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Re-elect State Assemblymember Sharon Quirk-Silva to keep AD-65 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 four-year term. Every two years, all 80 seats are subject to election. Members elected before 2012 are restricted to three two-year terms (six years) in the Assembly. Those elected in or after 2012 are allowed to serve 12 years total across both the State Senate and Assembly. This term, Democrats currently hold a two-thirds supermajority of 61 seats in the California State Assembly, while Republicans hold 17 seats. One seat is held by an Independent, and one seat is currently vacant.
About the District
California's 65th Assembly District includes parts of Orange County. This is a historically red district that flipped blue when Sharon Quirk-Silva won in 2012. It went back to red in 2014, when she lost her incumbency, and then back to blue when she won again in 2016. The most recent election results show AD-65 voted for Clinton for president in 2016 and Newsom for governor in 2018.
About the Race
In the primary, Democrat incumbent Representative Sharon Quirk-Silva led Republican challenger Cynthia Thacker by a margin of 15.4 percent. Quirk-Silva’s campaign has raised $529,123.99. Her campaign has not committed to refusing corporate PAC, fossil fuel, or police money, and has accepted funds from all three groups. No FEC filings have been made for Thacker’s campaign, and she is endorsed by the Republican Party of Orange County and the California Republican Party.
About the Candidate
Assemblywoman Sharon Quirk-Silva moved to Fullerton when she was two, attended Orange County public schools, earned her bachelor's degree from Fullerton College and UCLA, and her teaching credential from CSU Fullerton. Quirk-Silva defeated a Republican incumbent for this seat in 2012, but lost her bid for re-election in 2014 to Republican Young Kim. She ran again in 2016, defeated Kim, and has served in this seat since. According to campaign materials, Quirk-Silva is running to keep working on education, climate, and economic issues that affect the state of California.
In the State Assembly, Quirk-Silva authored a fee waiver bill that allows the homeless to receive an ID and a copy of their birth certificate without paying for them. Quirk Silva served as chair of the Assembly Jobs Committee and secured $23 million for small businesses. Quirk-Silva currently sits on the Assembly Higher Education Committee and the Communications and Conveyance Committee. Prior to her election to the State Assembly, Quirk-Silva served on the Fullerton City Council starting in 2004 and was elected mayor in 2007.
Assemblywoman Sharon Quirk-Silva’s priorities for AD-65 this year include increased funding for schools, expanding the economy, public safety, and expanding access to affordable health care. She currently sits on thirteen committees, including the standing committee on Housing and Community Development and the select committees on Foster Care and Student Debt. Assemblywoman Quirk-Silva has sponsored two bills about housing and homelessness this year. She scores 49 out of 100 on Courage Score, our annual analysis of legislators’ progressive voting records. Based on our Courage Score analysis, Quirk-Silva generally votes progressive for bills that address California’s education system and climate change. That said, she has abstained from voting on policies that could help solve other issues, including police transparency.
Prior to her election to the State Assembly, Assemblymember Quirk-Silva worked as a teacher in the Fullerton School District. She is a longtime supporter of affordable housing, quality education, and access to physical and mental-health services.
Assemblymember Sharon Quirk-Silva is endorsed by many progressive groups in the district. That said, she is also endorsed by police groups. However, the threat of Republican challenger and strong Trump supporter Thacker’s potential policies greatly outweighs Quirk-Silva’s moderate voting record and decisions regarding police accountability. Although we disagree with her relationships with the police, her district is vulnerable to flipping red. According to our analysis, Sharon Quirk-Silva is the strongest choice for equitable and representative leadership in office.
Last updated: 2023-04-05Sharon Quirk-Silva
Re-elect State Assemblymember Sharon Quirk-Silva to keep AD-65 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 four-year term. Every two years, all 80 seats are subject to election. Members elected before 2012 are restricted to three two-year terms (six years) in the Assembly. Those elected in or after 2012 are allowed to serve 12 years total across both the State Senate and Assembly. This term, Democrats currently hold a two-thirds supermajority of 61 seats in the California State Assembly, while Republicans hold 17 seats. One seat is held by an Independent, and one seat is currently vacant.
About the District
California's 65th Assembly District includes parts of Orange County. This is a historically red district that flipped blue when Sharon Quirk-Silva won in 2012. It went back to red in 2014, when she lost her incumbency, and then back to blue when she won again in 2016. The most recent election results show AD-65 voted for Clinton for president in 2016 and Newsom for governor in 2018.
About the Race
In the primary, Democrat incumbent Representative Sharon Quirk-Silva led Republican challenger Cynthia Thacker by a margin of 15.4 percent. Quirk-Silva’s campaign has raised $529,123.99. Her campaign has not committed to refusing corporate PAC, fossil fuel, or police money, and has accepted funds from all three groups. No FEC filings have been made for Thacker’s campaign, and she is endorsed by the Republican Party of Orange County and the California Republican Party.
