54th Assembly District

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 Nelly Nieblas to put the Montebello Unified School District on the right track for progress. 

Nelly Nieblas’s track record and policy positions demonstrate that she will be a progressive champion for the Montebello Unified School District community and will work effectively in the best interest of this diverse district.

Progressive endorsements: Nieblas has the endorsement of some progressive groups, including Los Angeles County Democratic Party, East Area Progressive Democrats, National Women’s Political Caucus of the San Gabriel Valley, and many labor organizations. She has also received the endorsement of some local leaders, including labor organizer Dolores Huerta, Congresswoman Linda Sanchez, and City of Montebello Councilmembers Salvador Melendez and Angie Jimenez.

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

Top issues: Special-education funding, public school improvement, smaller class sizes, accountability and transparency from charter school networks, support for education professionals, early-childhood education, dual-language program funding, student mental-health supports, facility upgrades, and green-space protections.

Governance and community leadership experience: Nieblas is a public-policy professional and advocate, which she does to improve access and success for individuals and communities who are often underserved by our institutions. She has nearly 20 years of experience across a spectrum of public organizations, including working as a congressional fellow to secure disability-education funding, serving as an Americorps member to help Spanish-speaking immigrants, working as a legislative deputy for L.A. Supervisor Gloria Morina to improve public parks, and working as a research analyst for the L.A. County Department of Social Services with a focus on program implementation. Nieblas has also served as the national director of policy and external affairs for Public Allies, a nonprofit social justice and service organization. She focused her work in California when she was appointed by former Gov. Jerry Brown to serve as the legislative manager for the State Council on Developmental Disabilities, before applying her knowledge of disability rights to environmental policy as the legislative manager for Breathe of Los Angeles County. Nieblas has cerebral palsy and dyslexia, and has been a longtime advocate of disability rights, equitable access to education and resources, and equal implementation of the law. Her legislative work is inspired by the programs and resources that supported her academic and professional success. 

Other background: Nieblas is from Montebello. She is a first-generation American and college graduate, and holds a master of public administration degree from Harvard’s Kennedy School of Politics.

The Race

Primary election results: There was no June 2022 primary for this seat. There are six candidates vying for three open seats in the November 8 general election, including Nelly Nieblas, Carlos Cerdan, Aaron Reveles, James Santana, incumbent Board Member Marisol Uribe, and incumbent Board Member Jennifer Gutierrez. 

Cerdan is a teacher with LAUSD and currently serves in an elected role with the Boyle Heights Neighborhood Council. He is endorsed by Congressmember Linda Sanchez, Assm. Cristina Garcia, and California Teachers Association. Santana is an operations manager with Amazon, is supported by Run for Something, and is endorsed by Equality California and California Teachers Association. Board Member Uribe is a community college instructor and is running for a second term on the board. She has the endorsement of California Teachers Association. Board Member Gutierrez currently serves as the board president, is a college advisor, and is running for a second term. 

Candidate fundraising and pledges: Campaign finance information is not publicly available for the candidates in this race. 
 

The District

School system: Montebello Unified School District is located in Los Angeles County, which is California’s most populous county. Montebello Unified School District includes five high schools, six middle schools, 17 elementary schools, and four adult-education centers, serving a population of roughly 29,000 Californians. 

Governance structure: Montebello Unified School District has a five-person board that provides administrative oversight and manages a budget of $360 million annually.  

The Position

Members of the Montebello Unified School District are elected to an at-large seat. Board members are responsible for determining the school district’s vision, maintaining the organizational structure, and providing educational leadership for the district and the community. Members are elected to four-year 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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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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Reelect State Senate Representative Archuleta to keep SD-30 on the right track for progress. 

Sen. Archuleta has a history of supporting bad bills and not voting for progressive bills. This is a safe district and once elected, he will need to be held accountable by voters in SD-30 and will need to be pressured to govern effectively in the best interest of this diverse district.

Progressive Endorsements: Sen. Archuleta has the endorsement of some progressive groups, including Orange County Labor Federation and National Union of Health Workers (NUHW). 

Top issues: The environment and housing.

Priority bills: This year, Sen. Archuleta’s priorities for SD-30 have included 49 bills about environmental issues and real estate. Of these, 21 have successfully been passed by the state Senate. He has sponsored and passed legislation to require any trash receptacle larger than three feet to have reflective fluorescent taping, and a bill to protect immigrants’ addresses during background checks for situations when supervisory or disciplinary power over a minor or another in their care. He scores a CS of 79 out of 100 on Courage Score, our annual analysis of legislators’ progressive voting records. Based on our Courage Score analysis, Sen. Archuleta has supported some progressive bills that made it to a vote. That said, Sen. Archuleta has not supported prohibiting prosecutors from striking prospective jurors from jury pools on the basis of race, ethnicity, gender, and other identities, ending minimum sentences for nonviolent drug crimes, or setting carbon neutrality goals for 2045. 

Committee leadership/membership: Sen. Archuleta currently serves on five standing committees and one select committee, including the Military and Veterans’ Affairs Committee.

Governance and community leadership experience: Sen. Archuleta has served in this state Senate seat since 2018, when he was elected with over 66% of the vote. 

Prior to his election to the state Senate, Sen. Archuleta was appointed by President Barack Obama as a member of the Board of Visitors to the United States Military Academy at West Point. Sen. Archuleta has been a longtime supporter of the military. 

The Race

Primary election results: The June 2022 results included Archuleta (D), 36%; Mitch Clemmons (R), 34%; and Martha Camacho-Rodriguez (R), 16%. Archuleta and Clemmons will compete in a run-off in the November 8 general election. 

Candidate fundraising and pledges: Sen. Archuleta campaign has raised $1,860,084 and is funded by police money, corporate PACs, real estate money, and fossil fuel money.

Opposing candidate: Republican Mitch Clemmons

Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Clemmons’s campaign has raised $5,000 and is funded by primarily individual donors. 
 

The District

Counties in district: California’s 30th State Senate District includes parts of Los Angeles and Orange Counties.

Voter registration: 49% Democrat, 21% Republican, and 24% No Party Preference. Democrats have held this district since at least. Since the 2021 redistricting process, SD-30 is about the same as it was in the 2020 cycle. 

District demographics: 57% Latino, 20% Asian, and 4% Black. This district is considered to be one of the strong Latino seats in the California State Senate delegation. 

Recent election results: SD-30 voted for Biden for president in 2020 by 32 points and Newsom for governor in 2018 by 30 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 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 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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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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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 Linda Sanchez to keep CD-38 on the right track for progress.

Rep. Sanchez’s track record and policy positions demonstrate that she will continue to be a progressive voice for the constituents of CD-38 and will govern effectively in the best interest of this diverse district.

Progressive endorsements: Rep. Sanchez has the endorsement of some progressive groups, including Planned Parenthood, Equality California, and L.A. County Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO.

Top issues: Taxation, education, armed forces and national security, health, labor and employment.

Priority bills: This year, Rep. Sanchez’s priorities for CD-38 have included 29 bills about taxation, education. Nearly all of these remain in committee or have been referred to committee. The legislation she has sponsored includes bills that aim to ease taxes for working family caregivers, that address and prevent the bullying of students, and that support veterans.

Member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus?: Yes

Committee leadership/membership: Rep. Sanchez is a member of the Ways and Means Committee and chairs the Congressional Hispanic Caucus.

Governance and community leadership experience: Rep. Sanchez has served in this congressional seat since 2012, when she was elected with over 67% of the vote. In 2020, she won her 2020 reelection against a Republican challenger by 26 points.

Rep. Sanchez was first elected to Congress in 2002. Rep. Sanchez has worked to improve school safety; enable more women, minorities, and veterans to establish small businesses; and reform the tax code to give relief to long-term caregivers. She is a longtime supporter of working families and the middle class. Sanchez is the co-founder and co-chair of the Labor and Working Families Caucus, where she works toward policies to ensure that workers are protected from workplace accidents and employer intimidation and retaliation. As a ranking member of the Ethics Committee, Sanchez works to ensure that Americans can have confidence in their elected leaders and that they are held accountable.

