The Ballot Brief
Santa Clara County, California

California Assembly District 26

Ahrens and Gorsulowsky are on the November 3, 2026 ballot. Names follow official Santa Clara County election filings.

About this race

Patrick Ahrens (Democratic) and Tim Gorsulowsky (Republican) meet on the November 3 ballot; Patrick Ahrens is the incumbent, per the Secretary of State's list. June 2 top-two primary result: Patrick Ahrens (DEM) 75.4 percent and Tim Gorsulowsky (REP) 24.6 percent advanced, 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.

What this office does

State legislator. State legislators write and vote on state laws and the state budget, which fund schools, roads, prisons, universities and health programs, and set the rules for local governments and elections. Each member represents one district and serves on committees that shape bills before a floor vote. Terms are two years in most state houses and four in most state senates.

This race. Elected by district: only voters who live in the district see this race on their ballot. The sitting officeholder, Patrick Ahrens, is on the ballot.

We use AI to research and write election information. Errors are possible. Verify important details with official sources.

California › Santa Clara County › California Assembly District 26

Patrick Ahrens

Patrick Ahrens

DemocraticIncumbent

Top priorities

From other published sources

  • Aging and long-term care services, per Assembly committee roster
  • Health policy and biotechnology, per Assembly committee roster
  • Housing finance and child care costs, per Assembly committee roster
Biography

Patrick Ahrens is President of the Foothill-De Anza College Board of Trustees, running for California Assembly District 26, per his campaign site. He experienced homelessness for a time as a young person after growing up in a household affected by parental drug addiction and foster care.

Campaign site (opens in a new tab)

Tim Gorsulowsky

Republican

Top priorities

From other published sources

  • Change state law to give law enforcement and prosecutors more ability to charge offenders, per Initiate Justice Action candidate profile, citing his own statements
Biography

Tim Gorsulowsky is the Republican candidate for California Assembly District 26 on the November 3, 2026 ballot, per the Secretary of State's Certified List of Candidates (ballot designation: Small Business Owner). No campaign website was found as of September 7, 2026.

Next on your ballotCalifornia Assembly District 28

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Voting info and more

Voting info and more
Questions about this race

Who is running for California Assembly District 26 in 2026?

2 candidates are tracked for California Assembly District 26 on the November 3, 2026 ballot: Patrick Ahrens and Tim Gorsulowsky. Candidate information follows official Santa Clara County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.

When is the California Assembly District 26 election in California?

Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Registration deadlines, early voting dates and mail ballot rules for California are on the California election hub at theballotbrief.com.

How do I see my exact Santa Clara County ballot?

Enter your ZIP code in the lookup at theballotbrief.com for the statewide and congressional races, or a full street address to add the county, city and district contests for that location.

Verify this race

Candidate roster from official Santa Clara County and state election office filings, last verified October 3, 2026. Bios and priorities carry their attribution inline.

Cross-check with the official California election office, or see the full Santa Clara County sample ballot and your exact ballot by address.

The rest of your Santa Clara County ballot

10 tracked races in Santa Clara County, California. Landed here from another county's search? Look up your own ballot below.

Also on your ballot
California Assembly District 29City of San Jose, City Council, District 5City of San Jose, City Council, District 7See all 10 Santa Clara County races
Candidate profiles
Patrick Ahrens, full profileTim Gorsulowsky, full profileOfficial California election office