Chris Bubser
Elect Chris Bubser to push CA-08 in the right direction.
About the Position
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The President of the United States is the head of the Executive branch of the federal government, and the Commander-in-Chief for all branches of the armed forces. A president has the power to make diplomatic, executive, and judicial appointments, and can sign into law or veto legislation. Presidential administrations are responsible for both foreign and domestic policy priorities. Presidents are limited to serving two four-year terms in office.
As of October 12th, Democratic challenger Vice President Joe Biden is leading Republican incumbent President Donald Trump in the polls by an average national margin of 9.2% (as of 10/24/20). Ten days before Election Day in 2016, Secretary Hillary Clinton held an average 4.9% polling lead over Donald Trump. Vice President Biden’s campaign has raised $952 million (as of 10/14/20) and is not funded by fossil fuel money. While his platform commits to establishing meaningful campaign finance reform, his 2020 campaign has received donations from special interest, corporate PAC, and lobbyist organizations. President Donald Trump has raised $601 million (as of 10/14/20) and has not taken any fundraising pledges. President Trump is endorsed by the Fraternal Order of Police, Citizens United, Proud Boys, and a variety of law enforcement organizations.
Vice President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. is from Scranton, PA, and moved to Claymont, DE with his family when he was 10 years old. He has been a resident of Wilmington, DE, for most of his adult life. Vice President Biden came of age during the 1960s Civil Rights movement, which he cites as his inspiration for majoring in political science at the University of Delaware before earning his law degree at Syracuse University. His political career began in 1970 when he was elected to the New Castle County Council. Just two years later, at age 29, Vice President Biden ran for the Delaware Senate seat, and became one of the youngest people ever elected to the United States Senate. A few weeks after his election, his wife and infant daughter were killed in a car accident, and his two sons were badly injured. This personal tragedy shaped Vice President Biden’s public image as an empathetic leader and committed family man.
Vice President Biden spent 36 years representing Delaware in the Senate. He is often critiqued as being an unremarkable, status quo Democrat, and mid-career votes in favor of the Defense of Marriage Act, anti-drug legislation, and the Iraq War reaffirm that characterization. In 1991, Vice President Biden was the chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee and presided over the Supreme Court confirmation hearings for Justice Clarence Thomas, who had been credibly accused of sexual harassment by a former colleague, Anita Hill. Vice President Biden’s mismanagement of the hearing resulted in a targeted and unfair character assassination of Anita Hill, and remains a reminder of his complicity in the patriarchal and racist systems on which American government is built.
Vice President Biden has also been directly accused of unwanted contact by several women over the course of his career. Most of the accusations came to light as part of the #MeToo movement, and related to invasions of personal space that included the touching of shoulders, caressing of hair, and close whispering. He has apologized publicly for this behavior, and stated an understanding of his responsibility to conform to more modern social norms in his interactions with women.
Vice President Biden launched two unsuccessful campaigns for President during his time in the Senate, in 1988 and 2008. After ending his 2008 campaign, he was chosen by President Barack Obama to join his ticket as Vice President, and they served together for two terms. As Vice President, he was responsible for managing the 2009 economic recovery, helping to expand health care through the Affordable Care Act, and acting as the administration’s liaison to the Senate. In 2015, his oldest son, Beau Biden, lost his battle with brain cancer at the age of 46. Since leaving office in 2016, Vice President Biden has dedicated substantial resources to cancer research.
Although he was rarely a trailblazer, Vice President Biden’s record does demonstrate a consistent liberal evolution on many issues throughout his career. After voting in favor of the Defense of Marriage Act in 1996, he was the first member of the Obama Administration to advocate for marriage equality in 2012. After presiding over the Anita Hill hearings in 1991, he was the architect of the Violence Against Women Act in 1994, and led the Obama Administration’s effort to reduce campus sexual assault through the It’s On Us campaign. After supporting the 1994 Crime Bill and aligning with the racist ‘tough on crime’ approach of that era, his current platform supports criminal justice reform, abolishing private prisons, and decriminalizing marijuana.
Vice President Biden has long been committed to building relationships with colleagues across the aisle, and bridging intra-party policy differences to establish compromise legislation for the American people. This commitment to civility resulted in Vice President Biden maintaining problematic working relationships with segregationist Senators James Eastland and Herman Talmadge during his time in the Senate. During the 2020 primary, Sen. Cory Booker and Sen. Kamala Harris, both Black candidates running for President, were outward in their critique of what they viewed as Vice President Biden’s defense of the reputations and decency of these segregationists. However, Vice President Biden has not apologized for his continued defense of collaborating with these segregationist colleagues, and maintains broad support in the Black community.
Vice President Biden’s commitment to compromise has extended to the left in recent months, and updates to his campaign platform are reflective of his interest in connecting with progressive voters. While he was a more moderate candidate in the larger 2020 field, he has been conscientious about including the popular perspectives of his progressive rivals, including Sen. Elizabeth Warren and Sen. Bernie Sanders, in his platform. He has recently issued proposals that include middle-class tax cuts, lowering Medicare eligibility to age 60, new benchmarks for greenhouse gas emission limits, free college tuition for families making less than $125,000 annually, and clean energy investments. While these proposals do not embrace the full scope of progressive ideals, they are an important indicator of his capacity for collaboration.
The Biden/Harris campaign is endorsed by many progressive groups in the country. While the Biden/Harris platform is the most progressive platform ever adopted by a major party ticket, we encourage progressive advocates to continue to hold their administration accountable, and work to encourage progressive legislation throughout the country. With consideration to their records in public service, we unequivocally recommend Joe Biden and Kamala Harris as the strongest choice for equitable and representative leadership in office.
The Vice President is the second-highest office in the Executive branch of the federal government. The officeholder is the first in the line of succession to the presidency and holds legislative authority as the president of the Senate. In this role, the Vice President presides over Senate deliberations and can cast a tie-breaking vote in close decisions. A Vice Presidential candidate is selected directly by a Presidential nominee who has won the democratic primary process. Vice Presidential candidates are elected indirectly as a part of the Presidential ticket in the general election. A Vice President serves four year terms, and there is no term limit for this position.
As of October 12th, Democratic challenger Vice President Joe Biden is leading Republican incumbent President Donald Trump in the polls by an average national margin of 9.2% (as of 10/24/20). Ten days before Election Day in 2016, Secretary Hillary Clinton held an average 4.9% polling lead over Donald Trump. Vice President Biden’s campaign has raised $952 million (as of 10/14/20) and is not funded by fossil fuel money. While his platform commits to establishing meaningful campaign finance reform, his 2020 campaign has received donations from special interest, corporate PAC, and lobbyist organizations. President Donald Trump has raised $601 million (as of 10/14/20) and has not taken any fundraising pledges. President Trump is endorsed by the Fraternal Order of Police, Citizens United, Proud Boys, and a variety of law enforcement organizations.
Senator Kamala Harris grew up in Berkeley, CA, and now resides in Los Angeles. She is the daughter of a Jamiacan father and an Indian mother who both emigrated to the Bay Area in the 1960s, and established themselves as activists in the Civil Rights movement in Oakland. Sen. Harris’ interest in justice and equal rights was instilled at a young age when she participated in civil rights protests in Oakland alongside her activist parents, and was further shaped when she was included in the second class of students to be bussed as part of Berkley’s efforts toward school integration. She attended Howard University, one of America’s HBCU institutions, for undergraduate studies, and completed her law degree at the University of California, Hastings.
After working for the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office for 8 years, Sen. Harris transitioned to a role as a prosecutor in the San Francisco District Attorney’s office. Sen. Harris’ political career began in 2003 when she won her bid to become District Attorney of the City and County of San Francisco. She served two terms in San Francisco before being elected as the Attorney General for the state of California in 2010. She was the first woman and the first person of color to hold this seat. In representing the needs and interests of Californians in each of these roles, Sen. Harris’ record was both progressive for the time and complicated by her moderate approach to policing and criminal justice. She has been criticized for failing to institute comprehensive police accountability measures, for not establishing meaningful prison reform, and for taking a hands-off approach to cases related to police misconduct. However, her lenient approach to policing was often punctuated by decidedly progressive support for social justice issues, including the establishment of an education and workforce reentry program designed to diminish recidivism. Similarly, as Attorney General, she declined to defend Proposition 8, a proposition to make same-sex marriage illegal in California, in court and officiated the first wedding in the state when marriage equality was restored in 2013.
In 2016, Sen. Harris became the first woman of color elected to represent California in the United States Senate. Sen. Harris has sponsored legislation on climate and environmental protections, rental and housing protections, women’s health, and pandemic relief. She was also an original cosponsor of the progressive Green New Deal authored by Rep. Alexandria Ocasio Cortez and Sen. Ed Markey. Sen. Harris sits on four committees: Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, Budget, Judiciary, and Select Committee on Intelligence. She has been an outspoken opponent of the Trump Administration, and has deftly used her position on the Senate Judiciary Committee to question judicial nominees and interrogate the hypocrisy of her Republican colleagues.
