# California's 79th State Assembly district

California's 79th State Assembly district is one of 80 California State Assembly districts. It is currently represented by Democrat LaShae Sharp-Collins of San Diego.

## District profile

The district encompasses southeastern San Diego and its closest eastern suburbs. The ethnically and socioeconomically diverse district is a mix of urban and suburban areas, with density roughly proportional to the distance from downtown San Diego.

## Election results from statewide races

| Year | Office | Results |
| 2021 | Recall | No 64.5 – 35.5% |
| 2020 | President | Biden 65.6 – 32.3% |
| 2018 | Governor | Newsom 63.6 – 36.4% |
| 2018 | Senator | Feinstein 55.4 – 44.6% |
| 2016 | President | Clinton 64.2 – 30.0% |
| 2016 | Senator | Harris 57.0 – 43.0% |
| 2014 | Governor | Brown 59.4 – 40.6% |
| 2012 | President | Obama 61.2 – 36.9% |
| 2012 | Senator | Feinstein 63.2 – 36.8% |

## List of members representing the district

| Member | Party | Dates | Electoral history | Counties represented |
| District created January 5, 1885 |||||
| Truman Reeves (San Bernardino) | Republican | January 5, 1885 – January 3, 1887 | Redistricted from the 1st district and re-elected in 1894. [data missing] | San Bernardino |
| Hiram M. Barton (San Bernardino) | Democratic | January 3, 1887 – January 7, 1889 | Elected in 1896. [data missing] | San Bernardino |
| Elmer W. Holmes (Riverside) | Republican | January 7, 1889 – January 5, 1891 | Elected in 1888. [data missing] | San Bernardino |
| John C. Lynch (San Bernardino) | Republican | January 5, 1891 – January 2, 1893 | Elected in 1890. Redistricted to the 78th district. | San Bernardino |
| William H. Carlson (San Diego) | Independent | January 2, 1893 – January 7, 1895 | Elected in 1892. Retired to run for mayor of San Diego. | San Diego |
| Wilfred R. Guy (San Diego) | Republican | January 7, 1895 – January 2, 1899 | Elected in 1894. Re-elected in 1896. [data missing] | San Diego |
| Lewis R. Works (San Diego) | Republican | January 2, 1899 – January 1, 1901 | Elected in 1898. [data missing] | San Diego |
| Frank W. Barnes (San Diego) | Republican | January 1, 1901 – January 7, 1907 | Elected in 1900. Re-elected in 1902. Re-elected in 1904. [data missing] | San Diego |
| W. F. Ludington (San Diego) | Republican | January 7, 1907 – January 4, 1909 | Elected in 1906. [data missing] | San Diego |
| E. C. Hinkle (San Diego) | Republican | January 4, 1909 – January 4, 1915 | Elected in 1908. Re-elected in 1910. Re-elected in 1912. [data missing] | San Diego |
| Grant Conard (San Diego) | Republican | January 4, 1915 – January 8, 1917 | Elected in 1914. [data missing] | San Diego |
| Hugh J. Baldwin (National City) | Republican | January 8, 1917 – January 6, 1919 | Elected in 1916. [data missing] | San Diego |
| Fred E. Lindley (San Diego) | Republican | January 6, 1919 – January 3, 1921 | Elected in 1918. [data missing] | San Diego |
| James O. Bishop (San Diego) | Republican | January 3, 1921 – January 8, 1923 | Elected in 1920. [data missing] | San Diego |
| P. A. Whitacre (San Diego) | Republican | January 8, 1923 – January 5, 1925 | Elected in 1922. [data missing] | San Diego |
| Byron J. Walters (San Diego) | Republican | January 5, 1925 – January 7, 1929 | Elected in 1924. Re-elected in 1926. [data missing] | San Diego |
| William E. Harper (San Diego) | Republican | January 7, 1929 – January 5, 1931 | Elected in 1928. [data missing] | San Diego |
| Edwin L. Head (San Diego) | Republican | January 5, 1931 – January 2, 1933 | Elected in 1930. Lost re-election. | San Diego |
| Bruce R. Stannard (San Diego) | Republican | January 2, 1933 – January 7, 1935 | Elected in 1932. [data missing] | San Diego |
| Paul A. Richie (San Diego) | Democratic | January 7, 1935 – January 4, 1943 | Elected in 1934. Re-elected in 1936. Re-elected in 1938. Re-elected in 1940. Lost re-election. | San Diego |
| Kathryn Niehouse (San Diego) | Republican | January 4, 1943 – January 3, 1955 | Elected in 1942. Re-elected in 1944. Re-elected in 1946. Re-elected in 1948. Re-elected in 1950. Re-elected in 1952. [data missing] | San Diego |
| Wanda Sankary (San Diego) | Democratic | January 3, 1955 – January 7, 1957 | Elected in 1954. Lost re-election. | San Diego |
| George G. Crawford (San Diego) | Republican | January 7, 1957 – February 15, 1960 | Elected in 1956. Re-elected in 1958. Resigned. | San Diego |
| Vacant | Vacant | February 15, 1960 – November 30, 1960 | | San Diego |
| George J. Lapthorne (San Diego) | Democratic | November 30, 1960 – January 2, 1961 | Elected to finish Crawford's term. Not a candidate for the next election. | San Diego |
| James R. Mills (Coronado) | Democratic | January 2, 1961 – January 2, 1967 | Elected in 1960. Re-elected in 1962. Re-elected in 1964. Redistricted to the 40th district. | San Diego |
| Frederick James Bear (Chula Vista) | Democratic | January 2, 1967 – January 6, 1969 | Elected in 1966. Lost re-election. | San Diego |
| Tom Hom (San Diego) | Republican | January 6, 1969 – January 4, 1971 | Elected in 1968. Lost re-election. | San Diego |
| Peter R. Chacon (San Diego) | Democratic | January 4, 1971 – November 30, 1992 | Elected in 1970. Re-elected in 1972. Re-elected in 1974. Re-elected in 1976. Re-elected in 1978. Re-elected in 1980. Re-elected in 1982. Re-elected in 1984. Re-elected in 1986. Re-elected in 1988. Re-elected in 1990. Retired. | San Diego |
| Stephen Peace (Chula Vista) | Democratic | December 7, 1992 – January 10, 1994 | Redistricted from the 80th district and re-elected in 1992. Resigned to become a California State Senator. | San Diego |
| Vacant | Vacant | January 10, 1994 – April 14, 1994 | | San Diego |
| Denise M. Ducheny (San Diego) | Democratic | April 14, 1994 – November 30, 2000 | Elected to finish Peace's term. Re-elected in 1994. Re-elected in 1996. Re-elected in 1998. Retired. | San Diego |
| Juan Vargas (San Diego) | Democratic | December 4, 2000 – November 30, 2006 | Elected in 2000. Re-elected in 2002. Re-elected in 2004. Retired to run for U.S. House of Representatives. | San Diego |
| Mary Salas (Chula Vista) | Democratic | December 4, 2006 – November 30, 2010 | Elected in 2006. Re-elected in 2008. Retired to run for California State Senate. | San Diego |
| Ben Hueso (San Diego) | Democratic | December 6, 2010 – November 30, 2012 | Elected in 2010. Redistricted to the 80th district. | San Diego |
| Shirley Weber (San Diego) | Democratic | December 3, 2012 – January 28, 2021 | Elected in 2012. Re-elected in 2014. Re-elected in 2016. Re-elected in 2018. Re-elected in 2020. Resigned to become Secretary of State of California. | San Diego |
| Vacant | Vacant | January 28, 2021 – April 19, 2021 | | San Diego |
| Akilah Weber (La Mesa) | Democratic | April 19, 2021 – November 30, 2024 | Elected to finish her mother's term. Re-elected in 2022. Retired to run for State Senate. | San Diego |
| LaShae Sharp-Collins (San Diego) | Democratic | December 2, 2024 – present | Elected in 2024. | San Diego |

