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Congress

Depending on where you live, you may have one of the below congressional districts on your ballot.

  • Builds Power
    Builds Representation
  • Brynne Kennedy and moved to Roseville, CA in 2019. According to campaign materials she is running for Congressional District 4 because she is disillusioned with partisan gridlock in Washington and government inefficiency.

    Brynne Kennedy is the former CEO of Topia, an HR software company she founded to innovate the way companies relocate their employees. As CEO, she offered her employees paid parental leave as well as stock ownership. Through Topia, Kennedy also founded Mobility4All, a philanthropy initiative that relocates refugees and those fleeing poverty. She supports policies that ensure equal pay for women, the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act, and the protection and expansion of access to reproductive health services.

    Kennedy is running against Tom McClintock (R) who is the incumbent and has held the position since 2009, as well as Julianne Benzel (R), Jamie Byers (R), Jacob Thomas (R), and Robert Lawton (NPP). According to recent election results, this is a very challenging race for Democrats to win. Though we are concerned that Kennedy remains markedly silent on immigration, her strong support for equality and women’s rights would move the district forward on those progressive issues and make her a strong choice in this race.

    According to our analysis, Brynne Kennedy is the strongest choice for effective leadership in office.
     

    Last updated: 2023-04-05

    Brynne Kennedy

    Brynne Kennedy and moved to Roseville, CA in 2019. According to campaign materials she is running for Congressional District 4 because she is disillusioned with partisan gridlock in Washington and government inefficiency.

    Brynne Kennedy and moved to Roseville, CA in 2019. According to campaign materials she is running for Congressional District 4 because she is disillusioned with partisan gridlock in Washington and government inefficiency.

    Brynne Kennedy is the former CEO of Topia, an HR software company she founded to innovate the way companies relocate their employees. As CEO, she offered her employees paid parental leave as well as stock ownership. Through Topia, Kennedy also founded Mobility4All, a philanthropy initiative that relocates refugees and those fleeing poverty. She supports policies that ensure equal pay for women, the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act, and the protection and expansion of access to reproductive health services.

    Kennedy is running against Tom McClintock (R) who is the incumbent and has held the position since 2009, as well as Julianne Benzel (R), Jamie Byers (R), Jacob Thomas (R), and Robert Lawton (NPP). According to recent election results, this is a very challenging race for Democrats to win. Though we are concerned that Kennedy remains markedly silent on immigration, her strong support for equality and women’s rights would move the district forward on those progressive issues and make her a strong choice in this race.

    According to our analysis, Brynne Kennedy is the strongest choice for effective leadership in office.
     

    Brynne Kennedy

    Brynne Kennedy and moved to Roseville, CA in 2019. According to campaign materials she is running for Congressional District 4 because she is disillusioned with partisan gridlock in Washington and government inefficiency.

  • Dr. Ami Bera was first elected to California’s 7th Congressional District in 2012, defeating Republican incumbent Dan Lungren after redistricting. Rep. Bera was born and raised in southern California, and earned his B.S. and M.D. from the University of California, Irvine. He moved to the Sacramento area in the mid 1990s and currently lives with his family in Elk Grove. As a doctor, improving access to health care and reducing prescription drug costs have been central to Rep. Bera’s platform, as has protecting Medicare and Social Security. 

    Prior to his election to Congress, Rep. Bera served as Sacramento County’s Chief Medical Officer, and was a clinical professor and associate dean for admissions at the University of California, Davis. 

    In the House, Rep. Bera currently serves as the Vice Chair of the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology; he is also the Chair of the Subcommittee on Asia, the Pacific, and Nonproliferation in the House Committee on Foreign Affairs. 

    Rep. Bera has been a strong proponent of women’s issues, including improving early access to healthcare, protecting reproductive choice, increasing funding for Title X and the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act. He has fought the Trump administrations roll backs of clean air and water regulations, and supports investments in renewable, green energy, but is not a co-sponsor of the Green New Deal resolution. After California’s devastating wildfires, he co-sponsored legislation to improve the resilience of electrical grids. He’s stated his support of publicly owned utilities but has not specifically called for public ownership of PG&E. He supported the Elijah E. Cummings Lower Drug Costs Now Act, which, among other reforms, would allow Health & Human Services to negotiate the cost of 250 drugs for Medicare recipients. While he supports a path to universal healthcare, he has not supported Medicare for All plans.  

