66th Assembly District

Nithya Raman lives in the Silverlake neighborhood of the city 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 a trained urban planner who 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 running against David Ryu, the incumbent who has failed to fulfill supportive housing commitments in the district. Other candidates include Sarah Levy. Raman is the strongest progressive 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.

According to our analysis, Nithya Raman is the strongest choice for progressive leadership in office.
 

Los Angeles City Councilmember Nury Martinez was born and raised in the San Fernando Valley, the daughter of immigrants from Mexico. According to campaign materials, she is running for re-election to continue to fight for the families of the City of Los Angeles and the Sixth Council District in the Northeast San Fernando Valley.

Councilmember Martinez has served on the Los Angeles City Council since 2013. Her current agenda is bolstered by her new role as City Council President, which gives her decision making power on when new proposals are raised at council meetings and who sits on committees. Since January, she has articulated priorities including launching programs to help working families, support for foster youth to get employed, and a ban on building permits for private detention centers, including facilities that would hold unaccompanied immigrant minors. When it comes to housing and homelessness, Councilmember Martinez has over-delivered on her 2018 commitment to build supportive housing units in District 6.

Councilmember Martinez is the first Latina City Council President in the City Council's 170-year history. While recent City Council decisions have tended to be unanimous and presented as a united front, Councilmember Martinez has suggested that she is more open to open and transparent debate. Prior to her election to the LA City Council, she has a long history in public service, on the L.A. Unified School District Board from 2009 to 2013 and before that, on the City of San Fernando Council from 2003 to 2009.

Martinez is being challenged by Benito "Benny" Bernal and Bill Haller. Martinez is the strongest progressive choice because of her track record in representing the needs and interests of the residents in her district and her skillful leadership that has won the support of her colleagues on the council.

According to our analysis, Councilmember Nury Martinez is the strongest choice for progressive leadership in office.
 

Los Angeles City Councilmember Marqueece Harris-Dawson was born and raised in South Los Angeles. He is the incumbent, having first been elected to represent District 8 in 2015. According to his official website, Councilmember Harris-Dawson’s priorities in office are to increase government responsiveness, develop economic opportunities, create equitable housing and transportation, and improve public safety. 

Councilmember Harris-Dawson’s approach to serving his district is influenced by his background as a community organizer. A primary priority is ensuring that community residents have open channels to contact him and his staff to voice any need or concern. His office launched a campaign to encourage residents to use MyLA311 to request the services needed in the community, which has resulted in a nearly threefold increase in calls over the past three years and increased responsiveness and quality of service from City service providers for the district. When it comes to housing and homelessness, Councilmember Harris-Dawson has over-delivered on his 2018 commitment to build supportive housing units in District 8.

Prior to joining the Los Angeles City Council, Councilmember Harris-Dawson worked at the nonprofit Community Coalition, renowned for its groundbreaking work in bringing together community residents to build safer neighborhoods. Original founder Karen Bass selected Harris-Dawson to replace her as head of the organization when she left to run for office, and, under Harris-Dawson, the organization saw a doubling of its budget and the purchase and renovation of a new building headquarters. 

Councilmember Harris-Dawson is running unopposed. Councilmember Harris-Dawson is a strong progressive leader because of his active engagement with community residents, his track record of strong financial management, and his keen understanding of the needs and priorities of his district. 

According to our analysis, Councilmember Harris-Dawson is the strongest choice for progressive leadership in office.
 

Aura Vasquez was born and raised in Colombia before moving to the United States with her family. She worked nights and weekends as an undocumented student to put herself through college. According to campaign materials, she is running to represent District 10 on the City Council to be a bold leader who will focus on creating a more sustainable and equitable future for Los Angeles. 

Vasquez has a deep background in community organizing and public service. She worked with the city of Los Angeles and the Sierra Club’s Beyond Coal Campaign to make L.A. coal-free by 2025 and helped establish the Feed & Tariff Initiative, the largest rooftop solar program in the country. Based on her work in environmental justice, Vasquez was appointed by Mayor Garcetti to the Board of Commissioners for the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power. Vasquez was also a member of the Wilshire Center Koreatown Neighborhood Council where she was the only non-Korean American to serve on the board. Vasquez, who identifies as Afro-Latina, also brings accomplishments in supporting students experiencing poverty and institutionalized racism to avoid dropping out of school in New York and fighting against the targeting of immigrants driving without a license in Orange County. 

