Skip to main content

Congress

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

  • Rep. Cox was born in Walnut Creek, California and grew up in the Central Valley, the son of immigrants. He is the incumbent, having served in this position since 2019. According to campaign materials he is running to keep his seat to continue serving the working families of the Central Valley. 

    In his first term in Congress, Rep. Cox has worked to secure funds for essential water infrastructure improvements in the Central Valley, to improve healthcare delivery and asthma treatment in rural communities, and to extend clean energy tax credits for business owners. He has also proposed legislation that could help dozens of cities in his district achieve safe drinking water standards, working closely with cities and environmental justice groups across the Valley to draft the bill. Rep. Cox currently chairs a subcommittee of the House Committee on Natural Resources. Prior to his election to Congress, Rep. Cox was an engineer and also created the Central Valley Fund, which raises money for projects located in economically disadvantaged neighborhoods throughout the Central Valley.

    Rep. Cox has shown strong support for farmers, rural communities, and veterans in Congress. That said, he has at times voted in support of amendments that have the effect of weakening progressive legislation. 

    Unfortunately, Rep. Cox isn’t without complications. His eyebrow-raising business history and practices have come under scrutiny and lawsuits have surfaced accusing Rep. Cox of committing fraud and owing money to investors.

    Rep. Cox is being challenged by David Valadao (R), who he bested in 2018 by less than 1,000 votes (and has his own questionable financial history). He is also challenged by Roque "Rocky" De La Fuente (R) and Ricardo De La Fuente (D). According to recent election results, it's rare that Democrats win this seat as Rep. Cox did in 2018. His track record of fighting for Central Valley families and his strong base in a recently flipped district makes him the strongest choice in this race.
     

    Last updated: 2023-04-05

    Terrence John (TJ) Cox

    Rep. Cox was born in Walnut Creek, California and grew up in the Central Valley, the son of immigrants. He is the incumbent, having served in this position since 2019.

    Rep. Cox was born in Walnut Creek, California and grew up in the Central Valley, the son of immigrants. He is the incumbent, having served in this position since 2019. According to campaign materials he is running to keep his seat to continue serving the working families of the Central Valley. 

    In his first term in Congress, Rep. Cox has worked to secure funds for essential water infrastructure improvements in the Central Valley, to improve healthcare delivery and asthma treatment in rural communities, and to extend clean energy tax credits for business owners. He has also proposed legislation that could help dozens of cities in his district achieve safe drinking water standards, working closely with cities and environmental justice groups across the Valley to draft the bill. Rep. Cox currently chairs a subcommittee of the House Committee on Natural Resources. Prior to his election to Congress, Rep. Cox was an engineer and also created the Central Valley Fund, which raises money for projects located in economically disadvantaged neighborhoods throughout the Central Valley.

    Rep. Cox has shown strong support for farmers, rural communities, and veterans in Congress. That said, he has at times voted in support of amendments that have the effect of weakening progressive legislation. 

    Unfortunately, Rep. Cox isn’t without complications. His eyebrow-raising business history and practices have come under scrutiny and lawsuits have surfaced accusing Rep. Cox of committing fraud and owing money to investors.

    Rep. Cox is being challenged by David Valadao (R), who he bested in 2018 by less than 1,000 votes (and has his own questionable financial history). He is also challenged by Roque "Rocky" De La Fuente (R) and Ricardo De La Fuente (D). According to recent election results, it's rare that Democrats win this seat as Rep. Cox did in 2018. His track record of fighting for Central Valley families and his strong base in a recently flipped district makes him the strongest choice in this race.
     

    Terrence John (TJ) Cox

    Rep. Cox was born in Walnut Creek, California and grew up in the Central Valley, the son of immigrants. He is the incumbent, having served in this position since 2019.

  • Builds Power
    Builds Progress
    Builds Representation
  • Bobby Bliatout is the son of Hmong refugees who moved to the Central Valley when he was four years old. Bliatout grew up in the Central Valley and attended Cal State Bakersfield. According to campaign materials he is running to represent District 22 in Congress because he believes middle class and working families are being left behind, while the wealthy and powerful continue enriching themselves. He pledges to focus on solving issues important to Valley families, including health care coverage, the homelessness crisis, and climate change-related threats to farmlands, water, and air pollution.

