61st Assembly District

Elect City Council Member Nithya Raman to push Los Angeles in the right direction. 

About the Position
The city of Los Angeles is governed by a fifteen-person city council. 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 Los Angeles are ‎limited to three terms or 12 years in office total. 

About the District
The City of Los Angeles is Los Angeles County’s most populous city. Los Angeles City Council oversees the needs of almost 4 million people and manages an estimated budget of $10.3 billion annually. Los Angeles is managed by a mayor-council structured government. Los Angeles’s District 4 includes the neighborhoods of Koreatown, Mid-Wilshire, Sherman Oaks, Hollywood, Griffith Park, and Los Feliz. 

About the Race
In the primary, challenger Raman trailed incumbent David E. Ryu by a margin of 3.6 percent. Raman’s campaign has raised about $357,000 and has pledged to refuse corporate PAC, fossil fuel, police, and corporate money. Raman’s bid has been supported by a coalition of volunteer organizers who knocked on almost 80,000 doors in the district. Ryu’s campaign has raised more than $1 million, at least $149,000 of which is from out-of-district donors, including a board member of a planned museum that is leasing land from the city. Ryu has also taken the pledge to refuse fossil fuel and police money, although he had already received and spent police funds. He also pledged to refuse developer money, but still received such funds and claimed to have returned it. 

About the Candidate

Raman, a trained urban planner, lives in the Silverlake neighborhood of Los Angeles. According to campaign materials, she is running to represent District 4 on the city council to build a more inclusive and just Los Angeles.

Raman is running on a strongly progressive platform that promises to center the voices and needs of underserved communities in Los Angeles. Her knowledge of policy is clearly demonstrated in her platform, which focuses on addressing housing and homelessness, responding to the climate emergency, and bringing Angelenos into the lawmaking process to increase transparency and accountability in city policymaking.

She is a co-founder of SELAH Neighborhood Homeless Coalition, a local neighborhood-based organization formed in response to the city’s inaction on homelessness. She has also served as co-chair of the Silver Lake Neighborhood Council’s Homelessness Committee since 2017. Raman recently served as executive director of Time’s Up Entertainment, the women’s rights movement furthering equity and safety for women in the entertainment industry. Raman’s relationships in entertainment are strong, and her campaign is based on partnering with artists and performers as a rallying force for its organizing efforts.

Raman is the best choice because of her strong understanding of the challenges facing the city of Los Angeles as detailed in her policy platform, her track record of leading the way in standing up for communities under attack, and her ability to connect with and engage people currently outside of the political process.

While endorsements are split in the race, Raman’s endorsers are, on the whole, the most progressive in the district, while Ryu’s tend to be more moderate. According to our analysis, Raman is the strongest choice for equitable and representative leadership in office.

Elect Charné Tunson to make the Los Angeles Community College District Board more reflective of its highly diverse student population. 

About the Position

Members of the Los Angeles Community College District Board are elected at large for terms of four years. Elections are held every two years, with three members being chosen at one election and four members at the other.\

About the District

The Los Angeles Community College District is located in Los Angeles County and includes nine colleges, serving a population of roughly 240,000 Californians.

About the Candidate

Charné Tunson, a former Crenshaw High School teacher, is running as part of a coalition called Justice 4 LACCD, a coalition of four Black women seeking to diversify the board to reflect the 74 percent POC and 56 percent women student population it serves. Tunson and Justice 4 LACCD are running on the shared values of what they call “The 4 R’s,” which are defined on their website as the following:

• “Representation – We are a united group of women who will make up a Board of Trustees that truly reflects and speaks on behalf of the LACCD community it serves.
• Recruitment and Retention – Creating policy to attract, retain and support more students and faculty that are under-represented. This includes more women, students and faculty of color, members of the LGBTQ+ community and those with disabilities.
• Reform – Designate a committee to investigate police policy and response on LACCD campuses.
• Response to COVID-19 – Position our Community Colleges to lead in creating an equitable COVID strategy that prioritizes the needs of the most impacted members of our community.”

Furthermore, the coalition promises to fight for the rights of part-time, disabled, and unhoused students, as well as those with health conditions that prevent them from regularly accessing a college campus.

In addition to teaching at Crenshaw High School, her alma mater, Charné Tunson recently founded the Tunson Leadership Foundation, aiming to impart the importance of community engagement and mentorship within local communities.

According to our analysis, Charné Tunson and the Justice 4 LACCD coalition will provide leadership that promotes the shared interests of communities historically excluded from the policymaking process.

Elect Sylvia Brooks Griffin to make the Los Angeles Community College District Board more reflective of its highly diverse student population. 

About the Position

Members of the Los Angeles Community College District Board are elected at large for terms of four years. Elections are held every two years, with three members being chosen at one election and four members at the other.