Vasquez’s policy platform is informed by her organizing and advocacy experiences in Los Angeles. Her priorities include helping transition Los Angeles to 100% renewable energy, protecting the health of families by ending neighborhood oil drilling and reducing pollution, and making city services more responsive to residents. She also supports progressive economic solutions like tuition-free community college and a public bank that can inject investments back into neighborhoods. 

Vasquez is running for an open seat, as incumbent Councilmember Herb Wesson has served the maximum terms for the position. Other candidates include Channing Martinez, Melvin Snell, Grace Yoo, and Mark Ridley-Thomas. Notably, Mark Ridley-Thomas, who is currently on the LA County Board of Supervisors, has also termed out, and he and incumbent Wesson are running for each other's seats to maintain their hold on power. Ridley-Thomas is a longtime elected official who has been repeatedly investigated for misuse of campaign and taxpayer funds. 

Nearly 20 percent of Vasquez’s campaign funds come from donations of $100 or less, which far exceeds that of any other candidate in the race. In a crowded field of progressives, Vasquez is the strongest choice because of her track record in successfully advocating for progressive policy changes that reduce barriers and improve lives for many communities inclusively.

Loraine Lundquist was raised by a career army soldier and a middle school math teacher, living all over the country before settling in Northridge nine years ago. According to campaign materials, she is running to represent District 12 on the City Council to tackle the challenges of the district and the city as a whole. 

Loraine is a neighborhood council member, environmental activist, and astrophysicist. Currently, she is a Faculty Associate at the Institute for Sustainability at California State University, Northridge where she runs a program to provide science and sustainability education to local K-12 schools. She also serves on the advisory panel for LADWP long-range planning, and has testified before the California State Senate and Assembly. Lundquist served as the co-chair of the homelessness committee of Northridge East Neighborhood Council and was a founding member of the West Valley Neighborhood Alliance on Homelessness. 

Lundquist’s policy platform centers on taking action on homelessness, holding the DWP accountable, and resisting special interests. Lundquist says she voted for local measures to raise taxes to pay for housing and services to help ease homelessness and wants to use that money to build more homeless housing and shelters. She also wants comprehensive reform of the LA transit system that will balance the needs of commuters with the needs of local communities, and more investment in local water infrastructure. 

Lundquist is running against John S. Lee, the incumbent who has failed to fulfill supportive housing commitments in the district, and whose campaign has received funds from the fossil fuel industry. Lundquist lost to Lee, who is a Republican and was the chief of staff to the previous councilmember, in a special election held last year. This election presents an opportunity to elect a progressive champion to serve the district. Lundquist is the strongest progressive choice because of her commitment, expertise, and strong endorsements from progressive organizations and leaders. 

According to our analysis, Loraine Lundquist is the strongest choice for progressive leadership in office.

Dr. George McKenna is from New Orleans. His is the incumbent, having served in this position since 2014. According to campaign materials, he is running for re-election to the LAUSD School Board to continue to create a system of education that promotes positive change through emphasizing justice, equal opportunities, and cultivating non-violent learning spaces.

As Vice President of the LAUSD Board of Education, Dr. McKenna has implemented reforms to that aim to boost inclusive learning environments and improve student achievement. Prior to his election to the School Board, Dr. McKenna received a PhD in Education and has worked as a teacher, principal, and superintendent where developed a reputation for his innovative education solutions that decreased violence in inner-city schools, addressed low-achievement, increased community engagement and college enrollment. He has also authored legislation that allows parents to receive time off of work so that they are able to attend students’ activities.

Dr. McKenna is running unopposed and is the best progressive choice because of his track record of fighting for students and teachers, which he has received wide national recognition from Time magazine to The Oprah Winfrey Show, as well as a movie documenting his accomplishments and educational approaches titled “The George McKenna Story.”

According to our analysis, Dr. McKenna is a strong choice for progressive leadership in office.

 

Scott Schmerelson is a career educator with over 30 years of experience with LAUSD. He is the School Board District 3 incumbent, having served in this position since 2015. According to campaign materials, he is running for re-election to reduce class size, support and improve public schools, ensure classrooms and teachers have the resources they require while maintaining a responsible budget, and to make certain that schools are led by individuals who reflect the needs of the communities they serve.