    Rep. Bera is running against Jeff Burdick (D), Jon Ivy (R), Buzz Paterson (R), and Chris Richardson (G). The district is a battleground district that can be tough for Democrats to win; the margin of victory was often less than 3% for Bera. While Rep. Bera is more conservative on some issues, this seat is a must-keep for Democrats, and his support on other key progressive issues is vital. Rep. Bera is the best choice for a progressive voice in this race. 
     

    Last updated: 2023-04-05

    Ami Bera

    Dr. Ami Bera was first elected to California’s 7th Congressional District in 2012, defeating Republican incumbent Dan Lungren after redistricting. Rep. Bera was born and raised in southern California, and earned his B.S. and M.D. from the University of California, Irvine.

    Dr. Ami Bera was first elected to California’s 7th Congressional District in 2012, defeating Republican incumbent Dan Lungren after redistricting. Rep. Bera was born and raised in southern California, and earned his B.S. and M.D. from the University of California, Irvine. He moved to the Sacramento area in the mid 1990s and currently lives with his family in Elk Grove. As a doctor, improving access to health care and reducing prescription drug costs have been central to Rep. Bera’s platform, as has protecting Medicare and Social Security. 

    Prior to his election to Congress, Rep. Bera served as Sacramento County’s Chief Medical Officer, and was a clinical professor and associate dean for admissions at the University of California, Davis. 

    In the House, Rep. Bera currently serves as the Vice Chair of the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology; he is also the Chair of the Subcommittee on Asia, the Pacific, and Nonproliferation in the House Committee on Foreign Affairs. 

    Rep. Bera has been a strong proponent of women’s issues, including improving early access to healthcare, protecting reproductive choice, increasing funding for Title X and the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act. He has fought the Trump administrations roll backs of clean air and water regulations, and supports investments in renewable, green energy, but is not a co-sponsor of the Green New Deal resolution. After California’s devastating wildfires, he co-sponsored legislation to improve the resilience of electrical grids. He’s stated his support of publicly owned utilities but has not specifically called for public ownership of PG&E. He supported the Elijah E. Cummings Lower Drug Costs Now Act, which, among other reforms, would allow Health & Human Services to negotiate the cost of 250 drugs for Medicare recipients. While he supports a path to universal healthcare, he has not supported Medicare for All plans.  

    Rep. Bera is running against Jeff Burdick (D), Jon Ivy (R), Buzz Paterson (R), and Chris Richardson (G). The district is a battleground district that can be tough for Democrats to win; the margin of victory was often less than 3% for Bera. While Rep. Bera is more conservative on some issues, this seat is a must-keep for Democrats, and his support on other key progressive issues is vital. Rep. Bera is the best choice for a progressive voice in this race. 
     

    Ami Bera

    Dr. Ami Bera was first elected to California’s 7th Congressional District in 2012, defeating Republican incumbent Dan Lungren after redistricting. Rep. Bera was born and raised in southern California, and earned his B.S. and M.D. from the University of California, Irvine.

  • Builds Power
    Builds Progress
    Builds Representation
  • Christine “Chris” Bubser is from Pennsylvania and has lived in Mammoth Lakes for over 13 years. According to campaign materials, she’s running for office to bring responsive representation to California’s 8th Congressional district.  

    Bubser is a biotech engineer and healthcare advocate. The 2017 attempts to dismantle the Affordable Care Act led her to advocate in Washington, and she decided to run for office after the indifference she experienced. In her community, Bubser is a trustee at her Temple and a co-founder of HODG (HangOutDoGood), a grassroots community of hundreds of volunteers who work to elect progressive candidates. 

    Bubser is running against nine other candidates: Bob Conaway (D), James Ellars (D), Tim Donnelly (R), Jerry Laws (R), Jay Obernolte (R), Jeremy Staat (R), Justin David Whitehead (R), Jeff Esmus (NPP). Incumbent Paul Cook (R) is not seeking re-election. Recent election results show it's hard for Democrats to win this seat. Chris Bubser is the best progressive choice thanks to endorsements from over a dozen progressive organizations, elected officials, and community leaders. 

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

    Last updated: 2023-04-05

    Chris Bubser

    Christine “Chris” Bubser is from Pennsylvania and has lived in Mammoth Lakes for over 13 years. According to campaign materials, she’s running for office to bring responsive representation to California’s 8th Congressional district.  

    Christine “Chris” Bubser is from Pennsylvania and has lived in Mammoth Lakes for over 13 years. According to campaign materials, she’s running for office to bring responsive representation to California’s 8th Congressional district.  

