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Courage California (formerly Courage Campaign) believes that California must be a beacon of progressive, equitable, and truly representative democracy. As the 5th largest economy in the world -- and the United States' largest and most diverse state -- California is uniquely positioned to serve as a model for the country.
We must prove that democracy in the US can still solve the thorniest problems facing our state, our nation, and the world, while also serving ALL of our people -- regardless of race, gender, or economic status. To do so, Californians must have the information and infrastructure they need to hold elected officials accountable when they are not working for the public’s benefit, instead prioritizing corporate lobbyists and campaign contributors.
Courage California, driven by our 1.4 million members, helps our great state reach its potential by calling out institutional corruption and oppression, improving coordination and collaboration between progressive organizations, and demanding that our state and local representatives be both accountable to and reflective of the Californians they seek to serve.
Courage California endorses Liz Ortega for State Assembly to put AD-20 on the right track for progress.
Liz Ortega’s organizing background and policy positions demonstrate that she will be a progressive voice for the constituents of AD-20 and will govern effectively in the best interest of this diverse district.
Progressive endorsements: Ortega has the endorsement of many progressive groups, including California Teachers Association, Planned Parenthood, California Legislative Women’s Caucus, and many labor organizations. In addition, she has received the endorsement of many elected officials, including Attorney General Rob Bonta, Board of Equalization Member Malia Cohen, Assm. Alex Lee, and labor leader Dolores Huerta. She has also recently received the endorsement of her primary competitor, Jennifer Esteen.
Electoral history: Ortega has not run for public office before.
Top issues: Job creation and economic growth, homelessness and housing, education, public safety, and environmental justice.
Priority bills: Ortega has more than two decades of experience in labor leadership and working with progressive Democratic leaders and community organizations. As statewide political director for AFSCME Local 3299, the University of California’s largest employee union, Ortega ensured the passage of state legislation to preserve and protect essential service jobs at every UC campus. She is the first Latina elected as executive secretary–treasurer of the Alameda Labor Council, and in this role has fought for an equitable minimum wage to support working families. As a member of the Alameda County Workforce Investment Board, she helped job-seekers develop workplace skills and find employment. Ortega serves on the Alameda County Vaccine Equity Task Force, where she has secured paid sick leave and hazard pay for essential public safety, health providers, and frontline workers. During the pandemic, she focused her work on testing and vaccination efforts to ensure the safety of frontline workers.
Governance and community leadership experience: Ortega is a labor organizer and community activist, which she does to form coalitions and develop strategies necessary to build union power. She was elected delegate to the Alameda Democratic Central Committee in 2014, and, in the two years that she served in that role, facilitated meetings and discussions between Democrats and labor leaders on issues facing their members.
Other background: Ortega is a lifelong resident of the East Bay and currently lives in San Leandro. She came to the United States at the age of three, and understands the unique challenges that immigrant families face in attaining the American dream.
The Race
Primary election results: The June 2022 results included Liz Ortega (D), 32%; Shawn Kumagai (D), 24%; Jennifer Esteen (D), 22%; and Joseph Grcar (R) 22%. Liz Ortega and Shawn Kumagai will compete in a run-off in the November 8 general election.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Ortega’s campaign has raised $611,000 and is not funded by fossil fuel, corporate PAC, or police donors.
Opposing candidate: Democrat Shawn Kumagai
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Kumagai’s campaign has raised $432,000 and is funded by a significant number of real estate donors, including California Real Estate PAC, Western Manufactured Housing Communities Association PAC, Shea Homes, and Novin Development Corporation.
The District
Counties in district: California’s 20th Assembly District includes parts of Alameda County.
Voter registration: 57% Democrat, 13% Republican, and 25% No Party Preference. Democrats typically hold this district. Since the 2021 redistricting process, AD-20 is 1% more Democratic than it was during the 2020 general election cycle.
District demographics: 24% Latino, 32% Asian, and 10% Black
Recent election results: AD-20 voted for Joe Biden for president in 2020 by 52 points and Gavin Newsom for governor in 2018 by 50 points.
The Position
State assemblymembers represent and advocate for the needs of their district constituents at the California State Capitol. They are responsible for creating, debating, and voting on legislation that addresses issues within their district.
The California State Assembly has 80 districts. Each represents a population of at least 465,000 Californians. Representatives are elected to the Assembly for a two-year term. Every two years, all 80 seats are subject to election. Members elected before 2012 are restricted to three two-year terms (six years) in the Assembly. Those elected in or after 2012 are allowed to serve 12 years total across both the state Senate or Assembly. This term, Democrats currently hold a three-quarters supermajority of 60 seats in the California State Assembly, while Republicans hold 19 seats and one seat is held by an Independent.
Last updated: 2023-04-05
Courage California endorses Liz Ortega for State Assembly to put AD-20 on the right track for progress.
Liz Ortega’s organizing background and policy positions demonstrate that she will be a progressive voice for the constituents of AD-20 and will govern effectively in the best interest of this diverse district.
Progressive endorsements: Ortega has the endorsement of many progressive groups, including California Teachers Association, Planned Parenthood, California Legislative Women’s Caucus, and many labor organizations. In addition, she has received the endorsement of many elected officials, including Attorney General Rob Bonta, Board of Equalization Member Malia Cohen, Assm. Alex Lee, and labor leader Dolores Huerta. She has also recently received the endorsement of her primary competitor, Jennifer Esteen.
Electoral history: Ortega has not run for public office before.
Top issues: Job creation and economic growth, homelessness and housing, education, public safety, and environmental justice.
Priority bills: Ortega has more than two decades of experience in labor leadership and working with progressive Democratic leaders and community organizations. As statewide political director for AFSCME Local 3299, the University of California’s largest employee union, Ortega ensured the passage of state legislation to preserve and protect essential service jobs at every UC campus. She is the first Latina elected as executive secretary–treasurer of the Alameda Labor Council, and in this role has fought for an equitable minimum wage to support working families. As a member of the Alameda County Workforce Investment Board, she helped job-seekers develop workplace skills and find employment. Ortega serves on the Alameda County Vaccine Equity Task Force, where she has secured paid sick leave and hazard pay for essential public safety, health providers, and frontline workers. During the pandemic, she focused her work on testing and vaccination efforts to ensure the safety of frontline workers.
Governance and community leadership experience: Ortega is a labor organizer and community activist, which she does to form coalitions and develop strategies necessary to build union power. She was elected delegate to the Alameda Democratic Central Committee in 2014, and, in the two years that she served in that role, facilitated meetings and discussions between Democrats and labor leaders on issues facing their members.
Other background: Ortega is a lifelong resident of the East Bay and currently lives in San Leandro. She came to the United States at the age of three, and understands the unique challenges that immigrant families face in attaining the American dream.
The Race
Primary election results: The June 2022 results included Liz Ortega (D), 32%; Shawn Kumagai (D), 24%; Jennifer Esteen (D), 22%; and Joseph Grcar (R) 22%. Liz Ortega and Shawn Kumagai will compete in a run-off in the November 8 general election.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Ortega’s campaign has raised $611,000 and is not funded by fossil fuel, corporate PAC, or police donors.
Opposing candidate: Democrat Shawn Kumagai
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Kumagai’s campaign has raised $432,000 and is funded by a significant number of real estate donors, including California Real Estate PAC, Western Manufactured Housing Communities Association PAC, Shea Homes, and Novin Development Corporation.
The District
Counties in district: California’s 20th Assembly District includes parts of Alameda County.
Voter registration: 57% Democrat, 13% Republican, and 25% No Party Preference. Democrats typically hold this district. Since the 2021 redistricting process, AD-20 is 1% more Democratic than it was during the 2020 general election cycle.
District demographics: 24% Latino, 32% Asian, and 10% Black
Recent election results: AD-20 voted for Joe Biden for president in 2020 by 52 points and Gavin Newsom for governor in 2018 by 50 points.
The Position
State assemblymembers represent and advocate for the needs of their district constituents at the California State Capitol. They are responsible for creating, debating, and voting on legislation that addresses issues within their district.
The California State Assembly has 80 districts. Each represents a population of at least 465,000 Californians. Representatives are elected to the Assembly for a two-year term. Every two years, all 80 seats are subject to election. Members elected before 2012 are restricted to three two-year terms (six years) in the Assembly. Those elected in or after 2012 are allowed to serve 12 years total across both the state Senate or Assembly. This term, Democrats currently hold a three-quarters supermajority of 60 seats in the California State Assembly, while Republicans hold 19 seats and one seat is held by an Independent.
Courage California endorses Liz Ortega for State Assembly to put AD-20 on the right track for progress.
Liz Ortega’s organizing background and policy positions demonstrate that she will be a progressive voice for the constituents of AD-20 and will govern effectively in the best interest of this diverse district.
Progressive endorsements: Ortega has the endorsement of many progressive groups, including California Teachers Association, Planned Parenthood, California Legislative Women’s Caucus, and many labor organizations. In addition, she has received the endorsement of many elected officials, including Attorney General Rob Bonta, Board of Equalization Member Malia Cohen, Assm. Alex Lee, and labor leader Dolores Huerta. She has also recently received the endorsement of her primary competitor, Jennifer Esteen.
Electoral history: Ortega has not run for public office before.
Top issues: Job creation and economic growth, homelessness and housing, education, public safety, and environmental justice.
Priority bills: Ortega has more than two decades of experience in labor leadership and working with progressive Democratic leaders and community organizations. As statewide political director for AFSCME Local 3299, the University of California’s largest employee union, Ortega ensured the passage of state legislation to preserve and protect essential service jobs at every UC campus. She is the first Latina elected as executive secretary–treasurer of the Alameda Labor Council, and in this role has fought for an equitable minimum wage to support working families. As a member of the Alameda County Workforce Investment Board, she helped job-seekers develop workplace skills and find employment. Ortega serves on the Alameda County Vaccine Equity Task Force, where she has secured paid sick leave and hazard pay for essential public safety, health providers, and frontline workers. During the pandemic, she focused her work on testing and vaccination efforts to ensure the safety of frontline workers.
Governance and community leadership experience: Ortega is a labor organizer and community activist, which she does to form coalitions and develop strategies necessary to build union power. She was elected delegate to the Alameda Democratic Central Committee in 2014, and, in the two years that she served in that role, facilitated meetings and discussions between Democrats and labor leaders on issues facing their members.
Other background: Ortega is a lifelong resident of the East Bay and currently lives in San Leandro. She came to the United States at the age of three, and understands the unique challenges that immigrant families face in attaining the American dream.
The Race
Primary election results: The June 2022 results included Liz Ortega (D), 32%; Shawn Kumagai (D), 24%; Jennifer Esteen (D), 22%; and Joseph Grcar (R) 22%. Liz Ortega and Shawn Kumagai will compete in a run-off in the November 8 general election.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Ortega’s campaign has raised $611,000 and is not funded by fossil fuel, corporate PAC, or police donors.
Opposing candidate: Democrat Shawn Kumagai
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Kumagai’s campaign has raised $432,000 and is funded by a significant number of real estate donors, including California Real Estate PAC, Western Manufactured Housing Communities Association PAC, Shea Homes, and Novin Development Corporation.
The District
Counties in district: California’s 20th Assembly District includes parts of Alameda County.
Voter registration: 57% Democrat, 13% Republican, and 25% No Party Preference. Democrats typically hold this district. Since the 2021 redistricting process, AD-20 is 1% more Democratic than it was during the 2020 general election cycle.
District demographics: 24% Latino, 32% Asian, and 10% Black
Recent election results: AD-20 voted for Joe Biden for president in 2020 by 52 points and Gavin Newsom for governor in 2018 by 50 points.
The Position
State assemblymembers represent and advocate for the needs of their district constituents at the California State Capitol. They are responsible for creating, debating, and voting on legislation that addresses issues within their district.
The California State Assembly has 80 districts. Each represents a population of at least 465,000 Californians. Representatives are elected to the Assembly for a two-year term. Every two years, all 80 seats are subject to election. Members elected before 2012 are restricted to three two-year terms (six years) in the Assembly. Those elected in or after 2012 are allowed to serve 12 years total across both the state Senate or Assembly. This term, Democrats currently hold a three-quarters supermajority of 60 seats in the California State Assembly, while Republicans hold 19 seats and one seat is held by an Independent.
Courage California endorses Jessica Self for State Assembly to put AD-22 on the right track for progress.
Self’s track record and policy positions demonstrate that she will be a progressive voice for the constituents of AD-22 and will govern effectively in the best interest of this diverse district.
Progressive endorsements: Self has the endorsement of some progressive groups, including Courage California, Equality California, California Labor Federation, and Planned Parenthood-Mar Monte.
Electoral history: Self has not run for office previously.
Top issues: Jobs, education, health care, housing, and funding for the Central Valley region.
Governance and community leadership experience: Self is a lawyer for the Stanislaus County Department of Child Support Services and was previously a public defender, which has given her extensive frontline experience with communities in the district. She has been a strong supporter of criminal-justice reform. Self is chair of the Stanislaus County Democratic Central Committee, an executive board member of the California Democratic Party, and vice president of Programs for the Stanislaus County Commission for Women.
Self has also volunteered with several organizations, including the Humane Society, MoPride, Central Valley Democratic Club, and the Modesto Progressive Democratic Club. She founded the Blue Wave Project in Stanislaus County, which has elected 36 new candidates to local office since 2015.
The Race
Primary election results: The June 2022 results included Self (D), 26.9%; Juan Alanis (R), 36.6%; and Chad Condit (D) 20.3%. Self and Alanis will compete in a run-off in the November 8 general election.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Self’s campaign has raised $305,798.55 and is not funded by corporate PACs, police, fossil fuel, or real estate money.
Opposing candidate: Republican Juan Alanis
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Alanis’s campaign has raised $370,815.93 and is funded by police, corporate PACs, fossil fuel, and real estate money.
The District
Counties in district: California’s 22nd Assembly District includes parts of Merced and Stanislaus Counties.
Voter registration: 40% Democrat, 33% Republican, and 19% No Party Preference. This is a new competitive district. Since the 2021 redistricting process, AD-22 is 6% more Republican than it was during the 2020 general election cycle.
District demographics: 36% Latino, 6% Asian, and 4% Black.
Recent election results: AD-22 voted for Biden for president in 2020 by 5 points and Newsom for governor in 2018 by 3 points.
The Position
State assemblymembers represent and advocate for the needs of their district constituents at the California State Capitol. They are responsible for creating, debating, and voting on legislation that addresses issues within their district.
The California State Assembly has 80 districts. Each represents a population of at least 465,000 Californians. Representatives are elected to the Assembly for a two-year term. Every two years, all 80 seats are subject to election. Members elected before 2012 are restricted to three two-year terms (six years) in the Assembly. Those elected in or after 2012 are allowed to serve 12 years total across both the state Senate or Assembly. This term, Democrats currently hold a three-quarters supermajority of 60 seats in the California State Assembly, while Republicans hold 19 seats and one seat is held by an Independent.
Last updated: 2023-04-05
Courage California endorses Jessica Self for State Assembly to put AD-22 on the right track for progress.
Self’s track record and policy positions demonstrate that she will be a progressive voice for the constituents of AD-22 and will govern effectively in the best interest of this diverse district.
Progressive endorsements: Self has the endorsement of some progressive groups, including Courage California, Equality California, California Labor Federation, and Planned Parenthood-Mar Monte.
Electoral history: Self has not run for office previously.
Top issues: Jobs, education, health care, housing, and funding for the Central Valley region.
Governance and community leadership experience: Self is a lawyer for the Stanislaus County Department of Child Support Services and was previously a public defender, which has given her extensive frontline experience with communities in the district. She has been a strong supporter of criminal-justice reform. Self is chair of the Stanislaus County Democratic Central Committee, an executive board member of the California Democratic Party, and vice president of Programs for the Stanislaus County Commission for Women.
Self has also volunteered with several organizations, including the Humane Society, MoPride, Central Valley Democratic Club, and the Modesto Progressive Democratic Club. She founded the Blue Wave Project in Stanislaus County, which has elected 36 new candidates to local office since 2015.
The Race
Primary election results: The June 2022 results included Self (D), 26.9%; Juan Alanis (R), 36.6%; and Chad Condit (D) 20.3%. Self and Alanis will compete in a run-off in the November 8 general election.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Self’s campaign has raised $305,798.55 and is not funded by corporate PACs, police, fossil fuel, or real estate money.
Opposing candidate: Republican Juan Alanis
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Alanis’s campaign has raised $370,815.93 and is funded by police, corporate PACs, fossil fuel, and real estate money.
The District
Counties in district: California’s 22nd Assembly District includes parts of Merced and Stanislaus Counties.
Voter registration: 40% Democrat, 33% Republican, and 19% No Party Preference. This is a new competitive district. Since the 2021 redistricting process, AD-22 is 6% more Republican than it was during the 2020 general election cycle.
District demographics: 36% Latino, 6% Asian, and 4% Black.
Recent election results: AD-22 voted for Biden for president in 2020 by 5 points and Newsom for governor in 2018 by 3 points.
The Position
State assemblymembers represent and advocate for the needs of their district constituents at the California State Capitol. They are responsible for creating, debating, and voting on legislation that addresses issues within their district.
The California State Assembly has 80 districts. Each represents a population of at least 465,000 Californians. Representatives are elected to the Assembly for a two-year term. Every two years, all 80 seats are subject to election. Members elected before 2012 are restricted to three two-year terms (six years) in the Assembly. Those elected in or after 2012 are allowed to serve 12 years total across both the state Senate or Assembly. This term, Democrats currently hold a three-quarters supermajority of 60 seats in the California State Assembly, while Republicans hold 19 seats and one seat is held by an Independent.
Courage California endorses Jessica Self for State Assembly to put AD-22 on the right track for progress.
Self’s track record and policy positions demonstrate that she will be a progressive voice for the constituents of AD-22 and will govern effectively in the best interest of this diverse district.
Progressive endorsements: Self has the endorsement of some progressive groups, including Courage California, Equality California, California Labor Federation, and Planned Parenthood-Mar Monte.
Electoral history: Self has not run for office previously.
Top issues: Jobs, education, health care, housing, and funding for the Central Valley region.
Governance and community leadership experience: Self is a lawyer for the Stanislaus County Department of Child Support Services and was previously a public defender, which has given her extensive frontline experience with communities in the district. She has been a strong supporter of criminal-justice reform. Self is chair of the Stanislaus County Democratic Central Committee, an executive board member of the California Democratic Party, and vice president of Programs for the Stanislaus County Commission for Women.
Self has also volunteered with several organizations, including the Humane Society, MoPride, Central Valley Democratic Club, and the Modesto Progressive Democratic Club. She founded the Blue Wave Project in Stanislaus County, which has elected 36 new candidates to local office since 2015.
The Race
Primary election results: The June 2022 results included Self (D), 26.9%; Juan Alanis (R), 36.6%; and Chad Condit (D) 20.3%. Self and Alanis will compete in a run-off in the November 8 general election.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Self’s campaign has raised $305,798.55 and is not funded by corporate PACs, police, fossil fuel, or real estate money.
Opposing candidate: Republican Juan Alanis
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Alanis’s campaign has raised $370,815.93 and is funded by police, corporate PACs, fossil fuel, and real estate money.
The District
Counties in district: California’s 22nd Assembly District includes parts of Merced and Stanislaus Counties.
Voter registration: 40% Democrat, 33% Republican, and 19% No Party Preference. This is a new competitive district. Since the 2021 redistricting process, AD-22 is 6% more Republican than it was during the 2020 general election cycle.
District demographics: 36% Latino, 6% Asian, and 4% Black.
Recent election results: AD-22 voted for Biden for president in 2020 by 5 points and Newsom for governor in 2018 by 3 points.
The Position
State assemblymembers represent and advocate for the needs of their district constituents at the California State Capitol. They are responsible for creating, debating, and voting on legislation that addresses issues within their district.
The California State Assembly has 80 districts. Each represents a population of at least 465,000 Californians. Representatives are elected to the Assembly for a two-year term. Every two years, all 80 seats are subject to election. Members elected before 2012 are restricted to three two-year terms (six years) in the Assembly. Those elected in or after 2012 are allowed to serve 12 years total across both the state Senate or Assembly. This term, Democrats currently hold a three-quarters supermajority of 60 seats in the California State Assembly, while Republicans hold 19 seats and one seat is held by an Independent.
Courage California endorses Assemblymember Lee for reelection to keep AD-24 on the right track for progress.
Assm. Lee’s track record and policy positions demonstrate that he will continue to be a progressive voice for the constituents of AD-24 and will govern effectively in the best interest of this diverse district.
Progressive endorsements: Assm. Lee has the endorsement of many progressive groups in the district, such as Courage California, California Working Families Party, Sunrise Silicon Valley, South Bay Progressive Alliance, and East Bay for Everyone.
He has also received the endorsement of a number of elected officials across the state, including U.S. Senator Alex Padilla, State Assemblymember Ash Kalra, State Senator Scott Weiner, and the API and LGBTQ+ Legislative Caucuses.
Top issues: Housing, economic justice, public safety, education, seniors, and corporate accountability.
Priority bills: This year, Assm. Lee’s priorities for AD-24 have included 41 bills about criminal-justice reform, elections, and other areas. Of these, 16 have been chaptered into law. They were passed by the Senate and two were vetoed. Four were signed into law. He has sponsored and passed legislation to limit light pollution and prevent the theft of service animals. He has supported extended paid sick leave for essential workers and probation reform for youth, among other things. He scores a 100 out of 100 and an All-Star on Courage Score, our annual analysis of legislators’ progressive voting records. Based on our Courage Score analysis, Assm. Lee has supported all progressive bills that made it to a vote.
Committee leadership/membership: Assm. Lee currently sits on five committees, including the Committee on Education and the Committee on Budget. He chairs the Select Committee on Social Housing.
Governance and community leadership experience: Assm. Lee served in the AD-25 assembly seat since 2020, when he was elected with over 70% of the vote.
Prior to his election to the State Assembly, Assm. Lee interned at the district office of former Congressman Mike Honda and several California legislators. He is a longtime champion of public safety, education, housing, and seniors.
Other background: Assm. Lee is from San Jose. He became California’s youngest and the first openly bisexual legislator upon his election to this seat.
The Race
Primary election results: The June 2022 results included Alex Lee (D), 39%; Bob Brunton (R), 21%; and Kansen Chu (D), 18%. Lee and Brunton will compete in a run-off in the November 8 general election.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Assm. Lee’s campaign has raised $943,910 and is not funded by corporate PACs, fossil fuel money, or police money.
Opposing candidate: Republican Bob Brunton
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Brunton’s campaign has not filed any fundraising disclosures with the secretary of state’s office for this race.
The District
Counties in district: California’s 24th Assembly District includes parts of Alameda and Santa Clara Counties.
Voter registration: 50% Democrat, 15% Republican, and 31% No Party Preference. Democrats have held this district since 2012. Since the 2021 redistricting process, AD-24 is 1% more Democratic than it was during the 2020 general election cycle.
District demographics: 16% Latino, 54% Asian, and 4% Black.
Recent election results: AD-24 voted for Biden for president in 2020 by 43 points and Newsom for governor in 2018 by 40 points.
The Position
State assemblymembers represent and advocate for the needs of their district constituents at the California State Capitol. They are responsible for creating, debating, and voting on legislation that addresses issues within their district.
The California State Assembly has 80 districts. Each represents a population of at least 465,000 Californians. Representatives are elected to the Assembly for a two-year term. Every two years, all 80 seats are subject to election. Members elected before 2012 are restricted to three two-year terms (six years) in the Assembly. Those elected in or after 2012 are allowed to serve 12 years total across both the state Senate or Assembly. This term, Democrats currently hold a three-quarters supermajority of 60 seats in the California State Assembly, while Republicans hold 19 seats and one seat is held by an Independent.
Last updated: 2023-04-05
Courage California endorses Assemblymember Lee for reelection to keep AD-24 on the right track for progress.
Assm. Lee’s track record and policy positions demonstrate that he will continue to be a progressive voice for the constituents of AD-24 and will govern effectively in the best interest of this diverse district.
Progressive endorsements: Assm. Lee has the endorsement of many progressive groups in the district, such as Courage California, California Working Families Party, Sunrise Silicon Valley, South Bay Progressive Alliance, and East Bay for Everyone.
He has also received the endorsement of a number of elected officials across the state, including U.S. Senator Alex Padilla, State Assemblymember Ash Kalra, State Senator Scott Weiner, and the API and LGBTQ+ Legislative Caucuses.
Top issues: Housing, economic justice, public safety, education, seniors, and corporate accountability.
Priority bills: This year, Assm. Lee’s priorities for AD-24 have included 41 bills about criminal-justice reform, elections, and other areas. Of these, 16 have been chaptered into law. They were passed by the Senate and two were vetoed. Four were signed into law. He has sponsored and passed legislation to limit light pollution and prevent the theft of service animals. He has supported extended paid sick leave for essential workers and probation reform for youth, among other things. He scores a 100 out of 100 and an All-Star on Courage Score, our annual analysis of legislators’ progressive voting records. Based on our Courage Score analysis, Assm. Lee has supported all progressive bills that made it to a vote.
Committee leadership/membership: Assm. Lee currently sits on five committees, including the Committee on Education and the Committee on Budget. He chairs the Select Committee on Social Housing.
Governance and community leadership experience: Assm. Lee served in the AD-25 assembly seat since 2020, when he was elected with over 70% of the vote.
Prior to his election to the State Assembly, Assm. Lee interned at the district office of former Congressman Mike Honda and several California legislators. He is a longtime champion of public safety, education, housing, and seniors.
Other background: Assm. Lee is from San Jose. He became California’s youngest and the first openly bisexual legislator upon his election to this seat.
The Race
Primary election results: The June 2022 results included Alex Lee (D), 39%; Bob Brunton (R), 21%; and Kansen Chu (D), 18%. Lee and Brunton will compete in a run-off in the November 8 general election.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Assm. Lee’s campaign has raised $943,910 and is not funded by corporate PACs, fossil fuel money, or police money.
Opposing candidate: Republican Bob Brunton
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Brunton’s campaign has not filed any fundraising disclosures with the secretary of state’s office for this race.
The District
Counties in district: California’s 24th Assembly District includes parts of Alameda and Santa Clara Counties.
Voter registration: 50% Democrat, 15% Republican, and 31% No Party Preference. Democrats have held this district since 2012. Since the 2021 redistricting process, AD-24 is 1% more Democratic than it was during the 2020 general election cycle.
District demographics: 16% Latino, 54% Asian, and 4% Black.
Recent election results: AD-24 voted for Biden for president in 2020 by 43 points and Newsom for governor in 2018 by 40 points.
The Position
State assemblymembers represent and advocate for the needs of their district constituents at the California State Capitol. They are responsible for creating, debating, and voting on legislation that addresses issues within their district.
The California State Assembly has 80 districts. Each represents a population of at least 465,000 Californians. Representatives are elected to the Assembly for a two-year term. Every two years, all 80 seats are subject to election. Members elected before 2012 are restricted to three two-year terms (six years) in the Assembly. Those elected in or after 2012 are allowed to serve 12 years total across both the state Senate or Assembly. This term, Democrats currently hold a three-quarters supermajority of 60 seats in the California State Assembly, while Republicans hold 19 seats and one seat is held by an Independent.
Courage California endorses Assemblymember Lee for reelection to keep AD-24 on the right track for progress.
Assm. Lee’s track record and policy positions demonstrate that he will continue to be a progressive voice for the constituents of AD-24 and will govern effectively in the best interest of this diverse district.
Progressive endorsements: Assm. Lee has the endorsement of many progressive groups in the district, such as Courage California, California Working Families Party, Sunrise Silicon Valley, South Bay Progressive Alliance, and East Bay for Everyone.
He has also received the endorsement of a number of elected officials across the state, including U.S. Senator Alex Padilla, State Assemblymember Ash Kalra, State Senator Scott Weiner, and the API and LGBTQ+ Legislative Caucuses.
Top issues: Housing, economic justice, public safety, education, seniors, and corporate accountability.
Priority bills: This year, Assm. Lee’s priorities for AD-24 have included 41 bills about criminal-justice reform, elections, and other areas. Of these, 16 have been chaptered into law. They were passed by the Senate and two were vetoed. Four were signed into law. He has sponsored and passed legislation to limit light pollution and prevent the theft of service animals. He has supported extended paid sick leave for essential workers and probation reform for youth, among other things. He scores a 100 out of 100 and an All-Star on Courage Score, our annual analysis of legislators’ progressive voting records. Based on our Courage Score analysis, Assm. Lee has supported all progressive bills that made it to a vote.
Committee leadership/membership: Assm. Lee currently sits on five committees, including the Committee on Education and the Committee on Budget. He chairs the Select Committee on Social Housing.
Governance and community leadership experience: Assm. Lee served in the AD-25 assembly seat since 2020, when he was elected with over 70% of the vote.
Prior to his election to the State Assembly, Assm. Lee interned at the district office of former Congressman Mike Honda and several California legislators. He is a longtime champion of public safety, education, housing, and seniors.
Other background: Assm. Lee is from San Jose. He became California’s youngest and the first openly bisexual legislator upon his election to this seat.
The Race
Primary election results: The June 2022 results included Alex Lee (D), 39%; Bob Brunton (R), 21%; and Kansen Chu (D), 18%. Lee and Brunton will compete in a run-off in the November 8 general election.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Assm. Lee’s campaign has raised $943,910 and is not funded by corporate PACs, fossil fuel money, or police money.
Opposing candidate: Republican Bob Brunton
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Brunton’s campaign has not filed any fundraising disclosures with the secretary of state’s office for this race.
The District
Counties in district: California’s 24th Assembly District includes parts of Alameda and Santa Clara Counties.
Voter registration: 50% Democrat, 15% Republican, and 31% No Party Preference. Democrats have held this district since 2012. Since the 2021 redistricting process, AD-24 is 1% more Democratic than it was during the 2020 general election cycle.
District demographics: 16% Latino, 54% Asian, and 4% Black.
Recent election results: AD-24 voted for Biden for president in 2020 by 43 points and Newsom for governor in 2018 by 40 points.
The Position
State assemblymembers represent and advocate for the needs of their district constituents at the California State Capitol. They are responsible for creating, debating, and voting on legislation that addresses issues within their district.
The California State Assembly has 80 districts. Each represents a population of at least 465,000 Californians. Representatives are elected to the Assembly for a two-year term. Every two years, all 80 seats are subject to election. Members elected before 2012 are restricted to three two-year terms (six years) in the Assembly. Those elected in or after 2012 are allowed to serve 12 years total across both the state Senate or Assembly. This term, Democrats currently hold a three-quarters supermajority of 60 seats in the California State Assembly, while Republicans hold 19 seats and one seat is held by an Independent.
Courage California endorses Pilar Schiavo for State Assembly to put AD-40 on the right track for progress.
Pilar Schiavo’s policy positions and organizing experience demonstrate that she will be a progressive voice for the constituents of AD-40 and will govern effectively in the best interest of this diverse district.
Progressive endorsements: Schiavo has the endorsement of a strong majority of progressive groups, including AFSCME California, UNITE HERE!, California Stonewall Democratic Club, Daybreak PAC, and Project Super Bloom. She has also received the endorsement of many elected officials, including U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla, Board of Equalization member Malia Cohen, State Sen. Maria Elena Durazo, Assm. Laura Friedman, and Assm. Isaac Bryan.
Electoral history: Schiavo has not run for public office before.
Top issues: Economy and jobs creation, Health Care for All, homelessness and housing, mutual aid, women’s issues, and environmental protections.
Priority bills: Schiavo has long been involved in labor-organizing work. She served as political director for the San Francisco Labor Council, which guaranteed health care in San Francisco. Schiavo also recruited and trained new organizers at the AFL-CIO Organizing Institute and represented mental-health workers for SEIU in Massachusetts, where she also did low-income tenant organizing. While with the California Nurses Association (CNA), she worked closely with nurses to organize a statewide coalition for a single-payer system in California, including coordinating the field campaign for SB 562. Her work with CNA also involved time as a field coordinator to deploy nurses for disasters and humanitarian missions to hurricane sites, border shelters, California wildfires, and a COVID-19 vaccine clinic in South Los Angeles. In her more recent organizing, Schiavo co-founded West Valley Homes YES! (WVHY) to fight for housing for unhoused neighbors. In 2020, the organization became the largest mutual-aid program in the San Fernando Valley.
Governance and community leadership experience: Schiavo has worked in the labor movement for two decades and for the California Nurses Association (CNA) for almost 13 years, which she does to uplift working families and ensure that all people have access to housing, health care, and a good-paying job. She also has extensive experience in organizations outside her district, including organizing for Healthy California Now and Medicare for All in California. Moreover, she has worked with APEN and a broad coalition in the East Bay on environmental issues, and with Jobs with Justice SF, the Chinese Progressive Association, and various SEIU Local and unions in San Francisco while at the San Francisco Labor Council. Schiavo co-founded the West Valley People’s Alliance to advocate for racial justice, affordable housing, and environmental justice.
Other background: Schiavo is from Southern California’s West Valley and currently lives in Chatsworth.
The Race
Primary election results: The June 2022 results included incumbent Assm. Suzette Martinez Valladares (R), 47%; Pilar Schiavo (D), 34%; and Annie Cho (D), 19%. Pilar Schiavo and Suzette Martinez Valladares will compete in a run-off in the November 8 general election.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Shiavo’s campaign has raised $754,000 and is not funded by fossil fuel, real estate, corporate PAC, or police donors.
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Assm. Martinez Valladares’s campaign has raised $1.2 million and is funded by corporate PAC, real estate, police, and fossil fuel interests. Her problematic donors include Chevron Policy Government and Public Affairs, California Real Estate PAC, California Association of Highway Patrolmen PAC, and AT&T Services Inc.
The District
Counties in district: California’s 40th Assembly District includes parts of Los Angeles County.
Voter registration: 42% Democrat, 29% Republican, and 23% No Party Preference. Republicans held this district until 2018 when James Ramos won and flipped it from red to blue. Since the 2021 redistricting process, AD-40 is 8% more Democratic than it was during the 2020 general election cycle.
District demographics: 27% Latino, 15% Asian, and 6% Black
Recent election results: AD-40 voted for Joe Biden for president in 2020 by 16 points and Gavin Newsom for governor in 2018 by 10 points.
The Position
State assemblymembers represent and advocate for the needs of their district constituents at the California State Capitol. They are responsible for creating, debating, and voting on legislation that addresses issues within their district.
The California State Assembly has 80 districts. Each represents a population of at least 465,000 Californians. Representatives are elected to the Assembly for a two-year term. Every two years, all 80 seats are subject to election. Members elected before 2012 are restricted to three two-year terms (six years) in the Assembly. Those elected in or after 2012 are allowed to serve 12 years total across both the state Senate or Assembly. This term, Democrats currently hold a three-quarters supermajority of 60 seats in the California State Assembly, while Republicans hold 19 seats and one seat is held by an Independent.
Last updated: 2023-04-05
Courage California endorses Pilar Schiavo for State Assembly to put AD-40 on the right track for progress.
Pilar Schiavo’s policy positions and organizing experience demonstrate that she will be a progressive voice for the constituents of AD-40 and will govern effectively in the best interest of this diverse district.
Progressive endorsements: Schiavo has the endorsement of a strong majority of progressive groups, including AFSCME California, UNITE HERE!, California Stonewall Democratic Club, Daybreak PAC, and Project Super Bloom. She has also received the endorsement of many elected officials, including U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla, Board of Equalization member Malia Cohen, State Sen. Maria Elena Durazo, Assm. Laura Friedman, and Assm. Isaac Bryan.
Electoral history: Schiavo has not run for public office before.
Top issues: Economy and jobs creation, Health Care for All, homelessness and housing, mutual aid, women’s issues, and environmental protections.
Priority bills: Schiavo has long been involved in labor-organizing work. She served as political director for the San Francisco Labor Council, which guaranteed health care in San Francisco. Schiavo also recruited and trained new organizers at the AFL-CIO Organizing Institute and represented mental-health workers for SEIU in Massachusetts, where she also did low-income tenant organizing. While with the California Nurses Association (CNA), she worked closely with nurses to organize a statewide coalition for a single-payer system in California, including coordinating the field campaign for SB 562. Her work with CNA also involved time as a field coordinator to deploy nurses for disasters and humanitarian missions to hurricane sites, border shelters, California wildfires, and a COVID-19 vaccine clinic in South Los Angeles. In her more recent organizing, Schiavo co-founded West Valley Homes YES! (WVHY) to fight for housing for unhoused neighbors. In 2020, the organization became the largest mutual-aid program in the San Fernando Valley.
Governance and community leadership experience: Schiavo has worked in the labor movement for two decades and for the California Nurses Association (CNA) for almost 13 years, which she does to uplift working families and ensure that all people have access to housing, health care, and a good-paying job. She also has extensive experience in organizations outside her district, including organizing for Healthy California Now and Medicare for All in California. Moreover, she has worked with APEN and a broad coalition in the East Bay on environmental issues, and with Jobs with Justice SF, the Chinese Progressive Association, and various SEIU Local and unions in San Francisco while at the San Francisco Labor Council. Schiavo co-founded the West Valley People’s Alliance to advocate for racial justice, affordable housing, and environmental justice.
Other background: Schiavo is from Southern California’s West Valley and currently lives in Chatsworth.
The Race
Primary election results: The June 2022 results included incumbent Assm. Suzette Martinez Valladares (R), 47%; Pilar Schiavo (D), 34%; and Annie Cho (D), 19%. Pilar Schiavo and Suzette Martinez Valladares will compete in a run-off in the November 8 general election.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Shiavo’s campaign has raised $754,000 and is not funded by fossil fuel, real estate, corporate PAC, or police donors.
