California'S 65th State Assembly District

California's 65th State Assembly District

The California's 65th State Assembly district is a distinct American legislative district, one of the 80 such divisions forming the California State Assembly. It represents a specific segment of the state's population and is subject to the periodic re-evaluation and redrawing of boundaries that are characteristic of electoral systems.

Currently, this district is under the representation of Mike Gipson, a Democrat hailing from Carson. He holds the position as one of the Current assemblymembers within the California State Legislature.

Population and Demographics

According to the 2010 census data, which serves as a foundational benchmark for redistricting and demographic analysis, the 65th State Assembly district encompassed a substantial population:

Total Population: A considerable 461,510 individuals resided within its boundaries. One can only imagine the sheer administrative effort required to represent such a diverse and expansive populace.
Voting Age Population: Of this total, 345,653 residents were of voting age, meaning they met the minimum age requirement to cast a ballot in elections. This figure suggests a significant pool of potential voters, even if not all are registered or actively participate.
Citizen Voting Age Population: A more refined metric, the citizen voting age population, stood at 254,368. This number specifically accounts for those who are both of legal voting age and are citizens, thus eligible to register and vote. This subset is often the most critical for electoral strategists, representing the actual political landscape.

The demographic composition of the district, as recorded in the 2010 data, paints a picture of its diverse human tapestry:

White Americans: Comprising 31.01% of the population, this group forms a notable segment within the district.
Black: Representing 3.06%, the African American community contributes to the district's cultural and social fabric.
Latino: As the largest single ethnic group, Latino residents made up 38.85% of the population, a demographic reality with significant implications for political representation and community focus.
Asian: With 25.27% of the population, the Asian American community is a substantial and influential presence.
Native American: A smaller, but historically significant, proportion of 0.47% identified as Native American.
Hawaiian/Pacific Islander: This group constituted 0.54% of the district's residents.
Other: A small fraction, 0.24%, identified as belonging to other racial or ethnic categories.
Multiracial (remainder): Finally, 0.57% of the population identified as multiracial, further underscoring the complex and interwoven nature of the district's demographics.

Registered Voters and Political Registration

As of the July 3, 2020 report, the district recorded 224,960 registered voters. This number, while substantial, is naturally lower than the total citizen voting age population, reflecting various factors such as voter apathy, eligibility issues, or simply a lack of motivation.

The party registration breakdown provides a snapshot of the district's political leanings:

Democratic: A plurality of voters, 42.57%, were registered with the Democratic Party, indicating a generally left-leaning inclination within the electorate.
Republican: The Republican Party held 28.76% of the registration, positioning it as a significant, though minority, political force.
No party preference: A considerable 24.25% of registered voters chose "No party preference," often referred to as independents. This segment represents a volatile and often decisive bloc that can swing elections based on candidate appeal, specific issues, or broader political currents. The remaining percentage would be distributed among minor parties.

District Profile

The nature of the 65th State Assembly district has undergone a notable transformation due to the decennial redistricting process.

Prior to the 2022 Election Cycle: Before the electoral maps were redrawn for the 2022 election, the 65th district was primarily situated within the northern reaches of Orange County, California. Its geographical heart was the city of Fullerton, California, a community known for its blend of residential areas, educational institutions, and commercial activity. The district was characterized as primarily suburban, reflecting the sprawling development patterns common in Southern California. It was also notable for its significant ethnic and socioeconomic diversity, a common trait in many of California's more densely populated areas. This diversity often leads to a complex array of local concerns and political priorities.

The district, in its pre-2022 configuration, included portions of several key Orange County cities:

Orange County – The district encompassed approximately 15.3% of the county's total area or population, depending on the specific metric used for calculation.
Anaheim, California – A significant portion, 38.9%, of Anaheim fell within the district's boundaries. Anaheim is a major urban center, home to diverse communities and economic engines.
Buena Park, California – The entirety, or a substantial part, of Buena Park was included.
Cypress, California – Similarly, Cypress was fully or largely contained within the district.
Fullerton, California – As the anchor city, Fullerton was a central component of the district.
Garden Grove, California – A smaller fraction, 0.4%, of Garden Grove was also part of the district.
La Palma, California – This city was also fully or largely encompassed.
Stanton, California – And finally, Stanton completed the list of included municipalities.

Post-2022 Election Cycle: With the 2021 redistricting efforts by the California Citizens Redistricting Commission, the 65th district underwent a significant geographical shift. It moved away from its Orange County base. The current iteration, effective from the 2022 election, now primarily encompasses areas within Los Angeles County, California, with its anchor city being Carson, California. This change reflects the dynamic nature of legislative boundaries, which are periodically adjusted to account for population shifts and ensure equitable representation.

Election Results from Statewide Races

Examining the results of statewide elections within the 65th State Assembly district offers insight into its broader political leanings, often serving as a barometer for how its constituents might vote in local or assembly races. The district has consistently demonstrated a preference for Democratic Party candidates in recent statewide contests, reflecting the overall trend in California.

2021 Recall Election: The district voted "No" on the gubernatorial recall, with 56.6% opposing the recall attempt against Governor Gavin Newsom versus 43.4% in favor. This result aligns with the statewide outcome, indicating a preference for maintaining the status quo.
2020 Presidential Election: In the race for the presidency, Joe Biden secured a comfortable victory within the district, garnering 57.0% of the vote compared to 40.9% for his opponent. This margin underscores the district's strong leaning towards the Democratic Party at the federal level.
2018 Gubernatorial Election: Gavin Newsom won the district with 54.5% of the vote, while his opponent received 45.5%. This victory further solidified the Democratic Party's dominance in statewide executive races within the district.
2018 U.S. Senate Election: Senator Dianne Feinstein, a long-serving Democrat, secured 55.4% of the vote, outperforming her challenger who received 44.6%. Her consistent performance in this district reflects the enduring support for established Democratic figures.
2016 Presidential Election: Hillary Clinton achieved a significant victory, capturing 56.7% of the vote against 37.3% for her opponent. This result demonstrates the district's clear preference for the Democratic presidential candidate.
2016 U.S. Senate Election: Loretta Sanchez, a Democrat, narrowly won the district with 50.6% of the vote, against her fellow Democratic challenger who received 49.4%. This intra-party contest showed a slightly less decisive outcome, but still favored a Democratic candidate.
2014 Gubernatorial Election: In a somewhat surprising outcome, Neel Kashkari, the Republican candidate, managed to secure a slim victory in the district with 50.7% of the vote against the incumbent Democratic Governor, who received 49.3%. This result stands out as an anomaly in the district's otherwise consistent Democratic trend for statewide offices.
2012 Presidential Election: Barack Obama won the district with 51.9% of the vote, demonstrating his continued popularity and the district's alignment with the national Democratic platform.
2012 U.S. Senate Election: Senator Dianne Feinstein once again secured the district, winning 54.2% of the vote. This further illustrates the consistent support for prominent Democratic figures in statewide races.

List of Assembly Members Representing the District

The 65th district, like many legislative districts in California, has a history marked by frequent adjustments to its geographical boundaries due to periodic redistricting. These changes, often driven by population shifts recorded in the decennial census, mean that the district has "moved around different parts of the state" over time, representing vastly different communities and demographics throughout its existence. The most recent iteration of this district resulted from the comprehensive 2021 redistricting process, undertaken by the independent California Citizens Redistricting Commission, an entity designed to remove political gerrymandering from the process.

Below is a chronological list of individuals who have had the distinct privilege – or burden, depending on your perspective – of representing the 65th Assembly District: