City of Los Angeles

Reelect US Senator Alex Padilla to keep California on the right track for progress.

Sen. Alex Padilla’s track record and policy positions demonstrate that he will continue to be a progressive voice for the constituents of California and will govern effectively in the best interest of this diverse state.

Progressive endorsements: Sen. Padilla has the endorsement of many progressive groups, including California Environmental Voters, Equality California, NARAL Pro-Choice California, Giffords PAC, and many labor unions. He is also endorsed by a broad coalition of federal and local elected officials, including Senator Elizabeth Warren, Rep. Karen Bass, Rep. Katie Porter, Governor Gavin Newsom, Attorney General Rob Bonta, and many California mayors.

Top issues: Voter protections, economic growth, police reform, immigration, environmental protections, education, consumer and worker protections, homelessness and housing, and water conservation.

Priority bills: This year, Sen. Padilla’s priorities for California have included 50 bills about environmental and water protections, the economy, immigration, and child welfare. Of these, nearly all are currently in committee or referred to committee. In his brief time in the Senate, Sen. Padilla has signed on as a sponsor of the Green New Deal and Medicare for All, and has been a strong supporter of President Biden’s Build Back Better agenda. He has also secured federal funding for housing, infrastructure, education, and employment projects in Southern California, and over $11 million for statewide health-care facilities and mental-health services.

Committee leadership/membership: Sen. Padilla currently serves on five committees, including Judiciary, Budget, and Environment and Public Works. He serves as chair of the Subcommittee on Immigration, Citizenship, and Border Safety.

Governance and community leadership experience: Sen. Padilla was appointed to the Senate by Governor Gavin Newsom in January 2021, which will make this his first general-election campaign for the seat. He was previously elected to serve as the California’s secretary of state in 2014, winning his 2018 reelection bid over Republican Mark Meuser by 29 points.

Prior to his appointment, Sen. Padilla served Californians in several elected roles, including two terms each on the Los Angeles City Council, in the state Senate, and as the California secretary of state. Sen. Padilla is a longtime supporter of environmental justice, and credits his parents with introducing him to activism around this issue in the Los Angeles community where he was raised. Sen. Padilla has also been a longtime supporter of voting rights and democratic protections, which was the cornerstone of his work as secretary of state. In the Senate, he co-authored the Freedom to Vote Act, and was a strong supporter of the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act.

Other background: Sen. Padilla, a longtime public official, is from the San Fernando Valley. He grew up in a tough and underserved neighborhood of Los Angeles, and his public service was inspired by his community and his parents, who engaged him in the organizing process at a young age.
 

The Race

Primary election results: The June 2022 results to fill the last few months of the current term had ten candidates, and the results included incumbent Sen. Alex Padilla (D), 55%; Mark Meuser (R), 22%; James Bradley (R), 7%; and Jon Elist (R), 6%.

The June 2022 results to seat the next full six-year term had 27 candidates, and the results included Sen. Alex Padilla (D), 54%; Mark Meuser (R), 15%; Cordie Williams (R), 7%; Jon Elist (R), 4%; Chuck Smith (R), 4%; James Bradley (R), 3%; and Douglas Howard Pierce (D), 2%.

Sen. Alex Padilla and Mark Meuser will compete in a run-off in the November 8 general election in both the current-term and next-term races.

Candidate fundraising and pledges: Sen. Padilla’s campaign has raised $10.6 million and is not funded by police interests. His problematic donors include Mortgage Bankers Association PAC, Google LLC, FedEx Corporation PAC, Edison International PAC, and Comcast Corporation. He has also received donations from defense contractors, including Employees of Northrop Grumman Corporation PAC and Lockheed Martin Employees’ PAC.

Opposing candidate: Republican Mark Meuser

Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Meuser’s campaign has raised $495,000 and is funded almost entirely by individual donors.
 

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

Members of the Senate represent and advocate for the needs of their state constituency and share legislative responsibility with the House of Representatives. They are responsible for creating, debating, and voting on legislation that addresses issues of national importance. Senators have the exclusive responsibility of providing advice and consent to the executive branch on treaties, and on the nomination and approval of cabinet secretaries, ambassadors, and federal judges. The Senate also has the sole authority to bring and try an impeachment of a high official, up to and including removal from office with a two-thirds majority vote.

Each state, regardless of population, is represented by two senators. Senate elections are statewide, and senators are elected to serve a six-year term. There is no term limit for this position.

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Elect Faisal Gill to put the city of Los Angeles on the right track for progress.

Faisal Gill’s policy positions demonstrate that he will be a progressive voice for the constituents of Los Angeles and will work effectively for the best interests of this diverse city.

Progressive endorsements: Gill has the endorsement of many progressive groups, including LA Forward Action, Abundant Housing LA, and many local union organizations. He has also received the endorsement of elected leaders, including Congressmember Ilhan Omar, Congressmember Ro Khanna, State Senator Sydney Kamlager, Assemblymember Isaac Bryan, and LA City Council member Mike Bonin.

Electoral history: Gill has not run for public office before.

Top issues: Criminal-justice reform, police reform, homelessness and housing, accountability across corporations and government, environmental justice, protecting civil rights, and consumer protection.

Governance and community leadership experience: Gill is a civil rights attorney, which he does to provide advocacy for individuals who are experiencing discrimination from governments or law-enforcement systems. After law school, he served as a JAG Corp officer in the United States Navy before transitioning to government work with the Office of Personnel Management during the George W. Bush administration. Gill later learned that as a result of his Muslim faith and political engagement, he had been unlawfully surveiled by the NSA. This experience contributed to his interest in providing civil rights legal support and advocating on the behalf of marginalized groups.

Gill’s campaign platform has a strong progressive foundation, including police reform, ending cash bail, ending the criminalization of homelessness, and protecting residents from corporate pollution and worker exploitation. He has encountered some controversy for his proposed 100-day moratorium on the prosecution of new misdemeanor crimes, with exceptions for time-sensitive and egregious crimes, to review policies and consider diversion. Notably, Gill ran for office in Virginia in 2007 as a Republican, argued against LGBTQIA+ marriage equality during that race, and had ties to the Federalist Society, a conservative legal community. He changed his registration to Democrat in 2007 when he connected the religious and racial discrimination he faced to broader civil rights issues, and now supports marriage equality.

Other background: Gill immigrated from Pakistan as a child, grew up near Washington, DC, and has lived in California for many years.
 

The Race

Primary election results: The June 2022 results included Faisal Gill, 24%; Hydee Feldstein Soto, 20%; Marina Torres, 20%; Richard Kim, 17%; Kevin James, 9%; Sherri Onica Valle Cole, 5%; and Teddy Kapur, 5%. Faisal Gill and Hydee Feldstein Soto will compete in a run-off in the November 8 general election.

Candidate fundraising and pledges: Gill’s campaign has raised $1.5 million and is not funded by police, corporate PAC, or real estate interests.

Opposing candidate: Hydee Feldstein Soto

Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Feldstein Soto’s campaign has raised $816,000 and is not funded by police, fossil fuel, or corporate PAC interests.
 

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

The Los Angeles city attorney acts as the lead prosecutor for the city. The city attorney writes municipal law, provides legal advice to the mayor and city council, liaises with city departments and commissions, and serves as defense for the city during litigation. The work of the city attorney includes the prosecution of misdemeanor crimes, and engaging in legal work to protect consumers and the environment. City attorneys are elected to four-year terms and may serve no more than two terms, or eight years, in office.

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Elect Kenneth Mejia for LA city controller to put Los Angeles on the right track for progress.

Kenneth Mejia’s experience and policy positions demonstrate that he will be a progressive voice for the constituents of Los Angeles and will govern effectively in the best interest of this diverse city.

Progressive endorsements: Mejia has the endorsement of many progressive groups, including California Working Families Party, Youth Climate Strike LA, and Grassroots Law Project. He has also received the endorsement of many local leaders, including Assemblymember Isaac Bryan, Assemblymember Alex Lee, Alhambra Mayor Sasha Renée Pérez, and many local organizers and activists.

Electoral history: Mejia has run for the 34th congressional seat three times, including general elections in 2016 and 2018 and a special election in 2017. In 2017 and 2018, he ran as a Green Party candidate, and advanced to the general election only in 2018. He lost that race to incumbent Rep. Jimmy Gomez by 45 points.

Top issues: Homelessness and housing, climate and environmental protections, transportation and infrastructure, public safety, and animal welfare.

Governance and community leadership experience: Mejia is a certified public accountant, which he does to ensure that public and private companies are held to account for their financial transactions. In 2016, he became involved in housing justice as a founding member of the We Can Make a Difference LA community group, and as a member of the LA Tenants Union. Both groups seek to provide resources and advocacy on behalf of unhoused people, and those experiencing injustice through slum landlords, evictions, and rental increases. Mejia built on this work with a brief stint on the board of the Neighborhood Council, where he advocated for housing justice before the Los Angeles City Council. During his campaign, he has demonstrated his interest in creating greater transparency in governance by providing the public with information and analysis on the city budget and Los Angeles Police Department traffic stops.

Mejia’s campaign has faced some notable criticism. His CPA license was inactive or expired from 2016 to January 2022. Some of Mejia’s campaign associates have disrupted mayoral and city council events throughout the campaign cycle. Mejia has also faced a controversy over now-deleted 2020 Twitter posts that criticized President Joe Biden.

Other background: Mejia is from the San Fernando Valley. He was raised by a single mother in a working-class neighborhood, and cites his upbringing as inspiring his efforts to advocate for marginalized communities.
 

The Race

Primary election results: The June 2022 results included Kenneth Mejia, 43%; Councilmember Paul Koretz, 24%; Stephanie Clements, 16%; David Vahedi, 7%; J. Carolan O’Gabhann, 4%; Reid Lidow, 4%; and Rob Wilcox, 2%. Kenneth Mejia and Paul Koretz will compete in a run-off in the November 8 general election.

Candidate fundraising and pledges: Mejia’s campaign has raised $685,000 and is not funded by police, fossil fuel, corporate PAC, or real estate interests.

Opposing candidate: Councilmember Paul Koretz
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Councilmember Koretz’s campaign has raised $1.1 million and is funded by real estate, corporate PAC, and police interests.
 

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. The Los Angeles city controller provides audit and oversight for the spending of those budget funds.

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

The Los Angeles city controller serves as the elected paymaster, auditor, and chief accounting officer of the city’s budget. The city controller oversees Audit Services, Accounting Operations, and the Financial Reporting and Analysis divisions, including 160 municipal employees who process payroll, create financial reports, and conduct city audits. The city controller is elected every four years, and can serve no more than two terms, or eight years, in office.

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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.

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Elect Erin Darling for LA City Council to put Los Angeles on the right track for progress.

Erin Darling’s experience and policy positions demonstrate that he will be a progressive voice for the constituents of District 11 and will govern effectively in the best interest of this diverse district.

Progressive endorsements: Darling has the endorsement of many progressive groups, including California Working Families Party, Sierra Club, Our Revolution LA, Stonewall Democratic Club, and many labor unions. He has also received the endorsement of many local leaders, including Assemblymember Isaac Bryan, Assemblymember Laura Friedman, outgoing LA City Councilmember Mike Bonin, and labor organizer Dolores Huerta.

Electoral history: Darling has not run for elected office before.

Top issues: Housing and homelessness, small-business supports, affordable housing and urban accessibility for seniors, reproductive justice, transportation and infrastructure, climate protections, and gun and public safety.

Governance and community leadership experience: Darling is a civil rights and criminal defense attorney. He is a longtime supporter of tenant rights, housing for all, and protecting the environment. After graduating from law school, Darling began working at a local nonprofit called Eviction Defense Network, where he represented low-income tenants facing eviction. He later worked for Public Counsel, focusing on large class actions, including on behalf of the United Farm Workers and individual General Relief recipients. Darling has also worked as a deputy federal public defender in the Central District of California. He currently works in private practice with a focus on civil rights, where he has co-counseled with the ACLU of Southern California and the Council of American-Islamic Relations (CAIR). He has also represented women who were sexually assaulted by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s deputies and Probation Department employees while in custody. Locally, Darling has served on the Venice Neighborhood Council and Beaches and Harbor Commission.

Other background: Darling is a lifelong resident of Venice.
 

The Race

Primary election results: The June 2022 results included Erin Darling, 33%; Traci Park, 30%; Greg Good, 10%; Allison Holdorff Polhill, 9%; Mike Newhouse, 7%; Jim Murez, 5%; Mat Smith, 4%; and Midsanon Lloyd 2%. Erin Darling and Traci Park will compete in a run-off in the November 8 general election.

Candidate fundraising and pledges: Darling’s campaign has raised $228,000 and is not funded by fossil fuel, police, real estate, or corporate PAC interests.

