Located squarely in California’s Central Valley, the 5th Senate District takes in the suburban southeast portion of Sacramento County and the majority of San Joaquin County.

The city of Stockton provides the largest population base for this district which also encompasses Lodi, Manteca, Elk Grove, Rancho Cordova, and portions of Sacramento and Tracy.

Although it was once considered safe Democratic territory, changes in voter registration continue to favor Republicans, who now comprise 42% of the registered voters to the Democrats’ 44.8%.  If the current trend continues, Republicans may achieve a plurality by November 2000.

As a result, Republicans are gaining more dominance in the 5th Senate District.  Republican Congressman Richard Pombo, whose district overlaps most of the 5th SD, is consistently re-elected with a 25+ point margin, and Assembly Republicans currently hold the 10th Assembly District, which comprises the northern half of the Senate seat.

Republicans also enjoy a solid majority on the San Joaquin County Board of Supervisors and in 1996 Republicans won the Stockton Mayor’s seat for the first time in decades.

Moreover, early polling for the 2000 election indicates the Republican trend in the 5th District will continue, showing presidential candidate George W. Bush with a commanding, double-digit lead over Al Gore.

These demographic and political changes provide tough challenges for Democrat candidates and have led many insiders to believe retiring state Senator Pat Johnston may well be the last Democrat to represent the 5th Senate District.