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Assm. Martinez Valladares’s campaign has raised $1.2 million and is funded by corporate PAC, real estate, police, and fossil fuel interests. Her problematic donors include Chevron Policy Government and Public Affairs, California Real Estate PAC, California Association of Highway Patrolmen PAC, and AT&T Services Inc.
The District
Counties in district: California’s 40th Assembly District includes parts of Los Angeles County.
Voter registration: 42% Democrat, 29% Republican, and 23% No Party Preference. Republicans held this district until 2018 when James Ramos won and flipped it from red to blue. Since the 2021 redistricting process, AD-40 is 8% more Democratic than it was during the 2020 general election cycle.
District demographics: 27% Latino, 15% Asian, and 6% Black
Recent election results: AD-40 voted for Joe Biden for president in 2020 by 16 points and Gavin Newsom for governor in 2018 by 10 points.
The Position
State assemblymembers represent and advocate for the needs of their district constituents at the California State Capitol. They are responsible for creating, debating, and voting on legislation that addresses issues within their district.
The California State Assembly has 80 districts. Each represents a population of at least 465,000 Californians. Representatives are elected to the Assembly for a two-year term. Every two years, all 80 seats are subject to election. Members elected before 2012 are restricted to three two-year terms (six years) in the Assembly. Those elected in or after 2012 are allowed to serve 12 years total across both the state Senate or Assembly. This term, Democrats currently hold a three-quarters supermajority of 60 seats in the California State Assembly, while Republicans hold 19 seats and one seat is held by an Independent.
Courage California endorses Pilar Schiavo for State Assembly to put AD-40 on the right track for progress.
Pilar Schiavo’s policy positions and organizing experience demonstrate that she will be a progressive voice for the constituents of AD-40 and will govern effectively in the best interest of this diverse district.
Progressive endorsements: Schiavo has the endorsement of a strong majority of progressive groups, including AFSCME California, UNITE HERE!, California Stonewall Democratic Club, Daybreak PAC, and Project Super Bloom. She has also received the endorsement of many elected officials, including U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla, Board of Equalization member Malia Cohen, State Sen. Maria Elena Durazo, Assm. Laura Friedman, and Assm. Isaac Bryan.
Electoral history: Schiavo has not run for public office before.
Top issues: Economy and jobs creation, Health Care for All, homelessness and housing, mutual aid, women’s issues, and environmental protections.
Priority bills: Schiavo has long been involved in labor-organizing work. She served as political director for the San Francisco Labor Council, which guaranteed health care in San Francisco. Schiavo also recruited and trained new organizers at the AFL-CIO Organizing Institute and represented mental-health workers for SEIU in Massachusetts, where she also did low-income tenant organizing. While with the California Nurses Association (CNA), she worked closely with nurses to organize a statewide coalition for a single-payer system in California, including coordinating the field campaign for SB 562. Her work with CNA also involved time as a field coordinator to deploy nurses for disasters and humanitarian missions to hurricane sites, border shelters, California wildfires, and a COVID-19 vaccine clinic in South Los Angeles. In her more recent organizing, Schiavo co-founded West Valley Homes YES! (WVHY) to fight for housing for unhoused neighbors. In 2020, the organization became the largest mutual-aid program in the San Fernando Valley.
Governance and community leadership experience: Schiavo has worked in the labor movement for two decades and for the California Nurses Association (CNA) for almost 13 years, which she does to uplift working families and ensure that all people have access to housing, health care, and a good-paying job. She also has extensive experience in organizations outside her district, including organizing for Healthy California Now and Medicare for All in California. Moreover, she has worked with APEN and a broad coalition in the East Bay on environmental issues, and with Jobs with Justice SF, the Chinese Progressive Association, and various SEIU Local and unions in San Francisco while at the San Francisco Labor Council. Schiavo co-founded the West Valley People’s Alliance to advocate for racial justice, affordable housing, and environmental justice.
Other background: Schiavo is from Southern California’s West Valley and currently lives in Chatsworth.
The Race
Primary election results: The June 2022 results included incumbent Assm. Suzette Martinez Valladares (R), 47%; Pilar Schiavo (D), 34%; and Annie Cho (D), 19%. Pilar Schiavo and Suzette Martinez Valladares will compete in a run-off in the November 8 general election.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Shiavo’s campaign has raised $754,000 and is not funded by fossil fuel, real estate, corporate PAC, or police donors.
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Assm. Martinez Valladares’s campaign has raised $1.2 million and is funded by corporate PAC, real estate, police, and fossil fuel interests. Her problematic donors include Chevron Policy Government and Public Affairs, California Real Estate PAC, California Association of Highway Patrolmen PAC, and AT&T Services Inc.
The District
Counties in district: California’s 40th Assembly District includes parts of Los Angeles County.
Voter registration: 42% Democrat, 29% Republican, and 23% No Party Preference. Republicans held this district until 2018 when James Ramos won and flipped it from red to blue. Since the 2021 redistricting process, AD-40 is 8% more Democratic than it was during the 2020 general election cycle.
District demographics: 27% Latino, 15% Asian, and 6% Black
Recent election results: AD-40 voted for Joe Biden for president in 2020 by 16 points and Gavin Newsom for governor in 2018 by 10 points.
The Position
State assemblymembers represent and advocate for the needs of their district constituents at the California State Capitol. They are responsible for creating, debating, and voting on legislation that addresses issues within their district.
The California State Assembly has 80 districts. Each represents a population of at least 465,000 Californians. Representatives are elected to the Assembly for a two-year term. Every two years, all 80 seats are subject to election. Members elected before 2012 are restricted to three two-year terms (six years) in the Assembly. Those elected in or after 2012 are allowed to serve 12 years total across both the state Senate or Assembly. This term, Democrats currently hold a three-quarters supermajority of 60 seats in the California State Assembly, while Republicans hold 19 seats and one seat is held by an Independent.
Courage California endorses Christy Holstege to put AD-47 on the right track for progress.
Christy Holstege’s track record and policy positions demonstrate that she will be a progressive voice for the constituents of AD-47 and will govern effectively in the best interest of this diverse district.
Progressive endorsements: Holstege has the endorsement of many progressive groups, including Courage California, California Labor Federation, NARAL Pro-Choice California, and California Environmental Justice Alliance Action. She has also received the endorsement of many public officials, including Rep. Ro Khanna, Attorney General Rob Bonta, Assm. Laura Friedman, and Assm. Alex Lee. However, she has also received endorsements from problematic stakeholders, including Peace Officers Research Association of California.
Electoral history: Holstege won a seat on the Palm Springs City Council in 2017 with 30% of the vote. In 2020, she won reelection to the council with 54% of the vote, and served a one-year term as mayor.
Top issues: Homelessness and housing, pandemic recovery, environmental protections and clean energy, veterans services, and LGBTQIA+ equality.
Priority policies: As mayor and a member of the Palm Springs City Council, Holstege has supported the establishment of a guaranteed-income program for transgender and nonbinary residents, broke ground on a new affordable housing project, and began a partial transition to residential wind energy.
Governance and community leadership experience: Holstege is an attorney and established a legal aid clinic for domestic violence survivors at the Coachella Valley’s only domestic violence shelter. She has also represented farmworkers in civil rights, housing, and employment litigation at California Rural Legal Assistance. Holstege served on the board of directors for Planned Parenthood of the Pacific Southwest and Eastern Coachella Valley for Change. She also served on the Palm Springs Human Rights Commission and the City of Palm Springs Homelessness Task Force.
Other background: Holstege lives in Palm Springs. She was the first openly bisexual person to serve a term as mayor in the United States.
The Race
Primary election results: The June 2022 results included Christy Holstege (D), 47%; Greg Wallis (R), 35%; Gary Michaels (R), 12%; and Jamie Swain (D), 7%. Christy Holstege and Greg Wallis will compete in a run-off in the November 8 general election.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Holstege’s campaign has raised $762,000 and is not funded by fossil fuel interests. She has received problematic donations from real estate, police, and corporate PAC interests, including Palm Springs Police Officers Association PAC, Leaskou Partners Incorporated, and AT&T.
Opposing candidate: Republican Greg Wallis
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Wallis’s campaign has raised $273,000 and is funded by corporate PAC, real estate, fossil fuel, and police interests. His problematic donors include Western Manufactured Housing Communities Association PAC, Sempra Energy, Riverside Sheriff’s Association Public Education Fund, and Marathon Petroleum Corporation.
The District
Counties in district: California’s 47th Assembly District includes parts of Riverside and San Bernardino Counties.
Voter registration: 40% Democrat, 34% Republican, and 19% No Party Preference. Democrats typically hold this seat. Since the 2021 redistricting process, AD-47 is 3% more Democratic than it was during the 2020 general election cycle.
District demographics: 27% Latino, 4% Asian, and 5% Black
Recent election results: AD-47 voted for Joe Biden for president in 2020 by 7 points and John Cox for governor in 2018 by 1 point.
The Position
State assemblymembers represent and advocate for the needs of their district constituents at the California State Capitol. They are responsible for creating, debating, and voting on legislation that addresses issues within their district.
The California State Assembly has 80 districts. Each represents a population of at least 465,000 Californians. Representatives are elected to the Assembly for a two-year term. Every two years, all 80 seats are subject to election. Members elected before 2012 are restricted to three two-year terms (six years) in the Assembly. Those elected in or after 2012 are allowed to serve 12 years total across both the state Senate or Assembly. This term, Democrats currently hold a three-quarters supermajority of 60 seats in the California State Assembly, while Republicans hold 19 seats and one seat is held by an Independent.
Last updated: 2023-04-05
Courage California endorses Christy Holstege to put AD-47 on the right track for progress.
Christy Holstege’s track record and policy positions demonstrate that she will be a progressive voice for the constituents of AD-47 and will govern effectively in the best interest of this diverse district.
Progressive endorsements: Holstege has the endorsement of many progressive groups, including Courage California, California Labor Federation, NARAL Pro-Choice California, and California Environmental Justice Alliance Action. She has also received the endorsement of many public officials, including Rep. Ro Khanna, Attorney General Rob Bonta, Assm. Laura Friedman, and Assm. Alex Lee. However, she has also received endorsements from problematic stakeholders, including Peace Officers Research Association of California.
Electoral history: Holstege won a seat on the Palm Springs City Council in 2017 with 30% of the vote. In 2020, she won reelection to the council with 54% of the vote, and served a one-year term as mayor.
Top issues: Homelessness and housing, pandemic recovery, environmental protections and clean energy, veterans services, and LGBTQIA+ equality.
Priority policies: As mayor and a member of the Palm Springs City Council, Holstege has supported the establishment of a guaranteed-income program for transgender and nonbinary residents, broke ground on a new affordable housing project, and began a partial transition to residential wind energy.
Governance and community leadership experience: Holstege is an attorney and established a legal aid clinic for domestic violence survivors at the Coachella Valley’s only domestic violence shelter. She has also represented farmworkers in civil rights, housing, and employment litigation at California Rural Legal Assistance. Holstege served on the board of directors for Planned Parenthood of the Pacific Southwest and Eastern Coachella Valley for Change. She also served on the Palm Springs Human Rights Commission and the City of Palm Springs Homelessness Task Force.
Other background: Holstege lives in Palm Springs. She was the first openly bisexual person to serve a term as mayor in the United States.
The Race
Primary election results: The June 2022 results included Christy Holstege (D), 47%; Greg Wallis (R), 35%; Gary Michaels (R), 12%; and Jamie Swain (D), 7%. Christy Holstege and Greg Wallis will compete in a run-off in the November 8 general election.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Holstege’s campaign has raised $762,000 and is not funded by fossil fuel interests. She has received problematic donations from real estate, police, and corporate PAC interests, including Palm Springs Police Officers Association PAC, Leaskou Partners Incorporated, and AT&T.
Opposing candidate: Republican Greg Wallis
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Wallis’s campaign has raised $273,000 and is funded by corporate PAC, real estate, fossil fuel, and police interests. His problematic donors include Western Manufactured Housing Communities Association PAC, Sempra Energy, Riverside Sheriff’s Association Public Education Fund, and Marathon Petroleum Corporation.
The District
Counties in district: California’s 47th Assembly District includes parts of Riverside and San Bernardino Counties.
Voter registration: 40% Democrat, 34% Republican, and 19% No Party Preference. Democrats typically hold this seat. Since the 2021 redistricting process, AD-47 is 3% more Democratic than it was during the 2020 general election cycle.
District demographics: 27% Latino, 4% Asian, and 5% Black
Recent election results: AD-47 voted for Joe Biden for president in 2020 by 7 points and John Cox for governor in 2018 by 1 point.
The Position
State assemblymembers represent and advocate for the needs of their district constituents at the California State Capitol. They are responsible for creating, debating, and voting on legislation that addresses issues within their district.
The California State Assembly has 80 districts. Each represents a population of at least 465,000 Californians. Representatives are elected to the Assembly for a two-year term. Every two years, all 80 seats are subject to election. Members elected before 2012 are restricted to three two-year terms (six years) in the Assembly. Those elected in or after 2012 are allowed to serve 12 years total across both the state Senate or Assembly. This term, Democrats currently hold a three-quarters supermajority of 60 seats in the California State Assembly, while Republicans hold 19 seats and one seat is held by an Independent.
Courage California endorses Christy Holstege to put AD-47 on the right track for progress.
Christy Holstege’s track record and policy positions demonstrate that she will be a progressive voice for the constituents of AD-47 and will govern effectively in the best interest of this diverse district.
Progressive endorsements: Holstege has the endorsement of many progressive groups, including Courage California, California Labor Federation, NARAL Pro-Choice California, and California Environmental Justice Alliance Action. She has also received the endorsement of many public officials, including Rep. Ro Khanna, Attorney General Rob Bonta, Assm. Laura Friedman, and Assm. Alex Lee. However, she has also received endorsements from problematic stakeholders, including Peace Officers Research Association of California.
Electoral history: Holstege won a seat on the Palm Springs City Council in 2017 with 30% of the vote. In 2020, she won reelection to the council with 54% of the vote, and served a one-year term as mayor.
Top issues: Homelessness and housing, pandemic recovery, environmental protections and clean energy, veterans services, and LGBTQIA+ equality.
Priority policies: As mayor and a member of the Palm Springs City Council, Holstege has supported the establishment of a guaranteed-income program for transgender and nonbinary residents, broke ground on a new affordable housing project, and began a partial transition to residential wind energy.
Governance and community leadership experience: Holstege is an attorney and established a legal aid clinic for domestic violence survivors at the Coachella Valley’s only domestic violence shelter. She has also represented farmworkers in civil rights, housing, and employment litigation at California Rural Legal Assistance. Holstege served on the board of directors for Planned Parenthood of the Pacific Southwest and Eastern Coachella Valley for Change. She also served on the Palm Springs Human Rights Commission and the City of Palm Springs Homelessness Task Force.
Other background: Holstege lives in Palm Springs. She was the first openly bisexual person to serve a term as mayor in the United States.
The Race
Primary election results: The June 2022 results included Christy Holstege (D), 47%; Greg Wallis (R), 35%; Gary Michaels (R), 12%; and Jamie Swain (D), 7%. Christy Holstege and Greg Wallis will compete in a run-off in the November 8 general election.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Holstege’s campaign has raised $762,000 and is not funded by fossil fuel interests. She has received problematic donations from real estate, police, and corporate PAC interests, including Palm Springs Police Officers Association PAC, Leaskou Partners Incorporated, and AT&T.
Opposing candidate: Republican Greg Wallis
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Wallis’s campaign has raised $273,000 and is funded by corporate PAC, real estate, fossil fuel, and police interests. His problematic donors include Western Manufactured Housing Communities Association PAC, Sempra Energy, Riverside Sheriff’s Association Public Education Fund, and Marathon Petroleum Corporation.
The District
Counties in district: California’s 47th Assembly District includes parts of Riverside and San Bernardino Counties.
Voter registration: 40% Democrat, 34% Republican, and 19% No Party Preference. Democrats typically hold this seat. Since the 2021 redistricting process, AD-47 is 3% more Democratic than it was during the 2020 general election cycle.
District demographics: 27% Latino, 4% Asian, and 5% Black
Recent election results: AD-47 voted for Joe Biden for president in 2020 by 7 points and John Cox for governor in 2018 by 1 point.
The Position
State assemblymembers represent and advocate for the needs of their district constituents at the California State Capitol. They are responsible for creating, debating, and voting on legislation that addresses issues within their district.
The California State Assembly has 80 districts. Each represents a population of at least 465,000 Californians. Representatives are elected to the Assembly for a two-year term. Every two years, all 80 seats are subject to election. Members elected before 2012 are restricted to three two-year terms (six years) in the Assembly. Those elected in or after 2012 are allowed to serve 12 years total across both the state Senate or Assembly. This term, Democrats currently hold a three-quarters supermajority of 60 seats in the California State Assembly, while Republicans hold 19 seats and one seat is held by an Independent.
Courage California endorses Rick Chavez Zbur for State Assembly to put AD-51 on the right track for progress.
Rick Chavez Zbur’s record of coalition-building and equity-focused work demonstrates that he will be a progressive voice for the constituents of AD-51 and will govern effectively in the best interest of this diverse district.
Progressive endorsements: Chavez Zbur has the endorsement of a strong majority of progressive groups, including Heart of LA Democratic Club, California Legislative Progressive Caucus, California Labor Federation, California Environmental Voters, Stonewall Democratic Club, and Westside Young Democrats. He has also received the endorsement of state and local leaders, including L.A. Supervisor Holly Mitchell, Senator Alex Padilla, Congressmember Katie Porter, and Governor Gavin Newsom.
Electoral history: Chavez Zbur ran for Congress in 1996, but lost the election to the Republican incumbent by a ten-point margin.
Top issues: Economic reform, reproductive justice, workers’ rights, civil rights, gun safety, homelessness and housing, and climate protections.
Priority bills: As a nonprofit and community leader, Chavez Zbur has been a strong supporter of social-service access for underserved populations and economic revitalization. His work with Equality California dovetailed with the organization’s transition to civil rights advocacy, and he supported the passage of over 90 bills related to LGBTQIA+ justice during his time in leadership. Beyond civil rights issues, Chavez Zbur has been a strong supporter of workers’ rights and economic reform, and views this as a gateway to more equitable access to housing, health care, education, and public services. His platform supports further increases to minimum wage, collective bargaining, and supported overtime, and lays out an ambitious vision of establishing a youth corps to connect homeless individuals with wraparound resources. He has also served as president and chair of California Environmental Voters, and would be a strong supporter of statewide efforts to curb the use of fossil fuels, subsidies to transition away from natural gas, and the governor’s goal of reducing gas-powered vehicles.
Governance and community leadership experience: Chavez Zbur is an attorney and a nonprofit executive, working in private practice for 25 years before transitioning to serve as executive director of Equality California. He has cited his sister’s battle with ALS and his own experience as a member of the LGBTQIA+ community during the AIDS crisis as inspiring his transition to this work. AD-51 has the highest concentration of LGBTQIA+ individuals in Southern California, and Chavez Zbur’s network and understanding of the issues facing this community would benefit him as a legislative leader. He also currently serves on the board of Planned Parenthood Los Angeles, and has taken a coalition approach to effect change in his leadership roles across his organizational work.
Other background: Rick Chavez Zbur is from New Mexico and has lived in Los Angeles for nearly 40 years. Chavez Zbur has a long history of progressive community engagement, including serving on the boards of Lambda Legal Defense and Children Affected by AIDS Foundation, and working to elect former President Bill Clinton and former Senator Barbara Boxer.
The Race
Primary election results: The June 2022 results included Rick Chavez Zbur (D), 62%; and Louis Abramson (D), 38%. Rick Chavez Zbur and Louis Abramson will compete in a run-off in the November 8 general election.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Chavez Zbur’s campaign has raised $1.2 million and is not funded by police interests. He has received problematic donations from Edison International, California Real Estate PAC, and AT&T.
Opposing candidate: Democrat Louis Abramson
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Abramson’s campaign has raised $220,000 and is funded almost entirely by individual donors.
The District
Counties in district: California’s 51st Assembly District includes parts of Los Angeles County.
Voter registration: 58% Democrat, 12% Republican, and 23% No Party Preference. Democrats typically hold this seat. Since the 2021 redistricting process, AD-51 is 5% more Democratic than it was during the 2020 general election cycle.
District demographics: 14% Latino, 13% Asian, and 6% Black
Recent election results: AD-51 voted for Joe Biden for president in 2020 by 58 points and Gavin Newsom for governor in 2018 by 64 points.
The Position
State assemblymembers represent and advocate for the needs of their district constituents at the California State Capitol. They are responsible for creating, debating, and voting on legislation that addresses issues within their district.
The California State Assembly has 80 districts. Each represents a population of at least 465,000 Californians. Representatives are elected to the Assembly for a two-year term. Every two years, all 80 seats are subject to election. Members elected before 2012 are restricted to three two-year terms (six years) in the Assembly. Those elected in or after 2012 are allowed to serve 12 years total across both the state Senate or Assembly. This term, Democrats currently hold a three-quarters supermajority of 60 seats in the California State Assembly, while Republicans hold 19 seats and one seat is held by an Independent.
Last updated: 2023-04-05
Courage California endorses Rick Chavez Zbur for State Assembly to put AD-51 on the right track for progress.
Rick Chavez Zbur’s record of coalition-building and equity-focused work demonstrates that he will be a progressive voice for the constituents of AD-51 and will govern effectively in the best interest of this diverse district.
Progressive endorsements: Chavez Zbur has the endorsement of a strong majority of progressive groups, including Heart of LA Democratic Club, California Legislative Progressive Caucus, California Labor Federation, California Environmental Voters, Stonewall Democratic Club, and Westside Young Democrats. He has also received the endorsement of state and local leaders, including L.A. Supervisor Holly Mitchell, Senator Alex Padilla, Congressmember Katie Porter, and Governor Gavin Newsom.
Electoral history: Chavez Zbur ran for Congress in 1996, but lost the election to the Republican incumbent by a ten-point margin.
Top issues: Economic reform, reproductive justice, workers’ rights, civil rights, gun safety, homelessness and housing, and climate protections.
Priority bills: As a nonprofit and community leader, Chavez Zbur has been a strong supporter of social-service access for underserved populations and economic revitalization. His work with Equality California dovetailed with the organization’s transition to civil rights advocacy, and he supported the passage of over 90 bills related to LGBTQIA+ justice during his time in leadership. Beyond civil rights issues, Chavez Zbur has been a strong supporter of workers’ rights and economic reform, and views this as a gateway to more equitable access to housing, health care, education, and public services. His platform supports further increases to minimum wage, collective bargaining, and supported overtime, and lays out an ambitious vision of establishing a youth corps to connect homeless individuals with wraparound resources. He has also served as president and chair of California Environmental Voters, and would be a strong supporter of statewide efforts to curb the use of fossil fuels, subsidies to transition away from natural gas, and the governor’s goal of reducing gas-powered vehicles.
Governance and community leadership experience: Chavez Zbur is an attorney and a nonprofit executive, working in private practice for 25 years before transitioning to serve as executive director of Equality California. He has cited his sister’s battle with ALS and his own experience as a member of the LGBTQIA+ community during the AIDS crisis as inspiring his transition to this work. AD-51 has the highest concentration of LGBTQIA+ individuals in Southern California, and Chavez Zbur’s network and understanding of the issues facing this community would benefit him as a legislative leader. He also currently serves on the board of Planned Parenthood Los Angeles, and has taken a coalition approach to effect change in his leadership roles across his organizational work.
Other background: Rick Chavez Zbur is from New Mexico and has lived in Los Angeles for nearly 40 years. Chavez Zbur has a long history of progressive community engagement, including serving on the boards of Lambda Legal Defense and Children Affected by AIDS Foundation, and working to elect former President Bill Clinton and former Senator Barbara Boxer.
The Race
Primary election results: The June 2022 results included Rick Chavez Zbur (D), 62%; and Louis Abramson (D), 38%. Rick Chavez Zbur and Louis Abramson will compete in a run-off in the November 8 general election.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Chavez Zbur’s campaign has raised $1.2 million and is not funded by police interests. He has received problematic donations from Edison International, California Real Estate PAC, and AT&T.
Opposing candidate: Democrat Louis Abramson
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Abramson’s campaign has raised $220,000 and is funded almost entirely by individual donors.
The District
Counties in district: California’s 51st Assembly District includes parts of Los Angeles County.
Voter registration: 58% Democrat, 12% Republican, and 23% No Party Preference. Democrats typically hold this seat. Since the 2021 redistricting process, AD-51 is 5% more Democratic than it was during the 2020 general election cycle.
District demographics: 14% Latino, 13% Asian, and 6% Black
Recent election results: AD-51 voted for Joe Biden for president in 2020 by 58 points and Gavin Newsom for governor in 2018 by 64 points.
The Position
State assemblymembers represent and advocate for the needs of their district constituents at the California State Capitol. They are responsible for creating, debating, and voting on legislation that addresses issues within their district.
The California State Assembly has 80 districts. Each represents a population of at least 465,000 Californians. Representatives are elected to the Assembly for a two-year term. Every two years, all 80 seats are subject to election. Members elected before 2012 are restricted to three two-year terms (six years) in the Assembly. Those elected in or after 2012 are allowed to serve 12 years total across both the state Senate or Assembly. This term, Democrats currently hold a three-quarters supermajority of 60 seats in the California State Assembly, while Republicans hold 19 seats and one seat is held by an Independent.
Courage California endorses Rick Chavez Zbur for State Assembly to put AD-51 on the right track for progress.
Rick Chavez Zbur’s record of coalition-building and equity-focused work demonstrates that he will be a progressive voice for the constituents of AD-51 and will govern effectively in the best interest of this diverse district.
Progressive endorsements: Chavez Zbur has the endorsement of a strong majority of progressive groups, including Heart of LA Democratic Club, California Legislative Progressive Caucus, California Labor Federation, California Environmental Voters, Stonewall Democratic Club, and Westside Young Democrats. He has also received the endorsement of state and local leaders, including L.A. Supervisor Holly Mitchell, Senator Alex Padilla, Congressmember Katie Porter, and Governor Gavin Newsom.
Electoral history: Chavez Zbur ran for Congress in 1996, but lost the election to the Republican incumbent by a ten-point margin.
Top issues: Economic reform, reproductive justice, workers’ rights, civil rights, gun safety, homelessness and housing, and climate protections.
Priority bills: As a nonprofit and community leader, Chavez Zbur has been a strong supporter of social-service access for underserved populations and economic revitalization. His work with Equality California dovetailed with the organization’s transition to civil rights advocacy, and he supported the passage of over 90 bills related to LGBTQIA+ justice during his time in leadership. Beyond civil rights issues, Chavez Zbur has been a strong supporter of workers’ rights and economic reform, and views this as a gateway to more equitable access to housing, health care, education, and public services. His platform supports further increases to minimum wage, collective bargaining, and supported overtime, and lays out an ambitious vision of establishing a youth corps to connect homeless individuals with wraparound resources. He has also served as president and chair of California Environmental Voters, and would be a strong supporter of statewide efforts to curb the use of fossil fuels, subsidies to transition away from natural gas, and the governor’s goal of reducing gas-powered vehicles.
Governance and community leadership experience: Chavez Zbur is an attorney and a nonprofit executive, working in private practice for 25 years before transitioning to serve as executive director of Equality California. He has cited his sister’s battle with ALS and his own experience as a member of the LGBTQIA+ community during the AIDS crisis as inspiring his transition to this work. AD-51 has the highest concentration of LGBTQIA+ individuals in Southern California, and Chavez Zbur’s network and understanding of the issues facing this community would benefit him as a legislative leader. He also currently serves on the board of Planned Parenthood Los Angeles, and has taken a coalition approach to effect change in his leadership roles across his organizational work.
Other background: Rick Chavez Zbur is from New Mexico and has lived in Los Angeles for nearly 40 years. Chavez Zbur has a long history of progressive community engagement, including serving on the boards of Lambda Legal Defense and Children Affected by AIDS Foundation, and working to elect former President Bill Clinton and former Senator Barbara Boxer.
The Race
Primary election results: The June 2022 results included Rick Chavez Zbur (D), 62%; and Louis Abramson (D), 38%. Rick Chavez Zbur and Louis Abramson will compete in a run-off in the November 8 general election.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Chavez Zbur’s campaign has raised $1.2 million and is not funded by police interests. He has received problematic donations from Edison International, California Real Estate PAC, and AT&T.
Opposing candidate: Democrat Louis Abramson
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Abramson’s campaign has raised $220,000 and is funded almost entirely by individual donors.
The District
Counties in district: California’s 51st Assembly District includes parts of Los Angeles County.
Voter registration: 58% Democrat, 12% Republican, and 23% No Party Preference. Democrats typically hold this seat. Since the 2021 redistricting process, AD-51 is 5% more Democratic than it was during the 2020 general election cycle.
District demographics: 14% Latino, 13% Asian, and 6% Black
Recent election results: AD-51 voted for Joe Biden for president in 2020 by 58 points and Gavin Newsom for governor in 2018 by 64 points.
The Position
State assemblymembers represent and advocate for the needs of their district constituents at the California State Capitol. They are responsible for creating, debating, and voting on legislation that addresses issues within their district.
The California State Assembly has 80 districts. Each represents a population of at least 465,000 Californians. Representatives are elected to the Assembly for a two-year term. Every two years, all 80 seats are subject to election. Members elected before 2012 are restricted to three two-year terms (six years) in the Assembly. Those elected in or after 2012 are allowed to serve 12 years total across both the state Senate or Assembly. This term, Democrats currently hold a three-quarters supermajority of 60 seats in the California State Assembly, while Republicans hold 19 seats and one seat is held by an Independent.
Courage California endorses Corey Jackson for State Assembly to put AD-60 on the right track for progress.
Corey Jackson’s policy positions demonstrate that he will be a progressive voice for the constituents of AD-60 and will govern effectively in the best interest of this diverse district.
Progressive endorsements: Jackson has the endorsement of a strong majority of progressive groups, including Planned Parenthood, Equality California, Inland Empire United, California Working Families Party, Voice for Progress, and the California Legislative Progressive Caucus, and labor unions, like California Nurses Association, United Domestic Workers, SEIU. He is also endorsed by a broad set of federal, state, and local elected officials, including U.S. Senator Alex Padilla, and Riverside County Supervisors Chuck Washington and Jeff Hewitt.
Electoral history: Jackson has run for office previously, and won his race for the Riverside Board of Education by 31 points.
Top issues: Jackson’s platform centers education and youth advocacy measures, like universal childcare, trauma-informed practices in school, and education reform. He also supports an affordable housing guarantee and campaign-finance reform.
Governance and community leadership Experience: Jackson serves on the Riverside County School Board, advocating to increase mental-health services in schools and to eliminate the criminalization of children. He also founded the nonprofit SBX Youth and Family Services, which aims to disrupt the cycle of poverty through mentorship, education, and community organizing. He also holds leadership positions in the Riverside NAACP.
Other background: Corey A. Jackson is from Rialto, CA, and has lived in Riverside County for more than ten years. He earned his bachelor’s at CSU San Bernardino and his master’s of social work from California Baptist University.
The Race
Primary election results: The June 2022 results included Corey A. Jackson (D), 27%; Hector Diaz Nava (R), 39.9%; Esther Portillo (D), 19.9%; and Jasmin Rubio (D), 13.2%. Corey Jackson and Hector Diaz-Nava will compete in a run-off in the November 8 general election.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Jackson’s campaign has raised $292,970 and is not funded by police unions, although he has accepted donations from the real estate industry, the fossil fuel industry, and corporate PACs.
Opposing candidate: Republican Hector Diaz Nava
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Nava’s campaign has raised $31,000 and has not committed to refusing donations from the police or the fossil fuel industry. His campaign is also principally self-funded.
The District
Counties in district: California’s 60th Assembly District includes parts of Riverside County.
Voter registration: 48% Democrat, 23% Republican, and 22% No Party Preference. Democrats typically hold this district. After the 2021 redistricting process, AD-60 is largely unchanged, and maintains a Democratic registration advantage of 25%.
District demographics: 51% Latino, 5% Asian, and 15% Black. This district is considered to be one of the strong Latino seats in the California Assembly delegation.
Recent election results: AD-60 voted for Joe Biden for president in 2020 by 26 points and Gavin Newsom for governor in 2018 by 19 points.
The Position
State assemblymembers represent and advocate for the needs of their district constituents at the California State Capitol. They are responsible for creating, debating, and voting on legislation that addresses issues within their district.
The California State Assembly has 80 districts. Each represents a population of at least 465,000 Californians. Representatives are elected to the Assembly for a two-year term. Every two years, all 80 seats are subject to election. Members elected before 2012 are restricted to three two-year terms (six years) in the Assembly. Those elected in or after 2012 are allowed to serve 12 years total across both the state Senate or Assembly. This term, Democrats currently hold a three-quarters supermajority of 60 seats in the California State Assembly, while Republicans hold 19 seats and one seat is held by an Independent.
Last updated: 2023-04-05
Courage California endorses Corey Jackson for State Assembly to put AD-60 on the right track for progress.
Corey Jackson’s policy positions demonstrate that he will be a progressive voice for the constituents of AD-60 and will govern effectively in the best interest of this diverse district.
Progressive endorsements: Jackson has the endorsement of a strong majority of progressive groups, including Planned Parenthood, Equality California, Inland Empire United, California Working Families Party, Voice for Progress, and the California Legislative Progressive Caucus, and labor unions, like California Nurses Association, United Domestic Workers, SEIU. He is also endorsed by a broad set of federal, state, and local elected officials, including U.S. Senator Alex Padilla, and Riverside County Supervisors Chuck Washington and Jeff Hewitt.
Electoral history: Jackson has run for office previously, and won his race for the Riverside Board of Education by 31 points.
Top issues: Jackson’s platform centers education and youth advocacy measures, like universal childcare, trauma-informed practices in school, and education reform. He also supports an affordable housing guarantee and campaign-finance reform.
Governance and community leadership Experience: Jackson serves on the Riverside County School Board, advocating to increase mental-health services in schools and to eliminate the criminalization of children. He also founded the nonprofit SBX Youth and Family Services, which aims to disrupt the cycle of poverty through mentorship, education, and community organizing. He also holds leadership positions in the Riverside NAACP.
Other background: Corey A. Jackson is from Rialto, CA, and has lived in Riverside County for more than ten years. He earned his bachelor’s at CSU San Bernardino and his master’s of social work from California Baptist University.
The Race
Primary election results: The June 2022 results included Corey A. Jackson (D), 27%; Hector Diaz Nava (R), 39.9%; Esther Portillo (D), 19.9%; and Jasmin Rubio (D), 13.2%. Corey Jackson and Hector Diaz-Nava will compete in a run-off in the November 8 general election.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Jackson’s campaign has raised $292,970 and is not funded by police unions, although he has accepted donations from the real estate industry, the fossil fuel industry, and corporate PACs.
Opposing candidate: Republican Hector Diaz Nava
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Nava’s campaign has raised $31,000 and has not committed to refusing donations from the police or the fossil fuel industry. His campaign is also principally self-funded.
The District
Counties in district: California’s 60th Assembly District includes parts of Riverside County.
Voter registration: 48% Democrat, 23% Republican, and 22% No Party Preference. Democrats typically hold this district. After the 2021 redistricting process, AD-60 is largely unchanged, and maintains a Democratic registration advantage of 25%.
District demographics: 51% Latino, 5% Asian, and 15% Black. This district is considered to be one of the strong Latino seats in the California Assembly delegation.
Recent election results: AD-60 voted for Joe Biden for president in 2020 by 26 points and Gavin Newsom for governor in 2018 by 19 points.
The Position
State assemblymembers represent and advocate for the needs of their district constituents at the California State Capitol. They are responsible for creating, debating, and voting on legislation that addresses issues within their district.
The California State Assembly has 80 districts. Each represents a population of at least 465,000 Californians. Representatives are elected to the Assembly for a two-year term. Every two years, all 80 seats are subject to election. Members elected before 2012 are restricted to three two-year terms (six years) in the Assembly. Those elected in or after 2012 are allowed to serve 12 years total across both the state Senate or Assembly. This term, Democrats currently hold a three-quarters supermajority of 60 seats in the California State Assembly, while Republicans hold 19 seats and one seat is held by an Independent.
Courage California endorses Corey Jackson for State Assembly to put AD-60 on the right track for progress.
Corey Jackson’s policy positions demonstrate that he will be a progressive voice for the constituents of AD-60 and will govern effectively in the best interest of this diverse district.
Progressive endorsements: Jackson has the endorsement of a strong majority of progressive groups, including Planned Parenthood, Equality California, Inland Empire United, California Working Families Party, Voice for Progress, and the California Legislative Progressive Caucus, and labor unions, like California Nurses Association, United Domestic Workers, SEIU. He is also endorsed by a broad set of federal, state, and local elected officials, including U.S. Senator Alex Padilla, and Riverside County Supervisors Chuck Washington and Jeff Hewitt.
Electoral history: Jackson has run for office previously, and won his race for the Riverside Board of Education by 31 points.
Top issues: Jackson’s platform centers education and youth advocacy measures, like universal childcare, trauma-informed practices in school, and education reform. He also supports an affordable housing guarantee and campaign-finance reform.
Governance and community leadership Experience: Jackson serves on the Riverside County School Board, advocating to increase mental-health services in schools and to eliminate the criminalization of children. He also founded the nonprofit SBX Youth and Family Services, which aims to disrupt the cycle of poverty through mentorship, education, and community organizing. He also holds leadership positions in the Riverside NAACP.
Other background: Corey A. Jackson is from Rialto, CA, and has lived in Riverside County for more than ten years. He earned his bachelor’s at CSU San Bernardino and his master’s of social work from California Baptist University.