Opposing candidate: Traci Park

Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Park’s campaign has raised $735,000 and is funded by police and real estate interests.
 

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. The 11th city council district includes the west side neighborhoods of Brentwood, Del Rey, Ladera, Mar Vista, Pacific Palisades, Playa del Rey, Playa Vista, Venice, West Los Angeles, Sawtelle, and Westchester.

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

Incorporated cities in California are generally governed by a five-person city council. Due to its size and population, Los Angeles maintains a 15-person city council. 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. In Los Angeles, council-passed ordinances are subject to approval or veto by the mayor. City council members in Los Angeles are ‎limited to three terms, or 12 years in office total.

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Elect Hugo Soto-Martinez for LA City Council to put Los Angeles on the right track for progress.

Soto-Martinez’s organizing experience and policy positions demonstrate that he will be a progressive voice for the constituents of City Council District 13 and will govern effectively in the best interest of this diverse district.

Progressive endorsements: Soto-Martinez has the endorsement of some progressive groups, including California Working Families Party, Unite Here! Local 11, Democratic Socialists of America Los Angeles, Los Angeles League of Conservation Voters, CHIRLA Action Fund, and many labor organizations. He has also received the endorsement of some local leaders, including labor organizer Dolores Huerta, LA City Council member Nithya Raman, and State Senator María Elena Durazo.

Electoral history: Soto-Martinez has not run for public office before.

Top issues: Homelessness and housing, climate and water protections, mental-health care, transit and infrastructure, immigration reform, reproductive justice, and labor protections.

Governance and community leadership experience: Soto-Martinez has spent his career as an organizer with UNITE Here! Local 11, which he does improve access and opportunity for workers. He was inspired to this work when, as a college student, he helped form a union at a hotel where he had worked since high school, resulting in greater employment dignity for the staff. During his career, Soto-Martinez has organized against law enforcement, including leading a campaign to unseat corrupt Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio in Arizona, and working to expose deputy gangs in the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. He has also worked with DSA-LA and the NOlympics LA campaign, which has allowed him to advocate on some of the issues that affect local communities the most, including homelessness and housing, and immigration. Through his organizing work, Soto-Martinez has gained a strong understanding of how to effectively organize community power around important issues, and would seek to bring that expertise to his representation of constituents on the city council.

Other background: Soto-Martinez, a labor organizer, is a lifelong resident of Los Angeles. He is a first-generation American.
 

The Race

Primary election results: The June 2022 results included Hugo Soto-Martinez, 38%; Mitch O’Farrell, 34%; Kate Pynoos, 15%; Steve Johnson, 8%; and Albert Corado, 4%. Hugo Soto-Martinez and incumbent Mitch O’Farrell will compete in a run-off in the November 8 general election.

Candidate fundraising and pledges: Soto-Martinez’s campaign has raised $493,000 and is not funded by police, real estate, fossil fuel, or corporate PAC interests.

Opposing candidate: Incumbent Mitch O’Farrell

Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: O’Farrell’s campaign has raised $2.4 million and is funded by corporate PAC and police interests, and a significant number of real estate organizations.
 

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. The 13th city council district includes the neighborhoods of Atwater Village, East Hollywood, Echo Park, Elysian Valley, Glassell Park, Hollywood, Filipinotown, Little Armenia, Mid-Wilshire/Koreatown, Silver Lake, and Thai Town.

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

Incorporated cities in California are generally governed by a five-person city council. Due to its size and population, Los Angeles maintains a 15-person city council. 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. In Los Angeles, council passed ordinances are subject to approval or veto by the Mayor. City council members in Los Angeles are ‎limited to three terms, or 12 years in office total.

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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.

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Reelect State Senate Representative Ben Allen to keep SD-24 on the right track for progress.

Sen. Ben Allen’s track record and policy positions demonstrate that he will continue to be a progressive voice for the constituents of SD-24 and will govern effectively in the best interest of this diverse district.

Progressive endorsements: Sen. Ben Allen has the endorsement of some progressive groups, including NARAL Pro-Choice, Equality California, California Environmental Voters, and labor unions, like California Labor Federation, United Healthcare Workers, National Nurses United, and SEIU.

Top issues: Sen. Allen’s top issues include environmental protections, investment in green infrastructure, transparency in campaign finance, and addressing the housing shortage.

Priority bills: This year, Sen. Allen’s priorities for SD-24 have included 46 bills about environmental protection and conservation, election reform, education, and housing. Of these, 34 have successfully been passed by the state Senate. He has sponsored and passed legislation to facilitate and fund affordable housing, increase transparency in campaign finance, improve electric vehicle charging infrastructure, improve the accuracy of products labeled recyclable, and outfit communities against rising sea levels and climate change. He scores a lifetime Courage Score of 91 out of 100 on Courage Score, our annual analysis of legislators’ progressive voting records. Based on our Courage Score analysis, Sen. Allen has supported the most progressive bills that made it to a vote.

Committee leadership/membership: Sen. Allen currently sits on four committees, including the committees on Governmental Organization, Transportation, and Natural Resources and Water. He chairs the committee on Environmental Quality.

Governance and community leadership experience: Sen. Allen has served in this state senate seat since 2014, when he was elected with over 60% of the vote. In 2018, he won his reelection against an Independent challenger by 54 points.

Prior to his election to the state Senate, Sen. Allen was an attorney, a university lecturer, and president of the Santa Monica-Malibu School District. Sen. Allen has been a longtime supporter of environmental protections, education, and housing. In the state Senate, he has authored several pieces of legislation to limit or ban pollutants, and most recently sponsored and passed legislation that will reduce single-use plastics in California. In 2019, Sen. Allen introduced legislation to repeal a constitutional limit on affordable housing construction. Though the measure failed, he has continued to author legislation that promotes affordable housing and increases funding for homelessness-prevention programs.

Other background: Sen. Ben Allen, a former attorney and school board president, is from Santa Monica. He earned his BA from Harvard, a master’s degree in Latin American Studies from the University of Cambridge, and a law degree from UC Berkeley.
 

The Race

Primary election results: The June 2022 results included Ben Allen (D), 96%; and Kristina Irwin (R), 4%. Irwin withdrew her campaign prior to the primary election, so Ben Allen will be running unopposed in the November 8 general election.

Candidate fundraising and pledges: Sen. Ben Allen’s campaign has raised $417,294 and is not funded by the police, although he has accepted donations from the correctional officers union. He has accepted nearly $20,000 from the real estate industry, and nearly $10,000 from the fossil fuel industry. He is also funded by corporate PACs, including nearly $10,000 from the financial services industry.
 

The District

Counties in district: California’s 24th State Senate District includes parts of Los Angeles County.

Voter registration: 51% Democrat, 20% Republican, and 23% No Party Preference. Democrats typically hold this district. Since the 2021 redistricting process, SD-24 is 3% less Democratic than it was during the 2020 general election cycle.

District demographics: 13% Latino, 16% Asian, and 5% Black.

Recent election results: SD-24 voted for Joe Biden for president in 2020 by 43 points and Gavin Newsom for governor in 2018 by 39 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.

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Reelect State Senator María Elena Durazo to keep SD-16 on the right track for progress.

Sen. María Elena Durazo’s track record and policy positions demonstrate that she will continue to be a progressive voice for the constituents of SD-26 and will govern effectively in the best interest of this diverse district.

Progressive endorsements: Sen. María Elena Durazo has had the endorsement of a strong majority of progressive groups in the district and statewide, including CHIRLA Action Fund, Los Angeles County Young Democrats, Planned Parenthood, and California Environmental Justice Alliance Action. She has also received endorsements in past cycles from a significant number of national and local leaders, including State Controller Betty Yee, LA Supervisor Hilda Solis, and Vice President Kamala Harris.

Top issues: Taxation, public lands, workforce development, economic recovery, environmental protections, criminal-justice reform, and housing.

Priority bills: This year, Sen. Durazo’s priorities for her current district, SD-24, include 39 bills about workforce development, employment, education, and taxation. Of these, nine have been signed into law, four have died, and the rest remain in committee. Notably, the legislation she’s sponsored this year includes bills that aim to expand student loan eligibility, protect employment rights, and prohibit discrimination in child custody cases. She scores a Lifetime CS of 100 on Courage Score, our annual analysis of legislators’ progressive voting records. Based on our Courage Score analysis, Sen. Durazo has supported all progressive bills that made it to a vote.

Committee leadership/membership: Sen. Durazo currently serves on five committees, including Labor, Public Employment, and Retirement, and Budget and Fiscal Review.

Governance and community leadership experience: Sen. Durazo has served in the state senate since 2018, when she was elected with over 67% of the vote.

Prior to her election to the state Senate, Senator Durazo established herself as a labor organizer, an attorney, and a public servant. She served as executive vice president of the UNITE-HERE INTERNATIONAL labor union, and later as secretary-treasurer of the LA County Federation of Labor. Sen. Durazo has also been a dynamic leader in democratic politics, serving as vice chair of the Democratic National Committee, a national co-chair of President Obama’s 2008 campaign, and as a member of the Los Angeles Commission of Airports and the California State Coastal Commission. Through all of these roles, Sen. Durazo has remained a steadfast advocate for labor and union organizing. Though she has expanded her portfolio to include legislation related to ending broader discrimination, she has remained committed to labor reform as a tool to establish more equity across California.

Other background: Sen. MarÍa Elena Durazo is the daughter of migrant workers and grew up in California and Oregon. In the 1980s, she was responsible for establishing methods for disseminating comprehensive information to workers about their employment and negotiation rights, and ensured that information was available in more than one language.
 

The Race

Primary election results: The June 2022 results included Sen. María Elena Durazo (D), 99.6%; and Claudia Agraz (W/I), 0.4%. Incumbent Sen. María Elena Durazo and Claudia Agraz will compete in a run-off in the November 8 general election.

Candidate fundraising and pledges: Sen. Durazo’s campaign has raised $1 million and has received donations from real estate, fossil fuel, corporate PAC, and police donors. Her problematic funders include Sempra Energy, PG&E Corporation, L.A. County Probation Officers Union AFSME Local 685 PAC, and California Real Estate PAC.

Opposing candidate: Republican Claudia Agraz
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Agraz’s campaign has not recorded any fundraising receipts with the Secretary of State’s office as of September 2022.
 

The District

Counties in district: California’s 26th State Senate District includes parts of Los Angeles County.

Voter registration: 62% Democrat, 9% Republican, and 23% No Party Preference. Democrats typically hold this seat. Since the 2021 redistricting process, SD-26 is as Democratic as it was during the 2020 general election cycle.

District demographics: 50% Latino, 19% Asian, and 6% Black. This district is considered to be one of the strong Latino seats in the California State Senate delegation.

Recent election results: SD-26 voted for Joe Biden for president in 2020 by 65 points and Gavin Newsom for governor in 2018 by 71 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.

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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.

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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: Republican Assm. Suzette Martinez Valladares

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.

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Reelect Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin to keep AD-42 on the right track for progress.

Assm. Jacqui Irwin’s track record and policy positions demonstrate that she will continue to be a representative leader for the constituents of AD-42. While she has opposed some significant progressive legislation during her time in the Assembly, our analysis shows that she will govern effectively in the best interest of this diverse district if she is subject to increased community accountability.

Progressive Endorsements: Assm. Irwin has the endorsement of some progressive groups, including Equality California, California Environmental Voters, and California Labor Federation. She has also received the endorsement of many state and local elected officials, including Senator Alex Padilla, State Senator Henry Stern, and Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis. However, she is also endorsed and funded by many police leaders and organizations, including California Correctional Peace Officers’ Association, Association of Los Angeles Deputy Sheriffs, and Ventura County Deputy Sheriffs Association. She is the recipient of campaign donations from many problematic donors across industries, including Sempra Energy, PG&E Corporation, Facebook, California Real Estate PAC, and Fox Corporation.

Top issues: Technology and information security, pandemic recovery, economic growth, public health and health care, and STEM education.

Priority bills: This year, Assm. Irwin’s priorities for her current district, AD-44, have included 47 bills about health care, technology and information security, and education. Of these, twelve have been chaptered into law, eleven are enrolled, seven have died, and the majority of the others remain in committee. Assm. Irwin scores a Lifetime CS of 47 out of 100 on Courage Score, our annual analysis of legislators’ progressive voting records. Based on our Courage Score analysis, Assm. Irwin has supported few progressive bills that made it to a vote. This term, she failed to vote on reductions to youth probation, a retroactive implementation of the California Racial Justice Act of 2020, and limitations on law-enforcement agencies acquiring military equipment. She also voted against several criminal-justice reform bills, including those to seal criminal records for individuals who have completed sentences, repealing loitering laws to reduce the harassment of sex workers, and removing mandatory minimum sentences for nonviolent drug crimes.

