NARAL Pro-Choice California Endorsements

Re-elect State Asm. McCarty to keep AD-07 on the right track.

About the Position

State Assembly Members form part of the California State Legislature, and work alongside the governor to establish laws and a state budget. They hold the power to pass bills that affect public policy, set state spending levels, raise and lower taxes, and uphold or override the governor’s vetoes. The California State Assembly has 80 districts. Each represents a population of at least 465,000 Californians. Representatives are elected to the Assembly for a two-year term. Every two years, all 80 seats are subject to election. Members elected before 2012 are restricted to three two-year terms (six years) in the Assembly. Those elected in or after 2012 are allowed to serve 12 years total across both the State Senate and Assembly. This term, Democrats currently hold a two-thirds supermajority of 61 seats in the California State Assembly, while Republicans hold 17 seats. One seat is held by an Independent, and one seat is currently vacant.

About the District

California's 7th Assembly District includes portions of Sacramento and Yolo counties. Democrats typically hold this district. Democrat incumbent Assemblymember Kevin McCarty has held this office since he was elected in 2014. The most recent election results show 67.5 percent of AD-07 voted for Hillary Clinton for president in 2016, and 68.3 percent of AD-07 voted for Gavin Newsom for governor in 2018.

About the Race

In the primary, Democrat incumbent Assemblymember Kevin McCarty led Libertarian challenger James O. Just by a margin of 99.6 percent. Assemblymember McCarty’s campaign has raised $401,231.04 and is funded by corporate PACs, fossil fuels, and police money. Just’s campaign has raised $810, has not committed to any pledges, and is funded entirely by individual donations.

About the Candidate

Assemblymember McCarty, a lifelong Sacramentan, previously served as Sacramento Housing and Redevelopment Commissioner and as a Sacramento City Council member from 2004 to 2014. He is a longtime supporter of improving the educational system and its accessibility for low- and middle-income families. According to campaign materials, Assemblymember McCarty is running for re-election to continue this work in public education.

Assemblymember McCarty’s priorities for AD-07 this year include addressing housing affordability, curbing gun violence, fighting climate change, advocating for the middle class, and championing criminal-justice reform. He currently sits on five committees: Budget, Business and Professions, Education, Health, and Natural Resources. He also serves as chair for Budget Subcommittee No. 2 on Education Finance and sits on the Budget Subcommittee No. 6 on Budget Process, Oversight and Program Evaluation.

Assemblymember McCarty has sponsored 50 bills about education, criminal justice, health, and housing this year, of which nine have been successfully chaptered. Previously, Assemblymember McCarty tried to pass legislation that would require the state attorney general to independently review any case requested by local officials in which a civilian was killed by police. McCarty’s current version of this bill is now more widely supported by Assembly Democrats. Assemblymember McCarty’s lifetime score is 96 out of 100 on Courage Score, our annual analysis of legislators’ progressive voting records. Based on our Courage Score analysis, Assemblymember McCarty has supported almost all of the progressive bills that made it to a vote. That said, he has also supported AB 1366, a problematic bill that would eliminate critical oversight of telecom companies.

Assemblymember McCarty is endorsed by many progressive groups, such as the California Federation of Teachers and the California Democratic Party. Libertarian challenger Just’s potential policies greatly outweigh Assemblymember McCarty’s inaction on campaign financing. According to our analysis, Assemblymember McCarty is the strongest choice for equitable and representative leadership in office.

Elect Kathy Miller to push AD-13 in the right direction.

About the Position

State Assembly Members form part of the California State Legislature, and work alongside the governor to establish laws and a state budget. They hold the power to pass bills that affect public policy, set state spending levels, raise and lower taxes, and uphold or override the governor’s vetoes. The California State Assembly has 80 districts. Each represents a population of at least 465,000 Californians. Representatives are elected to the Assembly for a two-year term. Every two years, all 80 seats are subject to election. Members elected before 2012 are restricted to three two-year terms (six years) in the Assembly. Those elected in or after 2012 are allowed to serve 12 years total across both the State Senate and Assembly. This term, Democrats currently hold a two-thirds supermajority of 61 seats in the California State Assembly, while Republicans hold 17 seats. One seat is held by an Independent, and one seat is currently vacant.

About the District

California’s 13th Assembly District includes part of San Joaquin County. Notable cities within the district include Stockton and Tracy. Democrats typically hold this district. The most recent election results show AD-13 voted for Hillary Clinton for president in 2016 and Gavin Newsom for governor in 2018, both with large victory margins. AD-13 is very diverse, with a Latinx majority of 42 percent.

About the Race

In the primary, Democrat challenger Kathy Miller trailed the other Democrat challenger Carlos Villapudua by a 4 percent margin. Miller's campaign has raised upwards of $105,000, largely from individual, real estate, women’s and labor associations, and trade union donors. Miller has not received police, fossil fuel, or corporate funding; however, she has not signed the #NoCopMoneyCA pledge. Opponent Democrat challenger Carlos Villapudua has raised more than $51,000 and is funded through law enforcement and fossil fuel money.

