Chowchilla, California
Encyclopedia
Chowchilla is a city in Madera County
, California
, United States
. Chowchilla is located 15 miles (24 km) northwest of Madera
, at an elevation of 240 feet (73 m). It is a principal city of the Madera
–Chowchilla Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 18,720 at the 2010 census, up from 11,127 at the 2000 census. The city is the location of two California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation
women's facilities, the Central California Women's Facility
and Valley State Prison for Women
.
The name "Chowchilla" is derived from the Native American tribe of Chauchila (the spelling is inconsistent in reference guides) Yokut Indians which once lived in the area. The name itself evidently translates as "Murderers" and is apparently a reference to the warlike nature of the Chauchila tribe. The Chauchila Indians were inadvertently responsible for the first white men "discovering" Yosemite Valley, which occurred when the Chauchila Indians were being pursued by a band of whites. References to the Indian tribe still abound in Chowchilla, and the town's high school still retains the moniker of "Redskins" as their local mascot.
The population includes that of both prisons and that should be included in the population information.
.
By stacking the 14 mattresses that were in the van, local farmer and part-time bus driver Ed Ray and some of the older children were able to reach the opening at the top of the truck, which had been covered with a metal lid and weighed down. They were able to wedge the lid open with a stick, and Ray was able to move the two 100-pound industrial batteries atop the lid. Ray and the boys were able to remove the remainder of the debris blocking the entrance. After 16 hours underground they emerged and walked to the guard shack at the entrance to the quarry. The guard alerted the authorities and all the victims were pronounced in good condition, and returned home to find that mass media had descended on the town.
Ray was able to remember the license plate number of one vehicle under hypnosis
, which led to the capture of the kidnappers as they attempted to flee to Canada. A rough draft of a ransom note was found at the house of the owner of the quarry. The owner's son, Frederick Woods, and two friends, Richard and James Schoenfeld, were found guilty and sentenced to life in prison. The ordeal was dramatized in the 1993 ABC-TV movie They've Taken Our Children: The Chowchilla Kidnapping (shown in the UK as Vanished Without a Trace) starring Karl Malden
, which is sometimes shown on the Biography Channel. Interviews with many of the children, now adults, including Mike and bus driver Ray were broadcast on MSNBC.
After the children were recovered, it was observed that some circumstances of the abduction corresponded to details in "The Day the Children Vanished", a story written by Hugh Pentecost
that had been published in the 1969 fiction anthology Alfred Hitchcock's Daring Detectives. A copy of this book was in the Chowchilla public library; police theorized that this was the source of the real-life kidnappers' inspiration.
After being denied parole 20 times, one of the three kidnappers, Richard Schoenfeld, was deemed suitable for parole by the California Board on Parole Hearings on October 30, 2008. He was denied parole in August 2009.
James Schoenfeld has been denied parole 16 times. Frederick Woods was denied parole for the 12th time on January 5, 2009 and will be eligible again in 2012. Richard Schoenfeld has been granted parole on April 5, 2011, and he will be released from prison on November 13, 2021.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the city has a total area of 7.7 square miles (19.9 km²), all of it land.
. Chowchilla receives an average of about 12 inches of precipitation per year. The wettest months are January, February, and March with March being the wettest. Chowchilla has dry, hot summers, and mild to cool, rainy winters. Chowchilla experiences frequent fog from November to March and overcast days are common, especially in January. In 2005, Chowchilla had 20 consecutive cloudy, rainy days. There are days with moderate to heavy rain during the winter months. In January, the high temperature may drop as low as 45°F (9°C). During the summer, when there is usually no rain, the temperature may reach as high as 110°F (43°C). Snow in Chowchilla is rare.
women's facilities, the Central California Women's Facility
and Valley State Prison for Women
. Central California Women's houses the state's female death row.
or Varsity.
Since 2006 Chowchilla has a soccer teamed named Chowchilla Gladiators and they currently play in "CYSA" California Youth Soccer Association, and have been champions 3 times. For the 2010-2011 season they were named CYSA Central California Champions for the under 16 age group and as a recognition CYSA gave them each a medal saying "CYSA 2010-2011 Central California Champions". They also play tournaments in Las Vegas
. Chowchilla Gladiators are linked up with the Chowchilla Union High soccer program and have a good relationship with the coaches. On July 9th 2011 Gladiators took 3rd place in the Porterville
tournament
School Districts in Chowchilla
Chowchilla Union High School
Serves Grades 9-12
Chowchilla School District
Serves Grades K-8.
