California › San Diego County › California Assembly District 78
2 candidates are tracked for California Assembly District 78 on the November 3, 2026 ballot: Chris Ward and Payton Galvez. Candidate information follows official San Diego County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.
Chris Ward (Democratic) and Payton Galvez (Republican) meet on the November 3 ballot; Chris Ward is the incumbent, per the Secretary of State's list. June 2 top-two primary result: Chris Ward (DEM) 68.5 percent and Payton Galvez (REP) 28.4 percent advanced over Antonio Salguero (LIB) 3.1 percent, per the Secretary of State's Statement of Vote. California's top-two primary decides who prints in November; the field is the Secretary of State's Certified List of Candidates for the General Election (August 27, 2026). This seat is elected by district; only the district covering your address appears on your ballot.
Chris Ward is the Democratic candidate for California Assembly District 78 on the November 3, 2026 ballot, per the Secretary of State's Certified List of Candidates (ballot designation: Member of the State Assembly, 78th District). Chris Ward is the incumbent, per the Secretary of State's list. No campaign website or questionnaire response was found as of September 7, 2026.
2026 priorities
- Chairs the Arts, Entertainment, Sports and Tourism Committee, per Assembly roster
Payton Galvez is a Republican candidate for California's 78th Assembly District. He works as the field manager for Reform California, a political action committee, per KPBS. His certified ballot designation is Constituent Services Manager, per the San Diego County Registrar of Voters. No campaign website was found as of September 2026. No campaign website or questionnaire response was found as of September 7, 2026.