Sen. Harris formally launched her campaign for President in January 2019 at an Oakland rally with an estimated attendance of 20,000 supporters. As a candidate, she pushed forward a platform that opposed Medicare for All, supported expansion of the Affordable Care Act, sought to expand tax benefits for middle and low-income families, supported citizenship for Dreamers, and favored a ban on assault weapons. She ended her campaign in December 2019, and was tapped to join Vice President Joe Biden’s ticket ahead of the Democratic National Convention in August 2020.
The Biden/Harris campaign is endorsed by many progressive groups in the country. While the Biden/Harris platform is the most progressive platform ever adopted by a major party ticket, we encourage progressive advocates to continue to hold their administration accountable, and work to encourage progressive legislation throughout the country. With consideration to their records in public service, we unequivocally recommend Joe Biden and Kamala Harris as the strongest choice for equitable and representative leadership in office.
Depending on where you live, you may have one of the below congressional districts on your ballot.
About the Position
The United States is divided into 435 congressional districts, each with a population of about 710,000 individuals. Each district elects a representative to the House of Representatives for a two-year term. California has 53 congressional representatives. There is no term limit for this position.
About the District
California’s 8th congressional district includes parts of Inyo, Mono, and San Bernardino Counties. This district was represented by Nancy Pelosi until 2012, when redistricting allowed Republican Paul Cook to flip CA-08 from blue to red. Rep. Cook is retiring from Congress, leaving this seat open in the 2020 race. This district has favored Republican candidates in recent state and national elections, voting for Republican John Cox by a 19.6 percent margin in 2018, and for Donald Trump by a 15.1 percent margin in 2016.
About the Race
In the primary, Democrat Chris Bubser trailed Republican State Assemblymember Jay Obernolte by a margin of 6.2 percent. Bubser’s campaign is not funded by corporate PAC money or fossil fuel money, and she has the endorsement of End Citizens United. Obernolte’s campaign has not committed to refusing fossil fuel money, has received donations from the San Bernardino County Safety Employees’ Benefit Association PAC, and is backed by the Republican Majority Committee PAC, which is dedicated to winning a Republican Majority in the House of Representatives.
About the Candidate
Chris Bubser is from Pennsylvania and has lived in Mammoth Lakes for over 13 years. According to campaign materials, she is running to bring responsive representation to California’s 8th congressional district.
Bubser is a biotech engineer and health-care advocate. When the Affordable Care Act was under attack in 2017, she used her professional knowledge and personal experience with care management to advocate for affordable health care. Bubser’s interest in science extends to the outdoors, and she has a strong desire to work to protect California’s natural resources. She is also cofounder of the community group HangOutDoGood (HODG), a grassroots coalition of volunteers working to elect progressive candidates, and she serves as a trustee at her temple.
Chris Bubser is endorsed by a strong majority of progressive groups in the district, including Indivisible, Bend the Arc: Jewish Action PAC and Equality California. In contrast to Trump-endorsed Assemblymember Obernolte, who has focused his platform on defending freedom and being tough on crime, Bubser will bring to this seat a progressive perspective rooted in science and collective action. She will apply her focus to improving the lived experience of constituents in the areas of health-care access, natural-resource protections, and public-education improvements. According to our analysis, Chris Bubser is the strongest choice for equitable and representative leadership in office.
About the Position
The United States is divided into 435 congressional districts, each with a population of about 710,000 individuals. Each district elects a representative to the House of Representatives for a two-year term. California has 53 congressional representatives. There is no term limit for this position.
California's 27th Congressional District includes part of Los Angeles County. This seat has been reliably Democratic since 2001, and has voted for Democratic presidential and gubernatorial candidates in every election since 1996, with the exception of a narrow win by Gov. Schwarzenegger in 2006. Hillary Clinton won this district with 66 percent of the vote in 2016, and Gavin Newsom won with 65 percent of the vote in 2018.
In the primary, Democrat incumbent Representative Judy Chu led Republican challenger Johnny Nalbandian by a margin of 57.5 percent. Rep. Chu’s campaign has not pledged to refuse corporate PAC, fossil fuel, or police money. She has received a total of nearly $800,000 in donations, including donations from Comcast Corporation, FedEx, Google NetPAC, and Lockheed Martin Corporation. Challenger Nalbandian has not taken any fundraising pledges, and has raised only $36,000. One third of his raised funds have been contributed from his own accounts.
Rep. Judy Chu, a former member of the State Assembly, has lived in Monterey Park for over 30 years. According to campaign materials, Rep. Chu is running for re-election to continue fighting for her constituents through legislation related to social programs, education reform, and small-business support.
Rep. Chu’s priorities for CA-27 this year have included working to reverse the Trump administration’s Muslim ban, establishing increased environmental protections for the San Gabriel Mountain region, and supporting coronavirus relief for small businesses, immigrants, and working families. Rep. Chu serves on two committees: Small Business (ranks 7th), and Ways and Means (ranks 14th). This year, Rep. Chu has voted 99 percent of the time with Nancy Pelosi and 96 percent of the time with Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. In contrast to Rep. Ocasio-Cortez, Rep. Chu voted in favor of the passage of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement Implementation Act Trade Agreement, and in support of appropriations made to the Department of the Interior, the environment, and other related committees. Rep. Chu has sponsored 46 bills about mental-health care access, immigration protections, and educational equity this year. She has also proposed legislation to support minority-owned businesses that were left out of the COVID-19 relief legislation. Of those 46 bills, two have been referred to the Senate, and the remaining are in committee or referred to committee.
Rep.Chu is endorsed by some progressive groups in the district, including California League of Conservation Voters. She is also endorsed by several police organizations. However, the threat of Republican challenger Nalbandian’s potential policies greatly outweighs Rep. Chu’s relationship with police organizations. According to our analysis, Rep. Chu is the clear choice for equitable and representative leadership in office.
The United States is divided into 435 congressional districts, each with a population of about 710,000 individuals.
The United States is divided into 435 congressional districts, each with a population of about 710,000 individuals. Each district elects a representative to the House of Representatives for a two-year term. California has 53 congressional representatives. There is no term limit for this position.
California's 31st Congressional District includes parts of San Bernardino County. Democrats typically hold this district, although the seat was flipped from red 2012–2014. The most recent election results show 57.7 percent of CA-31 voted for Clinton for president in 2016, and 56.6 percent of the district voted for Newsom for governor in 2018. According to recent election results, Democrats can win this seat, but it's often a close race.
In the primary, Democrat incumbent Representative Aguilar led Republican challenger Agnes Gibboney by a margin of 24.3 percent. Neither campaign has pledged to refuse corporate PAC, fossil fuel, or police money. Aguilar has raised $1,855,725.34, including from corporate and fossil fuel interest groups. Gibboney’s campaign has raised much less, with $92,362.92, also including from corporate and fossil fuel interest groups.
Representative Pete Aguilar is a fourth-generation San Bernardino County resident and currently resides in Redlands, CA. He is the incumbent, having served in this position since 2015. According to campaign materials, he is running to keep his seat because he understands the problems families in his community face and knows how to bring people together to solve hardships.
In Congress, Rep. Aguilar has worked to expand economic opportunities, protect veterans, and fix the country’s broken immigration system. Furthermore, he has successfully fought to protect such programs as Medicare and Social Security from ongoing GOP attacks. Rep. Aguilar currently serves as vice chair of the House Appropriations Committee and sits on three additional subcommittees.
Prior to his election to Congress, he served as the mayor of Redlands, where he developed a reputation as someone who brings people together on behalf of his community to increase economic opportunities and solve issues pertaining to public safety and public health.
Rep. Aguilar has progressive positions when it comes to increasing access to educational opportunities, preserving the environment, and fixing the country’s broken immigration system. That said, he has voted against key progressive bills on military spending, taxation policy, and limiting payments from health savings accounts for medication.
Rep. Aguilar’s priorities for CA-31 this year have included working with members of both parties to expand protections and job opportunities for veterans, cut taxes for small businesses, and to make health care more affordable. He is currently the vice chair of the House Appropriations Committee, where he serves on the Subcommittees of Defense, Transportation, Housing & Urban Development, and Homeland Security. This year, Rep. Aguilar has voted 100 percent of the time with Nancy Pelosi and 93 percent of the time with Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. While Rep. Ocasio-Cortez voted against the National Defense Authorization Act, Rep. Aguilar voted for it. Rep. Aguilar co-sponsored one bill on police accountability this year, which has successfully passed in the House and now awaits the Senate.