About the District

The Los Angeles Community College District is located in Los Angeles County and includes nine colleges, serving a population of roughly 240,000 Californians.

About the Candidate

Sylvia Brooks Griffin, a special-needs advocate who is active with LAUSD and the Down Syndrome Association of Los Angeles, is running as part of a coalition called Justice 4 LACCD, a coalition of four Black women seeking to diversify the board to reflect the 74 percent POC and 56 percent women student population it serves. Griffin and Justice 4 LACCD are running on the shared values of what they call “The 4 R’s,” which are defined on their website as the following:

• “Representation – We are a united group of women who will make up a Board of Trustees that truly reflects and speaks on behalf of the LACCD community it serves.
• Recruitment and Retention – Creating policy to attract, retain and support more students and faculty that are under-represented. This includes more women, students and faculty of color, members of the LGBTQ+ community and those with disabilities.
• Reform – Designate a committee to investigate police policy and response on LACCD campuses.
• Response to COVID-19 – Position our Community Colleges to lead in creating an equitable COVID strategy that prioritizes the needs of the most impacted members of our community.”

Furthermore, the coalition promises to fight for the rights of part-time, disabled, and unhoused students, as well as those with health conditions that prevent them from regularly accessing a college campus.

According to our analysis, Sylvia Brooks Griffin and the Justice 4 LACCD coalition will provide leadership that promotes the shared interests of communities historically excluded from the policymaking process.

Elect Scott Mark Schmerelson to keep Los Angeles on the right track. 

About the Position

Los Angeles Unified School District contains 1,177 schools, and serves over 646,000 students annually. Members of the Los Angeles Board of Education are elected by district, every four years. 

About the District

Los Angeles Unified School District is the largest public school district in California,  and the second largest in the nation. The district oversees a budget of $8.4 billion. The district is very diverse, composed primarily of Latinx students (73.4 percent), with African American students (10 percent) composing the second-largest group of students.

About the Candidate

Scott Mark Schmerelson, a current LAUSD board member representing District 3, is from Los Angeles, California. According to campaign materials, he is running for re-election to continue advocating for the future of LAUSD’s educational system, and making a difference for the children and communities within his district. 

Schmerelson’s priorities for District 3 schools include improving funding, classroom safety, parent participation, and environmental justice. Schmerelson has committed to fighting for adequate funding for Los Angeles’s public schools to ensure that education is being prioritized at the same level as other states. His campaign also prioritizes advocating for classroom safety by promoting gun safety awareness and instituting annual safety procedures. In addition to classroom safety, Schmerelson’s campaign emphasizes the importance of transitioning to renewable energy. He is committed to reducing waste within schools, and closing nearby gas facilities to reduce students’ exposure to pollution. Schmerelson has also demonstrated an awareness of the need for parent participation, and plans to eliminate barriers that create difficulties for parent volunteers. Schmerelson's campaign is committed to increasing the number of library aides, and establishing early interventions and screenings for students with dyslexia. 

Prior to his role on the Los Angeles Board of Education, Scott Schmerelson served as an educator and administrator for over 40 years. He has experience working in the classroom as a high school teacher, as well as in administration through his roles as middle school counselor, assistant principal, and principal. During his term as principal, Schmerelson improved test scores, infrastructure, and morale. His experience working within the Los Angeles school system provided him with the knowledge and passion he has translated into his work as a member of the Board of Education. 

Scott Schmerelson is endorsed by a strong majority of progressive groups in the district. These endorsements include Planned Parenthood, Sierra Club, and ACCE Action, and multiple unions, including SEIU Local 99. Schmerelson is also endorsed by the Los Angeles School Police Department, which is of particular concern, considering the rise of police violence within Los Angeles schools. 

According to our analysis, despite our concerns about Scott Schmerelson’s police support, he remains the strongest choice for equitable and representative leadership in office.
 

Elect Patricia Castellanos to keep Los Angeles on the right track. 

About the Position

Los Angeles Unified School District contains 1,177 schools, and serves over 646,000 students annually. Members of the Los Angeles Board of Education are elected by district, every four years.  \

About the District

Los Angeles Unified School District is the largest public school district in California,  and the second largest in the nation. The district oversees a budget of $8.4 billion. The district is very diverse, composed primarily of Latinx students (73.4 percent), with African American students (10 percent) composing the second-largest group of students.

About the Candidate

Patricia Castellanos is a workforce and economic development deputy for L.A. County Supervisor Sheila Kuehl, and is a lifelong resident of LAUSD District 7. According to campaign materials, she is running for election to protect and strengthen local public schools, protect students from environmental pollution, and improve funding and quality of LAUSD education. 