On the School Board, Schmerelson has been an outspoken supporter of teachers and their demands, as well as a leading voice to reduce class size so that students have the attention required for an effective learning environment and quality education. Prior to Schmerelson’s election to the School Board, he worked as a teacher, school counselor, assistant principal, and principal where he accomplished increasing test scores and boosting the morale of students, teachers, and parents.

Schmerelson is running against Marilyn Koziatek and Elizabeth Bartels-Badger. Schmerelson is the best progressive choice because of his career-long dedication to improving education throughout LAUSD and his track record of fighting to make sure that children have access to the quality education they deserve.

According to our analysis, Schmerelson is the strongest choice for progressive leadership in office.

 

Jackie Goldberg is from Los Angeles and has resided in Echo Park, CA, for nearly 40 years. She is the incumbent, having served in this position since 2019. According to campaign materials, she is running for re-election to continue to be the School Board’s progressive voice and ensure that students interests always come first.

On the School Board, she has worked to restore integrity and leadership to her seat following the corruption chargers from the previous occupant. In addition, she’s worked to reduce class size, establish a productive and reasonable budget, bring the community together to raise students’ achievement levels, improve schools learning conditions, increase the resources available to students and teachers, as well as defend LAUSD schools from ongoing federal attacks from the current administration. Golberg has also worked as a teacher, community activist, Ethics Deputy and Children’s Services Deputy, served on the Los Angeles City Council, California State Assembly, as well as served on the LAUSD school board from 1983 to 1991. Through these positions, Golberg has created a dual language education program, authored the first citywide ordnance on a living wage, instituted protections for LA renters, increased funding for LAUSD, authored the first citywide and statewide domestic partner legislation, and is a co-founder of LACER Afterschool Program which helps nearly 4,000 students annually in the Los Angeles area.

Goldberg is running against Chistina Martinez Duran. Goldberg is the best progressive choice because of her career-long reputation of supporting students and underserved communities throughout the Los Angeles area.

According to our analysis, Goldberg is the strongest choice for progressive leadership in office.

 

Patricia Castellanos is from Carson, CA, and currently resides in San Pedro, CA. According to campaign materials, she is running for School Board to bring her knowledge of building coalitions and alliances to the LAUSD to enact progressive education policies.

Castellanos is the Workforce Deputy for L.A. County Supervisor Sheila Kuehl, where she develops and implements economic policies that create job opportunities for members of her community. Prior to becoming a Workforce Deputy, she worked as the Director of Policy Training and Education for Strategic Concepts in Organizing and Policy Education, held an appointment as Port Commission by Mayor Eric Garcetti, and was Deputy Director for the L.A. Alliance for a New Economy. Furthermore, Castellanos led the Coalition for Clean and Safe Ports, where she secured a historic agreement to reduce emissions, and was also a co-founder of Reclaim Our Schools L.A., where she successfully created a coalition of community members to rally support for quality public education.

Castellanos is running against Mike Lansing, Tanya Ortiz Franklin, Silke M. Bradford, and Lydia A. Gutierrez. Castellanos is the progressive choice because of her track record of activism, service, and support to underserved and disadvantaged communities throughout the Los Angeles area. 

According to our analysis, Castellanos is the strongest choice for progressive leadership in office.

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, civil rights, and enhancing public safety. Bradford currently serves as Chair of the Labor and Industrial Relations Committee and sits on the Public Safety, Governmental Organization, Appropriations, as well as the Energy, Utilities and Communications Committees. Prior to his election to the State Senate, he served in the Gardena City Council and the State Assembly.

Senator Bradford is being challenged by Anthony Perry (AI). Based on our Courage Score analysis, Bradford has consistently shown great courage advocating for the needs of constituents and facing down corporate lobbyists and interest groups that exploit Californians.

According to our analysis, Bradford is a strong choice for progressive leadership in office.
 

Al Muratsuchi has lived in Southern California for nearly 25 years. He is the incumbent, having served in this position since 2016. According to campaign materials, he is for re-election to bring good jobs and quality education to his district, as well as improve environmental protections and veteran services. 

In the Assembly, Muratsuchi has advanced legislation to keep aerospace jobs in the state, increase funding for public education, oppose oil drilling throughout California’s coastlines, and to improve the services provided to homeless and disabled veterans. Muratsuchi currently sits on the Budget Committee, Environmental Safety and Toxins Materials Committee, Natural Resources Committee, Utilities and Energy Committee, and the Veteran Affairs Committee. Prior to his election to the State Assembly, he served as a Torrance School Board member and as a Deputy Attorney General in the California Department of Justice.

