ADVOCATING FOR THE INDUSTRY


Legislative turnover creates both risk and opportunity for the construction industry, particularly as California continues facing pressure to modernize infrastructure, expand housing production, and prepare for major statewide investments ahead of the 2028 Olympics


California’s 2026 Open-Seat Legislative Shuffle


BY FELIPE FUENTES C


alifornia’s 2026 legislative cycle is producing an unusually large number of open seats in both the


State Senate and Assembly, creating one of the most fluid political environments Sacramento has seen in years. While the June primary narrowed the field, the real contests now shift toward the November general election — where labor, business, environmental groups, and regional coalitions will compete to shape the next Legislature. For the construction industry, these


races matter. Open seats often mean new committee leadership, changing relationships, and less predictable voting patterns on issues ranging from Califor- nia Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) reform and housing production to trans- portation funding and workforce policy.


Why So Many Open Seats? Te biggest driver remains California’s term limits. Legislators are limited to 12 total years in the Legislature, prompting a constant rotation of members between


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CALIFORNIA CONSTRUCTOR JULY/AUGUST 2026


the Assembly, Senate, local offices, and statewide campaigns. But this year, ambition is accelerating


the turnover. Several incumbents are leaving early to pursue congressional seats, statewide constitutional offices, county supervisor positions, or other opportunities.


Open Seats at a Glance In the Senate, there are eight open seats. Tirteen in the Assembly. Several open- seat races are expected to become major political battlegrounds heading into November. Specifically:


Senate • SD-10 (East Bay) – Open due to Aisha Wahab’s congressional run.


• SD-24 (West Los Angeles) – Ben Allen termed out.


• SD-40 (San Diego County) – Brian Jones termed out.


Assembly • AD-35 (Central Valley) – Competitive


agricultural and logistics region.


• AD-42 (Ventura/West Valley) – Jacqui Irwin termed out.


• AD-72 (Coastal Orange County) – Diane Dixon running for Orange County Supervisor.


Many November contests will feature


candidates from the same party because of California’s top-two primary system. In several districts, the defining question will not be Democrat versus Republican, but rather moderate versus progressive.


The “Musical Chairs” Effect Sacramento observers often describe California politics as a game of musical chairs, and 2026 is proving the point. Rather than leaving politics altogether, many legislators are simply moving from the Assembly to the Senate, from the Legislature to Congress, or into local and statewide offices. Tat migration creates a ripple effect throughout the Capitol. Committee chairs change. Leadership pipelines shift. Relationships reset.


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