The Race
Primary election results: The June 2022 results included Corey A. Jackson (D), 27%; Hector Diaz Nava (R), 39.9%; Esther Portillo (D), 19.9%; and Jasmin Rubio (D), 13.2%. Corey Jackson and Hector Diaz-Nava will compete in a run-off in the November 8 general election.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Jackson’s campaign has raised $292,970 and is not funded by police unions, although he has accepted donations from the real estate industry, the fossil fuel industry, and corporate PACs.
Opposing candidate: Republican Hector Diaz Nava
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Nava’s campaign has raised $31,000 and has not committed to refusing donations from the police or the fossil fuel industry. His campaign is also principally self-funded.
The District
Counties in district: California’s 60th Assembly District includes parts of Riverside County.
Voter registration: 48% Democrat, 23% Republican, and 22% No Party Preference. Democrats typically hold this district. After the 2021 redistricting process, AD-60 is largely unchanged, and maintains a Democratic registration advantage of 25%.
District demographics: 51% Latino, 5% Asian, and 15% Black. This district is considered to be one of the strong Latino seats in the California Assembly delegation.
Recent election results: AD-60 voted for Joe Biden for president in 2020 by 26 points and Gavin Newsom for governor in 2018 by 19 points.
The Position
State assemblymembers represent and advocate for the needs of their district constituents at the California State Capitol. They are responsible for creating, debating, and voting on legislation that addresses issues within their district.
The California State Assembly has 80 districts. Each represents a population of at least 465,000 Californians. Representatives are elected to the Assembly for a two-year term. Every two years, all 80 seats are subject to election. Members elected before 2012 are restricted to three two-year terms (six years) in the Assembly. Those elected in or after 2012 are allowed to serve 12 years total across both the state Senate or Assembly. This term, Democrats currently hold a three-quarters supermajority of 60 seats in the California State Assembly, while Republicans hold 19 seats and one seat is held by an Independent.
Courage California endorses Assemblymember Tina McKinnor for reelection to keep CD-61 on the right track for progress.
Assm. Tina McKinnor’s track record and policy positions demonstrate that she will continue to be a progressive voice for the constituents of AD-61 and will govern effectively in the best interest of this diverse district.
Progressive endorsements: Assm. McKinnor has the endorsement of many progressive groups, including ACCE Action, Black Women for Wellness Action Project, NARAL Pro-Choice California, and Working Families Party. She has also received the endorsement of many officials, including California Legislative Progressive Caucus, labor leader Dolores Huerta, Treasurer Fiona Ma, Senator Maria Elena Durazo, and Assm. Isaac Bryan.
Top issues: Housing, criminal-justice reform, climate protections, health care, and equity in the cannabis industry.
Priority bills: Assm. McKinnor joined the Assembly after a special election victory in June 2022, and has had limited time to present her priorities through legislation. So far, Assm. McKinnor’s priorities for her current district, AD-62, have included one amended bill about housing and zoning code. Before running for office, she also served as a district director and chief of staff in the State Assembly, where she guided significant legislation, including a bill that ensured that minority, women-owned, and LGBTQIA+ businesses would be given equal consideration as state contractors. Assm. McKinnor led LA Voice’s work in successfully advocating for the passing and implementation of SB 2 to increase police accountability. She also led LA Voice Action’s electoral campaigns to help elect Los Angeles Supervisor Holly Mitchell and District Attorney George Gascón. She has not yet been included in Courage Score, our annual analysis of legislators’ progressive voting record.
Committee leadership/membership: Assm. McKinnor currently sits on four committees, including Business & Professions, Environmental Safety & Toxic Materials, Public Employment & Retirement, and Rules.
Governance and community leadership experience: Assm. McKinnor has served in this assembly seat since 2022, when she was elected with over 53% of the vote in a special election to replace AD-62 Assm. Autumn Burke after her mid-term retirement.
Prior to joining the Assembly, Assm. McKinnor was the civic-engagement director for LA Voice and LA Voice Action, an interfaith organization that works with 59 connected congregations in Los Angeles County to bring progressive change to criminal justice, immigration, election reform, and housing reform. She does this work to find diverse and comprehensive solutions to community issues through local collaboration. McKinnor founded and runs the McKinnor Group, a consulting firm that offers a full spectrum of campaign services to elected officials, candidates, ballot-measure efforts, corporations, nonprofits, lobbyists, and other political groups. She has served as a board member with Partnership for Growth LA, and was the operational director for the California Democratic Party. McKinnor is a collaborative leader, and often seeks input and guidance from individuals and groups that have been directly affected by an issue. She has built a strong network in both the legislative and organizing communities, and has leveraged her deep knowledge of fiscal and people management to create meaningful change.
Other background: Tina McKinnor has lived in Los Angeles for 28 years.
The Race
Primary election results: The June 2022 results included Robert Pullen-Miles (D), 39%; Assm. Tina McKinnor (D), 33%; James Arlandus Spencer (R), 14%; Angie Reyes English (D), 11%; and Nico Ruderman (D), 4%. Assm. Tina McKinnor and Robert Pullen-Miles will compete in a run-off in the November 8 general election.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Assm. McKinnor’s campaign has raised $231,000 and is not funded by police, fossil fuel, real estate, or corporate PAC donors.
Opposing candidate: Republican Robert Pullen-Miles
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Pullen-Miles’s campaign has raised $91,000 and is funded by real estate, corporate PAC, fossil fuel, and police interests. His problematic donors include Inglewood Police Association PAC, Chevron Policy Government & Public Affairs, and California Real Estate PAC.
The District
Counties in district: California’s 61st Assembly District includes parts of Los Angeles County.
Voter registration: 63% Democrat, 9% Republican, and 21% No Party Preference. Democrats typically hold this seat. Since the 2021 redistricting process, AD-61 is 3% more Democratic than it was during the 2020 general election cycle.
District demographics: 34% Latino, 6% Asian, and 34% Black.
Recent election results: AD-61 voted for Joe Biden for president in 2020 by 68 points and Gavin Newsom for governor in 2018 by 69 points.
The Position
State assemblymembers represent and advocate for the needs of their district constituents at the California State Capitol. They are responsible for creating, debating, and voting on legislation that addresses issues within their district.
The California State Assembly has 80 districts. Each represents a population of at least 465,000 Californians. Representatives are elected to the Assembly for a two-year term. Every two years, all 80 seats are subject to election. Members elected before 2012 are restricted to three two-year terms (six years) in the Assembly. Those elected in or after 2012 are allowed to serve 12 years total across both the state Senate or Assembly. This term, Democrats currently hold a three-quarters supermajority of 60 seats in the California State Assembly, while Republicans hold 19 seats and one seat is held by an Independent.
Last updated: 2023-04-05
Courage California endorses Assemblymember Tina McKinnor for reelection to keep CD-61 on the right track for progress.
Assm. Tina McKinnor’s track record and policy positions demonstrate that she will continue to be a progressive voice for the constituents of AD-61 and will govern effectively in the best interest of this diverse district.
Progressive endorsements: Assm. McKinnor has the endorsement of many progressive groups, including ACCE Action, Black Women for Wellness Action Project, NARAL Pro-Choice California, and Working Families Party. She has also received the endorsement of many officials, including California Legislative Progressive Caucus, labor leader Dolores Huerta, Treasurer Fiona Ma, Senator Maria Elena Durazo, and Assm. Isaac Bryan.
Top issues: Housing, criminal-justice reform, climate protections, health care, and equity in the cannabis industry.
Priority bills: Assm. McKinnor joined the Assembly after a special election victory in June 2022, and has had limited time to present her priorities through legislation. So far, Assm. McKinnor’s priorities for her current district, AD-62, have included one amended bill about housing and zoning code. Before running for office, she also served as a district director and chief of staff in the State Assembly, where she guided significant legislation, including a bill that ensured that minority, women-owned, and LGBTQIA+ businesses would be given equal consideration as state contractors. Assm. McKinnor led LA Voice’s work in successfully advocating for the passing and implementation of SB 2 to increase police accountability. She also led LA Voice Action’s electoral campaigns to help elect Los Angeles Supervisor Holly Mitchell and District Attorney George Gascón. She has not yet been included in Courage Score, our annual analysis of legislators’ progressive voting record.
Committee leadership/membership: Assm. McKinnor currently sits on four committees, including Business & Professions, Environmental Safety & Toxic Materials, Public Employment & Retirement, and Rules.
Governance and community leadership experience: Assm. McKinnor has served in this assembly seat since 2022, when she was elected with over 53% of the vote in a special election to replace AD-62 Assm. Autumn Burke after her mid-term retirement.
Prior to joining the Assembly, Assm. McKinnor was the civic-engagement director for LA Voice and LA Voice Action, an interfaith organization that works with 59 connected congregations in Los Angeles County to bring progressive change to criminal justice, immigration, election reform, and housing reform. She does this work to find diverse and comprehensive solutions to community issues through local collaboration. McKinnor founded and runs the McKinnor Group, a consulting firm that offers a full spectrum of campaign services to elected officials, candidates, ballot-measure efforts, corporations, nonprofits, lobbyists, and other political groups. She has served as a board member with Partnership for Growth LA, and was the operational director for the California Democratic Party. McKinnor is a collaborative leader, and often seeks input and guidance from individuals and groups that have been directly affected by an issue. She has built a strong network in both the legislative and organizing communities, and has leveraged her deep knowledge of fiscal and people management to create meaningful change.
Other background: Tina McKinnor has lived in Los Angeles for 28 years.
The Race
Primary election results: The June 2022 results included Robert Pullen-Miles (D), 39%; Assm. Tina McKinnor (D), 33%; James Arlandus Spencer (R), 14%; Angie Reyes English (D), 11%; and Nico Ruderman (D), 4%. Assm. Tina McKinnor and Robert Pullen-Miles will compete in a run-off in the November 8 general election.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Assm. McKinnor’s campaign has raised $231,000 and is not funded by police, fossil fuel, real estate, or corporate PAC donors.
Opposing candidate: Republican Robert Pullen-Miles
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Pullen-Miles’s campaign has raised $91,000 and is funded by real estate, corporate PAC, fossil fuel, and police interests. His problematic donors include Inglewood Police Association PAC, Chevron Policy Government & Public Affairs, and California Real Estate PAC.
The District
Counties in district: California’s 61st Assembly District includes parts of Los Angeles County.
Voter registration: 63% Democrat, 9% Republican, and 21% No Party Preference. Democrats typically hold this seat. Since the 2021 redistricting process, AD-61 is 3% more Democratic than it was during the 2020 general election cycle.
District demographics: 34% Latino, 6% Asian, and 34% Black.
Recent election results: AD-61 voted for Joe Biden for president in 2020 by 68 points and Gavin Newsom for governor in 2018 by 69 points.
The Position
State assemblymembers represent and advocate for the needs of their district constituents at the California State Capitol. They are responsible for creating, debating, and voting on legislation that addresses issues within their district.
The California State Assembly has 80 districts. Each represents a population of at least 465,000 Californians. Representatives are elected to the Assembly for a two-year term. Every two years, all 80 seats are subject to election. Members elected before 2012 are restricted to three two-year terms (six years) in the Assembly. Those elected in or after 2012 are allowed to serve 12 years total across both the state Senate or Assembly. This term, Democrats currently hold a three-quarters supermajority of 60 seats in the California State Assembly, while Republicans hold 19 seats and one seat is held by an Independent.
Courage California endorses Assemblymember Tina McKinnor for reelection to keep CD-61 on the right track for progress.
Assm. Tina McKinnor’s track record and policy positions demonstrate that she will continue to be a progressive voice for the constituents of AD-61 and will govern effectively in the best interest of this diverse district.
Progressive endorsements: Assm. McKinnor has the endorsement of many progressive groups, including ACCE Action, Black Women for Wellness Action Project, NARAL Pro-Choice California, and Working Families Party. She has also received the endorsement of many officials, including California Legislative Progressive Caucus, labor leader Dolores Huerta, Treasurer Fiona Ma, Senator Maria Elena Durazo, and Assm. Isaac Bryan.
Top issues: Housing, criminal-justice reform, climate protections, health care, and equity in the cannabis industry.
Priority bills: Assm. McKinnor joined the Assembly after a special election victory in June 2022, and has had limited time to present her priorities through legislation. So far, Assm. McKinnor’s priorities for her current district, AD-62, have included one amended bill about housing and zoning code. Before running for office, she also served as a district director and chief of staff in the State Assembly, where she guided significant legislation, including a bill that ensured that minority, women-owned, and LGBTQIA+ businesses would be given equal consideration as state contractors. Assm. McKinnor led LA Voice’s work in successfully advocating for the passing and implementation of SB 2 to increase police accountability. She also led LA Voice Action’s electoral campaigns to help elect Los Angeles Supervisor Holly Mitchell and District Attorney George Gascón. She has not yet been included in Courage Score, our annual analysis of legislators’ progressive voting record.
Committee leadership/membership: Assm. McKinnor currently sits on four committees, including Business & Professions, Environmental Safety & Toxic Materials, Public Employment & Retirement, and Rules.
Governance and community leadership experience: Assm. McKinnor has served in this assembly seat since 2022, when she was elected with over 53% of the vote in a special election to replace AD-62 Assm. Autumn Burke after her mid-term retirement.
Prior to joining the Assembly, Assm. McKinnor was the civic-engagement director for LA Voice and LA Voice Action, an interfaith organization that works with 59 connected congregations in Los Angeles County to bring progressive change to criminal justice, immigration, election reform, and housing reform. She does this work to find diverse and comprehensive solutions to community issues through local collaboration. McKinnor founded and runs the McKinnor Group, a consulting firm that offers a full spectrum of campaign services to elected officials, candidates, ballot-measure efforts, corporations, nonprofits, lobbyists, and other political groups. She has served as a board member with Partnership for Growth LA, and was the operational director for the California Democratic Party. McKinnor is a collaborative leader, and often seeks input and guidance from individuals and groups that have been directly affected by an issue. She has built a strong network in both the legislative and organizing communities, and has leveraged her deep knowledge of fiscal and people management to create meaningful change.
Other background: Tina McKinnor has lived in Los Angeles for 28 years.
The Race
Primary election results: The June 2022 results included Robert Pullen-Miles (D), 39%; Assm. Tina McKinnor (D), 33%; James Arlandus Spencer (R), 14%; Angie Reyes English (D), 11%; and Nico Ruderman (D), 4%. Assm. Tina McKinnor and Robert Pullen-Miles will compete in a run-off in the November 8 general election.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Assm. McKinnor’s campaign has raised $231,000 and is not funded by police, fossil fuel, real estate, or corporate PAC donors.
Opposing candidate: Republican Robert Pullen-Miles
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Pullen-Miles’s campaign has raised $91,000 and is funded by real estate, corporate PAC, fossil fuel, and police interests. His problematic donors include Inglewood Police Association PAC, Chevron Policy Government & Public Affairs, and California Real Estate PAC.
The District
Counties in district: California’s 61st Assembly District includes parts of Los Angeles County.
Voter registration: 63% Democrat, 9% Republican, and 21% No Party Preference. Democrats typically hold this seat. Since the 2021 redistricting process, AD-61 is 3% more Democratic than it was during the 2020 general election cycle.
District demographics: 34% Latino, 6% Asian, and 34% Black.
Recent election results: AD-61 voted for Joe Biden for president in 2020 by 68 points and Gavin Newsom for governor in 2018 by 69 points.
The Position
State assemblymembers represent and advocate for the needs of their district constituents at the California State Capitol. They are responsible for creating, debating, and voting on legislation that addresses issues within their district.
The California State Assembly has 80 districts. Each represents a population of at least 465,000 Californians. Representatives are elected to the Assembly for a two-year term. Every two years, all 80 seats are subject to election. Members elected before 2012 are restricted to three two-year terms (six years) in the Assembly. Those elected in or after 2012 are allowed to serve 12 years total across both the state Senate or Assembly. This term, Democrats currently hold a three-quarters supermajority of 60 seats in the California State Assembly, while Republicans hold 19 seats and one seat is held by an Independent.
Courage California endorses Fauzia Rizvi for State Assembly to push AD-63 in the right direction.
Fauzia Rizvi’s track record and policy positions demonstrate that she will be a progressive voice for the constituents of AD-63 and will govern effectively in the best interest of this diverse district.
Progressive endorsements: Rizvi has the endorsement of many progressive groups, including Courage California, Equality California, California Environmental Justice Alliance Action, Inland Empire United, and United Domestic Workers. She is also endorsed by many federal and state elected officials, including Governor Gavin Newsom, Rep. Mark Takano, and Assm. Eloise Gómez Reyes. Rizvi also has the support of local mayors, city councilmembers, school board trustees, and commissioners.
Electoral history: Rizvi has run for office previously, and won her race for the Western Municipal Water District Division 5 against her closest opponent by 19 points.
Top issues: Housing, infrastructure, veterans, education, small business, and access to clean water.
Priority policies: As a member of the Western Municipal Water District Division 5, she has ensured a balanced budget that provides high-quality services and a safe and reliable water supply to the public. Rizvi is pledging to bring more resources to the district for education, housing, and environmental and climate resilience when elected to the Assembly.
Governance and community leadership experience: Rizvi is a Water Board member, a role she works in because of her passion for water and environmental protection. She helped ensure that her district was one of the first water districts to ensure water access continued during the pandemic and has been a longtime supporter of ensuring safe infrastructure and clean water.
Other background: Rizvi, an engineer and business owner, is a longtime resident of Corona. She helped cofound the nonprofit For the People Task Force (FTPT). FTPT has been instrumental in providing essential workers with over 20,000 homemade hand-sewn masks and also established a food bank and pantry in Corona.
The Race
Primary election results: The June 2022 results included Fauzia Rizvi (D), 40%; Bill Essayli (R), 34%; and Clint Lorimore (R), 26%. Rizvi and Essayli will compete in a run-off in the November 8 general election.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Rizvi’s campaign has raised $156,000 and is not funded by police, corporate, real estate, or police money.
Opposing candidate: Republican Bill Essayli
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Essayli’s campaign has raised $243,000 and is funded by police and corporate money. While Essayli claims residency in this district, he voted in Orange County, which is outside AD63, for the primary election. There are questions regarding whether he will be able to serve in the Assembly if he is not a resident of the district.
The District
Counties in district: California’s 63 Assembly District is entirely within Riverside County.
Voter registration: 34% Democrat, 38% Republican, and 20% No Party Preference. Republicans have held this district since 1992. Since the 2021 redistricting process, AD-63 is 3% less Republican than it was during the 2020 general election cycle.
District demographics: 31% Latino, 11% Asian, and 7% Black.
Recent election results: AD-63 voted for Trump for president in 2020 by 11 points and Cox for governor in 2018 by 16 points.
The Position
State assemblymembers represent and advocate for the needs of their district constituents at the California State Capitol. They are responsible for creating, debating, and voting on legislation that addresses issues within their district.
The California State Assembly has 80 districts. Each represents a population of at least 465,000 Californians. Representatives are elected to the Assembly for a two-year term. Every two years, all 80 seats are subject to election. Members elected before 2012 are restricted to three two-year terms (six years) in the Assembly. Those elected in or after 2012 are allowed to serve 12 years total across both the state Senate or Assembly. This term, Democrats currently hold a three-quarters supermajority of 60 seats in the California State Assembly, while Republicans hold 19 seats and one seat is held by an Independent.
Last updated: 2023-04-05
Courage California endorses Fauzia Rizvi for State Assembly to push AD-63 in the right direction.
Fauzia Rizvi’s track record and policy positions demonstrate that she will be a progressive voice for the constituents of AD-63 and will govern effectively in the best interest of this diverse district.
Progressive endorsements: Rizvi has the endorsement of many progressive groups, including Courage California, Equality California, California Environmental Justice Alliance Action, Inland Empire United, and United Domestic Workers. She is also endorsed by many federal and state elected officials, including Governor Gavin Newsom, Rep. Mark Takano, and Assm. Eloise Gómez Reyes. Rizvi also has the support of local mayors, city councilmembers, school board trustees, and commissioners.
Electoral history: Rizvi has run for office previously, and won her race for the Western Municipal Water District Division 5 against her closest opponent by 19 points.
Top issues: Housing, infrastructure, veterans, education, small business, and access to clean water.
Priority policies: As a member of the Western Municipal Water District Division 5, she has ensured a balanced budget that provides high-quality services and a safe and reliable water supply to the public. Rizvi is pledging to bring more resources to the district for education, housing, and environmental and climate resilience when elected to the Assembly.
Governance and community leadership experience: Rizvi is a Water Board member, a role she works in because of her passion for water and environmental protection. She helped ensure that her district was one of the first water districts to ensure water access continued during the pandemic and has been a longtime supporter of ensuring safe infrastructure and clean water.
Other background: Rizvi, an engineer and business owner, is a longtime resident of Corona. She helped cofound the nonprofit For the People Task Force (FTPT). FTPT has been instrumental in providing essential workers with over 20,000 homemade hand-sewn masks and also established a food bank and pantry in Corona.
The Race
Primary election results: The June 2022 results included Fauzia Rizvi (D), 40%; Bill Essayli (R), 34%; and Clint Lorimore (R), 26%. Rizvi and Essayli will compete in a run-off in the November 8 general election.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Rizvi’s campaign has raised $156,000 and is not funded by police, corporate, real estate, or police money.
Opposing candidate: Republican Bill Essayli
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Essayli’s campaign has raised $243,000 and is funded by police and corporate money. While Essayli claims residency in this district, he voted in Orange County, which is outside AD63, for the primary election. There are questions regarding whether he will be able to serve in the Assembly if he is not a resident of the district.
The District
Counties in district: California’s 63 Assembly District is entirely within Riverside County.
Voter registration: 34% Democrat, 38% Republican, and 20% No Party Preference. Republicans have held this district since 1992. Since the 2021 redistricting process, AD-63 is 3% less Republican than it was during the 2020 general election cycle.
District demographics: 31% Latino, 11% Asian, and 7% Black.
Recent election results: AD-63 voted for Trump for president in 2020 by 11 points and Cox for governor in 2018 by 16 points.
The Position
State assemblymembers represent and advocate for the needs of their district constituents at the California State Capitol. They are responsible for creating, debating, and voting on legislation that addresses issues within their district.
The California State Assembly has 80 districts. Each represents a population of at least 465,000 Californians. Representatives are elected to the Assembly for a two-year term. Every two years, all 80 seats are subject to election. Members elected before 2012 are restricted to three two-year terms (six years) in the Assembly. Those elected in or after 2012 are allowed to serve 12 years total across both the state Senate or Assembly. This term, Democrats currently hold a three-quarters supermajority of 60 seats in the California State Assembly, while Republicans hold 19 seats and one seat is held by an Independent.
Courage California endorses Fauzia Rizvi for State Assembly to push AD-63 in the right direction.
Fauzia Rizvi’s track record and policy positions demonstrate that she will be a progressive voice for the constituents of AD-63 and will govern effectively in the best interest of this diverse district.
Progressive endorsements: Rizvi has the endorsement of many progressive groups, including Courage California, Equality California, California Environmental Justice Alliance Action, Inland Empire United, and United Domestic Workers. She is also endorsed by many federal and state elected officials, including Governor Gavin Newsom, Rep. Mark Takano, and Assm. Eloise Gómez Reyes. Rizvi also has the support of local mayors, city councilmembers, school board trustees, and commissioners.
Electoral history: Rizvi has run for office previously, and won her race for the Western Municipal Water District Division 5 against her closest opponent by 19 points.
Top issues: Housing, infrastructure, veterans, education, small business, and access to clean water.
Priority policies: As a member of the Western Municipal Water District Division 5, she has ensured a balanced budget that provides high-quality services and a safe and reliable water supply to the public. Rizvi is pledging to bring more resources to the district for education, housing, and environmental and climate resilience when elected to the Assembly.
Governance and community leadership experience: Rizvi is a Water Board member, a role she works in because of her passion for water and environmental protection. She helped ensure that her district was one of the first water districts to ensure water access continued during the pandemic and has been a longtime supporter of ensuring safe infrastructure and clean water.
Other background: Rizvi, an engineer and business owner, is a longtime resident of Corona. She helped cofound the nonprofit For the People Task Force (FTPT). FTPT has been instrumental in providing essential workers with over 20,000 homemade hand-sewn masks and also established a food bank and pantry in Corona.
The Race
Primary election results: The June 2022 results included Fauzia Rizvi (D), 40%; Bill Essayli (R), 34%; and Clint Lorimore (R), 26%. Rizvi and Essayli will compete in a run-off in the November 8 general election.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Rizvi’s campaign has raised $156,000 and is not funded by police, corporate, real estate, or police money.
Opposing candidate: Republican Bill Essayli
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Essayli’s campaign has raised $243,000 and is funded by police and corporate money. While Essayli claims residency in this district, he voted in Orange County, which is outside AD63, for the primary election. There are questions regarding whether he will be able to serve in the Assembly if he is not a resident of the district.
The District
Counties in district: California’s 63 Assembly District is entirely within Riverside County.
Voter registration: 34% Democrat, 38% Republican, and 20% No Party Preference. Republicans have held this district since 1992. Since the 2021 redistricting process, AD-63 is 3% less Republican than it was during the 2020 general election cycle.
District demographics: 31% Latino, 11% Asian, and 7% Black.
Recent election results: AD-63 voted for Trump for president in 2020 by 11 points and Cox for governor in 2018 by 16 points.
The Position
State assemblymembers represent and advocate for the needs of their district constituents at the California State Capitol. They are responsible for creating, debating, and voting on legislation that addresses issues within their district.
The California State Assembly has 80 districts. Each represents a population of at least 465,000 Californians. Representatives are elected to the Assembly for a two-year term. Every two years, all 80 seats are subject to election. Members elected before 2012 are restricted to three two-year terms (six years) in the Assembly. Those elected in or after 2012 are allowed to serve 12 years total across both the state Senate or Assembly. This term, Democrats currently hold a three-quarters supermajority of 60 seats in the California State Assembly, while Republicans hold 19 seats and one seat is held by an Independent.
Courage California endorses Fatima Iqbal-Zubair for State Assembly to push AD-65 in the right direction.
Fatima Iqbal-Zubair’s track record and policy positions demonstrate that she will be a progressive champion for the constituents of AD-65 and will govern effectively in the best interest of this diverse district.
Progressive endorsements: Iqbal-Zubair has the endorsement of a strong majority of progressive groups, including Courage California, California Working Families Party, Communities for a Better Environment Action, California Progressive Alliance, Democratic Socialists of America-Los Angeles, Daybreak PAC, Health Care for All LA, and Project Super Bloom PAC. She is also endorsed by California Democratic Party Progressive Caucus Chair Amar Shergill and LA City Council member Mike Bonin.
Electoral history: Iqbal-Zubair ran for State Assembly in AD-64 in 2020 and lost to Democratic incumbent Assm. Mike Gipson by 19 points.
Top issues: equitable education, clean air and water, affordable housing, and universal health care for all.
Governance and community leadership experience: Iqbal-Zubair is a chemistry and environmental sciences teacher in Watts, a role in which she cultivates a strong relationship with her students and builds community. She founded an award-winning FIRST Robotics team and served as director of the Department of Science. Iqbal-Zubair became an advocate for the environment when she and her students studied air pollution from local refineries, water pollution from contaminated pipes, and soil contamination in gardens, play areas, and their own football field. She is active in local organizations, such as the Watts Rising Leadership Council. After performing well in the 2020 elections, she was appointed to the executive board of the California Democratic Party.
Iqbal-Zubair is running for election because she sees the struggles faced by her students and the district and because she believes in a government that works for all, not just a select few.
Other background: Iqbal-Zubair immigrated from Dubai.
The Race
Primary election results: The June 2022 results included Assm. Mike Gipson (D), 71%; and Fatima Iqbal-Zubair (D), 27%, and Lydia Gutierrez (R), a write-in candidate, 2%. Assm. Mike Gipson and Fatima Iqbal-Zubair will compete in a run-off in the November 8 general election.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Iqbal-Zubair’s campaign has raised over $469,000 and is not funded by police, real estate, corporate PAC or fossil fuel money. Her campaign funding consists almost entirely of individual contributions.
Opposing candidate: Democratic incumbent Assm. Mike Gipson
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Assm. Gipson’s campaign has raised over $1.4 million and is funded by police groups, real estate, corporate PAC, and fossil fuel money. Assm. Gipson scores a lifetime score of 73 out of 100 on Courage Score, our annual analysis of legislators’ progressive voting records. Based on our Courage Score analysis, Assm. Gipson has failed to support bills on tenant protections, single-use plastic bans, oil-drilling setbacks from schools and other sensitive areas, and worker protections.
The District
Counties in district: California’s 65th Assembly District includes parts of Los Angeles County.
Voter registration: 61% Democrat, 11% Republican, and 22% No Party Preference. Democrats typically hold this district. Since the 2021 redistricting process, AD-65 is 3% less Democratic than it was during the 2020 general election cycle.
District demographics: 49% Latino, 9% Asian, and 29% Black
Recent election results: The most recent election results show that AD-65 voted for Biden for president in 2020 by 61 points and Newsom for governor in 2018 by 63 points.
The Position
State assemblymembers represent and advocate for the needs of their district constituents at the California State Capitol. They are responsible for creating, debating, and voting on legislation that addresses issues within their district.
The California State Assembly has 80 districts. Each represents a population of at least 465,000 Californians. Representatives are elected to the Assembly for a two-year term. Every two years, all 80 seats are subject to election. Members elected before 2012 are restricted to three two-year terms (six years) in the Assembly. Those elected in or after 2012 are allowed to serve 12 years total across both the state Senate or Assembly. This term, Democrats currently hold a three-quarters supermajority of 60 seats in the California State Assembly, while Republicans hold 19 seats and one seat is held by an Independent.
Last updated: 2023-04-05
Courage California endorses Fatima Iqbal-Zubair for State Assembly to push AD-65 in the right direction.
Fatima Iqbal-Zubair’s track record and policy positions demonstrate that she will be a progressive champion for the constituents of AD-65 and will govern effectively in the best interest of this diverse district.
Progressive endorsements: Iqbal-Zubair has the endorsement of a strong majority of progressive groups, including Courage California, California Working Families Party, Communities for a Better Environment Action, California Progressive Alliance, Democratic Socialists of America-Los Angeles, Daybreak PAC, Health Care for All LA, and Project Super Bloom PAC. She is also endorsed by California Democratic Party Progressive Caucus Chair Amar Shergill and LA City Council member Mike Bonin.
Electoral history: Iqbal-Zubair ran for State Assembly in AD-64 in 2020 and lost to Democratic incumbent Assm. Mike Gipson by 19 points.
Top issues: equitable education, clean air and water, affordable housing, and universal health care for all.
Governance and community leadership experience: Iqbal-Zubair is a chemistry and environmental sciences teacher in Watts, a role in which she cultivates a strong relationship with her students and builds community. She founded an award-winning FIRST Robotics team and served as director of the Department of Science. Iqbal-Zubair became an advocate for the environment when she and her students studied air pollution from local refineries, water pollution from contaminated pipes, and soil contamination in gardens, play areas, and their own football field. She is active in local organizations, such as the Watts Rising Leadership Council. After performing well in the 2020 elections, she was appointed to the executive board of the California Democratic Party.
Iqbal-Zubair is running for election because she sees the struggles faced by her students and the district and because she believes in a government that works for all, not just a select few.
Other background: Iqbal-Zubair immigrated from Dubai.
The Race
Primary election results: The June 2022 results included Assm. Mike Gipson (D), 71%; and Fatima Iqbal-Zubair (D), 27%, and Lydia Gutierrez (R), a write-in candidate, 2%. Assm. Mike Gipson and Fatima Iqbal-Zubair will compete in a run-off in the November 8 general election.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Iqbal-Zubair’s campaign has raised over $469,000 and is not funded by police, real estate, corporate PAC or fossil fuel money. Her campaign funding consists almost entirely of individual contributions.
Opposing candidate: Democratic incumbent Assm. Mike Gipson
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Assm. Gipson’s campaign has raised over $1.4 million and is funded by police groups, real estate, corporate PAC, and fossil fuel money. Assm. Gipson scores a lifetime score of 73 out of 100 on Courage Score, our annual analysis of legislators’ progressive voting records. Based on our Courage Score analysis, Assm. Gipson has failed to support bills on tenant protections, single-use plastic bans, oil-drilling setbacks from schools and other sensitive areas, and worker protections.
The District
Counties in district: California’s 65th Assembly District includes parts of Los Angeles County.
Voter registration: 61% Democrat, 11% Republican, and 22% No Party Preference. Democrats typically hold this district. Since the 2021 redistricting process, AD-65 is 3% less Democratic than it was during the 2020 general election cycle.
District demographics: 49% Latino, 9% Asian, and 29% Black
Recent election results: The most recent election results show that AD-65 voted for Biden for president in 2020 by 61 points and Newsom for governor in 2018 by 63 points.
The Position
State assemblymembers represent and advocate for the needs of their district constituents at the California State Capitol. They are responsible for creating, debating, and voting on legislation that addresses issues within their district.
The California State Assembly has 80 districts. Each represents a population of at least 465,000 Californians. Representatives are elected to the Assembly for a two-year term. Every two years, all 80 seats are subject to election. Members elected before 2012 are restricted to three two-year terms (six years) in the Assembly. Those elected in or after 2012 are allowed to serve 12 years total across both the state Senate or Assembly. This term, Democrats currently hold a three-quarters supermajority of 60 seats in the California State Assembly, while Republicans hold 19 seats and one seat is held by an Independent.
Courage California endorses Fatima Iqbal-Zubair for State Assembly to push AD-65 in the right direction.
Fatima Iqbal-Zubair’s track record and policy positions demonstrate that she will be a progressive champion for the constituents of AD-65 and will govern effectively in the best interest of this diverse district.
Progressive endorsements: Iqbal-Zubair has the endorsement of a strong majority of progressive groups, including Courage California, California Working Families Party, Communities for a Better Environment Action, California Progressive Alliance, Democratic Socialists of America-Los Angeles, Daybreak PAC, Health Care for All LA, and Project Super Bloom PAC. She is also endorsed by California Democratic Party Progressive Caucus Chair Amar Shergill and LA City Council member Mike Bonin.
Electoral history: Iqbal-Zubair ran for State Assembly in AD-64 in 2020 and lost to Democratic incumbent Assm. Mike Gipson by 19 points.
Top issues: equitable education, clean air and water, affordable housing, and universal health care for all.
Governance and community leadership experience: Iqbal-Zubair is a chemistry and environmental sciences teacher in Watts, a role in which she cultivates a strong relationship with her students and builds community. She founded an award-winning FIRST Robotics team and served as director of the Department of Science. Iqbal-Zubair became an advocate for the environment when she and her students studied air pollution from local refineries, water pollution from contaminated pipes, and soil contamination in gardens, play areas, and their own football field. She is active in local organizations, such as the Watts Rising Leadership Council. After performing well in the 2020 elections, she was appointed to the executive board of the California Democratic Party.
Iqbal-Zubair is running for election because she sees the struggles faced by her students and the district and because she believes in a government that works for all, not just a select few.
Other background: Iqbal-Zubair immigrated from Dubai.
The Race
Primary election results: The June 2022 results included Assm. Mike Gipson (D), 71%; and Fatima Iqbal-Zubair (D), 27%, and Lydia Gutierrez (R), a write-in candidate, 2%. Assm. Mike Gipson and Fatima Iqbal-Zubair will compete in a run-off in the November 8 general election.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Iqbal-Zubair’s campaign has raised over $469,000 and is not funded by police, real estate, corporate PAC or fossil fuel money. Her campaign funding consists almost entirely of individual contributions.
Opposing candidate: Democratic incumbent Assm. Mike Gipson
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Assm. Gipson’s campaign has raised over $1.4 million and is funded by police groups, real estate, corporate PAC, and fossil fuel money. Assm. Gipson scores a lifetime score of 73 out of 100 on Courage Score, our annual analysis of legislators’ progressive voting records. Based on our Courage Score analysis, Assm. Gipson has failed to support bills on tenant protections, single-use plastic bans, oil-drilling setbacks from schools and other sensitive areas, and worker protections.
The District
Counties in district: California’s 65th Assembly District includes parts of Los Angeles County.
Voter registration: 61% Democrat, 11% Republican, and 22% No Party Preference. Democrats typically hold this district. Since the 2021 redistricting process, AD-65 is 3% less Democratic than it was during the 2020 general election cycle.
District demographics: 49% Latino, 9% Asian, and 29% Black
Recent election results: The most recent election results show that AD-65 voted for Biden for president in 2020 by 61 points and Newsom for governor in 2018 by 63 points.
The Position
State assemblymembers represent and advocate for the needs of their district constituents at the California State Capitol. They are responsible for creating, debating, and voting on legislation that addresses issues within their district.
The California State Assembly has 80 districts. Each represents a population of at least 465,000 Californians. Representatives are elected to the Assembly for a two-year term. Every two years, all 80 seats are subject to election. Members elected before 2012 are restricted to three two-year terms (six years) in the Assembly. Those elected in or after 2012 are allowed to serve 12 years total across both the state Senate or Assembly. This term, Democrats currently hold a three-quarters supermajority of 60 seats in the California State Assembly, while Republicans hold 19 seats and one seat is held by an Independent.
Courage California endorses Tim Robertson to put SD-4 on the right track for progress.
Tim Robertson’s track record and policy positions demonstrate that he will be a progressive voice for the constituents of SD-4 and will govern effectively in the best interest of this diverse district.
Progressive endorsements: Robertson has the endorsement of many progressive groups, including Planned Parenthood Advocates Mar Monte, Democratic Women of El Dorado County, and Modesto Progressive Democrats . He has also received endorsements from problematic stakeholders, including the Modesto Police Officers Association.
Electoral history: Robertson has not run for office previously.
Top issues: Jobs and economy, wildfires, water, education, and affordability.