Castellanos’s priorities for LAUSD District 7 include improving classroom safety, quality, investment, and student support. As a parent supporting her own child with distance learning, she is committed to prioritizing COVID-19 relief and safe recovery for Los Angeles schools. Castellanos also understands the need to improve the quality of education within classrooms, and will fight to decrease class sizes, and increase the number of mental health and special education services and programs. Castellanos is also committed to finding revenue to reinvest funding into public education. 

Patricia Castellanos is a longtime community organizer, with over 20 years of experience championing issues related to education. She has worked as director of Policy Training and Education at Strategic Concepts in Organizing and Policy Education and now serves as the workforce and economic development deputy for L.A. County Supervisor Sheila Kuehl. Through her positions, Castellanos has created opportunities for vulnerable, young and low-income populations. She has advocated for communities facing issues of homelessness and juvenile criminalization, and worked with L.A. County departments to ensure COVID-19 protections for small businesses and workers. Above all, Castellanos has demonstrated an awareness and commitment to address issues facing communities within District 7. She has experience organizing to address the historic disinvestment of Black and brown communities in South L.A. Her advocacy is fueled by her experience as a daughter of immigrant workers and mother of a child attending public schools in LAUSD District 7. 

Castellanos is endorsed by numerous Democratic Party, teacher, labor, women's rights, and grassroots organizations. These include United Teachers Los Angeles, United Farm Workers, Sierra Club, ACCE Action, and Planned Parenthood--just to name a few. Castellanos has also received endorsements from a number of notable individuals, including U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders, LAUSD Board President Dr. Richard Vladovi, Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, and civil rights and labor leader Dolores Huerta. 

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

Re-elect State Senate Representative Steven Bradford to keep SD-35 on the right track.

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 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 35th Senate District includes parts of Los Angeles County and includes the cities of Inglewood, Torrance, and Long Beach. Democrats typically hold this district. The most recent election results show SD-35 voted for Clinton for president in 2016 and Newsom for governor in 2018.

About the Race

In the primary, Democrat incumbent Representative Bradford led American Independent Party challenger Anthony Perry by a margin of 51.4 percent. Bradford’s campaign has raised $1,162,607.30. Bradford has not committed to refusing corporate PAC, fossil fuel, or police money, and has accepted money from corporate and fossil fuel groups. No FEC filings have been made about opponent Perry’s campaign’s funding.

About the Candidate

State Senator Steven Bradford is from Gardena, CA. He is the incumbent, having served in this position since 2017. According to campaign materials, he is running for State Senate to advance policies to help local working-class families.

As a state senator, Bradford has authored numerous pieces of legislation that promote a clean environment, climate justice, and civil rights, and enhance public safety. Bradford currently serves as chair of the Labor and Industrial Relations Committee and sits on the Public Safety, Governmental Organization, Appropriations Committees, as well as the Energy, Utilities and Communications Committee. Prior to his election to the State Senate, he served in the Gardena City Council and the State Assembly.
 
Sen. Bradford’s priorities for SD-35 this year include health care, jobs, public safety, and economic revitalization. Sen. Bradford has sponsored and co-sponsored three bills about social justice and equitable housing this year. He scores 86 out of 100 on Courage Score, our annual analysis of legislators’ progressive voting records. Based on our Courage Score analysis, Senator Bradford has supported the most progressive bills that made it to a vote. That said, Sen. Bradford has not supported key legislation that provides environmental protections in the district.

Prior to his election to the State Senate, Sen. Bradford was a public affairs manager for Southern California Edison, district director for the late Congresswoman Juanita Millender-McDonald, and program director for the LA Conservation Corps.

Rep. Bradford is endorsed by many progressive and moderate groups in the district. According to our analysis, Rep. Bradford is the strongest choice for equitable and representative leadership in office.

Re-elect State Assemblymember Jose Medina to keep AD-61 on the right track.

About the Position

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

About the District

California's 61st Assembly District includes parts of Riverside County. Democrats typically hold this district. The most recent election results show AD-61 voted for Hillary Clinton for president in 2016 and Gavin Newsom for governor in 2018.

About the Race

In the primary, Democrat incumbent Representative Jose Medina led Republican challenger Ali Mazarei by a margin of 32.4 percent. Medina’s campaign has raised $419,689 and has not committed to any campaign finance pledges. Mazarei’s campaign has raised $176,281, almost entirely from his own pocket and his Arco gas station business, and has not committed to any campaign finance pledges.

About the Candidate

Rep. Jose Medina, a former educator and four-time assemblymember, is from San Jose, CA. According to campaign materials, Rep. Medina is running for re-election to further his efforts to achieve debt-free college.