Committee leadership/membership: Assm. Irwin currently serves on five standing committees, including as chair of Revenue and Taxation. She also serves as chair of the Select Committee on Cybersecurity.

Governance and community leadership experience: Assm. Irwin has served in this assembly seat since 2014, when she was elected with over 52% of the vote. In 2020, she won her reelection against a Republican challenger by 22 points.

Prior to her election to the State Assembly, Assm. Irwin spent ten years on the Thousand Oaks City Council, including two terms as mayor. In this local role, she worked for increased public safety and the preservation of open lands. She started her career in engineering, and has championed Assembly bills centered on the expansion of STEM education centers and improved cybersecurity policies.

Other background: Assm. Irwin, an engineer and a public official, has lived in Thousand Oaks for 20 years.
 

The Race

Primary election results: The June 2022 results included incumbent Assm. Jacqui Irwin (D), 56%; Lori Mills (R), 29%; and Ted Nordblum (R), 15%. Assm. Jacqui Irwin and Lori Mills will contend in a run-off in the November 8 general election.

Candidate fundraising and pledges: Assm. Irwin’s campaign has raised $899,000 and has received donations from many problematic organizations, including those in the police, fossil fuel, corporate PAC, and real estate industries.

Opposing candidate: Republican Lori Mills

Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Mills’s campaign has raised $81,000 and is funded by real estate interests.
 

The District

Counties in district: California’s 42nd Assembly District includes parts of Ventura and Los Angeles Counties.

Voter registration: 41% Democrat, 30% Republican, and 22% No Party Preference. Republicans and Independents typically hold this seat. Since the 2021 redistricting process, AD-42 is 5% less Democratic than it was during the 2020 general election cycle.

District demographics: 14% Latino, 9% Asian, and 2% Black

Recent election results: AD-42 voted for Joe Biden for president in 2020 by 19 points and Gavin Newsom for governor in 2018 by ten 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.

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Reelect Assemblymember Luz Rivas to keep AD-43 on the right track for progress.

Assm. Luz Rivas’s track record and policy positions demonstrate that she will continue to be a progressive voice for the constituents of AD-43 and will govern effectively in the best interest of this diverse district.

Progressive endorsements: Assm. Rivas has the endorsement of many progressive groups, including California Labor Federation, Sierra Club, and Equality California. However, she has received financial support from a variety of problematic funders, including Sempra Energy, Edison International, Amazon, and AT&T.

Top issues: Homelessness and housing, STEM education, environmental and water protections, and transportation.

Priority bills: This year, Assm. Rivas’s priorities for her current district, AD-39, have included 43 bills about homelessness and housing, early childhood and post-secondary education, and transportation. Of these, 17 have been chaptered into law, five have died, and the rest remain in committee. Notably, she authored AB 71, which seeks to establish a permanent source of funding for long-term solutions to homelessness in California through a state taxation adjustment. This bill has not yet passed the Assembly and the Senate, but is demonstrative of her innovative approach to resolving social issues. She scores a Lifetime CS of 98 out of 100 and is an All-Star on Courage Score, our annual analysis of legislators’ progressive voting records. Based on our Courage Score analysis, Assm. Rivas has supported all progressive bills that made it to a vote.

Committee leadership/membership: Assm. Rivas currently serves on six standing committees, and is chair of the Natural Resources committee and chair of the Select Committee on the Non-Profit Sector.

Governance and community leadership experience: Assm. Rivas has served in the assembly since 2018, when she was elected with over 77% of the vote. In 2020, she won her reelection against Republican challenger Ricardo Benitez by 48 points.

Prior to her election to the State Assembly, Assm. Rivas spent her early career as an electrical engineer, where she developed a strong interest in early STEM education. She completed a master of education program before, in 2011, founding DIY Girls, which is a nonprofit organization that partners with local schools to expose girls to STEM programming. Before winning election to the Assembly in 2018, she served as Public Works Commissioner for the City of Los Angeles.

Other background: Assm. Rivas is a lifelong resident of the San Fernando Valley.
 

The Race

Primary election results: The June 2022 results included Assm. Luz Rivas (D), 98%; and Siaka Massaquoi (W/I), 2%. Incumbent Assm. Luz Rivas and Siaka Massaquoi will compete in a run-off in the November 8 general election.

Candidate fundraising and pledges: Assm. Rivas’s campaign has raised $605,000 and is not funded by police interests. She has received donations from real estate, corporate PAC, and fossil fuel interests, including Tesla Inc., California Real Estate PAC, Google, Meta Platforms Inc., and SoCAL Edison.

Opposing candidate: Independent Siaka Massaquoi

Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Massaquoi’s campaign has raised $10,000 and is primarily funded by individual donors.
 

The District

Counties in district: California’s 43rd Assembly District includes parts of Los Angeles County.

Voter registration: 56% Democrat, 25% Republican, and 13% No Party Preference. Democrats typically hold this seat. Since the 2021 redistricting process, AD-43 is 4% more Democratic than it was during the 2020 general election cycle.

District demographics: 64% Latino, 9% Asian, and 5% Black. This district is considered to be one of the strong Latino seats in the California Assembly delegation.

Recent election results: AD-43 voted for Joe Biden for president in 2020 by 50 points and Gavin Newsom for governor in 2018 by 56 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.

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Reelect Assemblymember Friedman to keep AD-44 on the right track for progress.

Assm. Friedman’s track record and policy positions demonstrate that she will continue to be a progressive voice for the constituents of AD-44 and will govern effectively in the best interest of this diverse district.

Progressive endorsements: Assm. Friedman has the endorsement of many progressive groups, including SEIU California, Emily’s List, NARAL Pro-Choice California, and others.

Top issues: Housing, health care, environment, and working families.

Priority bills: This year, Assm. Friedman’s priorities for AD-44 have included 40 bills about firearm safety, wildfires, and housing and development. Of these, 19 have been chaptered into law. She has sponsored and passed legislation to encourage property owners to build accessory dwellings on their property. She scores a Lifetime CS of 99 out of 100 and is an All-Star on Courage Score, our annual analysis of legislators’ progressive voting records. Based on our Courage Score analysis, Assm. Friedman has supported the most progressive bills that made it to a vote. That said, Assm. Friedman has also supported a bill to remove critical oversight of telecom companies.

Committee leadership/membership: Assm. Friedman currently serves on five standing committees, two subcommittees, and twelve subcommittees, including chairing the Transportation Committee, the Sexual Harassment Prevention and Response Subcommittee, and the Select Committee on Urban Development to Combat Climate Change.

Governance and community leadership experience: Assm. Friedman has served in this assembly seat since 2016, when she was elected with 29% of the vote. In 2020, she won her reelection against a Republican challenger by 30 points.

Prior to her election to the Assembly, Assm. Friedman was a member of the Glendale City Council. Assm. Friedman has been a longtime supporter of health care and environmental justice.

Other background: Assm. Friedman, a former vice president of development at a film production company, is from South Florida. She also served a term as the mayor of Glendale.
 

The Race

Primary election results: The June 2022 results included Friedman (D), 73.2%; and Barry Jacobsen (R), 26.8%. Friedman and Jacobsen will compete in a run-off in the November 8 general election.

Candidate fundraising and pledges: Assm. Friedman’s campaign has raised $662,414.40 and is not funded by police.

Opposing candidate: Republican Barry Jacobsen

Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Jacobsen’s fundraising is not available this cycle.
 

The District

Counties in district: California’s 44th Assembly District includes parts of Los Angeles County.

Voter registration: 50% Democrat, 19% Republican, and 24% No Party Preference. Democrats have held this district since 2014. Since the 2021 redistricting process, AD-44 is 2% more Democratic than it was during the 2020 general election cycle.

District demographics: 18% Latino, 11% Asian, and 5% Black.

Recent election results: AD-44 voted for Biden for president in 2020 by 38 points and Newsom for governor in 2018 by 42 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.

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Reelect Assemblymember Gabriel to keep AD-46 on the right track for progress.

Assm. Gabriel’s track record and policy positions demonstrate that he will continue to be a progressive voice for the constituents of AD-46 and will govern effectively in the best interest of this diverse district.

Progressive endorsements: Assm. Gabriel has the endorsement of many progressive groups, including Sierra Club California, California Labor Federation, and Planned Parenthood.

Top issues: Police officer training, voting rights, and housing.

Priority bills: This year, Assm. Gabriel’s priorities for AD-46 have included 54 bills about pandemic relief, wildfires, and homelessness. Of these, 21 have been successfully chaptered into law. He has sponsored and passed legislation to make social media more transparent, and to require violence-prevention services to be covered by insurance. He scores a Lifetime CS of 84 out of 100 on Courage Score, our annual analysis of legislators’ progressive voting records. Based on our Courage Score analysis, Assm. Gabriel has supported the most progressive bills that made it to a vote. That said, Assm. Gabriel has not supported the repeal of sentencing enhancements for those with prior offenses.

Committee leadership/membership: Assm. Gabriel currently serves on five standing committees and four select committees, including chairing the Privacy and Consumer Protection Committee and the Select Committee on Jobs and Innovation in the San Fernando Valley.

Governance and community leadership experience: Assm. Gabriel has served in this assembly seat since 2018, when he was elected with 70% of the vote. In 2020, he won his reelection against a Republican challenger by 33 points.

Prior to his election to the Assembly, Assm. Gabriel was counselor to former US Senator Evan Bayh. Assm. Gabriel has been a longtime supporter of expanding legal services to low-income Californians.

Other background: Assm. Gabriel, a former lawyer for the law firm Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher, is from Berkeley. He represented survivors of abuse and other notable groups, like Holocaust survivors, in his legal practice.
 

The Race

Primary election results: The June 2022 results included Jesse Gabriel (D), 67%; and Dana Caruso (R), 33%. Gabriel and Caruso will compete in a run-off in the November 8 general election.

Candidate fundraising and pledges: Assm. Gabriel’s campaign has raised $1,045,320.79 and is not funded by fossil fuel money.

Opposing candidate: Republican Dana Caruso

Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Caruso’s fundraising is not available.
 

The District

Counties in district: California’s 46th Assembly District includes parts of Ventura and Los Angeles Counties.

Voter registration: 51% Democrat, 19% Republican, and 24% No Party Preference. Democrats have held this district since at least 2012. After the 2021 redistricting process, AD-46 is 4% more Democratic than it was during the 2020 general election cycle.

District demographics: 29% Latino, 12% Asian, and 6% Black.

Recent election results: AD-46 voted for Biden for president in 2020 by 35 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 two-thirds supermajority of 56 seats in the California State Assembly, while Republicans hold 19 seats. One seat is held by an Independent and four seats are currently vacant.

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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.

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Reelect Assemblymember Carrillo to keep AD-52 on the right track for progress.

Assm. Carrillo’s track record and policy positions demonstrate that she will continue to be a progressive voice for the constituents of AD-52 and will govern effectively in the best interest of this diverse district.

Progressive endorsements: Assm. Carrillo has the endorsement of many progressive groups, including AFSCME California, California Labor Federation, Equality California, and Planned Parenthood.

Top issues: Health care, the environment, housing and homelessness, community safety, education, working families, and a fair economy.

Priority bills: This year, Assm. Carrillo’s priorities for the current AD-51 district have included 47 bills about pollution, health care/COVID-19, and worker protection. Of these, 17 have been successfully chaptered into law. She has sponsored and passed legislation to target air pollution from short-haul trucks, obtain help with recession planning, and provide deportation protection. She scores a Lifetime CS of 95 out of 100 on Courage Score, our annual analysis of legislators’ progressive voting records. Based on our Courage Score analysis, Assm. Carrillo has supported the most progressive bills that made it to a vote.

Committee leadership/membership: Assm. Carrillo currently sits on five standing committees, two subcommittees, eleven select committees, and a joint committee. She chairs the Budget Subcommittee No. 4 on State Administration and the Select Committee on Uplifting Girls and Women of Color in California.

Governance and community leadership experience: Assm. Carrillo has served in this assembly seat since 2017, when she was elected with 54% of the vote. In 2020, she ran unopposed for reelection.

Prior to her election to the Assembly, Assm. Carrillo was a journalist who hosted radio and digital media. Assm. Carrillo has been a longtime supporter of workers’ rights.

Other background: Assm. Carrillo grew up in Boyle Heights and City Terrace. As a child, she came to the US as an undocumented refugee from El Salvador.
 

The Race

Primary election results: The June 2022 results included Carrillo (D), 50%; Mia Livas Porter (D), 36%; and Gia d’Amato (R), 13%. Carrillo and Porter will compete in a run-off in the November 8 general election.

Candidate fundraising and pledges: Assm. Carrillo's campaign has raised $665,410 and is not funded by police.