## Contents

* 1992
* 1994
* 1996
* 1998
* 2000
* 2002
* 2004
* 2006
* 2008
* 2010
* 2012
* 2014
* 2016
* 2018
* 2020
* 2021 (special)

### 2021 (special)

California's 79th State Assembly district special election, 2021 Vacancy resulting from the resignation of Shirley Weber :
| Primary election |||||
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Akilah Weber | 33,197 | 51.97 |
| | Republican | Marco Contreras | 21,359 | 33.44 |
| | Democratic | Leticia Munguia | 5,263 | 8.24 |
| | Democratic | Shane Suzanne Parmely | 3,241 | 5.07 |
| | Democratic | Aeiramique Glass-Blake | 818 | 1.28 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 64,189 | 100.0 |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

### 2020

California State Assembly election, 2020 :
| Primary election |||||
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Shirley Weber (incumbent) | 74,121 | 65.7 |
| | Republican | John Moore | 19,619 | 17.4 |
| | Republican | Carmelita "C.L." Larrabaster | 19,080 | 16.9 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 112,820 | 100.0 |
| General election |||||
| | Democratic | Shirley Weber (incumbent) | 147,994 | 65.4 |
| | Republican | John Moore | 78,367 | 34.6 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 226,361 | 100 |

### 2018

California State Assembly election, 2018 :
| Primary election |||||
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Shirley Weber (incumbent) | 51,395 | 63.7 |
| | Republican | John Moore | 29,324 | 36.3 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 80,719 | 100.0 |
| General election |||||
| | Democratic | Shirley Weber (incumbent) | 103,533 | 66.8 |
| | Republican | John Moore | 51,548 | 33.2 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 155,081 | 100.0 |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