Muratsuchi is a supporter of progressive economic policies and environmental protections. Our environmental justice allies work with him closely in advancing environmental priorities. That said, he has a clear history of casting bad votes on criminal justice reform measures. In 2019, he scored a 64 out of 100 on Courage Score, and has a lifetime score of 58, mostly due to his continued unwillingness to support progressive justice reforms. His district is somewhat purple, but his constituents have consistently voted in support of reforming our racist, broken criminal justice system. It is deeply troubling that Muratsuchi refuses to join them.

Muratsuchi is running against Angelica Scherp (D), Connie Sullivan (D), Richard Vaugh (D), Margie Hoyt (D), Stacey Golden (D), Cathy Familathe (D), Sara Deen (D), Donald Dear (D), Bobbi Buecher (D), Thomas Brewer (R), Janice Webb (R), Peter Michel (R), Martha Logan (R), Johnny Lauro (R), Williams Valladares (R), Eric Schuchman (R), Frank Scotto (R), Arthur Schaper (R). Though we disagree with Muratsuchi’s stances and votes on criminal justice reform, his local support and relationships with community leaders support progressive momentum and make him a strong choice in this race. That said, a viable progressive challenger would deserve a close look.
 

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 fulfill his pledge 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 make the case to save programs such 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 currently serves on the Energy and Commerce Committee and sits on three additional subcommittees. Prior to his election to Congress, he worked as an emergency physician in the Coachella Valley and was the founder and director of the Coachella Valley Healthcare Initiative, where he successfully brought together members of his community to improve access to healthcare and address public health issues.

Rep. Ruiz has progressive positions when it comes to preserving the environment and ensuring access to affordable, quality healthcare. 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 is being challenged by Erin Cruz (R), Patrice Kimbler (R), and Milo Stevanovich (R). According to recent election results, Democrats usually win this seat. Though we disagree with Rep. Ruiz’s votes on military spending, trade, and impeachment, his relationships with partners and position of power in Congress supports progressive momentum and makes him a strong choice in this race.
 

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. Rep. Waters currently serves as Chair of the House Financial Services Committee, where she leads the fight to hold financial institutions accountable for predatory behavior. Prior to being elected to Congress, she served in the State Assembly.

Rep. Waters is being challenged by Omar Navarro (R), and Joe Collins III (R). Rep. Waters is the best progressive choice because of her grassroots philosophy of listening to the people she serves and fighting on their behalf.

According to our analysis, Rep. Waters is the strongest choice for progressive leadership in office.
 

Representative Nanette Barragán is from Los Angeles and currently resides in San Pedro, CA. She is the incumbent, having served in this position since 2017. According to campaign materials, she is running for re-election to fight for immigration reform, veterans, access to quality healthcare, and the environment.

In Congress, Rep. Barragán works to protect vulnerable communities, social security, and Medicare from Republican attacks. She became a leading critic and leader against the administration's policy of child separations. Barragán currently serves on the Energy and Commerce Committee, where she is on the Health, Environment and Climate Change, and Energy subcommittees. She also serves on the Committee on Homeland Security where she is on the Border and Maritime Security and Oversight and Management Efficiency Subcommittees. Prior to her election to Congress, she served as the Mayor of Beach City and worked at the NAACP to address racial health disparities and discrimination.

Rep. Barragán is being challenged by Morris F. Griffin (D), Analilia Joya (D), and Billy Z. Earley (R). Rep. Barragán is the best progressive choice because of her track record of fighting for marginalized communities.

According to our analysis, Rep. Barragán is the strongest choice for progressive leadership in office.

George Gascón, a Cuban immigrant and longtime 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 because of his passion for the city, leaving his role as District Attorney in San Francisco, where he was appointed district attorney in 2011 and was re-elected twice. As SF District Attorney, 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 in order to increase accountability and transparency in the criminal justice system.

Gascón started his career as a beat cop in Los Angeles. His trajectory took him to the top of the LAPD, where as Assistant Chief, he oversaw operations the more than 9,000 officers in the LAPD. Throughout his career, Gascón has demonstrated the ability to think in new ways about seemingly intractable 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 2011, then-California Attorney General Gavin Newsom tapped Gascón to be San Francisco District Attorney where he has become known as a visionary in criminal justice reform.

