Scott H. Peters

In the 2024 House race for CA-50, Scott Peters (D) defeated Peter J. Bono (R) 64.3% to 35.7%. Scott Peters received 231,836 votes compared to 128,859 for Peter J. Bono, a dominant 28.5-point margin reflecting a safely partisan district.

As the incumbent, Scott Peters 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-50, Scott Peters (D) defeated Corey Gustafson (R) 62.8% to 37.2%. Scott Peters received 168,816 votes compared to 99,819 for Corey Gustafson, a dominant 25.7-point margin reflecting a safely partisan district.

This race flipped the seat from Republican to Democrat. Darrell E. Issa (R) held the seat previously but either retired or lost in a primary. Party flips at the seat level are relatively rare and often signal shifting district dynamics. As a Democrat, Scott Peters won despite the historical midterm penalty against the president's party (Democrat Biden was in office). The wide margin suggests this district is firmly in the Democrat column for the foreseeable future.

In the 2018 House race for CA-52, Scott Peters (D) defeated Omar Qudrat (R) 63.9% to 36.1%. Scott Peters received 377,984 votes compared to 214,030 for Omar Qudrat, a dominant 27.7-point margin reflecting a safely partisan district.

As the incumbent, Scott Peters benefited from name recognition, established constituent services, and the roughly 2-3 point advantage that sitting members typically enjoy. As a Democrat, Scott Peters 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-52, Scott H. Peters (D) defeated Denise Gitsham (R) 56.5% to 43.5%. Scott H. Peters received 181,253 votes compared to 139,403 for Denise Gitsham, a comfortable 13.1-point margin indicating a moderately safe district.

As the incumbent, Scott H. Peters benefited from name recognition, established constituent services, and the roughly 2-3 point advantage that sitting members typically enjoy. The 2016 presidential election drove higher voter turnout, which can help or hurt down-ballot candidates depending on the top of the ticket.

In the 2014 House race for CA-52, Scott H. Peters (D) defeated Carl Demaio (R) 51.6% to 48.4%. Scott H. Peters received 98,826 votes compared to 92,746 for Carl Demaio, a narrow 3.2-point margin that would have flipped with a small shift in turnout or persuasion.

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

In the 2012 House race for CA-52, Scott Peters (D) defeated Brian P. Bilbray (R) 51.2% to 48.8%. Scott Peters received 151,451 votes compared to 144,459 for Brian P. Bilbray, a narrow 2.4-point margin that would have flipped with a small shift in turnout or persuasion.

This was an open-seat race. Open seats typically attract stronger candidates and heavier spending from both parties. The 2012 presidential election drove higher voter turnout, which can help or hurt down-ballot candidates depending on the top of the ticket.