19th 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.

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 Gil Cisneros, a veteran, is from Los Angeles. He is the incumbent, having served in Congress since 2019. According to campaign materials, Rep. Cisneros is running for re-election to ensure future generations have the same opportunities that were available to him through the Navy.  

In Congress, Rep. Cisneros has advocated for quality education, stood up to the insurance and pharmaceutical industry to address high healthcare costs, and worked to bring good-paying jobs to his district. He currently sits on the House Committee on Armed Services and the House Veterans Affairs Committee. Prior to his election to Congress, he served in the United States Navy and was an education advocate. 

Rep. Cisneros has progressive education and economic positions. That said, while we have concerns about some votes, like his vote against an amendment that would have allocated $5 million to combat vaccine misinformation.  

Rep. Cisneros is being challenged by Young Kim (R) and Steve Cox (NPP).  Though we do not agree with all of Rep. Cisneros’s votes, his community support and relationships with progressive partners, his progressive votes on healthcare and other issues make him a strong choice in this race.
 

Representative Mark Takano is from Riverside, CA. He is the incumbent, having served in this position since 2013. According to campaign materials, he is running for re-election to continue to fight for his district’s progressive priorities and be an advocate for veterans, seniors, students, local businesses and hardworking families.

In Congress, Rep. Takano has authored and advanced legislation to limit for-profit colleges’ abusive practices, protect veterans earned benefits, and increase access to vocational training programs. He currently serves as Chairman on the Veterans' Affairs Committee, and sits on the Education and Workforce Committee, as well as four additional subcommittees. Prior to his election to Congress, Rep. Takano served on the Riverside Community College District’s Board of Trustees, where he increased access to higher education and job skills training programs for adults seeking new careers. Furthermore, Rep. Takano’s public service in the Riverside community includes positions on the Community Advisory Board of the Children’s Spine Foundation, as well as the mayor of Riverside’s Task Force on the Digital Divide, and he served as Chairman for the Asain Pacific Islander Caucus of the California Democratic Party.

Rep. Takano is being challenged by Grace Williams (D) and Aja Smith (R). Rep. Takano stands out as the best progressive choice because of his track record of public service in Riverside county and his reputation of successfully advancing his district’s progressive priorities.

According to our analysis, Rep. Takano 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 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.
 

Sabrina Cervantes is a lifelong resident of Riverside County and currently lives in Corona. She is the incumbent, having served in this position since 2017. According to campaign materials, she is running to continue being an independent and effective advocate for District 60 residents.

Assemblymember Cervantes has authored several bills that have been signed into law that expand and protect voters’ rights, protect survivors of domestic violence, and support people with disabilities. She currently serves on the Committee for Banking and Finance, the Committee for Jobs, Economic Development, and the Economy, and chairs the Assembly’s Select Committee on Veteran Employment and Education. However, she has opposed critical measures on gun violence prevention and criminal justice reform. Prior to their election to the State Assembly, she worked as District Director for the State Assembly and as a Director for the California Voter Registration Project.

Sabrina Cervantes is being challenged by Chris Raahauge (R). In 2019 She scored a 35 out of 100 on Courage Score, our annual analysis of legislator's progressive voting records. Recent election results indicate Democrats can win this seat but it's often a close race. Though we disagree with Assemblymember Cervantes's stance on gun violence prevention legislation and criminal justice reform, her strong base in a recently flipped district in the State Assembly supports progressive momentum and makes her the strongest choice in this race.
 

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.
 

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.