About the Candidate
Assemblywoman Sharon Quirk-Silva moved to Fullerton when she was two, attended Orange County public schools, earned her bachelor's degree from Fullerton College and UCLA, and her teaching credential from CSU Fullerton. Quirk-Silva defeated a Republican incumbent for this seat in 2012, but lost her bid for re-election in 2014 to Republican Young Kim. She ran again in 2016, defeated Kim, and has served in this seat since. According to campaign materials, Quirk-Silva is running to keep working on education, climate, and economic issues that affect the state of California.
In the State Assembly, Quirk-Silva authored a fee waiver bill that allows the homeless to receive an ID and a copy of their birth certificate without paying for them. Quirk Silva served as chair of the Assembly Jobs Committee and secured $23 million for small businesses. Quirk-Silva currently sits on the Assembly Higher Education Committee and the Communications and Conveyance Committee. Prior to her election to the State Assembly, Quirk-Silva served on the Fullerton City Council starting in 2004 and was elected mayor in 2007.
Assemblywoman Sharon Quirk-Silva’s priorities for AD-65 this year include increased funding for schools, expanding the economy, public safety, and expanding access to affordable health care. She currently sits on thirteen committees, including the standing committee on Housing and Community Development and the select committees on Foster Care and Student Debt. Assemblywoman Quirk-Silva has sponsored two bills about housing and homelessness this year. She scores 49 out of 100 on Courage Score, our annual analysis of legislators’ progressive voting records. Based on our Courage Score analysis, Quirk-Silva generally votes progressive for bills that address California’s education system and climate change. That said, she has abstained from voting on policies that could help solve other issues, including police transparency.
Prior to her election to the State Assembly, Assemblymember Quirk-Silva worked as a teacher in the Fullerton School District. She is a longtime supporter of affordable housing, quality education, and access to physical and mental-health services.
Assemblymember Sharon Quirk-Silva is endorsed by many progressive groups in the district. That said, she is also endorsed by police groups. However, the threat of Republican challenger and strong Trump supporter Thacker’s potential policies greatly outweighs Quirk-Silva’s moderate voting record and decisions regarding police accountability. Although we disagree with her relationships with the police, her district is vulnerable to flipping red. According to our analysis, Sharon Quirk-Silva is the strongest choice for equitable and representative leadership in office.
Re-elect State Assemblymember Sharon Quirk-Silva to keep AD-65 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 four-year term. Every two years, all 80 seats are subject to election. Members elected before 2012 are restricted to three two-year terms (six years) in the Assembly. Those elected in or after 2012 are allowed to serve 12 years total across both the State Senate and Assembly. This term, Democrats currently hold a two-thirds supermajority of 61 seats in the California State Assembly, while Republicans hold 17 seats. One seat is held by an Independent, and one seat is currently vacant.
About the District
California's 65th Assembly District includes parts of Orange County. This is a historically red district that flipped blue when Sharon Quirk-Silva won in 2012. It went back to red in 2014, when she lost her incumbency, and then back to blue when she won again in 2016. The most recent election results show AD-65 voted for Clinton for president in 2016 and Newsom for governor in 2018.
About the Race
In the primary, Democrat incumbent Representative Sharon Quirk-Silva led Republican challenger Cynthia Thacker by a margin of 15.4 percent. Quirk-Silva’s campaign has raised $529,123.99. Her campaign has not committed to refusing corporate PAC, fossil fuel, or police money, and has accepted funds from all three groups. No FEC filings have been made for Thacker’s campaign, and she is endorsed by the Republican Party of Orange County and the California Republican Party.
About the Candidate
Assemblywoman Sharon Quirk-Silva moved to Fullerton when she was two, attended Orange County public schools, earned her bachelor's degree from Fullerton College and UCLA, and her teaching credential from CSU Fullerton. Quirk-Silva defeated a Republican incumbent for this seat in 2012, but lost her bid for re-election in 2014 to Republican Young Kim. She ran again in 2016, defeated Kim, and has served in this seat since. According to campaign materials, Quirk-Silva is running to keep working on education, climate, and economic issues that affect the state of California.
In the State Assembly, Quirk-Silva authored a fee waiver bill that allows the homeless to receive an ID and a copy of their birth certificate without paying for them. Quirk Silva served as chair of the Assembly Jobs Committee and secured $23 million for small businesses. Quirk-Silva currently sits on the Assembly Higher Education Committee and the Communications and Conveyance Committee. Prior to her election to the State Assembly, Quirk-Silva served on the Fullerton City Council starting in 2004 and was elected mayor in 2007.