Other background: Rep. Sanchez is a former labor lawyer from Orange. In Congress, Sanchez has advocated for working people, improved school safety, brought scrutiny to the misuse of arbitration that unfairly harms workers, and has kept families in their homes through changes to bankruptcy law.
 

The Race

Primary election results: The June 2022 results included Linda Sanchez (D), 57%; Eric Ching (R), 31%; and John Sargega (R), 12%. Sanchez and Ching will compete in a run-off in the November 8 general election.

Candidate fundraising and pledges: Rep. Sanchez’s campaign has raised $1.1 million and is not funded by police money.

Opposing candidate: Republican Eric Ching

Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Ching’s campaign has raised $162,000 and is funded mostly by individuals.
 

The District

Counties in district: California’s 38th Congressional District includes parts of Los Angeles and Orange Counties.

Voter registration: 48% Democrat, 22% Republican, and 24% No Party Preference. Democrats have held this district since 2002.

District demographics: 61% Latino, 15% Asian, and 4% Black. This district is considered to be one of the 16 strong Latino seats in the California congressional delegation.

Recent election results: CD-38 voted for Biden for president in 2020 by 33 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 Robert Garcia to put CD-42 on the right track for progress.

Mayor Robert Garcia’s track record and policy positions demonstrate that he will be a progressive voice for the constituents of CD-42 and will govern effectively in the best interest of this diverse district.

Progressive Endorsements: Mayor Garcia has the endorsement of a majority of progressive groups, including Congressional Progressive Caucus PAC, Equality California, Truth to Power PAC, CHIRLA Action Fund, and many labor organizations and Democratic clubs. He has also received the endorsement of many state and local elected leaders, including Senator Alex Padilla, Representative Katie Porter, Representative Alan Lowenthal, State Senator Lena Gonzalez, and many local elected leaders in Los Angeles and Orange Counties.

Electoral history: Mayor Garcia is the mayor of Long Beach and was reelected to that office in 2018 over a nonpartisan challenger by a margin of 58 points.

Top issues: Voting rights and election security, worker protections and fair pay, education reform and universal pre-K, immigration reform, and civil rights protections.

Governance and community leadership experience: Mayor Garcia is currently serving his second term as mayor of Long Beach. Mayor Garcia has worked with the Biden administration to shelter unaccompanied minors who cross the U.S.-Mexico border, establish a guaranteed income pilot for low-income families, and move the city toward tuition-free community college. After losing his mother and stepfather to COVID-19, he has received national recognition for his administration’s aggressive rollout of the vaccine, which successfully prioritized teachers, frontline workers, and elderly community members, and resulted in an early reopening of Long Beach Public Schools. While his policy ambitions are progressive, he has a coalition approach to legislating, and encourages collaboration with local governments on non-legislative solutions to social issues.

Other background: Mayor Robert Garcia, a public official, has lived in Southern California since immigrating to the United States from Peru when he was five years old. He cites progressive change in American law with affording him several life-changing privileges, including his family’s access to housing and Medicaid during his youth, his public education, his naturalization as a U.S. citizen at 21, and his right to marry his partner after the Supreme Court’s ruling on Obergefell v. Hodges. As mayor of Long Beach, he works to return these kinds of benefits to his constituents.
 

The Race

Primary election results: The June 2022 results included Mayor Robert Garcia (D), 47%; John Briscoe (R), 26%; Cristina Garcia (R), 13%; Peter Mathews (D), 4%; J. Nicole Lopez (D), 3%; Julio Cesar Flores (I), 3%; William Moses Summerville (D), 3%; and Joaquin Beltran (D), 2%. Mayor Robert Garcia and John Briscoe will compete in a run-off in the November 8 general election.

Candidate fundraising and pledges: Mayor Garcia’s campaign has raised $1.2 million and is not funded by police, corporate PAC, or fossil fuel donors.

Opposing candidate: Republican John Briscoe

Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Briscoe’s campaign has raised $2,000 from individual donors, but is primarily funded by a $250,000 loan taken by the candidate.
 

The District

Counties in district: California’s 42nd Congressional District includes parts of Los Angeles County.

Voter registration: 55% Democrat, 16% Republican, and 22% No Party Preference. Republicans have typically held this district. Since the 2021 redistricting process, CD-42 is 16% more Democratic than it was during the 2020 general election cycle.

District demographics: 52% Latino, 10% Asian, and 9% Black. This district is considered to be one of the 16 strong Latino seats in the California congressional delegation.

Recent election results: CD-42 voted for Joe Biden for president in 2020 by 46 points and Gavin Newsom for governor in 2018 by 44 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.

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Reelect Governor Gavin Newsom to keep California on the right track for progress.

Gov. Gavin Newsom’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: Gov. Newsom has the endorsement of many progressive groups in the state, including NARAL Pro-Choice, California Teachers Association, and California Labor Federation.

Top issues: Economic recovery and growth, health-care access, early-childhood education, police reform, consumer and worker protections, climate protections, statewide wildfire response, and reproductive choice.

Priority policies: Gov. Newsom’s priorities for California this term have included action on issues across the policy spectrum. On criminal-justice reform, he has paused executions across the state, and established new limitations on police use of force. On education reform, he has expanded early-childhood education to include four-year-olds, established updated standards and guidelines for charter schools, and provided free school meals to all public schools during the pandemic. On the economy, he has used federal pandemic money to provide the largest economic stimulus package in state history, and signed legislation that provided protections for individuals working in the gig economy. On climate protections, he has moved the state closer to an eventual full ban on fracking, and ordered a ban on gas-powered cars by 2035. Gov. Newsom has also advanced an executive order to use state agencies to store and remove carbon from the atmosphere, and to establish a first-in-the-nation goal of conserving 30 percent of the state’s land and coastal water by 2030. Gov. Newsom’s administration has expended significant resources for responding to some of the state’s worst wildfire seasons, and has worked with local governments as they pursue resolutions to the ongoing homelessness crisis across the state.

Gov. Newsom has failed to take strong action on several important issues, however, including replacing police with mental-health professionals, bringing new financial-reporting standards to public education, establishing a single-payer health-care system, and supporting safe drug-injection site pilot programs in the state. He has also been criticized for aligning with wealthy donors and special interests, including on some environmental policies.

Governance and community leadership experience: Gov. Newsom has served as governor since 2018, when he was elected with over 61% of the vote. In the fall of 2021, Gov. Newsom was the target of a recall campaign. The recall was backed by a right-wing coalition eager to capitalize on the perception of political weakness that had resulted from the ongoing economic impact of his response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The recall effort was unsuccessful, with 61% voting to retain Gov. Newsom. Running the special election a year ahead of the 2022 election cycle is estimated to have cost California taxpayers an additional $200 million.

Prior to his election in 2018, Gov. Newsom served in positions across state and local governments. He served two terms as lieutenant governor under former Gov. Jerry Brown, two terms as mayor of San Francisco, and two terms as a member of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors.

Other background: Gov. Newsom, a career public official, is from San Francisco.
 

The Race

Primary election results: The June 2022 results included incumbent Gov. Gavin Newsom (D), 56%; Brian Dahle (R), 18%; Michael Shellenberger (I), 4%; Anthony Trimino (R), 4%; Jenny Rae Le Roux (R), 4%; Shawn Collins (R), 3%; Luis Javier Rodriguez (I), 2%; and over 20 other candidates who each received less than 2% of the vote. Gov. Gavin Newsom and Brian Dahle will compete in a run-off in the November 8 general election.

Candidate fundraising and pledges: Gov. Newsom’s campaign has raised $19.8 million and is not funded by fossil fuel interests. He has received problematic donations from California Correctional Peace Officers Association PAC, 21st Century Fox American Inc., Google Inc., and Shorenstein Realty Services Inc.