    Bubser is a biotech engineer and healthcare advocate. The 2017 attempts to dismantle the Affordable Care Act led her to advocate in Washington, and she decided to run for office after the indifference she experienced. In her community, Bubser is a trustee at her Temple and a co-founder of HODG (HangOutDoGood), a grassroots community of hundreds of volunteers who work to elect progressive candidates. 

    Bubser is running against nine other candidates: Bob Conaway (D), James Ellars (D), Tim Donnelly (R), Jerry Laws (R), Jay Obernolte (R), Jeremy Staat (R), Justin David Whitehead (R), Jeff Esmus (NPP). Incumbent Paul Cook (R) is not seeking re-election. Recent election results show it's hard for Democrats to win this seat. Chris Bubser is the best progressive choice thanks to endorsements from over a dozen progressive organizations, elected officials, and community leaders. 

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

    Chris Bubser

    Christine “Chris” Bubser is from Pennsylvania and has lived in Mammoth Lakes for over 13 years. According to campaign materials, she’s running for office to bring responsive representation to California’s 8th Congressional district.  

No Good Choices


Assemblymember Jim Frazier (D) is the incumbent, having served as Assembly District 11 Representative since 2013. Based on our Courage Score analysis, Assemblymember Frazier has shown that he does NOT advocate for the needs of constituents or face down corporate lobbyists and interest groups that exploit Californians. Frazier scored a shocking 15 out of 100 on this year’s Courage Score, our annual analysis of a legislator's progressive voting records.

Assemblymember Frazier is running unopposed. We here at Courage encourage you to write in a candidate of your choice to show support for progressives in this district. Keep reading for progressive recommendations in other key races and on ballot measures where your vote can make a critical difference.
 

No Recommendation - AD 11


Assemblymember Jim Frazier (D) is the incumbent, having served as Assembly District 11 Representative since 2013. Based on our Courage Score analysis, Assemblymember Frazier has shown that he does NOT advocate for the needs of constituents or face down corporate lobbyists and interest groups that exploit Californians. Frazier scored a shocking 15 out of 100 on this year’s Courage Score, our annual analysis of a legislator's progressive voting records.

Assemblymember Frazier is running unopposed. We here at Courage encourage you to write in a candidate of your choice to show support for progressives in this district. Keep reading for progressive recommendations in other key races and on ballot measures where your vote can make a critical difference.
 

  • Builds Power
  • Senator Bill Dodd (D) is the incumbent, having served as Senator for the district since 2013. Based on our Courage Score analysis, Senator Dodd has shown that he does NOT advocate for the needs of constituents or face down corporate lobbyists and interest groups that exploit Californians. Dodd scored a shocking 57 out of 100 on this year’s Courage Score, our annual analysis of a legislator's progressive voting records.
     
    Senator Dodd is running unopposed. Courage California encourages you to write in a candidate of your choice to show support for progressives in this district. Keep reading for progressive recommendations in other key races and on ballot measures where your vote can make a critical difference.

    Last updated: 2023-04-05

    Bill Dodd

    Senator Bill Dodd (D) is the incumbent, having served as Senator for the district since 2013. Based on our Courage Score analysis, Senator Dodd has shown that he does NOT advocate for the needs of constituents or face down corporate lobbyists and interest groups that exploit Californians.

    Senator Bill Dodd (D) is the incumbent, having served as Senator for the district since 2013. Based on our Courage Score analysis, Senator Dodd has shown that he does NOT advocate for the needs of constituents or face down corporate lobbyists and interest groups that exploit Californians. Dodd scored a shocking 57 out of 100 on this year’s Courage Score, our annual analysis of a legislator's progressive voting records.
     
    Senator Dodd is running unopposed. Courage California encourages you to write in a candidate of your choice to show support for progressives in this district. Keep reading for progressive recommendations in other key races and on ballot measures where your vote can make a critical difference.

    Bill Dodd

    Senator Bill Dodd (D) is the incumbent, having served as Senator for the district since 2013. Based on our Courage Score analysis, Senator Dodd has shown that he does NOT advocate for the needs of constituents or face down corporate lobbyists and interest groups that exploit Californians.

Depending on where you live, you may have the below county-districted races on your ballot.

  • Builds Power
    Builds Progress
    Builds Representation
  • K. Patrice Williams moved to Solano County over 20 years ago and lives in Fairfield with her son and husband. According to campaign materials, her goals as Supervisor are to effectively fund solutions to homelessness and build more affordable housing, repair streets and roads, and create a regional parks system for Solano County.

