California's 16th Congressional District

California's 16th Congressional District

Incumbent

Sam Liccardo

Assumed office: January 3, 2025

California's 16th Congressional District in the United States House of Representatives is represented by Sam Liccardo (D).

As of the 2020 Census, California representatives represented an average of 761,091 residents. After the 2010 Census, each member represented 704,566 residents.

Elections

2024

See also: California's 16th Congressional District election, 2024

California's 16th Congressional District election, 2024 (March 5 top-two primary)

General election

General election for U.S. House California District 16

Sam Liccardo defeated Evan Low in the general election for U.S. House California District 16 on November 5, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Sam Liccardo (D)	58.2	179,583
		Evan Low (D)	41.8	128,893

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 308,476
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Nonpartisan primary election

Nonpartisan primary for U.S. House California District 16

The following candidates ran in the primary for U.S. House California District 16 on March 5, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Sam Liccardo (D)	21.1	38,492
✔		Evan Low (D)	16.6	30,261
		Joe Simitian (D)	16.6	30,256
		Peter Ohtaki (R)	12.8	23,283
		Peter Dixon (D)	8.1	14,677
		Rishi Kumar (D)	6.8	12,383
	Submit photo	Karl Ryan (R)	6.3	11,563
		Julie Lythcott-Haims (D)	6.2	11,386
		Ahmed Mostafa (D)	3.2	5,814
		Greg Tanaka (D)	1.3	2,421
		Joby Bernstein (D)	0.9	1,652

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source 1 Source 2	Total votes: 182,188
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• Evan Bell (D)
• Nickesh Viswanathan (Independent)

2022

See also: California's 16th Congressional District election, 2022

General election

General election for U.S. House California District 16

Incumbent Anna Eshoo defeated Rishi Kumar in the general election for U.S. House California District 16 on November 8, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Anna Eshoo (D)	57.8	139,235
		Rishi Kumar (D)	42.2	101,772

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 241,007
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
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Nonpartisan primary election

Nonpartisan primary for U.S. House California District 16

The following candidates ran in the primary for U.S. House California District 16 on June 7, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Anna Eshoo (D)	47.9	81,100
✔		Rishi Kumar (D)	15.6	26,438
		Peter Ohtaki (R)	12.6	21,354
		Richard Fox (R)	7.8	13,187
		Ajwang Rading (D)	6.7	11,418
		Greg Tanaka (D)	6.6	11,107
		Benjamin Solomon (R)	1.6	2,659
		John Karl Fredrich (Independent)	1.3	2,120
	Submit photo	Travis Odekirk (D) (Write-in)	0.0	2

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 169,385
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• Nathan Brown (R)
• Monika Sheldon-London (R)

2020

See also: California's 16th Congressional District election, 2020

General election

General election for U.S. House California District 16

Incumbent Jim Costa defeated Kevin Cookingham in the general election for U.S. House California District 16 on November 3, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Jim Costa (D)	59.4	128,690
		Kevin Cookingham (R)	40.6	88,039

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 216,729
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Nonpartisan primary election

Nonpartisan primary for U.S. House California District 16

Incumbent Jim Costa and Kevin Cookingham defeated Esmeralda Soria and Kim Williams in the primary for U.S. House California District 16 on March 3, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Jim Costa (D)	37.5	41,228
✔		Kevin Cookingham (R)	35.2	38,652
		Esmeralda Soria (D)	21.4	23,484
		Kim Williams (D)	5.9	6,458

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 109,822
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
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2018

See also: California's 16th Congressional District election, 2018

General election

General election for U.S. House California District 16

Incumbent Jim Costa defeated Elizabeth Heng in the general election for U.S. House California District 16 on November 6, 2018.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Jim Costa (D)	57.5	82,266
		Elizabeth Heng (R)	42.5	60,693

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 142,959
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
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Nonpartisan primary election

Nonpartisan primary for U.S. House California District 16

Incumbent Jim Costa and Elizabeth Heng advanced from the primary for U.S. House California District 16 on June 5, 2018.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Jim Costa (D)	53.0	39,527
✔		Elizabeth Heng (R)	47.0	35,080

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified.	Total votes: 74,607
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
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2016

See also: California's 16th Congressional District election, 2016

Heading into the election, Ballotpedia rated this race as safely Democratic. Incumbent Jim Costa (D) defeated Johnny Tacherra (R) in the general election on November 8, 2016. Costa and Tacherra defeated David Rogers (R) in the top-two primary on June 7, 2016.

