Contra Costa County

Reelect Congressional Representative Josh Harder to keep CD-09 on the right track for progress.

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.

The District

California’s 9th Congressional District includes parts of Contra Costa, San Joaquin, and Stanislaus Counties. Democrats typically hold this district. Of the registered voters in this district, 30% are Republican and 43% are Democrat, and the demographic breakdown is 31% Latino, 15% Asian, and 9% Black. Since the 2021 redistricting process, CA-9 is 5% less Democratic than it was during the 2020 general election cycle. The most recent election results show that CD-9 voted for Joe Biden for president in 2020 by 12 points and Gavin Newsom for governor in 2018 by 3 points.

Since the district lines were redrawn, the newly established CD-09 includes portions of Rep. Harder’s former district, CD-10, and democratic Rep. Jerry McNerney’s former district, CD-09. In January 2022, Rep. McNerney announced his retirement from Congress, and Rep. Harder announced his plan to run for the new CD-09 seat. Rep. McNerney has endorsed his candidacy.

The Race

There are three candidates running for this seat, including Democrat Incumbent Representative Josh Harder, Democrat Harpreet Chima, and Republican Tom Patti. Rep. Harder’s campaign has raised $2.8 million dollars and is not funded by corporate PAC, fossil fuel, or police money. He has received donations from the National Association of Realtors PAC, and is endorsed by the Peace Officers Research Association of California. Chima’s campaign has raised $47,000 and has publicly committed to refusing corporate PAC money. Patti’s campaign has not filed any fundraising receipts as of January 2022.

The Recommendation

Rep. Harder, a former businessman and educator, is from Turlock, CA. According to campaign materials, Rep. Harder is running for reelection to continue to advocate for health care and political corruption reforms. Rep. Harder won his 2020 reelection in CD-10 against a Republican challenger by 11 points.

Rep. Harder’s priorities for CD-09 this year have included 20 bills about health care, labor, education, and water-resource protections this year. Of those, four are in committee, and none have been advanced to the Senate. He is currently a member of two committees, Agriculture and Appropriations, but does not hold leadership positions on either. This year, Rep. Harder has voted 100% of the time with Rep. Nancy Pelosi and 94% of the time with Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. In contrast to Rep. Ocasio-Cortez, Rep. Harder voted in favor of a bill expressing solidarity with Cuban citizens and calling for the release of Cuban detainees, the Libya Stabilization Act, and the annual National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal year 2022.

Prior to his election to Congress, Rep. Harder was a small-business leader before returning to his hometown to work as a junior-college business instructor. His younger brother has preexisting medical conditions, and he has cited his family’s experience with the health care and health insurance system as a motivator for his continued advocacy and sponsorship of Medicare for All. As of January 2022, Rep. Harder has not cosponsored H.R. 40, which would begin the formal process of studying the case for reparations to Black Americans, despite indicating that he has been a lifelong proponent of social justice.

Rep. Harder has a moderate record, and is not a member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus. He has captured the endorsement of some progressive groups in the district, including Human Rights Campaign, End Citizens United, and California Teachers Association, and some state and national leaders, including President Barack Obama and Senator Elizabeth Warren. He is also endorsed by the Peace Officers Research Association. Although new district lines have made CD-09 slightly friendlier territory for Democrats, the threat of Republican challenger Tom Patti’s potential policies greatly outweighs Rep, Harder’s more moderate voting record. Based on our analysis, Rep. Harder’s track record and policy positions demonstrate that he will be a champion for the constituents of CD-09 and will govern effectively in the best interest of this diverse district.

Reelect Congressional Representative Mark DeSaulnier to keep CD-10 on the right track for progress.

The Position

Congressmembers represent and advocate for the needs of their district constituents at the United States Capital. 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.

The District

California’s 10th Congressional District includes parts of Contra Costa and Alameda Counties. Democrats have held this district since 2006. Of the registered voters in this district, 23% are Republican and 48% are Democrat, and the demographic breakdown is 12% Latino, 13% Asian, and 10% Black. Since the 2021 redistricting process, CD-10 is 5% more Republican than it was during the 2020 general election cycle. The most recent election results show CD-10 voted for Joe Biden for president in 2020 by 51 points and Democrat Gavin Newsom for governor in 2018 by 28 points.

The Race

There are two declared candidates running for the newly redistricted CD-10, including Democrat Incumbent Representative DeSaulnier and Independent Michael Kerr. Rep. DeSaulnier’s campaign has raised $322,563 and is not funded by police union or fossil fuel money, although he is funded by corporate PAC money as well as real estate money. Kerr’s campaign has not filed any fundraising receipts for the current election cycle.