Rep. Jose Medina’s priorities for AD-61 this year include making Ethnic Studies a high school graduation requirement and engaging young people with his Youth Advisory Committee. He currently sits on six committees: the Higher Education (chair), Arts, Accountability and Administrative Review, Business and Professions, Budget, and Transportation Committees. Rep. Medina has sponsored 239 bills this year on such topics as services for undocumented minors, occupational health and safety, and reducing the use of force by police, of which over 10 percent have successfully passed. He scores a lifetime 75 out of 100 on Courage Score, our annual analysis of legislators’ progressive voting records. Based on our Courage Score analysis, Rep. Medina has supported some progressive bills that made it to a vote. That said, Rep. Medina has not supported preventing dialysis companies from steering patients away from Medi-Cal, strengthening emissions-reporting requirements, establishing oil-spill contingency plans, reducing single-use packaging waste, allowing the sponsorship of public banks, forcing debt collectors to leave a final $1,724 in a bank account, and establishing an organization to raise and distribute affordable housing funds. His No vote on the dialysis bill comes after accepting a total of $14,500 from DaVita Inc., a private dialysis provider that commands 37 percent of the market.

Prior to his election to the State Assembly, Rep. Jose Medina taught in the Riverside public school system, serving as a school board member on the Jurupa Unified School District Board of Education and completing three successful terms on the Riverside Community College District Board of Trustees. During his first term in the Assembly, Rep. Medina secured $15 million for the University of California, Riverside School of Medicine. In 2018, he secured $9.7 million to assist in the development of the Cheech Marin Center for Chicano Art, Culture, and Industry. He holds undergraduate and graduate degrees from the University of California, Riverside, and is a longtime supporter of Chicano history and art in the region.

Rep. Jose Medina has received endorsements from some progressive groups in the district. He has also been endorsed by the Peace Officers Research Association of California, California Statewide Law Enforcement Association, California Association of Highway Patrolmen, and Association for Los Angeles Deputy Sheriffs. He has also accepted money from Pfizer, DaVita Inc., and a number of fossil fuel companies and interests. However, the threat of Republican challenger and strong Trump supporter Ali Mazarei’s potential policies outweighs Medina’s moderate voting record and inaction on campaign financing. According to our analysis, Rep. Jose Medina is the strongest choice for representative leadership in office at this time, but we urge progressive voices in the district to make themselves heard and run for office in the future.

Re-elect Congressional Representative Raul Ruiz to keep CA-36 on the right track.

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 36th Congressional District includes parts of Riverside County. Republicans typically held this district until 2012, when Ruiz won and flipped 36 from red to blue. The most recent election results show 52.2 percent of AD-36 voted for Clinton for president in 2016, and 53.2 percent of the district voted for Newsom for governor in 2018. While pollsters consider the district solidly Democratic, early in the 2018 campaign season, both parties identified the area as a battleground district.

About the Race

In the primary, Democrat incumbent Representative Ruiz led Republican challenger Kimberlin Brown Pelzer by a margin of 39.1 percent. Neither campaign has pledged to refuse corporate PAC, fossil fuel, and police money. Ruiz’s campaign is funded by both health professionals as well as pharmaceutical companies. Pelzer’s campaign has not made any FEC filings.

About the Candidate

Representative Raul Ruiz grew up in Coachella, CA, and currently resides in La Quinta, CA. He is the incumbent, having served in this position since 2013. According to campaign materials, he is running to serve his community and address the issues his district faces by being a strong advocate in Washington.

In Congress, Rep. Ruiz has utilized his knowledge as an emergency physician to push to save such programs as Medicare and Social Security. Furthermore, he has been a strong advocate for veterans, and a voice of opposition against the influence of special interests in Washington.

Rep. Ruiz has progressive positions when it comes to preserving the environment and ensuring access to affordable, quality health care. That said, he has voted against key progressive bills pertaining to military spending and other issues involving trade and earlier votes on the impeachment of the President.
 
Rep. Ruiz’s priorities for CA-36 this year include protecting Medicare and Social Security, building a stronger economy, and opposing DC-insider perks. He currently sits on the House Energy and Commerce Committee. This year, Rep. Ruiz has voted 100 percent of the time with Nancy Pelosi and 94 percent of the time with Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. Rep. Ruiz voted for the National Law Enforcement Museum Commemorative Coin Act, while Rep. Ocasio-Cortez voted against it. Rep. Ruiz has co-sponsored three bills about law-enforcement accountability, protecting the USPS, and a resolution that expressed disapproval of Trump administration actions regarding Medicaid, all of which have successfully passed the House but remain in the Senate.  

