These are the closest legislative races in California. Two are in the Sacramento area

Nearly two weeks after Election Day, the next California Legislature is slowly taking shape, as the majority of incumbents handily won reelection but some new faces are set to be sworn in this December.

But while many of the races are all but decided, some remain too close to call. Two of the narrow races are in the Sacramento area, one is in the Central Valley and three are in Southern California.

Here’s a rundown of the closest legislative races in California:

Senate District 8

One of the most hotly contested Senate districts of the 2022 election cycle, SD-8, which includes Sacramento, is the site of an electoral battle between two Democrats — former California Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones and Sacramento City Councilwoman Angelique Ashby.

As of Saturday morning, Ashby has a 3,407-vote lead over Jones, or about 51.1% of the vote to Jones’ 48.9%.

Senate District 16

The race for SD-16 pits incumbent Sen. Melissa Hurtado, D-Sanger, against a Republican challenger, Central Valley farmer David Shepard.

As of Saturday morning, Shepard holds a 3,033-vote lead over Hurtado, or about 51.3% of the vote to Hurtado’s 48.7%.

A victory by Shepard would reduce the California Democratic Party’s supermajority control of the Legislature.

Assembly District 7

Easily the closest race in California, the duel for AD-7 pits incumbent Ken Cooley, D-Rancho Cordova, against Republican challenger Joshua Hoover, who previously served as Rocklin Republican Assemblyman Kevin Kiley’s chief of staff.

As of Saturday morning, the two are neck and neck, each with 50% of the vote. Hoover has just 16 votes more than Cooley.

This race marks another opportunity for the California Republican Party to chip away at the Democratic supermajority.

Assembly District 40

The race for AD-40 has Democratic challenger Pilar Schiavo trying to unseat incumbent Assemblywoman Suzette Valladares, R-Santa Clarita.

As of Saturday morning, Valladares leads by 797 votes, or with 50.3% of the total compared to Schiavo’s 49.7%.

Assembly District 47

Whichever way the race for AD-47 shakes out, a new face will be representing the Palm Springs-area district come December. Democrat Christy Holstege is in tight competition with Republican Greg Wallis.

As of Saturday morning, Holstege leads by 285 votes, or 50.1% of the total compared to Wallis’ 49.9%.

Assembly District 71

No matter who wins in AD-71, the Temecula-area district will have a Republican representative in the Assembly. Republican Matt Rahn is vying for the seat against Republican Kate Sanchez.

As of Saturday morning, Sanchez has a 3,541-vote lead over Rahn, or 51.3% of the total vote compared to Rahn’s 48.7%.