Melissa HurtadoIncumbent
Candidate for State Senate District 16
Melissa Hurtado is the Democratic incumbent for California State Senate District 16. That district covers parts of the Central Valley. It includes areas near Bakersfield, Fresno, and Hanford. She is the daughter of immigrant farmworker parents. She grew up in the Central Valley. She was the first in her family to attend college. She earned a degree in political science. That degree is from Sacramento State University. Before entering electoral politics, she worked as a community organizer. She served on the Sanger City Council starting in 2016. She was then elected in 2018 to State Senate District 14. She defeated incumbent Andy Vidak in that race. Per her own campaign materials, she became the youngest woman ever elected to the California State Senate. Districts were later redrawn. She was elected to the newly configured District 16 in 2022. She narrowly defeated Republican David Shepard, 68,460 votes to 68,438. In 2024 she ran in the primary for California's 22nd Congressional District. She did not advance to the general election. She finished with 14.0% of the vote. She previously chaired the Senate Agriculture Committee. She is running for re-election to her State Senate seat. The election is in November 2026. Home: Central Valley, California, in the Sanger and Kern County area, District 16. Occupation: California State Senator, and the incumbent. Prior office: She has been the incumbent since 2018. She held State Senate District 14 from 2018 to 2022. She has held District 16 since 2022. Before that, she was a Sanger City Council member, from 2016 to 2018.
On the issues
- Economy & Jobs
Supports cracking down on corporate price-fixing/algorithmic pricing and backs economic development projects that create jobs in the Central Valley.
Source → - Taxes & Cost of Living
Says she is fighting to lower gas and grocery prices and has opposed gas tax increases, while pursuing anti-price-gouging measures.
Source → - Housing & Homelessness
Campaign platform calls for building more affordable housing for working families in the Valley.
Source → - Public Safety & Policing
Supports fully funding local law enforcement and has authored bills to increase firefighter training and wildfire/emergency preparedness.
Source → - Health & Health Care
Has worked to expand Medi-Cal access and prioritizes combating addiction/overdoses and improving rural health care access in the Valley.
Source → - Education & Schools
Supports increased funding for public schools to support student success, and has authored legislation to protect students from extreme heat.
Source → - Family & Social Services
Has worked to secure funding for child protective services and to reduce child hunger in her district.
Source → - Environment, Energy & Climate
Supports energy affordability/security measures and wildfire prevention funding; has not taken a clearly stated position specifically on emissions/climate targets in available sources.
Source → - Water & Natural Resources
Has prioritized water infrastructure funding, groundwater management transparency, and keeping water in the Valley for farms and residents; chairs the Senate Agriculture Committee.
Source → - Government, Elections & Democracy
Supports strengthening financial disclosure requirements and banning conflicts of interest for state officials, and increasing oversight of water agencies.
Source →
Profiles are compiled from the candidate’s own statements and public records. We never tell you how to vote.