The Ballot Brief
San Diego County, California

California Senate District 40

2 candidates are tracked for California Senate District 40 on the November 3, 2026 ballot: Mara Elliott and Kristie Bruce-Lane. Candidate information follows official San Diego County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.

About this race

Mara Elliott (Democratic) and Kristie Bruce-Lane (Republican) meet on the November 3 ballot. The seat is open: Sen. Brian W. Jones (Republican), the sitting member per the Legislature's roster, is not on the November ballot. June 2 top-two primary result: Mara Elliott (DEM) 47.9 percent and Kristie Bruce-Lane (REP) 27.7 percent advanced over Ed Musgrove (REP) 24.3 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 › San Diego County › California Senate District 40

Mara Elliott

Democratic

Top priorities
  • Gun violence prevention and law enforcement training on restraining orders
  • Support for domestic violence and trafficking survivors
  • Homelessness and mental health conservatorship services

Per the campaign site.

Biography

Mara Elliott served as San Diego City Attorney from 2016 to 2024, the first woman and first Latina elected to the office, per her campaign site. She previously worked as legal counsel for school districts, transit authorities and San Diego County, and is a Democratic candidate for California's 40th Senate District.

Kristie Bruce-Lane

Republican

Top priorities
  • Reducing the cost of living and taxes for San Diego County families
  • Addressing homelessness and public safety
  • Education and the fentanyl crisis

Per the campaign site.

Biography

Kristie Bruce-Lane is a businesswoman in agriculture and health care who paid her own way through college, per her campaign site. She formerly served as a director on the Olivenhain Municipal Water District board, per the same source.

Next on your ballotCalifornia Assembly District 74

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Voting info and more

Voting info and more
Questions about this race

Who is running for California Senate District 40 in 2026?

2 candidates are tracked for California Senate District 40 on the November 3, 2026 ballot: Mara Elliott and Kristie Bruce-Lane. Candidate information follows official San Diego County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.

When is the California Senate District 40 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 San Diego 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 San Diego County and state election office filings, last verified September 27, 2026. Bios and priorities carry their attribution inline.

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

The rest of your San Diego County ballot

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

Also on your ballot
California Assembly District 75California Assembly District 76California Assembly District 77See all 19 San Diego County races
Candidate profiles
Mara Elliott, full profileKristie Bruce-Lane, full profileOfficial California election office