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Endorsements
Courage California (formerly Courage Campaign) believes that California must be a beacon of progressive, equitable, and truly representative democracy. As the 5th largest economy in the world -- and the United States' largest and most diverse state -- California is uniquely positioned to serve as a model for the country.
We must prove that democracy in the US can still solve the thorniest problems facing our state, our nation, and the world, while also serving ALL of our people -- regardless of race, gender, or economic status. To do so, Californians must have the information and infrastructure they need to hold elected officials accountable when they are not working for the public’s benefit, instead prioritizing corporate lobbyists and campaign contributors.
Courage California, driven by our 1.4 million members, helps our great state reach its potential by calling out institutional corruption and oppression, improving coordination and collaboration between progressive organizations, and demanding that our state and local representatives be both accountable to and reflective of the Californians they seek to serve.
Courage California endorses Lateefah Simon for Congress to put CD-12 on the right track for progress.
Lateefah Simon’s experience and policy positions demonstrate that she will be a progressive voice for the constituents of CD-12 and will govern effectively in the best interests of this diverse district.
Progressive endorsements: Simon has the endorsement of many progressive groups, including Courage California, California Working Families Party, SEIU, Sister Warrior Action Fund, Congressional Progressive Caucus, and the National Union of Healthcare Workers. She has also received endorsements from some elected officials, including Gov. Gavin Newsom, Attorney General Rob Bonta, State Sen. Nancy Skinner, State Sen. Lola Smallwood-Cuevas, and Assm. Isaac Bryan.
Electoral history: In 2016, Simon ran for the nonpartisan District 7 seat on the Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) Board of Directors and won with 59% of the vote. She won her reelection bid in 2020 with over 64% of the vote.
Top issues: Homelessness and affordable housing, civil rights, environmental protections, racial justice, transportation, criminal justice and police reform, comprehensive economic improvement, immigration reform, and voting rights.
Priority bills: As a member of the BART Board of Directors, Lateefah Simon has been a strong supporter of efforts to ensure that BART is affordable and designed to support transit-dependent communities. She worked to ensure transit access for essential workers during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic, and rejected Trump administration deportation efforts by operating BART as a sanctuary public transit system. Throughout her time on the board, she has worked closely with the transit workers union to ensure that city and federal support were aligned to their expectations. Simon served as president of the BART Board of Directors during her first term, providing progressive leadership for the transit system.
Governance and community leadership experience: Simon is a nonprofit executive and a social justice activist, which she does to advocate for communities who have not traditionally been centered in public policy. She has had a prodigious service career, which began when she became executive director of the Young Women’s Freedom Center at 19. During her decade with the organization, their work to reduce recidivism and the criminalization of young women and trans youth drew national acclaim, including Simon’s receipt of a Macarthur Genius Fellowship. Simon expanded on this work when she was appointed by then San Francisco District Attorney Kamala Harris to create the Back on Track anti-recidivism initiative, and during her time as executive director of the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights of the San Francisco Bay Area. She has since served as the program director for the Rosenberg Foundation, and president of the Akonadi Foundation, and she is currently president of MeadowFund. In 2016, she was appointed by then Gov. Brown to sit on the California State University Board of Trustees, and in 2020, she was appointed by Gov. Newsom to serve as a senior advisor on police reform. She is a highly respected professional in the state, and is affiliated with a variety of organizations, including Human Rights Watch, Oxfam, and Tipping Point Foundation. In all her roles, Simon has maintained a commitment to advancing the dialogue on complex issues, and takes a solutions-oriented approach to her advocacy. Racial justice and systems change have been throughlines of Simon’s work and are demonstrative of her ongoing commitment to improving access, outcomes, and equity for individuals who have traditionally been marginalized.
Other background: Simon has lived in CD-12 for over 20 years. She was born legally blind, and has been a strong supporter of accessibility and protections for people with disabilities.
The Race
Primary election results: The March 2024 results included Lateefah Simon (D) 56%, Jennifer Tran (D) 15%, Tony Daysog (D) 11%, Stephen Slauson (R) 6%, and Glenn Kaplan (D) 4%. Lateefah Simon and Jennifer Tran will contend in a run-off in the November 5 general election.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Lateefah Simon’s campaign has raised $1.4 million and is not funded by police, fossil fuel, or real estate interests.
Opposing candidate: Democrat Jennifer Tran Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Tran’s campaign has raised $190,000 and is not funded by police, real estate, fossil fuel, or corporate PAC interests.
The District
Counties in district: California’s 12th Congressional District includes parts of Alameda County.
Voter registration: 70% Democrat, 5% Republican, and 21% No Party Preference. Democrats typically hold this seat.
District demographics: 15% Latino, 21% Asian, and 20% Black.
Recent election results: CD-12 voted for Joe Biden for president in 2020 by 81 points and Gavin Newsom for governor in 2022 by 80 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.
Courage California endorses Lateefah Simon for Congress to put CD-12 on the right track for progress.
Lateefah Simon’s experience and policy positions demonstrate that she will be a progressive voice for the constituents of CD-12 and will govern effectively in the best interests of this diverse district.
Progressive endorsements: Simon has the endorsement of many progressive groups, including Courage California, California Working Families Party, SEIU, Sister Warrior Action Fund, Congressional Progressive Caucus, and the National Union of Healthcare Workers. She has also received endorsements from some elected officials, including Gov. Gavin Newsom, Attorney General Rob Bonta, State Sen. Nancy Skinner, State Sen. Lola Smallwood-Cuevas, and Assm. Isaac Bryan.
Electoral history: In 2016, Simon ran for the nonpartisan District 7 seat on the Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) Board of Directors and won with 59% of the vote. She won her reelection bid in 2020 with over 64% of the vote.
Top issues: Homelessness and affordable housing, civil rights, environmental protections, racial justice, transportation, criminal justice and police reform, comprehensive economic improvement, immigration reform, and voting rights.
Priority bills: As a member of the BART Board of Directors, Lateefah Simon has been a strong supporter of efforts to ensure that BART is affordable and designed to support transit-dependent communities. She worked to ensure transit access for essential workers during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic, and rejected Trump administration deportation efforts by operating BART as a sanctuary public transit system. Throughout her time on the board, she has worked closely with the transit workers union to ensure that city and federal support were aligned to their expectations. Simon served as president of the BART Board of Directors during her first term, providing progressive leadership for the transit system.
Governance and community leadership experience: Simon is a nonprofit executive and a social justice activist, which she does to advocate for communities who have not traditionally been centered in public policy. She has had a prodigious service career, which began when she became executive director of the Young Women’s Freedom Center at 19. During her decade with the organization, their work to reduce recidivism and the criminalization of young women and trans youth drew national acclaim, including Simon’s receipt of a Macarthur Genius Fellowship. Simon expanded on this work when she was appointed by then San Francisco District Attorney Kamala Harris to create the Back on Track anti-recidivism initiative, and during her time as executive director of the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights of the San Francisco Bay Area. She has since served as the program director for the Rosenberg Foundation, and president of the Akonadi Foundation, and she is currently president of MeadowFund. In 2016, she was appointed by then Gov. Brown to sit on the California State University Board of Trustees, and in 2020, she was appointed by Gov. Newsom to serve as a senior advisor on police reform. She is a highly respected professional in the state, and is affiliated with a variety of organizations, including Human Rights Watch, Oxfam, and Tipping Point Foundation. In all her roles, Simon has maintained a commitment to advancing the dialogue on complex issues, and takes a solutions-oriented approach to her advocacy. Racial justice and systems change have been throughlines of Simon’s work and are demonstrative of her ongoing commitment to improving access, outcomes, and equity for individuals who have traditionally been marginalized.