Opposing candidate: Republican Brian Dahle

Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Dahle’s campaign has raised $1.7 million and is funded by police, real estate, and fossil fuel interests.
 

The District

State: California is the most populous state in the United States, and includes 58 counties and 331 million residents.

Voter registration: Of the 22 million registered voters in the state, 47% are Democrat, 24% are Republican, and 23% have no party preference. Democrats have held the lieutenant governor seat since 2011.

District demographics: 39% Latino, 16% Asian, and 7% Black

Recent election results: California voted for Joe Biden for president in 2020 by 29 points and Gavin Newsom for governor in 2018 by 24 points.
 

The Position

Governors serve as the chief executive officer of a state, and have the authority to sign and implement state laws. They are responsible for overseeing the operations of the executive branch of the state government, and advancing statewide initiatives and programs through executive orders, legislative proposals, or executive budgets. Governors have the exclusive authority to nominate or appoint officials, including agency heads, cabinet secretaries, and state court judges. Gubernatorial power varies across states, as each state government operates under the guidance of a state constitution.

Each governor is elected by popular vote in a statewide election. In California, governors are elected to serve a four-year term, and are limited to two terms in office.

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Reelect Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis to keep California on the right track for progress.

Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis’s track record and policy positions demonstrate that she will continue to be a champion for the constituents of California and will govern effectively in the best interest of this diverse state.

Progressive endorsements: Lt. Gov. Kounalakis has the endorsement of many progressive groups in the state, including Equality California, California Environmental Voters, NARAL Pro-Choice California, and EMILY’s List. She has also received the endorsement of many elected officials, including Gov. Gavin Newsom, Sen. Alex Padilla, Attorney General Rob Bonta, and Board of Equalization member Malia Cohen.

Top issues: Housing and homelessness, police reform, environmental protections, economic recovery and growth, and reproductive freedom

Priority policies: This term, Lt. Gov. Kounalakis has provided administrative and political support for the governor’s agenda, including action related to pausing executions, placing limitations on police use of force, incremental efforts to ban fracking, distributing the largest stimulus package in state history, and expanding access to early childhood education. However, their administration has failed to take significant action on several progressive priorities, including transitioning to first responders with a mental-health focus, reforming the state tax system, establishing a single-payer health-care system, and significantly reducing the population of homeless individuals in the state. More recently, Lt. Gov. Kounalakis had the individual responsibility of setting the date for the 2021 recall election, and worked in support of Gov. Newsom’s successful campaign to defeat the recall. She has also been outspoken about new efforts to ensure that abortion remains legal in California, including potentially establishing sanctuary protections for women who seek abortion care in the state. In 2022, she became the first woman in state history to sign a bill into law after she authorized an eviction-protection extension bill while Gov. Newsom was abroad.

Governance and community leadership experience: Lt. Gov. Kounalakis has served in this seat since 2018, when she was elected with over 56% of the vote.

Prior to serving in this role, Lt. Gov. Kounalakis held a variety of positions in public service and the private sector. She served under Gov. Jerry Brown as chair of the California Advisory Council for International Trade and Investment, was a fellow at the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Intelligence and Research, and served as U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Hungary under former President Barack Obama. Before her public service, Lt. Gov. Kounalakis was a businessperson who served as president of AKT Development, a housing- and land-development firm founded by her father. The firm is the largest in the Sacramento area, and primarily focuses on residential master-planned communities.

Other background: Lt. Gov. Kounalakis is from Sacramento. She is the first woman to serve as lieutenant governor in the state.
 

The Race

Primary election results: The June 2022 results included incumbent Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis (D), 53%; Angela Underwood Jacobs (R), 20%; David Fennell (R), 13%; Clint Saunders (R), 5%; Jeffrey Highbear Morgan (D), 3%; Mohammad Arif (I), 3%; William Cavett “Skee” Saacke (D), 3%; David Hillberg (I), 2%; and James Orlano Ogle (I), 0%. Lt. Gov. Kounalakis and Angela Underwood Jacobs will compete in a run-off in the November 8 general election.

Candidate fundraising and pledges: Lt. Gov. Kounalakis’s campaign has raised $4.5 million and is not funded by fossil fuel interests. She has received problematic donations from real estate, corporate PAC, and police interests, including Spanos Corporation, Airbnb Inc., AT&T, and California Correctional Peace Officers Association PAC.

Opposing candidate: Republican Angela Underwood Jacobs

Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Underwood Jacobs’s campaign has raised $107,000 and is funded by real estate interests.
 

The District

State: California is the most populous state in the United States, and includes 58 counties and 331 million residents.

Voter registration: Of the 22 million registered voters in the state, 47% are Democrat, 24% are Republican, and 23% have no party preference. Democrats have held the lieutenant governor seat since 2011.

District demographics: 39% Latino, 16% Asian, and 7% Black

Recent election results: California voted for Joe Biden for president in 2020 by 29 points and Gavin Newsom for governor in 2018 by 24 points.
 

The Position

Lieutenant governors serve as the second-highest executive officer of a state. They are responsible for acting as governor in the case that the sitting governor is temporarily absent, incapacitated, or removed from office, and have additional responsibilities that vary by state. In California, this position chairs the Commission for Economic Development and the State Lands Commission, and provides guidance to the governor on issues across state policy. The lieutenant governor serves as president of the state Senate, and casts a vote in the case of a tie. The lieutenant governor also holds a variety of leadership roles, including as a voting member of the Board of Regents of the University of California, and the Board of Trustees of the California University System.

Each lieutenant governor is elected by popular vote in a statewide election. In California, lieutenant governors are elected to serve a four-year term, and are limited to two terms in office.

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Courage California endorses Attorney General Rob Bonta for reelection to keep California on the right track for progress.

Attorney General Rob Bonta’s track record and policy positions demonstrate that he will continue to be a progressive champion for all Californians and will execute his responsibilities effectively in the best interest of this diverse state.

Progressive Endorsements: Attorney General Bonta has the endorsement of many progressive groups, including Courage California, SEIU CA, NARAL Pro-Choice CA, and California Teachers Association. He has also received the endorsement of an overwhelming number of elected officials across the state, including U.S. Senator Alex Padilla, Governor Gavin Newsom, Secretary of State Dr. Shirley Weber, State Controller Betty Yee, State Senator Sydney Kamlager, and State Senator Scott Weiner.

Top issues: Hate-crime victim protections, consumer protections, corporate transparency, homelessness and housing, reproductive freedom, gun-violence protections, and climate justice.

Priority policies: This year, Attorney General Bonta’s priorities for California have included establishing stronger protections for victims of hate crimes, working toward regulations that protect consumers from unjust corporate behavior, and creating a more equitable criminal-justice system. His office recently secured a judgment requiring Amazon to pay a $500,000 fine and adhere to a stricter process of reporting workplace COVID-19 prevention efforts and recorded infections to the company’s employees and the state. Attorney General Bonta has been outspoken about other forms of consumer and workplace protections, including recent efforts to curb robocalls and spearheading a nationwide investigation into targeted marketing tactics from Instagram and Meta Inc. He has also taken aim at the housing crisis with the creation of the Housing Strike Force and an online Housing Portal designed to address access, affordability, and equity. These new initiatives will enforce housing-development laws, reaffirm tenant rights, provide consumer protection and alerts, and provide legal advocacy for the right to housing. Attorney General Bonta has also recently brought charges against over 50 California Highway Patrol officers for an ongoing overtime fraud scheme.

In his first several months in office, Attorney General Bonta has demonstrated a collaborative approach to his work locally, and an interest in leveraging his position for national impact. In California, he has established the Office of Community Awareness, Response, and Engagement (CARE) to communicate directly with underrepresented community and advocacy groups in the state. The attorney general’s office is designed to advance equity, and to ensure that the work is inclusive of diverse perspectives. Nationally, Attorney General Bonta has been proactive in partnering with state attorney generals across the country to file briefs on legislation of national importance, including a public opposition to Texas’s recent abortion ban (SB 8).