About the Candidate

Kathy Miller is from Southern California and moved to Stockton in 1997. She has served on the San Joaquin County Board of Supervisors since 2014. According to campaign materials, she’s running for Assembly District 13 Representative to advocate for the homeless, improve neighborhoods, and balance the state budget.

Miller has proven her commitment to progress through her hands-on experiences in public office. At present, she heads the Homelessness Task Force, as well as the Children and Youth Task Force on the Board of Supervisors for San Joaquin County. These two forces, now known as the San Joaquin Continuum of Care, increased the number and improved the quality of public services offered to adults and children reckoning with poverty and homelessness. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Miller utilized her position to ensure that issues of health care and food insecurity were addressed. She is committed to transferring that same dedication in her role in the State Assembly, and promises to fight for health-care expansion for women, seniors, and families.

Prior to her appointment to the Board of Supervisors, Miller was a councilmember in the Stockton City Council from 2009 to 2014. She spent four of those years as vice mayor, and emerged as a strong voice for fiscal responsibility and an open, transparent, and accountable local government.

Considering the diversity of AD-13, particularly in the city of Stockton, Miller’s campaign has failed to address issues related to the district’s minority population. These issues include both immigration and police brutality. In a city where Black civilians are 2.9 times as likely and Latinx civilians .9 times as likely to have deadly force used on them by police, law enforcement must be held accountable. Although Miller has not taken any law-enforcement funding, she does not list police accountability as an issue of focus for her campaign. Stockton is also home to the Stockton Staging Facility, a holding area used by ICE to temporarily house detainees. The facility has been the focus of criticism, and does not contain sleeping quarters or showers. Similar to police brutality, Miller has remained silent on this issue.

Miller is running against Democrat Carlos Villapudua in this upcoming election. Villapudua has strong ties with both law enforcement and the fossil fuel industry. He is endorsed by the California Coalition of Law Enforcement Associations, and has not taken a solid stance on many progressive issues. Miller has received notable endorsements from Equality California, California Federation of Teachers, and the California Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. Despite our concerns regarding her silence on issues critical to the district, Miller is a particularly strong progressive choice because of her extensive experience in public office and strong endorsements from local and statewide organizations.

According to our analysis, Miller is the strongest choice for equitable and representative leadership in office.

Re-elect State Assemblymember Wicks to keep AD-15 on the right track.

About the Position

State Assembly Members form part of the California State Legislature, and work alongside the governor to establish laws and a state budget. They hold the power to pass bills that affect public policy, set state spending levels, raise and lower taxes, and uphold or override the governor’s vetoes. The California State Assembly has 80 districts. Each represents a population of at least 465,000 Californians. Representatives are elected to the Assembly for a two-year term. Every two years, all 80 seats are subject to election. Members elected before 2012 are restricted to three two-year terms (six years) in the Assembly. Those elected in or after 2012 are allowed to serve 12 years total across both the State Senate and Assembly. This term, Democrats currently hold a two-thirds supermajority of 61 seats in the California State Assembly, while Republicans hold 17 seats. One seat is held by an Independent, and one seat is currently vacant.

About the District

California's 15th Assembly District includes portions of Alameda and Contra Costa Counties. Democrats typically hold this district. Democrat incumbent Assemblymember Buffy Wicks has served since 2018, when she was elected. The most recent election results show 87.4 percent of AD-15 voted for Hillary Clinton for president in 2016, and 89.6 percent voted for Gavin Newsom for governor in 2018.

About the Race

In the primary, Democrat Incumbent Assemblymember Buffy Wicks led Independent challenger Sara Brink by a margin of 75.1 percent. Assemblymember Wicks’s campaign has raised over $559,000 and has pledged to refuse fossil fuel money. According to her campaign website, she has not accepted any corporate money. However, upon further research into her campaign contributions, it was found that she has accepted money from Airbnb, AT&T, Disney, Salesforce.com, and Tesla. Additionally, she has accepted almost $10,000 from the California Correctional Peace Officers Association and the Richmond Police Officers Association. According to Assemblymember Wicks’s campaign website, she said, “I will not accept any donations from charter school advocacy organizations. I have not accepted any such donations and I will not.” However, her campaign contribution records say otherwise. She has accepted $1,500 from the Charter Public Schools PAC. Brink’s campaign contributions have not been recorded with the Secretary of State’s office.

About the Candidate

Assemblymember Wicks, a lifelong grassroots activist, is from Oakland, CA. Prior to her election to the State Assembly, she organized against the Iraq War, worked on Barack Obama’s 2008 and 2012 presidential campaigns, served as his deputy director in the White House Office of Public Engagement, and served as executive director of super PAC Priorities USA Action in support of Hillary Clinton for president. She is a longtime supporter of policies that improve the welfare of women and children. According to campaign materials, Assemblymember Wicks is running for re-election to join the fight on the most challenging issues, including solving the housing and homelessness crisis, protecting communities from gun violence, increasing funding for food and health-care programs, and ensuring high-quality education across the state.

