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Preliminary returns in the race for California’s Assembly District 30 show incumbent Democrat Dawn Addis and Republican Shannon Kessler headed to the November general election, with vote counts still incomplete. The early totals matter for the Central Coast: this contest will shape which priorities — from housing to public safety and education — get a stronger voice in Sacramento.
The Secretary of State’s initial tally, released late evening, lists Addis with a clear edge statewide in the district while Kessler holds the lead inside portions of San Luis Obispo County. Election officials emphasize these are partial results and the margin could change as more ballots are processed.
Where the results stand now
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As of 8:56 p.m., roughly half of ballots in the contest remained uncounted. The snapshot shows Addis in front overall but Kessler outperforming her within the county that makes up part of the district.
| Candidate | Votes (preliminary) | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Dawn Addis (D) | 33,224 | 54.0% |
| Shannon Kessler (R) | 23,130 | 37.6% |
| Susannah Brown | 4,300 | 8.3% |
In the parts of District 30 that fall inside San Luis Obispo County, local clerks report Kessler with 47.8% and Addis with 45.7% of the votes counted so far; Brown sits near 6.5% within the county. County and state tallies can diverge while mail ballots and provisional ballots are still being processed.
What’s at stake
The top two vote-getters will move to the Nov. 3 general election, where voters will choose who represents District 30 in the California Assembly for the 2027–28 legislative session. Control of this seat affects regional influence on issues such as coastal development, higher education funding and utility and grocery costs that residents frequently cite as pressing concerns.
The race also offers a snapshot of partisan dynamics on the Central Coast: an incumbent Democrat holding an early lead districtwide while a Republican posts stronger numbers locally, underscoring geographical and demographic splits within the district.
Campaign priorities — quick reference
- Dawn Addis — Emphasis on housing affordability, lowering costs for college students, environmental protections, student privacy and support for victims of sexual assault.
- Shannon Kessler — Focus on public safety, cost-of-living relief, expanding housing supply and advocacy for girls’ athletics; currently serves on the Arroyo Grande Parks and Recreation Commission.
- Susannah Brown — Running as a third option with smaller share of early votes; remains a minor factor in the top-two dynamic at present.
Both campaigns have outlined similar concerns about affordability, but they propose different approaches. Voters in the district will see those contrasts sharpen over the fall as candidates target undecided voters and mail ballot returns continue to be tallied.
Officials caution media and the public that these figures are preliminary. The outcome will not be final until outstanding ballots are counted and results are certified closer to the November election.