    K. Patrice has worn many professional hats, including working a tech startup and as an attorney for low-income tenants facing eviction. Currently, she runs the employment consulting firm she founded. Her civic involvement also spans a range of issues: she served as public policy commissioner for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, volunteers with  “Solano Seniors Count,” a group of citizens aiming to protect senior services, and founded the Solano County chapter of Black Women Organized for Political Action. 

    K. Patrice is challenging incumbent, Monica Brown, who has held the seat since 2016. K. Patrice Williams is the noteworthy progressive choice because of her proven commitment to marginalized communities and her vision for an economically empowered Solano County. 

    According to our analysis, K. Patrice Williams is the strongest choice for progressive leadership in office.
     

    Last updated: 2023-04-05

    K. Patrice Williams

    K. Patrice Williams moved to Solano County over 20 years ago and lives in Fairfield with her son and husband. According to campaign materials, her goals as Supervisor are to effectively fund solutions to homelessness and build more affordable housing, repair streets and roads, and create a regional parks system for Solano County.

    K. Patrice has worn many professional hats, including working a tech startup and as an attorney for low-income tenants facing eviction. Currently, she runs the employment consulting firm she founded. Her civic involvement also spans a range of issues: she served as public policy commissioner for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, volunteers with  “Solano Seniors Count,” a group of citizens aiming to protect senior services, and founded the Solano County chapter of Black Women Organized for Political Action. 

    K. Patrice is challenging incumbent, Monica Brown, who has held the seat since 2016. K. Patrice Williams is the noteworthy progressive choice because of her proven commitment to marginalized communities and her vision for an economically empowered Solano County. 

    According to our analysis, K. Patrice Williams is the strongest choice for progressive leadership in office.
     

    K. Patrice Williams moved to Solano County over 20 years ago and lives in Fairfield with her son and husband. According to campaign materials, her goals as Supervisor are to effectively fund solutions to homelessness and build more affordable housing, repair streets and roads, and create a regional parks system for Solano County.

    K. Patrice has worn many professional hats, including working a tech startup and as an attorney for low-income tenants facing eviction. Currently, she runs the employment consulting firm she founded. Her civic involvement also spans a range of issues: she served as public policy commissioner for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, volunteers with  “Solano Seniors Count,” a group of citizens aiming to protect senior services, and founded the Solano County chapter of Black Women Organized for Political Action. 

    K. Patrice is challenging incumbent, Monica Brown, who has held the seat since 2016. K. Patrice Williams is the noteworthy progressive choice because of her proven commitment to marginalized communities and her vision for an economically empowered Solano County. 

    According to our analysis, K. Patrice Williams is the strongest choice for progressive leadership in office.
     

    K. Patrice Williams

    K. Patrice Williams moved to Solano County over 20 years ago and lives in Fairfield with her son and husband. According to campaign materials, her goals as Supervisor are to effectively fund solutions to homelessness and build more affordable housing, repair streets and roads, and create a regional parks system for Solano County.

    K. Patrice has worn many professional hats, including working a tech startup and as an attorney for low-income tenants facing eviction. Currently, she runs the employment consulting firm she founded. Her civic involvement also spans a range of issues: she served as public policy commissioner for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, volunteers with  “Solano Seniors Count,” a group of citizens aiming to protect senior services, and founded the Solano County chapter of Black Women Organized for Political Action. 

    K. Patrice is challenging incumbent, Monica Brown, who has held the seat since 2016. K. Patrice Williams is the noteworthy progressive choice because of her proven commitment to marginalized communities and her vision for an economically empowered Solano County. 

    According to our analysis, K. Patrice Williams is the strongest choice for progressive leadership in office.
     

  • Courage Score: https://couragescore.org
  • VOTE YES

    Vote YES On Prop 13, School and College Facilities Bond

  • This proposition would provide $9 billion for desperately needed renovations to public preschools and grade schools throughout the state, and $6 billion for construction to community colleges, the Cal State system, and the UC system. This will allow the state of California to use tax revenue to pay for improvements that local communities cannot afford. 

    The funding would come from bonds the state would pay back over 35 years, totaling an estimated $26 billion, which includes $15 billion in principal and $11 billion in interest. This investment is well worth the costs. It takes money, after all, to ensure that students -- especially those in districts that can’t afford major capital improvement projects -- do not have to learn in dangerous environments. 