    Bliatout is the Chief Executive Officer of two community clinic networks operating in the greater Fresno and Sacramento areas, which together provide medical and dental services to more than 100,000 patients and employ nearly 300 people. Bliatout has also worked as a farmer in the Central Valley, an experience that left him with a deep understanding of the challenges experienced by many Central Valley families connected to agriculture. 

    Bliatout is running against Representative Devin Nunes (R) who is the incumbent and has held the seat since 2003. Nunes is one of President Trump’s strongest allies in Congress, holding a seat as the top Republican on the House Intelligence Committee and the No. 2 Republican on the House Ways and Means Committee. In addition to his extreme right-wing legislative agenda, there is strong and compelling evidence that Rep. Nunes is centrally involved in the Ukraine scandal at the center of the impeachment of President Donald Trump. Other challengers in this race include Phil Arballo (D), Dary Rezvani (D), and Eric Garcia (NPP). Arballo has been able to produce superior fundraising totals to Bliatout at this point, however, we have great confidence that whichever Democrat advances to the general will receive sufficient fundraising support, given Nunes’ trail of misdeeds. 

    According to recent election results, it is challenging for a Democrat to win this district. However, in 2018, Democratic challenger Andrew Janz lost by a much narrower margin than usual, suggesting that it is possible for a strong challenger to win this seat in a presidential election year, as turnout will increase for Democrats across the board. Bliatout is the progressive choice because he has a comprehensive progressive policy agenda, emphasizes a community-based approach to governance, and has key supporters that can help him win the district.

    According to our analysis, Bobby Bliatout is the strongest choice for progressive leadership in office and deserves your vote.
     

    Last updated: 2023-04-05

    Bobby Bliatout

    Bobby Bliatout is the son of Hmong refugees who moved to the Central Valley when he was four years old. Bliatout grew up in the Central Valley and attended Cal State Bakersfield.

    Bobby Bliatout is the son of Hmong refugees who moved to the Central Valley when he was four years old. Bliatout grew up in the Central Valley and attended Cal State Bakersfield. According to campaign materials he is running to represent District 22 in Congress because he believes middle class and working families are being left behind, while the wealthy and powerful continue enriching themselves. He pledges to focus on solving issues important to Valley families, including health care coverage, the homelessness crisis, and climate change-related threats to farmlands, water, and air pollution.

    Bliatout is the Chief Executive Officer of two community clinic networks operating in the greater Fresno and Sacramento areas, which together provide medical and dental services to more than 100,000 patients and employ nearly 300 people. Bliatout has also worked as a farmer in the Central Valley, an experience that left him with a deep understanding of the challenges experienced by many Central Valley families connected to agriculture. 

    Bliatout is running against Representative Devin Nunes (R) who is the incumbent and has held the seat since 2003. Nunes is one of President Trump’s strongest allies in Congress, holding a seat as the top Republican on the House Intelligence Committee and the No. 2 Republican on the House Ways and Means Committee. In addition to his extreme right-wing legislative agenda, there is strong and compelling evidence that Rep. Nunes is centrally involved in the Ukraine scandal at the center of the impeachment of President Donald Trump. Other challengers in this race include Phil Arballo (D), Dary Rezvani (D), and Eric Garcia (NPP). Arballo has been able to produce superior fundraising totals to Bliatout at this point, however, we have great confidence that whichever Democrat advances to the general will receive sufficient fundraising support, given Nunes’ trail of misdeeds. 

    According to recent election results, it is challenging for a Democrat to win this district. However, in 2018, Democratic challenger Andrew Janz lost by a much narrower margin than usual, suggesting that it is possible for a strong challenger to win this seat in a presidential election year, as turnout will increase for Democrats across the board. Bliatout is the progressive choice because he has a comprehensive progressive policy agenda, emphasizes a community-based approach to governance, and has key supporters that can help him win the district.

    According to our analysis, Bobby Bliatout is the strongest choice for progressive leadership in office and deserves your vote.
     

    Bobby Bliatout

    Bobby Bliatout is the son of Hmong refugees who moved to the Central Valley when he was four years old. Bliatout grew up in the Central Valley and attended Cal State Bakersfield.

State Assembly

Depending on where you live, you may have one of the below State Assembly races on your ballot.

  • Rudy Salas is the Democratic incumbent, having served as the Representative for Assembly District 32 since 2012. 