Rep. Aguilar is endorsed by a strong majority of progressive groups in the district. Gibboney is endorsed by far-right, anti-LGBTQIA+, anti-immigrant individuals and Trump supporters. According to our analysis, Rep. Aguilar is the strongest choice for equitable and representative leadership in office.
The United States is divided into 435 congressional districts, each with a population of about 710,000 individuals.
The United States is divided into 435 congressional districts, each with a population of about 710,000 individuals. Each district elects a representative to the House of Representatives for a two-year term. California has 53 congressional representatives. There is no term limit for this position.
California's 35th Congressional District includes parts of Los Angeles and San Bernardino Counties. Democrats typically hold this district. The most recent election results show 67.7 percent of AD-35 voted for Clinton for president in 2016, and 65.6 percent of the district voted for Newsom for governor in 2018.
In the primary, Democrat incumbent Representative Torres led Republican challenger Mike Cargile by a margin of 41.6 percent. Neither candidate has pledged to refuse corporate PAC, fossil fuel, or police money. Rep. Torres’s campaign is funded mostly by labor groups, but also by real estate and agribusiness.
Representative Norma Torres is from Guatemala and immigrated to the United States at five years old. She is a longtime resident of the Inland Empire and currently resides in Pomona, CA. Rep. Torres is the incumbent, having served in Congress since 2015. According to campaign materials, she is running for re-election to continue her fight against Republicans’ regressive policies.
In Congress, Rep. Torres has worked to address issues of national security by solving cybersecurity vulnerabilities at shipping ports. Furthermore, she has advanced initiatives to address the root causes of migration from Central America and public safety concerns of indigenous communities. Rep. Torres currently sits on the Appropriations Committee and the Rules Committee. Prior to her election to Congress, she served as the mayor of Pomona, CA, in the State Assembly, and the in State Senate, where she worked to promote diversity in leadership. She also successfully fought to restore local authority of the Ontario Airport, and played a pivotal role in developing the Keep Your Home California program, which allowed over 80,000 families to stay in their homes and avoid foreclosures following the Great Recession.
Rep. Torres’s priorities for CA-35 this year include growing the local economy, protecting public safety, and preserving natural resources. She currently sits on two committees, including the Appropriations Committee. This year, Rep. Torres has voted 100 percent of the time with Nancy Pelosi and 95 percent of the time with Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. Rep. Torres has disagreed with Rep. Ocasio-Cortez on a non–defense spending bill. Rep. Torres has co-sponsored three bills about protecting the US Postal Service, expanding childcare, and providing for more police accountability this year, all of which all have successfully passed the House but are languishing in the Senate. While Rep. Torres voted to reauthorize FISA and the Patriot Act, she also offered an amendment to the fiscal year 2021 Department of Homeland Security Appropriations bill, calling for considering a breakup of the entity.
Rep. Torres is endorsed by a strong majority of progressive groups in the district. She is also endorsed by a police interest group. However, the threat of the potential policies of Republican challenger Cargile--a QAnon proponent with a history of racist and homophobic social media posts--greatly outweighs concerns regarding Torres’s police endorsement. According to our analysis, Rep. Torres is the strongest choice for equitable and representative leadership in office.
The United States is divided into 435 congressional districts, each with a population of about 710,000 individuals.
The United States is divided into 435 congressional districts, each with a population of about 710,000 individuals. Each district elects a representative to the House of Representatives for a two-year term. California has 53 congressional representatives. There is no term limit for this position.
California's 39th Congressional District includes parts of Los Angeles, Orange, and San Bernardino Counties. Republicans held this district from 2011 to 2018, when Gil Cisneros won and flipped CA-39 from red to blue. In 2016, Democrat Hillary Clinton won this district by an 8.6 percent margin. In 2018, Republican John Cox won this district in the gubernatorial general election by a narrow margin of 0.8 percent.
In the primary, Democrat incumbent Representative Gil Cisneros trailed Republican challenger Young Kim by a margin of 1.4 percent. Cisneros’s campaign has pledged not to take fossil fuel money and has followed through on that commitment. He also pledged not to take corporate PAC funding, but he did attend a fundraiser hosted by corporate lobbyists. Kim’s campaign is backed by the Republican Super PAC Congressional Leadership Fund, which is dedicated to winning a Republican majority in the House of Representatives.
Rep. Cisneros, a veteran and education advocate, is from Los Angeles. According to campaign materials, Rep. Cisneros is running for re-election to ensure that future generations have access to a ladder of opportunities similar to what was available to him through the Navy.
Rep. Cisneros’s priorities for CA-39 this year have included advocating for Small Business Development Centers, education programs that serve Hispanic- and Minority-Serving Institutions, students with disabilities and English language learners, Emergency Solutions Grants to prevent homelessness and the Community Development Block Grants, and funding for public health agencies. He currently sits on two committees: Veterans' Affairs (ranks 11th) and Armed Services (ranks 20th). This year, Rep. Cisneros has voted 100 percent of the time with Nancy Pelosi and 93 percent of the time with Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. His divergence from Rep. Ocasio-Cortez included votes in favor of the National Defense Authorization Act, the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement Implementation Act, and appropriations for the Department of the Interior. Rep. Cisneros has sponsored 15 bills about armed forces, national security, and immigration this year. Of those bills, five have been referred to committee, eight are in committee, and two have been received by the Senate.
Rep. Cisneros is endorsed by a strong majority of progressive groups in the district. He is also endorsed by the Los Angeles County Professional Peace Officers Association. However, the threat of Republican challenger and strong Trump supporter Kim’s potential policies greatly outweighs Cisneros’s moderate voting record and inaction on campaign financing. According to our analysis, Rep. Cisneros is the strongest choice for equitable and representative leadership in office.
The United States is divided into 435 congressional districts, each with a population of about 710,000 individuals.
Depending on where you live, you may have one of the below State Assembly races on your ballot.
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.
California's 33rd Assembly District includes parts of San Bernardino County. Republicans typically hold this district. The most recent election results show 54.6 percent of AD-32 voted for Trump for president in 2016, and 60.2 percent voted for Cox for governor in 2018.
In the primary, Republican candidate Rick Herrick led Republican opponent Thurston Smith by a margin of 20.7 percent. Neither candidate has pledged to refuse corporate PAC, fossil fuel, or police money. Herrick’s campaign is funded by a mix of individuals and local businesses. While Thurston’s campaign is also funded by local businesses and individuals, it has also accepted money from medical corporations, including Davita Inc., which has a history of exploiting dialysis patients.
Rick Herrick currently serves as mayor of Big Bear Lake, and worked as councilmember of the city from 2006 to 2018. As mayor, Herrick publicly opposed AB 5, which afforded basic labor rights for millions of Californians. According to campaign materials, Herrick understands the importance of science in planning the economy’s reopening, as well as the need to support small businesses in the post-pandemic recovery. At the same time, Herrick also supports charter schools and is strongly opposed to defunding the police. Based on this track record, Herrick is likely to provide no progressive leadership in office.
Thurston Smith served on the Hesperia City Council from 2006 to 2014 and as mayor of the city for three terms. As city councilmember, Smith advocated against efforts to repeal Prop 13, which limits property tax. According to campaign materials, Smith is running to fight taxes, protect law-enforcement funding, and to oppose gun violence protection regulations. Smith is endorsed by police groups and DaVita Inc. Based on this track record, Smith is likely to provide no progressive leadership in office.
We encourage you to write in a candidate of your choice to show support for progressives in this district. Keep reading for progressive recommendations in other key races and on ballot measures where your vote can make a critical difference.
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.
California's 36th Assembly District includes parts of Kern, Los Angeles, and San Bernardino Counties. Democrats held this district before 2014, when Tom Lackey first won the seat and flipped AD-36 from blue to red. The most recent election results show 49.9 percent of AD-36 voted for Clinton for president in 2016, and 51.2 percent of the district voted for Newsom for governor in 2018.
In the primary, Democrat challenger Steve Fox trailed Republican incumbent Representative Tom Lackey by a margin of 35.7 percent. Neither candidate has pledged to refuse corporate PAC, fossil fuel, or police money. Fox’s campaign has raised $59,603.81, entirely from individual donors. Lackey’s campaign has raised $546,214.02 and is backed by corporate PACs, fossil fuel, and police money.
Steve Fox is the challenger and the former assemblymember for this district from 2012–2014. While Fox has co-authored legislation that expanded housing for veterans, he has also been absent for, or voted against, key progressive legislation, such as for environmental protections and raising the minimum wage. Steve Fox has also been accused of sexual misconduct during his time as assemblymember. Based on his track record, Fox is likely to provide no progressive leadership in office.
Keep reading for progressive recommendations in other key races and on ballot measures where your vote can make a critical difference.
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.