Schools in the Chowchilla School District
Stephens School,
Fuller School,
Ronald Reagan School,
Fairmead School,
Wilson School
Chowchilla Seventh Day Adventist K-8
was 2,443.5 people per square mile (943.4/km²). The racial makeup of Chowchilla was 11,533 (61.6%) White, 2,358 (12.6%) African American, 376 (2.0%) Native American, 395 (2.1%) Asian, 37 (0.2%) Pacific Islander, 3,313 (17.7%) from other races
, and 708 (3.8%) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 7,073 persons (37.8%).
The Census reported that 11,311 people (60.4% of the population) lived in households, 6 (0%) lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and 7,403 (39.5%) were institutionalized.
There were 3,673 households, out of which 1,693 (46.1%) had children under the age of 18 living in them, 1,932 (52.6%) were opposite-sex married couples
living together, 586 (16.0%) had a female householder with no husband present, 260 (7.1%) had a male householder with no wife present. There were 275 (7.5%) unmarried opposite-sex partnerships
, and 24 (0.7%) same-sex married couples or partnerships. 721 households (19.6%) were made up of individuals and 293 (8.0%) had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.08. There were 2,778 families
(75.6% of all households); the average family size was 3.52.
The population was spread out with 3,583 people (19.1%) under the age of 18, 2,048 people (10.9%) aged 18 to 24, 7,343 people (39.2%) aged 25 to 44, 4,429 people (23.7%) aged 45 to 64, and 1,317 people (7.0%) who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34.7 years. For every 100 females there were 42.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 33.3 males.
There were 4,154 housing units at an average density of 542.2 per square mile (209.3/km²), of which 1,966 (53.5%) were owner-occupied, and 1,707 (46.5%) were occupied by renters. The homeowner vacancy rate was 6.2%; the rental vacancy rate was 7.9%. 5,920 people (31.6% of the population) lived in owner-occupied housing units and 5,391 people (28.8%) lived in rental housing units.
of 2000, there were 11,127 people, 2,562 households, and 1,908 families residing in the city. The population density
was 1,567.4 people per square mile (605.1/km²). There were 2,711 housing units at an average density of 381.9 per square mile (147.4/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 63.46% White
, 10.26% Black
or African American
, 2.60% Native American
, 1.32% Asian
, 0.26% Pacific Islander
, 16.16% from other races
, and 5.94% from two or more races. 28.20% of the population were Hispanic or Latino
of any race.
There were 2,562 households out of which 40.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.3% were married couples
living together, 13.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.5% were non-families. 21.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.94 and the average family size was 3.42.
In the city the population was spread out with 22.2% under the age of 18, 9.4% from 18 to 24, 42.8% from 25 to 44, 16.2% from 45 to 64, and 9.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 51.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 39.8 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $30,729, and the median income for a family was $35,741. Males had a median income of $32,306 versus $20,538 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $11,927. About 16.5% of families and 19.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 27.1% of those under age 18 and 7.6% of those age 65 or over.
Chowchilla is located in the 14th Senate
District, represented by Republican
Tom Berryhill
, and in the 25th Assembly
District, represented by Republican Kristin Olsen
. Federally, Chowchilla is located in California's 19th congressional district
, which has a Cook PVI
of R +10 and is represented by Republican Jeff Denham
.
Madera County, California
Madera County is a county of the U.S. state of California, located in the Central Valley and the Sierra Nevada north of Fresno County. It comprises the Madera-Chowchilla, CA Metropolitan Statistical Area. As of the 2010 census the population was 150,865...
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. Chowchilla is located 15 miles (24 km) northwest of Madera
Madera, California
Madera is a city in and the county seat of Madera County, California, United States. It is a principal city of the Madera–Chowchilla Metropolitan Statistical Area, which encompasses all of Madera County, and Metropolitan Fresno. It is located in California's San Joaquin Valley. As of the 2010...
, at an elevation of 240 feet (73 m). It is a principal city of the Madera
Madera, California
Madera is a city in and the county seat of Madera County, California, United States. It is a principal city of the Madera–Chowchilla Metropolitan Statistical Area, which encompasses all of Madera County, and Metropolitan Fresno. It is located in California's San Joaquin Valley. As of the 2010...