Opposing candidate: Democrat Mia Livas Porter

Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Livas Porter’s campaign has raised $123,538 and is funded primarily by individual donors.
 

The District

Counties in district: California’s 52nd Assembly District includes parts of Los Angeles County.

Voter registration: 62% Democrat, 10% Republican, and 23% No Party Preference. Since the 2021 redistricting process, AD-52 is 2% less Democratic than it was during the 2020 general election cycle.

District demographics: 50% Latino, 15% Asian, and 3% Black. This district is considered to be one of the strong Latino seats in the California Assembly delegation.

Recent election results: AD-52 voted for Biden for president in 2020 by 63 points and Newsom for governor in 2018 by 70 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.

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Reelect Assemblymember Miguel Santiago to keep AD-54 on the right track for progress.

Assm. Santiago’s track record and policy positions demonstrate that he will continue to be a progressive voice for the constituents of AD-54 and will govern effectively in the best interest of this diverse district.

Progressive endorsements: Assm. Santiago has the endorsement of many progressive groups, including California Environmental Voters, Equality California, and NARAL Pro-Choice California.

Top issues: Tax, health care, and environment.

Priority bills: This year, Assm. Santiago’s priorities for AD-54 have included 68 bills about taxes, health care, and the environment. Of these, 25 have successfully been passed by the Assembly. He has sponsored and passed legislation to support education and free tax-assistance grants, better labeling for compostable and biodegradable products, and to provide health care for all. He scores a Lifetime CS of 93 out of 100 and is an All-Star on Courage Score, our annual analysis of legislators’ progressive voting records. Based on our Courage Score analysis, Assm. Santiago has supported the most progressive bills that made it to a vote.

He authored AB 19, a law passed in 2017 that made community college free in California for the first year. In 2019, he authored and passed AB 2, which added a second year of free community college. Santiago has also delivered millions of dollars for legal services to support unaccompanied minors facing deportation, and those affected by the White House’s decision to terminate Temporary Protected Status.

Committee leadership/membership: Assm. Santiago currently sits on five committees, and chairs the Governmental Organization Committee.

Governance and community leadership experience: Assm. Santiago has served in this assembly seat since 2014, when he was elected with over 63% of the vote. In 2020, he won his reelection against a Democratic challenger by 12 points.

Prior to his election to the State Assembly, Assm. Santiago was involved in community organizing, and worked on expanding affordable health care and housing. He is a longtime supporter of education, just immigration policies, and economic development.

Other background: Assm. Santiago is from Los Angeles.
 

The Race

Primary election results: The June 2022 results included Miguel Santiago (D), 100%; and Elaine Alaniz (R), 0%. Santiago and Alaniz will compete in a run-off in the November 8 general election.

Candidate fundraising and pledges: Assm. Santiago’s campaign has raised $1.5 million and is not funded by real estate money.

Opposing candidate: Republican Elaine Alaniz

Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Alaniz’s campaign has not filed campaign finances.

 

The District

Counties in district: California’s 54th Assembly District includes parts of Los Angeles County.

Voter registration: 60% Democrat, 10% Republican, and 24% No Party Preference. Democrats have held this district since at least 2002. Since the 2021 redistricting process, AD-54 is 2% less Democratic than it was during the 2020 general election cycle.

District demographics: 54% Latino, 24% Asian, and 8% Black. This district is considered to be one of the strong Latino seats in the California Assembly delegation.

Recent election results: AD-54 voted for Biden for president in 2020 by 59 points and Newsom for governor in 2018 by 66 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.

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Reelect Assemblymember Isaac Bryan to keep AD-55 on the right track for progress.

Assm. Isaac Bryan’s track record and policy positions demonstrate that he will continue to be a progressive voice for the constituents of AD-55 and will govern effectively in the best interest of this diverse district.

Progressive endorsements: Assm. Bryan has the endorsement of a strong majority of progressive groups, including California Teachers Association, California League of Conservation Voters, ACCE Action, and many union organizations. He has also received the endorsement of many progressive lawmakers, including Congressmember Karen Bass, LA Supervisor Holly Mitchell, and LA City Councilmember Nithya Raman.

Top issues: Climate change, child welfare, education, health care, criminal-justice reform, homelessness and housing, and workforce development and reentry.

Priority bills: This year, Assm. Bryan’s priorities for his current district, AD-54, have included 24 bills about housing, child welfare, climate change, and criminal justice. Of these, two have been chaptered into law and one has died, and the remaining bills are in committee. He scores a CS of 100 out of 100 on Courage Score, our annual analysis of legislators’ progressive voting records. Based on our Courage Score analysis, Assm. Bryan has supported all progressive bills that made it to a vote this year. He received an Honorable Mention distinction from Courage Score this year for his commitment to progressive leadership.

Committee leadership/membership: Assm. Bryan currently sits on five committees, including Appropriations, Governmental Organization, Human Services, and Public Safety, and serves as the chair of the Elections Committee.

Governance and Community Leadership Experience: Assm. Bryan has served in this assembly seat since 2021, when he won a special election with over 50% of the vote.

Prior to his election to the State Assembly, Assm. Bryan developed his political acumen as a published academic, earning a master’s of public policy degree from UCLA. After graduating, he became founding director of the UCLA Black Policy Project, which aims to address racial inequity through policy analysis and advocacy. His work there allowed him to focus on research regarding the resources needed for successful reentry after incarceration, and larger issues with youth-justice policy. Assm. Bryan’s interest in issues of equity is personal. As one of nine adopted children in a family of 15, he encountered significant academic challenges and observed his siblings struggling with houselessness, addiction, and mental health. Assm. Bryan is a longtime supporter of policy that addresses the intersections of these complex social issues. He co-chaired the committee supporting Measure J, which amended the Los Angeles County charter to require that 10% of local revenue be reinvested in the community and in alternatives to incarcerations. The measure was passed by voters in November 2020, and brings meaningful local investment to the county.

Other background: Assm. Isaac Bryan lives in Jefferson Park.
 

The Race

Primary election results: The June 2022 results included Assm. Isaac Bryan (D), 86%; and Keith Girolamo Cascio (R), 14%. Incumbent Assm. Isaac Bryan and Keith Girolamo Cascio will compete in a run-off in the November 8 general election.

Candidate fundraising and pledges: Assm. Bryan’s campaign has raised $716,000 and is not funded by police or fossil fuel interests. However, he has received donations from problematic funders, including Fox Corporation, California Real Estate PAC, and AT&T.

Opposing candidate: Republican Keith Girolamo Cascio

Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Girolamo Cascio’s campaign has not recorded any fundraising receipts with the secretary of state’s office as of September 2022.
 

The District

Counties in district: California’s 55th Assembly 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 district. Since the 2021 redistricting process, the advantage that Democrats held during the 2020 general election cycle is unchanged.

District demographics: 25% Latino, 11% Asian, and 29% Black

Recent election results: AD-55 voted for Joe Biden for president in 2020 by 71 points and Gavin Newsom for governor in 2018 by 73 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.

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Reelect Assemblymember Jones-Sawyer to keep AD-57 on the right track for progress.

Assm. Jones-Sawyer’s track record and policy positions demonstrate that he will continue to be a progressive voice for the constituents of AD-57 and will govern effectively in the best interest of this diverse district.

Progressive endorsements: Assm. Jones-Sawyer has the endorsement of some progressive groups, including the California Environmental Voters, Equality California, Brady United Against Gun Violence, and Los Angeles County Labor Federation.

Top issues: Justice reform, health care, and education.

Priority bills: This year, Assm. Jones-Sawyer’s priorities for AD-57 have included 39 bills about a pilot program for public postsecondary education and a bill related to perjury by police officers. Of these, 19 have been successfully chaptered into law. He has sponsored and passed legislation to count the number of low-income housing credits given to LGBTQIA+ people, women, and minorities. He scores a Lifetime CS of 96 out of 100 on Courage Score, our annual analysis of legislators’ progressive voting records. Based on our Courage Score analysis, Assm. Jones-Sawyer has supported the most progressive bills that made it to a vote. That said, Assm. Jones-Sawyer did not vote to protect homeowners and renters from foreclosure and eviction due to circumstances related to COVID-19.

Committee leadership/membership: Assm. Jones-Sawyer currently sits on five standing committees, one subcommittee, and six select committees, including chairing the Public Safety Committee and the Select Committee on the Status of Boys and Men of Color.

Governance and community leadership experience: Assm. Jones-Sawyer has served in this Assembly seat since 2012, when he was elected with 52% of the vote. In 2020, he won his reelection against a Republican challenger by 15 points.

Prior to his election to the Assembly, Assm. Jones-Sawyer was assistant deputy mayor of Los Angeles. Assm. Jones-Sawyer has been a longtime supporter of assisting the reentry into society of people who were formerly convicted of crimes.

Other background: Assm. Jones-Sawyer is from Los Angeles. He helped change the city’s complex regulations surrounding housing development.
 

The Race

Primary election results: The June 2022 results included Jones-Sawyer (D), 100%. He is not facing a challenger.

Candidate fundraising and pledges: Assm. Jones-Sawyer’s campaign has raised $558,913 and is not funded by real estate money.

Opposing candidate: Republican N/A

Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: N/A
 

The District

Counties in district: California’s 57th Assembly District includes parts of Los Angeles County.

Voter registration: 64% Democrat, 6% Republican, and 23% No Party Preference. Democrats have held this district since at least 2012. Since the 2021 redistricting process, AD-57 is 1% less Democratic than it was during the 2020 general election cycle.

District demographics: 57% Latino, 4% Asian, and 30% Black. This district is considered to be one of the strong Latino seats in the California Assembly delegation.

Recent election results: AD-57 voted for Biden for president in 2020 by 74 points and Newsom for governor in 2018 by 77 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.

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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.

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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.

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Reelect Assemblymember Al Muratsuchi to keep AD-66 on the right track for progress.

Assm. Al Muratsuchi has been a frequent recipient of donations from a variety of problematic funders, including AT&T Services, PG&E Corporation, Los Angeles Police Protective League PAC, and California Correctional Peace Officers Association PAC. Given Assm. Muratsuchi’s connection to these groups, it is important that voters continue to hold him accountable to ensure that his legislative efforts remain in the best interest of constituents instead of wealthy special interests. Based on our analysis, Assm. Muratsuchi’s track record and policy positions demonstrate that he will continue to be a leader for the constituents of AD-66 and will govern effectively in the best interest of this diverse district.

Progressive endorsements: Assm. Muratsuchi has the endorsement of some progressive groups, including California Federation of Teachers, Equality California, and California Environmental Voters. However, he has received donations from problematic stakeholders with corporate PAC and law enforcement interests.

Top issues: Public utilities, environmental and climate protections, education and workforce development, military and veterans, and homelessness and housing.

Priority bills: This year, Assm. Muratsuchi’s priorities for AD-66 have included 46 bills about education, pollution, and climate protections. Of these, one has been chaptered into law, one was vetoed, ten have died, and the rest are currently in committee. In his role with the Select Committee on Aerospace, he has supported the local growth and success of SpaceX, owned by billionaire Elon Musk, and Northrop Grumman, a defense contractor. He scores a Lifetime CS of 61 out of 100 on Courage Score, our annual analysis of legislators’ progressive voting records. Based on our Courage Score analysis, Assm. Muratsuchi has supported few progressive bills that made it to a vote. This term, he has primarily opposed or failed to vote on bills related to criminal-justice reform. He voted against protecting individuals eligible for prison release from being transferred to immigration detention, limiting disruptions to rehabilitative programs in prisons, and sealing the records of individuals who have fulfilled their sentences.

Committee leadership/membership: He currently serves on six standing committees, including Budget, Natural Resources, and Utilities and Energy. He serves as chair of the select committee on Aerospace, and as chair of the joint committee on Climate Change Policies.

Governance and community leadership experience: Assm. Muratsuchi was originally elected to the Assembly in 2012, but lost his 2014 reelection bid to Republican David Hadley by a narrow margin. He regained his seat in the 2016 election, and won his 2020 reelection against Republican Arthur Schaper by 26 points.

Prior to his election to the State Assembly, Assm. Muratsuchi served as a deputy district attorney with the California Department of Justice. A longtime supporter of education reform, he served on the Torrance School Board, and has authored legislation to increase funding for the K–12 system, and to support career technical education. He was recognized as Legislator of the Year in 2019 by the California School Boards Association for his efforts to improve the education landscape for students and families. Assm. Muratsuchi has also partnered with police to construct criminal-justice bills.

Other background: Assm. Al Muratsuchi is a longtime resident of the South Bay of Los Angeles County.
 

