Biography
Mara Elliott is the Democratic candidate for California State Senate District 40 in the November 3, 2026 general election, facing Republican Kristie Bruce-Lane in a race with no incumbent.[1][3] She was the elected San Diego City Attorney from 2016 to 2024.[1][2]
Mara Elliott said in a 2026 Ballotpedia survey that she is the daughter of a longshoreman and a secretary and the first in her family to graduate from college.[2] She earned her undergraduate degree from the University of California, Santa Barbara, and her law degree from McGeorge School of Law.[2]
Elliott assumed office as San Diego City Attorney in 2016, won re-election in 2020, and left office on December 10, 2024, without seeking re-election.[1] In the survey, she cited her work on gun violence restraining orders, the Your Safe Place domestic violence resource center, a conservatorship unit and a lawsuit against the opioid industry.[2] She said her campaign priorities include lowering costs, public safety and making government work smarter.[2]
- 1.Mara Elliott - Ballotpedia · Ballotpedia Reference
- 2.Mara Elliott - Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey · Ballotpedia Candidate's own words
- 3.California State Senate elections, 2026 - Ballotpedia · Ballotpedia Reference
Researched from the cited sources on 2026-10-21. Not yet independently fact-checked.
California Senate District 40
Mara Elliott is on the Nov 3, 2026 ballot for California Senate District 40 as D. Not researched in depth — candidate list only.