2 candidates are tracked for California Assembly District 29 on the November 3, 2026 ballot: Robert Rivas and Dennis P. Sanchez. Candidate information follows official Santa Cruz County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.
Robert Rivas (Democratic) and Dennis P. Sanchez (Republican) meet on the November 3 ballot; Robert Rivas is the incumbent, per the Secretary of State's list. June 2 top-two primary result: Robert Rivas (DEM) 66.5 percent and Dennis P. Sanchez (REP) 18.1 percent advanced over J.W. Paine (REP) 15.5 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. The sitting officeholder, Robert Rivas, is on the ballot.
California › Santa Cruz County › California Assembly District 29
Democratic Incumbent
Robert Rivas represents the 29th Assembly District and serves as Speaker of the California State Assembly, a position he has held since June 2023, per his official Assembly website. He was first elected to the Assembly in 2018 and previously served two terms on the San Benito County Board of Supervisors, per the same source. No campaign website was found as of September 27, 2026.
Republican
Per Initiate Justice Action's Assembly District 29 voter guide.
Dennis P. Sanchez trained as a police officer with the Salinas Police Department before starting his own construction and security businesses, per Initiate Justice Action's Assembly District 29 voter guide. He is a Republican candidate for California's 29th Assembly District. No campaign website was found as of September 7, 2026.
Who is running for California Assembly District 29 in 2026?
2 candidates are tracked for California Assembly District 29 on the November 3, 2026 ballot: Robert Rivas and Dennis P. Sanchez. Candidate information follows official Santa Cruz County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.
When is the California Assembly District 29 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 Santa Cruz 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 Santa Cruz 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 Santa Cruz County sample ballot and your exact ballot by address.
3 tracked races in Santa Cruz County, California. Landed here from another county's search? Look up your own ballot below.