The Recommendation

Rep. Mark DeSaulnier, former small-business owner and mayor of Concord, CA, is originally from Massachusetts and now lives in Concord. According to campaign materials, Rep. DeSaulnier is running for reelection to continue advocating for working families in his district. Rep. DeSaulnier won his 2020 reelection against a Republican challenger by 46 points.

Rep. DeSaulnier’s priorities for CA-10 this year have included seven bills about infrastructure, and five about health, none of which have yet successfully passed the House. He holds leadership positions on two committees: he is chair of the Education and Labor Subcommittee on Health, Employment, Labor, and Pensions (HELP), and he is vice chair of the House Rules Committee. He also sits on the Committees on Transportation and Infrastructure, and Oversight and Reform. This year, Rep. DeSaulnier has voted 95% of the time with Nancy Pelosi and 96% of the time with Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. Pelosi and DeSaulnier differed when Rep. DeSaulnier voted against the 2021 Defense Authorization Bill and against the USMCA Trade Agreement. Rep. Desaulnier voted in opposition to Rep. Ocasio-Cortez when he voted in favor of a domestic spending bill that she and other progressive representatives opposed for maintaining the Hyde Amendment, the international gag order preventing U.S. aid from being used for abortion.

Prior to his work as a civil servant, Rep. DeSaulnier was first a union member with Teamsters International and Hotel Employees and Restaurant Employees International, and then a restaurant owner; he maintains strong connections with organized labor. Throughout his time in both the U.S. and California Congresses, Rep. DeSaulnier has paid special attention to improving infrastructure, including building up sustainable industries and jobs, and expanding public transportation in his district. Rep. DeSaulnier has previously sponsored legislation that benefits his constituents, including extending protection to more acres of natural land in Contra Costa County as well as expanding local control of canal infrastructure in the district.

Rep. DeSaulnier is a member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, and has the endorsement of many progressive groups and labor unions in the district, including Planned Parenthood, Equality California, the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers & Trainman, and IBEW Local Union 302, as well as from progressive leader Representative Ayanna Pressley. Based on our analysis, Rep. DeSaulnier’s track record and policy positions demonstrate that he will continue to be a progressive champion for the constituents of CD-10 and will govern effectively in the best interest of this diverse district.

Elect Lori D. Wilson to push AD-11 in the right direction.

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 the Assembly. This term, Democrats currently hold a two-thirds supermajority of 56 seats in the California State Assembly, while Republicans hold 19 seats. One seat is held by an Independent and four seats are currently vacant.

The District

California’s 11th Assembly District includes parts of Contra Costa and Sacramento Counties, and all of Solano County. Democrats typically hold this district. Of the registered voters in this district, 23% are Republican and 48% are Democrat, and the district’s demographic breakdown is 19% Latino, 15% Asian, and 15% Black. The most recent election results show that AD-11 voted for Joe Biden for president in 2020 by 27 points and Gavin Newsom for governor in 2018 by 20 points.

The Race

Former Assm. Jim Frazier resigned the AD-11 seat in January, resulting in a special election to fill the seat through the remainder of the term in November. Assm. Lori D. Wilson ran unopposed and won the special election. She is now one of two candidates running for the 2022–24 term in the June 7 primary. Wilson’s campaign has raised $195,000 and is not funded by corporate PAC or real estate money. She has received donations from the fossil fuel industry and from the California Correctional Peace Officers PAC. Her opponent, Jenny Leilani Callison, has not recorded any fundraising with the Secretary of State.

The Recommendation

Assm. Lori D. Wilson, former mayor of Suisun City and a finance professional, is from Fresno and has lived in Suisun City for 18 years. According to campaign materials, she is running for election to continue to bring her successful approach to local economic improvement and fiscal management to the larger AD-11 community.

Assm. Wilson has worked as a director of finance, and has used her professional understanding of fiscal policy to support fair-housing initiatives, economic improvements, and job growth in Suisun City. Wilson was elected to serve on the Suisun City Council in 2012, and acted as the vice mayor for six years. In 2018, she was elected to serve as mayor, and worked to improve economic conditions, establish pandemic health-care access, and end homelessness. Under Wilson’s leadership, Suisun City reduced its unemployment and maintained a rate that was consistently lower than the state average. She also created partnerships with local organizations to support individuals experiencing homelessness, to improve mental-health response times, and to house families affected by wildfires. Wilson was the first Black female mayor to serve in Solano County.