Other background: Simon has lived in CD-12 for over 20 years. She was born legally blind, and has been a strong supporter of accessibility and protections for people with disabilities.
The Race
Primary election results: The March 2024 results included Lateefah Simon (D) 56%, Jennifer Tran (D) 15%, Tony Daysog (D) 11%, Stephen Slauson (R) 6%, and Glenn Kaplan (D) 4%. Lateefah Simon and Jennifer Tran will contend in a run-off in the November 5 general election.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Lateefah Simon’s campaign has raised $1.4 million and is not funded by police, fossil fuel, or real estate interests.
Opposing candidate: Democrat Jennifer Tran Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Tran’s campaign has raised $190,000 and is not funded by police, real estate, fossil fuel, or corporate PAC interests.
The District
Counties in district: California’s 12th Congressional District includes parts of Alameda County.
Voter registration: 70% Democrat, 5% Republican, and 21% No Party Preference. Democrats typically hold this seat.
District demographics: 15% Latino, 21% Asian, and 20% Black.
Recent election results: CD-12 voted for Joe Biden for president in 2020 by 81 points and Gavin Newsom for governor in 2022 by 80 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.
Courage California endorses Lateefah Simon for Congress to put CD-12 on the right track for progress.
Lateefah Simon’s experience and policy positions demonstrate that she will be a progressive voice for the constituents of CD-12 and will govern effectively in the best interests of this diverse district.
Progressive endorsements: Simon has the endorsement of many progressive groups, including Courage California, California Working Families Party, SEIU, Sister Warrior Action Fund, Congressional Progressive Caucus, and the National Union of Healthcare Workers. She has also received endorsements from some elected officials, including Gov. Gavin Newsom, Attorney General Rob Bonta, State Sen. Nancy Skinner, State Sen. Lola Smallwood-Cuevas, and Assm. Isaac Bryan.
Electoral history: In 2016, Simon ran for the nonpartisan District 7 seat on the Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) Board of Directors and won with 59% of the vote. She won her reelection bid in 2020 with over 64% of the vote.
Top issues: Homelessness and affordable housing, civil rights, environmental protections, racial justice, transportation, criminal justice and police reform, comprehensive economic improvement, immigration reform, and voting rights.
Priority bills: As a member of the BART Board of Directors, Lateefah Simon has been a strong supporter of efforts to ensure that BART is affordable and designed to support transit-dependent communities. She worked to ensure transit access for essential workers during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic, and rejected Trump administration deportation efforts by operating BART as a sanctuary public transit system. Throughout her time on the board, she has worked closely with the transit workers union to ensure that city and federal support were aligned to their expectations. Simon served as president of the BART Board of Directors during her first term, providing progressive leadership for the transit system.
Governance and community leadership experience: Simon is a nonprofit executive and a social justice activist, which she does to advocate for communities who have not traditionally been centered in public policy. She has had a prodigious service career, which began when she became executive director of the Young Women’s Freedom Center at 19. During her decade with the organization, their work to reduce recidivism and the criminalization of young women and trans youth drew national acclaim, including Simon’s receipt of a Macarthur Genius Fellowship. Simon expanded on this work when she was appointed by then San Francisco District Attorney Kamala Harris to create the Back on Track anti-recidivism initiative, and during her time as executive director of the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights of the San Francisco Bay Area. She has since served as the program director for the Rosenberg Foundation, and president of the Akonadi Foundation, and she is currently president of MeadowFund. In 2016, she was appointed by then Gov. Brown to sit on the California State University Board of Trustees, and in 2020, she was appointed by Gov. Newsom to serve as a senior advisor on police reform. She is a highly respected professional in the state, and is affiliated with a variety of organizations, including Human Rights Watch, Oxfam, and Tipping Point Foundation. In all her roles, Simon has maintained a commitment to advancing the dialogue on complex issues, and takes a solutions-oriented approach to her advocacy. Racial justice and systems change have been throughlines of Simon’s work and are demonstrative of her ongoing commitment to improving access, outcomes, and equity for individuals who have traditionally been marginalized.
Other background: Simon has lived in CD-12 for over 20 years. She was born legally blind, and has been a strong supporter of accessibility and protections for people with disabilities.
The Race
Primary election results: The March 2024 results included Lateefah Simon (D) 56%, Jennifer Tran (D) 15%, Tony Daysog (D) 11%, Stephen Slauson (R) 6%, and Glenn Kaplan (D) 4%. Lateefah Simon and Jennifer Tran will contend in a run-off in the November 5 general election.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Lateefah Simon’s campaign has raised $1.4 million and is not funded by police, fossil fuel, or real estate interests.
Opposing candidate: Democrat Jennifer Tran Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Tran’s campaign has raised $190,000 and is not funded by police, real estate, fossil fuel, or corporate PAC interests.
The District
Counties in district: California’s 12th Congressional District includes parts of Alameda County.
Voter registration: 70% Democrat, 5% Republican, and 21% No Party Preference. Democrats typically hold this seat.
District demographics: 15% Latino, 21% Asian, and 20% Black.
Recent election results: CD-12 voted for Joe Biden for president in 2020 by 81 points and Gavin Newsom for governor in 2022 by 80 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.
Courage California endorses Rhodesia Ransom for State Assembly to put AD-13 on the right track for progress.
Rhodesia Ransom’s track record and policy positions demonstrate that she will be a champion for the constituents of AD-13 and will govern effectively in the best interests of this diverse district.
Progressive endorsements: Ransom has the endorsement of many progressive groups, including Courage California, California Environmental Voters, California Legislative Black Caucus, SEIU CA, and Reproductive Freedom for All. She is also endorsed by current State Senator Susan Eggman, Attorney General Rob Bonta, State Sen. María Elena Durazo, and several other local elected officials.
Electoral history: Ransom was elected to the Tracy City Council in 2016. She lost a close race for San Joaquin Board of Supervisors by 1 point in 2020.
Top issues: Public safety, education, mental health, and housing and homelessness.
Governance and community leadership experience: Rhodesia Ransom is a Democratic organizer and congressional district director for Rep. Josh Harder. Ransom was a member of the Tracy City Council, where she worked to address the systemic issues of housing, education, and job growth in her community. Ransom has co-founded several organizations and issue-based boards, including Sow A Seed Community Foundation, Tracy Police Activities League, and the Tracy Community Homelessness Task Force. She has been involved in initiatives designed to improve economic outcomes in the City of Tracy, including serving 7 years on the Planning Commission, and acting as a board member on the San Joaquin Partnership. She is also an elected member of the Democratic National Committee and board chair of Emerge California, and an active member in the NAACP and Tracy African American Association.
Other background: Ransom is from San Francisco and has lived in the district for over 20 years.
The Race
Primary election results: The March 2024 results included Rhodesia Ransom (D) 42%, Denise Aguilar Mendez (R) 38%, and Edith Villapudua (D) 21%. Rhodesia Ransom and Denise Aguilar Mendez will contend in a run-off in the November 5 general election.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Ransom’s campaign has raised $570,000 and is not funded by corporate PAC, real estate, or fossil fuel interests.
Opposing candidate: Republican Denise Aguilar Mendez Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Mendez’s campaign has raised $35,000 and is primarily funded by individual donors.
The District
Counties in district: California’s 13th State Assembly District includes San Joaquin County.
Voter registration: 50% Democrat, 22% Republican, and 21% No Party Preference. Democrats typically hold this district.
District demographics: 33% Latino, 20% Asian, and 12% Black.
