California’s forty-fifth state assembly district is represented by Democratic Representative Jesse Gabriel, who won a special election to replace Rep. Matt Dababneh (D) on June 5, 2018. Gabriel defeated Justin Clark (R) in the race. Dababneh resigned due to sexual misconduct allegations. He said the allegations against him were not true.

California state assembly members represent an average of 465,674 residents. After the 2000 Census, each member represented 420,000 residents.

About the office

Members of the California State Assembly serve two-year terms with term limits. California legislators assume office one month after election (December).

Qualifications

According to Article IV of the California Constitution, the candidate must be a United States Citizen, a resident of California for three years, a resident of the legislative district for one year and a registered voter in that district by the time nomination papers are filed.

Salaries

Term limits

Since the passage of Prop 28 in 2012, legislators first elected on or after November 6, 2012, are limited to a maximum of 12 years. Prop 140, passed in 1990, affects any members elected prior to November 6, 2012, and limits them to a maximum of three two-year terms (six years).

Vacancies

If there is a vacancy in the assembly, the Governor must call for a special election. The election must be called by the Governor within fourteen days of the vacancy. No special election can be held if the vacancy happened in an election year and the nominating deadline passed.

Elections

2020

Elections for the office of California State Assembly will take place in 2020. The general election will be held on November 3, 2020. A primary is scheduled for March 3, 2020. The filing deadline was December 6, 2019.

2018

Regular election

Special election

A special primary election for the position of California State Assembly District 45 was called for April 3, 2018. Jesse Gabriel (D) and Justin Clark (R), the top two vote-getters, advanced to the special general election that was held on June 5, 2018. Gabriel won the seat.

To qualify for the race, candidates had to obtain nomination documents from election officials in their county of residence by February 8, 2018. Candidates could have qualified by paying a $1,072.42 filing fee. Candidates could have also qualified by submitting petition signatures by January 9, 2018. The filing deadline for write-in candidates was March 20, 2018.

The seat became vacant following Matt Dababneh's (D) resignation effective January 1, 2018, due to sexual misconduct allegations. He said the allegations against him were not true.

Eight candidates—six Democrats, one Republican, and one independent—filed to run in the race. Independent candidate Dennis Zine unofficially withdrew from the race in February 2018, but his name still appeared on the primary election ballot.

2016

Elections for the California State Assembly took place in 2016. The primary election was held on June 7, 2016, and the general election was held on November 8, 2016. The candidate filing deadline was February 25, 2016, for candidates filing with signatures. The deadline for candidates using a filing fee to qualify was March 11, 2016.

Incumbent Matt Dababneh defeated Jerry Kowal in the California State Assembly District 45 general election.

California State Assembly, District 45 General Election, 2016

Incumbent Matt Dababneh and Jerry Kowal defeated Doug Kriegel in the California State Assembly District 45 Blanket primary.

California State Assembly, District 45 Blanket Primary, 2016

2014

Elections for the California State Assembly took place in 2014. A primary election took place on June 3, 2014. The general election was held on November 4, 2014. The signature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was March 7, 2014. Incumbent Matt Dababneh (D) and Susan Shelley (R) were unopposed in the blanket primary. Dababneh defeated Shelley in the general election.

California State Assembly, District 45, General Election, 2014

2013

Matt Dababneh (D) won election in a special election for California State Assembly District 45. The seat was vacant following Rep. Bob Blumenfield's (D) election to the Los Angeles City Council. Dababaneh faced ten others in a blanket primary, which took place on September 17. As no candidate received 50 percent of the vote the top two vote-getters - Matt Dababneh (D) and Susan Shelley (R) - met in a runoff election on November 19, which Dababaneh won.

California State Assembly, District 45, Special Election, 2013

California State Assembly, District 45, Blanket Primary, 2013

2012

Elections for the office of California State Assembly consisted of a primary election on June 5, 2012, and a general election on November 6, 2012. The signature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was March 9, 2012. Incumbent Bob Blumenfield (D) and Chris Kolski (R) advanced past the June 5 blanket primary unopposed, before Blumenfield defeated Kolski in the general election.

California State Assembly, District 45, General Election, 2012

Campaign contributions

From 2002 to 2016, candidates for California State Assembly District 45 raised a total of $8,132,458. Candidates who raised money in contributions earned $338,852 on average. All figures come from Follow the Money.

Campaign contributions, California State Assembly District 45