Governance and community leadership experience: Robertson is a member of the United Way Boards of Stanislaus and Merced Counties, which he does to work with local school boards to connect students to career technical education. Robertson serves on three county-wide Workforce Development Boards to prepare people for jobs, to help them advance their careers, and to build a skilled workforce, He has collaborated with local legislators and community leaders to pass legislation to build infrastructure, expand health care, and create jobs. He has been a longtime supporter of economic growth and creating job opportunities for students.
Other background: Robertson, an elected member of the Keyes Community Services District, lives in Stanislaus County. He has worked with local legislators and community leaders to find common ground to enact policies that provide opportunities for all.
The Race
Primary election results: The June 2022 results included Tim Robertson (D), 22%; Marie Alvarado-Gil (D), 19%; and George Radanovich (R), 17%. Robertson and Alvarado-Gil will compete in a run-off in the November 8 general election.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Robertson’s campaign has raised $317,000 and is not funded by corporate, fossil fuel, police, or real estate money.
Opposing candidate: Democrat Marie Alvarado-Gil
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Alvarado-Gil’s campaign has raised $34,000.
The District
Counties in district: California’s 4th State Senate District includes parts of Stanislaus, El Dorado, Tuolumne, Calaveras, Madera, Amador, Mariposa, Nevada, Merced, Inyo, Placer, Mono, and Alpine Counties.
Voter registration: 35% Democrat, 38% Republican, and 19% No Party Preference. Republicans have held this district since 2014. Since the 2021 redistricting process, SD-4 is 2% more Republican than it was during the 2020 general election cycle.
District demographics: 23% Latino, 4% Asian, and 2% Black.
Recent election results: SD-4 voted for Trump for president in 2020 by 7 points and Cox for governor in 2018 by 11 points.
The Position
State senators represent and advocate for the needs of their district constituents at the California State Capitol. They are responsible for creating, debating, and voting on legislation that addresses issues within their district.
The California State Senate has 40 districts. Each represents a population of about 930,000 Californians. Representatives are elected to the Senate for a four-year term. Every two years, half of the Senate's 40 seats are subject to election. Members elected before 2012 are restricted to two four-year terms (eight years) in the Senate. Those elected in or after 2012 are allowed to serve 12 years total across both the state Senate or Assembly. This term, Democrats currently hold a two-thirds supermajority of 31 seats in the California State Senate, while Republicans hold 9 seats.
Last updated: 2023-04-05
Courage California endorses Tim Robertson to put SD-4 on the right track for progress.
Tim Robertson’s track record and policy positions demonstrate that he will be a progressive voice for the constituents of SD-4 and will govern effectively in the best interest of this diverse district.
Progressive endorsements: Robertson has the endorsement of many progressive groups, including Planned Parenthood Advocates Mar Monte, Democratic Women of El Dorado County, and Modesto Progressive Democrats . He has also received endorsements from problematic stakeholders, including the Modesto Police Officers Association.
Electoral history: Robertson has not run for office previously.
Top issues: Jobs and economy, wildfires, water, education, and affordability.
Governance and community leadership experience: Robertson is a member of the United Way Boards of Stanislaus and Merced Counties, which he does to work with local school boards to connect students to career technical education. Robertson serves on three county-wide Workforce Development Boards to prepare people for jobs, to help them advance their careers, and to build a skilled workforce, He has collaborated with local legislators and community leaders to pass legislation to build infrastructure, expand health care, and create jobs. He has been a longtime supporter of economic growth and creating job opportunities for students.
Other background: Robertson, an elected member of the Keyes Community Services District, lives in Stanislaus County. He has worked with local legislators and community leaders to find common ground to enact policies that provide opportunities for all.
The Race
Primary election results: The June 2022 results included Tim Robertson (D), 22%; Marie Alvarado-Gil (D), 19%; and George Radanovich (R), 17%. Robertson and Alvarado-Gil will compete in a run-off in the November 8 general election.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Robertson’s campaign has raised $317,000 and is not funded by corporate, fossil fuel, police, or real estate money.
Opposing candidate: Democrat Marie Alvarado-Gil
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Alvarado-Gil’s campaign has raised $34,000.
The District
Counties in district: California’s 4th State Senate District includes parts of Stanislaus, El Dorado, Tuolumne, Calaveras, Madera, Amador, Mariposa, Nevada, Merced, Inyo, Placer, Mono, and Alpine Counties.
Voter registration: 35% Democrat, 38% Republican, and 19% No Party Preference. Republicans have held this district since 2014. Since the 2021 redistricting process, SD-4 is 2% more Republican than it was during the 2020 general election cycle.
District demographics: 23% Latino, 4% Asian, and 2% Black.
Recent election results: SD-4 voted for Trump for president in 2020 by 7 points and Cox for governor in 2018 by 11 points.
The Position
State senators represent and advocate for the needs of their district constituents at the California State Capitol. They are responsible for creating, debating, and voting on legislation that addresses issues within their district.
The California State Senate has 40 districts. Each represents a population of about 930,000 Californians. Representatives are elected to the Senate for a four-year term. Every two years, half of the Senate's 40 seats are subject to election. Members elected before 2012 are restricted to two four-year terms (eight years) in the Senate. Those elected in or after 2012 are allowed to serve 12 years total across both the state Senate or Assembly. This term, Democrats currently hold a two-thirds supermajority of 31 seats in the California State Senate, while Republicans hold 9 seats.
Courage California endorses Tim Robertson to put SD-4 on the right track for progress.
Tim Robertson’s track record and policy positions demonstrate that he will be a progressive voice for the constituents of SD-4 and will govern effectively in the best interest of this diverse district.
Progressive endorsements: Robertson has the endorsement of many progressive groups, including Planned Parenthood Advocates Mar Monte, Democratic Women of El Dorado County, and Modesto Progressive Democrats . He has also received endorsements from problematic stakeholders, including the Modesto Police Officers Association.
Electoral history: Robertson has not run for office previously.
Top issues: Jobs and economy, wildfires, water, education, and affordability.
Governance and community leadership experience: Robertson is a member of the United Way Boards of Stanislaus and Merced Counties, which he does to work with local school boards to connect students to career technical education. Robertson serves on three county-wide Workforce Development Boards to prepare people for jobs, to help them advance their careers, and to build a skilled workforce, He has collaborated with local legislators and community leaders to pass legislation to build infrastructure, expand health care, and create jobs. He has been a longtime supporter of economic growth and creating job opportunities for students.
Other background: Robertson, an elected member of the Keyes Community Services District, lives in Stanislaus County. He has worked with local legislators and community leaders to find common ground to enact policies that provide opportunities for all.
The Race
Primary election results: The June 2022 results included Tim Robertson (D), 22%; Marie Alvarado-Gil (D), 19%; and George Radanovich (R), 17%. Robertson and Alvarado-Gil will compete in a run-off in the November 8 general election.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Robertson’s campaign has raised $317,000 and is not funded by corporate, fossil fuel, police, or real estate money.
Opposing candidate: Democrat Marie Alvarado-Gil
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Alvarado-Gil’s campaign has raised $34,000.
The District
Counties in district: California’s 4th State Senate District includes parts of Stanislaus, El Dorado, Tuolumne, Calaveras, Madera, Amador, Mariposa, Nevada, Merced, Inyo, Placer, Mono, and Alpine Counties.
Voter registration: 35% Democrat, 38% Republican, and 19% No Party Preference. Republicans have held this district since 2014. Since the 2021 redistricting process, SD-4 is 2% more Republican than it was during the 2020 general election cycle.
District demographics: 23% Latino, 4% Asian, and 2% Black.
Recent election results: SD-4 voted for Trump for president in 2020 by 7 points and Cox for governor in 2018 by 11 points.
The Position
State senators represent and advocate for the needs of their district constituents at the California State Capitol. They are responsible for creating, debating, and voting on legislation that addresses issues within their district.
The California State Senate has 40 districts. Each represents a population of about 930,000 Californians. Representatives are elected to the Senate for a four-year term. Every two years, half of the Senate's 40 seats are subject to election. Members elected before 2012 are restricted to two four-year terms (eight years) in the Senate. Those elected in or after 2012 are allowed to serve 12 years total across both the state Senate or Assembly. This term, Democrats currently hold a two-thirds supermajority of 31 seats in the California State Senate, while Republicans hold 9 seats.
Courage California endorses Paula Villescaz for state Senate to put SD-06 on the right track for progress.
Paula Villescaz’s track record and policy positions demonstrate that she will be a progressive voice for the constituents of SD-06 and will govern effectively in the best interest of this diverse district.
Progressive endorsements: Villescaz has the endorsement of a strong majority of progressive groups, including California Environmental Voters, California Young Democrats, NARAL Pro-Choice, SEIU California, and California Federation of Teachers. She has also received the endorsement of many elected officials, including Senator Alex Padilla, Governor Gavin Newsom, Assm. Ash Kalra, Assm. Nancy Skinner, and several local city councilmembers and school board members.
Electoral history: Villescaz has run for office previously, winning her 2020 nonpartisan race to join the San Juan Unified Board of Education with 18% of the vote.
Top issues: Affordable health care, community safety and investment, education funding and reform, climate protections, homelessness, and housing.
Priority bills: As an elected member of the San Juan Unified Board of Education, her work has been focused on passing a school bond to upgrade buildings, expand extracurricular opportunities, and increase in-school student support. She currently serves as the board president.
Governance and community leadership experience: Villescaz is a public servant, and worked as an assistant secretary for the California Health and Human Services Agency at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. In this role, she was responsible for creating efficiencies in public-health programs to limit disparities in service access for community members. She currently serves as director of Legislative Advocacy for the County Welfare Directors Association, which allows her to liaise on policy with the federal government on issues of emergency response and disaster recovery.
Other background: Paula Villescaz is from Sacramento. She was raised by a single parent, is the first in her family to graduate from college, and survived cancer in young adulthood. She has seen firsthand how education and health-care systems can fail individuals and communities, and has pursued leadership roles in both of these areas to create broader and more equitable policies to benefit her local community.
The Race
Primary election results: The June 2022 results included Paula Villescaz (D), 43%; Roger Niello (R), 43%; and Michael Huang (R), 14%. Paula Villescaz and Roger Niello will compete in a run-off in the November 8 general election.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Villescaz’s campaign has raised $363,000 and is not funded by real estate, corporate PAC, fossil fuel, or police money.
Opposing candidate: Republican Roger Niello
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Niello’s campaign has raised $588,000 and is funded by police, fossil fuel, corporate PAC, and real estate donors. His problematic funders include Chevron Corporation, California Real Estate PAC, and California Correctional Peace Officers Association Local PAC. Notably, Niello is a former member of the State Assembly, representing AD-05 from 2004 to 2010.
The District
Counties in district: California’s 6th Senate District includes parts of Sacramento and Placer Counties.
Voter registration: 35% Democrat, 36% Republican, and 20% No Party Preference. Democrats typically hold this district. Since the 2021 redistricting process, SD-6 is 3% less Republican than it was during the 2020 general election cycle.
District demographics: 13% Latino, 8% Asian, and 5% Black.
Recent election results: SD-6 voted for Joe Biden for president in 2020 by one point and John Cox for governor in 2018 by nine points.
The Position
State senators represent and advocate for the needs of their district constituents at the California State Capitol. They are responsible for creating, debating, and voting on legislation that addresses issues within their district.
The California State Senate has 40 districts. Each represents a population of about 930,000 Californians. Representatives are elected to the Senate for a four-year term. Every two years, half of the Senate's 40 seats are subject to election. Members elected before 2012 are restricted to two four-year terms (eight years) in the Senate. Those elected in or after 2012 are allowed to serve 12 years total across both the state Senate or Assembly. This term, Democrats currently hold a two-thirds supermajority of 31 seats in the California State Senate, while Republicans hold 9 seats.
Last updated: 2023-04-05
Courage California endorses Paula Villescaz for state Senate to put SD-06 on the right track for progress.
Paula Villescaz’s track record and policy positions demonstrate that she will be a progressive voice for the constituents of SD-06 and will govern effectively in the best interest of this diverse district.
Progressive endorsements: Villescaz has the endorsement of a strong majority of progressive groups, including California Environmental Voters, California Young Democrats, NARAL Pro-Choice, SEIU California, and California Federation of Teachers. She has also received the endorsement of many elected officials, including Senator Alex Padilla, Governor Gavin Newsom, Assm. Ash Kalra, Assm. Nancy Skinner, and several local city councilmembers and school board members.
Electoral history: Villescaz has run for office previously, winning her 2020 nonpartisan race to join the San Juan Unified Board of Education with 18% of the vote.
Top issues: Affordable health care, community safety and investment, education funding and reform, climate protections, homelessness, and housing.
Priority bills: As an elected member of the San Juan Unified Board of Education, her work has been focused on passing a school bond to upgrade buildings, expand extracurricular opportunities, and increase in-school student support. She currently serves as the board president.
Governance and community leadership experience: Villescaz is a public servant, and worked as an assistant secretary for the California Health and Human Services Agency at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. In this role, she was responsible for creating efficiencies in public-health programs to limit disparities in service access for community members. She currently serves as director of Legislative Advocacy for the County Welfare Directors Association, which allows her to liaise on policy with the federal government on issues of emergency response and disaster recovery.
Other background: Paula Villescaz is from Sacramento. She was raised by a single parent, is the first in her family to graduate from college, and survived cancer in young adulthood. She has seen firsthand how education and health-care systems can fail individuals and communities, and has pursued leadership roles in both of these areas to create broader and more equitable policies to benefit her local community.
The Race
Primary election results: The June 2022 results included Paula Villescaz (D), 43%; Roger Niello (R), 43%; and Michael Huang (R), 14%. Paula Villescaz and Roger Niello will compete in a run-off in the November 8 general election.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Villescaz’s campaign has raised $363,000 and is not funded by real estate, corporate PAC, fossil fuel, or police money.
Opposing candidate: Republican Roger Niello
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Niello’s campaign has raised $588,000 and is funded by police, fossil fuel, corporate PAC, and real estate donors. His problematic funders include Chevron Corporation, California Real Estate PAC, and California Correctional Peace Officers Association Local PAC. Notably, Niello is a former member of the State Assembly, representing AD-05 from 2004 to 2010.
The District
Counties in district: California’s 6th Senate District includes parts of Sacramento and Placer Counties.
Voter registration: 35% Democrat, 36% Republican, and 20% No Party Preference. Democrats typically hold this district. Since the 2021 redistricting process, SD-6 is 3% less Republican than it was during the 2020 general election cycle.
District demographics: 13% Latino, 8% Asian, and 5% Black.
Recent election results: SD-6 voted for Joe Biden for president in 2020 by one point and John Cox for governor in 2018 by nine points.
The Position
State senators represent and advocate for the needs of their district constituents at the California State Capitol. They are responsible for creating, debating, and voting on legislation that addresses issues within their district.
The California State Senate has 40 districts. Each represents a population of about 930,000 Californians. Representatives are elected to the Senate for a four-year term. Every two years, half of the Senate's 40 seats are subject to election. Members elected before 2012 are restricted to two four-year terms (eight years) in the Senate. Those elected in or after 2012 are allowed to serve 12 years total across both the state Senate or Assembly. This term, Democrats currently hold a two-thirds supermajority of 31 seats in the California State Senate, while Republicans hold 9 seats.
Courage California endorses Paula Villescaz for state Senate to put SD-06 on the right track for progress.
Paula Villescaz’s track record and policy positions demonstrate that she will be a progressive voice for the constituents of SD-06 and will govern effectively in the best interest of this diverse district.
Progressive endorsements: Villescaz has the endorsement of a strong majority of progressive groups, including California Environmental Voters, California Young Democrats, NARAL Pro-Choice, SEIU California, and California Federation of Teachers. She has also received the endorsement of many elected officials, including Senator Alex Padilla, Governor Gavin Newsom, Assm. Ash Kalra, Assm. Nancy Skinner, and several local city councilmembers and school board members.
Electoral history: Villescaz has run for office previously, winning her 2020 nonpartisan race to join the San Juan Unified Board of Education with 18% of the vote.
Top issues: Affordable health care, community safety and investment, education funding and reform, climate protections, homelessness, and housing.
Priority bills: As an elected member of the San Juan Unified Board of Education, her work has been focused on passing a school bond to upgrade buildings, expand extracurricular opportunities, and increase in-school student support. She currently serves as the board president.
Governance and community leadership experience: Villescaz is a public servant, and worked as an assistant secretary for the California Health and Human Services Agency at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. In this role, she was responsible for creating efficiencies in public-health programs to limit disparities in service access for community members. She currently serves as director of Legislative Advocacy for the County Welfare Directors Association, which allows her to liaise on policy with the federal government on issues of emergency response and disaster recovery.
Other background: Paula Villescaz is from Sacramento. She was raised by a single parent, is the first in her family to graduate from college, and survived cancer in young adulthood. She has seen firsthand how education and health-care systems can fail individuals and communities, and has pursued leadership roles in both of these areas to create broader and more equitable policies to benefit her local community.
The Race
Primary election results: The June 2022 results included Paula Villescaz (D), 43%; Roger Niello (R), 43%; and Michael Huang (R), 14%. Paula Villescaz and Roger Niello will compete in a run-off in the November 8 general election.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Villescaz’s campaign has raised $363,000 and is not funded by real estate, corporate PAC, fossil fuel, or police money.
Opposing candidate: Republican Roger Niello
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Niello’s campaign has raised $588,000 and is funded by police, fossil fuel, corporate PAC, and real estate donors. His problematic funders include Chevron Corporation, California Real Estate PAC, and California Correctional Peace Officers Association Local PAC. Notably, Niello is a former member of the State Assembly, representing AD-05 from 2004 to 2010.
The District
Counties in district: California’s 6th Senate District includes parts of Sacramento and Placer Counties.
Voter registration: 35% Democrat, 36% Republican, and 20% No Party Preference. Democrats typically hold this district. Since the 2021 redistricting process, SD-6 is 3% less Republican than it was during the 2020 general election cycle.
District demographics: 13% Latino, 8% Asian, and 5% Black.
Recent election results: SD-6 voted for Joe Biden for president in 2020 by one point and John Cox for governor in 2018 by nine points.
The Position
State senators represent and advocate for the needs of their district constituents at the California State Capitol. They are responsible for creating, debating, and voting on legislation that addresses issues within their district.
The California State Senate has 40 districts. Each represents a population of about 930,000 Californians. Representatives are elected to the Senate for a four-year term. Every two years, half of the Senate's 40 seats are subject to election. Members elected before 2012 are restricted to two four-year terms (eight years) in the Senate. Those elected in or after 2012 are allowed to serve 12 years total across both the state Senate or Assembly. This term, Democrats currently hold a two-thirds supermajority of 31 seats in the California State Senate, while Republicans hold 9 seats.
Courage California endorses Dave Jones for State Senate to put SD-08 on the right track for progress.
Dave Jones’s track record and policy positions demonstrate that he will be a progressive voice for the constituents of SD-08 and will govern effectively in the best interest of this diverse district.
Progressive endorsements: Jones has the endorsement of many progressive groups, including ACCE Action, California Environmental Voters, Indivisible Sacramento, California Working Families Party, several Sacramento County democratic clubs, and many labor unions. He also has the support of Dolores Huerta, Treasurer Fiona Ma, Rep. Katie Porter, and many local leaders.
Electoral history: During his public career, Jones has run and won races for the Sacramento City Council, the State Assembly, and the California insurance commissioner seat. Most recently, he won his reelection bid for the California insurance commissioner seat against a Republican challenger by 15 points in 2014.
Top issues: Consumer protections, health care and health insurance, abortion access and protections, environmental protections and pollution reduction, and expansion of early-childhood education.
Priority bills: Jones has an established record of public service that has brought tangible benefits to the communities he has represented. He served on the Sacramento City Council from 1999 to 2004, during which time he brought substantial funding for improvements to African-American, Latino, and Asian and Pacific Islander neighborhoods, which were historically neglected by the city. From 2004 to 2010, Jones served as state assemblymember, during which time he authored and supported progressive legislation that included abuse protections for adult dependents, gender equality in health insurance costs, and securing funding to improve the state’s hospital and child health-care safety net. From 2011 to 2019, Jones served as California’s insurance commissioner, when he issued numerous regulations to protect consumers, started enforcement actions against insurers, and defended consumers from rate increases, saving them over $3 billion.
Governance and community leadership experience: Jones has worked to promote environmental and economic justice for over two decades. He is currently senior director of the Nature Conservancy and director of the Climate Risk Initiative at the Center for Law, Energy, and the Environment (CLEE). In this capacity, he testifies before Congress and urges financial regulators to address the risks posed by climate change. Jones’s advocacy for low-income communities led him to receive a White House Fellowship in 1995, and he continued this work in the years after, when he was able to bring successful lawsuits against cities, counties, and developers, resulting in the expansion of affordable housing. As a Sacramento City Council member, Jones advanced progressive legislation, including authoring the Inclusionary Affordable Housing Ordinance, which created thousands of units of affordable housing. He also authored programs for the provision of parks, school improvements, community centers, and basic infrastructure for marginalized communities overlooked by previous councils. Jones has concrete plans for getting more progressive policies passed in the state legislature, and has deep experience in working effectively with colleagues in Sacramento.
Other background: Dave Jones has lived in Sacramento for over 20 years. He began his career as a Legal Aid attorney, providing free services to low-income communities.
The Race
Primary election results: The June 2022 results included Dave Jones (D) 46%, Angelique Ashby (D) 41%, Rafa Garcia (D) 13%, and Susan Mason (W/I) 0%. Dave Jones and Angelique Ashby will compete in a run-off in the November 8 general election.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Jones’s campaign has raised $1.4 million and is not funded by police, fossil fuel, or corporate PAC interests. He has received donations from real estate organizations, including Vallco Property Owner LLC.
Opposing candidate: Democrat Angelique Ashby.
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Ashby’s campaign has raised $1.1 million and is funded by police, real estate, and corporate PAC interests.
The District
Counties in district: California’s 8th state Senate district includes parts of Sacramento County.
Voter registration: 52% Democrat, 19% Republican, and 22% No Party Preference. Democrats held this district until 2014, when Republican Tom Berryhill won and flipped it from blue to red. Since the 2021 redistricting process, SD-08 is as Democratic as it was during the 2020 general election cycle.
District demographics: 21% Latino, 21% Asian, and 15% Black.
Recent election results: SD-08 voted for Joe Biden for president in 2020 by 40 points and Gavin Newsom for governor in 2018 by 35 points.
The Position
State senators represent and advocate for the needs of their district constituents at the California State Capitol. They are responsible for creating, debating, and voting on legislation that addresses issues within their district.
The California State Senate has 40 districts. Each represents a population of about 930,000 Californians. Representatives are elected to the Senate for a four-year term. Every two years, half of the Senate’s 40 seats are subject to election. Members elected before 2012 are restricted to two four-year terms (eight years) in the Senate. Those elected in or after 2012 are allowed to serve 12 years total across both the state Senate or the Assembly. This term, Democrats currently hold a two-thirds supermajority of 31 seats in the California State Senate, while Republicans hold nine seats.
Last updated: 2023-04-05
Courage California endorses Dave Jones for State Senate to put SD-08 on the right track for progress.
Dave Jones’s track record and policy positions demonstrate that he will be a progressive voice for the constituents of SD-08 and will govern effectively in the best interest of this diverse district.
Progressive endorsements: Jones has the endorsement of many progressive groups, including ACCE Action, California Environmental Voters, Indivisible Sacramento, California Working Families Party, several Sacramento County democratic clubs, and many labor unions. He also has the support of Dolores Huerta, Treasurer Fiona Ma, Rep. Katie Porter, and many local leaders.
Electoral history: During his public career, Jones has run and won races for the Sacramento City Council, the State Assembly, and the California insurance commissioner seat. Most recently, he won his reelection bid for the California insurance commissioner seat against a Republican challenger by 15 points in 2014.
Top issues: Consumer protections, health care and health insurance, abortion access and protections, environmental protections and pollution reduction, and expansion of early-childhood education.
Priority bills: Jones has an established record of public service that has brought tangible benefits to the communities he has represented. He served on the Sacramento City Council from 1999 to 2004, during which time he brought substantial funding for improvements to African-American, Latino, and Asian and Pacific Islander neighborhoods, which were historically neglected by the city. From 2004 to 2010, Jones served as state assemblymember, during which time he authored and supported progressive legislation that included abuse protections for adult dependents, gender equality in health insurance costs, and securing funding to improve the state’s hospital and child health-care safety net. From 2011 to 2019, Jones served as California’s insurance commissioner, when he issued numerous regulations to protect consumers, started enforcement actions against insurers, and defended consumers from rate increases, saving them over $3 billion.
Governance and community leadership experience: Jones has worked to promote environmental and economic justice for over two decades. He is currently senior director of the Nature Conservancy and director of the Climate Risk Initiative at the Center for Law, Energy, and the Environment (CLEE). In this capacity, he testifies before Congress and urges financial regulators to address the risks posed by climate change. Jones’s advocacy for low-income communities led him to receive a White House Fellowship in 1995, and he continued this work in the years after, when he was able to bring successful lawsuits against cities, counties, and developers, resulting in the expansion of affordable housing. As a Sacramento City Council member, Jones advanced progressive legislation, including authoring the Inclusionary Affordable Housing Ordinance, which created thousands of units of affordable housing. He also authored programs for the provision of parks, school improvements, community centers, and basic infrastructure for marginalized communities overlooked by previous councils. Jones has concrete plans for getting more progressive policies passed in the state legislature, and has deep experience in working effectively with colleagues in Sacramento.
Other background: Dave Jones has lived in Sacramento for over 20 years. He began his career as a Legal Aid attorney, providing free services to low-income communities.
The Race
Primary election results: The June 2022 results included Dave Jones (D) 46%, Angelique Ashby (D) 41%, Rafa Garcia (D) 13%, and Susan Mason (W/I) 0%. Dave Jones and Angelique Ashby will compete in a run-off in the November 8 general election.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Jones’s campaign has raised $1.4 million and is not funded by police, fossil fuel, or corporate PAC interests. He has received donations from real estate organizations, including Vallco Property Owner LLC.
Opposing candidate: Democrat Angelique Ashby.
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Ashby’s campaign has raised $1.1 million and is funded by police, real estate, and corporate PAC interests.
The District
Counties in district: California’s 8th state Senate district includes parts of Sacramento County.
Voter registration: 52% Democrat, 19% Republican, and 22% No Party Preference. Democrats held this district until 2014, when Republican Tom Berryhill won and flipped it from blue to red. Since the 2021 redistricting process, SD-08 is as Democratic as it was during the 2020 general election cycle.
District demographics: 21% Latino, 21% Asian, and 15% Black.
Recent election results: SD-08 voted for Joe Biden for president in 2020 by 40 points and Gavin Newsom for governor in 2018 by 35 points.
The Position
State senators represent and advocate for the needs of their district constituents at the California State Capitol. They are responsible for creating, debating, and voting on legislation that addresses issues within their district.
The California State Senate has 40 districts. Each represents a population of about 930,000 Californians. Representatives are elected to the Senate for a four-year term. Every two years, half of the Senate’s 40 seats are subject to election. Members elected before 2012 are restricted to two four-year terms (eight years) in the Senate. Those elected in or after 2012 are allowed to serve 12 years total across both the state Senate or the Assembly. This term, Democrats currently hold a two-thirds supermajority of 31 seats in the California State Senate, while Republicans hold nine seats.
Courage California endorses Dave Jones for State Senate to put SD-08 on the right track for progress.
Dave Jones’s track record and policy positions demonstrate that he will be a progressive voice for the constituents of SD-08 and will govern effectively in the best interest of this diverse district.
Progressive endorsements: Jones has the endorsement of many progressive groups, including ACCE Action, California Environmental Voters, Indivisible Sacramento, California Working Families Party, several Sacramento County democratic clubs, and many labor unions. He also has the support of Dolores Huerta, Treasurer Fiona Ma, Rep. Katie Porter, and many local leaders.
Electoral history: During his public career, Jones has run and won races for the Sacramento City Council, the State Assembly, and the California insurance commissioner seat. Most recently, he won his reelection bid for the California insurance commissioner seat against a Republican challenger by 15 points in 2014.
Top issues: Consumer protections, health care and health insurance, abortion access and protections, environmental protections and pollution reduction, and expansion of early-childhood education.
Priority bills: Jones has an established record of public service that has brought tangible benefits to the communities he has represented. He served on the Sacramento City Council from 1999 to 2004, during which time he brought substantial funding for improvements to African-American, Latino, and Asian and Pacific Islander neighborhoods, which were historically neglected by the city. From 2004 to 2010, Jones served as state assemblymember, during which time he authored and supported progressive legislation that included abuse protections for adult dependents, gender equality in health insurance costs, and securing funding to improve the state’s hospital and child health-care safety net. From 2011 to 2019, Jones served as California’s insurance commissioner, when he issued numerous regulations to protect consumers, started enforcement actions against insurers, and defended consumers from rate increases, saving them over $3 billion.
Governance and community leadership experience: Jones has worked to promote environmental and economic justice for over two decades. He is currently senior director of the Nature Conservancy and director of the Climate Risk Initiative at the Center for Law, Energy, and the Environment (CLEE). In this capacity, he testifies before Congress and urges financial regulators to address the risks posed by climate change. Jones’s advocacy for low-income communities led him to receive a White House Fellowship in 1995, and he continued this work in the years after, when he was able to bring successful lawsuits against cities, counties, and developers, resulting in the expansion of affordable housing. As a Sacramento City Council member, Jones advanced progressive legislation, including authoring the Inclusionary Affordable Housing Ordinance, which created thousands of units of affordable housing. He also authored programs for the provision of parks, school improvements, community centers, and basic infrastructure for marginalized communities overlooked by previous councils. Jones has concrete plans for getting more progressive policies passed in the state legislature, and has deep experience in working effectively with colleagues in Sacramento.
Other background: Dave Jones has lived in Sacramento for over 20 years. He began his career as a Legal Aid attorney, providing free services to low-income communities.
The Race
Primary election results: The June 2022 results included Dave Jones (D) 46%, Angelique Ashby (D) 41%, Rafa Garcia (D) 13%, and Susan Mason (W/I) 0%. Dave Jones and Angelique Ashby will compete in a run-off in the November 8 general election.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Jones’s campaign has raised $1.4 million and is not funded by police, fossil fuel, or corporate PAC interests. He has received donations from real estate organizations, including Vallco Property Owner LLC.
Opposing candidate: Democrat Angelique Ashby.
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Ashby’s campaign has raised $1.1 million and is funded by police, real estate, and corporate PAC interests.
The District
Counties in district: California’s 8th state Senate district includes parts of Sacramento County.
Voter registration: 52% Democrat, 19% Republican, and 22% No Party Preference. Democrats held this district until 2014, when Republican Tom Berryhill won and flipped it from blue to red. Since the 2021 redistricting process, SD-08 is as Democratic as it was during the 2020 general election cycle.
District demographics: 21% Latino, 21% Asian, and 15% Black.
Recent election results: SD-08 voted for Joe Biden for president in 2020 by 40 points and Gavin Newsom for governor in 2018 by 35 points.
The Position
State senators represent and advocate for the needs of their district constituents at the California State Capitol. They are responsible for creating, debating, and voting on legislation that addresses issues within their district.
The California State Senate has 40 districts. Each represents a population of about 930,000 Californians. Representatives are elected to the Senate for a four-year term. Every two years, half of the Senate’s 40 seats are subject to election. Members elected before 2012 are restricted to two four-year terms (eight years) in the Senate. Those elected in or after 2012 are allowed to serve 12 years total across both the state Senate or the Assembly. This term, Democrats currently hold a two-thirds supermajority of 31 seats in the California State Senate, while Republicans hold nine seats.
Courage California endorses Aisha Wahab for state Senate to put SD-10 on the right track for progress.
Aisha Wahab’s track record and policy positions demonstrate that she will be a progressive voice for the constituents of SD-10 and will govern effectively in the best interest of this diverse district.
Progressive endorsements: Wahab has the endorsement of many progressive groups, including Equality California, Sierra Club, California Environmental Justice Alliance, California Working Families Party, and NARAL Pro-Choice California. She is also endorsed by Attorney General Rob Bonta, Rep. Ro Khanna, Assm. Alex Lee, Assm. Lorena Gonzalez, Sen. Jim Beall, and many other state and local leaders. Wahab has been endorsed by outgoing Sen. Bob Wieckowski, who has held this seat since 2014.
Electoral history: Wahab has run for office previously, and most recently won her 2018 bid for the at-large Hayward City Council with 27% of the vote. She also ran for the CD-15 seat in 2020, but withdrew her candidacy before the election.
Top issues: Homelessness and affordable housing, small businesses and supporting the local economy, public safety, mental-health care, climate action, universal healthcare, and education.
Priority bills: As a Hayward councilmember and mayor pro tempore, Aisha Wahab has worked to ensure housing for low-income individuals, has worked to combat climate change, and has supported small businesses. Wahab raised the minimum wage to $15, and she passed broad tenant protections, including strengthened protections for seniors and renters with disabilities.
Governance and community leadership experience: Wahab is an organizer, and her advocacy work has been directly inspired by her own experiences with foster care, adoption, and unstable housing in the Bay Area community. Over her career, she has served and held leadership roles on the Alameda County Human Relations Commission, Afghan Coalition, Abode Services, and Tri-City Volunteers. She was also the Alameda County Public Health Commissioner, and joined a White House Roundtable of Afghan-American leaders during the Obama Administration. She is a longtime advocate of community service, and was honored by Senator Bob Wieckowski with the Unity Award in 2017 and named Woman of the Year by Assemblymember Bill Quirk in 2019.
Other background: Wahab is from Fremont and has lived in Hayward for most of her adult life. She is the first Afghan-American woman to be elected to public office in the United States.
The Race
Primary election results: The June 2022 results included Lily Mei (D), 33%; Aisha Wahab (D), 30%; Paul Pimental (R), 22%; Jamal Khan (D), 7%; Raymond Liu (D), 5%; and Jim Canova (D), 3%. Aisha Wahab and Lily Mei will compete in a run-off in the November 8 general election.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Wahab’s campaign has raised $800,000 and is not funded by real estate, fossil fuel, or police donors.
Opposing candidate: Democrat Lily Mei
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Mei’s campaign has raised $300,000 and is funded by real estate, corporate PAC, fossil fuel, and police money. Her donors include Fremont Police Association, Edison International, and California Apartment Association PAC.
The District
Counties in district: California’s 10th State Senate District includes parts of Alameda and Santa Clara Counties.
Voter registration: 52% Democrat, 14% Republican, and 29% No Party Preference. Democrats typically hold this seat. Since the 2021 redistricting process, SD-10 is equally as Democratic as it was during the 2020 general election cycle.
District demographics: 19% Latino, 45% Asian, and 6% Black
Recent election results: SD-10 voted for Joe Biden for president in 2020 by 49 points and Gavin Newsom for governor in 2018 by 47 points.
The Position
State senators represent and advocate for the needs of their district constituents at the California State Capitol. They are responsible for creating, debating, and voting on legislation that addresses issues within their district.
The California State Senate has 40 districts. Each represents a population of about 930,000 Californians. Representatives are elected to the Senate for a four-year term. Every two years, half of the Senate's 40 seats are subject to election. Members elected before 2012 are restricted to two four-year terms (eight years) in the Senate. Those elected in or after 2012 are allowed to serve 12 years total across both the state Senate or Assembly. This term, Democrats currently hold a two-thirds supermajority of 31 seats in the California State Senate, while Republicans hold 9 seats.
Last updated: 2023-04-05
Courage California endorses Aisha Wahab for state Senate to put SD-10 on the right track for progress.
Aisha Wahab’s track record and policy positions demonstrate that she will be a progressive voice for the constituents of SD-10 and will govern effectively in the best interest of this diverse district.
Progressive endorsements: Wahab has the endorsement of many progressive groups, including Equality California, Sierra Club, California Environmental Justice Alliance, California Working Families Party, and NARAL Pro-Choice California. She is also endorsed by Attorney General Rob Bonta, Rep. Ro Khanna, Assm. Alex Lee, Assm. Lorena Gonzalez, Sen. Jim Beall, and many other state and local leaders. Wahab has been endorsed by outgoing Sen. Bob Wieckowski, who has held this seat since 2014.
Electoral history: Wahab has run for office previously, and most recently won her 2018 bid for the at-large Hayward City Council with 27% of the vote. She also ran for the CD-15 seat in 2020, but withdrew her candidacy before the election.
Top issues: Homelessness and affordable housing, small businesses and supporting the local economy, public safety, mental-health care, climate action, universal healthcare, and education.
Priority bills: As a Hayward councilmember and mayor pro tempore, Aisha Wahab has worked to ensure housing for low-income individuals, has worked to combat climate change, and has supported small businesses. Wahab raised the minimum wage to $15, and she passed broad tenant protections, including strengthened protections for seniors and renters with disabilities.
Governance and community leadership experience: Wahab is an organizer, and her advocacy work has been directly inspired by her own experiences with foster care, adoption, and unstable housing in the Bay Area community. Over her career, she has served and held leadership roles on the Alameda County Human Relations Commission, Afghan Coalition, Abode Services, and Tri-City Volunteers. She was also the Alameda County Public Health Commissioner, and joined a White House Roundtable of Afghan-American leaders during the Obama Administration. She is a longtime advocate of community service, and was honored by Senator Bob Wieckowski with the Unity Award in 2017 and named Woman of the Year by Assemblymember Bill Quirk in 2019.
Other background: Wahab is from Fremont and has lived in Hayward for most of her adult life. She is the first Afghan-American woman to be elected to public office in the United States.
The Race
Primary election results: The June 2022 results included Lily Mei (D), 33%; Aisha Wahab (D), 30%; Paul Pimental (R), 22%; Jamal Khan (D), 7%; Raymond Liu (D), 5%; and Jim Canova (D), 3%. Aisha Wahab and Lily Mei will compete in a run-off in the November 8 general election.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Wahab’s campaign has raised $800,000 and is not funded by real estate, fossil fuel, or police donors.
