31st Senate District

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 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.

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.
 

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.