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5 Key Reasons Why Mario Paz’s 2024 California State Senate Bid Failed To Break The Democratic Supermajority

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The political landscape of California's 33rd Senate District remains firmly in Democratic control, a fact solidified by the outcome of the November 5, 2024, General Election. As of late December 2025, the final results confirm that Republican candidate Mario Paz was unable to unseat the incumbent, State Senator Lena Gonzalez, despite running a campaign focused on pressing issues like the escalating cost of living, rampant homelessness, and the need for fiscal accountability in Sacramento. His bid was a significant effort to challenge the Democratic supermajority, a central theme of his campaign, but the deeply-rooted political demographics of the district proved too formidable a hurdle to overcome.

Mario Paz’s candidacy generated substantial interest among conservative voters and small business owners who felt unrepresented by the current legislative body, positioning himself as a pragmatic, business-minded alternative to career politicians. His campaign specifically targeted the frustrations of residents in key areas of the district, including Long Beach, Lakewood, and parts of Southeast Los Angeles, who are grappling with the state's housing crisis and public safety concerns. This deep dive explores the core of Paz’s platform, his background, and the definitive reasons why his challenge ultimately fell short in one of California’s most reliably blue districts.

The Political Profile of Mario Paz: A Snapshot of the 2024 Senate Race

Mario Paz entered the race for the California State Senate, District 33, as a Republican challenger, bringing a professional background distinct from many of his political contemporaries. His campaign messaging consistently emphasized a focus on common-sense economic policies and a reduction in what he termed "over-regulation" from the state capital. This profile provides a snapshot of the candidate who sought to represent the diverse communities of the 33rd Senatorial District.

  • Candidate Name: Mario Paz
  • Political Party: Republican Party
  • Election Sought: California State Senate, District 33 (SD 33)
  • Election Year: 2024 General Election (November 5, 2024)
  • Incumbent Opponent: Lena A. Gonzalez (Democrat)
  • Professional Background: Small Business Owner and Accountant
  • Key Campaign Theme: Breaking the Democratic Supermajority in the California Legislature
  • Primary Residence/Focus: Long Beach, Los Angeles County
  • Campaign Stance: Advocated for more business-friendly policies and fiscal responsibility in Sacramento.

Paz’s professional experience as an accountant was a cornerstone of his campaign, which he used to argue for a more financially disciplined approach to state governance. He repeatedly stressed the need for "business people in Sacramento," suggesting that his fiscal expertise would better serve the constituents of the 33rd District than the policies enacted by the current Democratic leadership.

The Conservative Platform: Paz's Stance on California's Most Pressing Issues

Mario Paz’s campaign was built on a conservative platform that directly addressed the most urgent quality-of-life and economic concerns facing California residents. His policy proposals were designed to offer a stark contrast to the progressive policies of the Democratic supermajority, providing voters with a clear alternative on issues ranging from housing to public safety.

1. Cost of Living and Economic Reform

A central tenet of Paz’s campaign was combating the high cost of living, a major pain point for families and businesses across the district. He argued that excessive state taxes and regulations were driving up prices and forcing residents to leave California. His proposed solutions included:

  • Tax Reduction: Advocating for lower taxes on small businesses and families to stimulate economic growth.
  • Regulatory Relief: Calling for a review and rollback of state regulations deemed burdensome to small business owners and the housing construction sector.
  • Fiscal Accountability: Emphasizing his background as an accountant to promise better oversight of state spending and budget management.

2. Homelessness and Public Safety

The crisis of homelessness was another major focus, with Paz criticizing the current approach as ineffective and costly. He proposed policies that would shift the focus from perpetual spending to more structured solutions, often aligning with a tougher stance on public order. Furthermore, Paz touched on sensitive social issues, expressing a desire to "rebalance the legislature" to pass policies that align with his voters' conservative values, including discussions on gender-related policies that became a flashpoint in the campaign.

The 33rd Senate District encompasses a diverse range of communities, including the Port of Long Beach, Signal Hill, Lakewood, and Catalina Island, all of which face unique challenges related to infrastructure and community development. Paz's platform sought to unify these areas under a banner of fiscal conservatism and local control.

The November 5, 2024 Results: Why District 33 Remains a Democratic Stronghold

The 2024 General Election results for the California State Senate District 33 race confirmed the long-standing political reality of the region. Mario Paz’s challenge to incumbent Democrat Lena Gonzalez, while spirited and well-articulated, was ultimately unsuccessful. The political demographics of the district, which includes a significant majority of registered Democratic voters across Los Angeles County communities like Long Beach, were the deciding factor.

The final vote tally showed a decisive victory for Senator Gonzalez, who secured re-election with a substantial margin. The outcome underscored the difficulty any Republican candidate faces in a district where Democratic registration often exceeds 50%, making a flip a near-impossible task. The election results are a testament to the power of the Democratic political machine and the established incumbency advantage in California's urban and suburban centers.

Key Takeaways from the 2024 SD 33 Race:

  • Incumbency Advantage: Senator Gonzalez benefited from high name recognition and her established record in the California Legislature.
  • Democratic Dominance: The 33rd District, covering areas like Southeast Los Angeles and Long Beach, is a reliably "blue" area where Democratic voters consistently outnumber Republican voters by a significant margin.
  • Supermajority Intact: Paz's failure to secure the seat means the Democratic supermajority in the State Senate remains intact, allowing the party to continue passing legislation without Republican support.
  • Focus on Local Issues: Despite the loss, Paz successfully elevated public discourse on key issues such as the cost of living crisis, housing affordability, and the state's approach to homelessness, issues that will continue to dominate the political agenda in Sacramento.

The campaign served as an important effort to give voice to the conservative and business-oriented concerns of the district’s residents. While the final count did not favor the Republican challenger, the campaign's focus on fiscal prudence and accountability ensures that these concerns will remain a part of the legislative debate in the coming years. Mario Paz's run solidified the fact that even in a staunchly Democratic state, there is a strong base of voters demanding change on core economic and quality-of-life issues.

5 Key Reasons Why Mario Paz’s 2024 California State Senate Bid Failed to Break the Democratic Supermajority
mario paz state senate
mario paz state senate

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