California's 38th State Assembly district

California's 38th State Assembly district is a legislative district in the California State Assembly encompassing coastal communities in Orange County. The district, currently represented by Republican Diane Dixon, includes the cities of Newport Beach, Costa Mesa, Huntington Beach, and Laguna Beach. It is considered a politically competitive district, often featuring close contests between Democratic and Republican candidates in statewide elections.

History

The district was established in the 1885 reapportionment following the adoption of the California Constitution of 1879. For much of its early history, it was anchored in the San Fernando Valley region of Los Angeles County, represented by figures like John L. E. Pell. Following the 1990 Census and subsequent redistricting, the district's boundaries shifted dramatically to Orange County. This move reflected the county's significant population growth and increasing political importance. The district has since been a key battleground in the struggle for control of the California State Legislature, with its partisan balance shifting over the decades.

Election results

Recent elections have been highly competitive. In the 2022 election, Republican Diane Dixon narrowly defeated Democrat Matt Corridoni to succeed termed-out Republican Steven Choi. The race was one of the most expensive Assembly contests in the state, with significant spending from the California Democratic Party and the California Republican Party. In the prior 2020 election, Steven Choi won re-election against Democrat Scott Rhinehart. The district's results are often seen as a bellwether for suburban political trends in Southern California, with its vote margins closely mirroring statewide contests for offices like Governor and United States Senate.

List of assembly members

Notable assembly members from the district's history include early 20th-century legislator John L. E. Pell. Following the move to Orange County, prominent representatives have included Republican Marilyn C. Brewer, who served from 1995 to 2000. She was succeeded by Republican John Campbell, who later served in the United States House of Representatives. Democrat Tom Umberg represented the district from 2004 to 2006. More recently, Republicans Steven Choi and Diane Dixon have held the seat. The roster of members reflects the district's evolving political geography and partisan composition over more than a century.

Demographics

According to data from the 2020 United States Census, the district has a population of approximately 494,188 residents. The ethnic composition is predominantly non-Hispanic white, with significant Asian American and Hispanic communities, particularly in cities like Costa Mesa. The district is among the wealthiest in the state, with a high median household income driven by affluent coastal cities such as Newport Beach and Laguna Beach. Educational attainment is well above the state average, with a large percentage of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher. These socioeconomic factors significantly influence the district's policy priorities and electoral dynamics.

Communities represented

The district encompasses several coastal cities in northwestern Orange County. The largest city is Huntington Beach, known for its expansive beaches and the Huntington Beach Pier. The district includes the upscale communities of Newport Beach, home to Fashion Island and the Newport Beach International Film Festival, and Laguna Beach, a noted arts colony and site of the Pageant of the Masters. It also contains most of Costa Mesa, which hosts the Segerstrom Center for the Arts and South Coast Plaza. Smaller portions of Irvine and unincorporated areas like Emerald Bay are also within the district boundaries.

Category:California State Assembly districts