California’s twenty-first state senate district is represented by Republican Senator Scott Wilk.

California state senators represent an average of 931,349 residents. After the 2000 Census, each member represented 846,791 residents.

About the office

Members serve four-year terms with term limits. The terms of the senators are staggered so that half the membership is elected every two years. The senators representing odd-numbered districts are elected in years evenly divisible by four. The senators from even-numbered districts are elected in the intervening even-numbered years. 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 two four-year terms (eight years).

Vacancies

If there is a vacancy in the senate, the Governor must call for a special election. The election must be called by the Governor within fourteen days of the vacancy being created. 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 Senate 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.

2016

Elections for the California State Senate 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 Sharon Runner (R) did not seek re-election.

Scott Wilk defeated Johnathon Ervin in the California State Senate District 21 general election.

California State Senate, District 21 General Election, 2016

Scott Wilk and Johnathon Ervin defeated Steve Hill and Star Moffatt in the California State Senate District 21 Blanket primary.

California State Senate, District 21 Blanket Primary, 2016

2015

Sharon Runner (R) was unopposed in the primary election on March 17. Because she was the only candidate, the special election on May 19 was called off.

The seat was vacant following Stephen Knight's (R) election to Congress.

A special election for the position of California State Senate District 21 was initially called for May 19. A primary election took place on March 17, 2015. Because there was only one candidate, the special election scheduled for May 19 was not necessary. The filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was January 23, 2015.

2012

Elections for the office of California State Senate 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. Stephen Knight (R) and Star Moffatt (D) ran unopposed in the June 5 blanket primary. Knight then defeated Moffatt in the general election.

California State Senate, District 21, General Election, 2012

Campaign contributions

From 2002 to 2016, candidates for California State Senate District 21 raised a total of $11,508,502. Candidates who raised money in contributions earned $605,711 on average. All figures come from Follow the Money.

Campaign contributions, California State Senate District 21