Political_Party_Strength_in_California

Political party strength in California

Political party strength in California

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California is a Democratic stronghold and considered to be one of the "Big Three" Democratic strongholds alongside New York and Illinois. Originally a swing state following statehood, California began regularly supporting Republicans by large margins for the first half of the 20th century, with Herbert Hoover calling the state home. This changed with the passing of Civil Rights laws by Democrats in the 1960s and the subsequent rightward shift of the Republican Party. Still, the party remained competitive with Democratic candidates until 1992. Richard Nixon and Ronald Reagan elected president carrying and residing in the state. This changed in 1992 amidst a struggling economy, when California flipped from Republican to elect Bill Clinton President. Republicans still won statewide contests in the state until the late 2000s, with Arnold Schwarzenegger elected governor as part of a recall effort.

The following table indicates the party of elected officials in the U.S. state of California:

The table also indicates the historical party composition in the:

For years in which a presidential election was held, the table indicates which party's nominees received the state's electoral votes.

Note that ties on the Board of Equalization are broken by the vote of the State Controller.

1849–1990

More information Year, Executive offices ...

1991–present

More information Year, Executive offices ...
Key to party colors and abbreviations for members of the U.S. Congress and other politicians or officials
Alaskan Independence (AKIP)
American (Know Nothing) (KN)
American Labor (AL)
Anti-Jacksonian (Anti-J)
National Republican (NR)
Anti-Administration (AA)
Anti-Masonic (Anti-M)
Conservative (Con)
Covenant (Cov)
Democratic (D)
Democratic–Farmer–Labor (DFL)
Dixiecrat (Dix),
States' Rights (SR)
Democratic-Republican (DR)
Farmer–Labor (FL)
Federalist (F)
Pro-Administration (PA)
Free Soil (FS)
Fusion (Fus)
Greenback (GB)
Independence (IPM)
Independent Democrat (ID)
Independent Republican (IR)
Jacksonian (J)
Liberal (Lib)
Libertarian (L)
National Union (NU)
Nonpartisan League (NPL)
Democratic–Nonpartisan
League (D-NPL)
Nullifier (N)
Opposition Northern (O)
Opposition Southern (O)
Populist (Pop)
Progressive (Prog)
Prohibition (Proh)
Readjuster (Rea)
Republican (R)
Silver (Sv)
Silver Republican (SvR)
Socialist (Soc)
Unionist (U)
Unconditional Unionist (UU)
Vermont Progressive (VP)
Whig (W)
Independent (I)
Nonpartisan (NP)
  1. A Democrat, John Bigler, was re-elected Speaker, continuing in his service from when it was a non-partisan body.
  2. The Whig voted with the Know-Nothings to elect a Know-Nothing President Pro Tempore, Delos R. Ashley.
  3. Died in office.
  4. A Democrat, William Irwin, was elected President Pro Tempore with the support of the People's Independent Party.
  5. A representative of the People's Independent Party, Morris M. Estee, was elected Speaker with the support of the Democrats.
  6. The senate elected a Democratic President Pro Tempore.
  7. Appointed to fill vacancy.
  8. Republicans held the State Controller's office for the duration of this tie and cast the tie-breaking vote here, giving control of the Board to the Republicans.
  9. A Progressive Speaker was elected with Democratic support.
  10. Resigned November 8, 1938. Thomas M. Storke (D) was appointed to replace McAdoo on November 9, but as Congress was not in session Storke never took any legislative action or cast any votes during his time as Senator.
  11. A Democrat, Hugh M. Burns was elected Senate President Pro Tempore.
  12. A Democrat, J. Eugene McAteer died in office in May 1967 and was succeeded by a Republican Milton Marks in August 1967 shifting the Senate to 20D, 20R.
  13. Democrat James Mills continued as Senate President Pro Tempore.
  14. Resigned to take office as Governor of California.
  15. Democratic State Controllers held office for the entire duration of this tie, giving Democrats control of the Board.
  16. Deputy officer who served in an acting capacity during a vacancy.
  17. Democrat Willie Brown continued as Speaker for the first half of 1995 with the support of a Republican-turned-Independent, Paul Horcher, and two Republicans. Those two Republicans, Doris Allen and Brian Setencich, each served as Speaker for three months the second half of 1995. Republican Curt Pringle was then selected as Speaker in 1996 after the Independent and two Republicans were recalled and/or removed from office.
  18. Recalled in 2003.
  19. Resigned March 4, 2005. Deputy Insurance Commissioner Cathy Mitchell served in an acting capacity from March 4 until March 29.
  20. Resigned to take office as Vice President of the United States.
  21. Democratic Senator Josh Newman was recalled and replaced by Republican Ling Ling Chang.
  22. Republican Assemblyman Brian Maienschein switched to the Democratic Party.
  23. Republican Assemblyman Chad Mayes left the Republican party and registered as an independent.
  24. Democrat Katie Hill resigned and was succeeded by Republican Mike Garcia. Republican Duncan D. Hunter resigned and his seat remained vacant until the next election.