Recent election results: AD-13 voted for Joe Biden for president in 2020 by 30 points and Gavin Newsom for governor in 2022 by 16 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 62 seats in the California State Assembly, while Republicans hold 17 seats and one seat is vacant.
Courage California endorses Rhodesia Ransom for State Assembly to put AD-13 on the right track for progress.
Rhodesia Ransom’s track record and policy positions demonstrate that she will be a champion for the constituents of AD-13 and will govern effectively in the best interests of this diverse district.
Progressive endorsements: Ransom has the endorsement of many progressive groups, including Courage California, California Environmental Voters, California Legislative Black Caucus, SEIU CA, and Reproductive Freedom for All. She is also endorsed by current State Senator Susan Eggman, Attorney General Rob Bonta, State Sen. María Elena Durazo, and several other local elected officials.
Electoral history: Ransom was elected to the Tracy City Council in 2016. She lost a close race for San Joaquin Board of Supervisors by 1 point in 2020.
Top issues: Public safety, education, mental health, and housing and homelessness.
Governance and community leadership experience: Rhodesia Ransom is a Democratic organizer and congressional district director for Rep. Josh Harder. Ransom was a member of the Tracy City Council, where she worked to address the systemic issues of housing, education, and job growth in her community. Ransom has co-founded several organizations and issue-based boards, including Sow A Seed Community Foundation, Tracy Police Activities League, and the Tracy Community Homelessness Task Force. She has been involved in initiatives designed to improve economic outcomes in the City of Tracy, including serving 7 years on the Planning Commission, and acting as a board member on the San Joaquin Partnership. She is also an elected member of the Democratic National Committee and board chair of Emerge California, and an active member in the NAACP and Tracy African American Association.
Other background: Ransom is from San Francisco and has lived in the district for over 20 years.
The Race
Primary election results: The March 2024 results included Rhodesia Ransom (D) 42%, Denise Aguilar Mendez (R) 38%, and Edith Villapudua (D) 21%. Rhodesia Ransom and Denise Aguilar Mendez will contend in a run-off in the November 5 general election.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Ransom’s campaign has raised $570,000 and is not funded by corporate PAC, real estate, or fossil fuel interests.
Opposing candidate: Republican Denise Aguilar Mendez Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Mendez’s campaign has raised $35,000 and is primarily funded by individual donors.
The District
Counties in district: California’s 13th State Assembly District includes San Joaquin County.
Voter registration: 50% Democrat, 22% Republican, and 21% No Party Preference. Democrats typically hold this district.
District demographics: 33% Latino, 20% Asian, and 12% Black.
Recent election results: AD-13 voted for Joe Biden for president in 2020 by 30 points and Gavin Newsom for governor in 2022 by 16 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 62 seats in the California State Assembly, while Republicans hold 17 seats and one seat is vacant.
Courage California endorses Rhodesia Ransom for State Assembly to put AD-13 on the right track for progress.
Rhodesia Ransom’s track record and policy positions demonstrate that she will be a champion for the constituents of AD-13 and will govern effectively in the best interests of this diverse district.
Progressive endorsements: Ransom has the endorsement of many progressive groups, including Courage California, California Environmental Voters, California Legislative Black Caucus, SEIU CA, and Reproductive Freedom for All. She is also endorsed by current State Senator Susan Eggman, Attorney General Rob Bonta, State Sen. María Elena Durazo, and several other local elected officials.
Electoral history: Ransom was elected to the Tracy City Council in 2016. She lost a close race for San Joaquin Board of Supervisors by 1 point in 2020.
Top issues: Public safety, education, mental health, and housing and homelessness.
Governance and community leadership experience: Rhodesia Ransom is a Democratic organizer and congressional district director for Rep. Josh Harder. Ransom was a member of the Tracy City Council, where she worked to address the systemic issues of housing, education, and job growth in her community. Ransom has co-founded several organizations and issue-based boards, including Sow A Seed Community Foundation, Tracy Police Activities League, and the Tracy Community Homelessness Task Force. She has been involved in initiatives designed to improve economic outcomes in the City of Tracy, including serving 7 years on the Planning Commission, and acting as a board member on the San Joaquin Partnership. She is also an elected member of the Democratic National Committee and board chair of Emerge California, and an active member in the NAACP and Tracy African American Association.
Other background: Ransom is from San Francisco and has lived in the district for over 20 years.
The Race
Primary election results: The March 2024 results included Rhodesia Ransom (D) 42%, Denise Aguilar Mendez (R) 38%, and Edith Villapudua (D) 21%. Rhodesia Ransom and Denise Aguilar Mendez will contend in a run-off in the November 5 general election.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Ransom’s campaign has raised $570,000 and is not funded by corporate PAC, real estate, or fossil fuel interests.
Opposing candidate: Republican Denise Aguilar Mendez Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Mendez’s campaign has raised $35,000 and is primarily funded by individual donors.
The District
Counties in district: California’s 13th State Assembly District includes San Joaquin County.
Voter registration: 50% Democrat, 22% Republican, and 21% No Party Preference. Democrats typically hold this district.
District demographics: 33% Latino, 20% Asian, and 12% Black.
Recent election results: AD-13 voted for Joe Biden for president in 2020 by 30 points and Gavin Newsom for governor in 2022 by 16 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 62 seats in the California State Assembly, while Republicans hold 17 seats and one seat is vacant.
Courage California endorses Assemblymember Liz Ortega for reelection to keep AD-20 on the right track for progress.
Assm. Liz Ortega’s track record and policy positions demonstrate that she will continue to be a progressive voice for the constituents of AD-20 and will govern effectively in the best interests of this diverse district.
Progressive endorsements: Assm. Ortega has the endorsement of many groups, including Courage California, Equality California, California Environmental Voters, CEJA Action, and AFSCME California. In previous elections, she has also received the endorsement of many elected officials, including Attorney General Rob Bonta, Board of Equalization Member Malia Cohen, Assm. Alex Lee, and labor leader Dolores Huerta.
Top issues: Reproductive freedom, workforce development, environmental justice, homelessness and housing, community safety, and worker protections.
Priority bills: This legislative session, Assm. Ortega’s priorities for AD-20 have included 36 bills about health care, worker protections, and vocational and workforce services. Of these, nine have been successfully chaptered into law, seven have died, two have been vetoed, and the rest remain in committee. In 2023, she sponsored and passed legislation to limit the cost of over-the-counter overdose nasal sprays to no more than $10, permanently codify the state’s Low Cost Auto insurance program, provide employment resources to disabled individuals returning from incarceration, and protect health-care workers from the toxic smoke that emits during laser surgical procedures. In 2024, she proposed legislation to create more transparency in call center labor environments, adjust and expand requirements for employees of the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, and expand state services for older residents. She scored a CS of 100 out of 100 on Courage Score, our annual analysis of legislators’ progressive voting records, and received an Honorable Mention for her record this session. Based on our Courage Score analysis, Assm. Ortega has supported all of the progressive bills that made it to a vote last year.
Member of the California Legislative Progressive Caucus?: Yes, and currently serves as Program Committee Chair.
Committee leadership/membership: Assm. Ortega currently sits on five standing committees, including Budget, Human Services, and Privacy and Consumer Protection. She serves as chair of the Standing Committee on Labor & Employment. Assm. Ortega is also a member of the California Legislative Latino Caucus.
Governance and community leadership experience: Assm. Ortega has served in this assembly seat since 2022, when she was elected with over 62% of the vote.
