General elections for 20 of 40 seats in the California State Senate will take place on November 8, 2022. State senatorial open primary elections were held on June 7, 2022. Democrats hold a 31-9 majority heading into the election.
This article details the five candidates who raised the most money and lost their primary election. The losing candidates are shown along with the percentage of the vote they received compared to the vote percentages for both advancing candidates.
Top fundraisers with unsuccessful primary campaigns this cycle
This information comes from candidate reports to the California Secretary of State covering the period of January 1, 2021, through June 7, 2022.
The candidates who raised the most money and lost their primary were:
- Jeff McKay (R) – $436,995 – District 4 (Lost primary 16% – 22%, 19%)
- Henry Bouchot (D) – $372,567 – District 30 (Lost primary 15% – 36%, 34%)
- George Radanovich (R) – $332,740 – District 4 (Lost primary 17% – 22%, 19%)
- Nicole Parra (D)- $223,236 – District 16 (Lost primary 13% – 30%, 44%)
- Joe Kerr (D) – $157,875 – District 38 (Lost primary 11% – 44%, 45%)
Top fundraisers with unsuccessful primary campaigns last cycle
This information comes from candidate reports to the California Secretary of State covering the period of January 1, 2019, through December 31, 2020.
The candidates who raised the most money and lost their primary in 2020 were:
- Mike Brownrigg (D) – $805,903 – District 13 (Lost primary 12% – 24%, 17%)
- Mani Grewal (D) – $644,695 – District 5 (Lost primary 19% – 35%, 24%)
- Katrina Foley (D) – $631,399 – District 37 (Lost primary 25% – 28%, 47%)
- Shelly Masur (D) – $561,767 – District 13 (Lost primary 16% – 24%, 17%)
- Annie Oliva (D) – $437,129 – District 13 (Lost primary 12% – 24%, 17%)
The data above are based on campaign finance reports that active California PACs submitted to the California Secretary of State. Federal PACs are not required to report to state agencies. Transparency USA publishes campaign finance data following major reporting deadlines. State or federal law may require filers to submit additional reports.
| Report Name | Due Date |
| Semiannual | 1/31/2022 |
| 1st Pre-Election – Primary | 4/28/2022 |
| 2nd Pre-Election – Primary | 5/26/2022 |
| Semiannual | 8/1/2022 |
| 1st Pre-Election – General | 9/29/2022 |
| 2nd Pre- Election – General | 10/27/2022 |
| Semiannual | 1/31/2023 |
This article is a joint publication from Ballotpedia and Transparency USA, who are working together to provide campaign finance information for state-level elections. Learn more about our work here.