San Bernardino County

Kim Mangone, a veteran, is from Lancaster, CA. According to campaign materials, Mangone is running for congress because she understands the leadership her district needs and is confident that her problem-solving skills will allow her to advance policies to benefit her community.

Kim Mangone is a United States Air Force veteran, aircraft mechanic, and retired systems engineer. While serving her country, Mangone developed innovative solutions to the problems she encountered and said she would apply those skills if elected. Mangone, a single parent, put herself through school while working full-time. The experience of balancing school, work, and child care has given her insight into the issues that many in her community experience and is what motivates her to become the district’s next representative.

Kim Mangone is running against Representative Kevin McCarthy (R), who is the incumbent and has been in congress since 2007. Mangone is the best progressive choice because of her vision to enact policies that help us achieve universal healthcare and her pledge to protect programs like social security from GOP attacks.

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

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.
 

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.
 

Representative Norma Torres is from Guatemala and immigrated to the United States at five-years-old. She is a longtime resident of the Inland Empire and currently resides in Pomona, CA. Rep. Torres is the incumbent, having served in Congress since 2015. According to campaign materials, she is running for re-election to continue her fight against Republicans’ regressive policies.

In Congress, Rep. Torres has worked to address issues of national security by solving cyber security vulnerabilities at shipping ports. Furthermore, she has advanced initiatives to address the root causes of migration from Central America and public safety concerns of indigenous communities. Rep. Torres currently sits on the Appropriations Committee and the Rules Committee. Prior to her election to Congress, she served as the Mayor of Pomona, CA, in the State Assembly, and the State Senate where she worked to promote diversity in leadership. She also successfully fought to restore local authority of the Ontario Airport, and played a pivotal role in developing the “Keep Your Home California” program, which allowed over 80,000 families to stay in their homes and avoid foreclosures following the Great Recession.

Rep. Torres is being challenged by Mike Cargile (R). Though we disagree with some of Rep. Torres’ votes on military spending, border security, and healthcare, her progressive stances on education and the environment, as well as her relationships with partners, make her a strong choice in this race.
 

Representative Lucille Roybal-Allard is from Los Angeles. She is the incumbent, having served in Congress since 1993. According to campaign materials, Rep. Royal-Allard is running for Congress to support small businesses, protect seniors, and improve access to healthcare and quality education. 

In Congress, she has been a voice for marginalized communities and worked to advance policies to benefit American families. Rep. Royal-Allard was also an original co-author of The Dream Act and used her position as Vice-Chair on the House Labor, Health and Human Services Appropriations Subcommittee to secure funds for local health needs. Rep. Roybal-Allard also serves as Chair of the Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee.  Prior to her election to Congress, she served in the State Assembly. 

Rep. Roybal-Allard is being challenged by Anthony Felix Jr. (D), David John Sanchez (D), C Antonio Delgado (R), Michael Donnell Graham Jr. (AI), and Rodolfo Cortes Barragan (G). Challenger critiques of Rep. Roybal-Allard include concerns about her listening to the needs of her community and her inability to quickly enact large structural change. 

Rep. Roybal-Allard is the best progressive choice because of her positions of power in Congress, relationship with partners, and her track record of advocating for her constituents and vulnerable communities. According to analysis, Rep. Roybal-Allard is the strongest choice for progressive leadership in office.
 

Johnathon Ervin, a veteran, is from Flint, MI, and has lived in the Antelope Valley for 17 years and currently resides in Lancaster, CA. According to campaign materials he is running for Assembly because his “district needs someone that is ready to fight for them.”

Ervin is an Engineering Manager and serves in the United States Air Force Reserve, where he cultivates innovation while serving his country. Prior to being honorably discharged in 2007, he was in the United States Air Force for 10 and a half years. While enlisted, he completed two degrees in Electronics and Technology. Ervin has also worked as a Planning Commissioner for Lancaster, CA, and a School Board member on Muroc Joint Unified School District.

Ervin is running against Tom Lackey (R) who is the incumbent and has held the seat since 2014, as well as Lourdes Everett (D), Steve Fox (D), Diedra Greenaway (D), Ollie McCaulley (D), Eric Ohlsen (D), Michael Rives (D). According to recent election results, this is a challenging seat for Democrats to win. Ervin, though, is a notable progressive choice because of his strong vision to create good-paying jobs by incentivizing the current aerospace industry to expand, as well as investing in revitalizing the community's infrastructure. Furthermore, he pledges to fight to increase access to quality healthcare, invest in public education, and to preserve the environment.

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

Assemblymember Luz Maria Rivas is from Northeast San Fernando Valley and returned to Los Angeles after completing her Masters in Education at Harvard University. She is the incumbent, having served in this position since 2018. According to campaign materials, she is running for re-election because of her belief that every Californian should have a pathway to economic empowerment, independence, and self-efficacy.

