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Lisa Calderon
Reelect Assemblymember Lisa Calderon to keep AD-56 on the right track for progress.
Assm. Lisa Calderon’s track record and policy positions demonstrate that she will continue to be a representative voice for the constituents of AD-56 and will govern effectively in the best interest of this diverse district.
Progressive endorsements: Assm. Calderon has the endorsement of some progressive groups, including NARAL Pro-Choice California and California Environmental Voters, and labor unions like SEIU, United Healthcare Workers West, and the California Labor Federation. She is also endorsed by a broad set of federal, state, and local elected officials and leaders, including Congressman Adam Schiff, LA County Supervisor Hilda Solis, and labor organizer Dolores Huerta.
She has also received endorsements from problematic stakeholders, including Los Angeles City Council member Gil Cedillo, who has come under fire for his close ties to real estate development.
Top issues: Protections for vulnerable youth, education, healthcare
Priority bills: Assm. Calderon’s priorities for AD-56 this year have included 38 bills about foster care, education, insurance coverage, improved emergency responses, and youth health, of which 26 have successfully passed the Assembly. She has sponsored and passed legislation to expand insurance coverage for long-term and in-home care, improving reunification services for foster youth, protect scholarship funds at state universities, plan for environmental disasters, like wildfires, and loosen privacy disclosures requirements by insurance agencies. Calderon also authored legislation that broadened the social services offered to asylum-seekers. She scores a 77 out of 100 on Courage Score, our annual analysis of legislators’ progressive voting records. Based on our Courage Score analysis, Assm. Calderon has supported some progressive bills that made it to a vote. That said, Assm. Calderon failed to vote on several bills aimed at reforming the criminal legal system, as well as bills to increase environmental protections and reduce carbon emissions.
Committee leadership/membership: Assm. Calderon currently chairs the Human Services Committee, and sits on the Committees on Aging and Long-Term Care, Appropriations, Emergency Management, and Public Employment and Retirement.
Governance and Community Leadership Experience: Assm. Calderon has served in this assembly seat since 2020, when she was elected with over 60% of the vote. She is a commissioner on the California Commission on the Status of Women and Girls, and was appointed by Assembly Speaker Rendon to the Council of State Governments West Executive Committee.
Prior to her election to the State Assembly, Assm. Calderon served as a legislative aide before working for decades as a manager with Southern California Edison. As government affairs manager with Edison, she ran their corporate PAC. Her connection to corporate and fossil fuel interests raises concerns, especially given that her campaign is principally financed by large donations from corporations.
Other background: Assm. Calderon is from the Central Valley and has lived in the district for 30 years. She is the daughter of farm laborers. Calderon earned her bachelor’s degree from CSU Sacramento. She organized against California’s Prop 187, which aimed to bar undocumented immigrants from accessing public services, often through racial profiling.
The Race
Primary election results: The June 2022 results included Lisa Calderon (D), 60%; Jessica Martinez (R), 29%; and Natasha "Naty" Serrano (R), 11%. Assm. Calderon and Jessica Martinez will compete in a run-off in the November 8 general election.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Assm. Calderon’s campaign has raised $715,400. She has accepted donations from corporate PACs, including $35,000 from the pharmaceutical industry, $15,000 from the financial-services industry, and over $40,000 from the insurance industry. She has also accepted tens of thousands of dollars from the real estate industry, fossil fuel interests, and the police.
Opposing candidate: Republican Jessica Martinez
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Martinez’s campaign has raised $49,857, and has not committed to refusing donations from corporate PACs, the fossil-fuel industry, the police, or the real estate industry.
The District
Counties in district: California’s 56th Assembly District includes parts of Los Angeles County.
Voter registration: 49% Democrat, 21% Republican, and 25% No Party Preference. Democrats typically hold this district. Since the 2021 redistricting process, the voter registration of AD-56 has remained largely unchanged, with Democrats maintaining the 28-point advantage held during the 2020 general election cycle.
District demographics: 55% Latino, 27% Asian, and 2% Black. This district is considered to be one of the strong Latino seats in the California Assembly delegation.
Recent election results: AD-56 voted for Joe Biden for president in 2020 by 33 points and Gavin Newsom for governor in 2018 by 30 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.