Governance and community leadership experience: Attorney General Bonta was first elected to the State Assembly in 2012, winning with over 50% of the vote and serving for nine years in the legislature. In 2020, he was reelected to his seat over Republican challenger Stephen Slauson by a 76-point margin. In 2021, Governor Gavin Newsom appointed him to serve as state attorney general after the seat was vacated by Xavier Beccera upon his confirmation to serve in the Biden Administration.

During his time in the State Assembly, Attorney General Bonta was an effective legislator who worked on bills related to climate protections, criminal justice and prison reform, immigrant rights, and housing protections. Bonta scored a lifetime score of 98 out of 100 on Courage Score, our annual analysis of legislators’ progressive voting records. Based on our Courage Score analysis, he supported the most progressive bills that made it to a vote.
Prior to his election to the State Assembly, Attorney General Bonta served as a deputy city attorney for both the City and County of San Francisco, as an elected member of the Alameda Health Care District Board of Directors, as board president for the Social Service Human Relations board, as board president for Alternatives in Action, and as chair of the Economic Development Commission. He is a longtime activist in the ongoing fight for racial, economic, and social justice.

Other background: Attorney General Rob Bonta, a civil rights attorney, is from Alameda, CA. He is the son of farmworkers who provided leadership to the labor movement, and is the first Filipino American to serve as California’s attorney general.
 

The Race

Primary election results: The June 2022 results included incumbent Attorney General Rob Bonta (D), 54%; Nathan Hochman (R), 18%; Eric Early (R), 17%; Anne Marie Schubert (I), 8%; and Dan Kapelovitz (I), 3%. Attorney General Bonta and Nathan Hochman will compete in a run-off in the November 8 general election.

Candidate fundraising and pledges: Attorney General Bonta’s campaign has raised $5.7 million and is not funded by police interests. He has received problematic donations from the fossil fuel, real estate, and corporate PAC industries, including Triple S Oil LLC, 7-Eleven Inc., Avaasa Realty Inc., and California Biz Realty Inc.

Opposing candidate: Republican Nathan Hochman

Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Hochman’s campaign has raised $2.8 million and is funded by real estate interests.
 

The District

State: California is the most populous state in the United States, and includes 58 counties and 331 million residents.

Voter registration: Of the 22 million registered voters in the state, 47% are Democrat, 24% are Republican, and 23% have no party preference. Democrats have held the lieutenant governor seat since 2011.

District demographics: 39% Latino, 16% Asian, and 7% Black

Recent election results: California voted for Joe Biden for president in 2020 by 29 points and Gavin Newsom for governor in 2018 by 24 points.
 

The Position

The state attorney general acts as the lead attorney and law-enforcement official for the state of California, and has oversight of over 4,500 state-employed district attorneys, investigators, police officers, and administrators. The attorney general executes a variety of responsibilities in the state, including representing the people of California in criminal and civil matters in court, coordinating statewide law-enforcement efforts, providing legal counsel to state agencies, and managing special projects to protect the rights of Californians. California has 58 elected district attorneys who report to the attorney general, one for every county in the state. The attorney general is elected for a four-year term and may serve a maximum of two terms in office. This office has traditionally been held by Democrats, including current U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services, Xavier Becerra, and current Vice President Kamala Harris.

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Courage California endorses Secretary of State Dr. Shirley Weber for reelection to keep California on the right track for progress.

Secretary of State Dr. Shirley Weber’s track record and policy positions demonstrate that she will continue to be a progressive champion for all Californians and will execute her responsibilities effectively in the best interest of this diverse state.
Progressive endorsements: Secretary Weber has the endorsement of many progressive groups, including Courage California NARAL Pro-Choice California, Elect Black Women PAC, National Women’s Political Caucus, and Smart Justice California. She has also received the endorsement of a broad coalition of state leaders, including Governor Gavin Newsom, U.S. Senator Alex Padilla, Attorney General Rob Bonta, State Senator Sydney Kamlager, Assemblymember Laura Friedman, and LA County Supervisor Holly Mitchell.

Top issues: Inclusive and transparent election systems, expanding the right to vote, election security, improving campaign finance systems, increasing voter outreach and education, and monitoring and solidifying state cybersecurity.

Priority policies: Secretary Weber’s priorities this year include increased outreach to formerly incarcerated Californians to align election practices to the recently passed Proposition 17, which returns voting rights to parolees, to strengthen businesses across the state, and to upgrade the cybersecurity system to ensure that all California elections are protected from interference. As a public servant, Sec. Weber has established herself as a collaborative leader focused on supporting communities that have been under-resourced. In her first months in office, Secretary Weber has worked to establish connections with groups working to improve election information and engagement, including education professionals who can reach young voters and formerly incarcerated individuals now eligible to vote.

Governance and community leadership experience: Secretary Weber was first elected to the State Assembly in 2012, winning her seat with over 61% of the vote. In 2020, she won her reelection against Republican challenger John Moore by 30 points. In December 2020, she was appointed to serve as secretary of state by Governor Gavin Newsom after Alex Padilla was appointed to serve the rest of Vice President Kamala Harris’s Senate term.

As a member of the State Assembly, she sponsored bills on a variety of issues, including school safety, full-day kindergarten, reducing the use of deadly force by police, and strengthening the CalFresh program. Her successes also included environmental cleanup, increasing food access for food-insecure communities, establishing protections for residents of long-term nursing facilities, and lowering the cost of childcare. She scored a lifetime 93 out of 100 on Courage Score, our annual analysis of legislators’ progressive voting records. Based on our Courage Score analysis, Sec. Weber supported nearly all progressive bills that made it to a vote. That said, prior to her appointment to the secretary of state seat, she did not support lowering the voting age to 17.

Prior to serving in public office, Secretary Weber founded the Department of Africana Studies at San Diego State University in 1972, and taught there for forty years. She also served as president of the National Council for Black Studies from 2002 to 2006, as president of the San Diego Board of Education from 1988 to 1996, and as chairperson of San Diego’s Citizens Equal Opportunity Commission. Secretary Weber holds three degrees from UCLA and has been a longtime champion of the power of well-funded and well-staffed public education.

Other background: Secretary Shirley Weber, a former San Diego State University professor and longtime member of the California State Assembly, is originally from Los Angeles, and lived in the greater San Diego area for over 30 years. She is the daughter of an Arkansas sharecropper, and came to California at the age of three as her family fled racist persecution from white farmers.
 

The Race

Primary election results: The June 2022 results included incumbent Secretary Dr. Shirley Weber (D), 59%; Rob Bernosky (R), 19%; Rachel Hamm (R), 12%; James Paine (R), 4%; Gary Blenner (I), 3%; Raul Rodriguez Jr. (R), 3%, Matthew Cinquanta (I), 1%; and Desmond Silveira (I), 0%. Secretary Weber and Rob Bernosky will compete in a run-off in the November 8 general election.

Candidate fundraising and pledges: Secretary Weber’s campaign has raised $1.1 million and has received donations from corporate PAC, fossil fuel, real estate, and police interests. Her problematic donors include Sempra Energy, Meta Platforms Inc., California Correctional Peace Officers Association PAC, and California Real Estate PAC.

Opposing candidate: Republican Rob Bernosky

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

The District

State: California is the most populous state in the United States, and includes 58 counties and 331 million residents.

Voter registration: Of the 22 million registered voters in the state, 47% are Democrat, 24% are Republican, and 23% have no party preference. Democrats have held the Lieutenant Governor seat since 2011.

District demographics: 39% Latino, 16% Asian, and 7% Black

Recent election results: California voted for Joe Biden for president in 2020 by 29 points and Gavin Newsom for governor in 2018 by 24 points.
 

