29th Senate District

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.
 

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.
 

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.
 

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.

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.