–Chowchilla Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 18,720 at the 2010 census, up from 11,127 at the 2000 census. The city is the location of two California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation
California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation
The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation is responsible for the operation of the California state prison and parole systems. CDC&R is the second largest law enforcement or police agency in the United States behind the New York City Police Department which employs approximately...
women's facilities, the Central California Women's Facility
Central California Women's Facility
Central California Women's Facility is a female-only California Department of Corrections state prison located in Chowchilla, California. It is across the road from Valley State Prison for Women. It is the largest female correctional facility in the United States. It houses the State of...
and Valley State Prison for Women
Valley State Prison for Women
Valley State Prison for Women is a state prison for women in Chowchilla, California. It is across the road from Central California Women's Facility.-Facilities:...
.
The name "Chowchilla" is derived from the Native American tribe of Chauchila (the spelling is inconsistent in reference guides) Yokut Indians which once lived in the area. The name itself evidently translates as "Murderers" and is apparently a reference to the warlike nature of the Chauchila tribe. The Chauchila Indians were inadvertently responsible for the first white men "discovering" Yosemite Valley, which occurred when the Chauchila Indians were being pursued by a band of whites. References to the Indian tribe still abound in Chowchilla, and the town's high school still retains the moniker of "Redskins" as their local mascot.
History
The first post office at Chowchilla opened in 1912. Chowchilla incorporated in 1923.The population includes that of both prisons and that should be included in the population information.
1976 bus kidnapping
Chowchilla was launched into national headlines on July 15, 1976 when an entire school bus of children was kidnapped. Twenty-six children and the adult bus driver were taken from the bus, which the kidnappers concealed in a drainage slough, and driven around in two vans for 11 hours before being forced, one by one, to climb into a hole in the ground. After passing through the hole the children and their driver found themselves trapped in the interior of a buried moving van. Although they did not know it, their place of confinement was in a quarry located in Livermore, CaliforniaLivermore, California
Livermore is a city in Alameda County. The population as of 2010 was 80,968. Livermore is located on the eastern edge of California's San Francisco Bay Area....
.
By stacking the 14 mattresses that were in the van, local farmer and part-time bus driver Ed Ray and some of the older children were able to reach the opening at the top of the truck, which had been covered with a metal lid and weighed down. They were able to wedge the lid open with a stick, and Ray was able to move the two 100-pound industrial batteries atop the lid. Ray and the boys were able to remove the remainder of the debris blocking the entrance. After 16 hours underground they emerged and walked to the guard shack at the entrance to the quarry. The guard alerted the authorities and all the victims were pronounced in good condition, and returned home to find that mass media had descended on the town.
Ray was able to remember the license plate number of one vehicle under hypnosis
Hypnosis
Hypnosis is "a trance state characterized by extreme suggestibility, relaxation and heightened imagination."It is a mental state or imaginative role-enactment . It is usually induced by a procedure known as a hypnotic induction, which is commonly composed of a long series of preliminary...
, which led to the capture of the kidnappers as they attempted to flee to Canada. A rough draft of a ransom note was found at the house of the owner of the quarry. The owner's son, Frederick Woods, and two friends, Richard and James Schoenfeld, were found guilty and sentenced to life in prison. The ordeal was dramatized in the 1993 ABC-TV movie They've Taken Our Children: The Chowchilla Kidnapping (shown in the UK as Vanished Without a Trace) starring Karl Malden
Karl Malden
Karl Malden was an American actor. In a career that spanned more than seven decades, he performed in such classic films as A Streetcar Named Desire, for which he won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor, On the Waterfront and One-Eyed Jacks...
, which is sometimes shown on the Biography Channel. Interviews with many of the children, now adults, including Mike and bus driver Ray were broadcast on MSNBC.
After the children were recovered, it was observed that some circumstances of the abduction corresponded to details in "The Day the Children Vanished", a story written by Hugh Pentecost
Judson Philips
Judson Pentecost Philips was an American writer who wrote more than 100 mystery and detective novels under the pseudonyms Hugh Pentecost and Philip Owen, as well as under his own name...
that had been published in the 1969 fiction anthology Alfred Hitchcock's Daring Detectives. A copy of this book was in the Chowchilla public library; police theorized that this was the source of the real-life kidnappers' inspiration.
After being denied parole 20 times, one of the three kidnappers, Richard Schoenfeld, was deemed suitable for parole by the California Board on Parole Hearings on October 30, 2008. He was denied parole in August 2009.
James Schoenfeld has been denied parole 16 times. Frederick Woods was denied parole for the 12th time on January 5, 2009 and will be eligible again in 2012. Richard Schoenfeld has been granted parole on April 5, 2011, and he will be released from prison on November 13, 2021.
