Assembly District 24, which includes Milpitas, Newark, Fremont and parts of San Jose, has been represented by Democrat Alex Lee since 2020. On Nov. 3 his challenger is Republican Max Hsia, a political newcomer from San Jose's Berryessa neighborhood. On the ballot Lee is listed as State Assemblymember and Hsia as Small Business Owner.

The math

In June, Lee took 65.4% (55,856 votes), Hsia 25.0% (21,339) and Fremont Councilmember Yang Shao, running with no party preference, 9.6% (8,233), according to Ballotpedia.

How Hsia got here

Hsia told The Milpitas Beat that he owned a food and retail business for a decade before selling it and semi-retiring. He said he "never came out publicly as a Republican" until 2025. On the day of the 2025 presidential inauguration, he said, he joined what he thought was a celebration at Santana Row and found it was a protest. He said someone shoved him and someone threw a soda when he voiced his own views. In 2025 he joined the Santa Clara Republican Party, known as the Silicon Valley GOP, and volunteered against Proposition 50 and the county's Measure A sales tax, both of which passed in November 2025.

His pitch

  • Break the supermajority: "There are 80 assembly members. 60 are Democrats," Hsia said, and flipping seven seats statewide would "bring moderation back."
  • Cost of living: Encourage lower-cost construction with more incentives and less regulation.
  • Crime: More license plate readers, a task force for lower-level crimes like smashed car windows and mailbox theft, and certified training so willing security guards can make citizen's arrests before police arrive.
  • Schools: A merit pay program that would give teachers raises when their classes' scores go up.

Lee, the incumbent, did not appear in the Beat's profile. Our sources did not include a statement of his priorities for this race, so check his campaign materials and your county voter guide for his platform.

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.