U.S. House, California District 16 General Election, 2016

Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	Jim Costa Incumbent	58%	97,473
	Republican	Johnny Tacherra	42%	70,483
Total Votes				167,956
Source: California Secretary of State

U.S. House, California District 16 Primary, 2016

Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	Jim Costa Incumbent	55.9%	52,822
	Republican	Johnny Tacherra	32.8%	31,028
	Republican	David Rogers	11.2%	10,606
Total Votes				94,456
Source: California Secretary of State

2014

See also: California's 16th Congressional District elections, 2014

The 16th Congressional District of California held an election for the U.S. House of Representatives on November 4, 2014. Incumbent Jim Costa (D) narrowly defeated Johnny Tacherra (R) in the general election.

U.S. House, California District 16 General Election, 2014

Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	Jim Costa Incumbent	50.7%	46,277
	Republican	Johnny Tacherra	49.3%	44,943
Total Votes				91,220
Source: California Secretary of State

2012

See also: California's 16th Congressional District elections, 2012

According to a Cook Political Report analysis, the 16th District was one of 13 congressional districts in California that was at least somewhat competitive in 2012. The analysis rated it as Likely Democratic. The incumbent from the 20th District, Jim Costa, won election in the district.

U.S. House, California District 16 General Election, 2012

Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	Jim Costa Incumbent	57.4%	84,649
	Republican	Brian Daniel Whelan	42.6%	62,801
Total Votes				147,450
Source: California Secretary of State "Official Election Results, 2012 General Election"

2010
On November 2, 2010, Zoe Lofgren won re-election to the United States House. She defeated Daniel Sahagun (R) and Edward Gonzalez (L) in the general election.

U.S. House, California District 16 General Election, 2010
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	Zoe Lofgren incumbent	67.8%	105,841
	Republican	Daniel Sahagun	24.3%	37,913
	Libertarian	Edward Gonzalez	7.9%	12,304
Total Votes				156,058

2008
On November 4, 2008, Zoe Lofgren won re-election to the United States House. She defeated Charel Winston (R) and Steven Wells (L) in the general election.

U.S. House, California District 16 General Election, 2008
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	Zoe Lofgren incumbent	71.3%	146,481
	Republican	Charel Winston	24.1%	49,399
	Libertarian	Steven Wells	4.6%	9,447
Total Votes				205,327

2006
On November 7, 2006, Zoe Lofgren won re-election to the United States House. She defeated Charel Winston (R) in the general election.

U.S. House, California District 16 General Election, 2006
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	Zoe Lofgren incumbent	72.7%	98,929
	Republican	Charel Winston	27.3%	37,130
Total Votes				136,059

2004
On November 2, 2004, Zoe Lofgren won re-election to the United States House. She defeated Douglas Adams McNea (R) and Markus Welch (L) in the general election.

U.S. House, California District 16 General Election, 2004
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	Zoe Lofgren incumbent	70.9%	129,222
	Republican	Douglas Adams McNea	26.3%	47,992
	Libertarian	Markus Welch	2.8%	5,067
Total Votes				182,281

2002
On November 5, 2002, Zoe Lofgren won re-election to the United States House. She defeated Douglas Adams McNea (R) and Dennis Michael Umphress (L) in the general election.

U.S. House, California District 16 General Election, 2002
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	Zoe Lofgren incumbent	67%	72,370
	Republican	Douglas Adams McNea	29.8%	32,182
	Libertarian	Dennis Michael Umphress	3.2%	3,434
Total Votes				107,986

2000
On November 7, 2000, Zoe Lofgren won re-election to the United States House. She defeated Horace Thayn (R), Dennis Michael Umphress (L) and Edward Klein (Natural Law) in the general election.

U.S. House, California District 16 General Election, 2000
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	Zoe Lofgren incumbent	72.1%	115,118
	Republican	Horace Thayn	23.3%	37,213
	Libertarian	Dennis Michael Umphress	3%	4,742
	Natural Law	Edward Klein	1.7%	2,673
Total Votes				159,746

1998
On November 3, 1998, Zoe Lofgren won re-election to the United States House. She defeated Horace Thayn (R) and John Black (Natural Law) in the general election.