Gascón is challenging incumbent Jackie Lacey, who has consistently resisted public pressure to hold police accountable for the more than 550 people who have been killed by police in Los Angeles County since her election in 2013. Other candidates include public defender, Rachel A. Rossi. Gascón is the strongest progressive choice for district attorney because of his visionary leadership and outstanding track record in criminal justice reform, as well as his experience and demonstrated ability to adapt.

According to our analysis, Gascón is the strongest choice for progressive leadership in office.
 

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, 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 -- the largest county in the nation, with over 10 million residents.

Senator Mitchell was elected to the state Assembly in 2010 and moved to the Senate in 2013. She is currently serving her final term as a State Senator, where she serves as Chair of the Budget and Fiscal Review Committee. During her tenure, Senator Mitchell proposed a set of criminal justice reforms that were signed into law. Together, these 10 laws reduce barriers for Californias impacted 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, including homelessness, mental health, children’s rights, and job protections. 

In office, Senator Mitchell has scored an overall 98 out of 100 on Courage Score, our annual analysis of a legislator's progressive voting record. Based on our Courage Score analysis, Senator Mitchell has consistently shown great courage advocating for the needs of constituents and facing down corporate lobbyists and interest groups that exploit Californians. Most recently, Senator 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. 

Senator Mitchell is running against Herb Wesson, president of the Los Angeles City Council, and Jan Perry, a former council member who once ran for mayor. Other candidates include Jorge Nuño, Albert Robles, Rene Rigard, and Jake Jeong. In a crowded field, Senator Mitchell is the best progressive choice because of her track record as a champion for underrepresented and marginalized communities in California and her reputation as an unapologetically progressive legislator.

Voting for Senator Mitchell is an opportunity to elect a transformational leader as supervisor, one who will courageously represent the perspective and priorities of her district in LA County. One day she would make an excellent candidate for Governor of California. Courage California strongly endorses Senator Mitchell for Supervisor.
 

Janice Hahn was born and raised in Los Angeles. After a brief stint in Texas and New York, Hahn moved back to Southern California and raised her family in Los Angeles. She currently lives in San Pedro, CA. According to campaign materials, Hahn is running for re-election to represent District 4 on the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors to continue her agenda of reforms that prioritize the needs of working families, women, children, seniors, and young people across the 4th District.

Supervisor Hahn was raised in a family of prominent Los Angeles politicians. After a career in the private sector, she was elected to represent the 15th District on the Los Angeles Charter Reform Commission where she fought for many reforms now included in the new charter: Area Planning Commissions, local citizen representation on commissions governing Los Angeles International Airport and the Port of Los Angeles, and a system of neighborhood councils.

Supervisor Hahn then served on the Los Angeles City Council followed by three years in the U.S. House of Representatives before she retired to run successfully to represent District 4 on the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors. In this role, Hahn has been a forceful advocate for addressing homelessness, has worked to protect workers at the port, and has implemented reforms to ensure residents receive safe, clean drinking water. Hahn also successfully brokered a deal to secure long-term affordable housing in Marina del Rey that prevented tenant evictions and secured millions of dollars for District 4 school funding, public safety, and water infrastructure to combat run-off of toxic pollutants while increasing environmental protections.

Supervisor Hahn is being challenged by Desiree T. Washington. Hahn is the strongest progressive choice because of her long track record and effective approach to brokering deals that balance the needs of the many stakeholder communities in District 4.

According to our analysis, Hahn is the strongest choice for progressive leadership in office.
 

Los Angeles County Bar Association ranking: QUALIFIED

Emily Cole has spent 13 years as a Deputy District Attorney for Los Angeles County. She was born and raised in Los Angeles County and received her undergraduate degree at San Francisco State University and her law degree from Golden Gate University. 

Cole currently specializes in the prosecution of sex crimes and domestic violence and has tried high profile cases, including the prosecution of Dino Guglielmelli, a wealthy businessman that tired to hire a hitman to kill his wife. She also led the prosecution of Shehada Issa in 2017, who was found guilty of murdering his wife and son and was sentenced to life in prison. 

This is an open seat, and Cole is running against one challenger: “Judge” Mike Cummins, who is a retired judge and attorney. Cummins has been rated as NOT QUALIFIED by the Los Angeles County Bar Association. Cummins has run unsuccessfully for numerous offices, including San Luis Obispo County District Attorney in 2018. 

According to our analysis, Cole represents the best choice for judge in this race.