In the Assembly, Rivas has worked on legislation to address California’s homeless student crisis, to ensure postsecondary schools cannot refuse transcripts because of a student’s debt, and has authored the Share Our Values Film Tax, which would give tax credits to companies that decide to film in California instead of a state that have enacted anti-abortion legislation. Prior to serving in the assembly, Assemblymember Rivas was an Electrical Engineer and an educator, and strongly believes that an education in a STEM field can create opportunity and empower all people, particularly girls and women. She founded a non-profit, DIY Girls, which teaches engineering and design skills, and was also appointed to the Los Angeles Board of Public Works in 2016.

Assemblymember Rivas is running against Ricardo Benitez (R). Rivas has a lifetime score of 95 out of 100 on Courage Score, our annual analysis of a legislator's progressive voting record. Based on this analysis, Assemblymember Rivas has consistently shown great courage and advocated for the needs of constituents while facing down corporate lobbyists and interest groups that exploit Californians. She has demonstrated her progressive values in her commitment to equity, education, and supporting marginalized populations in her community.

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

Assemblymember Chris Holden is a lifelong resident of Pasadena. He is the incumbent, having served as Assemblymember for the 41st District in the State Assembly since 2012. According to campaign materials, he is running for re-election to continue to find solutions that create and protect jobs, preserve vital services, and strengthen the economic vitality of the San Gabriel Valley.

As an Assemblymember, Holden has authored and led the passage of several bills to support small businesses and innovation, save developmental disability services, protect public health, and preserve civil rights. Assemblymember Holden currently chairs the Assembly Committee on Utilities and Energy. Prior to his election to the State Assembly, he spent 24 years as a Pasadena City Councilmember and Mayor.

Assemblymember Holden is challenged by Robin A. Hvidston (R). He scores a lifetime 92 out of 100 on Courage Score, our annual analysis of a legislator's progressive voting record. Based on this analysis, Assemblymember Holden has consistently shown courage advocating for the needs of constituents and facing down corporate lobbyists and interest groups that exploit Californians.

According to our analysis, Assemblymember Holden is a strong choice for progressive leadership in office
 

Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel grew up in the Oak Park community in Ventura County and currently lives in the San Fernando Valley. He is the incumbent, having served as Assemblymember for the 45th District in the State Assembly since 2018. According to campaign materials, he is running for re-election to continue to advance the legislative priorities of the Democratic Caucus in the State Assembly.

Assemblymember Gabriel currently serves in the State Assembly, where he was appointed by Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon to serve in the Assembly Leadership as Assistant Majority Whip. Prior to his election to the State Assembly, he worked as a constitutional rights and general litigation attorney. In this role, he sued the Trump Administration to protect Dreamers who were promised protection under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program.

Assemblymember Gabriel is an advocate for stronger gun violence prevention, protection against hate crimes, and bringing jobs and innovation to the San Fernando Valley. That said, he has voted against key progressive bills on issues including criminal justice reform and worker protections.

Assemblymember Gabriel is running unopposed. Though we disagree with his stance on the issues above, his strong base of support and prominent position in the Assembly Leadership make him a strong choice in this race.
 

Assemblymember Eloise Gómez Reyes grew up in the San Bernardino Valley and lives in Grand Terrace, CA. She is the incumbent, having served as Assemblymember for the 47th District in the State Assembly since 2016.

During her tenure, Assemblymember Reyes has been committed to the progressive values of her community, securing millions in funding for issues including higher education, healthcare, and other community services. She has worked with progressive organizations to pass legislation across nearly every progressive issue area, from criminal justice reform to strengthening worker protections to protecting the environment. She currently serves as Chair of the Human Services Committee and the Select Committee on Environmental Quality and the Green Economy in the Inland Empire. Prior to her election to the State Assembly, she taught as an adjunct professor at Cal Poly Pomona, provided free legal aid to residents of the Inland Empire, and co-founded the Inland Empire Community Health Center. She was also the first Latina to open her own law firm in the Inland Empire where she successfully represented the residents of Colton in their effort to prevent the development of a hazardous waste dump in their community.

Assemblymember Reyes is being challenged by Matthew Gordon (R). She scores a 98 out of 100 on Courage Score, our annual analysis of a legislator’s progressive voting record. Based on our Courage Score analysis, Assemblymember Reyes has been an outstanding champion advocating for the needs of constituents and facing down corporate lobbyists and interest groups that exploit Californians.

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

Richard Bloom was born in Philadelphia, grew up in Altadena, CA, and West Los Angeles, and now resides in Santa Monica, CA. He is the incumbent, having served in this position since 2012. According to campaign materials, he is running for State Assembly to ensure that the diverse voices and needs of the district are represented in Sacramento.