U.S. House, California District 16 General Election, 1998
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	Zoe Lofgren incumbent	72.8%	85,503
	Republican	Horace Thayn	23.4%	27,494
	Natural Law	John Black	3.8%	4,417
Total Votes				117,414

1996
On November 5, 1996, Zoe Lofgren won re-election to the United States House. She defeated Chuck Wojslaw (R), David Bonino (L) and Abaan Abu-Shumays (Natural Law) in the general election.

U.S. House, California District 16 General Election, 1996
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	Zoe Lofgren incumbent	65.7%	94,020
	Republican	Chuck Wojslaw	30.2%	43,197
	Libertarian	David Bonino	2.9%	4,124
	Natural Law	Abaan Abu-Shumays	1.3%	1,866
Total Votes				143,207

1994
On November 8, 1994, Zoe Lofgren won election to the United States House. She defeated Lyle Smith (R) in the general election.

U.S. House, California District 16 General Election, 1994
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	Zoe Lofgren	65%	74,935
	Republican	Lyle Smith	35%	40,409
	N/A	Write-in	0%	8
Total Votes				115,352

1992
On November 3, 1992, Don Edwards won re-election to the United States House. He defeated Ted Bundesen (R) and Amani Kuumba (P&F) in the general election.

U.S. House, California District 16 General Election, 1992
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	Don Edwards incumbent	62%	96,661
	Republican	Ted Bundesen	32%	49,843
	Peace and Freedom	Amani Kuumba	6%	9,370
	N/A	Write-in	0%	9
Total Votes				155,883

1990
On November 6, 1990, Leon Panetta won re-election to the United States House. He defeated Jerry Reiss (R) and Brian Tucker (L) in the general election.

U.S. House, California District 16 General Election, 1990
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	Leon Panetta incumbent	74.2%	134,236
	Republican	Jerry Reiss	22%	39,885
	Libertarian	Brian Tucker	3.8%	6,881
Total Votes				181,002

Redistricting

2020-2021

See also: Redistricting in California after the 2020 census

The California Citizens Redistricting Commission voted 14-0 in favor of a new congressional district map on December 20, 2021, and delivered those maps to the secretary of state on December 27, 2021. California was apportioned 52 seats in the U.S. House of Representatives after the 2020 census, a net loss of one seat compared to apportionment after the 2010 census. This map took effect for California's 2022 congressional elections.

How does redistricting in California work? In California, a non-politician commission draws both congressional and state legislative district lines. Established in 2008 by ballot initiative, the commission comprises 14 members: five Democrats, five Republicans, and four belonging to neither party. A panel of state auditors selects the pool of nominees from which the commissioners are appointed. This pool comprises 20 Democrats, 20 Republicans, and 20 belonging to neither party. The majority and minority leaders of both chambers of the state legislature may each remove two members from each of the aforementioned groups. The first eight commission members are selected at random from the remaining nominees. These first eight comprise three Democrats, three Republicans, and two belonging to neither party. The first eight commissioners appoint the remaining six, which must include two Democrats, two Republicans, and two belonging to neither party.

Commissioners must meet the following requirements in order to serve:

1. Members must have voted in at least two of the last three statewide elections.
2. Members cannot have switched party affiliation for at least five years.
3. "Neither commissioners nor immediate family may have been, within 10 years of appointment, a candidate for federal or state office or member of a party central committee; an officer, employee, or paid consultant to a federal or state candidate or party; a registered lobbyist or paid legislative staff; or a donor of more than $2,000 to an elected candidate."
4. Members cannot be "staff, consultants or contractors for state or federal government" while serving as commissioners. The same prohibition applies to the family of commission members.

In order to approve a redistricting plan, nine of the commission's 14 members must vote for it. These nine must include three Democrats, three Republicans, and three belonging to neither party. Maps drawn by the commission may be overturned by public referendum. In the event that a map is overturned by the public, the California Supreme Court must appoint a group to draw a new map.

The California Constitution requires that districts be contiguous. Further, the state constitution mandates that "to the extent possible, [districts] must ... preserve the geographic integrity of cities, counties, neighborhoods and communities of interest." Districts must also "encourage compactness." State Senate and Assembly districts should be nested within each other where possible.

California District 16
until January 2, 2023

Click a district to compare boundaries.

