California politics
Safe D — 54 Electoral Votes

California

America's largest prize — 54 electoral votes, Gavin Newsom governor, Adam Schiff Senate, Harris +25 in 2024

Key Takeaways — California
  • Harris won California by +25.3 in 2024 (59.3% vs 34.0%) — the largest single-state Electoral College prize (54 EVs), Safe D for every cycle since 1992
  • Gavin Newsom (D) is governor — widely seen as a potential 2028 presidential candidate, making California's politics a national test case for progressive governance under pressure
  • Adam Schiff won the Senate seat vacated by Dianne Feinstein's death in 2023, defeating fellow Democrat Katie Porter in the 2024 open primary — the unusual "jungle primary" system put two Democrats on the ballot
  • California's housing crisis, homelessness, and high cost of living are national reference points for progressive urban policy debates — Republicans cite California as a cautionary tale; Democrats cite its economic output ($3.9T GDP)
2024 Presidential
Harris +25.3
59.3% – 34.0%
Electoral Votes
54
Safe D
Senate Next Up
Adam Schiff
Up 2028 — Safe D
Governor
Gavin Newsom (D)
Sacramento

2024 Presidential Election — California

Source: Official 2024 General Election results — Harris +25.3. Margin: 25.3 pts.

Key Facts — California

StateCalifornia (CA)
CapitalSacramento
Population39.4M
Electoral Votes54
GovernorGavin Newsom (D)
Senator 1Alex Padilla (D)
Senator 2Adam Schiff (D)
Party LeanSafe D
2024 Trump34.0%
2024 Harris59.3%

Frequently Asked Questions

How did California vote in the 2024 presidential election?

California voted for Kamala Harris in 2024, with Harris receiving 59.3% versus Trump's 34.0%. The state has 54 electoral votes.

Who are the current US senators from California?

California's two US senators are Alex Padilla and Adam Schiff. Both represent the state in the US Senate, where each senator serves a six-year term.

What is California's political lean?

California is rated "Safe D" in presidential elections. The state capital is Sacramento, and California carries 54 electoral votes in the Electoral College.

Related Analysis — California
California Governor Race 2026 → CA-13 — Duarte (Lean R) → CA-45 — Steel (Lean D) → Generic Ballot Tracker — Democrats +6.0 as of May 2026 → Swing States 2026 — Arizona, Georgia, Pennsylvania in Play →
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Generic Ballot Democrats48.1% Republicans41.1% D+7 Trump Approval Approve39% Disapprove58% Senate D47 R53 House D213 R222 Generic Ballot Tracker Trump Approval Senate 2026 House 2026 Latest Analysis