Rep. Ruiz is endorsed by a strong majority of progressive groups in the district. The threat of Republican challenger and strong Trump supporter Pelzer’s potential policies greatly outweighs Ruiz’s moderate voting record and inaction on military spending, trade, and impeachment. According to our analysis, Rep. Ruiz is the strongest choice for equitable and representative leadership in office.

Re-elect Congressional Representative Karen Bass to keep CA-37 on the right track.

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 37th Congressional District includes parts of Los Angeles County. Democrats typically hold this district. The most recent election results show 85.7 percent of AD-37 voted for Clinton for president in 2016, and 86.3 percent of the district voted for Newsom for governor in 2018.

About the Race

In the primary, Democrat incumbent Representative Karen Bass led Republican challenger Errol Webber by a margin of 88.4 percent. Neither campaign has pledged to refuse corporate PAC, fossil fuel, and police money. Rep. Bass’s campaign is funded by corporate PACs. Webber’s campaign is funded by retirees and other PACs. Incumbent Rep. Bass has raised much more than Webber, with $1,574,918.20 against Webber’s $28,383.54.

About the Candidate

Representative Karen Bass is from Los Angeles. She is the incumbent, having served in Congress since 2011. According to campaign materials, she is running for re-election to continue to play a leading role in protecting voting rights, health care, jobs, education, criminal-justice reform, and standing up to the Trump administration.

In Congress, she has worked to protect peoples’ voting rights, access to health care, jobs, quality education, and to hold those in power accountable. She has also advanced progressive policies and instituted initiatives to help Congress better serve the people. Bass developed the Congressional Council, which provides her constituents with the ability to learn about issues in Congress and how they can become involved in the legislative process. Prior to her election to Congress, she served in the State Assembly as the speaker.

Rep. Bass’s priorities for CA-37 this year have included criminal-justice reform, providing COVID-19 resources to underserved communities, and supporting human rights advocates in authoritarian states. She currently sits on two committees: the Foreign Affairs Committee and the Judiciary Committee. This year, Rep. Bass has voted 100 percent of the time with Nancy Pelosi and 96 percent of the time with Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. Rep. Bass has co-sponsored two bills--to protect the USPS and to remove all statues of people who served the Confederacy from the US Capitol. Rep. Bass also sponsored one bill this year, increasing police accountability, which successfully passed the House but remains in the Senate.

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

Re-elect Congressional Representative Maxine Waters to keep CA-43 on the right track.

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 43rd Congressional District includes parts of Los Angeles County. Republicans held this district until 2002, when Joe Baca won and flipped CA-43 from red to blue. The most recent election results show 78.4 percent of AD-43 voted for Clinton for president in 2016, and 78 percent of the district voted for Newsom for governor in 2018.

About the Race

In the primary, Democrat incumbent Representative Waters led Republican challenger Joe Collins III by a margin of 67.1 percent. Neither campaign has pledged to refuse corporate PAC, fossil fuel, or police money. Rep. Maxine Waters’s campaign has raised $1,173,263.74 and is funded by Democratic Party–aligned PACs. Collins’s campaign has not made any FEC filings.

About the Candidate

Representative Maxine Waters is from St. Louis, MO, and moved to Los Angeles in 1961. She is the incumbent, having served in Congress since 1991. According to campaign materials, she is running for re-election to continue to advocate for the needs of her district and to hold those in power accountable.

In Congress, Rep. Waters has secured $10 billion in Section 108 loan guarantees, spurred economic and infrastructure development, and played a pivotal role in establishing the Youth Fair Chance program, which provides unemployed youth with skills training for well-paying jobs. Prior to being elected to Congress, she served in the State Assembly.

Rep. Water’s priorities for CA-43 this year have included seeking police accountability, standing with Amazon workers, protecting Medicare patients, and expanding services for veterans. She currently chairs the House Committee on Financial Services, where she leads the fight to hold financial institutions accountable for predatory behavior. This year, Rep. Waters has voted 100 percent of the time with Nancy Pelosi and 94 percent of the time with Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. Rep. Waters has sponsored one bill, providing immediate housing and rental relief, and co-sponsored five bills this year, all of which have successfully passed the House but remain in the Senate.

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

Elect George Gascón to push Los Angeles County in the right direction. 

About the Position

The district attorney (DA) serves as the chief prosecutor for their designated county. The district attorney’s duties include reviewing police reports, determining criminal charges, and prosecuting criminal cases. The district attorney oversees a staff of prosecutors, who are responsible for presenting cases against individuals suspected of breaking the law, initiating investigations and recommending sentencing. The district attorney holds the power to grant immunity, conduct investigations of individuals, plea bargain with defendants, and is responsible for conducting investigations into every police misconduct incident. 