The Race

Primary election results: The June 2022 results included Assm. Al Muratsuchi (D), 62%; and George Barks (R), 38%. Incumbent Assm. Al Muratsuchi and George Barks will compete in a run-off in the November 8 general election.

Candidate fundraising and pledges: Assm. Muratsuchi’s campaign has raised $405,000 and has received donations from police, real estate, fossil fuel, and corporate PAC interests. His problematic donors include Sempra Energy, Amazon.com, Association for Los Angeles Deputy Sheriffs State PAC, and California Real Estate PAC.

Opposing candidate: Republican George Barks

Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Barks’s campaign has not recorded any fundraising receipts with the secretary of state’s office as of September 2022.
 

The District

Counties in district: California’s 66th Assembly District includes parts of Los Angeles County.

Voter registration: 44% Democrat, 27% Republican, and 24% No Party Preference. Democrats typically hold this district. After the 2021 redistricting process, AD-66 is equally as Democratic as it was during the 2020 general election cycle.

District demographics: 19% Latino, 22% Asian, and 5% Black

Recent election results: AD-66 voted for Joe Biden for president in 2020 by 28 points and Gavin Newsom for governor in 2018 by 17 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.

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Elect Christy Smith to put CD-27 on the right track for progress.

Christy Smith’s track record and policy positions demonstrate that she will be a champion for the constituents of CD-27 and will govern effectively in the best interest of this diverse district. This is a Republican-held seat that Democrats have prioritized to flip to maintain control of the House.

Progressive endorsements: Smith has the endorsement of a strong majority of progressive groups, including L.A. County Federation of Labor, California Environmental Voters, and Equality California. She has also received the endorsement of many state and local elected leaders, including Secretary of State Dr. Shirley Weber, Attorney General Rob Bonta, State Senator Maria Elena Durazo, and LA County Supervisor Holly Mitchell.

Electoral history: Smith ran the 38th State Assembly seat in 2018, and won her race against Republican Dante Acosta with over 51% of the vote. This is her third race for what is now CD-27, including a special election run in 2019 and a general election run in 2020. In 2020, Smith lost her challenge against incumbent Rep. Mike Garcia for the then CD-25 seat by 333 votes.

Top issues: Health-care access, education, reproductive justice, environmental and climate protections, and economic reform.

Priority bills: As a member of the State Assembly in 2020, she scored a CS 48 out of 100 on Courage Score, our annual analysis of legislators’ progressive voting records. Based on our Courage Score analysis, Smith supported some progressive bills that made it to a vote. However, she failed to vote on bills related to strengthening mandatory reporter requirements, establishing sheriff oversight boards, and expanding pandemic eviction protections. On these and other issues, Smith has been a steadily centrist legislator.

Governance and community leadership experience: Smith is a longtime public official, having served one term in the State Assembly, and two-terms on the Newhall School District governing board. She also currently serves on a state environmental council and, as a legislator, Smith authored bills related to charter school and education regulations, home-ownership protections, and victims’ compensation for survivors of human trafficking. She reliably secured resources for her district for education, health care, and emergency services. In her work with the Newhall School District, she supported a successful ballot measure that provided funding for significant district upgrades. Smith has also been a strong supporter of reproductive freedom, and would bring her advocacy to Congress at a time when federal legislation is crucial for continued abortion access.

Other background: Christy Smith, an education advocate and public official, has lived in Santa Clarita for over 40 years. Prior to her public service, she worked as an analyst with the U.S. Department of Education, which was foundational to establishing her interest in education reform.
 

The Race

Primary election results: The June 2022 results included Rep. Mike Garcia (R), 47%; Christy Smith (D), 37%; Quaye Quartey (D), 7%; Ruth Luevanos (D), 6%; David Rudnick (R), 6%; and Mark Pierce (R), 1%. Incumbent Rep. Mike Garcia and Christy Smith will compete in a run-off in the November 8 general election.

Candidate fundraising and pledges: Smith’s campaign has raised $1.1 million and is not funded by police, real estate, fossil fuel, or corporate PAC interests.

Opposing candidate: Republican Mike Garcia

Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Rep. Garcia’s campaign has raised $4.3 million and is funded by corporate PAC, real estate, and fossil fuel interests. He has also received donations from Blue Origin PAC, Lockheed Martin Employees’ PAC, Koch PAC, and Employees of Northrop Grumman. Notably, incumbent Rep. Garcia was endorsed by former Pres. Donald Trump in 2020 and has co-sponsored legislation to ban abortion access. He continues to present a serious threat to progressive values.
 

The District

Counties in district: California’s 27th Congressional District includes parts of Los Angeles County.

Voter registration: 41% Democrat, 30% Republican, and 22% No Party Preference. Democrats typically hold this district. Since the 2021 redistricting process, CD-27 is 3% more Democratic than it was during the 2020 general election cycle. Under newly drawn district maps, incumbent Republican Mike Garcia, representing the 25th district, is positioned as a challenger in the new 27th district.

District demographics: 33% Latino, 10% Asian, and 11% Black

Recent election results: CD-27 voted for Joe Biden for president in 2020 by 12 points and Gavin Newsom for governor in 2018 by 5 points.
 

The Position

Congressmembers represent and advocate for the needs of their district constituents at the United States Capitol. They are responsible for creating, debating, and voting on legislation that addresses issues within their district.

The United States is divided into 435 congressional districts, each with a population of about 710,000 individuals. Each district elects a representative to the House of Representatives for a two-year term. California has 53 congressional representatives, the largest delegation in the country. There is no term limit for this position.

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Reelect Congressional Representative Judy Chu to keep CD-28 on the right track for progress.

Rep. Chu’s track record and policy positions demonstrate that she will continue to be a progressive voice for the constituents of CD-28 and will govern effectively in the best interest of this diverse district.

Progressive endorsements: Rep. Chu has the endorsement of some progressive groups, including United Farm Workers, California Environmental Voters, the National Union of Healthcare Workers, and NARAL.

Top issues: Rep. Chu is a longtime supporter of civil liberties and reproductive rights. She has paid special attention to the protection of abortion rights as well as health-care providers’ ability to provide abortion services. She has also supported legislation on health care and tax relief for groups that are typically unsupported in these areas, including individuals, people affected by disaster, people who own start-up businesses, and same-sex couples.

Priority bills: This year, Rep. Chu’s priorities for CD-28 have included 34 bills about health care, taxation, and law enforcement. Of these, three have successfully been passed by the House, and the remaining are referred to or in committee. She has sponsored and passed legislation to prohibit governmental restrictions on access to abortion services and for recognizing and condemning racial bigotry.

Member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus?: Yes

Committee leadership/membership: Rep. Chu currently sits on the House Ways and Means Committee.

Governance and community leadership experience: Rep. Chu has served in this congressional seat since 2012, when she was elected with over 64% of the vote. In 2020, she won her 2020 reelection against a Republican challenger by 40 points.

Prior to her election to Congress, Rep. Chu served as mayor of Monterey Park from 1989 to 1994, and in 2001, she was elected to the State Assembly. She was first elected to Congress in 2009, becoming the first Chinese American to serve in the institution. Rep. Chu has been a longtime supporter of civil liberties and reproductive rights.

Other background: Rep. Chu, a longtime public servant, grew up in Los Angeles. She was elected chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus. Rep. Chu founded and co-chairs the Congressional Creative Rights Caucus, which supports copyright protections of those in the creative industries. Her record includes helping entrepreneurs with small-business development centers in the San Gabriel Valley, working with President Obama to declare the San Gabriel Mountains a national monument, and requiring the Department of Defense to address military hazing.
 

The Race

Primary election results: The June 2022 results included Judy Chu (D), 67%; Wes Hallman (R), 25%; and Dorothy Caronna (D), 6%. Chu and Hallman will compete in a run-off in the November 8 general election.

Candidate fundraising and pledges: Rep. Chu’s campaign has raised $906,000 and is not funded by police money.

Opposing candidate: Republican Wes Hallman

Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Hallman’s campaign has raised $24,000 and is funded mostly by individual donors.
 

The District

Counties in district: California’s 28th Congressional District includes parts of Los Angeles and San Bernardino Counties.

Voter registration: 46% Democrat, 22% Republican, and 26% No Party Preference. Democrats have held this district since 2000. Since the 2021 redistricting process, CD-28 is 2% less Democratic than it was during the 2020 general election cycle.

District demographics: 24% Latino, 35% Asian, and 5% Black.

Recent election results: CD-28 voted for Biden for president in 2020 by 36 points and Newsom for governor in 2018 by 27 points.
 

The Position

Congressmembers represent and advocate for the needs of their district constituents at the United States Capitol. They are responsible for creating, debating, and voting on legislation that addresses issues within their district.

The United States is divided into 435 congressional districts, each with a population of about 710,000 individuals. Each district elects a representative to the House of Representatives for a two-year term. California has 53 congressional representatives, the largest delegation in the country. There is no term limit for this position.

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Elect Angelica Dueñas to keep CD-29 on the right track for progress.

Angelica Dueñas’s policy positions demonstrate that she will be a progressive voice for the constituents of CD-29 and will govern effectively in the best interest of this diverse district.

Progressive endorsements: Dueñas has the endorsement of many progressive groups, including Ground Game LA, Progressive Democrats of America, and Our Revolution.

Electoral History: Dueñas has run for office previously, and lost her 2020 bid for this seat against a Democratic challenger by 14 points.

Top issues: Health care, civil rights, housing, veterans affairs, foreign policy, and public education.

Governance and community leadership experience: Dueñas is an activist and a community organizer, which she does to serve her local community and to push the government to do better for its people. She was appointed to serve as a delegate for Senator Bernie Sanders during his bid for the presidency in 2016.

Other background: Dueñas, a community organizer, is from the San Fernando Valley. She served as a contributing board member of the Sun Valley Neighborhood Council and later served two terms as president.
 

The Race

Primary election results: The June 2022 results included Tony Cárdenas (D), 58%; Angelica Dueñas (D), 20%; and Margarita Carranza (R), 9%. Cárdenas and Dueñas will compete in a run-off in the November 8 general election.

Candidate fundraising and pledges: Dueñas’s campaign has raised $84,000 and is not funded by corporate, fossil fuel, real estate, or police money.

Opposing candidate: Democrat Tony Cárdenas

Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Cárdenas’s campaign has raised $1.1 million and is funded by corporate, real estate, and fossil fuel money.
 

The District

Counties in district: California’s 29th Congressional District is located in Los Angeles County.

Voter registration: 56% Democrat, 13% Republican, and 24% No Party Preference. Democrats have held this district since 1990.

District demographics: 54% Latino, 9% Asian, and 6% Black. This district is considered to be one of the 16 strong Latino seats in the California congressional delegation.

Recent election results: CD-29 voted for Biden for president in 2020 by 50 points and Newsom for governor in 2018 by 56 points.
 

The Position

Congressmembers represent and advocate for the needs of their district constituents at the United States Capitol. They are responsible for creating, debating, and voting on legislation that addresses issues within their district.

The United States is divided into 435 congressional districts, each with a population of about 710,000 individuals. Each district elects a representative to the House of Representatives for a two-year term. California has 53 congressional representatives, the largest delegation in the country. There is no term limit for this position.

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Reelect Congressional Representative Adam Schiff to keep CD-30 on the right track for progress.

Rep. Schiff’s track record and policy positions demonstrate that he will continue to be a progressive voice for the constituents of CD-30 and will govern effectively in the best interest of this diverse district.

Progressive endorsements: Rep. Schiff has the endorsement of some progressive groups, including California Environmental Voters, the California Labor Federation, and SEIU CA.

Top issues: International affairs, government operations and politics, education, health, armed forces, and national security.

Priority bills: This year, Rep. Schiff’s priorities for CD-30 have included 27 bills about protecting marine mammals, condemning threats against freedom of the press, and supporting children with disabilities. Of these, the majority are either in or have been referred to committee. He has sponsored and passed legislation to reduce noise in the district, including allowing for airports’ implementation of nighttime curfews, as well as ensuring equal access to reproductive care, and deterring Chinese support for Russia.

Member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus?: No

Committee leadership/membership: Rep. Schiff currently chairs the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence.

Governance and community leadership experience: Rep. Schiff has served in this congressional seat since 2014, when he was elected with over 76% of the vote. In 2020, he won his 2020 reelection against a Republican challenger by 46 points.

Prior to his election to Congress, Rep. Schiff worked as a law clerk and then as Assistant United States Attorney before being elected to California’s State Senate in 1996. He is a longtime supporter of progressive education, immigration, and environmental policies. That said, he has cast unfavorable votes on issues pertaining to military spending and the use of military force.