Opposing candidate: Democrat Lily Mei
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Mei’s campaign has raised $300,000 and is funded by real estate, corporate PAC, fossil fuel, and police money. Her donors include Fremont Police Association, Edison International, and California Apartment Association PAC.
The District
Counties in district: California’s 10th State Senate District includes parts of Alameda and Santa Clara Counties.
Voter registration: 52% Democrat, 14% Republican, and 29% No Party Preference. Democrats typically hold this seat. Since the 2021 redistricting process, SD-10 is equally as Democratic as it was during the 2020 general election cycle.
District demographics: 19% Latino, 45% Asian, and 6% Black
Recent election results: SD-10 voted for Joe Biden for president in 2020 by 49 points and Gavin Newsom for governor in 2018 by 47 points.
The Position
State senators represent and advocate for the needs of their district constituents at the California State Capitol. They are responsible for creating, debating, and voting on legislation that addresses issues within their district.
The California State Senate has 40 districts. Each represents a population of about 930,000 Californians. Representatives are elected to the Senate for a four-year term. Every two years, half of the Senate's 40 seats are subject to election. Members elected before 2012 are restricted to two four-year terms (eight years) in the Senate. Those elected in or after 2012 are allowed to serve 12 years total across both the state Senate or Assembly. This term, Democrats currently hold a two-thirds supermajority of 31 seats in the California State Senate, while Republicans hold 9 seats.
Courage California endorses Aisha Wahab for state Senate to put SD-10 on the right track for progress.
Aisha Wahab’s track record and policy positions demonstrate that she will be a progressive voice for the constituents of SD-10 and will govern effectively in the best interest of this diverse district.
Progressive endorsements: Wahab has the endorsement of many progressive groups, including Equality California, Sierra Club, California Environmental Justice Alliance, California Working Families Party, and NARAL Pro-Choice California. She is also endorsed by Attorney General Rob Bonta, Rep. Ro Khanna, Assm. Alex Lee, Assm. Lorena Gonzalez, Sen. Jim Beall, and many other state and local leaders. Wahab has been endorsed by outgoing Sen. Bob Wieckowski, who has held this seat since 2014.
Electoral history: Wahab has run for office previously, and most recently won her 2018 bid for the at-large Hayward City Council with 27% of the vote. She also ran for the CD-15 seat in 2020, but withdrew her candidacy before the election.
Top issues: Homelessness and affordable housing, small businesses and supporting the local economy, public safety, mental-health care, climate action, universal healthcare, and education.
Priority bills: As a Hayward councilmember and mayor pro tempore, Aisha Wahab has worked to ensure housing for low-income individuals, has worked to combat climate change, and has supported small businesses. Wahab raised the minimum wage to $15, and she passed broad tenant protections, including strengthened protections for seniors and renters with disabilities.
Governance and community leadership experience: Wahab is an organizer, and her advocacy work has been directly inspired by her own experiences with foster care, adoption, and unstable housing in the Bay Area community. Over her career, she has served and held leadership roles on the Alameda County Human Relations Commission, Afghan Coalition, Abode Services, and Tri-City Volunteers. She was also the Alameda County Public Health Commissioner, and joined a White House Roundtable of Afghan-American leaders during the Obama Administration. She is a longtime advocate of community service, and was honored by Senator Bob Wieckowski with the Unity Award in 2017 and named Woman of the Year by Assemblymember Bill Quirk in 2019.
Other background: Wahab is from Fremont and has lived in Hayward for most of her adult life. She is the first Afghan-American woman to be elected to public office in the United States.
The Race
Primary election results: The June 2022 results included Lily Mei (D), 33%; Aisha Wahab (D), 30%; Paul Pimental (R), 22%; Jamal Khan (D), 7%; Raymond Liu (D), 5%; and Jim Canova (D), 3%. Aisha Wahab and Lily Mei will compete in a run-off in the November 8 general election.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Wahab’s campaign has raised $800,000 and is not funded by real estate, fossil fuel, or police donors.
Opposing candidate: Democrat Lily Mei
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Mei’s campaign has raised $300,000 and is funded by real estate, corporate PAC, fossil fuel, and police money. Her donors include Fremont Police Association, Edison International, and California Apartment Association PAC.
The District
Counties in district: California’s 10th State Senate District includes parts of Alameda and Santa Clara Counties.
Voter registration: 52% Democrat, 14% Republican, and 29% No Party Preference. Democrats typically hold this seat. Since the 2021 redistricting process, SD-10 is equally as Democratic as it was during the 2020 general election cycle.
District demographics: 19% Latino, 45% Asian, and 6% Black
Recent election results: SD-10 voted for Joe Biden for president in 2020 by 49 points and Gavin Newsom for governor in 2018 by 47 points.
The Position
State senators represent and advocate for the needs of their district constituents at the California State Capitol. They are responsible for creating, debating, and voting on legislation that addresses issues within their district.
The California State Senate has 40 districts. Each represents a population of about 930,000 Californians. Representatives are elected to the Senate for a four-year term. Every two years, half of the Senate's 40 seats are subject to election. Members elected before 2012 are restricted to two four-year terms (eight years) in the Senate. Those elected in or after 2012 are allowed to serve 12 years total across both the state Senate or Assembly. This term, Democrats currently hold a two-thirds supermajority of 31 seats in the California State Senate, while Republicans hold 9 seats.
Elect Caroline Menjivar to put SD-20 on the right track for progress.
Caroline Menjivar’s track record and policy positions demonstrate that she will be a progressive voice for the constituents of SD-20 and will govern effectively in the best interest of this diverse district.
Progressive endorsements: Menjivar has the endorsement of many progressive groups, including Stonewall Democratic Club, NARAL Pro-Choice California, California Working Families Party, and California Environmental Voters. She has also received the endorsement of many elected officials, including Sen. Connie Leyva, Los Angeles Supervisor Sheila Kuehl, and Sen. Henry Stern.
Electoral history: Menjivar has not run for public office before.
Top issues: Homelessness and housing, mental-health care, environmental protections, economic improvements, and education.
Priority bills: Menjivar’s record of community engagement includes hosting nightly conference calls to update residents with the latest information from the city after the COVID-19 pandemic began. Menjivar currently serves on the GLSEN Los Angeles Chapter Board and the Help Group’s Kaleidoscope Advisory Board, which she does to create more inclusive learning and family environments for LGBTQIA+ youth and young adults. Menjivar has also sat on the Los Angeles County Domestic Violence Review Committee.
Governance and community leadership experience: Menjivar is a Marine Corp veteran, and has worked as a field deputy with city councilmember Nury Martinez, and as the East Valley representative for Mayor Eric Garcetti. Driven by her passion for gender equity that is inclusive of women of color, she began a career in policy development and implementation. Menjivar obtained a license as an emergency medical technician during the last years of her military career, during which time she confronted the need for more mental-health resources, including in the homeless community. As a member of the LGBTQIA+ community who served in the military under “don’t ask, don’t tell,” Menjivar has been a longtime supporter of LGBTQIA+ equality and inclusion and continues to volunteer her time to GLSEN Los Angeles to support young people in the queer community.
Other background: Menjivar, a Marine veteran and public administrator, was born and raised in the San Fernando Valley. She put herself through college after her military career, eventually receiving a master’s degree in social welfare with a concentration in public leadership and policy development.
The Race
Primary election results: The June 2022 results included Daniel Hertzberg (D), 31%; Caroline Menjivar (D), 30%; Ely De La Cruz Ayao (R), 26%; and Seydi Alejandra Morales (D), 14%. Caroline Menjivar and Daniel Hertzberg will compete in a run-off in the November 8 general election.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Menjivar’s campaign has raised $152,000. Her campaign has received a high volume of individual donations, and is not funded by police, fossil fuel, real estate, or corporate PAC donors.
Opposing candidate: Democrat Daniel Hertzberg
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Hertzberg’s campaign has raised $865,000 and is funded by corporate PAC, real estate donors.
The District
Counties in district: California’s 20th State Senate District includes parts of Los Angeles County.
Voter registration: 53% Democrat, 16% Republican, and 24% No Party Preference. Democrats typically hold this district. Since the 2021 redistricting process, SD-20 is 3% less Democratic than it was during the 2020 general election cycle.
District demographics: 50% Latino, 11% Asian, and 5% Black. This district is considered to be one of the strong Latino seats in the California State Senate delegation.
Recent election results: SD-20 voted for Joe Biden for president in 2020 by 43 points and Gavin Newsom for governor in 2018 by 46 points.
The Position
State senators represent and advocate for the needs of their district constituents at the California State Capitol. They are responsible for creating, debating, and voting on legislation that addresses issues within their district.
The California State Senate has 40 districts. Each represents a population of about 930,000 Californians. Representatives are elected to the Senate for a four-year term. Every two years, half of the Senate's 40 seats are subject to election. Members elected before 2012 are restricted to two four-year terms (eight years) in the Senate. Those elected in or after 2012 are allowed to serve 12 years total across both the state Senate or Assembly. This term, Democrats currently hold a two-thirds supermajority of 31 seats in the California State Senate, while Republicans hold 9 seats.
Last updated: 2023-04-05
Elect Caroline Menjivar to put SD-20 on the right track for progress.
Caroline Menjivar’s track record and policy positions demonstrate that she will be a progressive voice for the constituents of SD-20 and will govern effectively in the best interest of this diverse district.
Progressive endorsements: Menjivar has the endorsement of many progressive groups, including Stonewall Democratic Club, NARAL Pro-Choice California, California Working Families Party, and California Environmental Voters. She has also received the endorsement of many elected officials, including Sen. Connie Leyva, Los Angeles Supervisor Sheila Kuehl, and Sen. Henry Stern.
Electoral history: Menjivar has not run for public office before.
Top issues: Homelessness and housing, mental-health care, environmental protections, economic improvements, and education.
Priority bills: Menjivar’s record of community engagement includes hosting nightly conference calls to update residents with the latest information from the city after the COVID-19 pandemic began. Menjivar currently serves on the GLSEN Los Angeles Chapter Board and the Help Group’s Kaleidoscope Advisory Board, which she does to create more inclusive learning and family environments for LGBTQIA+ youth and young adults. Menjivar has also sat on the Los Angeles County Domestic Violence Review Committee.
Governance and community leadership experience: Menjivar is a Marine Corp veteran, and has worked as a field deputy with city councilmember Nury Martinez, and as the East Valley representative for Mayor Eric Garcetti. Driven by her passion for gender equity that is inclusive of women of color, she began a career in policy development and implementation. Menjivar obtained a license as an emergency medical technician during the last years of her military career, during which time she confronted the need for more mental-health resources, including in the homeless community. As a member of the LGBTQIA+ community who served in the military under “don’t ask, don’t tell,” Menjivar has been a longtime supporter of LGBTQIA+ equality and inclusion and continues to volunteer her time to GLSEN Los Angeles to support young people in the queer community.
Other background: Menjivar, a Marine veteran and public administrator, was born and raised in the San Fernando Valley. She put herself through college after her military career, eventually receiving a master’s degree in social welfare with a concentration in public leadership and policy development.
The Race
Primary election results: The June 2022 results included Daniel Hertzberg (D), 31%; Caroline Menjivar (D), 30%; Ely De La Cruz Ayao (R), 26%; and Seydi Alejandra Morales (D), 14%. Caroline Menjivar and Daniel Hertzberg will compete in a run-off in the November 8 general election.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Menjivar’s campaign has raised $152,000. Her campaign has received a high volume of individual donations, and is not funded by police, fossil fuel, real estate, or corporate PAC donors.
Opposing candidate: Democrat Daniel Hertzberg
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Hertzberg’s campaign has raised $865,000 and is funded by corporate PAC, real estate donors.
The District
Counties in district: California’s 20th State Senate District includes parts of Los Angeles County.
Voter registration: 53% Democrat, 16% Republican, and 24% No Party Preference. Democrats typically hold this district. Since the 2021 redistricting process, SD-20 is 3% less Democratic than it was during the 2020 general election cycle.
District demographics: 50% Latino, 11% Asian, and 5% Black. This district is considered to be one of the strong Latino seats in the California State Senate delegation.
Recent election results: SD-20 voted for Joe Biden for president in 2020 by 43 points and Gavin Newsom for governor in 2018 by 46 points.
The Position
State senators represent and advocate for the needs of their district constituents at the California State Capitol. They are responsible for creating, debating, and voting on legislation that addresses issues within their district.
The California State Senate has 40 districts. Each represents a population of about 930,000 Californians. Representatives are elected to the Senate for a four-year term. Every two years, half of the Senate's 40 seats are subject to election. Members elected before 2012 are restricted to two four-year terms (eight years) in the Senate. Those elected in or after 2012 are allowed to serve 12 years total across both the state Senate or Assembly. This term, Democrats currently hold a two-thirds supermajority of 31 seats in the California State Senate, while Republicans hold 9 seats.
Elect Caroline Menjivar to put SD-20 on the right track for progress.
Caroline Menjivar’s track record and policy positions demonstrate that she will be a progressive voice for the constituents of SD-20 and will govern effectively in the best interest of this diverse district.
Progressive endorsements: Menjivar has the endorsement of many progressive groups, including Stonewall Democratic Club, NARAL Pro-Choice California, California Working Families Party, and California Environmental Voters. She has also received the endorsement of many elected officials, including Sen. Connie Leyva, Los Angeles Supervisor Sheila Kuehl, and Sen. Henry Stern.
Electoral history: Menjivar has not run for public office before.
Top issues: Homelessness and housing, mental-health care, environmental protections, economic improvements, and education.
Priority bills: Menjivar’s record of community engagement includes hosting nightly conference calls to update residents with the latest information from the city after the COVID-19 pandemic began. Menjivar currently serves on the GLSEN Los Angeles Chapter Board and the Help Group’s Kaleidoscope Advisory Board, which she does to create more inclusive learning and family environments for LGBTQIA+ youth and young adults. Menjivar has also sat on the Los Angeles County Domestic Violence Review Committee.
Governance and community leadership experience: Menjivar is a Marine Corp veteran, and has worked as a field deputy with city councilmember Nury Martinez, and as the East Valley representative for Mayor Eric Garcetti. Driven by her passion for gender equity that is inclusive of women of color, she began a career in policy development and implementation. Menjivar obtained a license as an emergency medical technician during the last years of her military career, during which time she confronted the need for more mental-health resources, including in the homeless community. As a member of the LGBTQIA+ community who served in the military under “don’t ask, don’t tell,” Menjivar has been a longtime supporter of LGBTQIA+ equality and inclusion and continues to volunteer her time to GLSEN Los Angeles to support young people in the queer community.
Other background: Menjivar, a Marine veteran and public administrator, was born and raised in the San Fernando Valley. She put herself through college after her military career, eventually receiving a master’s degree in social welfare with a concentration in public leadership and policy development.
The Race
Primary election results: The June 2022 results included Daniel Hertzberg (D), 31%; Caroline Menjivar (D), 30%; Ely De La Cruz Ayao (R), 26%; and Seydi Alejandra Morales (D), 14%. Caroline Menjivar and Daniel Hertzberg will compete in a run-off in the November 8 general election.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Menjivar’s campaign has raised $152,000. Her campaign has received a high volume of individual donations, and is not funded by police, fossil fuel, real estate, or corporate PAC donors.
Opposing candidate: Democrat Daniel Hertzberg
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Hertzberg’s campaign has raised $865,000 and is funded by corporate PAC, real estate donors.
The District
Counties in district: California’s 20th State Senate District includes parts of Los Angeles County.
Voter registration: 53% Democrat, 16% Republican, and 24% No Party Preference. Democrats typically hold this district. Since the 2021 redistricting process, SD-20 is 3% less Democratic than it was during the 2020 general election cycle.
District demographics: 50% Latino, 11% Asian, and 5% Black. This district is considered to be one of the strong Latino seats in the California State Senate delegation.
Recent election results: SD-20 voted for Joe Biden for president in 2020 by 43 points and Gavin Newsom for governor in 2018 by 46 points.
The Position
State senators represent and advocate for the needs of their district constituents at the California State Capitol. They are responsible for creating, debating, and voting on legislation that addresses issues within their district.
The California State Senate has 40 districts. Each represents a population of about 930,000 Californians. Representatives are elected to the Senate for a four-year term. Every two years, half of the Senate's 40 seats are subject to election. Members elected before 2012 are restricted to two four-year terms (eight years) in the Senate. Those elected in or after 2012 are allowed to serve 12 years total across both the state Senate or Assembly. This term, Democrats currently hold a two-thirds supermajority of 31 seats in the California State Senate, while Republicans hold 9 seats.
Courage California endorses Lola Smallwood-Cuevas for state Senate to put SD-28 on the right track for progress.
Lola Smallwood-Cuevas’s track record of community organizing and policy advocacy demonstrate that she will be a progressive voice for the constituents of SD-28 and will govern effectively in the best interest of this diverse district.
Progressive endorsements: Smallwood-Cuevas has the endorsement of many progressive groups, including UNITE HERE Local 11, Heart of LA, SEIU California, and California Working Families Party. She has also received the endorsement of many local elected officials, including Supervisor Holly Mitchell, Assemblymember Laura Friedman, Assemblymember Isaac Bryan, and State Senator Sydney Kamlager.
Electoral history: Smallwood-Cuevas has not run for public office before, but was appointed to the Los Angeles County Workforce Development Board in 2021 and was elected by her fellow commissioners to serve as secretary/treasurer.
Top issues: Workforce development and organized labor, homelessness, affordable housing, universal health care, criminal-justice reform, clean energy, and environmental protections.
Priority bills: Smallwood-Cuevas sees workers’ rights as the clear intersection of racial equity, economic insecurity, health-care access, education, and the housing crisis. It’s through this lens of worker dignity and protection that she would approach social-equity legislation in the state Senate. She has proposed a public employment benefit for those returning from incarceration, a two-year jobs bill to create quality employment opportunities during the COVID-19 recovery, a reinstatement of pandemic sick leave and hero pay, and increased funding for affordable housing initiatives. In supporting workers’ rights, Smallwood-Cuevas hopes her approach would dismantle wealth inequality and create improved health, education, and economic outcomes across generations. She has frequently collaborated with local organizations and lawmakers, including labor unions, Working Families Partnership, and Community Coalition, and would bring this coalition approach to her work in the state Senate.
Governance and community leadership experience: Smallwood-Cuevas is a longtime supporter of the development of organized labor and currently serves as project director at the UCLA Labor Center. She directs projects for the Center for the Advancement of Racial Equity Work and focuses on furthering policies that benefit working families. She has received national recognition for this work from Labor Secretary Tom Perez and former President Barack Obama. She currently serves as treasurer of the LA County Workforce Development Board, and has also served as a researcher and political organizer with SEIU Local 1877, plus co-founded the LA Black Worker Center to increase employment equity.
Other background: Lola Smallwood-Cuevas has lived in the district for twenty years. She was raised by a single mother in a working family, and spent her early career in journalism before transitioning to research and community organizing in the labor sector.
The Race
Primary election results: The June 2022 results included Lola Smallwood Cuevas (D), 45%; Cheryl Turner (D), 30%; Joe Lisuzzo (R), 15%; Kamilah Victoria Moore (D), 7%; and Jamaal Gulledge (D), 4%. Lola Smallwood-Cuevas and Cheryl Turner will compete in a run-off in the November 8 general election.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Smallwood-Cuevas’s campaign has raised $512,000 and is not funded by corporate PAC or fossil fuel donors. She has received donations from the California Apartment Association PAC and L.A. County Probation Officers Union AFSME Local 685 PAC.
Opposing candidate: Democrat Cheryl Turner
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Turner’s campaign has raised $64,000 and is funded by real estate donors. Additionally, she has made several significant donations to her own campaign fund.
The District
Counties in district: California’s 28th Senate District includes parts of Los Angeles County.
Voter registration: 65% Democrat, 8% Republican, and 21% No Party Preference. Prior to redistricting, Republicans typically held this seat. Since the 2021 redistricting process, SD-28 is 2% less Democratic than it was during the 2020 general election cycle.
District demographics: 33% Latino, 9% Asian, and 29% Black
Recent election results: SD-28 voted for Joe Biden for president in 2020 by 71 points and Gavin Newsom for governor in 2018 by 72 points.
The Position
State senators represent and advocate for the needs of their district constituents at the California State Capitol. They are responsible for creating, debating, and voting on legislation that addresses issues within their district.
The California State Senate has 40 districts. Each represents a population of about 930,000 Californians. Representatives are elected to the Senate for a four-year term. Every two years, half of the Senate's 40 seats are subject to election. Members elected before 2012 are restricted to two four-year terms (eight years) in the Senate. Those elected in or after 2012 are allowed to serve 12 years total across both the state Senate or Assembly. This term, Democrats currently hold a two-thirds supermajority of 31 seats in the California State Senate, while Republicans hold 9 seats.
Last updated: 2023-04-05
Courage California endorses Lola Smallwood-Cuevas for state Senate to put SD-28 on the right track for progress.
Lola Smallwood-Cuevas’s track record of community organizing and policy advocacy demonstrate that she will be a progressive voice for the constituents of SD-28 and will govern effectively in the best interest of this diverse district.
Progressive endorsements: Smallwood-Cuevas has the endorsement of many progressive groups, including UNITE HERE Local 11, Heart of LA, SEIU California, and California Working Families Party. She has also received the endorsement of many local elected officials, including Supervisor Holly Mitchell, Assemblymember Laura Friedman, Assemblymember Isaac Bryan, and State Senator Sydney Kamlager.
Electoral history: Smallwood-Cuevas has not run for public office before, but was appointed to the Los Angeles County Workforce Development Board in 2021 and was elected by her fellow commissioners to serve as secretary/treasurer.
Top issues: Workforce development and organized labor, homelessness, affordable housing, universal health care, criminal-justice reform, clean energy, and environmental protections.
Priority bills: Smallwood-Cuevas sees workers’ rights as the clear intersection of racial equity, economic insecurity, health-care access, education, and the housing crisis. It’s through this lens of worker dignity and protection that she would approach social-equity legislation in the state Senate. She has proposed a public employment benefit for those returning from incarceration, a two-year jobs bill to create quality employment opportunities during the COVID-19 recovery, a reinstatement of pandemic sick leave and hero pay, and increased funding for affordable housing initiatives. In supporting workers’ rights, Smallwood-Cuevas hopes her approach would dismantle wealth inequality and create improved health, education, and economic outcomes across generations. She has frequently collaborated with local organizations and lawmakers, including labor unions, Working Families Partnership, and Community Coalition, and would bring this coalition approach to her work in the state Senate.
Governance and community leadership experience: Smallwood-Cuevas is a longtime supporter of the development of organized labor and currently serves as project director at the UCLA Labor Center. She directs projects for the Center for the Advancement of Racial Equity Work and focuses on furthering policies that benefit working families. She has received national recognition for this work from Labor Secretary Tom Perez and former President Barack Obama. She currently serves as treasurer of the LA County Workforce Development Board, and has also served as a researcher and political organizer with SEIU Local 1877, plus co-founded the LA Black Worker Center to increase employment equity.
Other background: Lola Smallwood-Cuevas has lived in the district for twenty years. She was raised by a single mother in a working family, and spent her early career in journalism before transitioning to research and community organizing in the labor sector.
The Race
Primary election results: The June 2022 results included Lola Smallwood Cuevas (D), 45%; Cheryl Turner (D), 30%; Joe Lisuzzo (R), 15%; Kamilah Victoria Moore (D), 7%; and Jamaal Gulledge (D), 4%. Lola Smallwood-Cuevas and Cheryl Turner will compete in a run-off in the November 8 general election.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Smallwood-Cuevas’s campaign has raised $512,000 and is not funded by corporate PAC or fossil fuel donors. She has received donations from the California Apartment Association PAC and L.A. County Probation Officers Union AFSME Local 685 PAC.
Opposing candidate: Democrat Cheryl Turner
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Turner’s campaign has raised $64,000 and is funded by real estate donors. Additionally, she has made several significant donations to her own campaign fund.
The District
Counties in district: California’s 28th Senate District includes parts of Los Angeles County.
Voter registration: 65% Democrat, 8% Republican, and 21% No Party Preference. Prior to redistricting, Republicans typically held this seat. Since the 2021 redistricting process, SD-28 is 2% less Democratic than it was during the 2020 general election cycle.
District demographics: 33% Latino, 9% Asian, and 29% Black
Recent election results: SD-28 voted for Joe Biden for president in 2020 by 71 points and Gavin Newsom for governor in 2018 by 72 points.
The Position
State senators represent and advocate for the needs of their district constituents at the California State Capitol. They are responsible for creating, debating, and voting on legislation that addresses issues within their district.
The California State Senate has 40 districts. Each represents a population of about 930,000 Californians. Representatives are elected to the Senate for a four-year term. Every two years, half of the Senate's 40 seats are subject to election. Members elected before 2012 are restricted to two four-year terms (eight years) in the Senate. Those elected in or after 2012 are allowed to serve 12 years total across both the state Senate or Assembly. This term, Democrats currently hold a two-thirds supermajority of 31 seats in the California State Senate, while Republicans hold 9 seats.
Courage California endorses Lola Smallwood-Cuevas for state Senate to put SD-28 on the right track for progress.
Lola Smallwood-Cuevas’s track record of community organizing and policy advocacy demonstrate that she will be a progressive voice for the constituents of SD-28 and will govern effectively in the best interest of this diverse district.
Progressive endorsements: Smallwood-Cuevas has the endorsement of many progressive groups, including UNITE HERE Local 11, Heart of LA, SEIU California, and California Working Families Party. She has also received the endorsement of many local elected officials, including Supervisor Holly Mitchell, Assemblymember Laura Friedman, Assemblymember Isaac Bryan, and State Senator Sydney Kamlager.
Electoral history: Smallwood-Cuevas has not run for public office before, but was appointed to the Los Angeles County Workforce Development Board in 2021 and was elected by her fellow commissioners to serve as secretary/treasurer.
Top issues: Workforce development and organized labor, homelessness, affordable housing, universal health care, criminal-justice reform, clean energy, and environmental protections.
Priority bills: Smallwood-Cuevas sees workers’ rights as the clear intersection of racial equity, economic insecurity, health-care access, education, and the housing crisis. It’s through this lens of worker dignity and protection that she would approach social-equity legislation in the state Senate. She has proposed a public employment benefit for those returning from incarceration, a two-year jobs bill to create quality employment opportunities during the COVID-19 recovery, a reinstatement of pandemic sick leave and hero pay, and increased funding for affordable housing initiatives. In supporting workers’ rights, Smallwood-Cuevas hopes her approach would dismantle wealth inequality and create improved health, education, and economic outcomes across generations. She has frequently collaborated with local organizations and lawmakers, including labor unions, Working Families Partnership, and Community Coalition, and would bring this coalition approach to her work in the state Senate.
Governance and community leadership experience: Smallwood-Cuevas is a longtime supporter of the development of organized labor and currently serves as project director at the UCLA Labor Center. She directs projects for the Center for the Advancement of Racial Equity Work and focuses on furthering policies that benefit working families. She has received national recognition for this work from Labor Secretary Tom Perez and former President Barack Obama. She currently serves as treasurer of the LA County Workforce Development Board, and has also served as a researcher and political organizer with SEIU Local 1877, plus co-founded the LA Black Worker Center to increase employment equity.
Other background: Lola Smallwood-Cuevas has lived in the district for twenty years. She was raised by a single mother in a working family, and spent her early career in journalism before transitioning to research and community organizing in the labor sector.
The Race
Primary election results: The June 2022 results included Lola Smallwood Cuevas (D), 45%; Cheryl Turner (D), 30%; Joe Lisuzzo (R), 15%; Kamilah Victoria Moore (D), 7%; and Jamaal Gulledge (D), 4%. Lola Smallwood-Cuevas and Cheryl Turner will compete in a run-off in the November 8 general election.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Smallwood-Cuevas’s campaign has raised $512,000 and is not funded by corporate PAC or fossil fuel donors. She has received donations from the California Apartment Association PAC and L.A. County Probation Officers Union AFSME Local 685 PAC.
Opposing candidate: Democrat Cheryl Turner
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Turner’s campaign has raised $64,000 and is funded by real estate donors. Additionally, she has made several significant donations to her own campaign fund.
The District
Counties in district: California’s 28th Senate District includes parts of Los Angeles County.
Voter registration: 65% Democrat, 8% Republican, and 21% No Party Preference. Prior to redistricting, Republicans typically held this seat. Since the 2021 redistricting process, SD-28 is 2% less Democratic than it was during the 2020 general election cycle.
District demographics: 33% Latino, 9% Asian, and 29% Black
Recent election results: SD-28 voted for Joe Biden for president in 2020 by 71 points and Gavin Newsom for governor in 2018 by 72 points.
The Position
State senators represent and advocate for the needs of their district constituents at the California State Capitol. They are responsible for creating, debating, and voting on legislation that addresses issues within their district.
The California State Senate has 40 districts. Each represents a population of about 930,000 Californians. Representatives are elected to the Senate for a four-year term. Every two years, half of the Senate's 40 seats are subject to election. Members elected before 2012 are restricted to two four-year terms (eight years) in the Senate. Those elected in or after 2012 are allowed to serve 12 years total across both the state Senate or Assembly. This term, Democrats currently hold a two-thirds supermajority of 31 seats in the California State Senate, while Republicans hold 9 seats.
Courage California endorses Catherine Blakespear for state Senate to put SD-38 on the right track for progress.
Mayor Catherine Blakespear’s track record and policy positions demonstrate that she will be a progressive voice for the constituents of SD-38 and will govern effectively in the best interest of this diverse district.
Progressive endorsements: Mayor Blakespear has the endorsement of many progressive groups, including California Federation of Teachers, California Women’s List, YIMBY Action, and many labor unions and local Democratic clubs. She has also received the endorsement of many elected officials in the state, including State Senator Lena Gonzalez, California Board of Equalization Chair Malia Cohen, Assemblymember Akilah Weber, San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria, and San Diego Supervisor Terra Lawson-Remer.
Electoral history: Blakespear was first elected to the Encinitas City Council in 2014, and won her bid for mayor in 2016 after earning 67% of the vote against her challenger. She was reelected to the mayor’s seat in 2020 by a margin of 10 points. This is her first run for a state office.
Top issues: Clean energy and environmental protections, homelessness and affordable housing, taxation, economic recovery, public safety, and gun reform.
Priority bills: Blakespear is mayor of Encinitas. Under her leadership, the city has begun to offer an opt-in 100% renewable energy program to residents and local businesses, provided grants to small businesses to help them weather the pandemic, and banned ghost guns. Blakespear has made significant progress on improving the affordable housing landscape in Encinitas by making ADU structures more accessible to builders, creating a low-income housing plan, and strictly enforcing vacation-rental laws. She was awarded for this work, and for her overall advocacy of pro-housing policies, by the San Diego Housing Federation.
Governance and community leadership experience: Blakespear also currently works as a private-sector estate attorney, and chairs the board of local gardening nonprofit Scrumptious Schoolyards. Prior to her mayoral election, she served for three years as traffic commissioner of Encinitas.
Other background: Catherine Blakespear has lived in Encinitas for most of her life. Prior to attending law school, she worked in the journalism industry.
The Race
Primary election results: The June 2022 results included Matt Gunderson (R), 46%; Catherine Blakespear (D), 43%; and Joe Kerr (D), 11%. Matt Gunderson and Catherine Blakespear will compete in a run-off in the November 8 general election.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Blakespear’s campaign has raised $1.6 million and is not funded by police, real estate, fossil fuel, or corporate PAC donors.
Opposing candidate: Republican Matt Gunderson
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Gunderson’s campaign has raised $835,000 and is funded by real estate, fossil fuel, and corporate PAC donors.
The District
Counties in district: California’s 38th Senate District includes parts of Orange and San Diego Counties.
Voter registration: 37% Democrat, 32% Republican, and 24% No Party Preference. Republicans typically hold this district. Since the 2021 redistricting process, SD-38 is 5% more Democratic than it was during the 2020 general election cycle.
District demographics: 18% Latino, 9% Asian, and 3% Black
Recent election results: SD-38 voted for Joe Biden for president in 2020 by 16 points and Gavin Newsom for governor in 2018 by 5 points.
The Position
State senators represent and advocate for the needs of their district constituents at the California State Capitol. They are responsible for creating, debating, and voting on legislation that addresses issues within their district.
The California State Senate has 40 districts. Each represents a population of about 930,000 Californians. Representatives are elected to the Senate for a four-year term. Every two years, half of the Senate’s 40 seats are subject to election. Members elected before 2012 are restricted to two four-year terms (eight years) in the Senate. Those elected in or after 2012 are allowed to serve 12 years total across both the state Senate or Assembly. This term, Democrats currently hold a two-thirds supermajority of 31 seats in the California State Senate, while Republicans hold 9 seats.
Last updated: 2023-04-05
Courage California endorses Catherine Blakespear for state Senate to put SD-38 on the right track for progress.
Mayor Catherine Blakespear’s track record and policy positions demonstrate that she will be a progressive voice for the constituents of SD-38 and will govern effectively in the best interest of this diverse district.
Progressive endorsements: Mayor Blakespear has the endorsement of many progressive groups, including California Federation of Teachers, California Women’s List, YIMBY Action, and many labor unions and local Democratic clubs. She has also received the endorsement of many elected officials in the state, including State Senator Lena Gonzalez, California Board of Equalization Chair Malia Cohen, Assemblymember Akilah Weber, San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria, and San Diego Supervisor Terra Lawson-Remer.
Electoral history: Blakespear was first elected to the Encinitas City Council in 2014, and won her bid for mayor in 2016 after earning 67% of the vote against her challenger. She was reelected to the mayor’s seat in 2020 by a margin of 10 points. This is her first run for a state office.
Top issues: Clean energy and environmental protections, homelessness and affordable housing, taxation, economic recovery, public safety, and gun reform.
Priority bills: Blakespear is mayor of Encinitas. Under her leadership, the city has begun to offer an opt-in 100% renewable energy program to residents and local businesses, provided grants to small businesses to help them weather the pandemic, and banned ghost guns. Blakespear has made significant progress on improving the affordable housing landscape in Encinitas by making ADU structures more accessible to builders, creating a low-income housing plan, and strictly enforcing vacation-rental laws. She was awarded for this work, and for her overall advocacy of pro-housing policies, by the San Diego Housing Federation.
Governance and community leadership experience: Blakespear also currently works as a private-sector estate attorney, and chairs the board of local gardening nonprofit Scrumptious Schoolyards. Prior to her mayoral election, she served for three years as traffic commissioner of Encinitas.
Other background: Catherine Blakespear has lived in Encinitas for most of her life. Prior to attending law school, she worked in the journalism industry.
The Race
Primary election results: The June 2022 results included Matt Gunderson (R), 46%; Catherine Blakespear (D), 43%; and Joe Kerr (D), 11%. Matt Gunderson and Catherine Blakespear will compete in a run-off in the November 8 general election.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Blakespear’s campaign has raised $1.6 million and is not funded by police, real estate, fossil fuel, or corporate PAC donors.
Opposing candidate: Republican Matt Gunderson
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Gunderson’s campaign has raised $835,000 and is funded by real estate, fossil fuel, and corporate PAC donors.
The District
Counties in district: California’s 38th Senate District includes parts of Orange and San Diego Counties.
Voter registration: 37% Democrat, 32% Republican, and 24% No Party Preference. Republicans typically hold this district. Since the 2021 redistricting process, SD-38 is 5% more Democratic than it was during the 2020 general election cycle.
District demographics: 18% Latino, 9% Asian, and 3% Black
Recent election results: SD-38 voted for Joe Biden for president in 2020 by 16 points and Gavin Newsom for governor in 2018 by 5 points.
The Position
State senators represent and advocate for the needs of their district constituents at the California State Capitol. They are responsible for creating, debating, and voting on legislation that addresses issues within their district.
The California State Senate has 40 districts. Each represents a population of about 930,000 Californians. Representatives are elected to the Senate for a four-year term. Every two years, half of the Senate’s 40 seats are subject to election. Members elected before 2012 are restricted to two four-year terms (eight years) in the Senate. Those elected in or after 2012 are allowed to serve 12 years total across both the state Senate or Assembly. This term, Democrats currently hold a two-thirds supermajority of 31 seats in the California State Senate, while Republicans hold 9 seats.
Courage California endorses Catherine Blakespear for state Senate to put SD-38 on the right track for progress.
Mayor Catherine Blakespear’s track record and policy positions demonstrate that she will be a progressive voice for the constituents of SD-38 and will govern effectively in the best interest of this diverse district.
Progressive endorsements: Mayor Blakespear has the endorsement of many progressive groups, including California Federation of Teachers, California Women’s List, YIMBY Action, and many labor unions and local Democratic clubs. She has also received the endorsement of many elected officials in the state, including State Senator Lena Gonzalez, California Board of Equalization Chair Malia Cohen, Assemblymember Akilah Weber, San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria, and San Diego Supervisor Terra Lawson-Remer.
Electoral history: Blakespear was first elected to the Encinitas City Council in 2014, and won her bid for mayor in 2016 after earning 67% of the vote against her challenger. She was reelected to the mayor’s seat in 2020 by a margin of 10 points. This is her first run for a state office.
Top issues: Clean energy and environmental protections, homelessness and affordable housing, taxation, economic recovery, public safety, and gun reform.
Priority bills: Blakespear is mayor of Encinitas. Under her leadership, the city has begun to offer an opt-in 100% renewable energy program to residents and local businesses, provided grants to small businesses to help them weather the pandemic, and banned ghost guns. Blakespear has made significant progress on improving the affordable housing landscape in Encinitas by making ADU structures more accessible to builders, creating a low-income housing plan, and strictly enforcing vacation-rental laws. She was awarded for this work, and for her overall advocacy of pro-housing policies, by the San Diego Housing Federation.