California's 40th Assembly District includes parts of San Bernardino County, which includes the cities of San Bernardino and Rancho Cucamonga. Republicans typically hold this district. The most recent election results show AD-40 voted for Clinton for president in 2016 and Newsom for governor in 2018.
In the primary, Democratic incumbent Representative James Ramos led Republican challenger Jennifer Tullius by a margin of 18.8 percent. Ramos’s campaign has raised $1,048,867.97. Ramos has not committed to refusing corporate PAC, fossil fuel, or police money, and his campaign is funded by all three. Tullius’s campaign trails Ramos’s in donations by a large margin, having raised only $3,550.00. Tullius has also not committed to refusing corporate PAC, fossil fuel, or police money, but her campaign is funded by only herself and one other individual.
Assemblymember James Ramos is the incumbent, having served in the Assembly in 2018. He scores a lifetime score of 18 out of 100 on Courage Score, our annual analysis of legislators’ progressive voting records. Based on our Courage Score analysis, Rep. Ramos has supported few progressive bills that made it to a vote. While Ramos has progressive stances on education and the economy, he has voted against key progressive bills on criminal-justice reform, health care, the environment, labor, and housing.
Because the Democratic candidate in this race is considered to be a safe win in this district, we feel comfortable providing no recommendation in this race. Keep reading for progressive recommendations in other key races and on ballot measures where your vote can make a critical difference.
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.
California's 41st Assembly District includes parts of Los Angeles and San Bernardino Counties. Democrats typically hold this district, and Holden has held this seat since 2012. The most recent election results show AD-41 voted for Clinton for president in 2016 and Newsom for governor in 2018.
In the primary, Democrat incumbent Representative Holden led Republican challenger Robin Hvidston by a margin of 37.4 percent. Holden’s campaign has raised $490,608.45. His campaign has not committed to refusing corporate PAC, fossil fuel, or police money, and he has received funding from all three types of groups. Hvidston’s campaign has not made any FEC filings.
Assemblymember Chris Holden is a lifelong resident of Pasadena. He is the incumbent, having served as assemblymember for the 41st District in the State Assembly since 2012. According to campaign materials, he is running for re-election to continue to find solutions that create and protect jobs, preserve vital services, and strengthen the economic vitality of the San Gabriel Valley.
As an assemblymember, Holden has authored and led the passage of several bills to support small businesses and innovation, save developmental disability services, protect public health, and preserve civil rights. Assemblymember Holden currently chairs the Assembly Committee on Utilities and Energy.
Assemblymember Holden’s priorities for AD-41 this year include creating jobs and a strong economy, investing in quality education for children, improving transportation and infrastructure, and preserving natural resources. Holden scores a lifetime 93 out of 100 on Courage Score, our annual analysis of legislators’ progressive voting records. Based on our Courage Score analysis, Assemblymember Holden has supported the most progressive bills that made it to a vote. That said, Holden has supported legislation to eliminate oversight of telecommunications companies.
Prior to his election to the State Assembly, Chris Holden served as a Pasadena City Councilmember and then as Pasadena City mayor. He has served Pasadena as councilmember the second-longest. Holden is a graduate of Pasadena High School and San Diego State University. In this position, Holden authored and pushed the passage of several bills, including legislation that expanded California’s small-business loan-guarantee program and reduced fees at UCs and CSUs by up to 40 percent for middle-class families.
Assemblymember Holden is endorsed by many progressive groups in the district. The threat of anti-immigrant Republican challenger and strong Trump supporter Hvidston’s potential policies greatly outweighs Holden’s less-than-ideal campaign financing. According to our analysis, Rep. Holden is the strongest choice for equitable and representative leadership in office.
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.
California's 41st Assembly District includes parts of Los Angeles and San Bernardino Counties. Democrats typically hold this district, and Holden has held this seat since 2012. The most recent election results show AD-41 voted for Clinton for president in 2016 and Newsom for governor in 2018.
In the primary, Democrat incumbent Representative Holden led Republican challenger Robin Hvidston by a margin of 37.4 percent. Holden’s campaign has raised $490,608.45. His campaign has not committed to refusing corporate PAC, fossil fuel, or police money, and he has received funding from all three types of groups. Hvidston’s campaign has not made any FEC filings.
Assemblymember Chris Holden is a lifelong resident of Pasadena. He is the incumbent, having served as assemblymember for the 41st District in the State Assembly since 2012. According to campaign materials, he is running for re-election to continue to find solutions that create and protect jobs, preserve vital services, and strengthen the economic vitality of the San Gabriel Valley.
As an assemblymember, Holden has authored and led the passage of several bills to support small businesses and innovation, save developmental disability services, protect public health, and preserve civil rights. Assemblymember Holden currently chairs the Assembly Committee on Utilities and Energy.
Assemblymember Holden’s priorities for AD-41 this year include creating jobs and a strong economy, investing in quality education for children, improving transportation and infrastructure, and preserving natural resources. Holden scores a lifetime 93 out of 100 on Courage Score, our annual analysis of legislators’ progressive voting records. Based on our Courage Score analysis, Assemblymember Holden has supported the most progressive bills that made it to a vote. That said, Holden has supported legislation to eliminate oversight of telecommunications companies.
Prior to his election to the State Assembly, Chris Holden served as a Pasadena City Councilmember and then as Pasadena City mayor. He has served Pasadena as councilmember the second-longest. Holden is a graduate of Pasadena High School and San Diego State University. In this position, Holden authored and pushed the passage of several bills, including legislation that expanded California’s small-business loan-guarantee program and reduced fees at UCs and CSUs by up to 40 percent for middle-class families.
Assemblymember Holden is endorsed by many progressive groups in the district. The threat of anti-immigrant Republican challenger and strong Trump supporter Hvidston’s potential policies greatly outweighs Holden’s less-than-ideal campaign financing. According to our analysis, Rep. Holden is the strongest choice for equitable and representative leadership in office.
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.
California's 42nd Assembly District includes parts of San Bernardino and Riverside Counties. Republicans typically hold this district, and incumbent Chad Mayes has held this seat as a Republican since 2014. That said, Mayes left the Republican Party this year and is running as an independent. The most recent election results show 49.7 percent of AD-42 voted for Trump for president in 2016, and 52.2 percent of the district voted for Cox for governor in 2018.
In the primary, now-Independent incumbent Representative Mayes led Republican challenger Andrew Kotyuk by a margin of 1.5 percent. Neither candidate has pledged to refuse corporate PAC, fossil fuel, and police money. Mayes’s campaign has raised $740,040 and is funded by all three groups, including Anheuser-Busch Co., the California Correctional Peace Officers Association, and Chevron Corp. Opponent Kotyuk’s campaign has raised $298,738.27 and is backed by individuals, local businesses, and some labor groups.
Rep. Mayes, the incumbent, was first elected to the Assembly in 2014. According to campaign materials, Rep. Mayes is running for re-election to represent the people, not a party. Chad Mayes was first elected to the Assembly in November 2014 to represent the 42nd District in the California State Assembly. This Inland Empire district encompasses parts of San Bernardino and Riverside Counties.
Rep. Mayes’s priorities for AD-42 this year include individual freedom, shared responsibility, and educational excellence. He scores a lifetime score of 4 out of 100 on Courage Score, our annual analysis of legislators’ progressive voting records. Based on our Courage Score analysis, Rep. Mayes has supported a very small number of progressive bills that made it to a vote. He has voted consistently against workers’ rights and environmental protection.
Neither candidate demonstrates a commitment to equitable or representative leadership. Keep reading for progressive recommendations in other key races and on ballot measures where your vote can make a critical difference.
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.
California's 47th Assembly District includes parts of San Bernardino County. Democrats typically hold this district. The most recent election results show 70.1 percent of AD-47 voted for Clinton for president in 2016, and 67.4 percent of the district voted for Newsom for governor in 2018.
In the primary, Democrat incumbent Representative Reyes led Republican challenger Matthew Gordon by a margin of 42 percent. Neither candidate has pledged to refuse corporate PAC, fossil fuel, and police money. Reyes’s campaign has raised $464,982.45 and is funded by labor unions and individuals, but also by corporations, fossil fuel, and police money. Opponent Gordon’s campaign has raised $7,301.68 is backed mostly by individuals.
Assemblymember Eloise Gómez Reyes grew up in the San Bernardino Valley and lives in Grand Terrace, CA. She is the incumbent, having served as assemblymember for the 47th District in the State Assembly since 2016.
During her tenure, Assemblymember Reyes has been committed to the progressive values of her community, securing millions in funding for higher education, health care, and other community services. She has worked with progressive organizations to pass legislation across nearly every progressive issue area, from criminal-justice reform to strengthening worker protections to protecting the environment. She currently sits on sixteen committees, and serves as chair of the Human Services Committee and the Select Committee on Environmental Quality, and the Green Economy in the Inland Empire.