Prior to her election to the Assembly, Assm. Ortega was a labor organizer and community activist, which she did to form coalitions and develop strategies necessary to build union power. As statewide political director for AFSCME Local 3299, the University of California’s largest employee union, Ortega ensured the passage of state legislation to preserve and protect essential service jobs at every UC campus. She was the first Latina elected as executive secretary–treasurer of the Alameda Labor Council, where she fought for an equitable minimum wage to support working families. In 2014, she was elected delegate to the Alameda Democratic Central Committee where she facilitated meetings and discussions between Democrats and labor leaders on issues facing their members. As a member of the Alameda County Workforce Investment Board, she helped job-seekers develop workplace skills and find employment. Ortega serves on the Alameda County Vaccine Equity Task Force, where she has secured paid sick leave and hazard pay for essential public safety, health providers, and frontline workers. During the pandemic, she focused her work on testing and vaccination efforts to ensure the safety of frontline workers.
Other background: Assm. Ortega is a lifelong resident of the East Bay and currently lives in San Leandro. She came to the United States at the age of three.
The Race
Primary election results: The March 2024 results included incumbent Assm. Liz Ortega (D) 99.5%, and write-in candidate Sangeetha Shanbhogue (R) .5%. Assm. Liz Ortega and Sangeetha Shanbhogue will contend in the November 5 general election.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Assm. Ortega’s campaign has raised $70 9,000and is funded by fossil fuel, police, real estate, and corporate PAC interests. Her problematic donors include PG&E Corporation, Occidental Petroleum Corporation, California Real Estate PAC, and California Correctional Peace Officers Association PAC.
Opposing candidate: Sangeetha Shanbhogue Candidate fundraising and pledges: Shanbhogue’s campaign has raised $2,800 and is funded primarily by individual donors.
The District
Counties in district: California’s 20th Assembly District includes parts of Alameda County.
Voter registration: 57% Democrat, 13% Republican, and 25% No Party Preference. Democrats typically hold this seat.
District demographics: 24% Latino, 32% Asian, and 10% Black.
Recent election results: AD-20 voted for Joe Biden for president in 2020 by 52 points and Gavin Newsom for governor in 2022 by 45 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 62 seats in the California State Assembly, while Republicans hold 17 seats and one seat is vacant.
Courage California endorses Assemblymember Liz Ortega for reelection to keep AD-20 on the right track for progress.
Assm. Liz Ortega’s track record and policy positions demonstrate that she will continue to be a progressive voice for the constituents of AD-20 and will govern effectively in the best interests of this diverse district.
Progressive endorsements: Assm. Ortega has the endorsement of many groups, including Courage California, Equality California, California Environmental Voters, CEJA Action, and AFSCME California. In previous elections, she has also received the endorsement of many elected officials, including Attorney General Rob Bonta, Board of Equalization Member Malia Cohen, Assm. Alex Lee, and labor leader Dolores Huerta.
Top issues: Reproductive freedom, workforce development, environmental justice, homelessness and housing, community safety, and worker protections.
Priority bills: This legislative session, Assm. Ortega’s priorities for AD-20 have included 36 bills about health care, worker protections, and vocational and workforce services. Of these, nine have been successfully chaptered into law, seven have died, two have been vetoed, and the rest remain in committee. In 2023, she sponsored and passed legislation to limit the cost of over-the-counter overdose nasal sprays to no more than $10, permanently codify the state’s Low Cost Auto insurance program, provide employment resources to disabled individuals returning from incarceration, and protect health-care workers from the toxic smoke that emits during laser surgical procedures. In 2024, she proposed legislation to create more transparency in call center labor environments, adjust and expand requirements for employees of the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, and expand state services for older residents. She scored a CS of 100 out of 100 on Courage Score, our annual analysis of legislators’ progressive voting records, and received an Honorable Mention for her record this session. Based on our Courage Score analysis, Assm. Ortega has supported all of the progressive bills that made it to a vote last year.
Member of the California Legislative Progressive Caucus?: Yes, and currently serves as Program Committee Chair.
Committee leadership/membership: Assm. Ortega currently sits on five standing committees, including Budget, Human Services, and Privacy and Consumer Protection. She serves as chair of the Standing Committee on Labor & Employment. Assm. Ortega is also a member of the California Legislative Latino Caucus.
Governance and community leadership experience: Assm. Ortega has served in this assembly seat since 2022, when she was elected with over 62% of the vote.
Prior to her election to the Assembly, Assm. Ortega was a labor organizer and community activist, which she did to form coalitions and develop strategies necessary to build union power. As statewide political director for AFSCME Local 3299, the University of California’s largest employee union, Ortega ensured the passage of state legislation to preserve and protect essential service jobs at every UC campus. She was the first Latina elected as executive secretary–treasurer of the Alameda Labor Council, where she fought for an equitable minimum wage to support working families. In 2014, she was elected delegate to the Alameda Democratic Central Committee where she facilitated meetings and discussions between Democrats and labor leaders on issues facing their members. As a member of the Alameda County Workforce Investment Board, she helped job-seekers develop workplace skills and find employment. Ortega serves on the Alameda County Vaccine Equity Task Force, where she has secured paid sick leave and hazard pay for essential public safety, health providers, and frontline workers. During the pandemic, she focused her work on testing and vaccination efforts to ensure the safety of frontline workers.
Other background: Assm. Ortega is a lifelong resident of the East Bay and currently lives in San Leandro. She came to the United States at the age of three.
The Race
Primary election results: The March 2024 results included incumbent Assm. Liz Ortega (D) 99.5%, and write-in candidate Sangeetha Shanbhogue (R) .5%. Assm. Liz Ortega and Sangeetha Shanbhogue will contend in the November 5 general election.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Assm. Ortega’s campaign has raised $70 9,000and is funded by fossil fuel, police, real estate, and corporate PAC interests. Her problematic donors include PG&E Corporation, Occidental Petroleum Corporation, California Real Estate PAC, and California Correctional Peace Officers Association PAC.
Opposing candidate: Sangeetha Shanbhogue Candidate fundraising and pledges: Shanbhogue’s campaign has raised $2,800 and is funded primarily by individual donors.
The District
Counties in district: California’s 20th Assembly District includes parts of Alameda County.
Voter registration: 57% Democrat, 13% Republican, and 25% No Party Preference. Democrats typically hold this seat.
District demographics: 24% Latino, 32% Asian, and 10% Black.
Recent election results: AD-20 voted for Joe Biden for president in 2020 by 52 points and Gavin Newsom for governor in 2022 by 45 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 62 seats in the California State Assembly, while Republicans hold 17 seats and one seat is vacant.
Courage California endorses Assemblymember Liz Ortega for reelection to keep AD-20 on the right track for progress.
Assm. Liz Ortega’s track record and policy positions demonstrate that she will continue to be a progressive voice for the constituents of AD-20 and will govern effectively in the best interests of this diverse district.
Progressive endorsements: Assm. Ortega has the endorsement of many groups, including Courage California, Equality California, California Environmental Voters, CEJA Action, and AFSCME California. In previous elections, she has also received the endorsement of many elected officials, including Attorney General Rob Bonta, Board of Equalization Member Malia Cohen, Assm. Alex Lee, and labor leader Dolores Huerta.
Top issues: Reproductive freedom, workforce development, environmental justice, homelessness and housing, community safety, and worker protections.
