Based on our analysis, the two candidates for this position have distinct visions for the district. We recommend that you choose the candidate who best aligns to your values in this race.
Progressive endorsements: Sen. Shannon Grove has no progressive endorsements. She has received endorsements from problematic stakeholders, including police groups. Susanne Gundy is endorsed by the California Democratic Party.
Key initiatives: Sen. Grove opposes abortion rights and cutting the police budget. Based on her track record, Grove will not provide progressive leadership in office.
Gundy’s platform includes a focus on gun safety and reproductive rights. However, with no working campaign website, her strategy for addressing these issues remains unelaborated. She is likely to provide no leadership in moving the county forward on progressive initiatives.
Governance and community leadership experience: Sen. Grove has served as state senator for District 16 since 2018, when she was elected with 64% of the vote. Prior to her election to the state Senate, Sen. Grove was elected as assemblymember for the state’s 34th District, where she served from 2010 to 2016. She has been a longtime supporter of conservative causes, such as voting against legislation to prohibit safety measures for transgender people and racial discrimination in criminal courts.
Gundy has not run for public office before.
Other background: Gundy, a business owner, lives in Visalia.
The Race
Primary election results: The June 2022 results included Shannon Grove (R), 69%; and Susanne Gundy (D), 31%. Grove and Gundy will compete in a run-off in the November 8 general election.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Rep. Grove’s campaign has raised $5 million and is funded by fossil fuel, real estate, police, and corporate interests.
Opposing candidate: Susanne Gundy
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Gundy’s campaign has not made any campaign-finance filings.
The District
Counties in district: California’s 12th Senate District includes parts of Fresno, Kern, and Tulare Counties.
Voter registration: 28% Democrat, 45% Republican, and 19% No Party Preference. Republicans typically hold this district.
District demographics: 25% Latino, 7% Asian, and 4% Black.
Recent election results: SD-12 voted for Donald Trump for president in 2020 by 20 points and John Cox for governor in 2018 by 28 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.
Based on our analysis, the two candidates for this position have distinct visions for the district. We recommend that you choose the candidate who best aligns to your values in this race.
Progressive endorsements: Sen. Shannon Grove has no progressive endorsements. She has received endorsements from problematic stakeholders, including police groups. Susanne Gundy is endorsed by the California Democratic Party.
Key initiatives: Sen. Grove opposes abortion rights and cutting the police budget. Based on her track record, Grove will not provide progressive leadership in office.
Gundy’s platform includes a focus on gun safety and reproductive rights. However, with no working campaign website, her strategy for addressing these issues remains unelaborated. She is likely to provide no leadership in moving the county forward on progressive initiatives.
Governance and community leadership experience: Sen. Grove has served as state senator for District 16 since 2018, when she was elected with 64% of the vote. Prior to her election to the state Senate, Sen. Grove was elected as assemblymember for the state’s 34th District, where she served from 2010 to 2016. She has been a longtime supporter of conservative causes, such as voting against legislation to prohibit safety measures for transgender people and racial discrimination in criminal courts.
Gundy has not run for public office before.
Other background: Gundy, a business owner, lives in Visalia.
The Race
Primary election results: The June 2022 results included Shannon Grove (R), 69%; and Susanne Gundy (D), 31%. Grove and Gundy will compete in a run-off in the November 8 general election.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Rep. Grove’s campaign has raised $5 million and is funded by fossil fuel, real estate, police, and corporate interests.
Opposing candidate: Susanne Gundy
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Gundy’s campaign has not made any campaign-finance filings.
The District
Counties in district: California’s 12th Senate District includes parts of Fresno, Kern, and Tulare Counties.
Voter registration: 28% Democrat, 45% Republican, and 19% No Party Preference. Republicans typically hold this district.
District demographics: 25% Latino, 7% Asian, and 4% Black.
Recent election results: SD-12 voted for Donald Trump for president in 2020 by 20 points and John Cox for governor in 2018 by 28 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.