The Position

The secretary of state acts as the lead records officer for the state of California, and manages an office of 500 civil-service employees who are responsible for ensuring transparency and accessibility in elections, campaigning, business records, and legislative advocacy. The secretary of state’s office has a significant responsibility for election implementation and integrity, as it produces information pamphlets for voters in ten languages, provides statewide testing and approval for voting equipment, maintains the voter database, and certifies the official candidate lists and the official election results. The secretary of state’s office also oversees the filing and disclosure of campaign-finance information, the management of business records, the safeguarding of statewide address confidentiality, and the maintenance of registries for domestic partnerships and advanced health-care directives. The secretary of state is elected for a four-year term and may serve a maximum of two terms in office. This office has traditionally been held by Democrats.

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Reelect Treasurer Fiona Ma to keep California on the right track for progress.

Fiona Ma’s track record and policy positions demonstrate that she will continue to be a champion for Californians and will govern effectively in the best interest of this diverse state.

Progressive endorsements: Treasurer Ma has the endorsement of many progressive groups in the state, including SEIU California, Equality California, and California Labor Federation.

Top issues: Economic recovery and growth, climate protections, education funding, affordable housing, veterans’ services, and health-care access.

Key initiatives: Treasurer Ma’s priorities for California this term have included action on a variety of issues. Her office worked to distribute small-business loans and to expand health-care access in response to the community effects of COVID-19, and to establish new clean-energy initiatives, including financing for the purchase of low-emissions trucks and equipment. Treasurer Ma was also a strong supporter of AB 132, which provides funding for the establishment of college savings accounts for low-income students at every grade level across the state. Although she has made progress on a collaborative initiative to create more affordable housing in the state, there has been a measurable increase in homelessness since she assumed office.

Treasurer Ma has been accused of sexual harassment and wrongful termination by a former staff member in a complaint that cites lewd behavior and excessive gifting by the treasurer. The complainant indicates that the circumstances produced a hostile work environment prior to her abrupt termination. Treasurer Ma has denied the accusations.

Governance and community leadership experience: Treasurer Ma has served in this seat since 2018, when she was elected with over 64% of the vote. This was the largest vote share that a treasurer candidate has ever received in the state.

Prior to her election in 2018, Treasurer Ma served in positions across state and local government. She served one term on the California Board of Equalization, three terms in the State Assembly, and one term on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors. She has held a variety of leadership positions, including serving as the speaker pro tempore and the majority whip during her time in the Assembly, as chair of the National Association of State Treasurers ABLE Committee, and as president of Women in California Politics.

Other background: Treasurer Ma has lived in California for most of her adult life. Prior to seeking elected office, Treasurer Ma worked as a licensed certified public accountant in California.
 

The Race

Primary election results: The June 2022 results included incumbent Treasurer Fiona Ma (D), 57%; Jack Guerrero (R), 22%; Andrew Do (R), 17%; and Meghann Adams (I), 4%. Treasurer Fiona Ma and Jack Guerrero will compete in a run-off in the November 8 general election.

Candidate fundraising and pledges: Treasurer Ma’s campaign has raised $3.7 million and is not funded by corporate PAC donors. She has received problematic donations from real estate, police, and fossil fuel interests, including Sempra Energy, California Correctional Peace Officers Association PAC, California Real Estate PAC, and Empress Real Estate Inc.

Opposing candidate: Republican Jack Guerrero

Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Guerrero’s campaign has raised $1.9 million, but has filed limited financial disclosures with the secretary of state’s office.
 

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

Treasurers serve as a state’s chief banker, overseeing revenue and finances for schools, roads, housing, levees, public-health facilities, and infrastructure projects. They can be responsible for pension administration, public employee payroll, and fraud oversight. Treasurers manage the state’s investments and the sale of state bonds, and serve as the trustee of the state’s debt portfolio. In California, the state treasurer manages the banking for the world’s fifth-largest economy and typically oversees around $2.5 trillion in banking transactions during each fiscal year.

The California state treasurer is elected by popular vote in a statewide election. The state treasurer is elected to serve four-year terms, and is limited to two terms in office.

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Courage California endorses Malia Cohen to serve as the next State Controller to keep California on the right track for progress.

Malia Cohen’s track record and policy positions demonstrate that she will be a progressive voice for the constituents of California and will govern effectively in the best interest of this diverse state.

Progressive endorsements: Cohen has received the endorsement of many progressive groups in the district, including Courage California, NARAL Pro-Choice California PAC, California Federation of Teachers, Elect Black Women PAC, and a variety of trade organizations, including UNITE Here PAC. She also has the endorsement of many elected officials in the state, including Congresswoman Karen Bass, current State Controller Betty Yee, State Attorney General Rob Bonta, Secretary of State Dr. Shirley Weber, State Senator Sydney Kamlager, and State Senator Scott Weiner.

Electoral history: Cohen currently serves as chair of the California State Board of Equalization, and has held this seat since she won with over 72% of the vote in 2018. She also served two terms on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, winning her first race in 2010.

Top issues: Economic recovery and growth, equity, accountability and transparency, homelessness and affordable housing, corporate accountability, reproductive freedom, climate protections, and affordable health care.

Priority policies: As a current member of the California State Board of Equalization representing District 2, Cohen has experience in administering statewide policy related to property tax, alcoholic beverage tax, and tax on insurers. In this and other positions, Cohen has kept equity in focus and has worked to leverage her role to create opportunities to establish more inclusive policies. She was instrumental in implementing a free community college program in San Francisco, co-authored the Fair Chance Ordinance for individuals reentering the workforce after incarceration, and championed the creation of a Department of Officer Accountability for the San Francisco Police Department. She also worked to divest the San Francisco Employee Retirement System (SFERS) investments from fossil fuels and thermal coal investments to bring a more ethical foundation to the pension system. These and other efforts demonstrate her deft ability to use her knowledge and authority to return benefits to communities that have been historically marginalized and disadvantaged by fiscal and public policy. As controller, Cohen hopes to create a more efficient system to connect unclaimed property to individuals who have ownership rights, streamline financial services for Californians who are unbanked, and create a Golden State Stimulus program that will ensure that residents have the resources they need to cover their basic living expenses.

Governance and community leadership experience: Cohen is a public official, a role she inhabits to redistribute state funding in a way that establishes a more equitable economic foundation for all constituents. Prior to joining the Board of Equalization, she served two terms as a member and president of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, where she chaired the Budget and Finance Committee. Cohen has also served as commissioner of the SFERS, which manages the city’s municipal pension fund.

Other background: Cohen is a lifelong Californian. She is the first Black woman to be elected to the California State Board of Equalization.
 

The Race

Primary election results: The June 2022 results included Lanhee Chen (R), 37%; Malia Cohen (D), 23%; Yvonne Yiu (D), 15%; Steve Glazer (D), 11%; Ron Galperin (D), 10%; and Laura Wells (I), 4%. Malia Cohen and Lanhee Chen will compete in a run-off in the November 8 general election.

Candidate fundraising and pledges: Cohen’s campaign has raised $1.6 million and is not funded by fossil fuel or police interests.

Opposing candidate: Republican Lanhee Chen

Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Chen’s campaign has raised $3.4 million and is funded by real estate and corporate PAC interests. Chen has also received a donation from Cotton for Senate, Inc., a campaign committee connected to the Koch family that aims to reelect MAGA Republican Sen. Tom Cotton of Missouri.
 

The District

State: California is the most populous state in the United States, and includes 58 counties and 331 million residents.

Voter registration: Of the 22 million registered voters in the state, 47% are Democrat, 24% are Republican, and 23% have no party preference. Democrats have held the lieutenant governor seat since 2011.

District demographics: 39% Latino, 16% Asian, and 7% Black

Recent election results: California voted for Joe Biden for president in 2020 by 29 points and Gavin Newsom for governor in 2018 by 24 points.
 

