14th Assembly District

14th Assembly District

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Congress, 5th Congressional District

Member of the House of Representatives

Mike Thompson photo
Democrat
Mike Thompson
Builds Power

Representative Mike Thompson is from St. Helena, CA. He is the incumbent, having served in this position since 1999. According to campaign materials, he is running for re-election because he understands how to bring people together to solve his district’s needs. 

In Congress, Rep. Thompson has advanced efforts to rebuild the middle-class, increase access to healthcare, ensure seniors and veterans aren’t left behind and preserve the environment. He currently sits on the House Ways and Means Committee, as well as the Health Subcommittee and serves as Chair of the Select Revenue Measures Subcommittee. Prior to his election to Congress, he worked in the California State Senate and the United States Army, where he was recognized with a purple heart for his service.

Rep. Thompson has progressive positions when it comes to gun safety legislation and increasing access to affordable healthcare. That said, he has unfavorable positions when it comes to immigration and is a member of the moderate Blue Dog Coalition. 

Rep. Thompson is being challenged by Jason Kishineff (D), John Wesley Tyler (D), and Scott Giblin (R).  According to recent election results, Democrats usually win this seat. Though we disagree with Rep. Thompson's stances on immigration and his affiliation with the Blue Dog Coalition, his relationships with partners, his position of power in Congress, his progressive position on issues like gun safety, and his Democratic opponents' lack of viability makes Thompson the strongest choice in this race.

Last updated: 2020-02-18
Website: https://www.mikethompsonforcongress.com/
Endorsements: https://www.mikethompsonforcongress.com/endorsements

State Assembly, 14th District

Member of the State Assembly

Tim Grayson photo
Democrat
Tim Grayson
Builds Power

Assemblymember Tim Grayson has lived in the East Bay for nearly 20 years. He is the incumbent, having served in this position since 2017. According to campaign materials, he is running to keep his seat to continue to prioritize safe and secure neighborhoods in his district.

In the State Assembly, Assemblymember Grayson is currently working on passing a cap on interest rates on consumer loans that target financially vulnerable families with unaffordable loans that they cannot repay. He has also authored legislation that aims to increase transparency and accountability in the University of California system and to streamline the development of areas affected by military base closures into commercial and residential areas. Assemblymember Grayson currently serves as Chair of the Select Committee on Streamlining Services for Victims of Interpersonal Violence, and is a member of committees including Banking and Finance, Business and Professions, and Insurance. Prior to his election to the State Assembly, he served as Concord Councilmember and Mayor, and founded the Family Justice Center to support victims of domestic violence, child and elderly abuse, and human trafficking in the Concord area. He also worked as the City of Concord’s police chaplain directly working with survivors of violent crimes, their families, and first responders.

Assemblymember Grayson has helped to protect consumers and victims of domestic violence, child and elderly abuse, and human trafficking. He has also supported key legislation that strengthens the rights of formerly incarcerated people. That said, he often votes against or abstains from key progressive bills that address the needs of those very same communities, leading to a mixed track record on progressive legislation.

Assemblymember Grayson is being challenged by Janell Proctor (R) and Cassandra Devereaux (PFP). According to recent election results, Democrats usually win this seat. Though we question Assemblymember Grayson’s lack of support for key progressive legislation and would encourage him to use his close relationship with the police to push for criminal justice reforms, his strong base in District 14 and commitment to protecting Californians in a variety of ways makes him the strongest choice for progressive leadership in this race.
 

Last updated: 2020-02-05
Website: https://graysonforassembly.com

State Senator, 3rd District

Member of the State Senate

Bill Dodd photo
Democrat
Bill Dodd
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: 2020-02-21
Website: http://www.billdodd.com/

Statewide Ballot Measures

Proposition 13

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: 2020-03-02