Geography
Chowchilla is located at 37°07′23"N 120°15′37"W.According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the city has a total area of 7.7 square miles (19.9 km²), all of it land.
Climate
The climate of Chowchilla is MediterraneanMediterranean climate
A Mediterranean climate is the climate typical of most of the lands in the Mediterranean Basin, and is a particular variety of subtropical climate...
. Chowchilla receives an average of about 12 inches of precipitation per year. The wettest months are January, February, and March with March being the wettest. Chowchilla has dry, hot summers, and mild to cool, rainy winters. Chowchilla experiences frequent fog from November to March and overcast days are common, especially in January. In 2005, Chowchilla had 20 consecutive cloudy, rainy days. There are days with moderate to heavy rain during the winter months. In January, the high temperature may drop as low as 45°F (9°C). During the summer, when there is usually no rain, the temperature may reach as high as 110°F (43°C). Snow in Chowchilla is rare.
Government and infrastructure
The city is the location of two California Department of Corrections and RehabilitationCalifornia Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation
The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation is responsible for the operation of the California state prison and parole systems. CDC&R is the second largest law enforcement or police agency in the United States behind the New York City Police Department which employs approximately...
women's facilities, the Central California Women's Facility
Central California Women's Facility
Central California Women's Facility is a female-only California Department of Corrections state prison located in Chowchilla, California. It is across the road from Valley State Prison for Women. It is the largest female correctional facility in the United States. It houses the State of...
and Valley State Prison for Women
Valley State Prison for Women
Valley State Prison for Women is a state prison for women in Chowchilla, California. It is across the road from Central California Women's Facility.-Facilities:...
. Central California Women's houses the state's female death row.
High Speed Rail
Chowchilla is the proposed northern terminus of the first leg of the California high speed rail.Soccer
Recently, Chowchilla has been home to a multitude of expert young soccer players, Chowchilla High has been champions 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, and 2011 for either Junior VarsityJunior varsity
Primarily in North America, junior varsity or JV players are the members of a team who are not the main players in a competition , usually at the high school and college levels in the United States and Canada. The main players comprise the varsity team...
or Varsity.
Since 2006 Chowchilla has a soccer teamed named Chowchilla Gladiators and they currently play in "CYSA" California Youth Soccer Association, and have been champions 3 times. For the 2010-2011 season they were named CYSA Central California Champions for the under 16 age group and as a recognition CYSA gave them each a medal saying "CYSA 2010-2011 Central California Champions". They also play tournaments in Las Vegas
Las Vegas, Nevada
Las Vegas is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Nevada and is also the county seat of Clark County, Nevada. Las Vegas is an internationally renowned major resort city for gambling, shopping, and fine dining. The city bills itself as The Entertainment Capital of the World, and is famous...
. Chowchilla Gladiators are linked up with the Chowchilla Union High soccer program and have a good relationship with the coaches. On July 9th 2011 Gladiators took 3rd place in the Porterville
Porterville, California
Porterville is a city in the San Joaquin Valley, in Tulare County, California, United States. Porterville's population was 54,165 at the 2010 census. The city's population grew dramatically as the city annexed many properties and unincorporated areas in and around Porterville. Not included in the...
tournament
Education
There are two school districts in Chowchilla. The Chowchilla School District and The Chowchilla Union High School District.School Districts in Chowchilla
Chowchilla Union High School
Serves Grades 9-12
Chowchilla School District
Serves Grades K-8.
Schools in the Chowchilla School District
Stephens School,
Fuller School,
Ronald Reagan School,
Fairmead School,
Wilson School
Chowchilla Seventh Day Adventist K-8
2010
The 2010 United States Census reported that Chowchilla had a population of 18,720. The population densityPopulation density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 2,443.5 people per square mile (943.4/km²). The racial makeup of Chowchilla was 11,533 (61.6%) White, 2,358 (12.6%) African American, 376 (2.0%) Native American, 395 (2.1%) Asian, 37 (0.2%) Pacific Islander, 3,313 (17.7%) from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 708 (3.8%) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 7,073 persons (37.8%).
The Census reported that 11,311 people (60.4% of the population) lived in households, 6 (0%) lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and 7,403 (39.5%) were institutionalized.