The Position

The state controller acts as the lead fiscal authority for the state of California, which is the fifth-largest economy in the world. The state controller manages an office of 1,400 public servants responsible for the disbursement of financial resources across the state. The state controller’s office oversees audits of funds distributed to state agencies and programs, acts as a steward for unclaimed property that falls to state possession, provides accounting and reporting services for government entities, and manages payroll accounting and data for state employees. The state controller also serves as a policy liaison to a variety of finance organizations, including the state’s two pension funds, CalPERS and CalSTRS, and the California Franchise Tax Board. The state controller is elected for a four-year term and may serve a maximum of two terms in office. This office has traditionally been held by Democrats, and is currently held by two-term Controller Betty Yee.

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Reelect Ricardo Lara as insurance commissioner to keep California on the right track for progress.

Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara has had a problematic track record of ethical scandals, including accepting contributions from insurance companies and paying for a Sacramento apartment with taxpayers’ money. However, the threat of Republican challenger Robert Howell, who presents voters with no specific policy ideas and who describes himself as a “Reagan Republican,” outweighs Commissioner Lara’s questionable record. We recommend that voters reelect Commissioner Lara and commit to holding him accountable for representing constituents, not corporate or personal interests.

Progressive endorsements: Commissioner Lara has the endorsement of some progressive groups, including California Labor Federation, Equality California, California Environmental Voters, and many local labor unions. He has also received the endorsement of many elected leaders, including Governor Gavin Newsom, Secretary of State Shirley Weber, Attorney General Rob Bonta, Rep. Karen Bass, and State Senator Sydney Kamlager.

Key initiatives: Commissioner Lara has successfully worked to provide pandemic insurance returns to Californians, protected home insurance coverage for individuals residing in the path of wildfires, and created a Climate and Sustainability Branch inside the Department of Insurance. He also wrote an insurance law, SB 30, which creates a working group of climate researchers and insurance experts to create recommendations to reduce insurance costs related to wildfires, extreme heat, and flooding.

While he has taken steps to protect consumer interests, he has also received criticism for his deference to insurance companies, including recent remarks at a private insurance industry meeting that implied he would be supportive of providing private citizens’ vehicle data to insurance companies so that rates could be tied to driving habits. Notably, after his first campaign for this seat in 2018, Commissioner Lara returned thousands of dollars in campaign donations from insurance industry stakeholders, acknowledging the conflict of interest presented by accepting donations from the industry he was tasked with regulating. Recently, it was revealed that he is under investigation by the California Fair Political Practices Commission for allegedly diverting insurance industry donations through independent groups that are working in support of his reelection campaign. A final determination about the accuracy of the allegations has not been made.

Governance and community leadership experience: Commissioner Lara has served in this seat since 2018, when he was elected with over 52% of the vote. Prior to his election to the Department of Insurance, Lara served one term in the State Assembly and two terms in the state Senate, where he focused on legislation related to the expansion of health-insurance access, environmental protections, and juvenile-justice reform. He had noted success in his final year in the State Senate, when 34 of his sponsored bills were signed into law.

Other background: Commissioner Lara is a lifelong resident of Los Angeles County. He is the first openly gay person to be elected to statewide office in California.
 

The Race

Primary election results: The June 2022 results included incumbent Commissioner Ricardo Lara (D), 36%; Robert Howell (R), 18%; Marc Levine (D), 18%; Greg Conlon (R), 16%; Vinson Eugene Allen (D), 4%; Nathalie Hrizi (I), 3%; Veronika Fimbres (I), 2%; Jasper Jackson (D), 2%; and Robert Molner (I), 1%. Commissioner Ricardo Lara and Robert Howell will compete in a run-off in the November 8 general election.

Candidate fundraising and pledges: Commissioner Lara’s campaign has raised $1.5 million and has received donations from real estate, fossil fuel, and police interests. His problematic donors include Sempra Energy, Southern California Edison, Peace Officers Research Association of California PAC, and California Real Estate PAC.

Opposing candidate: Republican Robert Howell

Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Howell’s campaign has not filed any campaign-finance receipts with the secretary of state’s office as of September 2022.
 

The District

State: California is the most populous state in the United States, and includes 58 counties and 331 million residents.

Voter registration: Of the 22 million registered voters in the state, 47% are Democrat, 24% are Republican, and 23% have no party preference. Democrats have held the lieutenant governor seat since 2011.

District demographics: 39% Latino, 16% Asian, and 7% Black

Recent election results: California voted for Joe Biden for president in 2020 by 29 points and Gavin Newsom for governor in 2018 by 24 points.
 

The Position

The state insurance commissioner acts as the head of the Department of Insurance, a consumer-protection agency that regulates the state’s insurance marketplace. The commissioner directs the Department of Insurance to ensure that Californians receive fair and indiscriminate insurance rates, timely claim payments, regulated brokerage, and effective complaint and fraud investigations. The insurance commissioner leads a department of 1,400 employees, and provides oversight to over 450,000 insurance industry professionals. The Department of Insurance routinely recovers over $84 million for consumers annually.

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Reelect Superintendent Tony Thurmond to keep California on the right track for progress.

Superintendent Tony Thurmond’s track record and policy positions demonstrate that he will continue to be a progressive voice for the students and families of California and will govern effectively in the best interest of this diverse state.

Progressive endorsements: Superintendent Thurmond has the endorsement of many progressive groups, including California Federation of Teachers, NARAL Pro-Choice California, California Labor Federation, and Equality California. He has also received the endorsement of many state leaders, including Senator Alex Padilla, Congresswoman Karen Bass, Governor Gavin Newsom, Attorney General Rob Bonta, and State Senator Sydney Kamlager.

Top issues: Student mental-health care, the expansion of educational enrichment programming, improving student literacy, expanding ESL, workforce development, STEAM education, universal pre-K, bias prevention, and publicly funded meal programs for students.

Key initiatives: When he took office, Superintendent Thurmond established eight task-force groups to address a variety of education issues, including technology gaps, literacy, and the achievement gap. The guidance provided by experts through these groups was critical in the creation of SB 1229, which provides more mental-health professionals in schools and in guiding budget allocations. He has also increased grant allocations for financial literacy courses and worked with State Treasurer Fiona Ma to implement the new California Kids Investment and Development Savings Program (CalKIDS), which creates a college savings account funded with a minimum of $500 for low-income students in the public education system.

During his time at the Department of Education, Superintendent Thurmond has faced criticism for significant staff turnover and accusations of a toxic work environment, much of which coincided with the educational complexities created by the COVID-19 pandemic. He was also notably absent from much of Governor Newsom’s early public response to pandemic remote learning, which led to a reduction in the Department of Education’s role in guiding schools through pandemic policies.

Governance and community leadership experience: Superintendent Thurmond has served in this seat since 2018, when he was elected with over 50% of the vote. Prior to serving in this role, he held the 15th State Assembly seat for two terms, winning his 2016 reelection campaign against a Republican challenger by 78 points.

Prior to his election, Superintendent Thurmond spent four years as a member of the State Assembly, where he focused on legislation related to labor protections, social services, and education, including bills that addressed special education, school accountability, teacher training, and dual-language programs. He has long been involved in politics, and served on both the Richmond City Council and the West Contra Costa County Unified School Board before being elected to the Assembly. Before launching his public career, Superintendent Thurmond worked with at-risk students in after-school programs, and with youth mental-health initiatives.

Other background: Supervisor Thurmond, an educator and a public official, is from San Jose. He is the first Afro-Latino to serve in this position in California.
 

The Race

Primary election results: The June 2022 results included incumbent Superintendent Tony Thurmond, 46%; Lance Ray Christensen, 12%; Ainye Long, 11%; George Yang, 11%; Marco Amaral, 9%; Jim Gibson, 8%; and Joseph Guy Campbell, 4%. Superintendent Tony Thurmond and Lance Ray Christensen will compete in a run-off in the November 8 general election.

Candidate fundraising and pledges: Superintendent Thurmond’s campaign has raised $2.8 million and is not funded by real estate or police interests. He has received problematic donations from General Motors Company and Sempra Energy.