Lori Wilson has the endorsement of many lawmakers and groups, including State Board of Equalization member Malia Cohen, Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon, the California Legislative Black Caucus, the California Teachers Association, California Environmental Voters, and several local elected officials. Wilson also has the full endorsement of recently retired Assemblymember Jim Frazier, who represented this district for ten years. Based on our analysis, Wilson’s track record and policy positions demonstrate that she will be a progressive champion for the constituents of AD-11 and will govern effectively in the best interest of this diverse district.

Reelect State Assemblymember Buffy Wicks to keep AD-14 on the right track for progress.

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 the Assembly. This term, Democrats currently hold a two-thirds supermajority of 56 seats in the California State Assembly, while Republicans hold 19 seats. One seat is held by an Independent and four seats are currently vacant.

The District

California’s 14th Assembly District includes parts of Alameda and Contra Costa Counties. Democrats typically hold this district. Of the registered voters in this district, 6% are Republican and 68% are Democrat, and the demographic breakdown is 17% Latino, 21% Asian, and 14% Black. Since the 2021 redistricting process, AD-14 is 1% more Republican than it was during the 2020 general election cycle. The most recent election results show that AD-14 voted for Joe Biden for president in 2020 by 46 points and Gavin Newsom for governor in 2018 by 38 points.
Under newly drawn district maps, Democratic incumbent Tim Grayson has been redistricted out of AD-14 and Assm. Buffy Wicks, formerly representing AD-15, has been positioned as the Democratic incumbent in AD-14.

The Race

There are two candidates running for this seat: Democrat Incumbent Assm. Buffy Wicks and Green Party candidate Clint Smith. Wicks’ campaign has raised $288,674 and is not funded by police money or fossil fuel money. As of March 2022, Smith’s campaign has not filed any fundraising receipts for the current election cycle.

The Recommendation

Assm. Buffy Wicks, a former political and community organizer, is from Foresthill, CA, and now lives in Oakland, CA. According to campaign materials, Assm. Wicks is running for reelection to continue passing legislation that benefits women, children, and working families. Assm. Wicks was first elected to this seat in 2018 and won her 2020 reelection against an Independent challenger by 69 points.

Assm. Wicks’ priorities for AD-14 this year have included seven housing bills and nine health-care bills, including three bills specifically about reproductive health. All bills are currently being debated in committee. She currently chairs the Assembly Committee on Housing and Community Development, and sits on the Committees on Budget, Transportation, Banking and Finance, and Privacy and Consumer Protection. She scores a perfect 100 out of 100 on Courage Score, our annual analysis of legislators’ progressive voting records. Based on our Courage Score analysis, Assm. Wicks has supported most progressive bills that made it to a vote.

Prior to her election to the State Assembly, Assm. Wicks was a community organizer and Obama administration staffer. Assm. Wicks comes from a working-class background, and began her career as a community organizer protesting the war in Iraq, and then began campaigning to improve wages and benefits for Walmart employees. She helped organize both of Barack Obama’s presidential campaigns, and also served in his Office of Public Engagement, specifically building support among stakeholders to pass the Affordable Care Act. She is a longtime supporter of labor causes and reproductive rights. In the summer of 2020, Assm. Wicks made national headlines when she brought her newborn daughter to vote on the floor of the Assembly. Wicks was denied the chance to vote by proxy, and chose to attend the Assembly session and vote to expand paid family leave and affordable housing. In the Assembly, she has previously sponsored and passed progressive legislation to increase tenant protections, expand multifamily housing in urban areas, and expand access to the CalFresh program.

Assm. Wicks has the endorsement of many progressive groups in the district, including Equality California, Planned Parenthood,and YIMBY Action, as well as labor unions like National Nurses United and United Healthcare Workers West. Wicks’ progressive voting record and endorsement from progressive leaders outweighs her campaign funding from real estate and corporations. Based on our analysis, Assm. Wicks’ track record and policy positions demonstrate that she will continue to be a progressive champion for the constituents of AD-14 and will govern effectively in the best interest of this diverse district.

Reelect Senator Alex Padilla to the United States Senate to keep California on the right track for progress. 

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.

The District

California is the most populous state in the United States, and includes 58 counties and 331 million residents. The demographic breakdown of the total residential population is 39% Latino, 16% Asian, and 7% Black. Since 1992, Democrats have steadily held both California Senate seats. Of the 22 million registered voters in the state, 47% are Democrat, 24% are Republican, and 23% have no party preference. The most recent election results show that California voted for Joe Biden for president in 2020 by 29 points and Gavin Newsom for governor in 2018 by 24 points.