There were 3,673 households, out of which 1,693 (46.1%) had children under the age of 18 living in them, 1,932 (52.6%) were opposite-sex married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 586 (16.0%) had a female householder with no husband present, 260 (7.1%) had a male householder with no wife present. There were 275 (7.5%) unmarried opposite-sex partnerships
POSSLQ
POSSLQ is an abbreviation for "Persons of Opposite Sex Sharing Living Quarters," a term coined in the late 1970s by the United States Census Bureau as part of an effort to more accurately gauge the prevalence of cohabitation in American households....
, and 24 (0.7%) same-sex married couples or partnerships. 721 households (19.6%) were made up of individuals and 293 (8.0%) had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.08. There were 2,778 families
Family (U.S. Census)
A family or family household is defined by the United States Census Bureau for statistical purposes as "a householder and one or more other people related to the householder by birth, marriage, or adoption. They do not include same-sex married couples even if the marriage was performed in a state...
(75.6% of all households); the average family size was 3.52.
The population was spread out with 3,583 people (19.1%) under the age of 18, 2,048 people (10.9%) aged 18 to 24, 7,343 people (39.2%) aged 25 to 44, 4,429 people (23.7%) aged 45 to 64, and 1,317 people (7.0%) who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34.7 years. For every 100 females there were 42.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 33.3 males.
There were 4,154 housing units at an average density of 542.2 per square mile (209.3/km²), of which 1,966 (53.5%) were owner-occupied, and 1,707 (46.5%) were occupied by renters. The homeowner vacancy rate was 6.2%; the rental vacancy rate was 7.9%. 5,920 people (31.6% of the population) lived in owner-occupied housing units and 5,391 people (28.8%) lived in rental housing units.
2000
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 11,127 people, 2,562 households, and 1,908 families residing in the city. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 1,567.4 people per square mile (605.1/km²). There were 2,711 housing units at an average density of 381.9 per square mile (147.4/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 63.46% White
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 10.26% Black
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
or African American
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 2.60% Native American
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 1.32% Asian
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.26% Pacific Islander
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 16.16% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 5.94% from two or more races. 28.20% of the population were Hispanic or Latino
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
of any race.
There were 2,562 households out of which 40.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.3% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 13.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.5% were non-families. 21.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.94 and the average family size was 3.42.
In the city the population was spread out with 22.2% under the age of 18, 9.4% from 18 to 24, 42.8% from 25 to 44, 16.2% from 45 to 64, and 9.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 51.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 39.8 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $30,729, and the median income for a family was $35,741. Males had a median income of $32,306 versus $20,538 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the city was $11,927. About 16.5% of families and 19.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 27.1% of those under age 18 and 7.6% of those age 65 or over.
Politics
In the state legislatureCalifornia State Legislature
The California State Legislature is the state legislature of the U.S. state of California. It is a bicameral body consisting of the lower house, the California State Assembly, with 80 members, and the upper house, the California State Senate, with 40 members...
Chowchilla is located in the 14th Senate
California State Senate
The California State Senate is the upper house of the California State Legislature. There are 40 state senators. The state legislature meets in the California State Capitol in Sacramento. The Lieutenant Governor is the ex officio President of the Senate and may break a tied vote...
District, represented by Republican
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
Tom Berryhill
Tom Berryhill
Tom Berryhill is a Republican politician in the United States who currently represents the 14th district in the California State Senate...
, and in the 25th Assembly
California State Assembly
The California State Assembly is the lower house of the California State Legislature. There are 80 members in the Assembly, representing an approximately equal number of constituents, with each district having a population of at least 420,000...
District, represented by Republican Kristin Olsen
Kristin Olsen
Kristin Olsen is an American politician currently serving in the California State Assembly. She is a Republican representing the 25th district, encompassing Calaveras, Mariposa, Mono, and Tuolumne counties, and parts of Madera and Stanislaus counties...
. Federally, Chowchilla is located in California's 19th congressional district
California's 19th congressional district
California's 19th congressional district is a congressional district located in the U.S. state of California that covers parts of Fresno, Madera, Mariposa, Tuolumne, and Stanislaus counties....
, which has a Cook PVI
Cook Partisan Voting Index
The Cook Partisan Voting Index , sometimes referred to as simply the Partisan Voting Index , is a measurement of how strongly an American congressional district or state leans toward one political party compared to the nation as a whole...
of R +10 and is represented by Republican Jeff Denham
Jeff Denham
Jeffrey John "Jeff" Denham is the U.S. Representative for . He is a member of the Republican Party.He previously served two terms in the California State Senate, representing the 12th District, which includes Madera, Merced, Monterey, San Benito and Stanislaus counties. Denham was the second...
.