Other background: Rep. Schiff, a longtime public servant, has lived in California since 1972. He has authored dozens of bills enacted into law that include guaranteeing up-to-date classroom textbooks, passing a patient’s bill of rights, and ensuring cost-of-living increases for teacher pensions. Rep. Schiff is also the lead author of a reform package to prevent future abuses of executive power and to reinforce the country’s democratic institutions. Rep. Schiff also served as the lead impeachment manager during the first Senate impeachment trial of President Trump. He is also the lead author of legislation to end the NRA and the gun industry’s immunity from liability, which prevents victims and their families from seeking legal recourse.
 

The Race

Primary election results: The June 2022 results included Adam Schiff (D), 60%; Eric Early (R), 13%; and Maebe A. Girl (D), 12%. Schiff and Early will compete in a run-off in the November 8 general election.

Candidate fundraising and pledges: Rep. Schiff’s campaign has raised $17 million and is not funded by fossil fuel or police money.

Opposing candidate: Republican Eric Early
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Early’s campaign has raised $4 million and is funded by corporate money.
 

The District

Counties in district: California’s 30th Congressional District is in Los Angeles County.

Voter registration: 54% Democrat, 16% Republican, and 24% No Party Preference. Democrats have held this district since 2003. Since the 2021 redistricting process, CD-30 is 3% more Democratic than it was during the 2020 general election cycle.

District demographics: 20% Latino, 13% Asian, and 5% Black.

Recent election results: CD-30 voted for Biden for president in 2020 by 44 points and Newsom for governor in 2018 by 54 points.
 

The Position

Congressmembers represent and advocate for the needs of their district constituents at the United States Capitol. They are responsible for creating, debating, and voting on legislation that addresses issues within their district.

The United States is divided into 435 congressional districts, each with a population of about 710,000 individuals. Each district elects a representative to the House of Representatives for a two-year term. California has 53 congressional representatives, the largest delegation in the country. There is no term limit for this position.

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Reelect Congressional Representative Brad Sherman to keep CD-32 on the right track for progress.

Based on our analysis, Rep. Sherman’s track record and policy positions demonstrate that he will continue to be a representative leader for the constituents of CD-32 and will govern effectively for this diverse district if he is subjected to increased community accountability.

Progressive endorsements: Rep. Sherman has the endorsement of some progressive groups, including Equality California, California Environmental Voters, the Sierra Club, and Planned Parenthood, as well as labor unions, like LA County Federation of Labor, National Nurses United, National Union of Healthcare Workers, and SEIU. He is also endorsed by federal, state, and local elected officials, including U.S. Senator Alex Padilla, California Controller Betty Yee, and several L.A. city councilmembers and LAUSD board members.

Top issues: Rep. Sherman’s top issues include strengthening sanctions on Russia, loosening regulations for the financial services and real estate industries, and increasing regulations on cryptocurrency.

Priority bills: This year, Rep. Sherman’s priorities for CD-32 have included 24 bills about finance and the financial sector, the real estate industry, international affairs, cryptocurrency. Of these, two have successfully been passed by the House. He has sponsored legislation to create a free online tax filing system, close crypto loopholes in Russian sanctions, report on curriculum in Palestinian schools for censorship, lessen credit-lending limits for credit unions and reporting requirements for investment firms during COVID-19, and enter into diplomatic relations with Taiwan.

Member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus?: Yes

Committee leadership/membership: Rep. Sherman currently sits on three committees, including the Financial Services, Foreign Affairs, and Science, Space, and Technology Committees.

Governance and community leadership experience: Rep. Sherman has served in this congressional seat since 1996, when he was elected with 49% of the vote. In 2020, he won his 2020 reelection against a Republican challenger by 39 points.

Prior to his election to Congress, Rep. Sherman was an accountant, a tax specialist, and an attorney, and then was elected to the California Board of Equalization. Rep. Sherman has been a longtime supporter of diplomatic relations and strong fiscal policy, and helped found the Consumer Financial Protection Agency. He is also a supporter of cryptocurrency regulation. Rep. Sherman was one of the first members of Congress to call for impeachment proceedings against Donald Trump, and introduced articles of impeachment in both 2017 and 2019. In 2018, Rep. Sherman’s office has been accused of allowing a toxic culture to flourish, and staffers in his office have been accused of sexual harassment and his office has been called out, although Rep. Sherman himself has not been personally accused of any abusive acts.

Other background: Rep. Sherman, a former accountant and attorney, is from Los Angeles. He earned a bachelor’s degree from UCLA, and a law degree from Harvard.
 

The Race

Primary election results: The June 2022 results included Brad Sherman (D), 53.7%; Lucie Volotzky (R), 19.7%; Shervin Aazami (D), 9.2%; and Melissa Toomim (R), 8.5%. Rep. Brad Sherman and Lucie Volotzky will compete in a run-off in the November 8 general election.

Candidate fundraising and pledges: Rep. Brad Sherman’s campaign has raised $2,131,753 and is not funded by the police. He has accepted donations from the fossil fuel industry, as well as more than $40,000 from the real estate industry. He has also accepted donations from corporate PACs, including more than $30,000 from defense contractors, nearly $50,000 from the insurance industry, and more than $300,000 from banks and the financial services industry.

Opposing candidate: Republican Lucie Volotzky

Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Volotzky’s campaign has raised $20,211 and has not committed to refusing donations from the police.
 

The District

Counties in district: California’s 32nd Congressional District includes parts of Los Angeles and Ventura Counties.

Voter registration: 52% Democrat, 19% Republican, and 23% No Party Preference. Democrats typically hold this district. Since the 2021 redistricting process, CD-32 is 1% more Democratic than it was during the 2020 general election cycle.

District demographics: 20% Latino, 12% Asian, and 5% Black.

Recent election results: CD-32 voted for Joe Biden for president in 2020 by 41 points and Gavin Newsom for governor in 2018 by 40 points.
 

The Position

Congressmembers represent and advocate for the needs of their district constituents at the United States Capitol. They are responsible for creating, debating, and voting on legislation that addresses issues within their district.

The United States is divided into 435 congressional districts, each with a population of about 710,000 individuals. Each district elects a representative to the House of Representatives for a two-year term. California has 53 congressional representatives, the largest delegation in the country. There is no term limit for this position.

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Elect David Kim to put CD-34 on the right track for progress.

David Kim’s policy positions demonstrate that he will be a progressive voice for the constituents of CD-34 and will govern effectively in the best interest of this diverse district.

Progressive endorsements: David Kim has the endorsement of some progressive groups, including Ground Game LA, East Area Progressive Democrats, Progressive Asian Network for Action, and Youth Climate Strike LA.

Electoral history: Kim has previously run for and won a seat on his local Neighborhood Council. In his first major run for office for CD-34 in the 2020 election, Kim lost by 6 points to incumbent Rep. Gomez.

Top issues: Kim supports universal basic income, Medicare for All, and more affordable housing options through measures like increased construction, expanded access, and rent control.

Governance and community leadership experience: Kim is an immigration and entertainment attorney, which he does because of his desire to seek equal justice for underserved communities. He is a longtime supporter of progressive policies like the Green New Deal, decriminalizing marijuana and addiction, providing more humane and straightforward pathways to citizenship for immigrants and Dreamers, and canceling student loan debt.

Other background: David Kim, an immigration lawyer, is from Sierra Vista, AZ, and has lived in Los Angeles for twelve years. He earned his bachelor’s degree from UC Berkeley and his law degree from Cardozo School of Law.
 

The Race

Primary election results: The June 2022 results included Incumbent Rep. Jimmy Gomez (D), 50.7%; David Kim (D), 39%; and Clifton Rio Torrado VonBuck (R), 10.2%. David Kim and Jimmy Gomez will compete in a run-off in the November 8 general election.

Candidate fundraising and pledges: David Kim’s campaign has raised $90,353 and is not funded by police money, corporate PACs, the fossil fuel industry, or the real estate industry.

Opposing candidate: Jimmy Gomez

Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Gomez’s campaign has raised $1,364,934 and is funded by corporate PACs, including more than $100,000 from the insurance industry, more than $20,000 from the pharmaceutical industry, and nearly $15,000 from defense contractors. He has also accepted nearly $40,000 from the fossil fuel industry, and more than $30,000 from the real estate industry.
 

The District

Counties in district: California’s 34th Congressional District includes parts of Los Angeles County.

Voter registration: 62% Democrat, 9% Republican, and 23% No Party Preference. Democrats typically hold this district. After the 2021 redistricting process, CD-34 is 1% more Democratic than it was during the 2020 general election cycle.

District demographics: 56% Latino, 20% Asian, and 7% Black. This district is considered to be one of the 16 strong Latino seats in the California congressional delegation, and is also home to the largest Korean American community in the country.

Recent election results: CD-34 voted for Joe Biden for president in 2020 by 64 points and Gavin Newsom for governor in 2018 by 70 points.
 

The Position

Congressmembers represent and advocate for the needs of their district constituents at the United States Capitol. They are responsible for creating, debating, and voting on legislation that addresses issues within their district.

The United States is divided into 435 congressional districts, each with a population of about 710,000 individuals. Each district elects a representative to the House of Representatives for a two-year term. California has 53 congressional representatives, the largest delegation in the country. There is no term limit for this position.

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Reelect Congressional Representative Ted Lieu to keep CD-36 on the right track for progress.

Rep. Lieu’s track record and policy positions demonstrate that he will continue to be a progressive voice for the constituents of CD-36 and will govern effectively in the best interest of this diverse district.

Progressive endorsements: Rep. Lieu has the endorsement of many progressive groups, including California League of Conservation Voters, Sierra Club, and Equality California. He has also received the endorsement of a wide group of public officials, including Rep. Karen Bass, Rep. Maxine Waters, and L.A. City Councilmember Mike Bonin. Additionally, Rep. Lieu has received endorsements from problematic stakeholders, including California Association of Highway Patrolmen and Peace Officers Research Association of California.

Top issues: Environmental protection, economic improvement and commerce, election security, consumer privacy protection, homelessness and housing, and international affairs.

Priority bills: This year, Rep. Lieu’s priorities for his current district, CD-33, have included 55 bills about crime and law enforcement, international affairs, and economic growth. Nearly all of these remain in committee or have been referred to committee. The legislation he has sponsored this year includes bills that aim to make improvements to the Los Angeles VA campus, eliminate cash bail in federal criminal cases, protect recreational areas and wildlife, increase consumer-privacy protections, and improve disaster preparedness for correctional facilities.

Member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus?: Yes

Committee leadership/membership: He currently serves on two committees: Judiciary and Foreign Affairs. Rep. Lieu also serves on many congressional caucuses, including those focused on STEAM education and LGBTQIA+ equality.

Governance and community leadership experience: Rep. Lieu has served in Congress since 2014, when he was elected with over 59% of the vote. Rep. Lieu currently represents the 33rd District, and won his 2020 reelection for that seat against Republican James Bradley by 35 points.

Prior to his election to Congress, Rep. Lieu had a long track record of public service. His political career began when he won a seat on the Torrance City Council in 2002. He then served three terms in the State Assembly before being elected to the State Senate in 2011. Rep. Lieu served four years of active duty with the United States Air Force JAG Corps, and was a reservist before retiring in 2021. Rep. Lieu holds an undergraduate degree in computer science, and has been involved in legislation related to cybersecurity and innovation throughout his career. He has also long been involved in climate work, authoring the Global Warming Solutions Act.

Other background: Rep. Ted Lieu, a public servant and an Air Force veteran, was born in Taiwan, raised in Cleveland, OH, and is a longtime resident of Torrance, CA. He earned his law degree from Georgetown University before launching his political career.
 

The Race

Primary election results: The June 2022 results included Rep. Ted Lieu (D), 67%; Joe Collins III (R), 13%; Derrick Gates (R), 6%; Ariana Hakami (R), 5%; Claire Ragge (R), 4%; and Colin Kilpatrick Obrien (D), 3%. Incumbent Rep. Ted Lieu and Joe Collins III will compete in a run-off in the November 8 general election.

Candidate fundraising and pledges: Rep. Lieu’s campaign has raised $1.1 million and has received donations from real estate, fossil fuel, and corporate PAC interests. His problematic donors include Amazon PAC, Berkshire Hathaway Energy PAC, Facebook Inc, Edison International PAC, and Realtors PAC. He has also received donations from a defense contractor, Lockheed Martin Corporation Employees’ PAC.

Opposing candidate: Republican Joe Collins III
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Collins’s campaign has raised $2.2 million and is funded by corporate PAC interests.
 

The District

Counties in district: California’s 36th Congressional District includes parts of Los Angeles County.

Voter registration: 50% Democrat, 20% Republican, and 24% No Party Preference. Democrats typically hold this seat. After the 2021 redistricting process, CD-36 is 3% more Democratic than it was during the 2020 general election cycle.