### 2016

California State Assembly election, 2016 :
| Primary election |||||
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Shirley Weber (incumbent) | 64,395 | 67.7 |
| | Republican | John Moore | 30,711 | 32.3 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 95,106 | 100.0 |
| General election |||||
| | Democratic | Shirley Weber (incumbent) | 114,080 | 65.2 |
| | Republican | John Moore | 60,827 | 34.8 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 174,907 | 100.0 |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

### 2014

California State Assembly election, 2014 :
| Primary election |||||
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Shirley Weber (incumbent) | 35,886 | 99.7 |
| | American Independent | George R. Williams (write-in) | 115 | 0.3 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 36,001 | 100.0 |
| General election |||||
| | Democratic | Shirley Weber (incumbent) | 49,264 | 61.9 |
| | American Independent | George R. Williams | 30,266 | 38.1 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 79,530 | 100.0 |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

### 2012

California State Assembly election, 2012 :
| Primary election |||||
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Shirley Weber | 20,293 | 30.5 |
| | Republican | Mary England | 19,313 | 29.1 |
| | Republican | Matt Mendoza | 8,857 | 13.3 |
| | Democratic | Rudy Ramirez | 7,533 | 11.3 |
| | Democratic | Patricia Ann Washington | 5,404 | 8.1 |
| | Democratic | Sid Voorakkara | 5,060 | 7.6 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 66,460 | 100.0 |
| General election |||||
| | Democratic | Shirley Weber | 94,170 | 61.7 |
| | Republican | Mary England | 58,424 | 38.3 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 152,594 | 100.0 |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

### 2010

2010 California State Assembly election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Ben Hueso | 46,349 | 62.8 |
| | Republican | Derrick Roach | 27,545 | 37.2 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 73,894 | 100.0 |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

### 2008

2008 California State Assembly election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Mary Salas (incumbent) | 74,051 | 69.48 |
| | Republican | Derrick Roach | 32,526 | 30.52 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 106,577 | 100.00 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | | 66.31 |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

### 2006

2006 California State Assembly election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Mary Salas | 39,437 | 62.77 |
| | Republican | Jean Roesch | 23,395 | 37.23 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 62,832 | 100.00 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | | 43.83 |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

### 2004

2004 California State Assembly election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Juan Vargas (incumbent) | 78,565 | 85.23 |
| | Libertarian | Eli Wallace Conroe | 13,584 | 14.74 |
| | Independent | Petra E. Barajas (write-in) | 27 | 0.03 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 92,176 | 100.00 |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

### 2002

2002 California State Assembly election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Juan Vargas (incumbent) | 37,387 | 65.82 |
| | Republican | Mark W. Fast | 17,152 | 30.20 |
| | Libertarian | Joshua Castro | 2,264 | 3.99 |
| Invalid or blank votes | Invalid or blank votes | Invalid or blank votes | 3,388 | 5.63 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 60,191 | 100.00 |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

### 2000

2000 California State Assembly election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Juan Vargas | 55,689 | 77.38 |
| | Republican | Jon Parungao | 13,708 | 19.05 |
| | Libertarian | Richard J. Cardulla | 2,572 | 3.57 |
| Invalid or blank votes | Invalid or blank votes | Invalid or blank votes | 4,783 | 6.23 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 76,752 | 100.00 |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

### 1998

1998 California State Assembly election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Denise Ducheny (incumbent) | 39,636 | 76.43 |
| | Republican | Carl Hurum Kinz | 12,226 | 23.57 |
| Invalid or blank votes | Invalid or blank votes | Invalid or blank votes | 8,502 | 14.08 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 60,364 | 100.00 |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

### 1996

1996 California State Assembly election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Denise Moreno Ducheny (inc.) | 48,509 | 71.50 |
| | Republican | Bob Divine | 19,338 | 28.50 |
| Invalid or blank votes | Invalid or blank votes | Invalid or blank votes | 5,380 | 7.32 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 73,227 | 100.00 |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

### 1994

1994 California State Assembly election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Denise Moreno Ducheny (inc.) | 34,081 | 67.46 |
| | Republican | John Vogel | 14,601 | 28.9 |
| | Peace and Freedom | Lasal Faten | 1,835 | 3.63 |
| Invalid or blank votes | Invalid or blank votes | Invalid or blank votes | 7,730 | 13.27 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 58,247 | 100.00 |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

### 1992

1992 California State Assembly election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Steve Peace (incumbent) | 46,739 | 65.23 |
| | Republican | Raul Silva-Martinez | 19,855 | 27.71 |
| | Peace and Freedom | James R. Train | 2,956 | 4.13 |
| | Peace and Freedom | Edwardo A. Prud-Home | 2,103 | 2.93 |
| Invalid or blank votes | Invalid or blank votes | Invalid or blank votes | 6,591 | 8.42 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 78,244 | 100.00 |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |