Thousand Oaks Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin and Oxnard pastor Sam Gallucci will square off Tuesday, Nov. 3, for the open 26th Congressional District seat that stretches across most of Ventura County and into northern Los Angeles County.

Results are not yet available. Polls close at 8 p.m. Official results will be posted by the California Secretary of State at media.sos.ca.gov.

The seat is open because Rep. Julia Brownley, a Democrat who has held it for nearly 14 years, is retiring, according to the Daily News. Brownley endorsed Irwin as her successor.

The candidates

Irwin, 64, is a Democrat who has served 12 years in the California State Assembly and 10 years on the Thousand Oaks City Council, including two terms as mayor, according to the Ventura County Star. She holds a bachelor's degree in systems engineering from UC San Diego.

In a candidate questionnaire published by the Star, Irwin said her top priority is solving local problems and delivering for the community. She also said she would prioritize cost-of-living relief and fighting cuts to health care.

Gallucci, 67, is a Republican and former business executive, nonprofit leader and pastor who lives in Oxnard, according to the Star. He holds a bachelor's degree from San Diego State University. He has not held elected office.

Gallucci told the Star his top priority is lowering the cost of living. He said he would use federal resources to retain jobs, offer incentives for first-time homebuyers and expand opportunity zones in the district.

The primary

Nine candidates ran in the June 3 primary. Under California's open primary system, the top two vote-getters advance regardless of party. Irwin led with 40.2% of the vote, and Gallucci finished second with 21.9%, based on partial tallies reported by the Daily News.

The district

The 26th District covers all of Ventura County except the cities of Ventura and Simi Valley and most of the Ojai Valley, the Star reported. Following Proposition 50 redistricting, the district now extends east into Los Angeles County, picking up Westlake Village, Agoura Hills, Calabasas and communities in the Antelope Valley such as Lake Hughes and Quartz Hill.

Democrats hold a nearly 15-percentage-point voter registration advantage over Republicans in the district, according to the Daily News.

What's at stake nationally

Control of the U.S. House hangs in the balance. Republicans hold a narrow 218-seat majority, according to an election overview by MWC LLC. The Cook Political Report rates 22 House seats as toss-ups nationwide. Democrats would need to capture about 10 of those to win the majority.

How to vote

Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 3, according to the California Secretary of State. Voters can also drop off mail ballots at any secure drop-off location or county elections office by 8 p.m. Mailed ballots must be postmarked on or before Nov. 3.