 ballot. The seat is open: Sen. Thomas Umberg (Democratic), the sitting member per the Legislature's roster, is not on the November ballot. June 2 top-two primary result: Avelino Valencia (DEM) 65.2 percent and Rhonda Shader (REP) 34.8 percent advanced, 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 › Orange County › California Senate District 34

Avelino Valencia

Avelino Valencia

Democratic

Top priorities
  • Restrict use of campaign funds for politicians' legal defense in public-corruption cases
  • Close a private-party gun sale loophole around mandated waiting periods
  • Reduce homelessness and support high-paying job creation

Per the campaign site.

Biography

Avelino Valencia is the Democratic candidate for California Senate District 34 on the November 3, 2026 ballot, per the Secretary of State's Certified List of Candidates for the General Election.

Rhonda Shader

Rhonda Shader

Republican

Top priorities
  • Tax reform and reducing regulation on small businesses
  • Infrastructure investment and public safety

Per the campaign site.

Biography

Rhonda Shader is a small business owner who has served on the Placentia City Council since 2016 and as Placentia Mayor for two terms, per her campaign site. She previously ran for this Senate seat in 2022.

Next on your ballotCalifornia Senate District 36

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Voting info and more

Voting info and more
Questions about this race

Who is running for California Senate District 34 in 2026?

2 candidates are tracked for California Senate District 34 on the November 3, 2026 ballot: Avelino Valencia and Rhonda Shader. Candidate information follows official Orange County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.

When is the California Senate 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 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.

Verify this race

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.

The rest of your Orange County ballot

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

Also on your ballot
California Senate District 38California Assembly District 59California Assembly District 64See all 15 Orange County races
Candidate profiles
Avelino Valencia, full profileRhonda Shader, full profileOfficial California election office