California District 16
starting January 3, 2023

Click a district to compare boundaries.

2010-2011

This is the 16th Congressional District of California after the 2001 redistricting process.

See also: Redistricting in California after the 2010 census

In 2011, the California State Legislature re-drew the congressional districts based on updated population information from the 2010 census.

District analysis

See also: The Cook Political Report's Partisan Voter Index

See also: FiveThirtyEight's elasticity scores

2024

Heading into the 2024 elections, based on results from the 2020 and 2016 presidential elections, the Cook Partisan Voter Index for this district was D+26. This meant that in those two presidential elections, this district's results were 26 percentage points more Democratic than the national average. This made California's 16th the 34th most Democratic district nationally.

Daily Kos calculated what the results of the 2020 presidential election in this district would have been following redistricting. Joe Biden (D) would have defeated Donald Trump (R) 75.4%-22.4%.

2022

Heading into the 2022 elections, based on results from the 2020 and 2016 presidential elections, the Cook Partisan Voter Index for this district was D+26. This meant that in those two presidential elections, this district's results were 26 percentage points more Democratic than the national average. This made California's 16th the 35th most Democratic district nationally.

Daily Kos calculated what the results of the 2020 presidential election in this district would have been following redistricting. Joe Biden (D) would have received 75.4% of the vote in this district and Donald Trump (R) would have received 22.4%.

2018

Heading into the 2018 elections, based on results from the 2016 and 2012 presidential elections, the Cook Partisan Voter Index for this district was D+9. This meant that in those two presidential elections, this district's results were 9 percentage points more Democratic than the national average. This made California's 16th Congressional District the 124th most Democratic nationally.

FiveThirtyEight's September 2018 elasticity score for states and congressional districts measured "how sensitive it is to changes in the national political environment." This district's elasticity score was 1.00. This means that for every 1 point the national political mood moved toward a party, the district was expected to move 1.00 points toward that party.

See also

• Redistricting in California
• California's 16th Congressional District election, 2024
• California's 16th Congressional District election, 2022
• California's 16th Congressional District election, 2020
• California's 16th Congressional District election, 2018

External links

• GovTrack District 16

Footnotes

[show]

California's current delegation to the United States Congress

Senators

Alex Padilla (D)

Adam Schiff (D)

Representatives

District 1

Doug LaMalfa (R)

District 2

Jared Huffman (D)

District 3

Kevin Kiley (R)

District 4

Mike Thompson (D)

District 5

Tom McClintock (R)

District 6

Ami Bera (D)

District 7

Doris Matsui (D)

District 8

John Garamendi (D)

District 9

Josh Harder (D)

District 10

Mark DeSaulnier (D)

District 11

Nancy Pelosi (D)

District 12

Lateefah Simon (D)

District 13

Adam Gray (D)

District 14

Eric Swalwell (D)

District 15

Kevin Mullin (D)

District 16

Sam Liccardo (D)

District 17

Ro Khanna (D)

District 18

Zoe Lofgren (D)

District 19

Jimmy Panetta (D)

District 20

Vince Fong (R)

District 21

Jim Costa (D)

District 22

David Valadao (R)

District 23

Jay Obernolte (R)

District 24

Salud Carbajal (D)

District 25

Raul Ruiz (D)

District 26

Julia Brownley (D)

District 27

George Whitesides (D)

District 28

Judy Chu (D)

District 29

Luz Rivas (D)

District 30

Laura Friedman (D)

District 31

Gil Cisneros (D)

District 32

Brad Sherman (D)

District 33

Pete Aguilar (D)

District 34

Jimmy Gomez (D)

District 35

Norma Torres (D)

District 36

Ted Lieu (D)

District 37

Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D)

District 38

Linda Sánchez (D)

District 39

Mark Takano (D)

District 40

Young Kim (R)

District 41

Ken Calvert (R)

District 42

Robert Garcia (D)

District 43

Maxine Waters (D)

District 44

Nanette Barragán (D)

District 45

Derek Tran (D)

District 46

Lou Correa (D)

District 47

Dave Min (D)

District 48

Darrell Issa (R)

District 49

Mike Levin (D)

District 50

Scott Peters (D)

District 51

Sara Jacobs (D)

District 52

Juan Vargas (D)

Democratic Party (45)

Republican Party (9)