The Race

This Senate race will appear twice on primary ballots: as a special election marked as the “Unexpired/Partial Term,” which will fill the seat from November 2022 to January 2023, and as a regular full-term election for a six-year term that begins in January 2023. Sen. Alex Padilla is the recommended candidate for your vote in both of these races. 

Senator Alex Padilla was appointed to fill the remainder of the term for the Senate seat vacated by then Senator Kamala Harris after she was elected to the vice presidency in November 2020. Sen. Padilla is now running for his first full elected term in the United States Senate. There are 23 candidates running for this seat, including Democrat Incumbent Senator Alex Padilla and Republican Mark Meuser. Sen. Padilla’s campaign has raised $9.5 million, and has received donations from fossil fuel, real estate, and corporate PAC interests. Meuser’s campaign has raised $330,000 and is primarily funded by individual donors.

The Recommendation

Sen. Padilla, a longtime public official, is from the San Fernando Valley. According to campaign materials, he is running for reelection to continue his efforts to protect voting rights, defend democracy, and support working families. Sen. Padilla was appointed to the Senate by Governor Gavin Newsom in January 2021, which will make this his first electoral campaign for the seat. He was previously elected to serve as the California Secretary of State in 2014, winning his 2018 reelection bid over Republican Mark Meuser by 29 points.

Sen. Padilla’s priorities for California this year have included 32 bills about environmental and water protections, the economy, immigration, and child welfare. Of these, all are currently in committee. He 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. 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.

Prior to his appointment, Sen. Padilla served Californians in several elected roles, including two terms each in 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. 

Sen. Padilla has the endorsement of many progressive groups, including California Environmental Voters, Equality California, NARAL Pro-Choice California, 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, and Attorney General Rob Bonta. Based on our analysis, Sen. Padilla’s track record and policy positions demonstrate that he will continue to be a progressive champion for the constituents of California and will govern effectively in the best interest of this diverse state.
 

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

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.

The District

California is the most populous state in the United States, and includes 58 counties and 331 million residents. The demographic breakdown of the total residential population is 39% Latino, 16% Asian, and 7% Black. Democrats have held the governorship since 2011. Of the 22 million registered voters in the state, 47% are Democrat, 24% are Republican, and 23% have no party preference. The most recent election results show that California voted for Joe Biden for president in 2020 by 29 points.

The Race

There are 26 candidates running for this seat, including Democrat Incumbent Governor Gavin Newsom, Republican State Senator Brian Dahle, and Republican businesswoman Jenny Rae Le Roux. Gov. Newsom’s campaign has raised $14.4 million and has not received donations from fossil fuel, police, or corporate PAC interests. Sen. Dahle’s campaign has raised $1.2 million and has not received donations from fossil fuel, police, or corporate PAC interests. Le Roux’s campaign has raised $1.3 million and has not received donations from fossil fuel, police, corporate PAC, or real estate interests. 

The Recommendation

Gov. Newsom, a career public official, is from San Francisco. According to campaign materials, he is running for reelection to continue to provide steady crisis leadership for California through policy reform on economic, environmental, education, and criminal-justice issues. He was elected to serve as the California governor in 2018, winning his bid over Republican John Cox by 24 points. He defeated a Republican-backed recall election by the same margin in 2021.

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 4-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 has also failed to take strong action on several important issues, including replacing police with mental-health professionals, reforming the state taxation system, bringing new financial reporting standards to public education, and establishing a single-payer health-care system. 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 was the target of a recall campaign in fall 2021. 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, and 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. 

Gov. Newsom has the endorsement of many progressive groups in the state, including NARAL Pro-Choice, California Teachers Association, and California Labor Federation. Based on our analysis, Gov. Newsom’s track record and policy positions demonstrate that he will continue to be a progressive champion for the constituents of California and will govern effectively in the best interest of this diverse state.
 

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

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.

The District

California is the most populous state in the United States, and includes 58 counties and 331 million residents. The demographic breakdown of the total residential population is 39% Latino, 16% Asian, and 7% Black. Democrats have held the Lieutenant Governor seat since 2011. Of the 22 million registered voters in the state, 47% are Democrat, 24% are Republican, and 23% have no party preference. The most recent election results show that California voted for Joe Biden for president in 2020 by 29 points and Gavin Newsom for governor in 2018 by 24 points.