About the District

Los Angeles County is the most populous county in the United States. It encompasses a population of over 10 million, with significant Latinx, Black, and Asian populations. Notable cities within the county include Los Angeles, Inglewood, Long Beach, and Compton. Notable issues within the county’s criminal justice system include high rates of incarceration and police brutality.  

About the Race

In the March 3 primary election with three candidates, challenger George Gascón qualified along with incumbent Jackie Lacey, who failed to secure over 50 percent of the vote. At that time, Gascón trailed DA Lacey by a margin of 20 percent. Since then, as a result of the recent Black Lives Matter demonstrations, DA Lacey has been under increasing pressure to account for her problematic record of not listening to community groups and failing to prosecute police officers. Several elected officials have also rescinded their endorsements of DA Lacey since the start of the demonstrations.

Gascón’s campaign is largely funded through individual donations, as well as contributions from labor unions and law firms. He has joined forces with San Francisco DA Chesa Boudin and Contra Costa DA Diana Becton to call all DAs and DA candidates to reject police union support as a conflict of interest. Gascón has not received any police, corporate, or fossil fuel money. 

Opponent Jackie Lacey’s campaign’s funding is mostly composed of law-enforcement contributions, including a $1 million donation from the Los Angeles Police Protective League, $800,000 from the L.A. County sheriff’s deputies, and over $100,000 from the Peace Officers Research Association of California. Unions such as the Los Angeles Police Protective League have also contributed over $1 million to an anti-Gascón PAC. This push against Gascón from law enforcement is a direct result of Gascón’s commitment toward stricter oversight of police use of force. 

About the Candidate

George Gascón, a Cuban immigrant and longtime Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) police officer is known as a groundbreaking progressive leader in criminal justice reform in the country. Gascón is running for district attorney in Los Angeles because he believes the way the criminal justice system operates in Los Angeles must change.

George Gascón moved back to L.A. to run for district attorney there, leaving his role as district attorney in San Francisco, where he was appointed to the seat in 2011, and he was re-elected twice. As the San Francisco DA, Gascón led a slate of progressive reforms, including lowering incarceration rates, expunging more than 9,000 marijuana convictions dating back to 1975, and launching a first-of-its-kind website that provides data on prosecutions, caseloads, and trial outcomes to the public in order to increase accountability and transparency in the criminal justice system. 

Gascón started his career as a cop in Los Angeles. His trajectory took him to the top of the LAPD, where, as assistant chief, he oversaw operations of more than 9,000 officers. Throughout his career, Gascón has demonstrated the ability to think in new ways about complex problems in criminal justice and to create meaningful change in the culture and operations of police departments, including the LAPD, the Mesa Police Department, and the SFPD. 

In his role as San Francisco DA, Gascón increased the prosecution of sexual assault cases, and created response teams, education programs, partnerships, and a new law-enforcement unit focused on addressing child abuse and sexual assault. He implemented practices and resources that centered on survivors and is currently proposing policies that protect undocumented, LGBTQ, and student survivors while prioritizing cultural and linguistic competency. 

Gascón’s priorities for Los Angeles County address issues of immigration, corruption, and climate justice. Gascón has experience prosecuting both corporations and individual polluters and has committed to protecting the environment. Additionally, Gascón promises to fight against public corruption and promote accountability among Los Angeles County officials. Gascón is committed to opposing the death penalty and the use of money bail, both of which disproportionately target Black and brown populations.

One of Gascón’s most notable priorities is addressing police brutality and holding law enforcement accountable. This is particularly relevant, considering Los Angeles County police have killed nearly 900 people since 2000, of which a majority are Black and brown victims. Only two officers have been charged for shooting civilians while on duty. This discrepancy is largely due to incumbent DA Jackie Lacey’s failure to prosecute the officers. In nearly all 886 cases of police violence, DA Lacey deemed use of force as legally justified. 

Gascón’s track record and position on law-enforcement accountability is rare, particularly for someone with a law-enforcement background. During his term as San Francisco DA, Gascón prosecuted more than 30 police officers for criminal conduct. In 2019, while many police, law-enforcement officials, and prosecutors fought against its passage, Gascón advocated for Assembly Bill 392, also known as the Stephon Clark Bill, or the deadly use of force bill, which created a stricter standard for police use of force. He remains the only law-enforcement official in California to advocate for this legislation; every other prosecutor, including incumbent L.A. County DA Jackie Lacey, refused. 

Throughout all these initiatives, Gascón has demonstrated an awareness of underserved communities’ needs. His awareness of the intricacies of racial bias is necessary, now more than ever, for the district attorney’s office. That awareness, however, is not what makes Gascón an ideal choice. While critics tend to focus on his background as a police officer who rose through the ranks, it is his departure from policing in pursuit of systemic reform that sets him apart. 