Assemblymember Wicks’ priorities for AD-15 this year include education, housing, and health care. She currently sits on six standing committees: Banking and Finance, Budget, Budget Subcommittee No. 4 on State Administration, Privacy and Consumer Protection, Public Safety, and Rules. She also serves as chair on the Select Committee on Youth Mental Health. She has sponsored 45 bills about housing, education, health care, and transportation this year, of which eight have successfully been chaptered. She scores a perfect lifetime score of 100 out of 100 on Courage Score, our annual analysis of legislators’ progressive voting records. Based on our Courage Score analysis, Assemblymember Wicks has supported all progressive bills that made it to a vote.

Assenblymember Wicks is endorsed by a strong majority of progressive groups in the district, such as Planned Parenthood Northern CA Action Fund, Moms Demand Action, Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence, East Bay for Everyone, and Evolve CA. However, she is also endorsed by Berkeley Police Commissioner George Perezvelez. Independent challenger Brink’s campaign website has made it clear that she is not expecting to win, and instead, she is using the platform to address several issues within the current two-party system and urges voters to elect progressive candidates.

Independent challenger Brink’s lack of a running platform greatly outweighs Assemblymember Wicks’s problematic endorsements and lack of consistency in campaign finance pledges. According to our analysis, Assemblymember Wicks is the strongest choice for equitable and representative leadership in office.

Re-elect State Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahan to keep AD-16 on the right track.

About the Position

State Assembly Members form part of the California State Legislature, and work alongside the governor to establish laws and a state budget. They hold the power to pass bills that affect public policy, set state spending levels, raise and lower taxes, and uphold or override the governor’s vetoes. The California State Assembly has 80 districts. Each represents a population of at least 465,000 Californians. Representatives are elected to the Assembly for a two-year term. Every two years, all 80 seats are subject to election. Members elected before 2012 are restricted to three two-year terms (six years) in the Assembly. Those elected in or after 2012 are allowed to serve 12 years total across both the State Senate and Assembly. This term, Democrats currently hold a two-thirds supermajority of 61 seats in the California State Assembly, while Republicans hold 17 seats. One seat is held by an Independent, and one seat is currently vacant.

About the District

California's 16th Assembly District includes portions of Alameda and Contra Costa counties. Republicans held this district until 2008, when Democrat Joan Buchanan  won and flipped AD-16 from red to blue. It has flipped back and forth in the last decade. Democrat incumbent Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahan has served AD-16 since 2018. The most recent election results show 64.5 percent of AD-16 voted for Hillary Clinton for president in 2016, and 63.2 percent voted for Gavin Newsom for governor in 2018.

About the Race

In the primary, Democrat incumbent Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahan led Republican challenger Joseph Rubay by a margin of 36.6 percent. Bauer-Kahan’s campaign has raised $873,755 and is funded by corporate PACs, police money, and fossil fuel money. Rubay’s campaign has raised $16,525, of which $15,300 is from candidate self-financing. Rubay has not committed to any of the pledges to refuse corporate PACs, fossil fuel, or police money.

About the Candidate

Assemblymember Bauer-Kahan, a law professor and attorney, is from Orinda, CA. Prior to her election to the State Assembly, she taught law at Santa Clara University and Golden State University. She is a longtime supporter of fighting climate change and for a women’s right to choose. According to campaign materials, Assemblymember Bauer-Kahan is running for re-election to protect the environment, fight Trump’s immigration policies, increase access to quality, affordable health care, and help small businesses thrive.

Assemblymember Bauer-Kahan’s priorities for AD-16 this year include education, public safety, and labor. She currently sits on five committees: Appropriations, Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials, Privacy and Consumer Protection, Public Safety, and Banking and Finance. She also serves as chair on the Select Committee on Women’s Reproductive Health. Assemblymember Bauer-Kahan has sponsored 31 bills about public safety, environment safety, and labor this year, of which nine have been successfully chaptered. She scores a lifetime score of 81 out of 100 on Courage Score, our annual analysis of legislators’ progressive voting records.

Based on our Courage Score analysis, Assemblymember Bauer-Kahan has supported the most progressive bills that made it to a vote. That said, she has not supported AB 290, which would prevent dialysis companies from steering patients from Medi-Cal to boost corporate profits. This is not surprising, considering Assemblymember Bauer-Kahan has accepted $12,900 from the two dialysis giants in California: Fresenius and DaVita. Additionally, she has consistently failed to support essential housing bills, such as AB 1487, AB 1482, and AB 1279. By accepting almost $10,000 from powerful landlord-lobbying groups like the California Apartment Association PAC and Apartment Association of Greater Los Angeles PAC and failing to support these bills, Assemblymember Bauer-Kahan has shown AD-16 where her priorities lie.

Assemblymember Bauer-Kahan is endorsed by several progressive groups, such as EMILY’s List, NARAL Pro-Choice California, and the California League of Conservation Voters. At this time, she does not have any problematic endorsements. The threat of Republican challenger Rubay’s potential policies on strengthening police to solve gun violence greatly outweighs Bauer-Kahan’s moderate voting record and lack of campaign finance pledges. According to our analysis, Assemblymember Bauer-Kahan is the strongest choice for equitable and representative leadership in office.