Governance and community leadership experience: Blakespear also currently works as a private-sector estate attorney, and chairs the board of local gardening nonprofit Scrumptious Schoolyards. Prior to her mayoral election, she served for three years as traffic commissioner of Encinitas.
Other background: Catherine Blakespear has lived in Encinitas for most of her life. Prior to attending law school, she worked in the journalism industry.
The Race
Primary election results: The June 2022 results included Matt Gunderson (R), 46%; Catherine Blakespear (D), 43%; and Joe Kerr (D), 11%. Matt Gunderson and Catherine Blakespear will compete in a run-off in the November 8 general election.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Blakespear’s campaign has raised $1.6 million and is not funded by police, real estate, fossil fuel, or corporate PAC donors.
Opposing candidate: Republican Matt Gunderson
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Gunderson’s campaign has raised $835,000 and is funded by real estate, fossil fuel, and corporate PAC donors.
The District
Counties in district: California’s 38th Senate District includes parts of Orange and San Diego Counties.
Voter registration: 37% Democrat, 32% Republican, and 24% No Party Preference. Republicans typically hold this district. Since the 2021 redistricting process, SD-38 is 5% more Democratic than it was during the 2020 general election cycle.
District demographics: 18% Latino, 9% Asian, and 3% Black
Recent election results: SD-38 voted for Joe Biden for president in 2020 by 16 points and Gavin Newsom for governor in 2018 by 5 points.
The Position
State senators represent and advocate for the needs of their district constituents at the California State Capitol. They are responsible for creating, debating, and voting on legislation that addresses issues within their district.
The California State Senate has 40 districts. Each represents a population of about 930,000 Californians. Representatives are elected to the Senate for a four-year term. Every two years, half of the Senate’s 40 seats are subject to election. Members elected before 2012 are restricted to two four-year terms (eight years) in the Senate. Those elected in or after 2012 are allowed to serve 12 years total across both the state Senate or Assembly. This term, Democrats currently hold a two-thirds supermajority of 31 seats in the California State Senate, while Republicans hold 9 seats.
Courage CA endorses Joseph Rocha for State Senate to put SD-40 on the right track for progress.
The threat of incumbent Republican Sen. Jones is significant, and his potential policies would continue to create significant challenges for the constituents of SD-40. Joseph Rocha’s experience and policy positions demonstrate that he will be a progressive champion for the constituents of SD-40 and will govern effectively in the best interest of this diverse district.
Progressive endorsements: Joseph Rocha has the endorsement of many progressive groups, including Equality California, NARAL Pro-Choice California, and California Labor Federation. He has also received the endorsement of many elected officials, including Senator Alex Padilla, San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria, State Senator Maria Elena Durazo, and State Senator Scott Wiener.
Electoral History: Rocha has not run for public office previously, although he did originally plan to challenge Republican Rep. Darrel Issa for his CD-50 seat in the 2022 primary. After redistricting maps were released and CD-50 was revealed to be a safe Republican district, Rocha announced that he would instead challenge Sen. Brian Jones for the SD-40 seat.
Top issues: Economic recovery, homelessness and housing, veterans’ services, gun reform, climate protections, and codifying abortion access.
Priority bills: As a result of his own dishonorable discharge from the military, Rocha was an active advocate in the successful campaign to eliminate the “Don’t ask, don’t tell” policy from the United States military. Aside from veterans’ issues, he has focused his senate campaign on eliminating the disparities that affect economic mobility and housing options, and improving infrastructure and education in the district.
Governance and community leadership experience: Rocha enlisted in the Navy at age 18. After serving in the Persian Gulf as a bomb-dog handler, he was dishonorably discharged under “Don’t ask, don’t tell.” Rocha became a strong proponent of the repeal while working to complete his undergraduate and law degrees, and spent time as a congressional intern during his time away from the military. After the archaic policy was repealed in 2011, Rocha rejoined the Marine Corps and served as a judge advocate until his retirement in 2021.
Other background: Joseph Rocha grew up in Riverside and lives in Escondido. In his youth, Rocha experienced economic insecurity and family addiction. After coming out as gay at 17, he experienced homelessness before pursuing his military career.
The Race
Primary election results: The June 2022 results included incumbent Sen. Brian Jones (R), 54%; and Joseph Rocha (D), 46%. Joseph Rocha and Sen. Brian Jones will compete in a run-off in the November 8 general election.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Rocha’s campaign has raised $306,000 and is not funded by police, real estate, corporate PAC, or fossil fuel donors.
Opposing candidate: Republican Brian Jones
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Sen. Jones’s campaign has raised $1.3 million and is funded by corporate PAC, fossil fuel, real estate, and police donors. His problematic funders include Amazon.com, California Business Properties Association PAC, California Correctional Police Officers Association PAC, and BP North America Employee PAC. Notably, under newly drawn district maps, Republican Senator Brian Jones, currently representing SD-38, is positioned as the incumbent in this new SD-40 district.
The District
Counties in district: California’s 40th Senate District includes parts of San Diego County.
Voter registration: 35% Democrat, 34% Republican, and 24% No Party Preference. Democrats typically hold this district. Since the 2021 redistricting process, SD-40 is 2% more Democratic than it was during the 2020 general election cycle.
District demographics: 19% Latino, 15% Asian, and 3% Black
Recent election results: SD-40 voted for Joe Biden for president in 2020 by 7 points and John Cox for governor in 2018 by 6 points.
The Position
State senators represent and advocate for the needs of their district constituents at the California State Capitol. They are responsible for creating, debating, and voting on legislation that addresses issues within their district.
The California State Senate has 40 districts. Each represents a population of about 930,000 Californians. Representatives are elected to the Senate for a four-year term. Every two years, half of the Senate's 40 seats are subject to election. Members elected before 2012 are restricted to two four-year terms (eight years) in the Senate. Those elected in or after 2012 are allowed to serve 12 years total across both the state Senate or Assembly. This term, Democrats currently hold a two-thirds supermajority of 31 seats in the California State Senate, while Republicans hold 9 seats.
Last updated: 2023-04-05
Courage CA endorses Joseph Rocha for State Senate to put SD-40 on the right track for progress.
The threat of incumbent Republican Sen. Jones is significant, and his potential policies would continue to create significant challenges for the constituents of SD-40. Joseph Rocha’s experience and policy positions demonstrate that he will be a progressive champion for the constituents of SD-40 and will govern effectively in the best interest of this diverse district.
Progressive endorsements: Joseph Rocha has the endorsement of many progressive groups, including Equality California, NARAL Pro-Choice California, and California Labor Federation. He has also received the endorsement of many elected officials, including Senator Alex Padilla, San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria, State Senator Maria Elena Durazo, and State Senator Scott Wiener.
Electoral History: Rocha has not run for public office previously, although he did originally plan to challenge Republican Rep. Darrel Issa for his CD-50 seat in the 2022 primary. After redistricting maps were released and CD-50 was revealed to be a safe Republican district, Rocha announced that he would instead challenge Sen. Brian Jones for the SD-40 seat.
Top issues: Economic recovery, homelessness and housing, veterans’ services, gun reform, climate protections, and codifying abortion access.
Priority bills: As a result of his own dishonorable discharge from the military, Rocha was an active advocate in the successful campaign to eliminate the “Don’t ask, don’t tell” policy from the United States military. Aside from veterans’ issues, he has focused his senate campaign on eliminating the disparities that affect economic mobility and housing options, and improving infrastructure and education in the district.
Governance and community leadership experience: Rocha enlisted in the Navy at age 18. After serving in the Persian Gulf as a bomb-dog handler, he was dishonorably discharged under “Don’t ask, don’t tell.” Rocha became a strong proponent of the repeal while working to complete his undergraduate and law degrees, and spent time as a congressional intern during his time away from the military. After the archaic policy was repealed in 2011, Rocha rejoined the Marine Corps and served as a judge advocate until his retirement in 2021.
Other background: Joseph Rocha grew up in Riverside and lives in Escondido. In his youth, Rocha experienced economic insecurity and family addiction. After coming out as gay at 17, he experienced homelessness before pursuing his military career.
The Race
Primary election results: The June 2022 results included incumbent Sen. Brian Jones (R), 54%; and Joseph Rocha (D), 46%. Joseph Rocha and Sen. Brian Jones will compete in a run-off in the November 8 general election.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Rocha’s campaign has raised $306,000 and is not funded by police, real estate, corporate PAC, or fossil fuel donors.
Opposing candidate: Republican Brian Jones
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Sen. Jones’s campaign has raised $1.3 million and is funded by corporate PAC, fossil fuel, real estate, and police donors. His problematic funders include Amazon.com, California Business Properties Association PAC, California Correctional Police Officers Association PAC, and BP North America Employee PAC. Notably, under newly drawn district maps, Republican Senator Brian Jones, currently representing SD-38, is positioned as the incumbent in this new SD-40 district.
The District
Counties in district: California’s 40th Senate District includes parts of San Diego County.
Voter registration: 35% Democrat, 34% Republican, and 24% No Party Preference. Democrats typically hold this district. Since the 2021 redistricting process, SD-40 is 2% more Democratic than it was during the 2020 general election cycle.
District demographics: 19% Latino, 15% Asian, and 3% Black
Recent election results: SD-40 voted for Joe Biden for president in 2020 by 7 points and John Cox for governor in 2018 by 6 points.
The Position
State senators represent and advocate for the needs of their district constituents at the California State Capitol. They are responsible for creating, debating, and voting on legislation that addresses issues within their district.
The California State Senate has 40 districts. Each represents a population of about 930,000 Californians. Representatives are elected to the Senate for a four-year term. Every two years, half of the Senate's 40 seats are subject to election. Members elected before 2012 are restricted to two four-year terms (eight years) in the Senate. Those elected in or after 2012 are allowed to serve 12 years total across both the state Senate or Assembly. This term, Democrats currently hold a two-thirds supermajority of 31 seats in the California State Senate, while Republicans hold 9 seats.
Courage CA endorses Joseph Rocha for State Senate to put SD-40 on the right track for progress.
The threat of incumbent Republican Sen. Jones is significant, and his potential policies would continue to create significant challenges for the constituents of SD-40. Joseph Rocha’s experience and policy positions demonstrate that he will be a progressive champion for the constituents of SD-40 and will govern effectively in the best interest of this diverse district.
Progressive endorsements: Joseph Rocha has the endorsement of many progressive groups, including Equality California, NARAL Pro-Choice California, and California Labor Federation. He has also received the endorsement of many elected officials, including Senator Alex Padilla, San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria, State Senator Maria Elena Durazo, and State Senator Scott Wiener.
Electoral History: Rocha has not run for public office previously, although he did originally plan to challenge Republican Rep. Darrel Issa for his CD-50 seat in the 2022 primary. After redistricting maps were released and CD-50 was revealed to be a safe Republican district, Rocha announced that he would instead challenge Sen. Brian Jones for the SD-40 seat.
Top issues: Economic recovery, homelessness and housing, veterans’ services, gun reform, climate protections, and codifying abortion access.
Priority bills: As a result of his own dishonorable discharge from the military, Rocha was an active advocate in the successful campaign to eliminate the “Don’t ask, don’t tell” policy from the United States military. Aside from veterans’ issues, he has focused his senate campaign on eliminating the disparities that affect economic mobility and housing options, and improving infrastructure and education in the district.
Governance and community leadership experience: Rocha enlisted in the Navy at age 18. After serving in the Persian Gulf as a bomb-dog handler, he was dishonorably discharged under “Don’t ask, don’t tell.” Rocha became a strong proponent of the repeal while working to complete his undergraduate and law degrees, and spent time as a congressional intern during his time away from the military. After the archaic policy was repealed in 2011, Rocha rejoined the Marine Corps and served as a judge advocate until his retirement in 2021.
Other background: Joseph Rocha grew up in Riverside and lives in Escondido. In his youth, Rocha experienced economic insecurity and family addiction. After coming out as gay at 17, he experienced homelessness before pursuing his military career.
The Race
Primary election results: The June 2022 results included incumbent Sen. Brian Jones (R), 54%; and Joseph Rocha (D), 46%. Joseph Rocha and Sen. Brian Jones will compete in a run-off in the November 8 general election.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Rocha’s campaign has raised $306,000 and is not funded by police, real estate, corporate PAC, or fossil fuel donors.
Opposing candidate: Republican Brian Jones
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Sen. Jones’s campaign has raised $1.3 million and is funded by corporate PAC, fossil fuel, real estate, and police donors. His problematic funders include Amazon.com, California Business Properties Association PAC, California Correctional Police Officers Association PAC, and BP North America Employee PAC. Notably, under newly drawn district maps, Republican Senator Brian Jones, currently representing SD-38, is positioned as the incumbent in this new SD-40 district.
The District
Counties in district: California’s 40th Senate District includes parts of San Diego County.
Voter registration: 35% Democrat, 34% Republican, and 24% No Party Preference. Democrats typically hold this district. Since the 2021 redistricting process, SD-40 is 2% more Democratic than it was during the 2020 general election cycle.
District demographics: 19% Latino, 15% Asian, and 3% Black
Recent election results: SD-40 voted for Joe Biden for president in 2020 by 7 points and John Cox for governor in 2018 by 6 points.
The Position
State senators represent and advocate for the needs of their district constituents at the California State Capitol. They are responsible for creating, debating, and voting on legislation that addresses issues within their district.
The California State Senate has 40 districts. Each represents a population of about 930,000 Californians. Representatives are elected to the Senate for a four-year term. Every two years, half of the Senate's 40 seats are subject to election. Members elected before 2012 are restricted to two four-year terms (eight years) in the Senate. Those elected in or after 2012 are allowed to serve 12 years total across both the state Senate or Assembly. This term, Democrats currently hold a two-thirds supermajority of 31 seats in the California State Senate, while Republicans hold 9 seats.
Courage California endorses Attorney General Rob Bonta for reelection to keep California on the right track for progress.
Attorney General Rob Bonta’s track record and policy positions demonstrate that he will continue to be a progressive champion for all Californians and will execute his responsibilities effectively in the best interest of this diverse state.
Progressive Endorsements: Attorney General Bonta has the endorsement of many progressive groups, including Courage California, SEIU CA, NARAL Pro-Choice CA, and California Teachers Association. He has also received the endorsement of an overwhelming number of elected officials across the state, including U.S. Senator Alex Padilla, Governor Gavin Newsom, Secretary of State Dr. Shirley Weber, State Controller Betty Yee, State Senator Sydney Kamlager, and State Senator Scott Weiner.
Top issues: Hate-crime victim protections, consumer protections, corporate transparency, homelessness and housing, reproductive freedom, gun-violence protections, and climate justice.
Priority policies: This year, Attorney General Bonta’s priorities for California have included establishing stronger protections for victims of hate crimes, working toward regulations that protect consumers from unjust corporate behavior, and creating a more equitable criminal-justice system. His office recently secured a judgment requiring Amazon to pay a $500,000 fine and adhere to a stricter process of reporting workplace COVID-19 prevention efforts and recorded infections to the company’s employees and the state. Attorney General Bonta has been outspoken about other forms of consumer and workplace protections, including recent efforts to curb robocalls and spearheading a nationwide investigation into targeted marketing tactics from Instagram and Meta Inc. He has also taken aim at the housing crisis with the creation of the Housing Strike Force and an online Housing Portal designed to address access, affordability, and equity. These new initiatives will enforce housing-development laws, reaffirm tenant rights, provide consumer protection and alerts, and provide legal advocacy for the right to housing. Attorney General Bonta has also recently brought charges against over 50 California Highway Patrol officers for an ongoing overtime fraud scheme.
In his first several months in office, Attorney General Bonta has demonstrated a collaborative approach to his work locally, and an interest in leveraging his position for national impact. In California, he has established the Office of Community Awareness, Response, and Engagement (CARE) to communicate directly with underrepresented community and advocacy groups in the state. The attorney general’s office is designed to advance equity, and to ensure that the work is inclusive of diverse perspectives. Nationally, Attorney General Bonta has been proactive in partnering with state attorney generals across the country to file briefs on legislation of national importance, including a public opposition to Texas’s recent abortion ban (SB 8).
Governance and community leadership experience: Attorney General Bonta was first elected to the State Assembly in 2012, winning with over 50% of the vote and serving for nine years in the legislature. In 2020, he was reelected to his seat over Republican challenger Stephen Slauson by a 76-point margin. In 2021, Governor Gavin Newsom appointed him to serve as state attorney general after the seat was vacated by Xavier Beccera upon his confirmation to serve in the Biden Administration.
During his time in the State Assembly, Attorney General Bonta was an effective legislator who worked on bills related to climate protections, criminal justice and prison reform, immigrant rights, and housing protections. Bonta scored a lifetime score of 98 out of 100 on Courage Score, our annual analysis of legislators’ progressive voting records. Based on our Courage Score analysis, he supported the most progressive bills that made it to a vote.
Prior to his election to the State Assembly, Attorney General Bonta served as a deputy city attorney for both the City and County of San Francisco, as an elected member of the Alameda Health Care District Board of Directors, as board president for the Social Service Human Relations board, as board president for Alternatives in Action, and as chair of the Economic Development Commission. He is a longtime activist in the ongoing fight for racial, economic, and social justice.
Other background: Attorney General Rob Bonta, a civil rights attorney, is from Alameda, CA. He is the son of farmworkers who provided leadership to the labor movement, and is the first Filipino American to serve as California’s attorney general.
The Race
Primary election results: The June 2022 results included incumbent Attorney General Rob Bonta (D), 54%; Nathan Hochman (R), 18%; Eric Early (R), 17%; Anne Marie Schubert (I), 8%; and Dan Kapelovitz (I), 3%. Attorney General Bonta and Nathan Hochman will compete in a run-off in the November 8 general election.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Attorney General Bonta’s campaign has raised $5.7 million and is not funded by police interests. He has received problematic donations from the fossil fuel, real estate, and corporate PAC industries, including Triple S Oil LLC, 7-Eleven Inc., Avaasa Realty Inc., and California Biz Realty Inc.
Opposing candidate: Republican Nathan Hochman
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Hochman’s campaign has raised $2.8 million and is funded by real estate interests.
The District
State: California is the most populous state in the United States, and includes 58 counties and 331 million residents.
Voter registration: Of the 22 million registered voters in the state, 47% are Democrat, 24% are Republican, and 23% have no party preference. Democrats have held the lieutenant governor seat since 2011.
District demographics: 39% Latino, 16% Asian, and 7% Black
Recent election results: California voted for Joe Biden for president in 2020 by 29 points and Gavin Newsom for governor in 2018 by 24 points.
The Position
The state attorney general acts as the lead attorney and law-enforcement official for the state of California, and has oversight of over 4,500 state-employed district attorneys, investigators, police officers, and administrators. The attorney general executes a variety of responsibilities in the state, including representing the people of California in criminal and civil matters in court, coordinating statewide law-enforcement efforts, providing legal counsel to state agencies, and managing special projects to protect the rights of Californians. California has 58 elected district attorneys who report to the attorney general, one for every county in the state. The attorney general is elected for a four-year term and may serve a maximum of two terms in office. This office has traditionally been held by Democrats, including current U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services, Xavier Becerra, and current Vice President Kamala Harris.
Last updated: 2023-04-05
Courage California endorses Attorney General Rob Bonta for reelection to keep California on the right track for progress.
Attorney General Rob Bonta’s track record and policy positions demonstrate that he will continue to be a progressive champion for all Californians and will execute his responsibilities effectively in the best interest of this diverse state.
Progressive Endorsements: Attorney General Bonta has the endorsement of many progressive groups, including Courage California, SEIU CA, NARAL Pro-Choice CA, and California Teachers Association. He has also received the endorsement of an overwhelming number of elected officials across the state, including U.S. Senator Alex Padilla, Governor Gavin Newsom, Secretary of State Dr. Shirley Weber, State Controller Betty Yee, State Senator Sydney Kamlager, and State Senator Scott Weiner.
Top issues: Hate-crime victim protections, consumer protections, corporate transparency, homelessness and housing, reproductive freedom, gun-violence protections, and climate justice.
Priority policies: This year, Attorney General Bonta’s priorities for California have included establishing stronger protections for victims of hate crimes, working toward regulations that protect consumers from unjust corporate behavior, and creating a more equitable criminal-justice system. His office recently secured a judgment requiring Amazon to pay a $500,000 fine and adhere to a stricter process of reporting workplace COVID-19 prevention efforts and recorded infections to the company’s employees and the state. Attorney General Bonta has been outspoken about other forms of consumer and workplace protections, including recent efforts to curb robocalls and spearheading a nationwide investigation into targeted marketing tactics from Instagram and Meta Inc. He has also taken aim at the housing crisis with the creation of the Housing Strike Force and an online Housing Portal designed to address access, affordability, and equity. These new initiatives will enforce housing-development laws, reaffirm tenant rights, provide consumer protection and alerts, and provide legal advocacy for the right to housing. Attorney General Bonta has also recently brought charges against over 50 California Highway Patrol officers for an ongoing overtime fraud scheme.
In his first several months in office, Attorney General Bonta has demonstrated a collaborative approach to his work locally, and an interest in leveraging his position for national impact. In California, he has established the Office of Community Awareness, Response, and Engagement (CARE) to communicate directly with underrepresented community and advocacy groups in the state. The attorney general’s office is designed to advance equity, and to ensure that the work is inclusive of diverse perspectives. Nationally, Attorney General Bonta has been proactive in partnering with state attorney generals across the country to file briefs on legislation of national importance, including a public opposition to Texas’s recent abortion ban (SB 8).
Governance and community leadership experience: Attorney General Bonta was first elected to the State Assembly in 2012, winning with over 50% of the vote and serving for nine years in the legislature. In 2020, he was reelected to his seat over Republican challenger Stephen Slauson by a 76-point margin. In 2021, Governor Gavin Newsom appointed him to serve as state attorney general after the seat was vacated by Xavier Beccera upon his confirmation to serve in the Biden Administration.
During his time in the State Assembly, Attorney General Bonta was an effective legislator who worked on bills related to climate protections, criminal justice and prison reform, immigrant rights, and housing protections. Bonta scored a lifetime score of 98 out of 100 on Courage Score, our annual analysis of legislators’ progressive voting records. Based on our Courage Score analysis, he supported the most progressive bills that made it to a vote.
Prior to his election to the State Assembly, Attorney General Bonta served as a deputy city attorney for both the City and County of San Francisco, as an elected member of the Alameda Health Care District Board of Directors, as board president for the Social Service Human Relations board, as board president for Alternatives in Action, and as chair of the Economic Development Commission. He is a longtime activist in the ongoing fight for racial, economic, and social justice.
Other background: Attorney General Rob Bonta, a civil rights attorney, is from Alameda, CA. He is the son of farmworkers who provided leadership to the labor movement, and is the first Filipino American to serve as California’s attorney general.
The Race
Primary election results: The June 2022 results included incumbent Attorney General Rob Bonta (D), 54%; Nathan Hochman (R), 18%; Eric Early (R), 17%; Anne Marie Schubert (I), 8%; and Dan Kapelovitz (I), 3%. Attorney General Bonta and Nathan Hochman will compete in a run-off in the November 8 general election.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Attorney General Bonta’s campaign has raised $5.7 million and is not funded by police interests. He has received problematic donations from the fossil fuel, real estate, and corporate PAC industries, including Triple S Oil LLC, 7-Eleven Inc., Avaasa Realty Inc., and California Biz Realty Inc.
Opposing candidate: Republican Nathan Hochman
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Hochman’s campaign has raised $2.8 million and is funded by real estate interests.
The District
State: California is the most populous state in the United States, and includes 58 counties and 331 million residents.
Voter registration: Of the 22 million registered voters in the state, 47% are Democrat, 24% are Republican, and 23% have no party preference. Democrats have held the lieutenant governor seat since 2011.
District demographics: 39% Latino, 16% Asian, and 7% Black
Recent election results: California voted for Joe Biden for president in 2020 by 29 points and Gavin Newsom for governor in 2018 by 24 points.
The Position
The state attorney general acts as the lead attorney and law-enforcement official for the state of California, and has oversight of over 4,500 state-employed district attorneys, investigators, police officers, and administrators. The attorney general executes a variety of responsibilities in the state, including representing the people of California in criminal and civil matters in court, coordinating statewide law-enforcement efforts, providing legal counsel to state agencies, and managing special projects to protect the rights of Californians. California has 58 elected district attorneys who report to the attorney general, one for every county in the state. The attorney general is elected for a four-year term and may serve a maximum of two terms in office. This office has traditionally been held by Democrats, including current U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services, Xavier Becerra, and current Vice President Kamala Harris.
Courage California endorses Attorney General Rob Bonta for reelection to keep California on the right track for progress.
Attorney General Rob Bonta’s track record and policy positions demonstrate that he will continue to be a progressive champion for all Californians and will execute his responsibilities effectively in the best interest of this diverse state.
Progressive Endorsements: Attorney General Bonta has the endorsement of many progressive groups, including Courage California, SEIU CA, NARAL Pro-Choice CA, and California Teachers Association. He has also received the endorsement of an overwhelming number of elected officials across the state, including U.S. Senator Alex Padilla, Governor Gavin Newsom, Secretary of State Dr. Shirley Weber, State Controller Betty Yee, State Senator Sydney Kamlager, and State Senator Scott Weiner.
Top issues: Hate-crime victim protections, consumer protections, corporate transparency, homelessness and housing, reproductive freedom, gun-violence protections, and climate justice.
Priority policies: This year, Attorney General Bonta’s priorities for California have included establishing stronger protections for victims of hate crimes, working toward regulations that protect consumers from unjust corporate behavior, and creating a more equitable criminal-justice system. His office recently secured a judgment requiring Amazon to pay a $500,000 fine and adhere to a stricter process of reporting workplace COVID-19 prevention efforts and recorded infections to the company’s employees and the state. Attorney General Bonta has been outspoken about other forms of consumer and workplace protections, including recent efforts to curb robocalls and spearheading a nationwide investigation into targeted marketing tactics from Instagram and Meta Inc. He has also taken aim at the housing crisis with the creation of the Housing Strike Force and an online Housing Portal designed to address access, affordability, and equity. These new initiatives will enforce housing-development laws, reaffirm tenant rights, provide consumer protection and alerts, and provide legal advocacy for the right to housing. Attorney General Bonta has also recently brought charges against over 50 California Highway Patrol officers for an ongoing overtime fraud scheme.
In his first several months in office, Attorney General Bonta has demonstrated a collaborative approach to his work locally, and an interest in leveraging his position for national impact. In California, he has established the Office of Community Awareness, Response, and Engagement (CARE) to communicate directly with underrepresented community and advocacy groups in the state. The attorney general’s office is designed to advance equity, and to ensure that the work is inclusive of diverse perspectives. Nationally, Attorney General Bonta has been proactive in partnering with state attorney generals across the country to file briefs on legislation of national importance, including a public opposition to Texas’s recent abortion ban (SB 8).
Governance and community leadership experience: Attorney General Bonta was first elected to the State Assembly in 2012, winning with over 50% of the vote and serving for nine years in the legislature. In 2020, he was reelected to his seat over Republican challenger Stephen Slauson by a 76-point margin. In 2021, Governor Gavin Newsom appointed him to serve as state attorney general after the seat was vacated by Xavier Beccera upon his confirmation to serve in the Biden Administration.
During his time in the State Assembly, Attorney General Bonta was an effective legislator who worked on bills related to climate protections, criminal justice and prison reform, immigrant rights, and housing protections. Bonta scored a lifetime score of 98 out of 100 on Courage Score, our annual analysis of legislators’ progressive voting records. Based on our Courage Score analysis, he supported the most progressive bills that made it to a vote.
Prior to his election to the State Assembly, Attorney General Bonta served as a deputy city attorney for both the City and County of San Francisco, as an elected member of the Alameda Health Care District Board of Directors, as board president for the Social Service Human Relations board, as board president for Alternatives in Action, and as chair of the Economic Development Commission. He is a longtime activist in the ongoing fight for racial, economic, and social justice.
Other background: Attorney General Rob Bonta, a civil rights attorney, is from Alameda, CA. He is the son of farmworkers who provided leadership to the labor movement, and is the first Filipino American to serve as California’s attorney general.
The Race
Primary election results: The June 2022 results included incumbent Attorney General Rob Bonta (D), 54%; Nathan Hochman (R), 18%; Eric Early (R), 17%; Anne Marie Schubert (I), 8%; and Dan Kapelovitz (I), 3%. Attorney General Bonta and Nathan Hochman will compete in a run-off in the November 8 general election.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Attorney General Bonta’s campaign has raised $5.7 million and is not funded by police interests. He has received problematic donations from the fossil fuel, real estate, and corporate PAC industries, including Triple S Oil LLC, 7-Eleven Inc., Avaasa Realty Inc., and California Biz Realty Inc.
Opposing candidate: Republican Nathan Hochman
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Hochman’s campaign has raised $2.8 million and is funded by real estate interests.
The District
State: California is the most populous state in the United States, and includes 58 counties and 331 million residents.
Voter registration: Of the 22 million registered voters in the state, 47% are Democrat, 24% are Republican, and 23% have no party preference. Democrats have held the lieutenant governor seat since 2011.
District demographics: 39% Latino, 16% Asian, and 7% Black
Recent election results: California voted for Joe Biden for president in 2020 by 29 points and Gavin Newsom for governor in 2018 by 24 points.
The Position
The state attorney general acts as the lead attorney and law-enforcement official for the state of California, and has oversight of over 4,500 state-employed district attorneys, investigators, police officers, and administrators. The attorney general executes a variety of responsibilities in the state, including representing the people of California in criminal and civil matters in court, coordinating statewide law-enforcement efforts, providing legal counsel to state agencies, and managing special projects to protect the rights of Californians. California has 58 elected district attorneys who report to the attorney general, one for every county in the state. The attorney general is elected for a four-year term and may serve a maximum of two terms in office. This office has traditionally been held by Democrats, including current U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services, Xavier Becerra, and current Vice President Kamala Harris.
Courage California endorses Secretary of State Dr. Shirley Weber for reelection to keep California on the right track for progress.
Secretary of State Dr. Shirley Weber’s track record and policy positions demonstrate that she will continue to be a progressive champion for all Californians and will execute her responsibilities effectively in the best interest of this diverse state.
Progressive endorsements: Secretary Weber has the endorsement of many progressive groups, including Courage California NARAL Pro-Choice California, Elect Black Women PAC, National Women’s Political Caucus, and Smart Justice California. She has also received the endorsement of a broad coalition of state leaders, including Governor Gavin Newsom, U.S. Senator Alex Padilla, Attorney General Rob Bonta, State Senator Sydney Kamlager, Assemblymember Laura Friedman, and LA County Supervisor Holly Mitchell.
Top issues: Inclusive and transparent election systems, expanding the right to vote, election security, improving campaign finance systems, increasing voter outreach and education, and monitoring and solidifying state cybersecurity.
Priority policies: Secretary Weber’s priorities this year include increased outreach to formerly incarcerated Californians to align election practices to the recently passed Proposition 17, which returns voting rights to parolees, to strengthen businesses across the state, and to upgrade the cybersecurity system to ensure that all California elections are protected from interference. As a public servant, Sec. Weber has established herself as a collaborative leader focused on supporting communities that have been under-resourced. In her first months in office, Secretary Weber has worked to establish connections with groups working to improve election information and engagement, including education professionals who can reach young voters and formerly incarcerated individuals now eligible to vote.
Governance and community leadership experience: Secretary Weber was first elected to the State Assembly in 2012, winning her seat with over 61% of the vote. In 2020, she won her reelection against Republican challenger John Moore by 30 points. In December 2020, she was appointed to serve as secretary of state by Governor Gavin Newsom after Alex Padilla was appointed to serve the rest of Vice President Kamala Harris’s Senate term.
As a member of the State Assembly, she sponsored bills on a variety of issues, including school safety, full-day kindergarten, reducing the use of deadly force by police, and strengthening the CalFresh program. Her successes also included environmental cleanup, increasing food access for food-insecure communities, establishing protections for residents of long-term nursing facilities, and lowering the cost of childcare. She scored a lifetime 93 out of 100 on Courage Score, our annual analysis of legislators’ progressive voting records. Based on our Courage Score analysis, Sec. Weber supported nearly all progressive bills that made it to a vote. That said, prior to her appointment to the secretary of state seat, she did not support lowering the voting age to 17.
Prior to serving in public office, Secretary Weber founded the Department of Africana Studies at San Diego State University in 1972, and taught there for forty years. She also served as president of the National Council for Black Studies from 2002 to 2006, as president of the San Diego Board of Education from 1988 to 1996, and as chairperson of San Diego’s Citizens Equal Opportunity Commission. Secretary Weber holds three degrees from UCLA and has been a longtime champion of the power of well-funded and well-staffed public education.
Other background: Secretary Shirley Weber, a former San Diego State University professor and longtime member of the California State Assembly, is originally from Los Angeles, and lived in the greater San Diego area for over 30 years. She is the daughter of an Arkansas sharecropper, and came to California at the age of three as her family fled racist persecution from white farmers.
The Race
Primary election results: The June 2022 results included incumbent Secretary Dr. Shirley Weber (D), 59%; Rob Bernosky (R), 19%; Rachel Hamm (R), 12%; James Paine (R), 4%; Gary Blenner (I), 3%; Raul Rodriguez Jr. (R), 3%, Matthew Cinquanta (I), 1%; and Desmond Silveira (I), 0%. Secretary Weber and Rob Bernosky will compete in a run-off in the November 8 general election.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Secretary Weber’s campaign has raised $1.1 million and has received donations from corporate PAC, fossil fuel, real estate, and police interests. Her problematic donors include Sempra Energy, Meta Platforms Inc., California Correctional Peace Officers Association PAC, and California Real Estate PAC.
Opposing candidate: Republican Rob Bernosky
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Bernosky’s campaign has not recorded any fundraising receipts with the secretary of state’s office as of September 2022.
The District
State: California is the most populous state in the United States, and includes 58 counties and 331 million residents.
Voter registration: Of the 22 million registered voters in the state, 47% are Democrat, 24% are Republican, and 23% have no party preference. Democrats have held the Lieutenant Governor seat since 2011.
District demographics: 39% Latino, 16% Asian, and 7% Black
Recent election results: California voted for Joe Biden for president in 2020 by 29 points and Gavin Newsom for governor in 2018 by 24 points.
The Position
The secretary of state acts as the lead records officer for the state of California, and manages an office of 500 civil-service employees who are responsible for ensuring transparency and accessibility in elections, campaigning, business records, and legislative advocacy. The secretary of state’s office has a significant responsibility for election implementation and integrity, as it produces information pamphlets for voters in ten languages, provides statewide testing and approval for voting equipment, maintains the voter database, and certifies the official candidate lists and the official election results. The secretary of state’s office also oversees the filing and disclosure of campaign-finance information, the management of business records, the safeguarding of statewide address confidentiality, and the maintenance of registries for domestic partnerships and advanced health-care directives. The secretary of state is elected for a four-year term and may serve a maximum of two terms in office. This office has traditionally been held by Democrats.
Last updated: 2023-04-05
Courage California endorses Secretary of State Dr. Shirley Weber for reelection to keep California on the right track for progress.
Secretary of State Dr. Shirley Weber’s track record and policy positions demonstrate that she will continue to be a progressive champion for all Californians and will execute her responsibilities effectively in the best interest of this diverse state.
Progressive endorsements: Secretary Weber has the endorsement of many progressive groups, including Courage California NARAL Pro-Choice California, Elect Black Women PAC, National Women’s Political Caucus, and Smart Justice California. She has also received the endorsement of a broad coalition of state leaders, including Governor Gavin Newsom, U.S. Senator Alex Padilla, Attorney General Rob Bonta, State Senator Sydney Kamlager, Assemblymember Laura Friedman, and LA County Supervisor Holly Mitchell.
Top issues: Inclusive and transparent election systems, expanding the right to vote, election security, improving campaign finance systems, increasing voter outreach and education, and monitoring and solidifying state cybersecurity.
Priority policies: Secretary Weber’s priorities this year include increased outreach to formerly incarcerated Californians to align election practices to the recently passed Proposition 17, which returns voting rights to parolees, to strengthen businesses across the state, and to upgrade the cybersecurity system to ensure that all California elections are protected from interference. As a public servant, Sec. Weber has established herself as a collaborative leader focused on supporting communities that have been under-resourced. In her first months in office, Secretary Weber has worked to establish connections with groups working to improve election information and engagement, including education professionals who can reach young voters and formerly incarcerated individuals now eligible to vote.
Governance and community leadership experience: Secretary Weber was first elected to the State Assembly in 2012, winning her seat with over 61% of the vote. In 2020, she won her reelection against Republican challenger John Moore by 30 points. In December 2020, she was appointed to serve as secretary of state by Governor Gavin Newsom after Alex Padilla was appointed to serve the rest of Vice President Kamala Harris’s Senate term.
As a member of the State Assembly, she sponsored bills on a variety of issues, including school safety, full-day kindergarten, reducing the use of deadly force by police, and strengthening the CalFresh program. Her successes also included environmental cleanup, increasing food access for food-insecure communities, establishing protections for residents of long-term nursing facilities, and lowering the cost of childcare. She scored a lifetime 93 out of 100 on Courage Score, our annual analysis of legislators’ progressive voting records. Based on our Courage Score analysis, Sec. Weber supported nearly all progressive bills that made it to a vote. That said, prior to her appointment to the secretary of state seat, she did not support lowering the voting age to 17.
Prior to serving in public office, Secretary Weber founded the Department of Africana Studies at San Diego State University in 1972, and taught there for forty years. She also served as president of the National Council for Black Studies from 2002 to 2006, as president of the San Diego Board of Education from 1988 to 1996, and as chairperson of San Diego’s Citizens Equal Opportunity Commission. Secretary Weber holds three degrees from UCLA and has been a longtime champion of the power of well-funded and well-staffed public education.