Opposing candidate: Lance Ray Christensen

Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Christensen’s campaign has raised $84,000 and is funded by police, real estate, corporate PAC, and fossil fuel interests. Christensen is an education-policy executive at a conservative think tank that has advocated for charter school expansion, supported the reopening of schools at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, and provided resources to support public employees seeking to leave their unions. His employer, California Policy Center, has also partnered with Let Them Breathe, a conservative nonprofit that has provided resources for the recent parents’ rights movement that has affected school curriculums across the country.
 

The District

State: California is the most populous state in the United States, and includes 58 counties and 331 million residents.

Voter registration: Of the 22 million registered voters in the state, 47% are Democrat, 24% are Republican, and 23% have no party preference. Democrats have held the lieutenant governor seat since 2011.

District demographics: 39% Latino, 16% Asian, and 7% Black

Recent election results: California voted for Joe Biden for president in 2020 by 29 points and Gavin Newsom for governor in 2018 by 24 points.
 

The Position

The state superintendent of public instruction serves as the head of the California Department of Education (CDE) and oversees its 1,500 employees. The superintendent works to implement the policies of the California Board of Education, which serves as the governing body of public education within the state, and the education-related laws enacted by the state legislature. The superintendent can work to bring attention to significant issues affecting the education landscape, and can use their influence to urge legislative or policy action within the state. The superintendent is also responsible for administrative leadership of education operations, including teacher licensure and facilities maintenance. Superintendents hold a constitutionally elected position and are limited to two terms or eight years in office.

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Elect Jose Altamirano for the Board of Equalization to keep District 1 on the right track for progress.

Jose Altamirano’s track record and policy positions demonstrate that he will be a representative voice for the constituents of District 1 and will govern effectively in the best interest of this district.

Progressive endorsements: Jose Altamirano has no public endorsements, but has received the support of two publications, the Sacramento Bee and the Bakersfield Californian.

Incumbent Ted Gaines does not have any progressive endorsements. He has the endorsement of the California Republican Party and 25 Republican members across the State Assembly and the state Senate.

Key initiatives: Altamirano has spent over 30 years with the State Compensation Insurance Fund, where he has worked to provide affordable insurance options to individuals and businesses. He has a record of professional advancement, which has provided him with an understanding of how economic circumstances affect everyday Californians. He would bring this understanding to tax policy as a member of the Board of Equalization.

Governance and community leadership experience: Altamirano has long been an engaged citizen and currently serves as the chair of the UC Davis Health Community Advisory Board. He is also the Secretary for Cottage Housing, and a mentor with the Latinx leadership program Nueva Epoca. Previously, he served a four-year term as commissioner for the City of West Sacramento. Altamirano views himself as having achieved the American Dream and cites his successful experience with the California public education system as part of his interest in supporting the economic goals of fellow Californians through work on the Board of Equalization. Altamirano has not run for public office before.

Other background: Altamirano is a longtime resident of California.
 

The Race

Primary election results: The June 2022 results included incumbent board member Ted Gaines (R), 55%; Jose Altamirano (D), 22%; Braden Murphy (D), 15%; and Nader Shahatit (D), 9%. Board Member Ted Gaines and Jose Altamirano will compete in a run-off in the November 8 general election.

Candidate fundraising and pledges: Altamirano’s campaign has raised $3,000 and is funded entirely through individual donations.

Opposing candidate: Republican Incumbent Board Member Ted Gaines

Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Board Member Ted Gaines campaign has raised $210,000 and has received donations from police and real estate interests.

Board Member Gaines has been a strong supporter of Proposition 13, a 1978 measure aimed to limit property tax increases. In the years since, data has shown that Proposition 13 has had a measurable negative impact on the widening wealth gap and on homelessness and the housing shortage, and created severe limitations in public education funding. Gaines is a frequent guest columnist and uses his platform to share problematic views, including that upward economic mobility can be achieved by making friends through church, and that nuclear and natural gas are preferable to the state’s transition to clean energy and electric cars.
 

The District

Counties in district: California’s 1st Board of Equalization district spans across most of inland California, from San Bernardino County to the Oregon border, and includes over 60% of California’s land area. California is the most populous state in the United States, and includes 58 counties and 331 million residents, with District 3 including approximately 10 million Californians.

Voter registration: Of the 22 million registered voters in the state, 47% are Democrat, 24% are Republican, and 23% have no party preference. Democrats have held the lieutenant governor seat since 2011.

District demographics: 39% Latino, 16% Asian, and 7% Black

Recent election results: California voted for Joe Biden for president in 2020 by 29 points and Gavin Newsom for governor in 2018 by 24 points.
 

The Position

The California Board of Equalization is composed of four members elected by popular vote to represent individual districts within the state. It is the only elected tax board in the country. The state controller serves in an at-large capacity as the 5th member. The Board of Equalization is responsible for managing taxation in the state, including in the areas of property, alcoholic beverage, and insurance. This includes oversight of valuation assessments on public utility and railroad property, mapping and assigning tax rates to geographic areas in the state, conducting assessment surveys and compliance audits, and administering tax exemptions. In California, board members meet each month in Sacramento to execute their duties of oversight, policy setting, and regulation to guide the work of the appointed executive director and Board of Equalization staff.

Board members are elected to four-year terms in office and cannot serve more than two terms.

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Elect Sally Lieber to the Board of Equalization to keep California on the right track for progress.

Sally Lieber’s track record and policy positions demonstrate that she will be a progressive voice for the constituents of District 2 and will govern effectively in the best interest of this diverse district.

Progressive endorsements: Lieber is endorsed by many progressive groups, including Equality California, California Teachers Association, and Sierra Club. She has also received the endorsement of many political leaders, including activist Dolores Huerta, Assemblymember Laura Friedman, and Senator Josh Becker.

Electoral history: Lieber has served as a Mountain View City Council member since she won her election in 2020 with the second-highest vote total for the at-large seat. This is Lieber’s second turn on the city council, where she first served as mayor and vice mayor after winning election in 1998. She was then elected to the 22nd Assembly District seat in 2002, and won reelection in 2004 and 2006. Lieber ran for the 13th state Senate seat in 2012, but lost to Senator Jerry Hill. She ran again for this seat in 2020, but lost to Senator Josh Becker in the primary by a margin of 7 points.

Top issues: Environmental protections, public safety and victims’ protections, worker rights, reproductive freedom, homelessness and housing, and immigration.

Priority bills: Lieber served three terms as the assemblymember for the 22nd district. While in the legislature, she worked on bills that increased the minimum wage, addressed sea-level rise, codified human trafficking as a felony, and created the Sexual Assault Victim’s Bill of Rights. Her platform for the Board of Equalization seeks to build on these legislative successes by pursuing a coalition approach to highlighting equity and fairness, accountability, and climate protections in her approach to tax implementation.

Governance and community leadership experience: Lieber has long been involved in advocacy and local politics, and is a longtime supporter of communities in need. She has recently returned to the Mountain View City Council, where she had previously served terms as a councilmember and as mayor. In this role, she has worked on committees for finance, inclusion, transportation, and youth services. Her current term expires in 2025, and she could maintain the seat while also serving on the Board of Equalization until that time.

Other background: Sally Lieber, a public official, has lived in California for over 40 years.
 

The Race

Primary election results: The June 2022 results included Sally Lieber (D), 53%; Peter Coe Verbica (R), 28%; and Michela Alioto-Pier (D), 19%. Sally Lieber and Peter Coe Verbica will compete in a run-off in the November 8 general election.

Candidate fundraising and pledges: Lieber’s campaign has raised $176,000 and is not funded by police, fossil fuel, real estate, or corporate PAC donors. She has personally contributed $126,000 to her campaign.

Opposing candidate: Republican Peter Coe Verbica
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Coe Verbica’s campaign has raised $43,000 and is funded almost entirely by individual donors.
 

The District

Counties in district: California’s 2nd Board of Equalization district contains parts of 23 counties, spanning from Del Norte to Santa Barbara. California is the most populous state in the United States, and includes 58 counties and 331 million residents, with District 2 including approximately 10 million Californians.

