Candidates for California State Senate — District 32
2026 Primary Election — June 2, 2026
Kelly Seyarto Rep Age ~62 Incumbent
Incumbent State Senator since 2022. Previously served in the State Assembly (2020-2022) and as Mayor of Murrieta. Retired firefighter and battalion chief with 35 years of service. Holds an Associate's in Fire Science (Mt. SAC), BS in Fire Administration (CSULA), and MPA (CSU Long Beach). Has 6 bills signed into law in 2025, serves on 8 committees (5 as Vice-Chair). Born in La Puente, raised in the district. Won the open seat in 2022 with 62% of the vote.[1]
Top Issues / Platform
- Public safety & wildfire: Overturn policies that restrict law enforcement; fully fund fire prevention and vegetation management as the only candidate with fire service experience
- Cost of living: Cut gas taxes, oppose new taxes/fees; roll back mandates driving up costs (PAGA, minimum wage hikes, energy regulations)
- Government accountability: End budget gimmicks like deferring Prop 98 payments and moving state payroll across fiscal years to create the illusion of a balanced budget
- Housing & infrastructure: Prioritize roads and water storage over high-speed rail; streamline housing planning coordination between state and local government
- Homelessness: Reject one-size-fits-all approaches; target different causes of homelessness with pragmatic solutions
Key Endorsements
- California Professional Firefighters (Sway voting group)
- Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association (consistent high score)
- California Chamber of Commerce
- April's Common Sense Cali Voters
Strengths ▲
- Incumbent with proven electoral track record — won by 24 points in 2022
- 35-year fire service career provides authentic public safety credentials in a district vulnerable to wildfires
- Legislative productivity: 6 bills signed into law in 2025, multiple leadership roles
- Strong anti-tax, pro-business message resonates in suburban/exurban parts of the district
- Outraised Tate by a wide margin — significant financial advantage
Weaknesses ▼
- District registration has shifted D+3.6 since his 2022 win — demographics are changing
- Presidential midterm (2026) could drive higher Democratic turnout
- Incumbency in a purple district means national issues (Trump, abortion) could define the race beyond local control
- Low name ID outside Murrieta/Temecula area in a district spanning 5 counties
Tiffanie Tate Dem Age ~52 Challenger
Board-certified obstetrician-gynecologist with decades of clinical practice. Served as an officer in the U.S. Navy from 1997-2004. Holds a BA from UC Santa Barbara (1996) and an MD from Meharry Medical College (2000). Author, ordained minister, podcaster, and single mother. Originally ran for US House in CA-40 but switched to this State Senate race to avoid a divisive multi-candidate primary. Raised by a single aunt in Lynwood after her biological parents struggled with addiction — her life story is built around resilience and service. Endorsed by IBEW Local 440, California Young Democrats, Run Sister Run PAC, and The Politicians Creed.[7]
Top Issues / Platform
- Healthcare access: Expand reproductive care, protect abortion access, lower prescription drug prices, expand Medicare/Medicaid eligibility
- Cost of living: Stabilize prices; close tax loopholes for corporations; support affordable housing development
- Public education: Fully fund K-12 and community colleges; raise teacher wages; invest in student mental health and job training
- Immigrant protections: Stop ICE from removing community members who contribute to society
- Workers' rights: Protect unions and worker protections; support fair wages and small business growth
Key Endorsements
- IBEW Local 440
- California Young Democrats
- Run Sister Run PAC
- The Politicians Creed
- EMPOWER CA NOW PAC
- San Bernardino Young Democrats
- Dr. Cornelia Graves, FACOG
- Michael D. Moore, Retired Riverside City Fire Chief
Strengths ▲
- Physician background gives unique credibility on healthcare — the #1 issue for Democratic voters
- US Navy veteran adds a powerful cross-over credibility in a district with significant military/veteran population
- Inspiring personal story (raised by single aunt, overcame family addiction, became a doctor) resonates with working-class voters
- Democratic registration edge (D+3.6) + Trump midterm turnout could make this race very close
Weaknesses ▼
- First-time legislative candidate with no elected experience — Seyarto will paint her as inexperienced
- Switched races from US House to State Senate, which may suggest her candidacy is opportunistic
- Significant fundraising deficit vs. the incumbent
- District is geographically large spanning 5 counties with very different communities — hard to run a unified campaign
- Needs to turn out Democrats in a midterm where top-of-ticket races may not drive downballot interest
Race Summary & Outlook
A competitive head-to-head matchup in California's most notable purple Senate district. Key dynamics:
- Kelly Seyarto (R) has the advantages of incumbency, a strong 2022 win (62%), legislative productivity, and a professional firefighting background that gives him authentic public safety credentials. His campaign focuses on the cost of living, anti-tax messaging, and public safety — the classic Republican playbook that worked in 2022.
- Tiffanie Tate (D) has a compelling story and unique qualifications as a physician and Navy veteran. Her healthcare expertise could be a decisive advantage in a race where medical costs are a top concern. She needs strong Democratic turnout driven by the top of the ticket.
- Wild card: Presidential midterm turnout. If Democrats turn out heavily, the D+3.6 registration edge could carry Tate. If the race stays local, Seyarto's incumbency and name ID are formidable.
- The primary is essentially the general — only two candidates filed, so both advance to November regardless of the June 2 result.
Likely lean: Seyarto starts as the favorite with incumbency and financial advantages, but this is a genuine battleground. The conventional rating would be Lean Republican, with the potential to shift to Toss-up if Democratic turnout surges.
Primary: June 2, 2026 — General: November 3, 2026