Re-elect State Assemblymember David Chiu to keep AD-17 on the right track.

About the Position

State Assembly Members form part of the California State Legislature, and work alongside the governor to establish laws and a state budget. They hold the power to pass bills that affect public policy, set state spending levels, raise and lower taxes, and uphold or override the governor’s vetoes. The California State Assembly has 80 districts. Each represents a population of at least 465,000 Californians. Representatives are elected to the Assembly for a two-year term. Every two years, all 80 seats are subject to election. Members elected before 2012 are restricted to three two-year terms (six years) in the Assembly. Those elected in or after 2012 are allowed to serve 12 years total across both the State Senate and Assembly. This term, Democrats currently hold a two-thirds supermajority of 61 seats in the California State Assembly, while Republicans hold 17 seats. One seat is held by an Independent and one seat is currently vacant.

About the District

California's 17th Assembly District includes the majority of San Francisco County. Democrats typically hold this district. Democrat incumbent Assemblymember David Chiu has held this office since being elected in 2014. The most recent election results show 88.1 percent of AD-17 voted for Hillary Clinton for president in 2016, and 89.5 percent voted for Gavin Newsom for governor in 2018.

About the Race

In the primary, Democrat incumbent Assemblymember David Chiu led write-in Libertarian challenger Starchild by a margin of 100 percent. Chiu’s campaign has raised $882,528 and is funded by police money, fossil fuel money, and corporate PACs. Starchild’s campaign records are not available on the Secretary of State’s website.

About the Candidate

Assemblymember Chiu, a civil rights attorney, is originally from Boston and moved to San Francisco in 1996. Prior to his election to the State Assembly, Assemblymember Chiu served as the president of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, a criminal prosecutor with the San Francisco District Attorney’s Office, and founded Grassroots Enterprise, a public affairs technology company. Assemblymember Chiu has extensive involvement in the community, having served as president of the Asian American Bar Association, as Small Business Commissioner, as board member of Partners Ending Domestic Abuse, and as board chair for the Youth Leadership Institute. He is a longtime supporter of the LGBTQIA+ community, and of improving transportation and protecting California renters. According to campaign materials, Assemblymember Chiu is running for re-election to create affordable housing, improve schools, protect the environment, and defend civil rights.

Assemblymember Chiu’s priorities for AD-17 this year include housing, especially with the onset of COVID-19. He currently sits on six standing committees: Housing and Community Development (chair); Arts Subcommittee; Budget Subcommittee; Budget Subcommittee No. 4 on State Administration; Business and Professions; and Judiciary. He also serves as chair of the California Asian & Pacific Island Legislative Caucus. Assemblymember Chiu has sponsored 49 bills about environmental safety, transportation, and housing this year, of which 12 have been successfully chaptered. He scores a lifetime score of 98 out of 100 on Courage Score, our annual analysis of legislators’ progressive voting records. Based on our Courage Score analysis, Assemblymember Chiu has supported the most progressive bills that made it to a vote. That said, he also supported a problematic bill (AB 1366), which would eliminate critical oversight of telecom companies.

Assemblymember Chiu is endorsed by several progressive groups, such as Equality California, Evolve, NARAL Pro-Choice California, and the Sierra Club. At this time, he does not have any problematic endorsements. His progressive record with legislation and community involvement speaks for itself, although his lack of campaign finance pledges needs improvement. According to our analysis, Assemblymember Chiu is the strongest choice for equitable and representative leadership in office.

Re-elect State Assemblymember Rob Bonta to keep AD-18 on the right track.

About the Position

State Assembly Members form part of the California State Legislature, and work alongside the governor to establish laws and a state budget. They hold the power to pass bills that affect public policy, set state spending levels, raise and lower taxes, and uphold or override the governor’s vetoes. The California State Assembly has 80 districts. Each represents a population of at least 465,000 Californians. Representatives are elected to the Assembly for a two-year term. Every two years, all 80 seats are subject to election. Members elected before 2012 are restricted to three two-year terms (six years) in the Assembly. Those elected in or after 2012 are allowed to serve 12 years total across both the State Senate and Assembly. This term, Democrats currently hold a two-thirds supermajority of 61 seats in the California State Assembly, while Republicans hold 17 seats. One seat is held by an Independent, and one seat is currently vacant.

About the District

California's 18th Assembly District includes a third of Alameda County. Democrats typically hold this district. Democrat incumbent Assemblymember Rob Bonta has held this office since being elected in 2012. The most recent election results show 85.9 percent of AD-18 voted for Hillary Clinton for president in 2016, and 88.3 percent voted for Gavin Newsom for governor in 2018.

About the Race

In the primary, Democrat incumbent Assemblymember Rob Bonta led Republican challenger Steve Slauson by a margin of 78.6 percent. Bonta’s campaign has raised $1,041,780 and is funded by police money, fossil fuel money, and corporate PACs. Bonta pledged to refuse fossil fuel money, but has accepted a $1,500 contribution from Sempra Energy. Slauson has not electronically filed campaign contributions for this election cycle with the Secretary of State’s office. Slauson also faced off against Assemblymember Bonta in 2018’s general election and lost in a landslide.