    The vast majority of Democrats in the state legislature support it, as does Gov. Newsom, and the only major opposition is a group called the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association. This is the group famous for destroying California’s school funding system in 1978 through another proposition, ironically one that was also dubbed Prop 13. The group spends most of its time lobbying to reduce tax rates. It has never shown any interest in supporting California’s children, at least if that means wealthy individuals or giant corporations would pay their fair share in taxes.

    Critics of the measure have pointed out that the ballot measure’s language includes a provision that frees new multi-family developments around subway stops and bus stations from school impact fees. This provision will make it easier for developers to build apartment buildings within a half-mile of public transit but could also drive up the cost of new housing and take funds away from school districts across the state. Despite this provision, the measure is still supported by most education groups in the state, who believe the overall funding allocation to schools outweighs the impact of reduced funding to school districts located near transit hubs. 2020’s Prop 13 is worth the investment since it means children will soon be able to attend school in buildings that are retrofitted to withstand earthquakes and no longer have lead in their water. 

    We strongly recommend a YES vote on Prop 13.

    Last updated: 2023-04-05

    This proposition would provide $9 billion for desperately needed renovations to public preschools and grade schools throughout the state, and $6 billion for construction to community colleges, the Cal State system, and the UC system. This will allow the state of California to use tax revenue to pay for improvements that local communities cannot afford. 

    The funding would come from bonds the state would pay back over 35 years, totaling an estimated $26 billion, which includes $15 billion in principal and $11 billion in interest. This investment is well worth the costs. It takes money, after all, to ensure that students -- especially those in districts that can’t afford major capital improvement projects -- do not have to learn in dangerous environments. 

    The vast majority of Democrats in the state legislature support it, as does Gov. Newsom, and the only major opposition is a group called the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association. This is the group famous for destroying California’s school funding system in 1978 through another proposition, ironically one that was also dubbed Prop 13. The group spends most of its time lobbying to reduce tax rates. It has never shown any interest in supporting California’s children, at least if that means wealthy individuals or giant corporations would pay their fair share in taxes.

    Critics of the measure have pointed out that the ballot measure’s language includes a provision that frees new multi-family developments around subway stops and bus stations from school impact fees. This provision will make it easier for developers to build apartment buildings within a half-mile of public transit but could also drive up the cost of new housing and take funds away from school districts across the state. Despite this provision, the measure is still supported by most education groups in the state, who believe the overall funding allocation to schools outweighs the impact of reduced funding to school districts located near transit hubs. 2020’s Prop 13 is worth the investment since it means children will soon be able to attend school in buildings that are retrofitted to withstand earthquakes and no longer have lead in their water. 

    We strongly recommend a YES vote on Prop 13.

    This proposition would provide $9 billion for desperately needed renovations to public preschools and grade schools throughout the state, and $6 billion for construction to community colleges, the Cal State system, and the UC system. This will allow the state of California to use tax revenue to pay for improvements that local communities cannot afford. 

    The funding would come from bonds the state would pay back over 35 years, totaling an estimated $26 billion, which includes $15 billion in principal and $11 billion in interest. This investment is well worth the costs. It takes money, after all, to ensure that students -- especially those in districts that can’t afford major capital improvement projects -- do not have to learn in dangerous environments. 

    The vast majority of Democrats in the state legislature support it, as does Gov. Newsom, and the only major opposition is a group called the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association. This is the group famous for destroying California’s school funding system in 1978 through another proposition, ironically one that was also dubbed Prop 13. The group spends most of its time lobbying to reduce tax rates. It has never shown any interest in supporting California’s children, at least if that means wealthy individuals or giant corporations would pay their fair share in taxes.

    Critics of the measure have pointed out that the ballot measure’s language includes a provision that frees new multi-family developments around subway stops and bus stations from school impact fees. This provision will make it easier for developers to build apartment buildings within a half-mile of public transit but could also drive up the cost of new housing and take funds away from school districts across the state. Despite this provision, the measure is still supported by most education groups in the state, who believe the overall funding allocation to schools outweighs the impact of reduced funding to school districts located near transit hubs. 2020’s Prop 13 is worth the investment since it means children will soon be able to attend school in buildings that are retrofitted to withstand earthquakes and no longer have lead in their water. 

    We strongly recommend a YES vote on Prop 13.

    CA Prop 13

    This proposition would provide $9 billion for desperately needed renovations to public preschools and grade schools throughout the state, and $6 billion for construction to community colleges, the Cal State system, and the UC system.