Rep. Reyes’s priorities for AD-47 this year include a clean economy, gun violence protection, and making higher education affordable. Rep. Reyes has sponsored two bills about environmental and worker protection this year, both of which successfully passed. She 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, Rep. Reyes has supported the most progressive bills that made it to a vote. That said, she was absent from a vote that would allow local governments to sponsor public banks. Such banks are likely to charge lower fees and invest in locally oriented resources.
Prior to her election to the State Assembly, she taught as an adjunct professor at Cal Poly Pomona, provided free legal aid to residents of the Inland Empire, and co-founded the Inland Empire Community Health Center. She was also the first Latina to open her own law firm in the Inland Empire, where she successfully represented the residents of Colton in their effort to prevent the development of a hazardous-waste dump in their community.
Rep. Reyes is endorsed by a strong majority of progressive groups in the district. According to our analysis, Rep. Eloise Gómez Reyes is the strongest choice for equitable and representative leadership in office.
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.
California's 47th Assembly District includes parts of San Bernardino County. Democrats typically hold this district. The most recent election results show 70.1 percent of AD-47 voted for Clinton for president in 2016, and 67.4 percent of the district voted for Newsom for governor in 2018.
In the primary, Democrat incumbent Representative Reyes led Republican challenger Matthew Gordon by a margin of 42 percent. Neither candidate has pledged to refuse corporate PAC, fossil fuel, and police money. Reyes’s campaign has raised $464,982.45 and is funded by labor unions and individuals, but also by corporations, fossil fuel, and police money. Opponent Gordon’s campaign has raised $7,301.68 is backed mostly by individuals.
Assemblymember Eloise Gómez Reyes grew up in the San Bernardino Valley and lives in Grand Terrace, CA. She is the incumbent, having served as assemblymember for the 47th District in the State Assembly since 2016.
During her tenure, Assemblymember Reyes has been committed to the progressive values of her community, securing millions in funding for higher education, health care, and other community services. She has worked with progressive organizations to pass legislation across nearly every progressive issue area, from criminal-justice reform to strengthening worker protections to protecting the environment. She currently sits on sixteen committees, and serves as chair of the Human Services Committee and the Select Committee on Environmental Quality, and the Green Economy in the Inland Empire.
Rep. Reyes’s priorities for AD-47 this year include a clean economy, gun violence protection, and making higher education affordable. Rep. Reyes has sponsored two bills about environmental and worker protection this year, both of which successfully passed. She 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, Rep. Reyes has supported the most progressive bills that made it to a vote. That said, she was absent from a vote that would allow local governments to sponsor public banks. Such banks are likely to charge lower fees and invest in locally oriented resources.
Prior to her election to the State Assembly, she taught as an adjunct professor at Cal Poly Pomona, provided free legal aid to residents of the Inland Empire, and co-founded the Inland Empire Community Health Center. She was also the first Latina to open her own law firm in the Inland Empire, where she successfully represented the residents of Colton in their effort to prevent the development of a hazardous-waste dump in their community.
Rep. Reyes is endorsed by a strong majority of progressive groups in the district. According to our analysis, Rep. Eloise Gómez Reyes is the strongest choice for equitable and representative leadership in office.
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.
California's 52nd Assembly District includes parts of Los Angeles and San Bernardino Counties and the cities of Pomona, Ontario, and Chino. Democrats typically hold this district and Rodriguez has been the incumbent since 2013. The most recent election results show 65.8 percent of AD-52 voted for Clinton for president in 2016, and 64.1 percent of the district voted for Newsom for governor in 2018.
In the primary, Democrat incumbent Representative Rodriguez led Republican challenger Toni Holle by a margin of 37.7 percent. Neither candidate has pledged to refuse corporate PAC, fossil fuel, or police money. Rodriguez’s campaign has raised $460,048.63, including donations from corporations, like Pepsi Co.; police groups, like the Association for Los Angeles Deputy Sheriffs’; and fossil fuel corporations, like Chevron Corp. Holle’s campaign has raised much less: $1,236.05, mostly from individuals.
Assemblymember Freddie Rodriguez is from and continues to reside in Pomona, CA. He is the incumbent, having served in this position since 2013. According to campaign materials, he is running to continue to represent his district’s needs in Sacramento.
In the State Assembly, Rodriguez introduced legislation to extend public transportation and address public safety concerns. He sits on twelve committees, and chairs the Standing Committee on Public and Retirement as well as the Select Committee on Local Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness. Prior to his election to the State Assembly, he worked as an emergency responder and served on the Pomona City Council. He is a longtime supporter of job creation and public safety.
Rep. Rodriguez’s priorities for AD-52 this year include public safety, the economy, and education. He scores a 53 Lifetime Score of out of 100 on Courage Score, our annual analysis of legislators’ progressive voting records. Based on our Courage Score analysis, Rep. Rodriguez has supported some progressive bills that made it to a vote. That said, Rep. Rodriguez was absent on key votes pertaining to environmental protection, criminal-justice reform, and workers’ rights.
Rep. Rodriguez is endorsed by some progressive groups in the district. He is also endorsed by police organizations. Although we disagree with Rodriguez being absent for key votes on the issues named above, and know that a stronger progressive candidate would more accurately represent AD-52, Rodriguez is the most progressive candidate on the ballot. That said, we encourage more progressive candidates that will better reflect this community’s needs to run in future cycles.
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.
California's 52nd Assembly District includes parts of Los Angeles and San Bernardino Counties and the cities of Pomona, Ontario, and Chino. Democrats typically hold this district and Rodriguez has been the incumbent since 2013. The most recent election results show 65.8 percent of AD-52 voted for Clinton for president in 2016, and 64.1 percent of the district voted for Newsom for governor in 2018.
In the primary, Democrat incumbent Representative Rodriguez led Republican challenger Toni Holle by a margin of 37.7 percent. Neither candidate has pledged to refuse corporate PAC, fossil fuel, or police money. Rodriguez’s campaign has raised $460,048.63, including donations from corporations, like Pepsi Co.; police groups, like the Association for Los Angeles Deputy Sheriffs’; and fossil fuel corporations, like Chevron Corp. Holle’s campaign has raised much less: $1,236.05, mostly from individuals.
Assemblymember Freddie Rodriguez is from and continues to reside in Pomona, CA. He is the incumbent, having served in this position since 2013. According to campaign materials, he is running to continue to represent his district’s needs in Sacramento.
In the State Assembly, Rodriguez introduced legislation to extend public transportation and address public safety concerns. He sits on twelve committees, and chairs the Standing Committee on Public and Retirement as well as the Select Committee on Local Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness. Prior to his election to the State Assembly, he worked as an emergency responder and served on the Pomona City Council. He is a longtime supporter of job creation and public safety.
Rep. Rodriguez’s priorities for AD-52 this year include public safety, the economy, and education. He scores a 53 Lifetime Score of out of 100 on Courage Score, our annual analysis of legislators’ progressive voting records. Based on our Courage Score analysis, Rep. Rodriguez has supported some progressive bills that made it to a vote. That said, Rep. Rodriguez was absent on key votes pertaining to environmental protection, criminal-justice reform, and workers’ rights.
Rep. Rodriguez is endorsed by some progressive groups in the district. He is also endorsed by police organizations. Although we disagree with Rodriguez being absent for key votes on the issues named above, and know that a stronger progressive candidate would more accurately represent AD-52, Rodriguez is the most progressive candidate on the ballot. That said, we encourage more progressive candidates that will better reflect this community’s needs to run in future cycles.
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.
California's 55th Assembly District includes parts of Los Angeles, Orange, and San Bernardino Counties. Republicans typically hold this district. The most recent election results show 49.9 percent of AD-55 voted for Clinton for president in 2016, and 52.1 percent of the district voted for Cox for governor in 2018.
In the primary, Democrat challenger Representative Rodriguez trailed Republican challenger Phillip Chen by a margin of 12.4 percent. Rodriguez’s campaign has raised $559,650.25. His campaign has not pledged to refuse corporate PAC, fossil fuel, and police money, and has accepted funds from a police group. Opponent Chen’s campaign has raised $774,814.84 and has also not pledged to refuse corporate PAC, fossil fuel, and police money. Some of Chen’s biggest donors are police and corporate PACs.
Andrew Rodriguez is a lifelong resident of the City of Walnut and the 55th State Assembly District. According to campaign materials, he is running for the position to be an accessible, transparent, and effective representative for his community in Sacramento.
Rodriguez is mayor pro tem of the city of Walnut. In this position, he has advocated for more housing in the district and smart growth strategies for the city, and he completed a general plan land-use update for the city for the first time in forty years. He has also worked as a land-use planner in the San Gabriel Valley and on several political campaigns, including then Newark Mayor Cory Booker’s successful U.S. Senate bid.