About the Candidate

Assemblymember Bonta, a civil rights attorney, is from Alameda, CA. Prior to his election to the State Assembly, he served as a deputy city attorney for both the City and County of San Francisco, as an elected member of the Alameda Health Care District Board of Directors, as board president for the Social Service Human Relations board, as board president for Alternatives in Action, and as chair of the Economic Development Commission. He is a longtime activist in the ongoing fight for racial, economic, and social justice. According to campaign materials, Assemblymember Bonta is running for re-election to continue working for better schools, safer streets, and more prosperous communities.

Assemblymember Bonta’s priorities for AD-18 this year include social justice as related to jails, and ICE, taxation, and discrimination. He currently sits on four committees: Appropriations, Communications and Conveyance, Governmental Organization, and Health. Assemblymember Bonta has sponsored 54 bills about discrimination, labor, taxation, health, and education this year, of which 12 have been successfully chaptered. He scores a lifetime score of 98 out of 100 on Courage Score, our annual analysis of legislators’ progressive voting records. Based on our Courage Score analysis, Assemblymember Bonta has supported the most progressive bills that made it to a vote. That said, he has also supported a problematic bill (AB 1366), which would eliminate critical oversight of telecom companies.

Assemblymember Bonta is endorsed by several progressive groups, such as California Teachers Association, Equality California, and the California League of Conservation Voters. He is also endorsed by the Peace Officers Research Association of California, California Association of Highway Patrolmen, Association for Los Angeles Deputy Sheriffs, and California Statewide Law Enforcement Association. However, the threat of Republican challenger Slauson’s potential policies greatly outweighs Assemblymember Bonta’s lack of campaign finance pledges and overwhelming support from police organizations. According to our analysis, Assemblymember Bonta is the strongest choice for equitable and representative leadership in office.

Re-elect State Assemblymember Marc Berman to keep AD-24 on the right track.

About the Position

State Assembly Members form part of the California State Legislature, and work alongside the governor to establish laws and a state budget. They hold the power to pass bills that affect public policy, set state spending levels, raise and lower taxes, and uphold or override the governor’s vetoes. The California State Assembly has 80 districts. Each represents a population of at least 465,000 Californians. Representatives are elected to the Assembly for a two-year term. Every two years, all 80 seats are subject to election. Members elected before 2012 are restricted to three two-year terms (six years) in the Assembly. Those elected in or after 2012 are allowed to serve 12 years total across both the State Senate and Assembly. This term, Democrats currently hold a two-thirds supermajority of 61 seats in the California State Assembly, while Republicans hold 17 seats. One seat is held by an Independent, and one seat is currently vacant.

About the District

California's 24th Assembly District includes San Mateo and Santa Clara Counties. Democrats typically hold this district. Democrat incumbent Assemblymember Marc Berman has held this position since being elected in 2016. The most recent election results show 78.2 percent of AD-24 voted for Hillary Clinton for president in 2016, and 76.7 percent voted for Gavin Newsom for governor in 2018.

About the Race

In the primary, Democrat incumbent Assemblymember Marc Berman led Republican challenger Peter Ohtaki by a margin of 53 percent. Berman’s campaign has raised $491,613 and is funded by police money, fossil fuel money, and corporate PACs. Ohtaki’s campaign has raised $1,800, has not committed to any of the pledges, and is funded entirely by individuals.

About the Candidate

Assemblymember Berman, a lawyer, is from Palo Alto. Prior to his election to the State Assembly, he worked with the Silicon Valley Education Foundation to support efforts to close the achievement gap through STEM education in Silicon Valley. He later served as a Palo Alto City Councilmember, increasing the city’s financial transparency. He is a longtime supporter of increasing election accessibility and infrastructure. According to campaign materials, Assemblymember Berman is running for re-election because he wants to use his long history of public service to continue to push California forward on election security and higher education accessibility.

Assemblymember Berman’s priorities for AD-24 this year include election protections and transportation. He currently sits on five committees: Elections and Redistricting (chair), Governmental Organization, Insurance, Privacy and Consumer Protection, and Transportation. He also serves as chair for both the Select Committees on the Census and the Master Plan for Higher Education in California. Assemblymember Berman has sponsored 45 bills about elections, technology, education, and transportation this year, of which 17 have been successfully chaptered.

He scores a lifetime score of 92 out of 100 on Courage Score, our annual analysis of legislators’ progressive voting records. Based on our Courage Score analysis, Assemblymember Berman has supported the most progressive bills that made it to a vote. That said, he failed to support AB 1505, which would empower local districts to evaluate charter-school applications based on economic-impact criteria. This is not surprising, considering he has accepted campaign money from California Charter Schools Association Advocates for Great Public Schools. Additionally, Assemblymember Berman voted to support AB 1366, which would eliminate critical oversight of telecom companies. He has also accepted campaign money from Verizon, one of the largest telecom providers.