Party strength by number of registrations

Graphical summary
More information Year, Total ...

References

  1. [1]
    "Report of Registration - February 10, 1999" (PDF). California Secretary of State. Retrieved 23 November 2021.
  2. [2]
    "Registration by Political Bodies Attempting to Qualify - February 10, 1999" (PDF). California Secretary of State. Retrieved 23 November 2021.
  3. [3]
    "Report of Registration - February 10, 2001" (PDF). California Secretary of State. Retrieved 23 November 2021.
  4. [4]
    "Registration by Political Bodies Attempting to Qualify - February 10, 2001" (PDF). California Secretary of State. Retrieved 23 November 2021.
  5. [5]
    "Report of Registration - February 10, 2003" (PDF). California Secretary of State. Retrieved 23 November 2021.
  6. [6]
    "Registration by Political Bodies Attempting to Qualify - February 10, 2003" (PDF). California Secretary of State. Retrieved 23 November 2021.
  7. [7]
    "Report of Registration - February 10, 2005" (PDF). California Secretary of State. Retrieved 23 November 2021.
  8. [8]
    "Registration by Political Bodies Attempting to Qualify - February 10, 2005" (PDF). California Secretary of State. Retrieved 23 November 2021.
  9. [9]
    "Report of Registration - February 10, 2007" (PDF). California Secretary of State. Retrieved 23 November 2021.
  10. [10]
    "Registration by Political Bodies Attempting to Qualify - February 10, 2007" (PDF). California Secretary of State. Retrieved 23 November 2021.
  11. [11]
    "Report of Registration - February 10, 2009" (PDF). California Secretary of State. Retrieved 23 November 2021.
  12. [12]
    "Registration by Political Bodies Attempting to Qualify - February 10, 2009" (PDF). California Secretary of State. Retrieved 23 November 2021.
  13. [13]
    "Report of Registration - February 10, 2011" (PDF). California Secretary of State. Retrieved 23 November 2021.
  14. [14]
    "Registration by Political Bodies Attempting to Qualify - February 10, 2011" (PDF). California Secretary of State. Retrieved 23 November 2021.
  15. [15]
    "Report of Registration - February 10, 2013" (PDF). California Secretary of State. Retrieved 23 November 2021.
  16. [16]
    "Registration by Political Bodies Attempting to Qualify - February 10, 2013" (PDF). California Secretary of State. Retrieved 23 November 2021.
  17. [17]
    "Report of Registration - February 10, 2015" (PDF). California Secretary of State. Retrieved 23 November 2021.
  18. [18]
    "Registration by Political Bodies Attempting to Qualify - February 10, 2015" (PDF). California Secretary of State. Retrieved 23 November 2021.
  19. [19]
    "Report of Registration - February 10, 2017" (PDF). California Secretary of State. Retrieved 23 November 2021.
  20. [20]
    "Registration by Political Bodies Attempting to Qualify - February 10, 2017" (PDF). California Secretary of State. Retrieved 23 November 2021.
  21. [21]
    "Report of Registration - February 10, 2019" (PDF). California Secretary of State. Retrieved 23 November 2021.
  22. [22]
    "Registration by Political Bodies Attempting to Qualify - February 10, 2019" (PDF). California Secretary of State. Retrieved 23 November 2021.
  23. [23]
    "Report of Registration - February 10, 2021" (PDF). California Secretary of State. Retrieved 23 November 2021.
  24. [24]
    "Registration by Political Bodies Attempting to Qualify - February 10, 2021" (PDF). California Secretary of State. Retrieved 23 November 2021.
  25. [25]
    "Report of Registration - February 10, 2023" (PDF). California Secretary of State. Retrieved 28 June 2023.

See also
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