Assemblywoman Sharon Quirk-Silva’s priorities for AD-65 this year include increased funding for schools, expanding the economy, public safety, and expanding access to affordable health care. She currently sits on thirteen committees, including the standing committee on Housing and Community Development and the select committees on Foster Care and Student Debt. Assemblywoman Quirk-Silva has sponsored two bills about housing and homelessness this year. She scores 49 out of 100 on Courage Score, our annual analysis of legislators’ progressive voting records. Based on our Courage Score analysis, Quirk-Silva generally votes progressive for bills that address California’s education system and climate change. That said, she has abstained from voting on policies that could help solve other issues, including police transparency.
Prior to her election to the State Assembly, Assemblymember Quirk-Silva worked as a teacher in the Fullerton School District. She is a longtime supporter of affordable housing, quality education, and access to physical and mental-health services.
Assemblymember Sharon Quirk-Silva is endorsed by many progressive groups in the district. That said, she is also endorsed by police groups. However, the threat of Republican challenger and strong Trump supporter Thacker’s potential policies greatly outweighs Quirk-Silva’s moderate voting record and decisions regarding police accountability. Although we disagree with her relationships with the police, her district is vulnerable to flipping red. According to our analysis, Sharon Quirk-Silva is the strongest choice for equitable and representative leadership in office.
Sharon Quirk-Silva
Re-elect State Assemblymember Sharon Quirk-Silva to keep AD-65 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 four-year term. Every two years, all 80 seats are subject to election. Members elected before 2012 are restricted to three two-year terms (six years) in the Assembly. Those elected in or after 2012 are allowed to serve 12 years total across both the State Senate and Assembly. This term, Democrats currently hold a two-thirds supermajority of 61 seats in the California State Assembly, while Republicans hold 17 seats. One seat is held by an Independent, and one seat is currently vacant.
About the District
California's 65th Assembly District includes parts of Orange County. This is a historically red district that flipped blue when Sharon Quirk-Silva won in 2012. It went back to red in 2014, when she lost her incumbency, and then back to blue when she won again in 2016. The most recent election results show AD-65 voted for Clinton for president in 2016 and Newsom for governor in 2018.
About the Race
In the primary, Democrat incumbent Representative Sharon Quirk-Silva led Republican challenger Cynthia Thacker by a margin of 15.4 percent. Quirk-Silva’s campaign has raised $529,123.99. Her campaign has not committed to refusing corporate PAC, fossil fuel, or police money, and has accepted funds from all three groups. No FEC filings have been made for Thacker’s campaign, and she is endorsed by the Republican Party of Orange County and the California Republican Party.
About the Candidate
Assemblywoman Sharon Quirk-Silva moved to Fullerton when she was two, attended Orange County public schools, earned her bachelor's degree from Fullerton College and UCLA, and her teaching credential from CSU Fullerton. Quirk-Silva defeated a Republican incumbent for this seat in 2012, but lost her bid for re-election in 2014 to Republican Young Kim. She ran again in 2016, defeated Kim, and has served in this seat since. According to campaign materials, Quirk-Silva is running to keep working on education, climate, and economic issues that affect the state of California.
In the State Assembly, Quirk-Silva authored a fee waiver bill that allows the homeless to receive an ID and a copy of their birth certificate without paying for them. Quirk Silva served as chair of the Assembly Jobs Committee and secured $23 million for small businesses. Quirk-Silva currently sits on the Assembly Higher Education Committee and the Communications and Conveyance Committee. Prior to her election to the State Assembly, Quirk-Silva served on the Fullerton City Council starting in 2004 and was elected mayor in 2007.
Assemblywoman Sharon Quirk-Silva’s priorities for AD-65 this year include increased funding for schools, expanding the economy, public safety, and expanding access to affordable health care. She currently sits on thirteen committees, including the standing committee on Housing and Community Development and the select committees on Foster Care and Student Debt. Assemblywoman Quirk-Silva has sponsored two bills about housing and homelessness this year. She scores 49 out of 100 on Courage Score, our annual analysis of legislators’ progressive voting records. Based on our Courage Score analysis, Quirk-Silva generally votes progressive for bills that address California’s education system and climate change. That said, she has abstained from voting on policies that could help solve other issues, including police transparency.
Prior to her election to the State Assembly, Assemblymember Quirk-Silva worked as a teacher in the Fullerton School District. She is a longtime supporter of affordable housing, quality education, and access to physical and mental-health services.
Assemblymember Sharon Quirk-Silva is endorsed by many progressive groups in the district. That said, she is also endorsed by police groups. However, the threat of Republican challenger and strong Trump supporter Thacker’s potential policies greatly outweighs Quirk-Silva’s moderate voting record and decisions regarding police accountability. Although we disagree with her relationships with the police, her district is vulnerable to flipping red. According to our analysis, Sharon Quirk-Silva is the strongest choice for equitable and representative leadership in office.
Charné Tunson
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.
Two candidates in this district offer the chance to make LACC more reflective of its highly diverse student population, Dr. Nichet James-Gray and Nichelle M. Henderson.
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.