Rodriguez’s priorities for AD-55 this year include strengthening public education, expanding economic opportunity, and addressing housing and homelessness.
When he was sworn in as mayor of Walnut, Rodriguez was the youngest councilmember serving in Los Angeles County. During his term, Andrew and the city council have balanced the city's budget annually, and have worked to make Walnut one of the safest cities in California. In 2019, Walnut was ranked as one of the financially healthiest cities in California by the State Controller's Office.
Andrew Rodriguez is endorsed by many progressive groups in the district. Assemblymember Chen has shown that he does not represent the needs of constituents in facing down corporate lobbyists and interest groups that exploit Californians. According to our analysis, Andrew Rodriguez is the strongest choice for equitable and representative leadership in office.
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.
California's 55th Assembly District includes parts of Los Angeles, Orange, and San Bernardino Counties. Republicans typically hold this district. The most recent election results show 49.9 percent of AD-55 voted for Clinton for president in 2016, and 52.1 percent of the district voted for Cox for governor in 2018.
In the primary, Democrat challenger Representative Rodriguez trailed Republican challenger Phillip Chen by a margin of 12.4 percent. Rodriguez’s campaign has raised $559,650.25. His campaign has not pledged to refuse corporate PAC, fossil fuel, and police money, and has accepted funds from a police group. Opponent Chen’s campaign has raised $774,814.84 and has also not pledged to refuse corporate PAC, fossil fuel, and police money. Some of Chen’s biggest donors are police and corporate PACs.
Andrew Rodriguez is a lifelong resident of the City of Walnut and the 55th State Assembly District. According to campaign materials, he is running for the position to be an accessible, transparent, and effective representative for his community in Sacramento.
Rodriguez is mayor pro tem of the city of Walnut. In this position, he has advocated for more housing in the district and smart growth strategies for the city, and he completed a general plan land-use update for the city for the first time in forty years. He has also worked as a land-use planner in the San Gabriel Valley and on several political campaigns, including then Newark Mayor Cory Booker’s successful U.S. Senate bid.
Rodriguez’s priorities for AD-55 this year include strengthening public education, expanding economic opportunity, and addressing housing and homelessness.
When he was sworn in as mayor of Walnut, Rodriguez was the youngest councilmember serving in Los Angeles County. During his term, Andrew and the city council have balanced the city's budget annually, and have worked to make Walnut one of the safest cities in California. In 2019, Walnut was ranked as one of the financially healthiest cities in California by the State Controller's Office.
Andrew Rodriguez is endorsed by many progressive groups in the district. Assemblymember Chen has shown that he does not represent the needs of constituents in facing down corporate lobbyists and interest groups that exploit Californians. According to our analysis, Andrew Rodriguez is the strongest choice for equitable and representative leadership in office.
Depending on where you live, you may have one of the below State Senate races on your ballot.
State senators represent and advocate for the needs of their district at the California State Capitol. They are responsible for creating legislation that addresses issues within their district, as well as voting and debating on preexisting laws. The California State Senate has 40 congressional districts. Each represents a population of about 930,000 Californians. Representatives are elected to the Senate for a four-year term. Every two years, half of the Senate's 40 seats are subject to election. Members elected before 2012 are restricted to two four-year terms (eight years) in the Senate. 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 29 seats in the California State Senate, while Republicans hold 11 seats.
California's 21st Senate District includes parts of Los Angeles and San Bernardino Counties. It includes the cities of Lancaster, Palmdale, Victorville, and Santa Clarita. Republicans typically hold this district. The most recent election results show SD-21 voted for Clinton for president in 2016 and Cox for governor in 2018.
In the primary, Democrat challenger Mueller trailed Republican incumbent Representative Scott Wilk by a margin of 34.3 percent. Mueller’s campaign has not pledged to refuse corporate PAC, fossil fuel, or police money, but has not received such funds. Mueller has raised $314,230.02, mostly from individual donors. Wilk’s campaign has not committed to refusing corporate PAC, fossil fuel, or police money, has accepted funds from all three groups, and has raised more than three times as much as Mueller, bringing in $1,094,245. Wilk has received donations from very few individuals and is almost entirely funded by special interests, including Philip Morris, Anheuser-Busch Co., Pepsi Co., and defense technology company Northrup Grumman.
Kipp Mueller is from Sacramento and moved to Santa Clarita, CA, in 2019. According to campaign materials, he is running for State Senate to represent the needs of the working- and middle-class families over special interests.
Mueller is a workers’ rights and immigration attorney, representing workers and unions in legal disputes with large corporations, which he does because of his commitment to putting real people over corporations. In this role, Mueller has successfully represented union workers who have experienced fatal work accidents, and worked as a pro bono asylum attorney at an ICE detention center in Adelanto.
According to recent election results, this is a tough race for Democrats. Mueller is the best progressive choice because of his track record of defending workers’ rights, and his commitment to defending our values and fighting for a better future.
Mueller is endorsed by a strong majority of local progressive groups in the district. According to our analysis, Kipp Mueller is the strongest choice for equitable and representative leadership in office.
State senators represent and advocate for the needs of their district at the California State Capitol.
State senators represent and advocate for the needs of their district at the California State Capitol. They are responsible for creating legislation that addresses issues within their district, as well as voting and debating on preexisting laws. The California State Senate has 40 congressional districts. Each represents a population of about 930,000 Californians. Representatives are elected to the Senate for a four-year term. Every two years, half of the Senate's 40 seats are subject to election. Members elected before 2012 are restricted to two four-year terms (eight years) in the Senate. 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 29 seats in the California State Senate, while Republicans hold 11 seats.
California's 23rd Senate District includes parts of San Bernardino, Riverside, and Los Angeles Counties. Republicans typically hold this district. The most recent election results show SD-23 voted for Donald Trump for president in 2016 and John H. Cox for governor in 2018.
In the primary, Democratic challenger Abigail Medina led Republican challenger Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh by a margin of 3.3 percent. Medina’s campaign has pledged not to accept any fossil fuel or police money. Bogh’s campaign has not committed to any such pledges and is backed by Big Energy donors Marathon Petroleum and Edison International.
Abigail Medina is from Torrance, CA, and moved to San Bernardino City, CA. According to campaign materials, she is running for office to advocate for environmental protections, public health, affordable housing, and increasing access to public college.
Abigail Medina is a member of the San Bernardino City Unified School District board, serving as the lead on budgeting and strategic planning. Under her leadership, high school graduation rates have exceeded state and county standards for the first time in over 40 years. Additionally, Medina has fought for LGBTQIA+ rights as the executive director of Inland Region Equality Network, and she served as a board member for the Center for Community Action and Environmental Justice. As a youth, Medina spent time in the foster-care system and worked as a fruit picker, experiences that informed her lifelong commitment to social services.
Abigail Medina is endorsed by a strong majority of local progressive groups in the district. She has a detailed record of promoting progressive causes in her work and, according to our analysis, is the strongest choice for equitable and representative leadership in office.
After a comprehensive interview with Abigail Medina, we have determined that she is committed to education, criminal justice reform, environmental justice, racial equity and justice, and immigrant rights. Her experience with the SBCUSD and work as the Executive Director for IREN will bring fresh and new perspectives to the legislature on LGBTQIA+ issues. One of the first policies she would champion as a state legislator in the 2021 session is health care for all, including undocumented people. We are confident that she will co-govern in the interests of all Californians. Courage California is proud to endorse Abigail Medina for SD-23.
State senators represent and advocate for the needs of their district at the California State Capitol.
About the Position
State senators represent and advocate the needs of their district at the California State Capitol. They are responsible for creating legislation that addresses issues within their district, as well as voting and debating on preexisting laws.
The California State Senate has 40 congressional districts. Each represents a population of about 930,000 Californians. Representatives are elected to the Senate for a four-year term. Every two years, half of the Senate’s 40 seats are subject to election. Members elected before 2012 are restricted to two four-year terms (eight years) in the Senate. Those elected in or after 2012 are allowed to serve 12 years total across both the state Senate or Assembly. This term, Democrats currently hold a two-thirds supermajority of 29 seats in the California State Senate, while Republicans hold 11 seats.
About the District
California’s 25th Senate District includes parts of Los Angeles and San Bernardino Counties. Democrats typically hold this district. Recent federal and state election results show that SD-25 voted 63 percent for both Hillary Clinton and Gavin Newsom in 2016 and 2018, respectively.
