Based on our analysis, there is no progressive candidate to recommend for your vote in this race.
About the Position
State assemblymembers 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 impact 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 8th Assembly District includes parts of Sacramento County. Notable cities within the district include Rancho Cordova, Wilton, Carmichael, Citrus Heights, and Arden-Arcade. Democrats typically hold this district. The most recent election results show AD08 voted for Hillary Clinton for president in 2016, and Gavin Newsom for governor in 2018, both with victory margins of less than 10 percent. The district is composed of older suburbs that are gradually becoming more ethnically and politically diverse.
About the Race
In the March 3 primary election, Democrat incumbent Ken Cooley led Republican challenger Cathy Cook by a margin of 14 percent. Assemblymember Cooley’s campaign has raised over $158,000 and is significantly funded through corporate, fossil fuel, and law-enforcement donations. Cooley’s problematic contributors include Chevron, Southern California Edison, Monsanto, Sempra Energy, and Amazon, among others. Republican challenger Cathy Cook’s campaign has raised over $33,000 and is entirely funded through individual contributions.
About the Candidate
Assemblymember Cooley is the incumbent, having served in this position since 2012. He holds regressive positions on issues of criminal-justice reform and gun safety legislation, and has opted not to vote on numerous progressive issues. Based on his track record, Cooley is likely to provide no progressive leadership in office.
Cooley identifies as a fiscal conservative on his campaign site, and abstained from and even voted against specific policies that could protect tenants’ rights, promote gun violence prevention legislation, and curb climate change.
Cooley’s stated priorities for AD-08 include addressing California’s homelessness crisis and continuing his work on behalf of foster youth. He currently serves as chair of the Select Committee on Foster Care. Prior to his election to the State Assembly, Cooley was a Rancho Cordova founding town councilmember, where he served for 10 years.
Cooley claims that public safety is one of his top priorities, but has failed to prioritize police accountability. This is particularly relevant in areas such as Rancho Cordova and Arden-Arcade, which have a history of police brutalizing Black and brown residents. Just this year, recordings surfaced of Rancho Cordova police using excessive force and repeatedly punching an unarmed 14-year-old Black child. Despite the severity of this issue, Cooley holds endorsements from both the CA Association of Highway Patrolmen and CA Police Chiefs Association.
Assemblymember Cooley’s voting record is a particular area of concern. In 2019, he voted no or abstained from voting for numerous criminal-justice reform bills aimed at restoring rights for people on parole (AC A6), and protecting incarcerated youth and youth not charged with crimes (AB 965/AB 901). Affordable housing is another issue Cooley refuses to budge on, having abstained from voting on AB 1482, which supported rent caps; AB 1279, which encouraged affordable housing production; and AB 1487, just to name a few. In 2020 alone, Cooley has voted against or failed to vote in support of the False Claims Act (AB 2570), oil spill penalties (AB 3214), and COVID-19 medical leave protections (AB 3216).
In 2019, Cooley scored a 27 out of 100 on Courage Score, our annual analysis of legislators’ progressive voting records. Assemblymember Cooley has repeatedly failed to utilize his vote in the capitol. When he does, it is often against key progressive issues. AD-08 deserves a candidate who will use their vote as a force for change.
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.
Based on our analysis, there is no progressive candidate to recommend for your vote in this race.
About the Position
State assemblymembers 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 impact 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 8th Assembly District includes parts of Sacramento County. Notable cities within the district include Rancho Cordova, Wilton, Carmichael, Citrus Heights, and Arden-Arcade. Democrats typically hold this district. The most recent election results show AD08 voted for Hillary Clinton for president in 2016, and Gavin Newsom for governor in 2018, both with victory margins of less than 10 percent. The district is composed of older suburbs that are gradually becoming more ethnically and politically diverse.
About the Race
In the March 3 primary election, Democrat incumbent Ken Cooley led Republican challenger Cathy Cook by a margin of 14 percent. Assemblymember Cooley’s campaign has raised over $158,000 and is significantly funded through corporate, fossil fuel, and law-enforcement donations. Cooley’s problematic contributors include Chevron, Southern California Edison, Monsanto, Sempra Energy, and Amazon, among others. Republican challenger Cathy Cook’s campaign has raised over $33,000 and is entirely funded through individual contributions.
About the Candidate
Assemblymember Cooley is the incumbent, having served in this position since 2012. He holds regressive positions on issues of criminal-justice reform and gun safety legislation, and has opted not to vote on numerous progressive issues. Based on his track record, Cooley is likely to provide no progressive leadership in office.
Cooley identifies as a fiscal conservative on his campaign site, and abstained from and even voted against specific policies that could protect tenants’ rights, promote gun violence prevention legislation, and curb climate change.
Cooley’s stated priorities for AD-08 include addressing California’s homelessness crisis and continuing his work on behalf of foster youth. He currently serves as chair of the Select Committee on Foster Care. Prior to his election to the State Assembly, Cooley was a Rancho Cordova founding town councilmember, where he served for 10 years.
Cooley claims that public safety is one of his top priorities, but has failed to prioritize police accountability. This is particularly relevant in areas such as Rancho Cordova and Arden-Arcade, which have a history of police brutalizing Black and brown residents. Just this year, recordings surfaced of Rancho Cordova police using excessive force and repeatedly punching an unarmed 14-year-old Black child. Despite the severity of this issue, Cooley holds endorsements from both the CA Association of Highway Patrolmen and CA Police Chiefs Association.
Assemblymember Cooley’s voting record is a particular area of concern. In 2019, he voted no or abstained from voting for numerous criminal-justice reform bills aimed at restoring rights for people on parole (AC A6), and protecting incarcerated youth and youth not charged with crimes (AB 965/AB 901). Affordable housing is another issue Cooley refuses to budge on, having abstained from voting on AB 1482, which supported rent caps; AB 1279, which encouraged affordable housing production; and AB 1487, just to name a few. In 2020 alone, Cooley has voted against or failed to vote in support of the False Claims Act (AB 2570), oil spill penalties (AB 3214), and COVID-19 medical leave protections (AB 3216).
In 2019, Cooley scored a 27 out of 100 on Courage Score, our annual analysis of legislators’ progressive voting records. Assemblymember Cooley has repeatedly failed to utilize his vote in the capitol. When he does, it is often against key progressive issues. AD-08 deserves a candidate who will use their vote as a force for change.
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.