Who's In the Race

Rep. Mark Takano (D-CA) faces Republican Steve Manos in the Nov. 3 general election in California's 39th District. California's top-two primary sends the two highest vote-getters to the general election, regardless of party. ​

Takano has represented the district since 2013 and is a former high-school teacher who was born in Riverside and earned a degree in government from Harvard. He took about 61 percent of the top-two primary vote over Manos. Manos, a business owner, has been raised in the Inland Empire since 1987, and his campaign says he served as mayor in 2015, 2019, 2024 and 2026. He took about 39 percent in the same primary.

What They Stand For

Takano has proposed lowering healthcare costs and improving access for low-income families, according to his official House website. He's also supported lowering costs and standing up for working families; working on education and labor, energy and the environment, and housing; advancing LGBTQ+ issues and immigration policy; and increasing transparency in healthcare pricing and billing.

Manos has proposed ending tariffs and foreign "forever wars" to bring down the cost of living, according to his Riverside County candidate statement. He's also supported centering his campaign on "Faith, Family and Affordability," per his campaign website, and has been a business owner since 1996; his campaign says he served as mayor in 2015, 2019, 2024 and 2026.

The Money Behind the Race

Takano raised about $894,000 through June 30 and had about $186,000 in cash on hand, according to Federal Election Commission (FEC) filings. FEC filings show no fundraising figures for Manos through the same period.

Outside spending in the race totaled just $18, all of it supporting Takano, as of Oct. 13. The two spenders were Sierra Club Independent Action, which put in $10, and Planned Parenthood Action Fund of the Pacific Southwest PAC, which put in $8.

Race Outlook: Ratings and Betting Markets

Major handicappers rate this contest safely in Takano's column. The Cook Political Report rated the race "Solid Democratic" as of Oct. 9; Sabato's Crystal Ball matched that rating as of Oct. 11; and Inside Elections also called it "Solid Democratic" as of Oct. 2. On Kalshi, traders gave Democrats a 97.23 percent chance of winning as of Oct. 13.

Takano won California's 39th District with about 58 percent in 2022 and about 57 percent in 2024. Statewide, Democrats held 40 of California's 52 U.S. House seats after 2022 and 43 after 2024. Kamala Harris carried California in the 2024 presidential race with about 58 percent of the vote.

Voters in the district can register to vote or update their registration online through Monday, Oct. 19; mail applications must be postmarked by that date, and conditional same-day registration is available from Tuesday, Oct. 20 through Election Day. Riverside County vote centers open Saturday, Oct. 24, and four-day centers also open Saturday, Oct. 31; both run through Tuesday, Nov. 3. Polls are open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 3, according to the California Secretary of State.

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