
Sara Hernandez
Democratic candidate for State Senate in California
California State Senate District 26 election winner
General Election
Voters choose the office holder.
Live Odds — California State Senate District 26 election winner
Current prediction-market probability for the candidate, updated as market prices change.
81%chance to win
Candidate Overview
Key details about the candidate’s background, party, office sought and current campaign.
Current roleAttorney (housing, land use, environmental)
PartyDemocratic
Political ideologyProgressive Democrat
GenderFemale
LocationCalifornia
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BackgroundAttorney (housing, land use, environmental)
EducationDuke University — B.A., Public Policy
Notable personal detailsSara Hernandez is a Los Angeles Community College District trustee, elected in 2022, and a candidate for California State Senate District 26 in 2026. She has worked as an LAUSD middle school teacher and later as a housing, land use, and environmental attorney, and has taught constitutional law at Los Angeles Valley College. She founded the nonprofit Helping Young People Excel (HYPE) and has served in local government roles in Los Angeles City Hall.
SourcesShowHide
Political Positions
Economy & Taxes
Supports targeted public investments and tax policy to keep jobs and industry in California, including expanding and protecting film and TV tax credits, creating new refundable credits for commercial/creator productions, requiring large streaming platforms to reinvest revenues in California productions (or pay an equivalent), and advancing universal childcare and worker-centered economic measures.
Healthcare
Supports expanding access to reproductive and gender-affirming care, increasing funding for reproductive health providers, expanding access to mental health and addiction treatment, and ensuring health services are available across the district. Emphasizes strengthening care systems and funding community-based providers rather than advocating for single-payer.
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Immigration & Border
Supports expanded protections for immigrants including a pathway to citizenship, protections for students and families from immigration enforcement, limits on abusive detention practices, and requirements that ICE officers clearly identify themselves during enforcement actions.
Abortion & Reproductive Rights
Supports expanding access to abortion care and birth control across California and protecting patients and providers from out-of-state restrictions and attacks. Advocates funding reproductive health providers and ensuring services are available in every ZIP code.
Climate & Energy
Supports climate justice and local sustainability measures, emphasizing electrification and zero-net-energy buildings and policies that expand clean energy and environmental stewardship while advancing housing and transit goals. Positions reflect moderate-to-strong support for state climate goals and clean-energy investments rather than opposition to transitional fossil-fuel use.
Public Safety & Guns
Supports stronger gun safety laws, increased enforcement, and focused violence-prevention investments; emphasizes removing untraceable "ghost guns" from streets. Prioritizes protections for children and neighborhoods while pursuing enforcement and prevention strategies.
Latest News
Sara Hernandez is in the news because California election coverage is still focused on the state’s June primary results, with several races still being counted and final outcomes not yet settled. The summaries provided do not include a direct update on her own race or any specific action by her, so her current status is unclear from this reporting. Most of the recent coverage is broader election analysis rather than a confirmed development involving Hernandez herself.
New updates coming soon
We're monitoring and will update when new data impacts the race.
- Polls
- Endorsements
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