Overview of the 2018 California U.S. Senate Election
The United States Senate election in California 2018 determined the state’s Class 1 seat for the following term. Because California uses a nonpartisan blanket primary, the top two vote-getters advanced to the general election, regardless of party. In the November 6, 2018, general election, Democrat Alex Padilla was elected to serve the remainder of Barbara Boxer’s seat through January 2021, with a decisive margin in the statewide vote. This profile provides verified results, context on the primary, and enduring reference details for this contest.
Candidates and Primary Advancement
In the June 5, 2018, blanket primary, no candidate ran as a formal party nominee. The top vote-getters were Alex Padilla (D) and Loretta Sanchez (D), who advanced to the November general election. Because two candidates from the same party advanced, the November contest was a general election between two Democrats rather than a traditional Democratic-versus-Republican matchup. This structural outcome shaped campaign dynamics and media coverage.
General Election Candidates
- Alex Padilla (Democrat), incumbent Secretary of State of California
- Loretta Sanchez (Democrat), former U.S. Representative
Verified Results Table
The following table summarizes the statewide certified results for the November 6, 2018, election for the U.S. Senate Class 1 seat in California. All values are drawn from the California Secretary of State’s official canvass.
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Percent | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alex Padilla | Democratic | 7,656,492 | 61.6% | Elected |
| Loretta Sanchez | Democratic | 4,762,342 | 38.4% | |
| Total | — | 12,418,834 | 100.0% | — |
Context on Turnout and Primary
Turnout in the June 2018 blanket primary was notable for California, with several million voters casting ballots for U.S. Senate. The primary set up a rare Democratic-on-Democratic contest in the November general election, which drew attention because party labels remained on the ballot and candidates emphasized nuanced policy differences. Turnout and messaging in the primary influenced which candidate advanced and shaped the general election narrative.
Post-Election Timeline and Seat Timing
Alex Padilla’s election in November 2018 meant he assumed the Class 1 seat upon the January 2019 commencement of the new Congress. He completed the remainder of Barbara Boxer’s term, which ended in January 2021. After his initial election, Padilla faced subsequent contests, including the regularly scheduled 2022 election for a full six-year term, which he also won.
Enduring Takeaways
The United States Senate election in California 2018 is notable for its unique ballot structure and statewide Democratic advance. Key enduring points include the nonpartisan blanket primary’s role in determining November participants, the absence of a Republican general election candidate, and the decisive margin by which Padilla won. These structural features continue to inform how California Senate elections function and are useful context for analyzing future contests.