In a time of heightened injustice, Gascón stands out from other political candidates in that he has studied his past actions and outcomes, listened to communities affected by the system, and changed his views and behaviors in response to become a more effective and compassionate leader. His willingness to prosecute police brutality cases and his track record on creating solutions that have become models for criminal justice reform advocates are highlights of his case for becoming Los Angeles’s next district attorney. 
 
Gascón is a compelling challenger to incumbent Jackie Lacey, who has consistently resisted public pressure to hold police accountable for the more than 618 people who have been killed by police in Los Angeles County since her election in 2013. According to our analysis, George Gascón is the strongest choice for equitable and representative leadership in office.

About Courage California’s Endorsement

After a comprehensive review of George Gascón’s record and from local partners, we have determined that he is committed to criminal justice reform, environmental justice, racial equity and justice, and immigrant rights. His experience in the community and pledges to refuse money from corporate PACs, police, and the fossil fuel industry are in alignment with the progressive future Courage California hopes to achieve in which special interests have no place in politics. Gascón’s dedication to holding law enforcement accountable for police brutality demonstrates the integrity Californians need more now than ever. We are confident that he will rule cases with equity and justice. Courage California is proud to endorse George Gascón.

Elect Holly J. Mitchell to push Los Angeles County in the right direction. 

About the Position

Each of the 58 counties in California is governed by a five-person board of supervisors. A board of supervisors has legislative and executive power to manage county services and resources, including courts, jails, public health, and public lands. They also have quasi-judicial powers, which gives them the right to hold hearings, conduct investigations, and make decisions in a manner similar to judicial courts. Laws passed by boards of supervisors are generally called ordinances. Because counties include both incorporated cities administered by their own city councils, as well as unincorporated areas directly administered by the county, ordinances may or may not apply in different areas of the county. Supervisors are typically ‎limited to three terms or 12 years in office total.

About the District

Los Angeles County is the most populous county in the United States. It encompasses a population of over 10 million, with significant Latinx, Black, and Asian populations. District 2 includes the cities of Carson, Compton, Culver City, Gardena, Hawthorne, Inglewood, Lawndale, Los Angeles (portion), Lynwood, as well as a number of unincorporated areas within the county. The five-member board of supervisors is the governing body of Los Angeles County and manages a budget of nearly $35 million annually, which they administer with the support of the Los Angeles County Chief Executive Office. 

About the Race

State Senator Holly Mitchell is running against opponent Herb Wesson, member of the Los Angeles City Council. According to recent polling numbers, Sen. Mitchell is leading opponent City Council Member Wesson by a margin of 13 percent, with many voters in the district still undecided.

Sen. Mitchell’s campaign has raised $445,000 through June 2020 and has pledged to not take police or fossil fuel money. Her campaign, primarily funded by individuals, labor unions, and the campaigns of colleagues in the state legislature, has accepted several donations from corporate PACs. These PACs include Herbalife International Inc. PAC, and Enterprise Holdings, Inc. Political Action Committee, the employee PAC for the brands Enterprise Rent-A-Car, National Car Rental, and Alamo Rent a Car.

City Council Member Herb Wesson’s campaign has raised just over $550,000 in the same period and has not pledged to avoid any types of campaign contributions. His candidacy is supported by multiple independent expenditure efforts that spent over $1.2 million on his behalf in the primary, with $715,000 coming from three police officer unions. City Council Member Wesson played the key role in passing an amendment to the Los Angeles City Charter to reduce disciplinary procedures for Los Angeles police officers. Additionally, when he served in the Assembly, Wesson received over $10,000 in contributions from the private prison industry and supported private prisons with SB297 (The bill was vetoed by former Gov. Gray Davis).

About the Candidate

State Senator Holly Mitchell is a third-generation Angeleno and continues to live in Los Angeles, where she serves as a state senator for California’s 30th Senate District. According to campaign materials, Sen. Mitchell is running to represent District 2 on the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors in order to meet the real needs of local communities in Los Angeles County.

Sen. Mitchell was elected to the state Assembly in 2010 and moved to the Senate in 2013. She is currently serving her final term (2018–2022) as a state senator and is the first African American Chair of the powerful Budget and Fiscal Review Committee. During her tenure, Sen. Mitchell proposed a set of criminal justice reforms that were signed into law. The reforms consisted of 10 laws to reduce barriers for Californians affected by the criminal justice system by reducing sentence enhancements for low-level drugs, removing court fees for the innocent, sealing arrest records for people not convicted, ending the sentencing of juveniles to life without parole, and other advancements. She has been a notable progressive influence in other areas as well, with nearly 90 bills signed into law on issues that include homelessness, mental health, children’s rights, and job protections.