The Race

There are eight candidates running for this seat, including Democrat Incumbent Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis and Republican Angela Underwood Jacobs. Lt. Gov. Kounalakis’s campaign has raised $3.9 million and has received donations from fossil fuel, police, and corporate PAC interests. Underwood Jacobs’s campaign has raised $23,000 and is funded entirely by individual donors. None of the other candidates have filed fundraising receipts with the secretary of state.

The Recommendation

Lt. Gov. Kounalakis, a businessperson and former U.S. ambassador, is from Sacramento. According to campaign materials, she is running for reelection to continue to use her business acumen and public experience to guide California to a better economic path. She was elected to serve as California’s lieutenant governor in 2018, winning her bid over Democrat Edward Hernandez by 14 points, and is the first woman in state history to be elected to this role. 

Lt. Gov. Kounalakis has provided administrative and political support for the governor’s agenda this term, 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, her 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, or 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. 

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.

Lt. Gov. Kounalakis has the endorsement of many progressive groups in the state, including Equality California and EMILY’s List. Based on our analysis, Lt. Gov. 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.
 

Reelect Attorney General Rob Bonta to keep California on the right track for progress.

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.

Democrat incumbent Rob Bonta was appointed to this seat by Governor Gavin Newsom in March 2021, after Secretary Becerra was appointed to the Biden administration’s cabinet. Attorney General Bonta is the first Filipino American to serve in this role. The most recent election results show that Becerra won the statewide election in 2018 with 64% of the vote.

The Race

There are four candidates running in the primary for attorney general: Democrat Incumbent Attorney General Rob Bonta, Independent challenger and Sacramento County District Attorney Anne Marie Schubert, and Republican challengers Nathan Hochman and Eric Early. Attorney General Bonta’s campaign has raised over $2 million, and is not funded by fossil fuel, police, or real estate donations. Schubert’s campaign has raised $833,000, and has received donations from over ten police organizations across the state. She has also received significant donations from billionaire Angelo Tsakopoulos and his family, who work in real estate development. Hochman’s campaign has raised $900,000 and has not committed to refuse fossil fuel, police, or corporate PAC money. He is backed by a significant number of individual donors with connections to real estate, and has also received over $20,000 from companies connected to Jeong Hwan Kim, who pled guilty to tax crimes in 2017 in a case prosecuted by the attorney general’s office. Early’s campaign has raised $235,000, and has not committed to refuse fossil fuel, police, corporate PAC, or real estate money in his campaign. He previously ran for attorney general in 2018.

Our Endorsement

Attorney General Rob Bonta, a civil rights attorney, is from Alameda, CA. Prior to his appointment to the attorney general’s office, he was elected to serve three terms in the California State Assembly as the representative from the 18th District. According to campaign materials, Attorney General Bonta is running for reelection to continue his focus on resolving systemic injustice across the state through action on environmental justice, labor rights, and corporate accountability.

Attorney General Bonta’s priorities for California this year include 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.

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. This office is designed to advance equity, and to ensure that the work of the attorney general’s office is inclusive for diverse perspectives. Nationally, he 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).

During his time in the State Assembly, he 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.

Attorney General Bonta has received the endorsement of an overwhelming number of elected officials across the state, including U.S. Senator Alex Padilla, Secretary of State Dr. Shirley Weber, State Controller Betty Yee, State Senator Sydney Kamlager, and State Senator Scott Weiner. He is also endorsed by several progressive groups, including SEIU CA, NARAL Pro-Choice CA, and California Teachers Association. According to our analysis, Attorney General Bonta is the strongest choice for equitable and representative leadership in office. Based on our analysis, Attorney General 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.

Reelect Secretary of State Shirley Weber to keep California on the right track for progress.

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 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 advance 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, and most recently by current U.S. Senator Alex Padilla.

Democrat incumbent Shirley Weber was appointed to this seat by Governor Gavin Newsom in December 2020, after he appointed Sen. Padilla to fill Vice President Kamala Harris’s open Senate seat. Secretary Weber is the first Black person to hold this position. The most recent election results show that Padilla won the statewide election in 2018 with 64% of the vote.

The Race

At this time, Democrat Secretary of State Shirley Weber is running unopposed to maintain her seat. Secretary Weber’s campaign has raised over $490,000, and is not funded by corporate PAC money. She has not publicly refused to take fossil fuel donations, and has received police donations from the California Correctional Peace Officers Association PAC, and real estate donations from the California Real Estate PAC.

Our Endorsement

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. According to campaign materials, Secretary Weber is running for reelection to further strengthen election integrity and transparency in the state, and to work toward expanded access to voting for all Californians.