Priority bills: This legislative session, Assm. Ortega’s priorities for AD-20 have included 36 bills about health care, worker protections, and vocational and workforce services. Of these, nine have been successfully chaptered into law, seven have died, two have been vetoed, and the rest remain in committee. In 2023, she sponsored and passed legislation to limit the cost of over-the-counter overdose nasal sprays to no more than $10, permanently codify the state’s Low Cost Auto insurance program, provide employment resources to disabled individuals returning from incarceration, and protect health-care workers from the toxic smoke that emits during laser surgical procedures. In 2024, she proposed legislation to create more transparency in call center labor environments, adjust and expand requirements for employees of the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, and expand state services for older residents. She scored a CS of 100 out of 100 on Courage Score, our annual analysis of legislators’ progressive voting records, and received an Honorable Mention for her record this session. Based on our Courage Score analysis, Assm. Ortega has supported all of the progressive bills that made it to a vote last year.
Member of the California Legislative Progressive Caucus?: Yes, and currently serves as Program Committee Chair.
Committee leadership/membership: Assm. Ortega currently sits on five standing committees, including Budget, Human Services, and Privacy and Consumer Protection. She serves as chair of the Standing Committee on Labor & Employment. Assm. Ortega is also a member of the California Legislative Latino Caucus.
Governance and community leadership experience: Assm. Ortega has served in this assembly seat since 2022, when she was elected with over 62% of the vote.
Prior to her election to the Assembly, Assm. Ortega was a labor organizer and community activist, which she did to form coalitions and develop strategies necessary to build union power. As statewide political director for AFSCME Local 3299, the University of California’s largest employee union, Ortega ensured the passage of state legislation to preserve and protect essential service jobs at every UC campus. She was the first Latina elected as executive secretary–treasurer of the Alameda Labor Council, where she fought for an equitable minimum wage to support working families. In 2014, she was elected delegate to the Alameda Democratic Central Committee where she facilitated meetings and discussions between Democrats and labor leaders on issues facing their members. As a member of the Alameda County Workforce Investment Board, she helped job-seekers develop workplace skills and find employment. Ortega serves on the Alameda County Vaccine Equity Task Force, where she has secured paid sick leave and hazard pay for essential public safety, health providers, and frontline workers. During the pandemic, she focused her work on testing and vaccination efforts to ensure the safety of frontline workers.
Other background: Assm. Ortega is a lifelong resident of the East Bay and currently lives in San Leandro. She came to the United States at the age of three.
The Race
Primary election results: The March 2024 results included incumbent Assm. Liz Ortega (D) 99.5%, and write-in candidate Sangeetha Shanbhogue (R) .5%. Assm. Liz Ortega and Sangeetha Shanbhogue will contend in the November 5 general election.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Assm. Ortega’s campaign has raised $70 9,000and is funded by fossil fuel, police, real estate, and corporate PAC interests. Her problematic donors include PG&E Corporation, Occidental Petroleum Corporation, California Real Estate PAC, and California Correctional Peace Officers Association PAC.
Opposing candidate: Sangeetha Shanbhogue Candidate fundraising and pledges: Shanbhogue’s campaign has raised $2,800 and is funded primarily by individual donors.
The District
Counties in district: California’s 20th Assembly District includes parts of Alameda County.
Voter registration: 57% Democrat, 13% Republican, and 25% No Party Preference. Democrats typically hold this seat.
District demographics: 24% Latino, 32% Asian, and 10% Black.
Recent election results: AD-20 voted for Joe Biden for president in 2020 by 52 points and Gavin Newsom for governor in 2022 by 45 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 62 seats in the California State Assembly, while Republicans hold 17 seats and one seat is vacant.
Courage California endorses Christy Holstege for State Assembly to put AD-47 on the right track for progress.
Christy Holstege’s track record and policy positions demonstrate that she will be a progressive voice for the constituents of AD-47 and will govern effectively in the best interests of this diverse district.
Progressive endorsements: Holstege has the endorsement of many groups, including Courage California, IE United, the California Legislative Progressive Caucus, California Environmental Voters, and many labor organizations. She has the endorsement of some elected leaders, including Gov. Gavin Newsom, Attorney General Rob Bonta, Rep. Katie Porter, State Sen. Scott Wiener, and Assm. Tina McKinnor. However, in previous campaigns, Holstege has also received endorsements from problematic stakeholders, including Peace Officers Research Association of California.
Electoral history: Holstege ran for this seat in 2022, but lost to a Republican challenger, Assm. Greg Wallis, by less than 100 votes. Prior to her first run for Assembly, Holstege won a seat on the Palm Springs City Council in 2017 with 30% of the vote. In 2020, she won reelection to the council with 54% of the vote, and served a one-year term as mayor.
Top issues: Homelessness and housing, pandemic recovery, environmental protections and clean energy, veterans’ services, and LGBTQIA+ equality.
Priority bills: As mayor and a member of the Palm Springs City Council, Holstege has supported the establishment of a guaranteed-income program for transgender and nonbinary residents, broke ground on a new affordable housing project, and began a partial transition to residential wind energy. She also helped create protections for workers and small businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Governance and community leadership experience: Holstege is an attorney and established a legal aid clinic for domestic violence survivors at the Coachella Valley’s only domestic violence shelter. She has also represented farmworkers in civil rights, housing, and employment litigation at California Rural Legal Assistance. Holstege served on the board of directors for Planned Parenthood of the Pacific Southwest and Eastern Coachella Valley for Change. She also served on the Palm Springs Human Rights Commission and the City of Palm Springs Homelessness Task Force.
Other background: Holstege lives in Palm Springs. She was the first openly bisexual person to serve a term as mayor in the United States.
The Race
Primary election results: The March 2024 results included incumbent Assm. Greg Wallis (R) 49%, Christy Holstege (D) 46%, and Jamie Swain (D) 5%. Assm. Greg Wallis and Christy Holstege will contend in a run-off in the November 5 general election.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Holstege’s campaign has raised $1.6 million and is not funded by real estate, corporate PAC, or fossil fuel interests.
Opposing candidate: Republican Assm. Greg Wallis Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Assm. Wallis’s campaign has raised $1.2 million and is funded by police, fossil fuel, corporate PAC, and real estate interests.
The District
Counties in district: California’s 47th Assembly District includes parts of Riverside and San Bernardino Counties.
Voter registration: 40% Democrat, 34% Republican, and 19% No Party Preference. Democrats held this seat until 2022, when Assm. Greg Wallis won and flipped it from blue to red.
District demographics: 27% Latino, 4% Asian, and 5% Black.
Recent election results: AD-47 voted for Joe Biden for president in 2020 by 7 points and Gavin Newsom for governor in 2022 by 2 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 62 seats in the California State Assembly, while Republicans hold 17 seats and one seat is vacant.
Courage California endorses Christy Holstege for State Assembly to put AD-47 on the right track for progress.
Christy Holstege’s track record and policy positions demonstrate that she will be a progressive voice for the constituents of AD-47 and will govern effectively in the best interests of this diverse district.
Progressive endorsements: Holstege has the endorsement of many groups, including Courage California, IE United, the California Legislative Progressive Caucus, California Environmental Voters, and many labor organizations. She has the endorsement of some elected leaders, including Gov. Gavin Newsom, Attorney General Rob Bonta, Rep. Katie Porter, State Sen. Scott Wiener, and Assm. Tina McKinnor. However, in previous campaigns, Holstege has also received endorsements from problematic stakeholders, including Peace Officers Research Association of California.
Electoral history: Holstege ran for this seat in 2022, but lost to a Republican challenger, Assm. Greg Wallis, by less than 100 votes. Prior to her first run for Assembly, Holstege won a seat on the Palm Springs City Council in 2017 with 30% of the vote. In 2020, she won reelection to the council with 54% of the vote, and served a one-year term as mayor.
Top issues: Homelessness and housing, pandemic recovery, environmental protections and clean energy, veterans’ services, and LGBTQIA+ equality.
