Ventura County, California

California Assembly District 38

2 candidates are tracked for California Assembly District 38 on the November 3, 2026 ballot: Steve Bennett and Michael MacDonald. Candidate information follows official Ventura County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.

About this race

Steve Bennett (Democratic) and Michael MacDonald (Democratic) meet on the November 3 ballot; Steve Bennett is the incumbent, per the Secretary of State's list. Both are Democrats: the top-two primary sends the two leading vote-getters to November regardless of party. June 2 top-two primary result: Steve Bennett (DEM) 69.4 percent and Michael MacDonald (DEM) 30.6 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. The sitting officeholder, Steve Bennett, is on the ballot.

California › Ventura County › California Assembly District 38

Steve Bennett

Democratic Incumbent

Top priorities

Co-authored the Save Open Space and Agricultural Resources (SOAR) initiatives limiting urban sprawl in Ventura County.
Authored a campaign finance reform law to reduce the role of money in local politics.
Brought fiscal discipline to Ventura County, building the county's reserve fund and balancing 19 consecutive budgets.

Per the campaign site.

Biography

Steve Bennett was elected to the Assembly in November 2020 and represents the 38th District, covering western Ventura County, per his official Assembly biography. He served as a Ventura County Supervisor from 2000 to 2020 and taught high school economics and American history for more than 20 years. He is running for reelection as a Democratic candidate.

Campaign site (opens in a new tab)

Michael MacDonald

Democratic

Biography

Michael MacDonald has served as Ventura City Clerk since 2022 and previously worked as Assistant City Clerk for the City of Berkeley and chair of the Oakland Public Ethics Commission, per his campaign site. He is a Democratic candidate for California Assembly District 38.

Campaign site (opens in a new tab)

Next on your ballotCalifornia Assembly District 42

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Voting info and more

Questions about this race

Who is running for California Assembly District 38 in 2026?

When is the California Assembly District 38 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 Ventura 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 Ventura 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 Ventura County sample ballot and your exact ballot by address.

The rest of your Ventura County ballot

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

Also on your ballot

California Assembly District 46 See all 3 Ventura County races

Candidate profiles

Steve Bennett, full profile Michael MacDonald, full profile Official California election office