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.

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.

In 1972, early in her career, Secretary Weber founded the Department of Africana Studies at San Diego State University, 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.

According to our analysis, Secretary Weber is the strongest choice for equitable and representative leadership in office. Based on our analysis, Secretary Weber’s track record and policy positions demonstrate that she will be a progressive champion for all Californians and will execute her responsibilities effectively in the best interest of this diverse state.

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

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.

The District

California is the most populous state in the United States, and includes 58 counties and 331 million residents. The demographic breakdown of the total residential population is 39% Latino, 16% Asian, and 7% Black. Democrats have held the Treasurer’s seat since 1999. Of the 22 million registered voters in the state, 47% are Democrat, 24% are Republican, and 23% have no party preference. The most recent election results show that California voted for Joe Biden for president in 2020 by 29 points and Gavin Newsom for governor in 2018 by 24 points.

The Race

There are four candidates running for this seat, including Democrat Incumbent Treasurer Fiona Ma and Republican Andrew Do. Treasurer Ma’s campaign has raised $3.3 million and has received donations from corporate PAC, real estate, and police interests. Do’s campaign has raised $203,000 and has not received donations from fossil fuel, police, real estate, or corporate PAC interests. 

The Recommendation

Treasurer Ma, a certified public accountant and public official, has lived in California for most of her adult life. According to campaign materials, she is running for reelection to continue to provide fiscal leadership on economic, environmental, and educational reforms in the state. She was elected to serve as the California treasurer in 2018, winning her bid over Republican Greg Conlon by 28 points. 

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. 

Prior to her election in 2018, Treasurer Ma served in positions across state and local governments. 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. Prior to seeking elected office, Treasurer Ma worked as a licensed certified public accountant in California. 

Treasurer Ma has the endorsement of many progressive groups in the state, including SEIU California, Equality California, and California Labor Federation. Based on our analysis, Treasurer Ma’s track record and policy positions demonstrate that she will continue to be a champion for the constituents of California and will manage effectively in the best interest of this diverse state.
 

Elect Malia Cohen to be the next state controller to keep California on the right track for progress.

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. The most recent election results show that Controller Yee won the statewide election in 2018 with 65% of the vote.

The Race

There are four candidates running for this seat, including Democrats Malia Cohen, Yvonne Yiu, and Ron Galperin, and Republican Lanhee Chen. Cohen’s campaign has raised $316,000, and is not funded by police money or corporate PAC money. Democratic opponent Yiu has raised $548,000, of which $455,000 has been self-donated. She has had an additional nine donors to her campaign, and has not received police, corporate PAC, or real estate donations. Democratic opponent Galperin has raised $26,000, and is not funded by police, corporate PAC, real estate, or fossil fuel money. Republican Chen’s campaign has raised $945,000, and has received funding from a real estate organization. The remainder of his fundraising has come almost entirely from large-dollar individual donors.

Our Endorsement

Malia Cohen, a member of the California State Board of Equalization, is a lifelong Californian. According to campaign materials, Cohen is running for election to pursue a more equitable economic foundation for Californians through investments in housing, job programs, health care, and education. She believes that accountability and transparency in fiscal leadership is essential to closing the state’s significant equity gap, and that she can play a critical role in guiding financial decisions that will benefit previously neglected communities.

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.

Cohen has an extensive resume and significant experience in fiscal oversight. As a current member of the California State Board of Equalization representing District 2, Cohen has experience administering statewide policy related to property tax, alcoholic beverage tax, and tax on insurers. Prior to holding this role, 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 San Francisco Employee Retirement System (SFERS), which manages the city’s municipal pension fund. In each of these positions, Cohen has kept equity in focus and has worked to leverage her role to create opportunities to establish more inclusive policies. In her elected roles, 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 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.

Democrat Yvonne Yiu, the current mayor of Monterey Park, is running on a platform that centers on financial-information security and expanding financial-skills training to reach young people, immigrants, women, and other diverse communities through the creation of a new Office of Financial Empowerment. While she is dedicated to using the authority of the office to advocate for issues related to climate, the LGBTQIA+ community, and racial injustice, she has not provided a comprehensive outline for how her work as controller would benefit these progressive priorities beyond the creation of the Office of Financial Empowerment.

Malia Cohen 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. She has also received the endorsement of some progressive groups in the district, including NARAL Pro-Choice California PAC, California Federation of Teachers, Elect Black Women PAC, and a variety of trade organizations, including UNITE Here PAC. Based on our analysis, Cohen’s track record and policy positions demonstrate that she will be a progressive champion for Californians and will govern effectively in the best interest of this diverse state.