District demographics: 14% Latino, 17% Asian, and 5% Black

Recent election results: CD-36 voted for Joe Biden for president in 2020 by 44 points and Gavin Newsom for governor in 2018 by 39 points.
 

The Position

Congressmembers represent and advocate for the needs of their district constituents at the United States Capitol. They are responsible for creating, debating, and voting on legislation that addresses issues within their district.

The United States is divided into 435 congressional districts, each with a population of about 710,000 individuals. Each district elects a representative to the House of Representatives for a two-year term. California has 53 congressional representatives, the largest delegation in the country. There is no term limit for this position.

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Elect Sydney Kamlager for Congress to keep CD-37 on the right track for progress.

Kamlager’s track record and policy positions demonstrate that she will be a progressive voice for the constituents of CD-37 and will govern effectively in the best interest of this diverse district.

Progressive endorsements: Kamlager has the endorsement of many progressive groups, including SEIU California, National Union of Healthcare Workers, Equality California, and NARAL.

Electoral History: Kamlager won a 2018 special election for State Assembly by 55 points, then won reelection in 2018 and 2020. She won her 2021 race for state Senate by 55 points.

Top issues: Voting rights, reproductive justice, and criminal-justice reform.

Priority bills: She scores a Lifetime CS of 93 out of 100 on Courage Score, our annual analysis of legislators’ progressive voting records. Based on our Courage Score analysis, Kamlager has supported the most progressive bills that made it to a vote. She helped pioneer sentencing reform that affected people of color in California in 2021. That said, Kamlager has voted against opposing local governments to sponsor public banks.

Governance and community leadership experience: Kamlager is a state senator, which she does in order to fight for racial equity. She has accomplished getting the CRISES act signed to ensure that community-led teams respond to nonviolent 911 calls. She has worked to reduce prison sentences, including for survivors of domestic violence and human trafficking. Kamlager has previously served as president of the Los Angeles Community College District Board of Trustees and district director for former State Senator Holly Mitchell.

Other background: Kamlager, a board member of Planned Parenthood Los Angeles, is from Chicago. She previously worked for the nonprofit childcare corporation Crystal Stairs.
 

The Race

Primary election results: The June 2022 results included Kamlager (D), 43.7%; Jan Perry (D), 18.4%; and Daniel Lee (D), 17.9%. Kamlager and Perry will compete in a run-off in the November 8 general election.

Candidate fundraising and pledges: Kamlager’s campaign has raised $622,000 and is not funded by police, real estate, corporate PAC, or fossil fuel interests.

Opposing candidate: Democrat Jan Perry

Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Perry’s campaign has raised $433,000 and is funded by police, real estate, fossil fuel, or corporate PAC interests.
 

The District

Counties in district: California’s 37th Congressional District includes parts of Los Angeles County.

Voter registration: 66.2% Democrat, 6.8% Republican, and 21% No Party Preference. Democrats have held this district since at least the 1990s. After the 2021 redistricting process, CD-37 is 3% more Democratic than it was during the 2020 general election cycle.

District demographics: 38.7% Latino, 6.9% Asian, and 36.1% Black. This district is mostly Latino.

Recent election results: CD-37 voted for Biden for president in 2020 by 70.50 points and Newsom for governor in 2018 by 76.50 points.
 

The Position

Congressmembers represent and advocate for the needs of their district constituents at the United States Capitol. They are responsible for creating, debating, and voting on legislation that addresses issues within their district.

The United States is divided into 435 congressional districts, each with a population of about 710,000 individuals. Each district elects a representative to the House of Representatives for a two-year term. California has 53 congressional representatives, the largest delegation in the country. There is no term limit for this position.

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Reelect Congressional Representative Maxine Waters to keep CD-43 on the right track for progress.

Rep. Maxine Waters’s track record and policy positions demonstrate that she will continue to be a progressive voice for the constituents of CD-43 and will govern effectively in the best interest of this diverse district.

Progressive endorsements: Rep. Waters has the endorsement of many progressive groups, including Sierra Club, California Environmental Voters, and California Labor Federation.

Top issues: Homelessness and housing, veterans protections, health-care access, financial reform, and international affairs

Priority bills: Rep. Waters’s priorities for CD-43 this year have included 33 bills about housing, community development, economics, and health care. Of these, nearly all are currently in committee. The legislation that she has sponsored this year includes bills that aim to provide rental assistance and housing vouchers, reduce the cost of insulin, and protect the benefits of disabled veterans.

Member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus?: Yes

Committee leadership/membership: She currently serves as chair of the Financial Services Committee, and as the chair of the subcommittee on Housing and Community Opportunity.

Governance and community leadership experience: Rep. Waters has served in this congressional seat since 1990, when she was elected with over 79% of the vote. In 2020, she won her 2020 reelection against Republican Joe Collins by 44 points.

Prior to her election to Congress, Rep. Waters served for 14 years in the California State Assembly, where she was Democratic Caucus chair. She joined the DNC in 1980, worked on five Democratic presidential campaigns between 1980 and 1996, and was involved in the DNC’s establishment of the National Development and Voting Rights Institute. She is a longtime supporter of economic development, health-care access, and housing support. Rep. Waters has worked to fund youth workforce and adult skills-training programs, to increase funding for HIV/AIDS research and treatment, and to shore up grants to reduce foreclosures and homelessness.

Other background: Rep. Maxine Waters, a career public servant, is from St. Louis, MO. She moved to Los Angeles in 1961.
 

The Race

Primary election results: The June 2022 results included Rep. Maxine Waters (D), 74%; Omar Navarro (R), 12%; Allison Pratt (R), 7%; and Jean Monestime (D), 7%. Rep. Maxine Waters and Omar Navarro will compete in a run-off in the November 8 general election.

Candidate fundraising and pledges: Rep. Waters’s campaign has raised $889,000 and is not funded by police or fossil fuel interests.

Opposing candidate: Republican Omar Navarro

Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Navarro’s campaign has raised $77,000 and is funded by corporate PAC interests.
 

The District

Counties in district: California’s 43rd Congressional District includes parts of Los Angeles County.

Voter registration: 62% Democrat, 10% Republican, 22% No Party Preference. Democrats typically hold this district. Since the 2021 redistricting process, CD-43 is 7% more Democratic than it was during the 2020 general election cycle.

District demographics: 44% Latino, 9% Asian, and 34% Black.

Recent election results: CD-43 voted for Joe Biden for president in 2020 by 64 points and Gavin Newsom for governor in 2018 by 66 points.
 

The Position

Congressmembers represent and advocate for the needs of their district constituents at the United States Capitol. They are responsible for creating, debating, and voting on legislation that addresses issues within their district.

The United States is divided into 435 congressional districts, each with a population of about 710,000 individuals. Each district elects a representative to the House of Representatives for a two-year term. California has 53 congressional representatives, the largest delegation in the country. There is no term limit for this position.

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Reelect Congressional Representative Nanette Barragán to keep CD-44 on the right track for progress.

Rep. Barragán’s track record and policy positions demonstrate that she will continue to be a progressive voice for the constituents of CD-44 and will govern effectively in the best interest of this diverse district.

Progressive endorsements: Rep. Barragán has the endorsement of some progressive groups, including Equality California.

Top issues: Health, environmental protection, public lands and natural resources, energy, government operations, and politics,

Priority bills: This year, Rep. Barragan’s priorities for CD-44 have included 26 bills about health, environmental protection, public lands and resources, and energy. Of these, almost all have been referred to committee. She has sponsored legislation to improve the coverage of adult oral health care, require the EPA to carry out a grant program to address the climate-justice concerns of environmental justice communities, as well as create new or renovate existing outdoor recreation facilities.

Member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus?: Yes

Committee leadership/membership: Rep. Barragán currently sits on the House Committee on Homeland Security, where she chairs the subcommittee on Border Security, Facilitation and Operations.

Governance and community leadership experience: Rep. Barragán has served in this congressional seat since 2016, when she was elected with over 52% of the vote. In 2020, she won her 2020 reelection against a Republican challenger by 41 points.

Prior to her election to Congress, Rep. Barragán led outreach efforts for African Americans in the Office of Public Liaison for the Clinton White House and worked on racial health disparities for the NAACP. Before practicing law, Barragán fought for low-income families at the Los Angeles Legal Aid Foundation. She is a longtime supporter of environmental justice and battling health disparities.

Other background: Rep. Barragán, a lawyer, was born and raised in the Harbor Area. She began her career in public service in the late 1990s. Prior to practicing law, Barragán served as an extern to Justice Carlos Moreno of the Supreme Court of California and worked at the Los Angeles Legal Aid Foundation, fighting for low-income families.
 

The Race

Primary election results: The June 2022 results included Barragán (D), 67%; Paul Irving Jones (R), 26%; and Morris Griffin (D), 8%. Barragán and Jones will compete in a run-off in the November 8 general election.

Candidate fundraising and pledges: Rep. Barragán campaign has raised $913,000 and is not funded by police money.

Opposing candidate: Republican Paul Irving Jones

Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Paul Irving Jones has not filed any finances as of September 2022.
 

The District

Counties in district: California’s 44th Congressional District includes parts of Los Angeles County.

Voter registration: 56% Democrat, 23% Republican, and 15% No Party Preference. Democrats] have held this district since 2013.

District demographics: 51% Latino, 13% Asian, and 15% Black. This district is considered to be one of the 16 strong Latino seats in the California congressional delegation.

Recent election results: CD-44 voted for Biden for president in 2020 by 59 points and Newsom for governor in 2018 by 63 points.
 

The Position

Congressmembers represent and advocate for the needs of their district constituents at the United States Capitol. They are responsible for creating, debating, and voting on legislation that addresses issues within their district.

The United States is divided into 435 congressional districts, each with a population of about 710,000 individuals. Each district elects a representative to the House of Representatives for a two-year term. California has 53 congressional representatives, the largest delegation in the country. There is no term limit for this position.

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Elect Lindsey Horvath for Board of Supervisors to put Los Angeles County on the right track for progress.

Lindsey Horvath’s track record and policy positions demonstrate that she will be a progressive voice for the constituents of Los Angeles County and will govern effectively in the best interest of this diverse district.

Progressive endorsements: Horvath has the endorsement of many progressive groups, including Planned Parenthood Advocacy Project of Los Angeles, LA League of Conservation Voters, Sierra Club, and California Women’s List. She has also received the endorsement of many local leaders, including Los Angeles County Supervisor Holly Mitchell, Long Beach Mayor Robert Garcia, State Senator Sydney Kamlager, and Assemblymember Isaac Bryan.

Electoral history: Horvath’s public service began in 2009, when she was appointed to fill the last two years of a city council term. In 2015, she ran for that seat on the West Hollywood City Council and won with 43% of the vote. She won reelection to the seat in 2019.

Top issues: Homelessness and housing, clean energy and environmental protections, transportation infrastructure, public safety, and economic recovery and growth.

Governance and community leadership experience: Horvath is a public official, which she does to bring results to neglected and disenfranchised communities. As a member of the West Hollywood City Council, she has championed action to help guide the community through the COVID-19 pandemic. Horvath supported small-business relief, rental support to ensure that families were not pushed from their homes, and public-private partnerships designed to provide resources to residents. She has served two terms as mayor, in 2015 and 2020, and used her leadership role to solidify wage and worker protections, and connect unhoused neighbors with support services. From 2011–2015, she served as the city’s transportation commissioner, working to increase pedestrian safety and bicycle infrastructure. Outside her elected roles, Horvath established the Hollywood branch of the National Organization for Women and serves on the board of the National League of Cities.

Other background: Horvath, a public official, is from Ohio, and has lived in Los Angeles all of her adult life.
 

The Race

Primary election results: The June 2022 results included Robert Hertzberg, 31%; Lindsey Horvath, 28%; Henry Stern, 24%; Jeffi Girgenti, 8%; Roxanne Beckford Hoge, 7%; and Craig Brill 2%. Robert Hertzberg and Lindsey Horvath will compete in a run-off in the November 8 general election.

Candidate fundraising and pledges: Horvath’s campaign has raised $167,000 and is not funded by police, real estate, corporate PAC, or fossil fuel interests.

Opposing candidate: State Senator Robert Hertzberg

Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Sen. Hertzberg’s campaign has raised over $200,000 and is funded by real estate and police interests. Sen. Hertzberg scores a Lifetime score of 83 out of 100 on Courage Score, our annual analysis of legislators’ progressive voting records. He received a Courage Score Dishonorable Mention for blocking a bill that would have banned new oil and gas drilling near homes, hospitals, and schools in 2021. Sen. Hertzberg is actively campaigning for his son, Daniel Hertzberg, to replace him in the state Senate. Courage California has endorsed Caroline Menjivar, a veteran, an EMT, and a community leader for the SD-20 seat.
 

