Former Placentia Mayor Rhonda Shader Faces Valencia in State Senate District 34

PLACENTIA, Calif. — November 3, 2026. Rhonda Shader, a former Placentia mayor and local small-business owner, is running as a Republican for California Senate District 34. She faces Democratic Assemblymember Avelino Valencia in an open-seat election as Senator Tom Umberg reaches his term limit.

Local-government experience

Shader’s campaign emphasizes her background in Placentia city government and business. Her published platform focuses on public safety, family budgets, tax and fee pressures, and government spending. The campaign argues that California needs a different approach to regulation and service delivery. These are policy positions and campaign arguments, not findings independently adopted by California58.

The Senate electorate extends past Placentia

District 34 includes major parts of northern Orange County, including areas of Anaheim, Santa Ana and Fullerton, and reaches into Los Angeles County. Valencia emphasizes his work in the Assembly and priorities involving affordability, education and services. Readers in every affected community vote for one senator to represent this district.

Did Shader vote today?

Official campaign information is available at shaderforsenate.com. At publication time, California58 has not verified an Election Day photo or authentic social-media video showing Shader personally casting her ballot. The location, time and method of her vote remain unconfirmed. This article does not imply she did not vote.

Sources: Shader campaign issues; LAist Senate guide; Certified candidate list.

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