Today, Senate Minority Leader Brian W. Jones (R-San Diego) declared a major victory for California State Senate Republicans in the 2024 election.
“This election, Californians sent a clear message that they are fed up with the Democrat supermajority’s failures on critical issues including affordability, homelessness, and crime,” said Leader Jones. “As Californians reject our state’s current failed Democrat leadership, they are shifting right. Senate Republicans are growing in numbers and we are thrilled to enter 2025 with 10 members in our caucus, up from 8 members just one year ago.”
Senate Republican Election Results:
District 1: Current Republican Assemblywoman Megan Dahle (R-Bieber) was elected to replace outgoing Senator Brian Dahle (R-Bieber).
District 19: Current Republican Senator Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh (R-Yucaipa) was re-elected with nearly a 35,000 vote margin.
District 23: Former Republican Assemblywoman Suzette Valladares (R-Santa Clarita) was elected to replace outgoing Senator Scott Wilk (R-Santa Clarita) with nearly a 17,000 vote margin.
District 37: Former Republican Assemblyman Dr. Steven Choi (R-Irvine) ousted incumbent Democrat Senator Josh Newman (D-Fullerton) with over a 6,200 vote margin. This marks the first time in 44 years that Senate Republicans flipped a seat against an incumbent Democrat in a Presidential General Election, when Republican John T. Doolittle defeated Democrat State Senator Albert S. Rodda in 1980.
“Not only did Senate Republicans hold two targeted seats that favored Democrats, we also flipped Orange County, marking the first time in 44 YEARS that Senate Republicans unseated a Democrat incumbent in a Presidential General Election,” continued Leader Jones. “We warmly welcome our new Senators Suzette Valladares, Megan Dahle, and Dr. Steven Choi, and welcome back Senator Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh to the Republican Caucus. We are excited to have them join us in the fight to Fix California.”
In addition to several Senate Republican victories, voters overwhelmingly rejected Democrat-backed efforts on ballot initiatives, most notably by passing Proposition 36 and rejecting Proposition 5.
“Prop 36 passed by a landslide in California, ushering in a new era where crime is illegal and criminals are held accountable. Additionally, voters rejected Proposition 5 by a wide margin, standing firm against Sacramento Democrats’ attempt to raise property taxes. These victories underscore just how out of touch Gavin Newsom and Sacramento Democrats are with the challenges everyday Californians face. Not only did they put Prop 5 on the ballot and oppose Prop 36, but they actively sought to interfere in a fair election and remove Prop 36 from the ballot altogether."
“Voters also threw out liberal District Attorneys in Alameda County (Pamela Price) and Los Angeles County (George Gascon), and unseated left-wing San Francisco Mayor London Breed.
“These overwhelming results should serve as a stark wake up call in dealing with the skyrocketing crime and affordability crises, and the need for stronger, more effective leadership. Despite the best efforts of Democrat politicians to stop us, Senate Republicans and California voters are FIXING CALIFORNIA,” concluded Leader Jones.