California State Legislative Special Elections, 2015

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2015 State Legislative Special Elections
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In 2015, three seats were vacated and filled by special elections in the California State Legislature. The following districts had a vacancy in 2015:

• State Senate District 7: The seat was vacant following Mark DeSaulnier's (D) election to Congress.
• State Senate District 21: The seat was vacant following Stephen Knight's (R) election to Congress.
• State Senate District 37: The seat was vacant following Mimi Walters's (R) election to Congress.

Breakdown of 2015 special elections[edit]

In 2015, the reasons prompting state legislative special elections were as follows:

• 38 due to appointment, election or seeking election to another position
• 14 due to a retirement
• 15 due to the incumbent accepting another job
• 1 due to an invalidated 2014 election result
• 1 due to a disqualification in the 2014 elections
• 9 due to a death
• 6 due to legal issues
• 3 due to moving
• 2 due to filling a remaining term

The partisan breakdown for vacancies were as follows:

• 42 Democratic seats
• 46 Republican seats
• 1 Independent seat

Note: This table reflects information for elections that were held and not total vacant seats.

*In 2015, Democrats lost nine seats in special elections, but gained six seats. Republicans lost five seats in special elections, but gained eight seats.
*Although Edwin Gomes won election to the Connecticut State Senate as a Working Families Party candidate, after swearing in he was listed as a Democratic senator.
*Although Diane Richardson won election to the New York State Assembly as a Working Families Party candidate, after swearing in she was listed as a Democratic representative.
*Although Jay Mathis won election to the Mississippi House of Representatives as a Nonpartisan candidate, after swearing in he was listed as a Republican representative.

How vacancies are filled[edit]

If there is a vacancy in the California State Legislature, the governor must call for a special election. The governor must call the election within 14 calendar days of the vacancy. No special election shall be held if the vacancy occurs after the nominating deadline has passed in the final year of the term of office.^[1]

See sources: California Code, 1773 and California Cons. Art. IV, § 2

Special elections[edit]

May 19, 2015[edit]

☑ California State Senate District 7

See also: California state legislative special elections, 2015 Susan Bonilla (D) and Steve Glazer (D) advanced past Joan Buchanan (D) and Terry Kremin (D) in the primary election on March 17.[2][3] Glazer defeated Bonilla in the special election on May 19.[4] Michaela M. Hertle (R) withdrew from the race shortly after the official candidate list came out.[5] The seat was vacant following Mark DeSaulnier's (D) election to Congress.[6] A special election for the position of California State Senate District 7 was called for May 19. A primary election took place on March 17, 2015. The filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was January 23, 2015.[7] California State Senate, District 7, Special Election, 2015 Party Candidate Vote % Votes      Democratic Steve Glazer 54.5% 68,996      Democratic Susan Bonilla 45.5% 57,491 Total Votes 126,487 March 17 Primary election candidates: Susan Bonilla a Joan Buchanan Steve Glazer a Terry Kremin Note: Michaela M. Hertle (R) filed to run but withdrew from the election shortly after the official candidate list was released.[5] May 19 Special election candidates: Susan Bonilla Steve Glazer

☑ California State Senate District 37

See also: California state legislative special elections, 2015 John Moorlach (R) defeated Donald P. Wagner (R) and Naz Namazi (R) in the primary election on March 17.[9][10][11] The seat was vacant following Mimi Walters' (R) election to Congress.[6] A special election for the position of California State Senate District 37 was called for May 19. A primary election took place on March 17, 2015. The filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was January 23, 2015.[7] California State Senate, District 37, Special Election, 2015 Party Candidate Vote % Votes      Republican John M. W. Moorlach 51.4% 38,125      Republican Donald P. Wagner 45.1% 33,411      Republican Naz Namazi 3.5% 2,621 Total Votes 74,157

See also[edit]

• State legislative special elections, 2015
• California State Senate elections, 2014
• California State Assembly elections, 2014
• California State Senate elections, 2012
• California State Assembly elections, 2012
• California State Legislature
• California state legislative special elections: 2014, 2013, 2011, 2010

Footnotes[edit]

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