About the Race
In the primary, Democrat Incumbent Representative Anthony Portantino led Republican challenger Kathleen Hazelton by a margin of 98.6 percent. Sen. Portantino’s campaign has raised $305,000 and has not committed to refusing corporate PAC, police, or fossil fuel money. Hazelton’s campaign has not filed any fundraising receipts with the FEC, and has not committed to any funding pledges. Hazelton has made five personal contributions to Donald Trump’s re-election campaign this year.
About the Candidate
Rep. Portantino, a former mayor and Assemblymember, lives in the San Gabriel Valley. According to campaign materials, Rep. Portantino is running for re-election to continue to advocate for the foothills community and represent the needs of families in the State Legislature.
Sen. Portantino’s priorities for SD-25 this year include education improvements, policies for drinking-water testing, and gun safety guidelines. He sits on five committees: Appropriations (currently as chair), Banking and Finance, Governmental Organization, Insurance, and Joint Legislative Budget. Sen. Portantino has sponsored 15 bills about allowances for teacher and student absences for mental-health care and natural disasters, special education and school accountability, the testing of drinking water, and the tightening of gun safety guidelines. He scores a lifetime 80 out of 100 on Courage Score, our annual analysis of legislators’ progressive voting record. Based on our Courage Score analysis, it’s been determined that Senator Portantino has supported some progressive bills that made it to a vote. That said, Sen. Portantino has not supported repealing sentencing enhancements for individuals with prior offenses, placing limits on debt collectors, or expanding the construction of Affordable Dwelling Units on a single property.
Prior to his election to the State Senate, Sen. Portantino served on the La Cañada Flintridge City Council, as mayor of the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy Advisory Committee, and as president of the League of California Cities Mayors and Council Members Department. He is a longtime supporter of public education, transparent government, and safeguarding human and civil rights.
Rep. Portantino is endorsed by many progressive groups in the district. According to our analysis, Rep. Portantino is the strongest choice for equitable and representative leadership in office.
About the Position
State senators represent and advocate for the needs of their district at the California State Capitol. They are responsible for creating legislation that addresses issues within their district, as well as voting and debating on preexisting laws. The California State Senate has 40 congressional districts. Each represents a population of about 930,000 Californians. Representatives are elected to the Senate for a four-year term. Every two years, half of the Senate's 40 seats are subject to election. Members elected before 2012 are restricted to two four-year terms (eight years) in the Senate. 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 29 seats in the California State Senate, while Republicans hold 11 seats.
California's 29th Senate District includes parts of Orange, San Bernardino, and Los Angeles Counties. Republicans held this district from 1992 to 2016, when Josh Newman won and flipped SD-29 from red to blue. The most recent election results show SD-29 voted for Hillary Clinton for president in 2016 and Gavin Newsom for governor in 2018.
In the primary, Democrat challenger Josh Newman trailed Republican incumbent Ling Ling Chang by a margin of 13.9 percent. Newman’s campaign has pledged not to accept money from the fossil fuel industry. Rep. Chang’s campaign has not committed to any such pledges and is backed by Pacific Gas and Electric, Chevron, and Phillips 66. Furthermore, Rep. Chang took office in 2018 only after spending hundreds of thousands of her own dollars on a campaign to recall Josh Newman after he defeated her in 2016. Republican Councilmember Carl DeMaio said Josh Newman was targeted due to his narrow margin of victory.
Josh Newman currently resides in Fullerton, CA, and, according to campaign materials, is running for election to strengthen veterans’ services, promote mental-health care, and ensure transparency in state-level politics.
Before running for office, Josh Newman founded and ran ArmedForce2Workforce, an organization that aims to integrate combat veterans back into their Southern California homes and workplaces. He is the former vice chair of the California Democratic Party Veterans Caucus and has been a longtime supporter of public education and health care, infrastructure improvement, and renewable energy.
Josh Newman is endorsed by a strong majority of local progressive groups in the district. The threat of Republican opponent and strong Trump supporter Ling Ling Chang’s potential policies greatly outweighs Newman’s moderate record. According to our analysis, Josh Newman is the strongest choice for equitable and representative leadership in office.
State senators represent and advocate for the needs of their district at the California State Capitol.
Proposition 14 asks voters to authorize a total of $5.5 billion in state general obligation bonds to continue the California stem cell agency that funds research, therapy, and grants to educational, nonprofit, and private entities for Alzheimer’s, Parkison’s, epilepsy, strokes, and other central nervous system and brain conditions and diseases. Prop 14 is an extension of Prop 71, which created the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) in 2004. The CIRM ran out of the original Prop 71 funds in 2019 and has not been funding new projects since then.
Vote YES to continue the CIRM, a state agency that has distributed a significant source of funding to scientific research programs and enterprises across the state, both nonprofit and for-profit.
Vote NO to not authorize the sale of $5.5 billion in state bonds for the CIRM and eliminate a financially burdensome stem cell research program that no longer has significant impact on medical research.
Robert N. Klein II, a Silicon Valley real estate developer and the top donor for Prop 14, was also the chief author of Proposition 71, which authorized $3 billion in bonds to create and maintain the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine in 2004. There is no registered financial opposition.
There is no notable misinformation about Proposition 14.
Proposition 15 asks California voters to raise an estimated $6.4 billion to $11.5 billion in funding for local schools and governments by increasing property taxes on commercial and industrial properties based on current market value instead of the price they were purchased for. Based on the most recent report by Blue Sky Consulting Group, 10% of the biggest corporate property owners will pay 92% of the funding and more than 75% of total revenues will come from properties that have not been reassessed since prior to 1990 -- just 2% of all commercial and industrial properties! Proposition 15 will maintain the existing commercial and industrial property tax at a 1% limit and will also maintain existing exemptions for small businesses, homeowners, agricultural lands, and renters.
Prop 15’s main opponents include realty and industrial property owners, while the California Teachers Association and SEIU California State Council are main supporters.
Proposition 15 asks California voters to raise an estimated $6.4 billion to $11.5 billion in funding for local schools and governments
Proposition 16 asks California voters to amend the Constitution of California to repeal Prop 209’s restrictions on local and state governments from considering race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin in public employment, education, and contracting. If passed, Prop 16 will permit governments to consider those protected categories in order to promote inclusive hiring and admissions programs in California’s public universities, government, and public agencies.
Proposition 16 asks California voters to amend the Constitution of California to repeal Prop 209’s restrictions on local and state governments from considering race, sex, color,
Proposition 17 asks California voters to amend the Constitution of California to restore voting rights to persons who have been disqualified from voting while on parole. If passed, Prop 17 will restore voting rights to approximately 50,000 Californians currently on parole.
There are no contributions recorded for support or opposition to Prop 17.
Proposition 17 asks California voters to amend the Constitution of California to restore voting rights to persons who have been disqualified from voting while on parole.
Proposition 18 asks California voters to amend the Constitution of California to allow 17-year-olds to vote in the primary election if they will turn 18 by the following general election. At the age of 18, Californians are technically given the right to vote in all elections. However, those who are not 18 by the time of the primary are not able to have input on who would or would not appear on their ballot in the general election. A YES vote on Prop 18 solves this problem.
There are no recorded contributions in support of or opposition to Prop 18.
There is no prominent misinformation about Prop 18.
Proposition 18 asks California voters to amend the Constitution of California to allow 17-year-olds to vote in the primary election if they
Proposition 19 asks voters to amend sections of 1978’s Proposition 13 to increase the number of times a property tax base can be transferred to three times for longtime homeowners. Prop 19 is almost exactly the same as Proposition 5, which was on the 2018 California ballot and overwhelmingly defeated by voters, with 60 percent having voted against the proposition. The main difference in the proposition this year is that Prop 19 includes an additional amendment to Prop 13 that narrows an existing inheritance property tax break and promises to distribute any revenue generated from that amendment toward fire protection agencies and schools.
Realtor associations have contributed $36,270,000 in support of Prop 19. There is no registered financial opposition.
There is no prominent misinformation about Proposition 19.
Proposition 19 asks voters to amend sections of 1978’s Proposition 13 to increase the number of times a property tax base can be transferred to three times for long
If passed, Prop 20 increases penalties for low-level offenses and would create a state database that collects DNA samples from persons convicted of specified misdemeanors for use in cold cases by repealing parts of Props 47 and 57. Prop 20 would expand the list of offenses that disqualify inmates from a parole program, consider an individual’s collective criminal history and not just their most recent offense, and impose stronger restrictions for a nonviolent offender’s parole program. Additionally, Prop 20 would reclassify theft between $250 and $950 as a felony.
If passed, Prop 20 increases penalties for low-level offenses and would create a state database that collects DNA samples from persons convicted of specified misdemeanors for us
Proposition 21 asks voters to amend state law in order to allow (not require) local governments at the city and county levels to establish and regulate rent control on residential properties. This proposition would affect residential properties over 15 years old and exempts individuals who own up to two residential properties. Additionally, Prop 21 would allow rent in rent-controlled properties to increase up to 15 percent over a period of three years with the start of a new tenancy. Prop 21 is more or less the same proposition voters rejected in 2018.
