Everything you need to know about who wants to represent you in the state Senate

This election season, three seats in the California state Senate, representing residents of Fresno and/or Madera counties, are up for grabs.

What does a California state Senator do?

A state senator is one of 40 people elected by the community to serve in the “upper house” of the legislature – meaning, they have more power.

Being a state senator is a full-time job. Legislators are paid $114,877 per year as a base salary. They serve four-year terms, and can be re-elected up to three times.

State senators write new laws, oversee and approve state budgets, and help residents in their districts (also known as constituents) access state resources or navigate state bureaucracy and red tape. They also confirm the governor’s appointments to state agencies and commissions.

In the Fresno and Madera area, state senators play an important role in getting state money for important local projects – like fixing the Friant-Kern Canal or keeping the Madera Community Hospital doors open – or helping get more state attention on an issue of local importance, like broadband access in rural communities.

Because California’s legislature is run by the Democrats, Democratic senators typically have an easier time securing state money for local projects than their Republican counterparts.

Who is running for state Senate to represent Fresno and/o Madera counties?

There are three state senate districts that include parts of Fresno and Madera counties. Each district includes around 1 million people.

Think you know who your state senate representative is? Thanks to redistricting, you might want to check again, as the boundaries changed pretty dramatically.