24th District

Matchup: Salud Carbajal (D) vs. Justin Fareed (R)

Dynamic: This race for the open seat left by retiring Democratic Rep. Lois Capps has become among the most expensive in the country, with millions being spent by outside groups to influence the result. Fareed is a former Capitol Hill staffer and UCLA football player who works for his family’s sports medical devices company. Carbajal is a Santa Barbara County supervisor. Thanks to support from the party establishment, Carbajal prevailed in a crowded June primary. Race rating: Favored Democratic

Interesting fact: Fareed and Carbajal were the top two finishers in a field of nine candidates that included an actor- turned-hay farmer ,William Ostrander.