On June 22, California holds a special State Senate election to fill the vacancy in the 15th district. Only four candidates will appear on the ballot: Republican Assemblymember Sam Blakeslee; Democratic former Assemblymember John Laird; Libertarian Mark Hinkle; and independent candidate Jim Fitzgerald. If anyone gets 50%, that person is elected. Otherwise all four will run against each other again in August.

Jim Fitzgerald also ran as an independent candidate for this seat in November 2008, against incumbent Republican Abel Maldonado. The November 2008 election was a two-person election, and Fitzgerald polled 33% as an independent candidate. No Democrat ran in November 2008. Thanks to Ted Brown for this news.