Lisa Calderon
Reelect Assemblymember Lisa Calderon to keep AD-56 on the right track for progress.
Assm. Lisa Calderon’s track record and policy positions demonstrate that she will continue to be a representative voice for the constituents of AD-56 and will govern effectively in the best interest of this diverse district.
Progressive endorsements: Assm. Calderon has the endorsement of some progressive groups, including NARAL Pro-Choice California and California Environmental Voters, and labor unions like SEIU, United Healthcare Workers West, and the California Labor Federation. She is also endorsed by a broad set of federal, state, and local elected officials and leaders, including Congressman Adam Schiff, LA County Supervisor Hilda Solis, and labor organizer Dolores Huerta.
She has also received endorsements from problematic stakeholders, including Los Angeles City Council member Gil Cedillo, who has come under fire for his close ties to real estate development.
Top issues: Protections for vulnerable youth, education, healthcare
Priority bills: Assm. Calderon’s priorities for AD-56 this year have included 38 bills about foster care, education, insurance coverage, improved emergency responses, and youth health, of which 26 have successfully passed the Assembly. She has sponsored and passed legislation to expand insurance coverage for long-term and in-home care, improving reunification services for foster youth, protect scholarship funds at state universities, plan for environmental disasters, like wildfires, and loosen privacy disclosures requirements by insurance agencies. Calderon also authored legislation that broadened the social services offered to asylum-seekers. She scores a 77 out of 100 on Courage Score, our annual analysis of legislators’ progressive voting records. Based on our Courage Score analysis, Assm. Calderon has supported some progressive bills that made it to a vote. That said, Assm. Calderon failed to vote on several bills aimed at reforming the criminal legal system, as well as bills to increase environmental protections and reduce carbon emissions.
Committee leadership/membership: Assm. Calderon currently chairs the Human Services Committee, and sits on the Committees on Aging and Long-Term Care, Appropriations, Emergency Management, and Public Employment and Retirement.
Governance and Community Leadership Experience: Assm. Calderon has served in this assembly seat since 2020, when she was elected with over 60% of the vote. She is a commissioner on the California Commission on the Status of Women and Girls, and was appointed by Assembly Speaker Rendon to the Council of State Governments West Executive Committee.
Prior to her election to the State Assembly, Assm. Calderon served as a legislative aide before working for decades as a manager with Southern California Edison. As government affairs manager with Edison, she ran their corporate PAC. Her connection to corporate and fossil fuel interests raises concerns, especially given that her campaign is principally financed by large donations from corporations.
Other background: Assm. Calderon is from the Central Valley and has lived in the district for 30 years. She is the daughter of farm laborers. Calderon earned her bachelor’s degree from CSU Sacramento. She organized against California’s Prop 187, which aimed to bar undocumented immigrants from accessing public services, often through racial profiling.
The Race
Primary election results: The June 2022 results included Lisa Calderon (D), 60%; Jessica Martinez (R), 29%; and Natasha "Naty" Serrano (R), 11%. Assm. Calderon and Jessica Martinez will compete in a run-off in the November 8 general election.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Assm. Calderon’s campaign has raised $715,400. She has accepted donations from corporate PACs, including $35,000 from the pharmaceutical industry, $15,000 from the financial-services industry, and over $40,000 from the insurance industry. She has also accepted tens of thousands of dollars from the real estate industry, fossil fuel interests, and the police.
Opposing candidate: Republican Jessica Martinez
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Martinez’s campaign has raised $49,857, and has not committed to refusing donations from corporate PACs, the fossil-fuel industry, the police, or the real estate industry.
The District
Counties in district: California’s 56th Assembly District includes parts of Los Angeles County.
Voter registration: 49% Democrat, 21% Republican, and 25% No Party Preference. Democrats typically hold this district. Since the 2021 redistricting process, the voter registration of AD-56 has remained largely unchanged, with Democrats maintaining the 28-point advantage held during the 2020 general election cycle.
District demographics: 55% Latino, 27% Asian, and 2% Black. This district is considered to be one of the strong Latino seats in the California Assembly delegation.
Recent election results: AD-56 voted for Joe Biden for president in 2020 by 33 points and Gavin Newsom for governor in 2018 by 30 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.