Other background: Secretary Shirley Weber, a former San Diego State University professor and longtime member of the California State Assembly, is originally from Los Angeles, and lived in the greater San Diego area for over 30 years. She is the daughter of an Arkansas sharecropper, and came to California at the age of three as her family fled racist persecution from white farmers.
The Race
Primary election results: The June 2022 results included incumbent Secretary Dr. Shirley Weber (D), 59%; Rob Bernosky (R), 19%; Rachel Hamm (R), 12%; James Paine (R), 4%; Gary Blenner (I), 3%; Raul Rodriguez Jr. (R), 3%, Matthew Cinquanta (I), 1%; and Desmond Silveira (I), 0%. Secretary Weber and Rob Bernosky will compete in a run-off in the November 8 general election.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Secretary Weber’s campaign has raised $1.1 million and has received donations from corporate PAC, fossil fuel, real estate, and police interests. Her problematic donors include Sempra Energy, Meta Platforms Inc., California Correctional Peace Officers Association PAC, and California Real Estate PAC.
Opposing candidate: Republican Rob Bernosky
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Bernosky’s campaign has not recorded any fundraising receipts with the secretary of state’s office as of September 2022.
The District
State: California is the most populous state in the United States, and includes 58 counties and 331 million residents.
Voter registration: Of the 22 million registered voters in the state, 47% are Democrat, 24% are Republican, and 23% have no party preference. Democrats have held the Lieutenant Governor seat since 2011.
District demographics: 39% Latino, 16% Asian, and 7% Black
Recent election results: California voted for Joe Biden for president in 2020 by 29 points and Gavin Newsom for governor in 2018 by 24 points.
The Position
The secretary of state acts as the lead records officer for the state of California, and manages an office of 500 civil-service employees who are responsible for ensuring transparency and accessibility in elections, campaigning, business records, and legislative advocacy. The secretary of state’s office has a significant responsibility for election implementation and integrity, as it produces information pamphlets for voters in ten languages, provides statewide testing and approval for voting equipment, maintains the voter database, and certifies the official candidate lists and the official election results. The secretary of state’s office also oversees the filing and disclosure of campaign-finance information, the management of business records, the safeguarding of statewide address confidentiality, and the maintenance of registries for domestic partnerships and advanced health-care directives. The secretary of state is elected for a four-year term and may serve a maximum of two terms in office. This office has traditionally been held by Democrats.
Courage California endorses Secretary of State Dr. Shirley Weber for reelection to keep California on the right track for progress.
Secretary of State Dr. Shirley Weber’s track record and policy positions demonstrate that she will continue to be a progressive champion for all Californians and will execute her responsibilities effectively in the best interest of this diverse state.
Progressive endorsements: Secretary Weber has the endorsement of many progressive groups, including Courage California NARAL Pro-Choice California, Elect Black Women PAC, National Women’s Political Caucus, and Smart Justice California. She has also received the endorsement of a broad coalition of state leaders, including Governor Gavin Newsom, U.S. Senator Alex Padilla, Attorney General Rob Bonta, State Senator Sydney Kamlager, Assemblymember Laura Friedman, and LA County Supervisor Holly Mitchell.
Top issues: Inclusive and transparent election systems, expanding the right to vote, election security, improving campaign finance systems, increasing voter outreach and education, and monitoring and solidifying state cybersecurity.
Priority policies: Secretary Weber’s priorities this year include increased outreach to formerly incarcerated Californians to align election practices to the recently passed Proposition 17, which returns voting rights to parolees, to strengthen businesses across the state, and to upgrade the cybersecurity system to ensure that all California elections are protected from interference. As a public servant, Sec. Weber has established herself as a collaborative leader focused on supporting communities that have been under-resourced. In her first months in office, Secretary Weber has worked to establish connections with groups working to improve election information and engagement, including education professionals who can reach young voters and formerly incarcerated individuals now eligible to vote.
Governance and community leadership experience: Secretary Weber was first elected to the State Assembly in 2012, winning her seat with over 61% of the vote. In 2020, she won her reelection against Republican challenger John Moore by 30 points. In December 2020, she was appointed to serve as secretary of state by Governor Gavin Newsom after Alex Padilla was appointed to serve the rest of Vice President Kamala Harris’s Senate term.
As a member of the State Assembly, she sponsored bills on a variety of issues, including school safety, full-day kindergarten, reducing the use of deadly force by police, and strengthening the CalFresh program. Her successes also included environmental cleanup, increasing food access for food-insecure communities, establishing protections for residents of long-term nursing facilities, and lowering the cost of childcare. She scored a lifetime 93 out of 100 on Courage Score, our annual analysis of legislators’ progressive voting records. Based on our Courage Score analysis, Sec. Weber supported nearly all progressive bills that made it to a vote. That said, prior to her appointment to the secretary of state seat, she did not support lowering the voting age to 17.
Prior to serving in public office, Secretary Weber founded the Department of Africana Studies at San Diego State University in 1972, and taught there for forty years. She also served as president of the National Council for Black Studies from 2002 to 2006, as president of the San Diego Board of Education from 1988 to 1996, and as chairperson of San Diego’s Citizens Equal Opportunity Commission. Secretary Weber holds three degrees from UCLA and has been a longtime champion of the power of well-funded and well-staffed public education.
Other background: Secretary Shirley Weber, a former San Diego State University professor and longtime member of the California State Assembly, is originally from Los Angeles, and lived in the greater San Diego area for over 30 years. She is the daughter of an Arkansas sharecropper, and came to California at the age of three as her family fled racist persecution from white farmers.
The Race
Primary election results: The June 2022 results included incumbent Secretary Dr. Shirley Weber (D), 59%; Rob Bernosky (R), 19%; Rachel Hamm (R), 12%; James Paine (R), 4%; Gary Blenner (I), 3%; Raul Rodriguez Jr. (R), 3%, Matthew Cinquanta (I), 1%; and Desmond Silveira (I), 0%. Secretary Weber and Rob Bernosky will compete in a run-off in the November 8 general election.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Secretary Weber’s campaign has raised $1.1 million and has received donations from corporate PAC, fossil fuel, real estate, and police interests. Her problematic donors include Sempra Energy, Meta Platforms Inc., California Correctional Peace Officers Association PAC, and California Real Estate PAC.
Opposing candidate: Republican Rob Bernosky
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Bernosky’s campaign has not recorded any fundraising receipts with the secretary of state’s office as of September 2022.
The District
State: California is the most populous state in the United States, and includes 58 counties and 331 million residents.
Voter registration: Of the 22 million registered voters in the state, 47% are Democrat, 24% are Republican, and 23% have no party preference. Democrats have held the Lieutenant Governor seat since 2011.
District demographics: 39% Latino, 16% Asian, and 7% Black
Recent election results: California voted for Joe Biden for president in 2020 by 29 points and Gavin Newsom for governor in 2018 by 24 points.
The Position
The secretary of state acts as the lead records officer for the state of California, and manages an office of 500 civil-service employees who are responsible for ensuring transparency and accessibility in elections, campaigning, business records, and legislative advocacy. The secretary of state’s office has a significant responsibility for election implementation and integrity, as it produces information pamphlets for voters in ten languages, provides statewide testing and approval for voting equipment, maintains the voter database, and certifies the official candidate lists and the official election results. The secretary of state’s office also oversees the filing and disclosure of campaign-finance information, the management of business records, the safeguarding of statewide address confidentiality, and the maintenance of registries for domestic partnerships and advanced health-care directives. The secretary of state is elected for a four-year term and may serve a maximum of two terms in office. This office has traditionally been held by Democrats.
Courage California endorses Malia Cohen to serve as the next State Controller to keep California on the right track for progress.
Malia Cohen’s track record and policy positions demonstrate that she will be a progressive voice for the constituents of California and will govern effectively in the best interest of this diverse state.
Progressive endorsements: Cohen has received the endorsement of many progressive groups in the district, including Courage California, NARAL Pro-Choice California PAC, California Federation of Teachers, Elect Black Women PAC, and a variety of trade organizations, including UNITE Here PAC. She also has the endorsement of many elected officials in the state, including Congresswoman Karen Bass, current State Controller Betty Yee, State Attorney General Rob Bonta, Secretary of State Dr. Shirley Weber, State Senator Sydney Kamlager, and State Senator Scott Weiner.
Electoral history: Cohen currently serves as chair of the California State Board of Equalization, and has held this seat since she won with over 72% of the vote in 2018. She also served two terms on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, winning her first race in 2010.
Top issues: Economic recovery and growth, equity, accountability and transparency, homelessness and affordable housing, corporate accountability, reproductive freedom, climate protections, and affordable health care.
Priority policies: As a current member of the California State Board of Equalization representing District 2, Cohen has experience in administering statewide policy related to property tax, alcoholic beverage tax, and tax on insurers. In this and other positions, Cohen has kept equity in focus and has worked to leverage her role to create opportunities to establish more inclusive policies. She was instrumental in implementing a free community college program in San Francisco, co-authored the Fair Chance Ordinance for individuals reentering the workforce after incarceration, and championed the creation of a Department of Officer Accountability for the San Francisco Police Department. She also worked to divest the San Francisco Employee Retirement System (SFERS) investments from fossil fuels and thermal coal investments to bring a more ethical foundation to the pension system. These and other efforts demonstrate her deft ability to use her knowledge and authority to return benefits to communities that have been historically marginalized and disadvantaged by fiscal and public policy. As controller, Cohen hopes to create a more efficient system to connect unclaimed property to individuals who have ownership rights, streamline financial services for Californians who are unbanked, and create a Golden State Stimulus program that will ensure that residents have the resources they need to cover their basic living expenses.
Governance and community leadership experience: Cohen is a public official, a role she inhabits to redistribute state funding in a way that establishes a more equitable economic foundation for all constituents. Prior to joining the Board of Equalization, she served two terms as a member and president of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, where she chaired the Budget and Finance Committee. Cohen has also served as commissioner of the SFERS, which manages the city’s municipal pension fund.
Other background: Cohen is a lifelong Californian. She is the first Black woman to be elected to the California State Board of Equalization.
The Race
Primary election results: The June 2022 results included Lanhee Chen (R), 37%; Malia Cohen (D), 23%; Yvonne Yiu (D), 15%; Steve Glazer (D), 11%; Ron Galperin (D), 10%; and Laura Wells (I), 4%. Malia Cohen and Lanhee Chen will compete in a run-off in the November 8 general election.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Cohen’s campaign has raised $1.6 million and is not funded by fossil fuel or police interests.
Opposing candidate: Republican Lanhee Chen
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Chen’s campaign has raised $3.4 million and is funded by real estate and corporate PAC interests. Chen has also received a donation from Cotton for Senate, Inc., a campaign committee connected to the Koch family that aims to reelect MAGA Republican Sen. Tom Cotton of Missouri.
The District
State: California is the most populous state in the United States, and includes 58 counties and 331 million residents.
Voter registration: Of the 22 million registered voters in the state, 47% are Democrat, 24% are Republican, and 23% have no party preference. Democrats have held the lieutenant governor seat since 2011.
District demographics: 39% Latino, 16% Asian, and 7% Black
Recent election results: California voted for Joe Biden for president in 2020 by 29 points and Gavin Newsom for governor in 2018 by 24 points.
The Position
The state controller acts as the lead fiscal authority for the state of California, which is the fifth-largest economy in the world. The state controller manages an office of 1,400 public servants responsible for the disbursement of financial resources across the state. The state controller’s office oversees audits of funds distributed to state agencies and programs, acts as a steward for unclaimed property that falls to state possession, provides accounting and reporting services for government entities, and manages payroll accounting and data for state employees. The state controller also serves as a policy liaison to a variety of finance organizations, including the state’s two pension funds, CalPERS and CalSTRS, and the California Franchise Tax Board. The state controller is elected for a four-year term and may serve a maximum of two terms in office. This office has traditionally been held by Democrats, and is currently held by two-term Controller Betty Yee.
Last updated: 2023-04-05
Courage California endorses Malia Cohen to serve as the next State Controller to keep California on the right track for progress.
Malia Cohen’s track record and policy positions demonstrate that she will be a progressive voice for the constituents of California and will govern effectively in the best interest of this diverse state.
Progressive endorsements: Cohen has received the endorsement of many progressive groups in the district, including Courage California, NARAL Pro-Choice California PAC, California Federation of Teachers, Elect Black Women PAC, and a variety of trade organizations, including UNITE Here PAC. She also has the endorsement of many elected officials in the state, including Congresswoman Karen Bass, current State Controller Betty Yee, State Attorney General Rob Bonta, Secretary of State Dr. Shirley Weber, State Senator Sydney Kamlager, and State Senator Scott Weiner.
Electoral history: Cohen currently serves as chair of the California State Board of Equalization, and has held this seat since she won with over 72% of the vote in 2018. She also served two terms on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, winning her first race in 2010.
Top issues: Economic recovery and growth, equity, accountability and transparency, homelessness and affordable housing, corporate accountability, reproductive freedom, climate protections, and affordable health care.
Priority policies: As a current member of the California State Board of Equalization representing District 2, Cohen has experience in administering statewide policy related to property tax, alcoholic beverage tax, and tax on insurers. In this and other positions, Cohen has kept equity in focus and has worked to leverage her role to create opportunities to establish more inclusive policies. She was instrumental in implementing a free community college program in San Francisco, co-authored the Fair Chance Ordinance for individuals reentering the workforce after incarceration, and championed the creation of a Department of Officer Accountability for the San Francisco Police Department. She also worked to divest the San Francisco Employee Retirement System (SFERS) investments from fossil fuels and thermal coal investments to bring a more ethical foundation to the pension system. These and other efforts demonstrate her deft ability to use her knowledge and authority to return benefits to communities that have been historically marginalized and disadvantaged by fiscal and public policy. As controller, Cohen hopes to create a more efficient system to connect unclaimed property to individuals who have ownership rights, streamline financial services for Californians who are unbanked, and create a Golden State Stimulus program that will ensure that residents have the resources they need to cover their basic living expenses.
Governance and community leadership experience: Cohen is a public official, a role she inhabits to redistribute state funding in a way that establishes a more equitable economic foundation for all constituents. Prior to joining the Board of Equalization, she served two terms as a member and president of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, where she chaired the Budget and Finance Committee. Cohen has also served as commissioner of the SFERS, which manages the city’s municipal pension fund.
Other background: Cohen is a lifelong Californian. She is the first Black woman to be elected to the California State Board of Equalization.
The Race
Primary election results: The June 2022 results included Lanhee Chen (R), 37%; Malia Cohen (D), 23%; Yvonne Yiu (D), 15%; Steve Glazer (D), 11%; Ron Galperin (D), 10%; and Laura Wells (I), 4%. Malia Cohen and Lanhee Chen will compete in a run-off in the November 8 general election.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Cohen’s campaign has raised $1.6 million and is not funded by fossil fuel or police interests.
Opposing candidate: Republican Lanhee Chen
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Chen’s campaign has raised $3.4 million and is funded by real estate and corporate PAC interests. Chen has also received a donation from Cotton for Senate, Inc., a campaign committee connected to the Koch family that aims to reelect MAGA Republican Sen. Tom Cotton of Missouri.
The District
State: California is the most populous state in the United States, and includes 58 counties and 331 million residents.
Voter registration: Of the 22 million registered voters in the state, 47% are Democrat, 24% are Republican, and 23% have no party preference. Democrats have held the lieutenant governor seat since 2011.
District demographics: 39% Latino, 16% Asian, and 7% Black
Recent election results: California voted for Joe Biden for president in 2020 by 29 points and Gavin Newsom for governor in 2018 by 24 points.
The Position
The state controller acts as the lead fiscal authority for the state of California, which is the fifth-largest economy in the world. The state controller manages an office of 1,400 public servants responsible for the disbursement of financial resources across the state. The state controller’s office oversees audits of funds distributed to state agencies and programs, acts as a steward for unclaimed property that falls to state possession, provides accounting and reporting services for government entities, and manages payroll accounting and data for state employees. The state controller also serves as a policy liaison to a variety of finance organizations, including the state’s two pension funds, CalPERS and CalSTRS, and the California Franchise Tax Board. The state controller is elected for a four-year term and may serve a maximum of two terms in office. This office has traditionally been held by Democrats, and is currently held by two-term Controller Betty Yee.
Courage California endorses Malia Cohen to serve as the next State Controller to keep California on the right track for progress.
Malia Cohen’s track record and policy positions demonstrate that she will be a progressive voice for the constituents of California and will govern effectively in the best interest of this diverse state.
Progressive endorsements: Cohen has received the endorsement of many progressive groups in the district, including Courage California, NARAL Pro-Choice California PAC, California Federation of Teachers, Elect Black Women PAC, and a variety of trade organizations, including UNITE Here PAC. She also has the endorsement of many elected officials in the state, including Congresswoman Karen Bass, current State Controller Betty Yee, State Attorney General Rob Bonta, Secretary of State Dr. Shirley Weber, State Senator Sydney Kamlager, and State Senator Scott Weiner.
Electoral history: Cohen currently serves as chair of the California State Board of Equalization, and has held this seat since she won with over 72% of the vote in 2018. She also served two terms on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, winning her first race in 2010.
Top issues: Economic recovery and growth, equity, accountability and transparency, homelessness and affordable housing, corporate accountability, reproductive freedom, climate protections, and affordable health care.
Priority policies: As a current member of the California State Board of Equalization representing District 2, Cohen has experience in administering statewide policy related to property tax, alcoholic beverage tax, and tax on insurers. In this and other positions, Cohen has kept equity in focus and has worked to leverage her role to create opportunities to establish more inclusive policies. She was instrumental in implementing a free community college program in San Francisco, co-authored the Fair Chance Ordinance for individuals reentering the workforce after incarceration, and championed the creation of a Department of Officer Accountability for the San Francisco Police Department. She also worked to divest the San Francisco Employee Retirement System (SFERS) investments from fossil fuels and thermal coal investments to bring a more ethical foundation to the pension system. These and other efforts demonstrate her deft ability to use her knowledge and authority to return benefits to communities that have been historically marginalized and disadvantaged by fiscal and public policy. As controller, Cohen hopes to create a more efficient system to connect unclaimed property to individuals who have ownership rights, streamline financial services for Californians who are unbanked, and create a Golden State Stimulus program that will ensure that residents have the resources they need to cover their basic living expenses.
Governance and community leadership experience: Cohen is a public official, a role she inhabits to redistribute state funding in a way that establishes a more equitable economic foundation for all constituents. Prior to joining the Board of Equalization, she served two terms as a member and president of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, where she chaired the Budget and Finance Committee. Cohen has also served as commissioner of the SFERS, which manages the city’s municipal pension fund.
Other background: Cohen is a lifelong Californian. She is the first Black woman to be elected to the California State Board of Equalization.
The Race
Primary election results: The June 2022 results included Lanhee Chen (R), 37%; Malia Cohen (D), 23%; Yvonne Yiu (D), 15%; Steve Glazer (D), 11%; Ron Galperin (D), 10%; and Laura Wells (I), 4%. Malia Cohen and Lanhee Chen will compete in a run-off in the November 8 general election.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Cohen’s campaign has raised $1.6 million and is not funded by fossil fuel or police interests.
Opposing candidate: Republican Lanhee Chen
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Chen’s campaign has raised $3.4 million and is funded by real estate and corporate PAC interests. Chen has also received a donation from Cotton for Senate, Inc., a campaign committee connected to the Koch family that aims to reelect MAGA Republican Sen. Tom Cotton of Missouri.
The District
State: California is the most populous state in the United States, and includes 58 counties and 331 million residents.
Voter registration: Of the 22 million registered voters in the state, 47% are Democrat, 24% are Republican, and 23% have no party preference. Democrats have held the lieutenant governor seat since 2011.
District demographics: 39% Latino, 16% Asian, and 7% Black
Recent election results: California voted for Joe Biden for president in 2020 by 29 points and Gavin Newsom for governor in 2018 by 24 points.
The Position
The state controller acts as the lead fiscal authority for the state of California, which is the fifth-largest economy in the world. The state controller manages an office of 1,400 public servants responsible for the disbursement of financial resources across the state. The state controller’s office oversees audits of funds distributed to state agencies and programs, acts as a steward for unclaimed property that falls to state possession, provides accounting and reporting services for government entities, and manages payroll accounting and data for state employees. The state controller also serves as a policy liaison to a variety of finance organizations, including the state’s two pension funds, CalPERS and CalSTRS, and the California Franchise Tax Board. The state controller is elected for a four-year term and may serve a maximum of two terms in office. This office has traditionally been held by Democrats, and is currently held by two-term Controller Betty Yee.
Courage California endorses Pamela Price for district attorney to put Alameda County on the right track for progress.
Pamela Price’s experience and policy positions demonstrate that she will be a progressive voice for the constituents of Alameda County and will govern effectively in the best interest of this diverse district.
Progressive endorsements: Price has the endorsement of many progressive groups, including Courage California, Alameda Progressives, Bay Rising Action, Planned Parenthood Advocates Mar Monte, Coalition for Police Accountability, and California Working Families Party. She has also received the endorsement of many local leaders, including scholar, author, and activist Dr. Angela Davis, actor and activist Danny Glover, Berkeley City Council member Ben Bartlett, and Restorative Justice of Oakland (RJOY) co-founder Fania Davis.
Electoral history: Price won election to the Alameda County Democratic Central Committee in 2016, and was reelected in 2020. In 2014, she came in third in the primary race for Assembly District 15. In 2018, she lost a primary race for Alameda County district attorney, and then lost a general race for Oakland mayor.
Top issues: Public trust and transparency, violence prevention and public safety, fair and restorative justice, reduce the criminalization of youth, abolish the death penalty, police accountability, prosecutorial accountability, investment in reentry programs, and revive social-service funding.
Governance and community leadership experience: Price is an attorney and started her professional career as a criminal defense lawyer in San Francisco. In 1991, she started her own firm in Oakland, and for 30 years represented victims of wrongful termination and sexual assault, as well as discrimination based on sex, age, religion, disability, and race. She is a longtime supporter of gender, racial justice, and abortion rights and reproductive justice. As a community activist, Price co-founded the Bay Area Defense Committee for Battered Women and was appointed to serve on the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights, which protects the rights of poor and immigrant communities. Price has received multiple congressional awards for her community service.
Other background: Pamela Price is a longtime resident of the Bay Area. She is a survivor of the Ohio juvenile justice and foster-care systems, going on to graduate from Yale and UC Berkeley Law School.
The Race
Primary election results: The June 2022 results included Pamela Price, 40%; Terry Wiley, 31%; Jimmie Wilson, 21%; and Seth Steward, 9%. Pamela Price and Terry Wiley will compete in a run-off in the November 8 general election.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Price’s campaign has raised $330,000 and is not funded by police, real estate, corporate PAC, or fossil fuel interests.
Opposing candidate: Terry Wiley
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Wiley’s campaign has raised $659,000 and is funded by real estate interests and individual employees of the district attorney’s office. He is a deputy district attorney for current Alameda County District Attorney Nancy O’Malley, who has been criticized for not holding police accountable for crimes and actively campaigning against reforms. Wiley is endorsed by DA O’Malley and law-enforcement associations. Wiley has not taken a stance on abortion rights and reproductive justice or LGBTQIA+ rights.
The District
County: Alameda is California’s seventh most populous county. It is home to a population of 1.6 million people, with a demographic breakdown of 22% Latino, 26% Asian, and 13% Black.
Governance structure: Alameda’s district attorney oversees an office of 150 deputy district attorneys, and the prosecution of criminal offenses across the county and unincorporated areas.
The Position
Each of the 58 counties in California elects a district attorney to manage the prosecution of criminal offenses related to the violation of state and county laws. The district attorney has investigative authority, manages the apprehension of individuals identified through the investigative process, and holds charging and prosecutorial power. The work of the district attorney includes Municipal and Superior Court operations, and serving as a legal liaison to the grand jury. The county Board of Supervisors provides financial oversight to the district attorney’s office, but holds no operational power over their work. District attorneys are elected to four-year terms in office.
Last updated: 2023-04-05
Courage California endorses Pamela Price for district attorney to put Alameda County on the right track for progress.
Pamela Price’s experience and policy positions demonstrate that she will be a progressive voice for the constituents of Alameda County and will govern effectively in the best interest of this diverse district.
Progressive endorsements: Price has the endorsement of many progressive groups, including Courage California, Alameda Progressives, Bay Rising Action, Planned Parenthood Advocates Mar Monte, Coalition for Police Accountability, and California Working Families Party. She has also received the endorsement of many local leaders, including scholar, author, and activist Dr. Angela Davis, actor and activist Danny Glover, Berkeley City Council member Ben Bartlett, and Restorative Justice of Oakland (RJOY) co-founder Fania Davis.
Electoral history: Price won election to the Alameda County Democratic Central Committee in 2016, and was reelected in 2020. In 2014, she came in third in the primary race for Assembly District 15. In 2018, she lost a primary race for Alameda County district attorney, and then lost a general race for Oakland mayor.
Top issues: Public trust and transparency, violence prevention and public safety, fair and restorative justice, reduce the criminalization of youth, abolish the death penalty, police accountability, prosecutorial accountability, investment in reentry programs, and revive social-service funding.
Governance and community leadership experience: Price is an attorney and started her professional career as a criminal defense lawyer in San Francisco. In 1991, she started her own firm in Oakland, and for 30 years represented victims of wrongful termination and sexual assault, as well as discrimination based on sex, age, religion, disability, and race. She is a longtime supporter of gender, racial justice, and abortion rights and reproductive justice. As a community activist, Price co-founded the Bay Area Defense Committee for Battered Women and was appointed to serve on the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights, which protects the rights of poor and immigrant communities. Price has received multiple congressional awards for her community service.
Other background: Pamela Price is a longtime resident of the Bay Area. She is a survivor of the Ohio juvenile justice and foster-care systems, going on to graduate from Yale and UC Berkeley Law School.
The Race
Primary election results: The June 2022 results included Pamela Price, 40%; Terry Wiley, 31%; Jimmie Wilson, 21%; and Seth Steward, 9%. Pamela Price and Terry Wiley will compete in a run-off in the November 8 general election.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Price’s campaign has raised $330,000 and is not funded by police, real estate, corporate PAC, or fossil fuel interests.
Opposing candidate: Terry Wiley
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Wiley’s campaign has raised $659,000 and is funded by real estate interests and individual employees of the district attorney’s office. He is a deputy district attorney for current Alameda County District Attorney Nancy O’Malley, who has been criticized for not holding police accountable for crimes and actively campaigning against reforms. Wiley is endorsed by DA O’Malley and law-enforcement associations. Wiley has not taken a stance on abortion rights and reproductive justice or LGBTQIA+ rights.
The District
County: Alameda is California’s seventh most populous county. It is home to a population of 1.6 million people, with a demographic breakdown of 22% Latino, 26% Asian, and 13% Black.
Governance structure: Alameda’s district attorney oversees an office of 150 deputy district attorneys, and the prosecution of criminal offenses across the county and unincorporated areas.
The Position
Each of the 58 counties in California elects a district attorney to manage the prosecution of criminal offenses related to the violation of state and county laws. The district attorney has investigative authority, manages the apprehension of individuals identified through the investigative process, and holds charging and prosecutorial power. The work of the district attorney includes Municipal and Superior Court operations, and serving as a legal liaison to the grand jury. The county Board of Supervisors provides financial oversight to the district attorney’s office, but holds no operational power over their work. District attorneys are elected to four-year terms in office.
Courage California endorses Pamela Price for district attorney to put Alameda County on the right track for progress.
Pamela Price’s experience and policy positions demonstrate that she will be a progressive voice for the constituents of Alameda County and will govern effectively in the best interest of this diverse district.
Progressive endorsements: Price has the endorsement of many progressive groups, including Courage California, Alameda Progressives, Bay Rising Action, Planned Parenthood Advocates Mar Monte, Coalition for Police Accountability, and California Working Families Party. She has also received the endorsement of many local leaders, including scholar, author, and activist Dr. Angela Davis, actor and activist Danny Glover, Berkeley City Council member Ben Bartlett, and Restorative Justice of Oakland (RJOY) co-founder Fania Davis.
Electoral history: Price won election to the Alameda County Democratic Central Committee in 2016, and was reelected in 2020. In 2014, she came in third in the primary race for Assembly District 15. In 2018, she lost a primary race for Alameda County district attorney, and then lost a general race for Oakland mayor.
Top issues: Public trust and transparency, violence prevention and public safety, fair and restorative justice, reduce the criminalization of youth, abolish the death penalty, police accountability, prosecutorial accountability, investment in reentry programs, and revive social-service funding.
Governance and community leadership experience: Price is an attorney and started her professional career as a criminal defense lawyer in San Francisco. In 1991, she started her own firm in Oakland, and for 30 years represented victims of wrongful termination and sexual assault, as well as discrimination based on sex, age, religion, disability, and race. She is a longtime supporter of gender, racial justice, and abortion rights and reproductive justice. As a community activist, Price co-founded the Bay Area Defense Committee for Battered Women and was appointed to serve on the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights, which protects the rights of poor and immigrant communities. Price has received multiple congressional awards for her community service.
Other background: Pamela Price is a longtime resident of the Bay Area. She is a survivor of the Ohio juvenile justice and foster-care systems, going on to graduate from Yale and UC Berkeley Law School.
The Race
Primary election results: The June 2022 results included Pamela Price, 40%; Terry Wiley, 31%; Jimmie Wilson, 21%; and Seth Steward, 9%. Pamela Price and Terry Wiley will compete in a run-off in the November 8 general election.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Price’s campaign has raised $330,000 and is not funded by police, real estate, corporate PAC, or fossil fuel interests.
Opposing candidate: Terry Wiley
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Wiley’s campaign has raised $659,000 and is funded by real estate interests and individual employees of the district attorney’s office. He is a deputy district attorney for current Alameda County District Attorney Nancy O’Malley, who has been criticized for not holding police accountable for crimes and actively campaigning against reforms. Wiley is endorsed by DA O’Malley and law-enforcement associations. Wiley has not taken a stance on abortion rights and reproductive justice or LGBTQIA+ rights.
The District
County: Alameda is California’s seventh most populous county. It is home to a population of 1.6 million people, with a demographic breakdown of 22% Latino, 26% Asian, and 13% Black.
Governance structure: Alameda’s district attorney oversees an office of 150 deputy district attorneys, and the prosecution of criminal offenses across the county and unincorporated areas.
The Position
Each of the 58 counties in California elects a district attorney to manage the prosecution of criminal offenses related to the violation of state and county laws. The district attorney has investigative authority, manages the apprehension of individuals identified through the investigative process, and holds charging and prosecutorial power. The work of the district attorney includes Municipal and Superior Court operations, and serving as a legal liaison to the grand jury. The county Board of Supervisors provides financial oversight to the district attorney’s office, but holds no operational power over their work. District attorneys are elected to four-year terms in office.
Vote YES on Proposition 1 to enshrine abortion rights into the California State Constitution.
After the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade in June 2022, the California State Legislature moved quickly to place Proposition 1 on the ballot. Although there is a right to privacy in the California State Constitution that has been historically interpreted to cover the right to choose to have an abortion, that right is not explicitly written into the State Constitution. Proposition 1 would amend the State Constitution to enshrine the right to reproductive freedom, including the right to choose to have an abortion and the right to choose or refuse contraception.
Why voting YES on Proposition 1 matters:
The California state legislature and governorship are currently controlled by Democrats. However, should that change, the reproductive freedom protections currently in place may be threatened. Enshrining the rights to abortion and contraceptives is a critical step Californians can take now to ensure that reproductive freedom remains a right in California, regardless of which party is in power. In order to remove such a protection from the State Constitution, Republicans would need to place another measure on the ballot, whether through the legislature or by citizen referendum, and convince California voters to vote for it.
The Supremacy Clause of the federal Constitution usually gives federal law precedence over state statutes and constitutions. Although Prop. 1 would probably not be enough to stop a national ban, the courts would first have to strike down the constitutional language.
Top funders of Proposition 1:
Yes on Prop 1: The top funders of the ballot measure committee supporting Proposition 1 are Planned Parenthood Advocacy Project Los Angeles County, Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California, and M. Quinn Delaney, a wealthy liberal philanthropist and co-founder of the Akonadi Foundation. As of August 1, the Yes on Prop 1 committee has raised $355,112 and spent $79,000 since Jan. 1, 2022. The California Democratic Party has also endorsed Proposition 1.
No on Prop 1: The recently formed No on Proposition 1 committee has raised $134,798 since August 1, and data has yet to be made available on how the committee has spent its funds. In addition, the California Republican Party came out in opposition to the ballot measure. The California Catholic Conference has also come out in opposition to Proposition 1, with the Archbishop of San Francisco stating that “the California bishops have made defeating Prop. 1 our number one priority for this year.”
Misinformation about Proposition 1 includes:
The California Catholic Conference claims that Prop. 1 would “over-ride current law” to allow for “taxpayer-funded” abortion care. Prop. 1 simply makes explicit the current, common interpretation of the California State Constitution that already allows for abortion care and state assistance for those seeking to receive such health care. Also, because these rights already exist in California, the proposition would have no direct fiscal effect, meaning it would not create increased costs to taxpayers.
Last updated: 2023-04-05
Vote YES on Proposition 1 to enshrine abortion rights into the California State Constitution.
After the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade in June 2022, the California State Legislature moved quickly to place Proposition 1 on the ballot. Although there is a right to privacy in the California State Constitution that has been historically interpreted to cover the right to choose to have an abortion, that right is not explicitly written into the State Constitution. Proposition 1 would amend the State Constitution to enshrine the right to reproductive freedom, including the right to choose to have an abortion and the right to choose or refuse contraception.
Why voting YES on Proposition 1 matters:
The California state legislature and governorship are currently controlled by Democrats. However, should that change, the reproductive freedom protections currently in place may be threatened. Enshrining the rights to abortion and contraceptives is a critical step Californians can take now to ensure that reproductive freedom remains a right in California, regardless of which party is in power. In order to remove such a protection from the State Constitution, Republicans would need to place another measure on the ballot, whether through the legislature or by citizen referendum, and convince California voters to vote for it.
The Supremacy Clause of the federal Constitution usually gives federal law precedence over state statutes and constitutions. Although Prop. 1 would probably not be enough to stop a national ban, the courts would first have to strike down the constitutional language.
Top funders of Proposition 1:
Yes on Prop 1: The top funders of the ballot measure committee supporting Proposition 1 are Planned Parenthood Advocacy Project Los Angeles County, Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California, and M. Quinn Delaney, a wealthy liberal philanthropist and co-founder of the Akonadi Foundation. As of August 1, the Yes on Prop 1 committee has raised $355,112 and spent $79,000 since Jan. 1, 2022. The California Democratic Party has also endorsed Proposition 1.
No on Prop 1: The recently formed No on Proposition 1 committee has raised $134,798 since August 1, and data has yet to be made available on how the committee has spent its funds. In addition, the California Republican Party came out in opposition to the ballot measure. The California Catholic Conference has also come out in opposition to Proposition 1, with the Archbishop of San Francisco stating that “the California bishops have made defeating Prop. 1 our number one priority for this year.”
Misinformation about Proposition 1 includes:
The California Catholic Conference claims that Prop. 1 would “over-ride current law” to allow for “taxpayer-funded” abortion care. Prop. 1 simply makes explicit the current, common interpretation of the California State Constitution that already allows for abortion care and state assistance for those seeking to receive such health care. Also, because these rights already exist in California, the proposition would have no direct fiscal effect, meaning it would not create increased costs to taxpayers.
Vote YES on Proposition 30 to fund wildfire prevention, sustain wildfire-fighting resources, and reduce air pollution by expanding access to electric vehicles.
Californians face health-threatening pollution and deadly wildfires every day. Piecemeal environmental reforms are important for mitigating some of climate change’s devastating effects, but our state must make bold investments if we’re going to make significant progress in our fight against climate change. Proposition 30 would tax the wealthiest Californians to fund wildfire prevention and help slash emissions statewide by expanding electric-vehicle access for all Californians, especially those living in heavily polluted and low-income communities.
Why voting YES on Proposition 30 matters:
The state’s Air Resources Board has planned and set targets for 100 percent of new cars sold in California to be zero-emissions vehicles by 2035. However, access to electric vehicles remains out of reach for many low- and middle-income Californians. The current average electric-vehicle owner in California is a white homeowner who makes $190,000 a year. Funding electric-vehicle infrastructure and providing rebates, grants, and financial assistance to make electric vehicles affordable is one major way that California can advance its statewide commitment to slashing emissions. At least half of the funds generated by Prop. 30 must be spent on projects that benefit heavily polluted and/or low-income communities.
Proposition 30 would impose a 1.75% personal income tax increase on the wealthiest Californians—those who make more than $2 million per year—to fund wildfire prevention, wildfire fighting, and electric-vehicle access programs. Forty-five percent of the funding from Prop. 30 would go toward helping families, businesses, and local governments pay for zero-emissions vehicles; 35 percent would go toward installing and operating zero-emissions vehicle charging stations; and 20 percent would go toward wildfire prevention and fighting efforts, with the state being required to prioritize spending to hire, train, and retain firefighters. Per state analysts, Prop. 30 is estimated to increase state funding for electric-vehicle access and infrastructure by $2.8 billion to $4 billion annually, and the measure is also estimated to increase state funding for wildfire prevention and fighting by $700 million to $1 billion annually.
As Californians are already experiencing, extreme wildfires are expected to increase by 50% worldwide by the end of the century, according to the United Nations, and the U.N. also warns that governments must do much more to address the issue. State analysts stated in a recent report earlier this year that additional wildfire funds are “merited” because of “the worsening pattern of large and severe wildfires in recent years.”
