California Donor Table

CDT Analysis: CDT donors and community partners have been building political power and infrastructure in many of the districts targeted for congressional Republican-to-Democrat flips – especially in Orange County — for many years, which will be foundational for what pundits are anticipating will be a more widespread backlash against House Republicans at the polls.  CDT staff will continue to track and analyze these House races to determine the most up-to-date strategic investments in community groups and candidates.

By Christina Bellantoni, Julie Westfall and Allison Wisk

The stakes are high in this year’s midterm elections: control of the U.S. House. For Democrats to reclaim power, they must forge a path through California, home to 39 Democratic-held seats and 14 Republican-held ones. The party considers 10 districts here to be battlegrounds and can’t win the House without winning at least a few of them.

Retirements in Southern California have created two open-seat races that could make that task a bit easier. On the other hand, Republicans could recruit strong and experienced candidates who might fare better against a crowded field of Democratic hopefuls, many of whom are seeking office for the first time.

Taking multiple factors into account, The Times’ California politics editors have ranked the hottest races by the intensity of the fight ahead. We’ll be updating our rankings….

Most Competitive

1. 39^th District – Open seat (Republican incumbent Ed Royce not running)
2. 49^th District – Open seat (Republican incumbent Darrell Issa not running)
3. 25^th District – Republican incumbent Steve Knight
4. 48^th District – Republican incumbent Dana Rohrabacher
5. 45^th District – Republican incumbent Mimi Walters
6. 10^th District – Republican incumbent Jeff Denham
7. 21^st District – Republican incumbent David Valadao
8. 50^th District – Republican incumbent Duncan Hunter
9. 22^nd District – Republican incumbent Devin Nunes
10. 4^th District – Republican incumbent Tom McClintock
11. 24^th District – Democratic incumbent Salud Carbajal
12. 7^th District – Democratic incumbent Ami Bera
13. 52^nd District – Democratic incumbent Scott Peters
14. 36^th District – Democratic incumbent Raul Ruiz

 Click here to read the full article.