Lisa Calderon
Reelect Assemblymember Lisa Calderon to keep AD-56 on the right track for progress.
Assm. Lisa Calderon’s track record and policy positions demonstrate that she will continue to be a representative voice for the constituents of AD-56 and will govern effectively in the best interest of this diverse district.
Progressive endorsements: Assm. Calderon has the endorsement of some progressive groups, including NARAL Pro-Choice California and California Environmental Voters, and labor unions like SEIU, United Healthcare Workers West, and the California Labor Federation. She is also endorsed by a broad set of federal, state, and local elected officials and leaders, including Congressman Adam Schiff, LA County Supervisor Hilda Solis, and labor organizer Dolores Huerta.
She has also received endorsements from problematic stakeholders, including Los Angeles City Council member Gil Cedillo, who has come under fire for his close ties to real estate development.
Top issues: Protections for vulnerable youth, education, healthcare
Priority bills: Assm. Calderon’s priorities for AD-56 this year have included 38 bills about foster care, education, insurance coverage, improved emergency responses, and youth health, of which 26 have successfully passed the Assembly. She has sponsored and passed legislation to expand insurance coverage for long-term and in-home care, improving reunification services for foster youth, protect scholarship funds at state universities, plan for environmental disasters, like wildfires, and loosen privacy disclosures requirements by insurance agencies. Calderon also authored legislation that broadened the social services offered to asylum-seekers. She scores a 77 out of 100 on Courage Score, our annual analysis of legislators’ progressive voting records. Based on our Courage Score analysis, Assm. Calderon has supported some progressive bills that made it to a vote. That said, Assm. Calderon failed to vote on several bills aimed at reforming the criminal legal system, as well as bills to increase environmental protections and reduce carbon emissions.
Committee leadership/membership: Assm. Calderon currently chairs the Human Services Committee, and sits on the Committees on Aging and Long-Term Care, Appropriations, Emergency Management, and Public Employment and Retirement.
Governance and Community Leadership Experience: Assm. Calderon has served in this assembly seat since 2020, when she was elected with over 60% of the vote. She is a commissioner on the California Commission on the Status of Women and Girls, and was appointed by Assembly Speaker Rendon to the Council of State Governments West Executive Committee.
Prior to her election to the State Assembly, Assm. Calderon served as a legislative aide before working for decades as a manager with Southern California Edison. As government affairs manager with Edison, she ran their corporate PAC. Her connection to corporate and fossil fuel interests raises concerns, especially given that her campaign is principally financed by large donations from corporations.
Other background: Assm. Calderon is from the Central Valley and has lived in the district for 30 years. She is the daughter of farm laborers. Calderon earned her bachelor’s degree from CSU Sacramento. She organized against California’s Prop 187, which aimed to bar undocumented immigrants from accessing public services, often through racial profiling.
The Race
Primary election results: The June 2022 results included Lisa Calderon (D), 60%; Jessica Martinez (R), 29%; and Natasha "Naty" Serrano (R), 11%. Assm. Calderon and Jessica Martinez will compete in a run-off in the November 8 general election.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Assm. Calderon’s campaign has raised $715,400. She has accepted donations from corporate PACs, including $35,000 from the pharmaceutical industry, $15,000 from the financial-services industry, and over $40,000 from the insurance industry. She has also accepted tens of thousands of dollars from the real estate industry, fossil fuel interests, and the police.
Opposing candidate: Republican Jessica Martinez
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Martinez’s campaign has raised $49,857, and has not committed to refusing donations from corporate PACs, the fossil-fuel industry, the police, or the real estate industry.
The District
Counties in district: California’s 56th Assembly District includes parts of Los Angeles County.
Voter registration: 49% Democrat, 21% Republican, and 25% No Party Preference. Democrats typically hold this district. Since the 2021 redistricting process, the voter registration of AD-56 has remained largely unchanged, with Democrats maintaining the 28-point advantage held during the 2020 general election cycle.
District demographics: 55% Latino, 27% Asian, and 2% Black. This district is considered to be one of the strong Latino seats in the California Assembly delegation.
Recent election results: AD-56 voted for Joe Biden for president in 2020 by 33 points and Gavin Newsom for governor in 2018 by 30 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.