Voter registration: Of the 22 million registered voters in the state, 47% are Democrat, 24% are Republican, and 23% have no party preference. Democrats have held the Lieutenant Governor seat since 2011.

District demographics: 39% Latino, 16% Asian, and 7% Black

Recent election results: California voted for Joe Biden for president in 2020 by 29 points and Gavin Newsom for governor in 2018 by 24 points.
 

The Position

The California Board of Equalization is composed of four members elected by popular vote to represent individual districts within the state. It is the only elected tax board in the country. The state controller serves in an at-large capacity as the 5th member. The board of equalization is responsible for managing taxation in the state, including in the areas of property, alcoholic beverage, and insurance. This includes oversight of valuation assessments on public utility and railroad property, mapping and assigning tax rates to geographic areas in the state, conducting assessment surveys and compliance audits, and administering tax exemptions. In California, board members meet each month in Sacramento to execute their duties of oversight, policy setting, and regulation to guide the work of the appointed executive director and board of equalization staff.

Board members are elected to four-year terms in office and cannot serve more than two terms.

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Reelect Board of Equalization Member Tony Vazquez to keep California on the right track for progress.

Board Member Tony Vazquez’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: Board Member Vazquez has the endorsement of many progressive leaders in the state, including Senator Alex Padilla, State Controller Betty Yee, State Senator María Elena Durazo, and State Senator Lena Gonzalez.

Top issues: Economic recovery and relief, taxation, homelessness and housing, and transportation and infrastructure.

Key initiatives: Over the course of the pandemic, Board Member Vazquez supported efforts to provide taxation relief to constituents. This has included the extension of tax filing and appeal deadlines, and the cancellation of tax penalties for small-business and property owners who had experienced economic hardship. He has worked to establish himself as an informational leader by developing a team that can provide resources and information about tax requirements and the tax-paying process. Member Vazquez began serving as chairman of the board in January 2020.

Governance and community leadership experience: Board Member Vazquez has served in this seat since 2018, when he was elected with over 69% of the vote.

Board Member Vazquez is a community advocate and a longtime elected leader. He joined the Santa Monica City Council in 1990, and supported local efforts to revitalize the Third Street Promenade business district and create more transportation routes connecting the community to downtown Los Angeles. He was a district director for a Los Angeles City Council member, and had the opportunity to bring his understanding of business to the redevelopment of a General Motors plant in the district. Board Member Vazquez also served as the Southern California regional director for California Futures Network, and as a community planner for the United Way of Greater Los Angeles. These roles allowed him to invest in a variety of education and youth programming in the district. He later returned to the Santa Monica City Council and served as both mayor pro tempore and mayor, where he was a strong advocate for continued business development and affordable housing.

Other background: Board Member Antonio Vazquez is from Los Angeles County and has lived in Santa Monica for nearly 40 years.
 

The Race

Primary election results: The June 2022 results included Tony Vazquez (D), 67%; Y. Marie Manvel (I), 22%; John Mendoza (D), 11%; and G. Rick Marshall (W/I), 1%. Board Member Tony Vazquez and Marie Manvel will compete in a run-off in the November 8 general election.

Candidate fundraising and pledges: Board Member Vazquez’s campaign has raised $114,000 and is not funded by police, fossil fuel, corporate PAC, or real estate interests.

Opposing candidate: Marie Manvel

Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Manvel’s campaign has not filed any fundraising receipts with the secretary of state’s office.
 

The District

Counties in district: California’s 3rd Board of Equalization district contains parts of Los Angeles, Ventura, and San Bernardino Counties. California is the most populous state in the United States, and includes 58 counties and 331 million residents, with District 3 including approximately 10 million Californians.

Voter registration: Of the 22 million registered voters in the state, 47% are Democrat, 24% are Republican, and 23% have no party preference. Democrats have held the lieutenant governor seat since 2011.

District demographics: 39% Latino, 16% Asian, and 7% Black

Recent election results: California voted for Joe Biden for president in 2020 by 29 points and Gavin Newsom for governor in 2018 by 24 points.
 

The Position

The California Board of Equalization is composed of four members elected by popular vote to represent individual districts within the state. It is the only elected tax board in the country. The state controller serves in an at-large capacity as the 5th member. The board of equalization is responsible for managing taxation in the state, including in the areas of property, alcoholic beverage, and insurance. This includes oversight of valuation assessments on public utility and railroad property, mapping and assigning tax rates to geographic areas in the state, conducting assessment surveys and compliance audits, and administering tax exemptions. In California, board members meet each month in Sacramento to execute their duties of oversight, policy setting, and regulation to guide the work of the appointed executive director and board of equalization staff.

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Elect David Dodson for the Board of Equalization to put California on the right track for progress.

David Dodson’s policy positions demonstrate that he will be a progressive voice for the constituents of California and will govern effectively in the best interest of this diverse state.

Progressive endorsements: Dodson has the endorsement of some progressive groups, including California Labor Federation, SEIU California, Progressive Democrats of California.

Electoral history: Dodson ran for this seat in the 2018 election cycle. He earned 15% of the vote in the primary, but did not advance to the general election.

Top issues: Homeownership protections, taxation and taxpayer rights, and supporting assessors and the administrative functions of the department.

Governance and community leadership experience: Dodson has spent his 30-year career working in property tax appraisal. He worked for the Los Angeles County assessor, and now leads the Southern California office of the Board of Equalization. He cites this work as having allowed him to develop a strong expertise of this specialized field, and a particular understanding of the changes needed to make the system work for all taxpayers in the state. Over the course of his career, he has developed a deep network of colleagues with whom he could liaise as a member of the board of equalization. Dodson is a longtime union member, and has supported union lobbying efforts throughout his career.

Other background: David Dodson lives in Dana Point.
 

The Race

Primary election results: The June 2022 results included incumbent Board Member Mike Schaefer (D), 36%; David Dodson (D), 15%; Denis Bilodeau (R), 14%; Matthew Harper (R), 11%; Erik Peterson (R), 11%; Randell Economy (R), 7%; and John Kelly (R), 6%. Incumbent Board Member Mike Shaefer and David Dodson will compete in a run-off in the November 8 general election.

Candidate fundraising and pledges: Dodson’s campaign has raised $35,000 and is not funded by police, fossil fuel, real estate, or corporate PAC interests.

Opposing candidate: Republican Board Member Mike Schaefer

Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Schaefer’s campaign has raised $127,000 and is entirely self-funded. Notably, board member Schaefer has been disbarred in both California and Nevada, was convicted of spousal abuse in 1993, and was successfully sued for being a slumlord in Los Angeles in the 1980s. In addition, his campaign dishonestly indicated that he had received 2022 endorsements from Gov. Gavin Newsom and Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis, although neither has formally endorsed his candidacy.
 

The District

Counties in district: California’s 4th Board of Equalization district contains portions of San Diego, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, and Imperial Counties. California is the most populous state in the United States, and includes 58 counties and 331 million residents, with District 3 including approximately 10 million Californians.

Voter registration: Of the 22 million registered voters in the state, 47% are Democrat, 24% are Republican, and 23% have no party preference. Democrats have held the lieutenant governor seat since 2011.

District demographics: 39% Latino, 16% Asian, and 7% Black

Recent election results: California voted for Joe Biden for president in 2020 by 29 points and Gavin Newsom for governor in 2018 by 24 points.
 

The Position

The California Board of Equalization is composed of four members elected by popular vote to represent individual districts within the state. It is the only elected tax board in the country. The state controller serves in an at-large capacity as the 5th member. The Board of Equalization is responsible for managing taxation in the state, including in the areas of property, alcoholic beverage, and insurance. This includes oversight of valuation assessments on public utility and railroad property, mapping and assigning tax rates to geographic areas in the state, conducting assessment surveys and compliance audits, and administering tax exemptions. In California, board members meet each month in Sacramento to execute their duties of oversight, policy setting, and regulation to guide the work of the appointed executive director and Board of Equalization staff.

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