Priority bills: As mayor and a member of the Palm Springs City Council, Holstege has supported the establishment of a guaranteed-income program for transgender and nonbinary residents, broke ground on a new affordable housing project, and began a partial transition to residential wind energy. She also helped create protections for workers and small businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Governance and community leadership experience: Holstege is an attorney and established a legal aid clinic for domestic violence survivors at the Coachella Valley’s only domestic violence shelter. She has also represented farmworkers in civil rights, housing, and employment litigation at California Rural Legal Assistance. Holstege served on the board of directors for Planned Parenthood of the Pacific Southwest and Eastern Coachella Valley for Change. She also served on the Palm Springs Human Rights Commission and the City of Palm Springs Homelessness Task Force.
Other background: Holstege lives in Palm Springs. She was the first openly bisexual person to serve a term as mayor in the United States.
The Race
Primary election results: The March 2024 results included incumbent Assm. Greg Wallis (R) 49%, Christy Holstege (D) 46%, and Jamie Swain (D) 5%. Assm. Greg Wallis and Christy Holstege will contend in a run-off in the November 5 general election.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Holstege’s campaign has raised $1.6 million and is not funded by real estate, corporate PAC, or fossil fuel interests.
Opposing candidate: Republican Assm. Greg Wallis Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Assm. Wallis’s campaign has raised $1.2 million and is funded by police, fossil fuel, corporate PAC, and real estate interests.
The District
Counties in district: California’s 47th Assembly District includes parts of Riverside and San Bernardino Counties.
Voter registration: 40% Democrat, 34% Republican, and 19% No Party Preference. Democrats held this seat until 2022, when Assm. Greg Wallis won and flipped it from blue to red.
District demographics: 27% Latino, 4% Asian, and 5% Black.
Recent election results: AD-47 voted for Joe Biden for president in 2020 by 7 points and Gavin Newsom for governor in 2022 by 2 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 62 seats in the California State Assembly, while Republicans hold 17 seats and one seat is vacant.
Courage California endorses Christy Holstege for State Assembly to put AD-47 on the right track for progress.
Christy Holstege’s track record and policy positions demonstrate that she will be a progressive voice for the constituents of AD-47 and will govern effectively in the best interests of this diverse district.
Progressive endorsements: Holstege has the endorsement of many groups, including Courage California, IE United, the California Legislative Progressive Caucus, California Environmental Voters, and many labor organizations. She has the endorsement of some elected leaders, including Gov. Gavin Newsom, Attorney General Rob Bonta, Rep. Katie Porter, State Sen. Scott Wiener, and Assm. Tina McKinnor. However, in previous campaigns, Holstege has also received endorsements from problematic stakeholders, including Peace Officers Research Association of California.
Electoral history: Holstege ran for this seat in 2022, but lost to a Republican challenger, Assm. Greg Wallis, by less than 100 votes. Prior to her first run for Assembly, Holstege won a seat on the Palm Springs City Council in 2017 with 30% of the vote. In 2020, she won reelection to the council with 54% of the vote, and served a one-year term as mayor.
Top issues: Homelessness and housing, pandemic recovery, environmental protections and clean energy, veterans’ services, and LGBTQIA+ equality.
Priority bills: As mayor and a member of the Palm Springs City Council, Holstege has supported the establishment of a guaranteed-income program for transgender and nonbinary residents, broke ground on a new affordable housing project, and began a partial transition to residential wind energy. She also helped create protections for workers and small businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Governance and community leadership experience: Holstege is an attorney and established a legal aid clinic for domestic violence survivors at the Coachella Valley’s only domestic violence shelter. She has also represented farmworkers in civil rights, housing, and employment litigation at California Rural Legal Assistance. Holstege served on the board of directors for Planned Parenthood of the Pacific Southwest and Eastern Coachella Valley for Change. She also served on the Palm Springs Human Rights Commission and the City of Palm Springs Homelessness Task Force.
Other background: Holstege lives in Palm Springs. She was the first openly bisexual person to serve a term as mayor in the United States.
The Race
Primary election results: The March 2024 results included incumbent Assm. Greg Wallis (R) 49%, Christy Holstege (D) 46%, and Jamie Swain (D) 5%. Assm. Greg Wallis and Christy Holstege will contend in a run-off in the November 5 general election.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Holstege’s campaign has raised $1.6 million and is not funded by real estate, corporate PAC, or fossil fuel interests.
Opposing candidate: Republican Assm. Greg Wallis Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Assm. Wallis’s campaign has raised $1.2 million and is funded by police, fossil fuel, corporate PAC, and real estate interests.
The District
Counties in district: California’s 47th Assembly District includes parts of Riverside and San Bernardino Counties.
Voter registration: 40% Democrat, 34% Republican, and 19% No Party Preference. Democrats held this seat until 2022, when Assm. Greg Wallis won and flipped it from blue to red.
District demographics: 27% Latino, 4% Asian, and 5% Black.
Recent election results: AD-47 voted for Joe Biden for president in 2020 by 7 points and Gavin Newsom for governor in 2022 by 2 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 62 seats in the California State Assembly, while Republicans hold 17 seats and one seat is vacant.
Courage California endorses Robert Garcia for State Assembly to put AD-50 on the right track for progress.
Robert Garcia’s track record and policy positions demonstrate that he will be a progressive voice for the constituents of AD-50 and will govern effectively in the best interests of this diverse district.
Progressive endorsements: Garcia has the endorsement of many groups, including Courage California, CEJA Action, California Legislative Progressive Caucus, Equality California, California Federation of Teachers, and Reproductive Freedom for All. He has also received the endorsement of some elected leaders, including Rep. Robert Garcia, Assm. Speaker Robert Rivas, Assm. Eloise Gómez Reyes, and Assm. Alex Lee.
Electoral history: Garcia has run for office previously, and won his race for Etiwanda School District Board of Trustees in 2016 with 22% of the vote. He was reelected in 2020 with nearly 70% of the vote.
Top issues: Public safety, education, homelessness, and affordable housing.
Governance and community leadership experience: Garcia is a teacher and public official, which he does to provide resources and guidance to young people that can help to improve the overall community. As a first-generation college graduate, he has a unique perspective on the challenges facing students, and has served as a classroom teacher, a school administrator, and an elected member of a school board. In these roles, he has improved classroom outcomes and helped bring national recognition to his districts.
Other background: Garcia lives in Rancho Cucamonga.
The Race
Primary election results: The March 2024 results included Robert Garcia (D) 42%, Adam Perez (D) 29%, and DeJonae Marie Shaw (D) 28%. Robert Garcia and Adam Perez will contend in a run-off in the November 5 general election.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Garcia’s campaign has raised $325,000 and is not funded by police, fossil fuel, real estate, or corporate PAC interests.
Opposing candidate: Democrat Adam Perez Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Perez’s campaign has raised $366,000 and is funded by police, fossil fuel, corporate PAC, and real estate interests.
The District
Counties in district: California’s 50th Assembly District includes parts of San Bernardino County.
Voter registration: 46% Democrat, 24% Republican, and 22% No Party Preference. Democrats typically hold this district.
District demographics: 53% Latino, 8% Asian, and 10% Black. This district is considered to be one of the strong Latino seats in the California Assembly delegation.
Recent election results: AD-50 voted for Joe Biden for president in 2020 by 25 points and Gavin Newsom for governor in 2022 by 10 points.
The Position
State assemblymembers represent and advocate for the needs of their district constituents at the California State Capitol. They are responsible for creating, debating, and voting on legislation that addresses issues within their district.