Assemblymember Berman is endorsed by several progressive groups in the district, such as Peninsula for Everyone, AFSCME California, and the California Labor Federation. However, the threat of Ohtaki’s potential policies greatly outweighs Berman’s lack of campaign finance pledges. According to our analysis, Assemblymember. Berman is the strongest choice for equitable and representative leadership in office.

Elect Alex Lee to push AD-25 in the right direction.

About the Position

State Assembly Members form part of the California State Legislature, and work alongside the governor to establish laws and a state budget. They hold the power to pass bills that affect public policy, set state spending levels, raise and lower taxes, and uphold or override the governor’s vetoes. The California State Assembly has 80 districts. Each represents a population of at least 465,000 Californians. Representatives are elected to the Assembly for a two-year term. Every two years, all 80 seats are subject to election. Members elected before 2012 are restricted to three two-year terms (six years) in the Assembly. Those elected in or after 2012 are allowed to serve 12 years total across both the State Senate and Assembly. This term, Democrats currently hold a two-thirds supermajority of 61 seats in the California State Assembly, while Republicans hold 17 seats. One seat is held by an Independent, and one seat is currently vacant.

About the District

California's 25th Assembly District includes parts of Alameda and Santa Clara Counties. Democrats typically hold this district. The most recent election results show AD-25 voted for Hillary Clinton for president in 2016, and Gavin Newsom for governor in 2018.

About the Race

In the primary, Democratic challenger Alex Lee trailed Republican Challenger Bob Brunton by a margin of 5.4 percent. However, this is only due to the size of the Democratic primary field, where Democratic candidates outperformed Brunton by a margin of 79.2 percent. Alex Lee’s campaign has pledged not to take money from police or fossil fuel organizations. Brunton’s campaign has not committed to any such pledges, and he has been subject to legal complaints and penalties for campaign finance violations in 2014 and 2015.

About the Candidate

Alex Lee is from San Jose, CA, where he returned after completing undergraduate studies at UC Davis. According to campaign materials he is running for election to address the housing crisis, improve public transportation, achieve universal health care, and build ecologically sustainable communities.

Alex Lee is a former legislative policy advisor for State Senator Henry Stern, where he worked on legislation addressing climate change, housing, and public education. If elected, he would be the youngest state legislator in nearly a century.

Alex Lee is endorsed by many local progressive groups in the district and has been found to be true to his pledges to refuse money from problematic sources. According to our analysis, Alex Lee is the strongest choice for equitable and representative leadership in office.

About Courage California’s Endorsement

After a comprehensive interview with Alex Lee, we have determined that he is committed to criminal justice reform, environmental justice, racial equity and justice, and immigrant rights. His experience in Sacramento and deep knowledge of his district, along with his pledges to refuse money from corporate PACs, police, and the fossil fuel industry are in alignment with the progressive future Courage California hopes to achieve in which special interests have no place in politics. One of the first policies he would champion as a state legislator in the 2021 session is regarding social housing, a time-tested housing solution in Europe and Asia wherein the public sector is responsible for building affordable housing, not for-profit developers. We are confident that he will co-govern in the interests of all Californians and actively fight for anti-racist legislation. Courage California is proud to endorse Alex Lee for AD-25.

Re-elect State Assemblymember Ash Kalra to keep AD-27 on the right track.

About the Position

State Assembly Members form part of the California State Legislature, and work alongside the governor to establish laws and a state budget. They hold the power to pass bills that affect public policy, set state spending levels, raise and lower taxes, and uphold or override the governor’s vetoes. The California State Assembly has 80 districts. Each represents a population of at least 465,000 Californians. Representatives are elected to the Assembly for a two-year term. Every two years, all 80 seats are subject to election. Members elected before 2012 are restricted to three two-year terms (six years) in the Assembly. Those elected in or after 2012 are allowed to serve 12 years total across both the State Senate and Assembly. This term, Democrats currently hold a two-thirds supermajority of 61 seats in the California State Assembly, while Republicans hold 17 seats. One seat is held by an Independent, and one seat is currently vacant.

About the District

California's 27th Assembly District includes parts of Santa Clara County and the city of San Jose. Democrats typically hold this district. The most recent election results show 77.8 percent of AD-27 voted for Clinton for president in 2016, and 74.1 percent of the district voted for Newsom for governor in 2018.

About the Race

In the primary, Democrat incumbent Representative Kalra led Republican challenger G. Burt Lancaster by a margin of 51.4 percent. Kalra’s campaign has raised $381,896.30 and has pledged to refuse police money. At the same time, he has accepted money from the California Correctional Peace Officers Association and the Santa Clara County Probation Peace Officers Local 1587. His campaign has yet to pledge to refuse corporate PAC and fossil fuel money, and his campaign has accepted corporate PAC funding. Lancaster’s campaign has not made any FEC filings.