Lisa Calderon
Reelect Assemblymember Lisa Calderon to keep AD-56 on the right track for progress.
Assm. Lisa Calderon’s track record and policy positions demonstrate that she will continue to be a representative voice for the constituents of AD-56 and will govern effectively in the best interest of this diverse district.
Progressive endorsements: Assm. Calderon has the endorsement of some progressive groups, including NARAL Pro-Choice California and California Environmental Voters, and labor unions like SEIU, United Healthcare Workers West, and the California Labor Federation. She is also endorsed by a broad set of federal, state, and local elected officials and leaders, including Congressman Adam Schiff, LA County Supervisor Hilda Solis, and labor organizer Dolores Huerta.
She has also received endorsements from problematic stakeholders, including Los Angeles City Council member Gil Cedillo, who has come under fire for his close ties to real estate development.
Top issues: Protections for vulnerable youth, education, healthcare
Priority bills: Assm. Calderon’s priorities for AD-56 this year have included 38 bills about foster care, education, insurance coverage, improved emergency responses, and youth health, of which 26 have successfully passed the Assembly. She has sponsored and passed legislation to expand insurance coverage for long-term and in-home care, improving reunification services for foster youth, protect scholarship funds at state universities, plan for environmental disasters, like wildfires, and loosen privacy disclosures requirements by insurance agencies. Calderon also authored legislation that broadened the social services offered to asylum-seekers. She scores a 77 out of 100 on Courage Score, our annual analysis of legislators’ progressive voting records. Based on our Courage Score analysis, Assm. Calderon has supported some progressive bills that made it to a vote. That said, Assm. Calderon failed to vote on several bills aimed at reforming the criminal legal system, as well as bills to increase environmental protections and reduce carbon emissions.
Committee leadership/membership: Assm. Calderon currently chairs the Human Services Committee, and sits on the Committees on Aging and Long-Term Care, Appropriations, Emergency Management, and Public Employment and Retirement.
Governance and Community Leadership Experience: Assm. Calderon has served in this assembly seat since 2020, when she was elected with over 60% of the vote. She is a commissioner on the California Commission on the Status of Women and Girls, and was appointed by Assembly Speaker Rendon to the Council of State Governments West Executive Committee.
Prior to her election to the State Assembly, Assm. Calderon served as a legislative aide before working for decades as a manager with Southern California Edison. As government affairs manager with Edison, she ran their corporate PAC. Her connection to corporate and fossil fuel interests raises concerns, especially given that her campaign is principally financed by large donations from corporations.
Other background: Assm. Calderon is from the Central Valley and has lived in the district for 30 years. She is the daughter of farm laborers. Calderon earned her bachelor’s degree from CSU Sacramento. She organized against California’s Prop 187, which aimed to bar undocumented immigrants from accessing public services, often through racial profiling.
The Race
Primary election results: The June 2022 results included Lisa Calderon (D), 60%; Jessica Martinez (R), 29%; and Natasha "Naty" Serrano (R), 11%. Assm. Calderon and Jessica Martinez will compete in a run-off in the November 8 general election.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Assm. Calderon’s campaign has raised $715,400. She has accepted donations from corporate PACs, including $35,000 from the pharmaceutical industry, $15,000 from the financial-services industry, and over $40,000 from the insurance industry. She has also accepted tens of thousands of dollars from the real estate industry, fossil fuel interests, and the police.
Opposing candidate: Republican Jessica Martinez
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Martinez’s campaign has raised $49,857, and has not committed to refusing donations from corporate PACs, the fossil-fuel industry, the police, or the real estate industry.
The District
Counties in district: California’s 56th Assembly District includes parts of Los Angeles County.
Voter registration: 49% Democrat, 21% Republican, and 25% No Party Preference. Democrats typically hold this district. Since the 2021 redistricting process, the voter registration of AD-56 has remained largely unchanged, with Democrats maintaining the 28-point advantage held during the 2020 general election cycle.
District demographics: 55% Latino, 27% Asian, and 2% Black. This district is considered to be one of the strong Latino seats in the California Assembly delegation.
Recent election results: AD-56 voted for Joe Biden for president in 2020 by 33 points and Gavin Newsom for governor in 2018 by 30 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.
Alex Padilla
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.