The California State Assembly has 80 districts. Each represents a population of at least 465,000 Californians. Representatives are elected to the Assembly for a two-year term. Every two years, all 80 seats are subject to election. Members elected before 2012 are restricted to three two-year terms (six years) in the Assembly. Those elected in or after 2012 are allowed to serve 12 years total across both the state Senate or Assembly. This term, Democrats currently hold a three-quarters supermajority of 62 seats in the California State Assembly, while Republicans hold 17 seats and one seat is vacant.
Courage California endorses Robert Garcia for State Assembly to put AD-50 on the right track for progress.
Robert Garcia’s track record and policy positions demonstrate that he will be a progressive voice for the constituents of AD-50 and will govern effectively in the best interests of this diverse district.
Progressive endorsements: Garcia has the endorsement of many groups, including Courage California, CEJA Action, California Legislative Progressive Caucus, Equality California, California Federation of Teachers, and Reproductive Freedom for All. He has also received the endorsement of some elected leaders, including Rep. Robert Garcia, Assm. Speaker Robert Rivas, Assm. Eloise Gómez Reyes, and Assm. Alex Lee.
Electoral history: Garcia has run for office previously, and won his race for Etiwanda School District Board of Trustees in 2016 with 22% of the vote. He was reelected in 2020 with nearly 70% of the vote.
Top issues: Public safety, education, homelessness, and affordable housing.
Governance and community leadership experience: Garcia is a teacher and public official, which he does to provide resources and guidance to young people that can help to improve the overall community. As a first-generation college graduate, he has a unique perspective on the challenges facing students, and has served as a classroom teacher, a school administrator, and an elected member of a school board. In these roles, he has improved classroom outcomes and helped bring national recognition to his districts.
Other background: Garcia lives in Rancho Cucamonga.
The Race
Primary election results: The March 2024 results included Robert Garcia (D) 42%, Adam Perez (D) 29%, and DeJonae Marie Shaw (D) 28%. Robert Garcia and Adam Perez will contend in a run-off in the November 5 general election.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Garcia’s campaign has raised $325,000 and is not funded by police, fossil fuel, real estate, or corporate PAC interests.
Opposing candidate: Democrat Adam Perez Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Perez’s campaign has raised $366,000 and is funded by police, fossil fuel, corporate PAC, and real estate interests.
The District
Counties in district: California’s 50th Assembly District includes parts of San Bernardino County.
Voter registration: 46% Democrat, 24% Republican, and 22% No Party Preference. Democrats typically hold this district.
District demographics: 53% Latino, 8% Asian, and 10% Black. This district is considered to be one of the strong Latino seats in the California Assembly delegation.
Recent election results: AD-50 voted for Joe Biden for president in 2020 by 25 points and Gavin Newsom for governor in 2022 by 10 points.
The Position
State assemblymembers represent and advocate for the needs of their district constituents at the California State Capitol. They are responsible for creating, debating, and voting on legislation that addresses issues within their district.
The California State Assembly has 80 districts. Each represents a population of at least 465,000 Californians. Representatives are elected to the Assembly for a two-year term. Every two years, all 80 seats are subject to election. Members elected before 2012 are restricted to three two-year terms (six years) in the Assembly. Those elected in or after 2012 are allowed to serve 12 years total across both the state Senate or Assembly. This term, Democrats currently hold a three-quarters supermajority of 62 seats in the California State Assembly, while Republicans hold 17 seats and one seat is vacant.
Courage California endorses Robert Garcia for State Assembly to put AD-50 on the right track for progress.
Robert Garcia’s track record and policy positions demonstrate that he will be a progressive voice for the constituents of AD-50 and will govern effectively in the best interests of this diverse district.
Progressive endorsements: Garcia has the endorsement of many groups, including Courage California, CEJA Action, California Legislative Progressive Caucus, Equality California, California Federation of Teachers, and Reproductive Freedom for All. He has also received the endorsement of some elected leaders, including Rep. Robert Garcia, Assm. Speaker Robert Rivas, Assm. Eloise Gómez Reyes, and Assm. Alex Lee.
Electoral history: Garcia has run for office previously, and won his race for Etiwanda School District Board of Trustees in 2016 with 22% of the vote. He was reelected in 2020 with nearly 70% of the vote.
Top issues: Public safety, education, homelessness, and affordable housing.
Governance and community leadership experience: Garcia is a teacher and public official, which he does to provide resources and guidance to young people that can help to improve the overall community. As a first-generation college graduate, he has a unique perspective on the challenges facing students, and has served as a classroom teacher, a school administrator, and an elected member of a school board. In these roles, he has improved classroom outcomes and helped bring national recognition to his districts.
Other background: Garcia lives in Rancho Cucamonga.
The Race
Primary election results: The March 2024 results included Robert Garcia (D) 42%, Adam Perez (D) 29%, and DeJonae Marie Shaw (D) 28%. Robert Garcia and Adam Perez will contend in a run-off in the November 5 general election.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Garcia’s campaign has raised $325,000 and is not funded by police, fossil fuel, real estate, or corporate PAC interests.
Opposing candidate: Democrat Adam Perez Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Perez’s campaign has raised $366,000 and is funded by police, fossil fuel, corporate PAC, and real estate interests.
The District
Counties in district: California’s 50th Assembly District includes parts of San Bernardino County.
Voter registration: 46% Democrat, 24% Republican, and 22% No Party Preference. Democrats typically hold this district.
District demographics: 53% Latino, 8% Asian, and 10% Black. This district is considered to be one of the strong Latino seats in the California Assembly delegation.
Recent election results: AD-50 voted for Joe Biden for president in 2020 by 25 points and Gavin Newsom for governor in 2022 by 10 points.
The Position
State assemblymembers represent and advocate for the needs of their district constituents at the California State Capitol. They are responsible for creating, debating, and voting on legislation that addresses issues within their district.
The California State Assembly has 80 districts. Each represents a population of at least 465,000 Californians. Representatives are elected to the Assembly for a two-year term. Every two years, all 80 seats are subject to election. Members elected before 2012 are restricted to three two-year terms (six years) in the Assembly. Those elected in or after 2012 are allowed to serve 12 years total across both the state Senate or Assembly. This term, Democrats currently hold a three-quarters supermajority of 62 seats in the California State Assembly, while Republicans hold 17 seats and one seat is vacant.
Courage California endorses Sade Elhawary for State Assembly to put AD-57 on the right track for progress.
Elhawary’s track record and policy positions demonstrate that she will be a progressive voice for the constituents of AD-57 and will govern effectively in the best interests of this diverse district.
Progressive endorsements: Elhawary has the endorsement of many groups, including Courage California, Planned Parenthood, Smart Justice California, California Environmental Justice Alliance Action, California Environmental Voters, California Democratic Renters Council, Equality California, and California Working Families Party, as well as labor unions, like AFSCME, California Labor Federation, California Federation of Teachers, California Nurses Association, and SEIU. She has also been endorsed by elected officials, like Mayor Karen Bass, LA County Supervisors Holly Mitchell and Hilda Solis, and Assemblymembers Mia Bonta, Akilah Weber, and more.
Electoral history: Elhawary has not run for office previously.
Top issues: Housing, education, youth workforce development, community safety, health care, reproductive rights, protecting immigrants, and equality.
Governance and community leadership experience: Sade Elhawary is a community organizer and an educator, which she does because she hopes to dismantle systems of oppression and improve outcomes for women and youth of color. In her current role at Community Coalition, she focuses on youth and community engagement, and helped build the Center for Community Organizing. Elhawary helped organize and pass the School Climate Bill of Rights to reduce racial profiling in Los Angeles schools, as well as the CRISES Act, which provided for community teams to respond to nonviolent emergencies rather than police. She also served as Youth Engagement Campaign Manager on Karen Bass’s mayoral campaign. As a Black Latina, Elhawary is committed to creating lasting Black and brown solidarity.