About the Candidate

Ash Kalra has lived in San Jose for over 35 years. He is the incumbent, having served in this position since 2017. According to campaign materials, he is running for re-election because as a longtime resident of San Jose, he is committed to improving the region’s environmental footprint and public safety.
In the State Assembly, Kalra has been outspoken in his advocacy for clean energy and preserving public green spaces. He is the author of the bill that banned single-use plastic toiletries in California hotels, and introduced legislation to protect tropical forests. Kalra has also worked on social protections, authoring bills to eliminate high school exit exams, and protect DACA recipients in the state.

Rep. Kalra’s priorities for AD-27 this year include being a champion for transit, safety, and the environment. He currently sits on five committees, including the committees on Aging and Long-Term Care, Labor and Employment, and Education. Rep. Kalra has co-sponsored five bills expanding housing, environmental protection, and justice reform this year. He scores a 100 out of 100 on Courage Score, our annual analysis of legislators’ progressive voting records. Based on our Courage Score analysis, Rep. Kalra has supported the most progressive bills that made it to a vote.

Prior to his election to the Assembly, Kalra was an attorney with the Santa Clara County Public Defender’s Office, working primarily to provide drug offenders with the opportunity to complete rehabilitation programs. Kalra was elected to the San Jose City Council in 2008, where he worked to stimulate economic growth and improve the public transportation system.

Rep. Kalra is endorsed by a strong majority of progressive groups in the district. He is also endorsed by police groups. However, the threat of Republican challenger and strong Trump supporter Lancaster’s potential policies greatly outweighs Kalra’s police backing and financing. According to our analysis, Rep. Kalra is the strongest choice for equitable and representative leadership in office.

Re-elect State Assemblymember Mark Stone to keep AD-29 on the right track.

About the Position

State Assembly Members form part of the California State Legislature, and work alongside the governor to establish laws and a state budget. They hold the power to pass bills that affect public policy, set state spending levels, raise and lower taxes, and uphold or override the governor’s vetoes. The California State Assembly has 80 districts. Each represents a population of at least 465,000 Californians. Representatives are elected to the Assembly for a two-year term. Every two years, all 80 seats are subject to election. Members elected before 2012 are restricted to three two-year terms (six years) in the Assembly. Those elected in or after 2012 are allowed to serve 12 years total across both the State Senate and Assembly. This term, Democrats currently hold a two-thirds supermajority of 61 seats in the California State Assembly, while Republicans hold 17 seats. One seat is held by an Independent, and one seat is currently vacant.

About the District

California's 29th Assembly District includes parts of Monterey, Santa Cruz, and Santa Clara Counties. Democrats typically hold this district. The most recent election results show 70 percent of AD-29 voted for Clinton for president in 2016, and 70.9 percent of the district voted for Newsom for governor in 2018.

About the Race

In the primary, Democrat incumbent Representative Stone led Republican challenger Shomir Banerjee by a margin of 51.6 percent. Stone’s campaign has raised $163,718.50, has not pledged to refuse corporate PAC, fossil fuel, or police money, and has accepted funds from corporations and police groups. Individual donations comprise a large amount of Stone’s campaign finances. Banerjee’s campaign has raised $2,250.00 and has also not pledged to refuse corporate PAC, fossil fuel, or police money.

About the Candidate

Mark Stone lives in Scotts Valley. He is the incumbent, having served in this position since 2012. According to campaign materials, he is running for re-election because he wants to continue to protect the most vulnerable Californians.

In the State Assembly, Rep. Stone has led reform in criminal justice, youth and education, LGBTQIA+ rights, and the environment. Last year, his bill to eliminate copayments for medical and dental visits for incarcerated people became law, as well as a bill that allowed more incarcerated people to qualify to earn parole credits. He also introduced a Student Borrower’s Bill of Rights, and the Coastal Adaptation, Access, and Resilience Program (CAARP), to fund climate-adaptation projects. He currently chairs the Judiciary Committee.

Rep. Stone’s priorities for AD-29 this year include child welfare, justice reform, and environmental protection. He currently sits on eight committees, and he chairs the Judiciary Committee. Rep. Stone has sponsored or cosponsored five bills supporting gun violence prevention legislation, consumer protection, and expanded medical leave this year. He scores a lifetime score of 100 out of 100 on Courage Score, our annual analysis of legislators’ progressive voting records. Based on our Courage Score analysis, Rep. Stone has supported the most progressive bills that made it to a vote.

Prior to election to the State Assembly, he served two terms on the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors.

Rep. Stone is endorsed by a strong majority of progressive groups in the district. According to our analysis, despite his lack of campaign finance pledges, Rep. Mark Stone is the strongest choice for equitable and representative leadership in office.

Re-elect State Assemblymember Robert Rivas to keep AD-30 on the right track.