Elect Braden Murphy to the Board of Equalization to keep California on the right track for progress. 

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. 

The 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 1 including approximately 10 million Californians. The demographic breakdown of the total residential population is 39% Latino, 16% Asian, and 7% Black. Of the 22 million registered voters in the state, 47% are Democrat, 24% are Republican, and 23% have no party preference. The most recent election results show that California voted for Joe Biden for president in 2020 by 29 points.

The Race

District 1 is currently represented by incumbent Republican Ted Gaines, who is running for reelection and was a candidate to replace Gov. Newsom during the 2021 recall campaign. There are four candidates running for this seat, including Democrat Braden Murphy and incumbent Republican Ted Gaines. Murphy’s campaign has raised $25,000 and has not received any donations from police, real estate, fossil fuel, or corporate PAC interests. Board Member Gaines’s campaign has raised $186,000 and has received donations from police and real estate interests. 

The Recommendation

Braden Murphy, a policy advocate, lives in Folsom. According to campaign materials, he is running for election to bring fairness to California’s property tax system. He has not run for public office before. 

Murphy was born with cerebral palsy and has been an advocate for universal health care and universal early childhood education. His platform draws a connection between the property tax burden on homeowners and the crisis of home ownership and homelessness in the state, and emphasizes the importance of ensuring that low corporate taxation doesn’t shift additional burden on to middle-class property owners. Additionally, Murphy sees the intersections of health-care access, education policy, and homeownership, and how the failure to transition to universal models can limit the capacity of families and individuals with disabilities to transition to a middle-class lifestyle. He would bring this knowledge to his equity efforts as a member of the board of equalization. 

Murphy is endorsed by some progressive groups, including California Nurses Association and the California Democratic Party. He has also received the endorsement of many local leaders, including former Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones and Assemblymember Kevin McCarty. Based on our analysis, Murphy’s track record and policy positions demonstrate that he will be a progressive champion for the constituents of District 1 and will govern effectively in the best interest of this diverse district.

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

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. 

The 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. The demographic breakdown of the total residential population is 39% Latino, 16% Asian, and 7% Black. Of the 22 million registered voters in the state, 47% are Democrat, 24% are Republican, and 23% have no party preference. The most recent election results show that California voted for Joe Biden for president in 2020 by 29 points.

The Race

The current member representing District 2, Malia Cohen, is seeking election to be California State Controller in 2022, leaving the seat open this cycle. There are three candidates running for this seat, including Democrat Sally Lieber, Democrat Michela Alioto-Pier, and Republican Peter Verbica. Lieber’s campaign has raised $165,000 and has not received donations from police, fossil fuel, real estate, or corporate PAC interests. Alioto-Pier’s campaign has raised $217,000 and has not received donations from police, fossil fuel, or corporate PAC interests. Verbica’s campaign has raised $35,000 and is primarily funded by individual donors. 

The Recommendation

Sally Lieber, a public official, has lived in California for over 40 years. According to campaign materials, she is running for election to prioritize the needs of everyday Californians over the corporations and big money interests that are often centered in tax law. She ran for the 13th district state Senate seat in 2020, but lost to Senator Josh Becker in the primary by a margin of 7 points. 

Lieber has long been involved in advocacy and local politics. 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. Lieber also served two 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. 

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. Based on our analysis, Lieber’s track record and policy positions demonstrate that she will be a progressive champion for the constituents of District 2 and will govern effectively in the best interest of this diverse district.

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

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. 

The 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 4 including approximately 10 million Californians. The demographic breakdown of the total residential population is 39% Latino, 16% Asian, and 7% Black. Of the 22 million registered voters in the state, 47% are Democrat, 24% are Republican, and 23% have no party preference. The most recent election results show that California voted for Joe Biden for president in 2020 by 29 points.

The Race

District 4 is currently represented by incumbent Democrat Mike Schaefer, who is running for reelection. 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. 

There are seven candidates running for this seat, including Democrat David Dodson, incumbent Democrat Mike Schaefer, and Republican Denis Bilodeau. Dodson’s campaign has raised $2,000 and is not funded by police, real estate, fossil fuel, or corporate PAC donors. Board Member Schaefer’s campaign has raised $127,000 and is entirely self-funded. Bilodeau’s campaign has raised $31,000 and has received donations from real estate interests. 

