J. Luis Correa

In the 2024 House race for CA-46, Lou Correa (D) defeated David Pan (R) 63.4% to 36.6%. Lou Correa received 134,013 votes compared to 77,279 for David Pan, a dominant 26.9-point margin reflecting a safely partisan district.

As the incumbent, Lou Correa benefited from name recognition, established constituent services, and the roughly 2-3 point advantage that sitting members typically enjoy. The 2024 presidential election drove higher voter turnout, which can help or hurt down-ballot candidates depending on the top of the ticket. The wide margin suggests this district is firmly in the Democrat column for the foreseeable future.

In the 2022 House race for CA-46, Lou Correa (D) defeated Christopher J. Gonzales (R) 61.8% to 38.2%. Lou Correa received 78,041 votes compared to 48,257 for Christopher J. Gonzales, a dominant 23.6-point margin reflecting a safely partisan district.

As the incumbent, Lou Correa benefited from name recognition, established constituent services, and the roughly 2-3 point advantage that sitting members typically enjoy. As a Democrat, Lou Correa won despite the historical midterm penalty against the president's party (Democrat Biden was in office).

In the 2020 House race for CA-46, Lou Correa (D) defeated James S. Waters (R) 68.8% to 31.3%. Lou Correa received 157,803 votes compared to 71,716 for James S. Waters, a dominant 37.5-point margin reflecting a safely partisan district.

As the incumbent, Lou Correa benefited from name recognition, established constituent services, and the roughly 2-3 point advantage that sitting members typically enjoy. The 2020 presidential election drove higher voter turnout, which can help or hurt down-ballot candidates depending on the top of the ticket. The wide margin suggests this district is firmly in the Democrat column for the foreseeable future.

In the 2018 House race for CA-46, Lou Correa (D) defeated Russell Rene Lambert (R) 69.2% to 30.9%. Lou Correa received 204,556 votes compared to 91,276 for Russell Rene Lambert, a dominant 38.3-point margin reflecting a safely partisan district.

As the incumbent, Lou Correa benefited from name recognition, established constituent services, and the roughly 2-3 point advantage that sitting members typically enjoy. As a Democrat, Lou Correa benefited from the historical midterm penalty against the president's party — with a Republican in the White House, the opposition typically gains seats.

In the 2016 House race for CA-46, Lou Correa (D) defeated Bao Nguyen (D) 70.0% to 30.0%. Lou Correa received 115,248 votes compared to 49,345 for Bao Nguyen, a dominant 40.0-point margin reflecting a safely partisan district.

This was an open-seat race with no incumbent running — Loretta Sanchez (D) previously held the seat. Open seats typically attract stronger candidates and heavier spending from both parties. The 2016 presidential election drove higher voter turnout, which can help or hurt down-ballot candidates depending on the top of the ticket.