Bloom currently serves in the State Assembly, where he has worked to spur economic development and job growth, increase funding for public education, advanced protections for the LGBTQ+ community, address homelessness, and protect the environment. Bloom currently serves as Chair on the Budget Sub-Committee on Natural Resources and Transportation and the Select Committee on the State of Hate. Prior to his election to the State Assembly, he served as Santa Monica’s mayor and on the Santa Monica City Council.

Bloom is being challenged Will Hess (D), and Jim King (D). He has a lifetime score of 88 out of 100 on Courage Score, our annual analysis of a legislator’s progressive voting record. Based on this analysis, Bloom has consistently shown courage advocating for the needs of constituents and facing down corporate lobbyists and interest groups that exploit Californians.

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

Assemblymember Miguel Santiago is a lifelong Angeleno and makes his home in Boyle Heights. He is the incumbent, having served as Assemblymember for the 53rd District in the State Assembly since 2016. According to campaign materials, he is running for re-election to continue leading the effort to make community college free for all Californians.

In the Assembly, he has authored and led the passage of several bills related to affordable housing and homelessness, gun violence prevention legislation, public health, and the environment. He currently serves as Chair of the Communications and Conveyance Committee, where he has worked to ensure broadband access throughout California. Prior to his election to the State Assembly, he served as the President of the Los Angeles Community College Board.

Assemblymember Santiago is being challenged by Godfrey Santos Plata (D). He has a lifetime score of 90 out of 100 on Courage Score, our annual analysis of a legislator's progressive voting record. Based on this analysis, Assemblymember Santiago 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, Assemblymember Santiago is the strongest choice for progressive leadership in office.
 

Asm. Reginald Jones-Sawyer is originally from Arkansas, but has lived in Los Angeles for decades, serving in a number of local government positions, including the Mayor’s Office, before winning his Assembly seat in 2012.

Jones-Sawyer chairs the Assembly’s Public Safety Committee and serves on the Agriculture, Budget and Labor & Employment Committees. He has authored several influential progressive bills – among them, legislation to improve funding for the courts and a bill to stop housing discrimination against the previously incarcerated. He has also procured millions of dollars in grant funds for programs to help previously incarcerated people become productive members of their communities.

He is opposed by Efren Martinez (D) and Marcello Villeda (R). In 2019, Jones-Sawyer was a reliable progressive vote, earning a 95 of 100 on Courage Score, our annual analysis of a legislator's progressive voting record. This shows a track record of advocating for constituents against corporate lobbyists and interest groups that exploit Californians.

According to our analysis, Asm. Jones-Sawyer is the strongest choice to provide progressive leadership in this office.
 

Monique Limón is a lifelong resident of Santa Barbara. According to campaign materials, she is running for State Senate because she understands the values of the region and will use her public service experience to advocate for environmental protection, educational reforms, and improved healthcare access.

Limón is a member of the California State Assembly, where she uses her understanding of her community to establish meaningful legislation to positively impact educational outcomes and environmental protections. She acted as the Chair of the Assembly Select Committee on Natural Disaster Response, Recovery, and Rebuilding, and worked to improve emergency communication and fire prevention. Prior to serving in the Assembly, Limón served two terms on the Santa Barbara Unified School Board, and acted as the Assistant Director for the McNair Scholars program at UCSB.

Limón is running for this open seat against Gary J. Michaels (R), and Anastasia Stone (NPP). In 2019 she scored a 90 out of 100 on Courage Score, our annual analysis of a legislator's progressive voting records. According to recent election results, Democrats can win this seat but it's often a close race. Limón is the most progressive choice because of her track record of championing education reform, working toward stronger environmental protections, and pushing for improved emergency responses.

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

Abigail Medina currently resides in San Bernardino County. According to campaign materials, she is running for State Senate to improve educational opportunities for her district and to be a voice for historically marginalized communities. 

Medina serves as the Board President of the San Bernardino City Unified School District (SBCUSD) and Executive Director of Inland Region Equality Network (IREN), where she works to improve youth educational opportunities and elevate disadvantaged communities. While sitting on the school board, Medina has helped improve SBCUSD’s graduation rate from 70 percent, in 2013, to 90 percent, in 2018, and as ED of IREN, Medina has advanced initiatives in the Inland region to empower the LGBTQ+ community. Medina has also worked for the California Association for the Gifted, Congregation Organized for Prophetic Engagement (COPE), Health Advocates, and the District African American Council.

Medina is running against Kris Goodfellow (D), Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh (R), Cristina Puraci (R), and Lloyd White (R) for this open seat. According to recent election results, it's rare that Democrats win this seat. Medina stands out as the progressive choice because of her proven track record of being a community advocate and her ability to solve the issues faced by her community. 

According to our analysis, Medina 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.
 

