Republican Tom McClintock wins reelection to California's 5th Congressional District

Daniel Hunt, The Sacramento Bee on Nov 5, 2026

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SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Rep. Tom McClintock won another term representing California’s 5th Congressional District despite a Democratic-backed redistricting effort that reshaped his sprawling Sierra Nevada and Central Valley seat, The Associated Press projected Thursday.

McClintock, R-Elk Grove, who has served in Congress since 2009, defeated Democratic challenger Michael Masuda, an engineer and former U.S. State Department employee making his first run for political office.

McClintock led Masuda 56% to 44% as of Thursday afternoon, according to unofficial results from the California Secretary of State’s Office. Ballots were still being counted.

In a statement posted on social media, McClintock thanked supporters for their confidence during what he called a “very difficult election cycle” and acknowledged Republican setbacks nationally.

“I want to begin by thanking the people of the Sierra Nevada and Central Valley for their support ... their continuing confidence is the greatest honor I could hope for, and I will do everything I can to be worthy of it,” McClintock said.

McClintock, a staunch conservative endorsed by President Donald Trump, also offered a pointed assessment of the election. He argued that Republicans needed to address voter frustration over the economy and the administration’s policies.

“In the meantime, the American people spoke loudly and clearly that they are hurting and angry about the economic impact of the war in Iran and the tariffs on their quality of life,” McClintock said. “This election is a strong wake-up call to us Republicans that we must return to our constitutional and free-market moorings.”

He expressed confidence that the Republican economic agenda would eventually produce results, comparing the current political climate to the 1982 midterm elections, when Republicans suffered losses during President Ronald Reagan’s first term.

He also called on Congress to reclaim authority over tariffs and declarations of war, powers he said lawmakers had surrendered to the executive branch.

“It is time for Republicans and Democrats alike to restore the constitutional balance,” he said.

McClintock’s victory came after California voters approved Proposition 50 in 2025, redrawing congressional boundaries in an effort to help Democrats capture more House seats.

Although the changes pushed the 5th District farther east along the Nevada border — adding portions of Alpine, Mono and Inyo counties — political experts widely expected to McClintock to remain in Washington as the district retained much of the Republican-leaning Gold Country territory McClintock has represented since 2009.

McClintock entered the general election as a strong favorite after receiving 61.3% of the vote in June’s primary, compared with 24.3% for Masuda.

Masuda, an Amador County resident, campaigned on protecting rural hospitals, reducing housing and healthcare costs, addressing wildfire risks and helping homeowners struggling with rising insurance costs.

McClintock, who previously served in the California Assembly and Senate, has long advocated lower taxes, fewer environmental regulations and greater local control over federally managed public lands.

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