The District

County: Los Angeles is California’s most populous county. District 3 includes the areas of Universal City, West Los Angeles, Santa Monica Mountains North Area, Westhills, Franklin Canyon, and Malibu Coastal Zone.

Governance structure: Los Angeles County’s Board of Supervisors oversees the needs of 10 million people and manages an estimated budget of $36.2 billion annually. According to the County Charter, Los Angeles County is governed by a five-member board of supervisors, a county assessor, a district attorney, and a sheriff.
 

The Position

Each of the 58 counties in California is governed by a five-person board of supervisors. A board of supervisors has legislative and executive power to manage county services and resources, including courts, jails, public health, and public lands. They also have quasi-judicial powers, which gives them the right to hold hearings, conduct investigations, and make decisions in a manner similar to judicial courts. Laws passed by Boards of Supervisors are generally called ordinances. Because counties include both incorporated cities which are administered by their own city councils and unincorporated areas which are directly administered by the county, ordinances may or may not apply in different areas of the county. Supervisors are typically ‎limited to 3 terms, or 12 years in office total.

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Elect Anna Slotky Reitano for LA Superior Court judge to put Los Angeles County on the right track for progress.

Anna Slotky Reitano’s policy positions demonstrate that she will use her judicial prudence effectively in the best interest of this diverse district.

Progressive endorsements: Reitano has the endorsement of some progressive groups, including Sunrise Movement Los Angeles, Progressive Asian Network for Action, California Working Families Party, San Gabriel Valley Progressives, and Stonewall Democratic Club. She has also received the endorsement of state and local leaders, including LA City Councilmembers Eunisses Hernandez and Mike Bonin, Assemblymember Isaac Bryan, and Assemblymember Laura Friedman.

Electoral history: Reitano has not run for public office before.

Top issues: According to campaign materials, Reitano is running for election to bring balance, transparency, and a respect for the evolving ideals of the law to the bench.

Governance and community leadership experience: Reitano is a public defender, which she does to bring representation to low-income and vulnerable community members. She has worked jury trials for the public defender’s office, spent three years representing children in the juvenile-justice system, and serves as the treasurer of the Public Defender’s Association. Reitano clerked with the district attorney’s office, interned with the Screen Actors Guild, and spent her first years after law school working for a private firm that supported LA County Sheriff’s Deputies in civil matters. She is a longtime supporter of legal approaches that center rehabilitation and diversion, particularly for individuals experiencing mental-health crises. Reitano has campaigned alongside three other female candidates—two public defenders and a plaintiff attorney—running for Los Angeles Superior Judicial seats, with the hope of bringing transformational representation to four of the judiciary's nine seats.

Other background: Reitano, a deputy public defender, is a longtime California resident. She is the descendent of Holocaust survivors, and worked as an actor before pursuing her law degree.
 

The Race

Primary election results: The June 2022 results included Abby Baron, 30%; Anna Slotky Reitano, 28%; Sharon Ransom, 22%; Troy Slaten, 10%; and Mark Rosenfeld, 9%. Anna Slotky Reitano and Abby Baron will compete in a run-off in the November 8 general election.

Candidate fundraising information is not publicly available for this race.
 

The District

County: The Superior Court of Los Angeles County operates as the trial court for criminal, civil, and other cases filed in Los Angeles County.
 

The Position

Judges of the California Superior Courts are elected in nonpartisan, county-wide elections to six-year terms. Once voted in, a judge can run for retention at the expiration of their term. A retention election is a process by which voters decide whether an incumbent judge should remain for another term. If the judge, when not facing an opponent, does not obtain a certain percentage of voters (often 50%), they are removed from the position. Many judges join the court through a gubernatorial appointment. If a judge is appointed, they compete in the next general election following the appointment.

California has 58 trial, or superior courts, one in each county. In the more than 450 courthouses of the superior courts, a judge and sometimes a jury hears witness testimony and other evidence. These courts hear civil, criminal, family, probate, and juvenile cases. The judge decides cases through the application of relevant law to the relevant facts.

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Elect Elizabeth Lashley-Haynes for LA Superior Court judge to put Los Angeles County on the right track for progress.

Elizabeth Lashley-Haynes policy positions demonstrate that she will use her judicial prudence effectively in the best interest of this diverse district.

Progressive endorsements: Lashley-Haynes has the endorsement of some progressive groups, including National Women’s Political Caucus, Progressive Democrats of the Santa Monica Mountains Club, Stonewall Democratic Club, and San Gabriel Progressives. She has also received the endorsement of many state and local leaders, including State Senator María Elena Durazo, Assemblymember Isaac Bryan, and Assemblymember Laura Friedman.

Electoral history: Lashley-Haynes has not run for office before.

Top issues: According to campaign materials, Lashley-Haynes is running for election to bring dignity and respect to all individuals in the courtroom, an awareness of equal justice under the law, and judicial compassion to the bench. As a judge, she would seek to center public safety, restorative justice, and reentry programs for individuals interacting with the justice system.

Governance and community leadership experience: Lashley-Haynes has served as a public defender for nearly 20 years, which she does to bring representation and justice to members of the community. She cites her experience as a law clerk with the 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals in New York as inspiring her time as a public defender, and notes that both opportunities have helped her develop a complex understanding of the criminal-justice system. She has been an active member of her community, serving on the board of the National Legal Aid & Defender Association, and coordinating local support for children affected by the Trump administration’s immigration policies. Lashley-Haynes has campaigned alongside three other female candidates—two public defenders and a plaintiff attorney—running for Los Angeles Superior Judicial seats, with the hope of bringing transformational representation to four of the judiciary's nine seats.

Other background: Lashley-Haynes, an attorney, grew up in the Midwest and on the East Coast, and is a longtime resident of Los Angeles County. She has had personal interaction with the legal system through her advocacy for her child with disabilities, and as an adoptive parent.
 

The Race

Primary election results: The June 2022 results included Elizabeth Lashley-Haynes, 37%; Fernanda Maria Barreto, 36%; and Ryan Dibble, 27%. Elizabeth Lashley-Haynes and Fernanda Maria Barreto will compete in a run-off in the November 8 general election.

Candidate fundraising information is not publicly available for this race.
 

The District

County: The Superior Court of Los Angeles County operates as the trial court for criminal, civil, and other cases filed in Los Angeles County.
 

The Position

Judges of the California Superior Courts are elected in nonpartisan, county-wide elections to six-year terms. Once voted in, a judge can run for retention at the expiration of their term. A retention election is a process by which voters decide whether an incumbent judge should remain for another term. If the judge, when not facing an opponent, does not obtain a certain percentage of voters (often 50%), they are removed from the position. Many judges join the court through a gubernatorial appointment. If a judge is appointed, they compete in the next general election following the appointment.

California has 58 trial, or superior courts, one in each county. In the more than 450 courthouses of the superior courts, a judge and sometimes a jury hears witness testimony and other evidence. These courts hear civil, criminal, family, probate, and juvenile cases. The judge decides cases through the application of relevant law to the relevant facts.

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Elect Holly Hancock for LA Superior Court Judge to put Los Angeles County on the right track for progress.

Holly Hancock’s track record demonstrates that she will use her judicial prudence effectively in the best interest of this diverse district.

Progressive Endorsements: Hancock has the endorsement of some progressive groups, including National Women’s Political Caucus, Stonewall Democratic Club, Unite Here! Local 11, and Martin Luther King Jr. Democratic Club. She has also received the endorsement of many state and local leaders, including LA Councilmember Mike Bonin, Assemblymember Ash Kalra, and Assemblymember Isaac Bryan.

Electoral History: Hancock ran for the Superior Court of Los Angeles County in 2018, but lost her bid to Judge Tony Cho by a 12 point margin.

Top issues: According to campaign materials, Hancock is running for election to bring diverse representation, a deference to existing law, equanimity, and universal respect to the bench.

Governance and Community Leadership Experience: Hancock has served as a public defender for the last 15 years, which she does to bring fair and just representation to the courtroom. A public defender has never served on the Superior Court bench, and Hancock has campaigned on a platform that highlights the equity benefits of having public defenders fill judicial seats. She currently serves as the Deputy-In-Charge of the Criminal Record Clearing Unit in the Office of the Public Defender, and has long been critical of the ways that sentencing can fail to consider re-entry. Hancock has had an 80% rate of success across 65 jury trials in securing acquittals or reductions. Hancock has campaigned alongside three other female candidates - two public defenders and a plaintiff attorney - running for Los Angeles Superior Judicial seats, with the hope of bringing transformational representation to four of the judiciary's nine seats.

Other background: Hancock, an attorney, has lived in Los Angeles for most of her adult life. She began her career as a flight attendant, and served in elected leadership for the Los Angeles Local Council 12 organization of the Association of Flight Attendants.
 

The Race

Primary election results: The June 2022 results included Holly Hancock 47%, Renee Yolande Chang 32%, Randy Fudge 9%, Eric Alfonso Torices 7%, Matthew Vodnoy 5%. Holly Hancock and Renee Yolande Chang will contend in a run-off in the November 8 general election.

Candidate fundraising information is not publicly available for this race.
 

The District

County: The Superior Court of Los Angeles County operates as the trial court for criminal, civil, and other cases filed in Los Angeles County.
 

The Position

Judges of the California Superior Courts are elected in nonpartisan, county-wide elections to six year terms. Once voted in, a judge can run for retention at the expiration of their term. A retention election is a process by which voters decide whether an incumbent judge should remain for another term. If the judge, when not facing an opponent, does not obtain a certain percentage of voters (often 50%), they are removed from the position. Many judges join the court through a gubernatorial appointment. If a judge is appointed, they compete in the next general election following the appointment.

California has 58 trial, or superior courts, one in each county. In the more than 450 courthouses of the superior courts, a judge and sometimes a jury hears witness testimony and other evidence. These courts hear civil, criminal, family, probate, and juvenile cases. The judge decides cases through the application of relevant law to the relevant facts.

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Elect Carolyn “Jiyoung” Park for LA Superior Court judge to put Los Angeles County on the right track for progress.

Carolyn “Jiyoung” Park’s policy positions demonstrate that she will use her judicial prudence effectively in the best interest of this diverse district.

Progressive endorsements: Park has the endorsement of some progressive groups, including Working Families Party, Our Revolution-Feel the Bern Los Angeles County, LA Forward, and many trade unions. She has also received the endorsement of state and local leaders, including Assemblymember Isaac Bryan, Assemblymember Laura Friedman, and Assemblymember Ash Kalra.

Electoral history: Park has not run for public office before.

Top issues: According to campaign materials, Park is running for election to bring common sense fairness, a diverse perspective, and an equity lens to the bench.

Governance and community leadership experience: Park is a plaintiff attorney in private practice, which she does to provide representation to individuals pursuing civil rights, labor, tenant, and social-impact cases. Prior to entering private practice, Park was a public sector union attorney working to represent the interests of union members before a variety of boards, with a particular focus on collective bargaining. She is a member of the inaugural cohort for the Just Transition Lawyering Institute and a Sustainable Economies Legal Fellow. She is a longtime supporter of marginalized groups, and has worked to support people with disabilities, asylum seekers, First Amendment clients, and individuals seeking expungement upon reentry. Park has campaigned alongside three other female candidates—all public defenders—running for Los Angeles Superior Judicial seats, with the hope of bringing transformational representation to four of the judiciary's nine seats.

Other background: Park, an attorney, is a lifelong resident of Los Angeles. She is a first-generation American.
 

The Race

Primary election results: The June 2022 results included Melissa Hammond, 30%; Carolyn “Jiyoung” Park, 23%; Keith Koyano, 17%; Georgia Huerta, 15%; Klint McKay, 14%; and S. (Shawn) Thever, 2%. Carolyn “Jiyoung” Park and Melissa Hammond will compete in a run-off in the November 8 general election.

Candidate fundraising information is not publicly available for this race.
 

The District

County: The Superior Court of Los Angeles operates as the trial court for criminal, civil, and other cases filed in Los Angeles County.
 

The Position

Judges of the California Superior Courts are elected in nonpartisan, county-wide elections to six-year terms. Once voted in, a judge can run for retention at the expiration of their term. A retention election is a process by which voters decide whether an incumbent judge should remain for another term. If the judge, when not facing an opponent, does not obtain a certain percentage of voters (often 50%), they are removed from the position. Many judges join the court through a gubernatorial appointment. If a judge is appointed, they compete in the next general election following the appointment.

California has 58 trial, or superior courts, one in each county. In the more than 450 courthouses of the superior courts, a judge and sometimes a jury hears witness testimony and other evidence. These courts hear civil, criminal, family, probate, and juvenile cases. The judge decides cases through the application of relevant law to the relevant facts.

Read More