Top funders of Proposition 30:
The top funders of the main ballot measure committee supporting Proposition 30 are the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Lyft, and Zinc Collective. As of August 1, the Yes on 30 Clean Air California committee has raised $16 million and spent $14 million since Jan. 1, 2022. Other major supporters include the California Democratic Party, California Environmental Voters, the State Building and Construction Trades Council of California, Natural Resources Defense Council, and IE United.
The recently formed No on 30 campaign has raised $9 million since August 1, 2022, mostly from billionaires Catherine Dean, Mark Heising, and Michael Mortiz. Other notable opposition to Proposition 30 includes the California Chamber of Commerce, Governor Gavin Newsom, the California Teachers Association, and the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association.
Misinformation about Proposition 30 includes:
The California Chamber of Commerce claims that Proposition 30 is unnecessary because California has the “highest personal income tax rate in the country at 13.3%.” However, only Californians making over $1 million a year are taxed at that rate, and the average household income in 2020 dollars in California is $78,672.
The California Teachers Association opposes Proposition 30 because funds raised from the measure would be exempt from a requirement that half of any new state revenues go to public education. Prop. 30 does not affect the current school-funding formula.
The Yes on 30 committee does receive major funding from Lyft. The state requires ride-sharing companies to use more zero-emissions vehicles to provide ride-sharing services, so increasing the number of electric vehicles driven by Californians generally could indirectly help companies like Lyft reach their zero-emissions vehicle goals as mandated by the state. However, the ballot measure itself was written by environmental organizations, including California Environmental Voters, and the ballot measure language makes no mention of rideshare companies.
Last updated: 2023-04-05
Vote YES on Proposition 30 to fund wildfire prevention, sustain wildfire-fighting resources, and reduce air pollution by expanding access to electric vehicles.
Californians face health-threatening pollution and deadly wildfires every day. Piecemeal environmental reforms are important for mitigating some of climate change’s devastating effects, but our state must make bold investments if we’re going to make significant progress in our fight against climate change. Proposition 30 would tax the wealthiest Californians to fund wildfire prevention and help slash emissions statewide by expanding electric-vehicle access for all Californians, especially those living in heavily polluted and low-income communities.
Why voting YES on Proposition 30 matters:
The state’s Air Resources Board has planned and set targets for 100 percent of new cars sold in California to be zero-emissions vehicles by 2035. However, access to electric vehicles remains out of reach for many low- and middle-income Californians. The current average electric-vehicle owner in California is a white homeowner who makes $190,000 a year. Funding electric-vehicle infrastructure and providing rebates, grants, and financial assistance to make electric vehicles affordable is one major way that California can advance its statewide commitment to slashing emissions. At least half of the funds generated by Prop. 30 must be spent on projects that benefit heavily polluted and/or low-income communities.
Proposition 30 would impose a 1.75% personal income tax increase on the wealthiest Californians—those who make more than $2 million per year—to fund wildfire prevention, wildfire fighting, and electric-vehicle access programs. Forty-five percent of the funding from Prop. 30 would go toward helping families, businesses, and local governments pay for zero-emissions vehicles; 35 percent would go toward installing and operating zero-emissions vehicle charging stations; and 20 percent would go toward wildfire prevention and fighting efforts, with the state being required to prioritize spending to hire, train, and retain firefighters. Per state analysts, Prop. 30 is estimated to increase state funding for electric-vehicle access and infrastructure by $2.8 billion to $4 billion annually, and the measure is also estimated to increase state funding for wildfire prevention and fighting by $700 million to $1 billion annually.
As Californians are already experiencing, extreme wildfires are expected to increase by 50% worldwide by the end of the century, according to the United Nations, and the U.N. also warns that governments must do much more to address the issue. State analysts stated in a recent report earlier this year that additional wildfire funds are “merited” because of “the worsening pattern of large and severe wildfires in recent years.”
Top funders of Proposition 30:
The top funders of the main ballot measure committee supporting Proposition 30 are the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Lyft, and Zinc Collective. As of August 1, the Yes on 30 Clean Air California committee has raised $16 million and spent $14 million since Jan. 1, 2022. Other major supporters include the California Democratic Party, California Environmental Voters, the State Building and Construction Trades Council of California, Natural Resources Defense Council, and IE United.
The recently formed No on 30 campaign has raised $9 million since August 1, 2022, mostly from billionaires Catherine Dean, Mark Heising, and Michael Mortiz. Other notable opposition to Proposition 30 includes the California Chamber of Commerce, Governor Gavin Newsom, the California Teachers Association, and the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association.
Misinformation about Proposition 30 includes:
The California Chamber of Commerce claims that Proposition 30 is unnecessary because California has the “highest personal income tax rate in the country at 13.3%.” However, only Californians making over $1 million a year are taxed at that rate, and the average household income in 2020 dollars in California is $78,672.
The California Teachers Association opposes Proposition 30 because funds raised from the measure would be exempt from a requirement that half of any new state revenues go to public education. Prop. 30 does not affect the current school-funding formula.
The Yes on 30 committee does receive major funding from Lyft. The state requires ride-sharing companies to use more zero-emissions vehicles to provide ride-sharing services, so increasing the number of electric vehicles driven by Californians generally could indirectly help companies like Lyft reach their zero-emissions vehicle goals as mandated by the state. However, the ballot measure itself was written by environmental organizations, including California Environmental Voters, and the ballot measure language makes no mention of rideshare companies.
Vote YES on Proposition 31 to uphold the current state law banning the sale and marketing of flavored tobacco products.
In 2020, California’s state legislators passed a bipartisan bill to end the sale and marketing of candy-flavored tobacco products. The law is intended to help curb youth tobacco use. Now tobacco corporations are spending millions to stop the law from going into effect. Prop. 31 would uphold the law, ensure that it goes into effect, and penalize candy-flavored tobacco product sales in California with a $250 fine against stores per violation.
Why voting YES on Proposition 31 matters:
Candy-flavored tobacco products are especially appealing to children and young adults. A 2021 CDC survey found that over 70% of middle- and high-school students were exposed to tobacco ads, and 80% who use tobacco use flavored tobacco. According to a report from the Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, youth who use flavorings such as fruit or candy flavoring vape more compared to those who use “traditional” flavors of tobacco. Passing Prop. 31 and upholding the ban on the sale of candy-flavored tobacco products is critical for reducing youth tobacco use.
The California State Legislature passed SB 793 in 2020 to end the sale and marketing of candy-flavored tobacco products in the state. By placing Prop. 31 on the ballot, the tobacco industry has effectively been able to use its wealth and resources to keep SB 793 from taking effect for two years. Now tobacco companies like Philip Morris are spending millions against the measure to further delay and ultimately overturn the ban.
Top funders of Proposition 31:
The top funders of the ballot measure committee supporting Proposition 31 are Michael Bloomberg, Kaiser Foundation Health Plan, Inc. and the Hospitals, and the California Teachers Association Issues PAC. As of August 1, the Yes on 31 committee has raised $3 million and spent $2 million since Jan. 1, 2022. Other supporters include the American Lung Association and Governor Gavin Newsom.
The top funders of the ballot measure committee opposition Proposition 31 are tobacco companies R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company, Philip Morris USA, and ITG Brands. As of August 1, the No on 31 committee has raised $15 million and spent $743,566 since Jan. 1, 2022. The California Republican Party is also opposed to Prop. 31.
Misinformation about Proposition 31 includes:
Tobacco companies claim that Prop. 31 is discriminatory because it criminalizes the sale of menthol cigarettes “preferred” by people of color. However, tobacco companies have been systematically targeting Black youth for decades with candy-flavored tobacco products. The share of Black Americans who smoke using minty menthols has dramatically increased since the 1950s because of tobacco corporations’ predatory marketing in Black communities.
Last updated: 2023-04-05
Vote YES on Proposition 31 to uphold the current state law banning the sale and marketing of flavored tobacco products.
In 2020, California’s state legislators passed a bipartisan bill to end the sale and marketing of candy-flavored tobacco products. The law is intended to help curb youth tobacco use. Now tobacco corporations are spending millions to stop the law from going into effect. Prop. 31 would uphold the law, ensure that it goes into effect, and penalize candy-flavored tobacco product sales in California with a $250 fine against stores per violation.
Why voting YES on Proposition 31 matters:
Candy-flavored tobacco products are especially appealing to children and young adults. A 2021 CDC survey found that over 70% of middle- and high-school students were exposed to tobacco ads, and 80% who use tobacco use flavored tobacco. According to a report from the Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, youth who use flavorings such as fruit or candy flavoring vape more compared to those who use “traditional” flavors of tobacco. Passing Prop. 31 and upholding the ban on the sale of candy-flavored tobacco products is critical for reducing youth tobacco use.
The California State Legislature passed SB 793 in 2020 to end the sale and marketing of candy-flavored tobacco products in the state. By placing Prop. 31 on the ballot, the tobacco industry has effectively been able to use its wealth and resources to keep SB 793 from taking effect for two years. Now tobacco companies like Philip Morris are spending millions against the measure to further delay and ultimately overturn the ban.
Top funders of Proposition 31:
The top funders of the ballot measure committee supporting Proposition 31 are Michael Bloomberg, Kaiser Foundation Health Plan, Inc. and the Hospitals, and the California Teachers Association Issues PAC. As of August 1, the Yes on 31 committee has raised $3 million and spent $2 million since Jan. 1, 2022. Other supporters include the American Lung Association and Governor Gavin Newsom.
The top funders of the ballot measure committee opposition Proposition 31 are tobacco companies R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company, Philip Morris USA, and ITG Brands. As of August 1, the No on 31 committee has raised $15 million and spent $743,566 since Jan. 1, 2022. The California Republican Party is also opposed to Prop. 31.
Misinformation about Proposition 31 includes:
Tobacco companies claim that Prop. 31 is discriminatory because it criminalizes the sale of menthol cigarettes “preferred” by people of color. However, tobacco companies have been systematically targeting Black youth for decades with candy-flavored tobacco products. The share of Black Americans who smoke using minty menthols has dramatically increased since the 1950s because of tobacco corporations’ predatory marketing in Black communities.
Depending on where you live, you may have one of the below ballot measures on your ballot.
Voting has changed in Los Angeles County this year. The Voter’s Choice Act was enacted in the county to make voting more convenient. Changes include an expanded period of in-person early voting, every registered voter in the county will receive a vote-by-mail ballot, and every registered voter in the county is able to vote in-person at any Vote Center in their county. Also, in-person voters in Los Angeles County will have the opportunity to use the new Ballot Marking Device, a touchscreen with audio features, to mark their ballots. Have questions about the changes to voting in Los Angeles County? Find out how to vote in Los Angeles County.
Vote YES to improve accountability for the LA County Sheriff
Vote YES on Measure A to provide the L.A. County Board of Supervisors with the power to remove a sheriff from office for cause.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department’s history is one rife with mismanagement, corruption, and the infliction of brutality on county residents. Currently, the sheriff can only be removed by recall or by the convening of a grand jury, which can take months. The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors voted on August 2, 2022, to place a measure on the November ballot that, if approved by voters, would give the supervisors the authority to quickly remove a publicly elected sheriff from office “for cause.”
“For cause” is defined by the measure as “a violation of any law related to the performance of their duties as Sheriff; flagrant or repeated neglect of duties; a misappropriation of public funds or property; willful falsification of a relevant official statement or document; or obstruction of any investigation into the conduct of the Sheriff by the Inspector General, Sheriff Civilian Oversight Commission, or any government agency with jurisdiction to conduct such an investigation.”
Why voting YES on Measure A matters:
Sheriff Alex Villanueva is one of the most corrupt, extremist sheriffs in the history of Los Angeles County—he famously has refused to comply with oversight procedures and has been accused of retaining a “secret police” force within LASD for political investigation and intimidation. He is also far from the only sheriff who has abused the powers of the office. In 2014, for example, Sheriff Lee Baca resigned during an ongoing FBI investigation and was imprisoned for obstruction of justice and lying to federal investigators. Currently, the Board of Supervisors is able to engage in limited oversight by assessing how it allocates funds for the Sheriff Department’s budget, and the Supervisors also created the Sheriff Civilian Oversight Commission in 2016. These existing accountability mechanisms are important, but they often depend somewhat on the sheriff’s cooperation. Voting yes on Measure A to allow the Board of Supervisors to remove the sheriff for cause provides another tool for accountability where there are few.
Recall elections are costly to taxpayers and often involve low levels of participation from voters, allowing affluent groups to influence election outcomes more than under usual circumstances. Measure A would allow the Board to act expeditiously to remove a corrupt sheriff rather than wait months or years for a recall election to be held.
Top funders of Measure A:
Currently, no ballot measure committee has been formed in support of Measure A. Notable supporters of Measure A include the ACLU of Southern California and Dignity and Power Now.
One committee, the Mexican American Political Association PAC to Oppose Measure A, has been formed in opposition to the measure, although current publicly available data shows the committee has yet to raise funds.
Last updated: 2023-04-05
Vote YES on Measure A to provide the L.A. County Board of Supervisors with the power to remove a sheriff from office for cause.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department’s history is one rife with mismanagement, corruption, and the infliction of brutality on county residents. Currently, the sheriff can only be removed by recall or by the convening of a grand jury, which can take months. The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors voted on August 2, 2022, to place a measure on the November ballot that, if approved by voters, would give the supervisors the authority to quickly remove a publicly elected sheriff from office “for cause.”
“For cause” is defined by the measure as “a violation of any law related to the performance of their duties as Sheriff; flagrant or repeated neglect of duties; a misappropriation of public funds or property; willful falsification of a relevant official statement or document; or obstruction of any investigation into the conduct of the Sheriff by the Inspector General, Sheriff Civilian Oversight Commission, or any government agency with jurisdiction to conduct such an investigation.”
Why voting YES on Measure A matters:
Sheriff Alex Villanueva is one of the most corrupt, extremist sheriffs in the history of Los Angeles County—he famously has refused to comply with oversight procedures and has been accused of retaining a “secret police” force within LASD for political investigation and intimidation. He is also far from the only sheriff who has abused the powers of the office. In 2014, for example, Sheriff Lee Baca resigned during an ongoing FBI investigation and was imprisoned for obstruction of justice and lying to federal investigators. Currently, the Board of Supervisors is able to engage in limited oversight by assessing how it allocates funds for the Sheriff Department’s budget, and the Supervisors also created the Sheriff Civilian Oversight Commission in 2016. These existing accountability mechanisms are important, but they often depend somewhat on the sheriff’s cooperation. Voting yes on Measure A to allow the Board of Supervisors to remove the sheriff for cause provides another tool for accountability where there are few.
Recall elections are costly to taxpayers and often involve low levels of participation from voters, allowing affluent groups to influence election outcomes more than under usual circumstances. Measure A would allow the Board to act expeditiously to remove a corrupt sheriff rather than wait months or years for a recall election to be held.
Top funders of Measure A:
Currently, no ballot measure committee has been formed in support of Measure A. Notable supporters of Measure A include the ACLU of Southern California and Dignity and Power Now.
One committee, the Mexican American Political Association PAC to Oppose Measure A, has been formed in opposition to the measure, although current publicly available data shows the committee has yet to raise funds.
Vote YES on Measure ULA to fund affordable housing construction and assistance for vulnerable renters in the City of Los Angeles.
Vote YES on Measure ULA to fund affordable housing construction and assistance for vulnerable renters in the City of Los Angeles.
As eviction moratoriums have ended and funding for pandemic-related assistance to tenants is drying up, the need for housing and tenant protections in cities like Los Angeles becomes even clearer. That’s why a coalition of homeless service providers, affordable housing nonprofits, labor unions, and tenants’ rights groups collected signatures to place Measure ULA on the ballot for the City of Los Angeles this November. If approved by voters, Measure ULA would tax real estate that sells for more than $5 million in LA City to fund affordable-housing production and tenant-protection programs.
Why voting YES on Measure ULA matters:
Measure ULA will make a historic investment in affordable housing by immediately buying and building housing for residents who are experiencing homelessness, providing financial assistance to low-income seniors who are in immediate danger of being unhoused, and providing legal aid to vulnerable renters.
Ending homelessness first requires housing people. Measure ULA prioritizes putting a roof over people’s heads rather than further displacing them, which has long proven to be ineffective in addressing the housing and homelessness crisis.
Top funders of Measure A:
Yes on Measure A: The top funders of the ballot measure committee supporting Measure ULA are the Service Employees International Union Local 2015, the Los Angeles County Building and Construction Trades Council, and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 11. Other notable supporters include the Los Angeles County Labor Federation, Koreatown Immigrant Workers Alliance, Southern California Association of Non-Profit Housing, Human Rights Watch, the ACLU of Southern California, PATH, and ACCE Action.
No on Measure A: While organized opposition has yet to form publicly against Measure ULA, some prominent individuals from the real estate industry, including former president of the Greater Los Angeles Association of Realtors Ryan Ole Hass, have voiced opposition to the potential tax due to it being focused solely on real estate.
Last updated: 2023-04-05
Vote YES on Measure ULA to fund affordable housing construction and assistance for vulnerable renters in the City of Los Angeles.
As eviction moratoriums have ended and funding for pandemic-related assistance to tenants is drying up, the need for housing and tenant protections in cities like Los Angeles becomes even clearer. That’s why a coalition of homeless service providers, affordable housing nonprofits, labor unions, and tenants’ rights groups collected signatures to place Measure ULA on the ballot for the City of Los Angeles this November. If approved by voters, Measure ULA would tax real estate that sells for more than $5 million in LA City to fund affordable-housing production and tenant-protection programs.
Why voting YES on Measure ULA matters:
Measure ULA will make a historic investment in affordable housing by immediately buying and building housing for residents who are experiencing homelessness, providing financial assistance to low-income seniors who are in immediate danger of being unhoused, and providing legal aid to vulnerable renters.
Ending homelessness first requires housing people. Measure ULA prioritizes putting a roof over people’s heads rather than further displacing them, which has long proven to be ineffective in addressing the housing and homelessness crisis.
Top funders of Measure A:
Yes on Measure A: The top funders of the ballot measure committee supporting Measure ULA are the Service Employees International Union Local 2015, the Los Angeles County Building and Construction Trades Council, and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 11. Other notable supporters include the Los Angeles County Labor Federation, Koreatown Immigrant Workers Alliance, Southern California Association of Non-Profit Housing, Human Rights Watch, the ACLU of Southern California, PATH, and ACCE Action.
No on Measure A: While organized opposition has yet to form publicly against Measure ULA, some prominent individuals from the real estate industry, including former president of the Greater Los Angeles Association of Realtors Ryan Ole Hass, have voiced opposition to the potential tax due to it being focused solely on real estate.
Vote YES on Measure W to increase transparency in local elections and promote small-donor participation.
Vote YES on Measure W to increase transparency in local elections and promote small-donor participation.
The vast majority of Oakland residents don’t contribute to political campaigns, which means that a small affluent minority are funding and influencing local elections. To promote participation in elections by all residents and to ensure that candidates do not have to rely on big donors, Measure W would enact a new system of public financing for Oakland elections. Oakland voters would receive a set of four $25 vouchers that can be donated to local campaigns of their choosing. The candidates then redeem those vouchers for public campaign funds. Measure W would also require increased disclosure of local election spending, double the length of the ban on lobbying by former city officials from one year to two years, and limit campaign contributions for candidates who use public funds.
Measure W would not levy a new tax. Instead, the funds for programs created through Measure W would come from the city’s General Fund.
Why voting YES on Measure W matters:
Oakland residents deserve more transparent elections. Measure W would require the disclosure of top funders for local campaign advertisements for both candidates and ballot measures.
Campaigns are expensive. Hiring staff, gaining access to voter data, printing mailers, launching digital advertisements, and other campaign operations require funds. The vast majority of Americans do not make political contributions, including in Oakland, and those who do are often higher-income and older. More affluent voters who are able to contribute to campaigns gain additional access to candidates–which can look like attendance at private events or heightened access to direct communication with them–since these donors finance the campaigns’ daily operations. In short, this creates an ecosystem in which campaigns are encouraged to engage with affluent voters who are likely to fund their campaigns, helping them get elected and continuing to keep them in office. The voucher program enacted through Measure W would incentivize campaigns to engage with all voters, not just a select few, since through the program, all voters are more likely to become small donors to the candidates’ campaigns.
By doubling the length of the ban on lobbying by former Oakland city officials from one to two years, Measure W helps to close the “revolving door” of top officials becoming lobbyists.
Top funders of Measure W:
The ballot measure committee supporting Measure W is primarily funded by the ACLU of Northern California Issues Committee and philanthropic organization Voqal, and the measure is sponsored by California Common Cause, the ACLU of Northern California, Oakland Rising Action, Asian Americans Advancing Justice–Asian Law Caucus, Bay Rising Action, League of Women Voters of Oakland, and MapLight.
No ballot measure committee has been formed yet in opposition to Measure W.
Last updated: 2023-04-05
Vote YES on Measure W to increase transparency in local elections and promote small-donor participation.
The vast majority of Oakland residents don’t contribute to political campaigns, which means that a small affluent minority are funding and influencing local elections. To promote participation in elections by all residents and to ensure that candidates do not have to rely on big donors, Measure W would enact a new system of public financing for Oakland elections. Oakland voters would receive a set of four $25 vouchers that can be donated to local campaigns of their choosing. The candidates then redeem those vouchers for public campaign funds. Measure W would also require increased disclosure of local election spending, double the length of the ban on lobbying by former city officials from one year to two years, and limit campaign contributions for candidates who use public funds.
Measure W would not levy a new tax. Instead, the funds for programs created through Measure W would come from the city’s General Fund.
Why voting YES on Measure W matters:
Oakland residents deserve more transparent elections. Measure W would require the disclosure of top funders for local campaign advertisements for both candidates and ballot measures.
Campaigns are expensive. Hiring staff, gaining access to voter data, printing mailers, launching digital advertisements, and other campaign operations require funds. The vast majority of Americans do not make political contributions, including in Oakland, and those who do are often higher-income and older. More affluent voters who are able to contribute to campaigns gain additional access to candidates–which can look like attendance at private events or heightened access to direct communication with them–since these donors finance the campaigns’ daily operations. In short, this creates an ecosystem in which campaigns are encouraged to engage with affluent voters who are likely to fund their campaigns, helping them get elected and continuing to keep them in office. The voucher program enacted through Measure W would incentivize campaigns to engage with all voters, not just a select few, since through the program, all voters are more likely to become small donors to the candidates’ campaigns.
By doubling the length of the ban on lobbying by former Oakland city officials from one to two years, Measure W helps to close the “revolving door” of top officials becoming lobbyists.
Top funders of Measure W:
The ballot measure committee supporting Measure W is primarily funded by the ACLU of Northern California Issues Committee and philanthropic organization Voqal, and the measure is sponsored by California Common Cause, the ACLU of Northern California, Oakland Rising Action, Asian Americans Advancing Justice–Asian Law Caucus, Bay Rising Action, League of Women Voters of Oakland, and MapLight.
No ballot measure committee has been formed yet in opposition to Measure W.
Courage California endorses Karen Bass for LA mayor to keep Los Angeles on the right track for progress.
Bass’s extensive experience and policy successes demonstrate that she is uniquely qualified to lead and will continue to be a progressive champion and govern in the best interest of this diverse city.
Progressive endorsements: Bass is endorsed by many progressive groups, including Courage California, California Working Families Party, LA Voice Action, California Women’s List, California Black Women’s Democratic Club, ACCE Action, Stonewall Democratic Club, and Westside Young Democrats, as well as the Los Angeles Times. She has also received the endorsement of many elected officials, including President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, Senator Elizabeth Warren, Rep. Katie Porter, State Senator Sydney Kamlager, and L.A. City Councilmember Nithya Raman.
Top issues: Homelessness and housing, workforce development, mental-health care access, public safety and criminal-justice reform, economic growth, clean energy, and sustainable environmental policy.
Priority bills: This year, Rep. Bass’s priorities for her congressional district, CD-37, have included 37 bills about crime and law enforcement, health care, foster care, and child welfare. Of these, nearly all are currently in committee.
Committee leadership/membership: In Congress, Rep. Bass currently serves on the Foreign Affairs and Judiciary Committees, and is a member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus. Rep. Bass is former chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, and a member of a variety of legislative groups, including Medicare for All Caucus; Congressional Addiction, Treatment, and Recovery Caucus; Congressional Progressive Caucus; and Congressional Social Work Caucus.
Governance and community leadership experience: Rep. Bass has served in Congress since 2010, when she was elected with over 86% of the vote. In 2020, she won her reelection against Republican challenger Errol Webber by 72 points.
Rep. Bass started her career as a nurse and a physician’s assistant, and was moved to action by the intimate view that her work provided of the crack epidemic in Los Angeles. In 1990, she founded Community Coalition, an organization she is still involved with today, to identify local solutions to the economic inequities that contribute to crime, addiction, violence, and poverty. Rep. Bass joined the State Assembly in 2004, and rose to the Speaker’s seat in 2008, as California was facing a severe recession. She was instrumental in negotiating a federal stimulus for Californians and passing legislation that secured affordable health care and improved child welfare services. During her six terms in Congress, Rep. Bass has established herself as an effective progressive leader, focusing much of her work on equity legislation. She has passed bills to protect the LGBTQIA+ community, has founded and co-chairs the bipartisan Caucus on Foster Youth, and has authored the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act to transform policing.
These experiences in health care, coalition-building, economic recovery, and racial-justice reform are the foundation of her approach to moving Los Angeles forward as mayor. Through a collaborative approach, her administration would focus on eliminating bureaucratic barriers to affordable housing development, working with individual communities to address local safety issues and hate-crime prevention, and tailoring interventions to support local economic recovery from COVID-19. In a city with both extreme wealth and extreme poverty, Rep. Bass’s policies would aim to narrow the economic gap and return dignity to individuals who have been failed by inefficient public systems. She is a longtime supporter of social equity and justice initiatives, and remains actively involved as a board member with the National Foster Youth Institute, which she co-founded.
Other background: Rep. Karen Bass is a lifelong resident of Los Angeles.
The Race
Primary election results: The June 2022 results included Rep. Karen Bass, 43%; Rick Caruso, 36%; Kevin de León, 8%; and Gina Viola, 7%. Rep. Karen Bass and Rick Caruso will compete in a run-off in the November 8 general election.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Rep. Bass’s campaign has raised $5 million and is not funded by police, fossil fuel, or corporate PAC donors.
Opposing candidate: Rick Caruso
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Caruso’s campaign has raised $41 million, including $40 million that he has donated personally to his campaign. He has not disclosed funding from any problematic donors. Caruso is a billionaire real estate developer who switched his registration from Republican to Democrat in January 2022, prior to announcing his mayoral campaign. He contributed $50,000 to the failed effort to recall LA District Attorney George Gascón earlier this year, and has given to anti-abortion candidates and leaders, including Republicans Senator Mitch McConnell and Rep. Kevin McCarthy.
The District
City: Los Angeles is Los Angeles County’s most populous city. Los Angeles’s mayor and city council oversee the needs of 3.9 million people and manage an estimated operating budget of $11.2 billion annually.
District demographics: As of the 2020 Census, Los Angeles had a demographic breakdown of 48% Latino, 12% Asian, and 9% Black.
Recent election results: Los Angeles County, which includes the city of Los Angeles, voted for Joe Biden for president in 2020 by 41 points and for Gavin Newsom for governor in 2018 by 44 points.
The Position
Los Angeles uses a mayor–city council government structure, in which the mayor is elected at large and acts as chair of the 15-member city council and as the city’s chief executive officer. The city council is responsible for establishing policy, passing local laws (called ordinances), voting on budget appropriations, and developing an overall vision for the city. The mayor of Los Angeles has veto and emergency powers and is responsible for managing dozens of departments and agencies. They also carry out ordinances, ensure coordination among different branches of city government, and submit an annual budget proposal to the L.A. City Council. In Los Angeles, a mayor is elected to a four-year term, with a limit of two consecutive terms.
Last updated: 2023-04-05
Courage California endorses Karen Bass for LA mayor to keep Los Angeles on the right track for progress.
Bass’s extensive experience and policy successes demonstrate that she is uniquely qualified to lead and will continue to be a progressive champion and govern in the best interest of this diverse city.
Progressive endorsements: Bass is endorsed by many progressive groups, including Courage California, California Working Families Party, LA Voice Action, California Women’s List, California Black Women’s Democratic Club, ACCE Action, Stonewall Democratic Club, and Westside Young Democrats, as well as the Los Angeles Times. She has also received the endorsement of many elected officials, including President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, Senator Elizabeth Warren, Rep. Katie Porter, State Senator Sydney Kamlager, and L.A. City Councilmember Nithya Raman.
Top issues: Homelessness and housing, workforce development, mental-health care access, public safety and criminal-justice reform, economic growth, clean energy, and sustainable environmental policy.
Priority bills: This year, Rep. Bass’s priorities for her congressional district, CD-37, have included 37 bills about crime and law enforcement, health care, foster care, and child welfare. Of these, nearly all are currently in committee.
Committee leadership/membership: In Congress, Rep. Bass currently serves on the Foreign Affairs and Judiciary Committees, and is a member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus. Rep. Bass is former chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, and a member of a variety of legislative groups, including Medicare for All Caucus; Congressional Addiction, Treatment, and Recovery Caucus; Congressional Progressive Caucus; and Congressional Social Work Caucus.
Governance and community leadership experience: Rep. Bass has served in Congress since 2010, when she was elected with over 86% of the vote. In 2020, she won her reelection against Republican challenger Errol Webber by 72 points.
Rep. Bass started her career as a nurse and a physician’s assistant, and was moved to action by the intimate view that her work provided of the crack epidemic in Los Angeles. In 1990, she founded Community Coalition, an organization she is still involved with today, to identify local solutions to the economic inequities that contribute to crime, addiction, violence, and poverty. Rep. Bass joined the State Assembly in 2004, and rose to the Speaker’s seat in 2008, as California was facing a severe recession. She was instrumental in negotiating a federal stimulus for Californians and passing legislation that secured affordable health care and improved child welfare services. During her six terms in Congress, Rep. Bass has established herself as an effective progressive leader, focusing much of her work on equity legislation. She has passed bills to protect the LGBTQIA+ community, has founded and co-chairs the bipartisan Caucus on Foster Youth, and has authored the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act to transform policing.
These experiences in health care, coalition-building, economic recovery, and racial-justice reform are the foundation of her approach to moving Los Angeles forward as mayor. Through a collaborative approach, her administration would focus on eliminating bureaucratic barriers to affordable housing development, working with individual communities to address local safety issues and hate-crime prevention, and tailoring interventions to support local economic recovery from COVID-19. In a city with both extreme wealth and extreme poverty, Rep. Bass’s policies would aim to narrow the economic gap and return dignity to individuals who have been failed by inefficient public systems. She is a longtime supporter of social equity and justice initiatives, and remains actively involved as a board member with the National Foster Youth Institute, which she co-founded.
Other background: Rep. Karen Bass is a lifelong resident of Los Angeles.
The Race
Primary election results: The June 2022 results included Rep. Karen Bass, 43%; Rick Caruso, 36%; Kevin de León, 8%; and Gina Viola, 7%. Rep. Karen Bass and Rick Caruso will compete in a run-off in the November 8 general election.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Rep. Bass’s campaign has raised $5 million and is not funded by police, fossil fuel, or corporate PAC donors.
Opposing candidate: Rick Caruso
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Caruso’s campaign has raised $41 million, including $40 million that he has donated personally to his campaign. He has not disclosed funding from any problematic donors. Caruso is a billionaire real estate developer who switched his registration from Republican to Democrat in January 2022, prior to announcing his mayoral campaign. He contributed $50,000 to the failed effort to recall LA District Attorney George Gascón earlier this year, and has given to anti-abortion candidates and leaders, including Republicans Senator Mitch McConnell and Rep. Kevin McCarthy.
The District
City: Los Angeles is Los Angeles County’s most populous city. Los Angeles’s mayor and city council oversee the needs of 3.9 million people and manage an estimated operating budget of $11.2 billion annually.
District demographics: As of the 2020 Census, Los Angeles had a demographic breakdown of 48% Latino, 12% Asian, and 9% Black.
Recent election results: Los Angeles County, which includes the city of Los Angeles, voted for Joe Biden for president in 2020 by 41 points and for Gavin Newsom for governor in 2018 by 44 points.
The Position
Los Angeles uses a mayor–city council government structure, in which the mayor is elected at large and acts as chair of the 15-member city council and as the city’s chief executive officer. The city council is responsible for establishing policy, passing local laws (called ordinances), voting on budget appropriations, and developing an overall vision for the city. The mayor of Los Angeles has veto and emergency powers and is responsible for managing dozens of departments and agencies. They also carry out ordinances, ensure coordination among different branches of city government, and submit an annual budget proposal to the L.A. City Council. In Los Angeles, a mayor is elected to a four-year term, with a limit of two consecutive terms.
Courage California endorses Karen Bass for LA mayor to keep Los Angeles on the right track for progress.
Bass’s extensive experience and policy successes demonstrate that she is uniquely qualified to lead and will continue to be a progressive champion and govern in the best interest of this diverse city.
Progressive endorsements: Bass is endorsed by many progressive groups, including Courage California, California Working Families Party, LA Voice Action, California Women’s List, California Black Women’s Democratic Club, ACCE Action, Stonewall Democratic Club, and Westside Young Democrats, as well as the Los Angeles Times. She has also received the endorsement of many elected officials, including President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, Senator Elizabeth Warren, Rep. Katie Porter, State Senator Sydney Kamlager, and L.A. City Councilmember Nithya Raman.
Top issues: Homelessness and housing, workforce development, mental-health care access, public safety and criminal-justice reform, economic growth, clean energy, and sustainable environmental policy.
Priority bills: This year, Rep. Bass’s priorities for her congressional district, CD-37, have included 37 bills about crime and law enforcement, health care, foster care, and child welfare. Of these, nearly all are currently in committee.
Committee leadership/membership: In Congress, Rep. Bass currently serves on the Foreign Affairs and Judiciary Committees, and is a member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus. Rep. Bass is former chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, and a member of a variety of legislative groups, including Medicare for All Caucus; Congressional Addiction, Treatment, and Recovery Caucus; Congressional Progressive Caucus; and Congressional Social Work Caucus.
Governance and community leadership experience: Rep. Bass has served in Congress since 2010, when she was elected with over 86% of the vote. In 2020, she won her reelection against Republican challenger Errol Webber by 72 points.
Rep. Bass started her career as a nurse and a physician’s assistant, and was moved to action by the intimate view that her work provided of the crack epidemic in Los Angeles. In 1990, she founded Community Coalition, an organization she is still involved with today, to identify local solutions to the economic inequities that contribute to crime, addiction, violence, and poverty. Rep. Bass joined the State Assembly in 2004, and rose to the Speaker’s seat in 2008, as California was facing a severe recession. She was instrumental in negotiating a federal stimulus for Californians and passing legislation that secured affordable health care and improved child welfare services. During her six terms in Congress, Rep. Bass has established herself as an effective progressive leader, focusing much of her work on equity legislation. She has passed bills to protect the LGBTQIA+ community, has founded and co-chairs the bipartisan Caucus on Foster Youth, and has authored the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act to transform policing.
These experiences in health care, coalition-building, economic recovery, and racial-justice reform are the foundation of her approach to moving Los Angeles forward as mayor. Through a collaborative approach, her administration would focus on eliminating bureaucratic barriers to affordable housing development, working with individual communities to address local safety issues and hate-crime prevention, and tailoring interventions to support local economic recovery from COVID-19. In a city with both extreme wealth and extreme poverty, Rep. Bass’s policies would aim to narrow the economic gap and return dignity to individuals who have been failed by inefficient public systems. She is a longtime supporter of social equity and justice initiatives, and remains actively involved as a board member with the National Foster Youth Institute, which she co-founded.
Other background: Rep. Karen Bass is a lifelong resident of Los Angeles.
The Race
Primary election results: The June 2022 results included Rep. Karen Bass, 43%; Rick Caruso, 36%; Kevin de León, 8%; and Gina Viola, 7%. Rep. Karen Bass and Rick Caruso will compete in a run-off in the November 8 general election.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Rep. Bass’s campaign has raised $5 million and is not funded by police, fossil fuel, or corporate PAC donors.
Opposing candidate: Rick Caruso
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Caruso’s campaign has raised $41 million, including $40 million that he has donated personally to his campaign. He has not disclosed funding from any problematic donors. Caruso is a billionaire real estate developer who switched his registration from Republican to Democrat in January 2022, prior to announcing his mayoral campaign. He contributed $50,000 to the failed effort to recall LA District Attorney George Gascón earlier this year, and has given to anti-abortion candidates and leaders, including Republicans Senator Mitch McConnell and Rep. Kevin McCarthy.
The District
City: Los Angeles is Los Angeles County’s most populous city. Los Angeles’s mayor and city council oversee the needs of 3.9 million people and manage an estimated operating budget of $11.2 billion annually.
District demographics: As of the 2020 Census, Los Angeles had a demographic breakdown of 48% Latino, 12% Asian, and 9% Black.
Recent election results: Los Angeles County, which includes the city of Los Angeles, voted for Joe Biden for president in 2020 by 41 points and for Gavin Newsom for governor in 2018 by 44 points.
The Position
Los Angeles uses a mayor–city council government structure, in which the mayor is elected at large and acts as chair of the 15-member city council and as the city’s chief executive officer. The city council is responsible for establishing policy, passing local laws (called ordinances), voting on budget appropriations, and developing an overall vision for the city. The mayor of Los Angeles has veto and emergency powers and is responsible for managing dozens of departments and agencies. They also carry out ordinances, ensure coordination among different branches of city government, and submit an annual budget proposal to the L.A. City Council. In Los Angeles, a mayor is elected to a four-year term, with a limit of two consecutive terms.