The Recommendation

David Dodson, a property tax appraiser, lives in Dana Point. According to campaign materials, he is running for election to leverage his unique tax expertise to serve the community and to guide board decisions that center constituents. He ran for this seat in 2018, but lost in the primary after earning only 15% of the vote.

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. 

Dodson is endorsed by some progressive groups in the state, including Progressive Democrats of California. He has also received the endorsement of some local political leaders. Based on our analysis, Dodson’s track record and professional knowledge demonstrate that he will be a progressive leader for the constituents of District 4 and will govern effectively in the best interest of this diverse district.

Reelect Diana Becton to keep Contra Costa on the right track for progress. 

The Position

Each of the 58 counties in California elects a district attorney to manage the prosecution of criminal offenses related to the violation of state and county laws. The district attorney has investigative authority, manages the apprehension of individuals identified through the investigative process, and holds charging and prosecutorial power. The work of the district attorney includes municipal and superior court operations, and the D.A. serves as a legal liaison to the grand jury. The county Board of Supervisors provides financial oversight to the district attorney’s office, but holds no operational power over their work. District attorneys are elected to four-year terms in office. 

The District

Contra Costa is California’s ninth most populous county, with a population of more than 1,100,000. Contra Costa’s District Attorney oversees an office of 21 deputy district attorneys, and the prosecution of criminal offenses across the county and unincorporated areas. Contra Costa has a demographic breakdown of 24% Latino, 14% Asian, and 9% Black.

The Race

District Attorney Diana Becton is running for reelection to this seat, to which she was appointed, and then elected, in 2017 and 2018, respectively. She is being challenged by Mary Knox, a deputy district attorney in Contra Costa County. Becton’s campaign has raised $275,000, and is not funded by corporate PAC, fossil fuel, law enforcement, or real estate money. Opponent Knox’s plans for the county are based on regressive policies that include increasing policing and expanding public and digital surveillance by law enforcement—policies that have been shown to harm and disproportionately target communities of color.

Our Endorsement

District Attorney Diana Becton is from California and leads a prosecutorial office of approximately 200 lawyers, investigators, and staff. In 2018, she was appointed as the first woman and African American district attorney of Contra Costa County in the history of the county to fill the vacancy left by the former district attorney, who resigned after being charged with perjury and grand theft. Community groups and leaders advocated for her original appointment. According to campaign materials, District Attorney Becton is running for reelection to keep communities safe, give crime victims a voice, and lead the office with integrity.

As district attorney, Becton has brought notable progressive change to the office, including abolishing juvenile-justice fees and pledging to publicly release reports on officer-involved fatalities. She is the co-author of two justice-reform bills that have changed how serious crimes can be prosecuted, including one that prohibits children under 16 from being charged as adults. She has provided leadership in moving the county forward in diversion programs, bail reform, and restorative justice. Her accomplishments include allocating $1 million to establish the first trauma-informed, victim-centered diversion program and bringing sexual-assault testing cases up to date. Her top three priorities moving forward are establishing ways to make law-enforcement data available to craft better policies, focusing on securing funding for restorative justice and diversion programs for 20- to 24-year-olds, and continuing to work to improve transparency and accountability. She has also pledged to work with labor and community groups, Jewish partners, and the Latino and Asian communities, and to prosecute hate crimes. Her goals include ending racial and implicit bias in the criminal-justice system and working on policy changes.

District Attorney Becton previously served as a Santa Clara County judge for 22 years, where she was elected as presiding judge. She is a longtime supporter of bail reform, alternatives to incarceration for low-level, nonviolent offenders, and mental-health treatment for those who need it. She received the Woman of the Year award from State Senator Nancy Skinner for disrupting the school-to-prison pipeline, reducing recidivism and incarceration rates, and creating safe alternatives for low-level nonviolent offenders. Becton is a past president of the National Association of Women Judges, the country’s leading platform for women in the judiciary system. She also served as chair of the State Bar Council on Access and Fairness. 

District Attorney Becton is endorsed by many progressive leaders and groups in the district, including Representative Mark DeSaulnier, Antioch Mayor Pro Tem Monica Wilson, Richmond Mayor Tom Butt, BART Director Lateefah Simon, Black Women Organized Political Action, Contra Costa Central Labor Council, Contra Costa Young Democrats, and West Contra Costa Democratic Club. She is also endorsed by several police officers. Based on our analysis, District Attorney Becton’s track record and policy positions demonstrate that she will continue to be a progressive champion for the constituents of Contra Costa and will govern effectively in the best interest of this diverse district.