    In the State Assembly Salas is currently the chair of the Joint Legislative Audit Committee and serves on the Agriculture, Governmental Organization, Veterans Affairs and Water, Parks, and Wildlife Committees. He is also the chair of the Select Committee on Early Childhood Development. 

    Salas has supported improving access to healthcare in rural areas, voted for overtime wages for farmworkers, and supported resolutions calling out deceptive practices being used by ICE. He also voted for SB 54, California Values Act, which barred state and local data and resources from being used to assist federal immigration enforcement. 

    That said, Salas has a poor track record on issues relating to environmental protection and climate change. He has also opposed criminal justice reform efforts, including efforts to give judges more say over sentencing and drug sentencing reform. 

    While Assemblymember Salas has a poor track record on progressive issues, and only scored 12 out of 100 on this year’s Courage Score, he is running against a Republican, Todd Cotta, in the primary. While we disagree with Salas on his lack of support on the issues mentioned above, Salas is the most progressive choice in this race. That said, we encourage more progressive candidates, that will better reflect this community’s needs, to run in future cycles. 

    Last updated: 2023-04-05

    Rudy Salas

    Rudy Salas is the Democratic incumbent, having served as the Representative for Assembly District 32 since 2012. 

    In the State Assembly Salas is currently the chair of the Joint Legislative Audit Committee and serves on the Agriculture, Governmental Organization, Veterans Affairs and Water, Parks, and Wildlife Committees. He is also the chair of the Select Committee on Early Childhood Development. 

    Salas has supported improving access to healthcare in rural areas, voted for overtime wages for farmworkers, and supported resolutions calling out deceptive practices being used by ICE. He also voted for SB 54, California Values Act, which barred state and local data and resources from being used to assist federal immigration enforcement. 

    That said, Salas has a poor track record on issues relating to environmental protection and climate change. He has also opposed criminal justice reform efforts, including efforts to give judges more say over sentencing and drug sentencing reform. 

    While Assemblymember Salas has a poor track record on progressive issues, and only scored 12 out of 100 on this year’s Courage Score, he is running against a Republican, Todd Cotta, in the primary. While we disagree with Salas on his lack of support on the issues mentioned above, Salas is the most progressive choice in this race. That said, we encourage more progressive candidates, that will better reflect this community’s needs, to run in future cycles. 

    Rudy Salas is the Democratic incumbent, having served as the Representative for Assembly District 32 since 2012. 

    In the State Assembly Salas is currently the chair of the Joint Legislative Audit Committee and serves on the Agriculture, Governmental Organization, Veterans Affairs and Water, Parks, and Wildlife Committees. He is also the chair of the Select Committee on Early Childhood Development. 

    Salas has supported improving access to healthcare in rural areas, voted for overtime wages for farmworkers, and supported resolutions calling out deceptive practices being used by ICE. He also voted for SB 54, California Values Act, which barred state and local data and resources from being used to assist federal immigration enforcement. 

    That said, Salas has a poor track record on issues relating to environmental protection and climate change. He has also opposed criminal justice reform efforts, including efforts to give judges more say over sentencing and drug sentencing reform. 

    While Assemblymember Salas has a poor track record on progressive issues, and only scored 12 out of 100 on this year’s Courage Score, he is running against a Republican, Todd Cotta, in the primary. While we disagree with Salas on his lack of support on the issues mentioned above, Salas is the most progressive choice in this race. That said, we encourage more progressive candidates, that will better reflect this community’s needs, to run in future cycles. 

    Rudy Salas

    Rudy Salas is the Democratic incumbent, having served as the Representative for Assembly District 32 since 2012. 

    In the State Assembly Salas is currently the chair of the Joint Legislative Audit Committee and serves on the Agriculture, Governmental Organization, Veterans Affairs and Water, Parks, and Wildlife Committees. He is also the chair of the Select Committee on Early Childhood Development. 

    Salas has supported improving access to healthcare in rural areas, voted for overtime wages for farmworkers, and supported resolutions calling out deceptive practices being used by ICE. He also voted for SB 54, California Values Act, which barred state and local data and resources from being used to assist federal immigration enforcement. 

    That said, Salas has a poor track record on issues relating to environmental protection and climate change. He has also opposed criminal justice reform efforts, including efforts to give judges more say over sentencing and drug sentencing reform. 