Josh Newman is a veteran from Orange County and currently resides in Fullerton, CA. According to campaign materials, he is running for State Senate to stand up for California by putting people and working families' needs over corporate interests.

Newman previously served as a State Senator, where he focused on advancing policies to improve veteran and mental health services, as well as initiatives to promote public education, jobs, and infrastructure improvements. Following the legislature's approval of a bill to repair the state’s aging transportation infrastructure in 2017, Senate Bill 1, Newman was singled out by a well-funded, hyper-partisan campaign that resulted in his recall. Prior to his election to the State Senate, he served as a United States Army officer, business owner, as well as a veteran and community activist.

Newman is running against Ling Ling Chang (R) who is the incumbent and has held the seat since 2018, and Joseph Cho, Ph.D. (D). Newman is the best progressive choice because of his track record of putting the people of California above politics.

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

Richard Roth is from Columbus, Ohio and moved to Riverside in 1978. He is the incumbent, having served in this position since 2012. According to campaign materials he is running to keep his seat to continue to build on his military and legal career by working on budget and healthcare issues in the legislature.

In the State Senate, Roth has worked on legislation to improve funding for a public medical school in Riverside and transportation improvements, to provide protection for the Mojave, to expand access to higher education in underserved communities, and to support K-12 mental health services. Roth currently serves as Chair of the Senate Budget Subcommittee No. 1 on Education, and the Vice-Chair of the Joint Legislative Audit Committee. He also serves on an additional 10 policy committees, including Rules, Transportation, Veteran’s Affairs, Budget & Fiscal Review, and Housing. Prior to his election to the State Senate, Roth served in the JAG Corps and the Air Force Reserves, acting as a reserve judge advocate and reaching the rank of Major General before his 2007 retirement. As an attorney, Roth practiced labor and employment law in private practice and has taught law at UC-Riverside. As a community member, Roth served as the Chairman of the Board of the Greater Riverside Chambers of Commerce, and President of the Monday Morning Group. He has been an active board member with several legal organizations and worked with the Parkview Community Hospital and the Riverside Art Museum.

Roth has progressive positions on education funding, healthcare, and transportation infrastructure. That said, he has voted against several progressive bills, including tenant housing protections and prohibiting biometric data being recorded by police body cameras.

Roth is running unopposed in this race. This year, he scored 58 out of 100 on Courage Score, our annual analysis of legislators’ progressive voting record. According to recent election results, Democrats can win this seat but it's often a close race. Though we disagree with Roth’s stance on the issues listed above, his long record of public service and strong base in a difficult to win district supports progressive momentum and makes him a strong choice in this race.
 

Eddie Tejeda has lived in Redlands for over twenty years. According to campaign materials, he is running for Board of Supervisors to use his experiences as a local educator and City Councilman to continue to work to support the economy, improve transportation, and bolster climate protections.  

Tejeda is a special education teacher and an elected member of the Redlands City Council, positions in which he has emphasized a commitment to serve his community. In City Council, Tejeda sits on the Parks & Recreation Advisory Committee, and the Municipal Utilities & Public Works Commission. He has been outspoken in his opposition to the Eastgate Air Cargo Facility project, supports mass transit improvements, and the establishment of higher density housing along transit corridors. Tejeda has a strong interest in investing in some of the under-resourced communities in District 3, like Mentone, and improving the overall infrastructure for cycling and the use of electric transportation. 

Tejeda is running against Kaisar Ahmed, Roy George, Karen Ickes, Latron Lester, and incumbent Dawn Rowe, who was appointed in 2018. Rowe's appointment, however, has come under scrutiny and she is currently not “acting in an official capacity” while an appeal is heard regarding the legality of her appointment. Tejeda is the best choice because of his long history in the community and his strong vision of improving the district’s environmental efficiency, housing density, and development strategy.

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

Dan Flores is a lifelong resident of District 5, and lives in Colton. According to campaign materials he is running for Board of Supervisors to use his extensive knowledge of the county to continue to create benefits for students, families, and seniors. 

Flores is Chief of Staff to the current Fifth District Supervisor, Josie Gonzalez, where he works to promote County level action to improve educational outcomes, housing access, and public systems. He has led efforts to increase the availability of affordable housing, particularly for seniors, and has worked on updating community facilities, libraries, and parks. Flores was elected to the Colton Joint Unified School Board in 2012, and was instrumental in the establishment of preferential admissions partnerships with California University of Science and Medicine and California State University at San Bernardino. He also pushed for capital improvements to school buildings, and advocated for a more robust pipeline for college and vocational school.  

Flores is running against Joe Baca Jr, Nadia Renner, and Jesse Armendarez for this open seat. Flores is the best progressive choice because of his long history in the community, and his demonstrated interest in developing local collaborations that improve outcomes for students and families.

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