California has the highest rate of homelessness in the nation, which can be attributed to the overwhelmingly high median rates for rent throughout the state forcing residents to pay 50 percent of their income just toward rent.
The Costa-Hawkins Rental Housing Act prohibits rent control on residential properties built after February 1, 1995. Since then, housing built in California has become accessible only to those who can afford uncontrolled rent increases, and low-income families have largely been shut out from newer housing developments.
According to a Stanford study, those who lived in rent-controlled properties when Costa-Hawkins passed ended up saving a cumulative total of $7 billion over 18 years, which confirms that rent control is an effective way to prevent displacement from the city.
Proposition 21 asks voters to amend state law in order to allow (not require) local governments at the city and county levels to establish and regulate rent control on residential p
Proposition 22 asks voters to exempt companies like Lyft, Postmates, Uber, DoorDash, and others from a recently implemented state worker protection law, Assembly Bill 5 (AB5), so they can classify gig economy drivers from ride-share and delivery companies as independent contractors, not as employees. Additionally, Prop 22 would restrict local regulation of app-based drivers and would criminalize the impersonation of drivers.
By classifying workers as contractors and not employees, companies like Lyft, Uber, and DoorDash are exempted by state employment laws from ensuring basic protections to their workforce including minimum wage, overtime, unemployment insurance, and workers’ compensation.
Currently, rideshare and delivery workers are entitled under AB 5 to labor rights that every other employee in California receives, such as the right to organize, health insurance, and Social Security benefits. Prop 22 would take those rights away.
AB 5 also guarantees paid family leave, paid sick days, and unemployment insurance to those classified as gig employees. Proposition 22 asks voters to make gig-economy employees exempt from this law and replaces their rights with fewer benefits of much less value to their workers.
More than 2,000 drivers have filed claims against Uber and Lyft for over $630 million in damages, expenses, and lost wages. Prop 22 will codify Uber and Lyft’s abilities to systematically steal wages from drivers.
Uber and Lyft currently owe California $413 million in unemployment insurance contributions due to misclassifying drivers as independent contractors under AB 5. If Prop 22 passes, Uber and Lyft would get away with not paying what they owe.
"Prop 22 will guarantee 120% of minimum wage to all drivers." -- FALSE. The UC Berkeley Labor Center released a report that estimates Prop 22’s “pay guarantee” for their Uber and Lyft drivers would only end up being $5.64 per hour after accounting for all the expenses that drivers are responsible for themselves. At that rate, even if an individual worked 10 hour days, 7 days a week under Prop 22, they would be living below the California poverty line.
"Prop 22 will give health insurance to all drivers." -- FALSE. Under Prop 22, companies do not pay for health insurance, but instead provide a stipend to drivers. This stipend is valued at only 82% of the minimum coverage provided by state law, and is actually worth even less because workers would owe state and federal income taxes on the stipend. Prop 22 forces drivers to work more than 39 hours a week to qualify for the health stipend, so many workers would never even qualify for the stipend. For drivers who do qualify, Health Access California estimates that the health stipend would be just a couple hundred dollars—and could be just tens of dollars for younger workers—not enough for drivers to cover the purchase of their own health insurance.
If Prop 22 is passed, all future labor legislation surrounding Uber and Lyft would have to be approved by 7/8 of the total California State Legislature. Making this happen is virtually impossible considering Uber and Lyft have donated $2 million to the California Republican Party campaign committee. This is why Uber and Lyft are spending millions of dollars: to make their operations virtually untouchable in terms of regulation.
Proposition 22 asks voters to exempt companies like Lyft, Postmates, Uber, DoorDash, and others from a recently implemented state worker protection law, Assembly Bil
Prop 23 would add sections to the California Health and Safety Code about how dialysis facilities can operate, requiring a physician to be on-site at every dialysis clinic to oversee operations, and mandating that each chronic dialysis clinic submit quarterly reports on dialysis-related infections to the California Department of Health. The on-site physician would assume a non-caregiving role, as they would not be required to be specially trained in nephrology or interact with patients at all. Additionally, Prop 23 would prohibit discrimination against patients based on their coverage or care.
Prop 23 would add sections to the California Health and Safety Code about how dialysis facilities can operate, requiring a physician to be on-site at every di
Proposition 24 asks voters to amend the California Consumer Privacy Act of 2018 (CCPA) to include pay-for-privacy schemes, which provide better services and internet connection to those who pay more in order to protect their personal information while providing suboptimal services for Californians who cannot or do not want to pay more. Additionally, Prop 24 caters to tech companies by allowing them to upload a California resident’s personal information as soon as that resident’s device, computer, or phone leaves the state’s borders, and permits tech companies to completely ignore a programmable universal electronic “do not sell my information” signal. Under current law, privacy follows a Californian wherever they go, and businesses must honor the electronic signal.
Proposition 24 asks voters to amend the California Consumer Privacy Act of 2018 (CCPA) to include pay-for-privacy schemes, which provide better services and internet connection to those who pay more in order
Vote YES on Prop 25 to eliminate the use of cash bail in pretrial incarceration.
Proposition 25 is a referendum, which asks voters to directly weigh in on whether to keep or reject SB 10, a bill originally passed in 2018. Voting YES on Prop 25 will keep SB 10 in place and eliminate the cash bail system of pretrial incarceration in California, which is directly responsible for the disproportionate incarceration of Californians who cannot afford bail. The bail bond industry is directly responsible for placing Prop 25 on the ballot and calling SB 10 into question.
There are three major components to grassroots groups' objections to Prop 25. Here we provide our assessment of these concerns and how they can be addressed in the future if Prop 25 passes.
The bail bond industry has invested heavily in a No on the Prop 25 campaign in an attempt to spread misinformation and save the industry.
Vote YES on Prop 25 to eliminate the use of cash bail in pretrial incarceration.
Incorporated cities in California are generally governed by a five-person city council, although Adelanto has only four city council members. A city council is responsible for establishing policy, passing local laws (called ordinances), voting on budget appropriations, and developing an overall vision for the city. City council members in Adelanto serve four-year terms, and are not subject to term limits.
Adelanto is San Bernardino County’s 17th most populous city, with a population that is 47 percent white and 20 percent Black. Adelanto City Council oversees the needs of 31,765 people and manages an estimated budget of nearly $20 million dollars annually. Adelanto is managed by council-manager structured government. Adelanto city council members are elected to represent the city at large.
There are two at-large city council seats up for re-election in this cycle. Ten candidates are on the ballot, including the incumbents, Ed Camargo and Joy Jeannette, and a challenger, Jayshawn Johnson. Challenger Johnson’s campaign has not taken any fundraising pledges, and has not recorded any fundraising receipts with the county. The incumbent candidates have also not taken any funding pledges, and have not recorded any fundraising receipts. In February 2020, the Adelanto City Council voted to remove Jayshawn Johnson from his appointed position of City Planning Commissioner after he voted against permitting a privately owned state prison to increase their capacity to take in Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detainees. Jeannette voted in favor of his removal, and Camargo abstained from the vote.
Jayshawn Johnson, a former city planning commissioner, is from San Bernardino, CA. According to campaign materials, Johnson is running for election to bring his lifelong commitment to equality, justice, and advocacy to city government.
Johnson’s priorities for Adelanto this term include shifting to a policing structure that centers on community relationships, investing in youth-development programs, and eliminating economic disparities between the northern and southern regions of the city. Johnson also has a particular interest in increasing government transparency and accountability, and transitioning away from using government contracts to fill the city’s workforce. His platform encourages the establishment of neutral systems and measures for managing policy disagreements.
Johnson completed his K–12 education in San Bernardino and was raised by a single mother. His commitment to issues of economic disparity and social justice was developed through his experience growing up in a lower-middle-class neighborhood. Johnson was appointed to his position as city planning commissioner by current City Council member Stevevonna Evans. As stated above, in February 2020, Johnson voted against a proposal to permit a private prison owned by GEO Group to expand their capacity to take in Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detainees. In his vote against the proposal, Johnson cited irregularities in the permit submission and concerns about the prison’s status as one of the deadliest in the nation. He made his perspective clear in a sharp rebuke delivered after the vote had taken place at the planning committee meeting. He was removed from his position one week later by a 3–1 vote from the city council. Johnson’s approach to this issue was representative of his longtime support of social-justice causes, and his outspoken support of eliminating corruption and social barriers.
Johson is endorsed by some progressive groups in the district, including California Working Families Party. According to our analysis, Jayshawn Johnson is the strongest choice for equitable and representative leadership in office.
Incorporated cities in California are generally governed by a five-person city council, although Adelanto has only four city council members.