25th Senate District

Representative Judy Chu was born in Los Angeles and has lived in Monterey Park, CA, for over 33 years. She is the incumbent, having served in Congress since 2009. According to campaign materials, Rep. Chu is running for congress to continue her fight for progress in the San Gabriel Valley.

In Congress, Rep. Chu has worked with the Department of Defense to address military hazing, pushed to successfully declare the San Gabriel Mountains a national monument, and has established two Small Business Development Centers that have helped spur local economic growth. Rep. Chu currently sits on the House Committees on Ways and Means, Small Businesses, as well as sits on two subcommittees, and is a founder and co-chair of the Congressional Creative Rights Caucus. Prior to her election to Congress, Rep. Chu served on the Garvey School District School Board, Monterey Park City Council, and in the State Assembly.

Rep. Chu is challenged by Beatrice Cardenas (R), Johnny J. Nalbandian (R), and Christian Daly (NPP). According to recent election results, Democrats usually win this seat. Rep. Chu is the best progressive choice because of her track record of fighting for progress for the San Gabriel Valley and her pledge to continue to do so.
 

Representative Adam Schiff is from Framingham, MA, and currently resides in Burbank, CA. He is the incumbent, having served in Congress since 2001. According to his campaign materials, Schiff is running for re-election to advocate for working-class families, equality, and sensible policies on issues from gun violence to climate change. 

In Congress, Rep. Schiff has advanced legislation to bring good-paying jobs to his district, increase access to affordable education, and improve environmental protections. Rep. Schiff currently serves as Chair of the House Intelligence Committee, where he has skillfully led the impeachment inquiry into the current President’s abuse of power. Prior to his election to Congress, Rep. Schiff served as a State Senator and an Assistant U.S. Attorney in Los Angeles. 

Rep. Schiff supports progressive education, immigration, and environmental policies. That said, he has cast unfavorable votes on issues pertaining to military spending and the use of military force. 

Rep. Schiff is running against Chad D. Anderson (D), Sal Genovese (D), Ara Khachig Manoogian (D), G. "Maebe A. Girl" Pudlo (D), William Bodell (R), Eric Early (R), and Jennifer Barbosa (NPP). Though we disagree with Rep. Schiff’s past hawkish foreign policy votes, his highly effective management of the impeachment inquiry, position of power in Congress, and community support helps advance progress and makes him the strongest choice in this race.
 

Representative Brad Sherman was born and raised in Southern California and lives in Sherman Oaks, a neighborhood in the San Fernando Valley. He is the incumbent and is currently serving his twelfth term in Congress. According to campaign materials, he is running for re-election to continue providing strong progressive leadership in Congress for the labor movement, human rights, animal rights, and the environment.  

As a congressional representative, Rep. Sherman has provided leadership in areas including fiscal policy and foreign relations and was among the first legislators to call for impeachment against the president in 2017 on the grounds of obstruction of justice. He is a senior member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and the House Financial Services Committee. Prior to his election to Congress, he served on the California State Board of Equalization from 1991 to 1996. It is, however, important to note that Rep. Sherman has been called out by former aides for enabling a generally toxic workplace atmosphere, although he has not been accused of any specific abusive acts in or outside the workplace.

Rep. Sherman is being challenged by Courtney “CJ” Berina (D), Raji Rab (D), Brian Carroll (D), and Mark S. Reed (R), although none of them appear to meet our viability criteria. Despite the above concerns, Rep. Sherman stands out as the best choice because of his senior position in Congress, progressive voice, base of support in his district, and ability to successfully pass legislative reforms. 
 

Representative Pete Aguilar is a fourth-generation San Bernardino county resident and currently resides in Redlands, CA. He is the incumbent, having served in this position since 2015. According to campaign materials, he is running to keep his seat because he understands the problems families in his community face and knows how to bring people together to solve hardships.

In Congress, Rep. Aguilar has worked to expand economic opportunities, protect veterans, and fix the country’s broken immigration system. Furthermore, he has successfully fought to defend programs such as Medicare and Social Security from ongoing GOP attacks. Rep. Aguilar currently serves as Vice-Chair of the House Appropriations Committee and sits on three additional subcommittees. Prior to his election to Congress, he served as the Mayor of Redlands, where he developed a reputation as someone who brings people together on behalf of his community to increase economic opportunities and solve issues pertaining to public safety and public health.

Rep. Aguilar has progressive positions when it comes to increasing access to educational opportunities, preserving the environment, and fixing the country’s broken immigration system. That said, he has voted against key progressive bills on military spending, taxation policy, and limiting payments from health savings accounts for medication.

Rep. Aguilar is being challenged by Agnes Gibboney (R). According to recent election results, Democrats can win this seat but it's often a close race. Though we disagree with Rep. Aguilar’s votes pertaining to military spending, taxation policy, and healthcare, his relationships with partners, strong base in a moderate district and progressive stance on issues like education, immigration and environmental protections make him the best choice in this race.
 

Rep. Ted Lieu is from Taiwan and immigrated to the United States at age three and currently resides in Torrance, CA. He is the incumbent, having served in Congress since 2015. According to campaign materials, Rep. Lieu is running to keep his seat because he is the leader that best reflects the needs of the people in his district. 

In Congress, Rep. Lieu has been a voice and advocate for marginalized communities. He was an initial author of legislation to ban so-called “gay conversion therapy” and has been leading the fight to end the unjust system of money bail. He currently sits on the House Committee on the Judiciary and the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, as well as four subcommittees. Prior to Rep. Lieu’s election to Congress, he served in the Torrance City Council, State Assembly, and State Senate. 

Rep. Lieu is running against Liz Barris (B), Albert Maxwell Goldberg (D), James P. Bradley (R), Sarah Sun Liew (R), and Kenneth Wright (NPP). Rep. Lieu is the best progressive choice because of his track record of advancing progressive policies and his commitment to being a leader that reflects the needs of the people. 

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

State Senator Anthony Portantino is from Long Branch, NJ. He is the incumbent, having served in this position since 2016. According to campaign materials, he is running for reelection to continue to represent the needs of the foothills community in the State Legislature.

As a State Senator, Portantino has advanced bills to address public health issues, increase access to higher education, and improve senior citizens’ services. Prior to his election to the State Senate, Portantino served on the La Cañada Flintridge City Council, as Mayor of the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy Advisory Committee, and as President of the League of California Cities Mayors and Councilmembers Department.

As Senate Appropriations Chair, Portantino took actions that resulted in various progressive bills being tabled. Even though we don’t agree with all of Portantino's actions as Appropriations Chair, his position of power in the State Senate, his support of inclusive education and health policies make him a strong choice in this race.

Portantino is running uncontested for reelection. Based on our Courage Score analysis, Portantino has often shown courage advocating for the needs of constituents and facing down corporate lobbyists and interest groups that exploit Californians.
 

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.

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.
 

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.