    While Assemblymember Salas has a poor track record on progressive issues, and only scored 12 out of 100 on this year’s Courage Score, he is running against a Republican, Todd Cotta, in the primary. While we disagree with Salas on his lack of support on the issues mentioned above, Salas is the most progressive choice in this race. That said, we encourage more progressive candidates, that will better reflect this community’s needs, to run in future cycles. 

  • Builds Representation
  • Socorro Cisneros is a progressive Democrat running for Assembly District 33 for the third time. Republican incumbent Jay Obernolteand is running for California's 8th Congressional District, making this an open seat. While we do not have sufficient information about Cisneros to confirm her viability, we recommend supporting her in this race as the most likely progressive candidate.

    Cisneros is a union consultant and community activist living in Phelan, CA. Early in 2019, she was named acting city manager in Adelanto for three weeks while the city was in the midst of an internal investigation. She is running on a platform of criminal justice reform, local water rights, improved access to healthcare—including the need for a major medical center in the region—and campaign finance reform. 

    Cisneros is running against Blanca Gomez (D), Roger La Plante (D), Anthony Rhoades (D), Rick Herrick (R), Thurston Smith (R), and Alex Walton (R). Based on past election results, this district is very difficult for Democrats to win. We recommend supporting Cisneros as she is the most likely to advance through the primary to the general election and demonstrate there is a progressive presence in the county.
     

    Last updated: 2023-04-05

    Socorro Cisneros

    Socorro Cisneros is a progressive Democrat running for Assembly District 33 for the third time. Republican incumbent Jay Obernolteand is running for California's 8th Congressional District, making this an open seat. While we do not have sufficient information about Cisneros to confirm her viability, we recommend supporting her in this race as the most likely progressive candidate.

    Cisneros is a union consultant and community activist living in Phelan, CA. Early in 2019, she was named acting city manager in Adelanto for three weeks while the city was in the midst of an internal investigation. She is running on a platform of criminal justice reform, local water rights, improved access to healthcare—including the need for a major medical center in the region—and campaign finance reform. 

    Cisneros is running against Blanca Gomez (D), Roger La Plante (D), Anthony Rhoades (D), Rick Herrick (R), Thurston Smith (R), and Alex Walton (R). Based on past election results, this district is very difficult for Democrats to win. We recommend supporting Cisneros as she is the most likely to advance through the primary to the general election and demonstrate there is a progressive presence in the county.
     

    Socorro Cisneros is a progressive Democrat running for Assembly District 33 for the third time. Republican incumbent Jay Obernolteand is running for California's 8th Congressional District, making this an open seat. While we do not have sufficient information about Cisneros to confirm her viability, we recommend supporting her in this race as the most likely progressive candidate.

    Cisneros is a union consultant and community activist living in Phelan, CA. Early in 2019, she was named acting city manager in Adelanto for three weeks while the city was in the midst of an internal investigation. She is running on a platform of criminal justice reform, local water rights, improved access to healthcare—including the need for a major medical center in the region—and campaign finance reform. 

    Cisneros is running against Blanca Gomez (D), Roger La Plante (D), Anthony Rhoades (D), Rick Herrick (R), Thurston Smith (R), and Alex Walton (R). Based on past election results, this district is very difficult for Democrats to win. We recommend supporting Cisneros as she is the most likely to advance through the primary to the general election and demonstrate there is a progressive presence in the county.
     

    Socorro Cisneros

    Socorro Cisneros is a progressive Democrat running for Assembly District 33 for the third time. Republican incumbent Jay Obernolteand is running for California's 8th Congressional District, making this an open seat. While we do not have sufficient information about Cisneros to confirm her viability, we recommend supporting her in this race as the most likely progressive candidate.

    Cisneros is a union consultant and community activist living in Phelan, CA. Early in 2019, she was named acting city manager in Adelanto for three weeks while the city was in the midst of an internal investigation. She is running on a platform of criminal justice reform, local water rights, improved access to healthcare—including the need for a major medical center in the region—and campaign finance reform. 

    Cisneros is running against Blanca Gomez (D), Roger La Plante (D), Anthony Rhoades (D), Rick Herrick (R), Thurston Smith (R), and Alex Walton (R). Based on past election results, this district is very difficult for Democrats to win. We recommend supporting Cisneros as she is the most likely to advance through the primary to the general election and demonstrate there is a progressive presence in the county.
     

  • 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.