About the Position

State Assembly Members form part of the California State Legislature, and work alongside the governor to establish laws and a state budget. They hold the power to pass bills that affect public policy, set state spending levels, raise and lower taxes, and uphold or override the governor’s vetoes. The California State Assembly has 80 districts. Each represents a population of at least 465,000 Californians. Representatives are elected to the Assembly for a two-year term. Every two years, all 80 seats are subject to election. Members elected before 2012 are restricted to three two-year terms (six years) in the Assembly. Those elected in or after 2012 are allowed to serve 12 years total across both the State Senate and Assembly. This term, Democrats currently hold a two-thirds supermajority of 61 seats in the California State Assembly, while Republicans hold 17 seats. One seat is held by an Independent, and one seat is currently vacant.

About the District

California's 31st Assembly District includes all of San Benito County, as well as parts of Monterey, Santa Cruz, and Santa Clara Counties. Democrats typically hold this district. The most recent election results show 66.7 percent of AD-30 voted for Clinton for president in 2016, and 64.5 percent of the district voted for Newsom for governor in 2018.

About the Race

In the primary, Democrat incumbent Representative Rivas led Republican challenger Gregory Swett by a margin of 38.8 percent. Neither candidate has pledged to refuse corporate PAC, fossil fuel, or police money. Rivas’s campaign has raised $477,985.86, including from corporate, fossil fuel, and police interest groups. Swett’s campaign has raised much less than Rivas’s, with $1,000, all from his private business.

About the Candidate

Robert Rivas is from Paicines and has lived in Hollister for most of his life. He is the incumbent, having served in this position since 2018. According to campaign materials, he is running for re-election to continue to fight for the “resources local communities need and deserve.”

In the State Assembly, he authored the landmark Farmworker Housing Act, which would allow surplus agricultural land to be rezoned for farmworker housing. He also co-authored the bill to fund the Golden State Teacher Grant Program. The program provides $20,000 in scholarship grants for recent college graduates who acquire a teaching credential in high-need fields, such as STEM or special education, and teach for four years in select schools.

Rivas’s priorities for AD-30 this year include infrastructure improvements, affordable housing, and attracting more jobs. He currently sits on 13 committees and chairs the Joint Committee on Fairs Allocation and Classification. Assemblymember Rivas has co-sponsored three bills about environmental, consumer, and worker protection this year. He scores a lifetime score of 88 out of 100 on Courage Score, our annual analysis of legislators’ progressive voting records. Based on our Courage Score analysis, Rep. Rivas has supported the most progressive bills that made it to a vote. That said, Rep. Rivas has been absent from voting on key progressive legislation on worker protection and police accountability.

Prior to his election to the State Assembly, he served on the San Benito County Board of Supervisors.

Rep. Rivas is endorsed by a strong majority of progressive groups in the district. According to our analysis, Assemblymember Rivas is the strongest choice for equitable and representative leadership in office.

Elect Dawn Addis to push AD-35 in the right direction.

About the Position

State Assembly Members form part of the California State Legislature, and work alongside the governor to establish laws and a state budget. They hold the power to pass bills that affect public policy, set state spending levels, raise and lower taxes, and uphold or override the governor’s vetoes. The California State Assembly has 80 districts. Each represents a population of at least 465,000 Californians. Representatives are elected to the Assembly for a four-year term. Every two years, all 80 seats are subject to election. Members elected before 2012 are restricted to three two-year terms (six years) in the Assembly. Those elected in or after 2012 are allowed to serve 12 years total across both the State Senate and Assembly. This term, Democrats currently hold a two-thirds supermajority of 61 seats in the California State Assembly, while Republicans hold 17 seats. One seat is held by an Independent, and one seat is currently vacant.

About the District

California's 35th Assembly District includes parts of Santa Barbara County and all of San Luis Obispo County. The district has been held by Republicans and Democrats over the years, but has been red since 2012. The most recent election results show AD-35 voted for Clinton for president in 2016 and Cox for governor in 2018.

About the Race

In the primary, Democrat challenger Addis trailed Republican incumbent Representative Jordan Cunningham by a margin of 13.6 percent. Addis’s campaign has raised $180,835.76, including significant contributions from trade unions and women’s groups. While she is not funded by corporate, fossil fuel, or police money, Addis has not committed to refusing police money. Opponent Cunningham’s campaign has raised $445,388. The majority of his donations are from individuals.

About the Candidate

Dawn Addis is from the Central Coast and has been working as a Morro Bay City Council member since 2018. According to campaign materials, Addis is running for election as assemblymember to improve health care and public education, reduce homelessness and housing costs, and to combat corruption.

Addis has built a record of leadership as a Morro Bay Cith Council member, working to secure clean water, equal representation, and to protect the local workforce. Her record of community involvement includes co-founding the Women’s March in San Luis Obispo. As a result of her work, she was named 2017’s 24th Congressional District Woman of the Year by Congressmember Carbajal. She was invited to the State of the Union address in 2018 by him because of her record of advocacy on immigration issues. She is a bilingual public educator and taught special education before moving into program development.

Addis is endorsed by many local progressive groups in the district, with the majority of endorsements coming from labor rights and women’s groups. Opponent Cunningham has received a number of problematic endorsements, including from police, pro-life, and gun-owner groups. While Addis is trailing in the polls, she can win this seat. According to our analysis, Dawn Addis is the strongest choice for equitable and representative leadership in office.