Assembly District 20 covers Hayward, San Leandro, Union City, western Pleasanton and Dublin, and unincorporated Castro Valley, Ashland, Cherryland, Fairview and San Lorenzo. On Nov. 3 voters there choose between Democratic Assemblymember Liz Ortega and Republican Patricia Muga, whose ballot designation is "Real Estate Appraiser."

Ortega won the June primary 75.1% to 24.9% (76,306 votes to 25,262), according to Ballotpedia. In 2024 she beat Republican Sangeetha Shanbhogue.

Ortega, in her words

"I'm focused on practical results for Tri-Valley families: safer roads, better access to transit and an economy where small businesses can compete and working families aren't left behind."

Ortega lives in San Leandro, grew up in Oakland and was first elected in 2022. Her website says she was the first Latina elected executive secretary-treasurer of the Alameda Labor Council. She told the Pleasanton Weekly she backed AB 2168, which she said could help fund better transit connections, and SB 78, which she said could speed highway safety work such as improvements on Interstate 580. She also pointed to bills on sideshows and impaired driving.

Muga, in her words

"I will bring common sense to an otherwise severed legislature, which is completely out of touch with the people of Assembly District 20."

Muga lives in Dublin. She grew up in the Inland Empire, graduated from UCLA and moved to the Bay Area in 2014. She has also worked in telecommunications, sales and administrative management. She criticizes the "devastating 'one party'" supermajority in Sacramento. Her platform includes:

  • tougher consequences for repeat and violent offenders, and fully funded law enforcement
  • mental health and addiction diversion
  • upgrades to water and transportation infrastructure
  • less red tape and lower taxes for small businesses
  • faster permitting to speed up housing

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.