In office, Sen. Mitchell has scored an overall 98 out of 100 on Courage Score, our annual analysis of legislators’ progressive voting record. Recently, Sen. Mitchell has taken a stand on a problematic statewide housing bill, working with a coalition representing low-income communities to demand stronger protections for low-income people, people of color, and other vulnerable people most strongly affected by the housing crisis.

Courage is proud to endorse Sen. Mitchell because of her track record as a champion for underrepresented and marginalized communities in California and her reputation as a strong leader on ethics for other legislators. The Los Angeles Times described her as “the Legislature’s moral compass.” Sen. Mitchell is endorsed by a strong majority of progressive groups in the district. According to our analysis, Sen. Mitchell is the strongest choice for equitable and representative leadership in office.

About the Misinformation

A website and TV ads mischaracterizing Senator Mitchell have been unveiled by her opponent, Wesson. The ads accuse Sen. Mitchell of personally supporting private prisons in return for “thousands” of dollars to her campaign. Her campaign reported returning the unsolicited $1,000 in question, and her voting record in the State legislature proves she has never supported private prisons. On the contrary, Senator Mitchell’s record shows she has been a staunch advocate for criminal justice reform and decarceration. Sen. Mitchell and other advocates have encouraged Councilmember Wesson to return the money he has received from the private prison industry, but he has not done so as of Oct 16, 2020.

About Courage California’s Endorsement

After a comprehensive review of Holly J. Mitchell’s record and consultation with local partners, we have determined that she is committed to criminal justice reform, environmental justice, racial equity and justice, and immigrant rights. Her experience in the community and in the California State Legislature combined with her pledges to refuse money from the fossil fuel industry and police are in alignment with the progressive future Courage California hopes to achieve in which special interests have no place in politics. Mitchell’s ideas and proposals are thoroughly well-thought out and demonstrate her strong, structural grasp on the issues Californians face. We are confident that she will co-govern in the interests of all Los Angeles residents. Courage California is proud to endorse Holly J. Mitchell for Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors.

Elect Myanna Dellinger to push Los Angeles County in the right direction.

About the Position

Judges of the California Superior Courts are elected in nonpartisan, county-wide elections to six-year terms. Once voted in, a judge can run for retention at the expiration of their term. A retention election is a process by which voters decide whether an incumbent judge should remain for another term. If the judge, when not facing an opponent, does not obtain a certain percentage of voters (often 50 percent), they are removed from the position. Many judges join the court through a gubernatorial appointment. Once a judge is appointed, they compete in the next general election following the appointment.

California has 58 trial courts, or superior courts, one in each county. In the more than 450 courthouses of the superior courts, a judge and sometimes a jury hears witness testimony and other evidence. These courts hear civil, criminal, family, probate, and juvenile cases. The judge decides cases through the application of relevant law to the relevant facts.

About the Jurisdiction

The Superior Court of Los Angeles comprises the appellate, civil, criminal, family law, juvenile, mental health, probate, small claims, and traffic courts. The court system sees 2.7 million new cases per year. As of 2016, Los Angeles County’s incarceration rate was 609 per 100,000 adults aged 18–69, higher than California’s overall 486 per 100,000 average.

About the Race

In the March 3 primary election, Myanna Dellinger trailed challenger Steve Morgan by a margin of 3 percent. Dellinger’s campaign has raised $104,439.91 and is 55 percent self-funded, with the rest coming from individuals. Dellinger’s campaign has pledged to avoid fossil fuel money, and records show no donations from fossil fuels, police unions, or corporate PACs. Morgan’s campaign has raised $96,919.29, is 26 percent self-funded, and has received contributions from the Los Angeles Police Protective League, SEIU 721, and Govern For California (GFC). Morgan’s campaign has not committed to any campaign finance pledges.

About the Candidate

Myanna Dellinger is from Denmark, graduated at the top of her law school class, and moved to Southern California in 1997. Dellinger lives in Eagle Rock with her husband and is currently a law professor teaching human rights, contracts, sales, and public international law. According to campaign materials, she is running for re-election to help reduce racial disparity in the criminal-justice system and to provide greater access to justice.

Dellinger has worked on thousands of cases with state and federal judges at the trial and appellate levels, including the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. Dellinger also researches and writes extensively on the intersection between climate change and business law. She has personally translated and interpreted in such projects as multimillion-dollar patent-infringement lawsuits and Holocaust-survivor class-action lawsuits against Swiss banks. Her research has contributed to contemporary understanding about endangered species law and policy, and in particular the potential effects of trophy hunting to threatened and endangered species.

Myanna Dellinger is endorsed by many local progressive groups in the district. Her opponent, Steve Morgan, is endorsed by more moderate groups. According to our analysis, Myanna Dellinger is the strongest choice for equitable and representative leadership in office.