Who's running
The certified ballot lists incumbent Democrat Mia Bonta, California State Assemblymember, Assembly District 18, and Democrat Andre Sandford, Housing Program Director.
The rematch
This is the second straight cycle the two have met in November. In 2024, Sandford ran as an American Independent Party candidate and lost to Bonta 80.3% to 19.7%, according to Ballotpedia. Ballotpedia says Sandford notified it on Jan. 11, 2026, that he had changed his affiliation to Democratic. Ballotpedia's biography says he was born in Detroit and holds bachelor's and graduate degrees from Jacksonville State University.
June's result
Bonta took 76.9% (84,226 votes) in the June 2 primary. Sandford was second with 10.9% (11,918), ahead of Republican Ned Nuerge at 7.2% and Green Michael Goldstein at 5%, per Ballotpedia.
The incumbent
Bonta won the seat in 2021 after her husband, Rob Bonta, was appointed state attorney general and vacated it. Before that she was CEO of the nonprofit Oakland Promise. The Oakland Review of Books, a satirical local voting guide, needles the couple's hold on Oakland politics but concludes there is no serious alternative on the ballot. Rob Bonta is also on the Nov. 3 ballot, seeking reelection as attorney general.
How to vote
Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3. Polls and vote centers close at 8 p.m., and mailed ballots must be postmarked by Election Day and arrive within seven days. You can check your registration and ballot status at sos.ca.gov/elections. California lets you register and vote the same day at a vote center.
More races and measures: our 2026 election hub.