Other background: Elhawary is from Los Angeles. She is the third generation of her family to live in this district, and raised a foster daughter from the district. Elhawary earned her BA from UCLA and a master’s in education from Harvard, and was a history teacher and college counselor to high school students. She helped launch the Nelson Mandela School for Social Justice in Brooklyn, New York.
The Race
Primary election results: The March 2024 results included Efren Martinez (D) 33%, Sade Elhawary (D) 31%, Dulce Vasquez (D) 13%, Greg Akili (D) 11%, and Tara Perry (D) 11%. Efren Martinez and Sade Elhawary will contend in a run-off in the November 5 general election.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Elhawary’s campaign has raised $1 million and is not funded by police, fossil fuel, real estate, or corporate PAC interests.
Opposing candidate: Democrat Efren Martinez Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Martinez’s campaign has raised $803,000 and is funded by police, fossil fuel, and corporate PAC interests.
The District
Counties in district: California’s 57th Assembly District includes parts of Los Angeles County.
Voter registration: 63% Democrat, 7% Republican, and 23% No Party Preference. Democrats typically hold this district.
District demographics: 57% Latino, 4% Asian, and 30% Black. This district is considered to be one of the strong Latino seats in the California Assembly delegation.
Recent election results: AD-57 voted for Joe Biden for president in 2020 by 73 points and Gavin Newsom for governor in 2022 by 69 points.
The Position
State assemblymembers represent and advocate for the needs of their district constituents at the California State Capitol. They are responsible for creating, debating, and voting on legislation that addresses issues within their district.
The California State Assembly has 80 districts. Each represents a population of at least 465,000 Californians. Representatives are elected to the Assembly for a two-year term. Every two years, all 80 seats are subject to election. Members elected before 2012 are restricted to three two-year terms (six years) in the Assembly. Those elected in or after 2012 are allowed to serve 12 years total across both the state Senate or Assembly. This term, Democrats currently hold a three-quarters supermajority of 62 seats in the California State Assembly, while Republicans hold 17 seats and one seat is vacant.
Courage California endorses Sade Elhawary for State Assembly to put AD-57 on the right track for progress.
Elhawary’s track record and policy positions demonstrate that she will be a progressive voice for the constituents of AD-57 and will govern effectively in the best interests of this diverse district.
Progressive endorsements: Elhawary has the endorsement of many groups, including Courage California, Planned Parenthood, Smart Justice California, California Environmental Justice Alliance Action, California Environmental Voters, California Democratic Renters Council, Equality California, and California Working Families Party, as well as labor unions, like AFSCME, California Labor Federation, California Federation of Teachers, California Nurses Association, and SEIU. She has also been endorsed by elected officials, like Mayor Karen Bass, LA County Supervisors Holly Mitchell and Hilda Solis, and Assemblymembers Mia Bonta, Akilah Weber, and more.
Electoral history: Elhawary has not run for office previously.
Top issues: Housing, education, youth workforce development, community safety, health care, reproductive rights, protecting immigrants, and equality.
Governance and community leadership experience: Sade Elhawary is a community organizer and an educator, which she does because she hopes to dismantle systems of oppression and improve outcomes for women and youth of color. In her current role at Community Coalition, she focuses on youth and community engagement, and helped build the Center for Community Organizing. Elhawary helped organize and pass the School Climate Bill of Rights to reduce racial profiling in Los Angeles schools, as well as the CRISES Act, which provided for community teams to respond to nonviolent emergencies rather than police. She also served as Youth Engagement Campaign Manager on Karen Bass’s mayoral campaign. As a Black Latina, Elhawary is committed to creating lasting Black and brown solidarity.
Other background: Elhawary is from Los Angeles. She is the third generation of her family to live in this district, and raised a foster daughter from the district. Elhawary earned her BA from UCLA and a master’s in education from Harvard, and was a history teacher and college counselor to high school students. She helped launch the Nelson Mandela School for Social Justice in Brooklyn, New York.
The Race
Primary election results: The March 2024 results included Efren Martinez (D) 33%, Sade Elhawary (D) 31%, Dulce Vasquez (D) 13%, Greg Akili (D) 11%, and Tara Perry (D) 11%. Efren Martinez and Sade Elhawary will contend in a run-off in the November 5 general election.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Elhawary’s campaign has raised $1 million and is not funded by police, fossil fuel, real estate, or corporate PAC interests.
Opposing candidate: Democrat Efren Martinez Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Martinez’s campaign has raised $803,000 and is funded by police, fossil fuel, and corporate PAC interests.
The District
Counties in district: California’s 57th Assembly District includes parts of Los Angeles County.
Voter registration: 63% Democrat, 7% Republican, and 23% No Party Preference. Democrats typically hold this district.
District demographics: 57% Latino, 4% Asian, and 30% Black. This district is considered to be one of the strong Latino seats in the California Assembly delegation.
Recent election results: AD-57 voted for Joe Biden for president in 2020 by 73 points and Gavin Newsom for governor in 2022 by 69 points.
The Position
State assemblymembers represent and advocate for the needs of their district constituents at the California State Capitol. They are responsible for creating, debating, and voting on legislation that addresses issues within their district.
The California State Assembly has 80 districts. Each represents a population of at least 465,000 Californians. Representatives are elected to the Assembly for a two-year term. Every two years, all 80 seats are subject to election. Members elected before 2012 are restricted to three two-year terms (six years) in the Assembly. Those elected in or after 2012 are allowed to serve 12 years total across both the state Senate or Assembly. This term, Democrats currently hold a three-quarters supermajority of 62 seats in the California State Assembly, while Republicans hold 17 seats and one seat is vacant.
Courage California endorses Sade Elhawary for State Assembly to put AD-57 on the right track for progress.
Elhawary’s track record and policy positions demonstrate that she will be a progressive voice for the constituents of AD-57 and will govern effectively in the best interests of this diverse district.
Progressive endorsements: Elhawary has the endorsement of many groups, including Courage California, Planned Parenthood, Smart Justice California, California Environmental Justice Alliance Action, California Environmental Voters, California Democratic Renters Council, Equality California, and California Working Families Party, as well as labor unions, like AFSCME, California Labor Federation, California Federation of Teachers, California Nurses Association, and SEIU. She has also been endorsed by elected officials, like Mayor Karen Bass, LA County Supervisors Holly Mitchell and Hilda Solis, and Assemblymembers Mia Bonta, Akilah Weber, and more.
Electoral history: Elhawary has not run for office previously.
Top issues: Housing, education, youth workforce development, community safety, health care, reproductive rights, protecting immigrants, and equality.
Governance and community leadership experience: Sade Elhawary is a community organizer and an educator, which she does because she hopes to dismantle systems of oppression and improve outcomes for women and youth of color. In her current role at Community Coalition, she focuses on youth and community engagement, and helped build the Center for Community Organizing. Elhawary helped organize and pass the School Climate Bill of Rights to reduce racial profiling in Los Angeles schools, as well as the CRISES Act, which provided for community teams to respond to nonviolent emergencies rather than police. She also served as Youth Engagement Campaign Manager on Karen Bass’s mayoral campaign. As a Black Latina, Elhawary is committed to creating lasting Black and brown solidarity.
Other background: Elhawary is from Los Angeles. She is the third generation of her family to live in this district, and raised a foster daughter from the district. Elhawary earned her BA from UCLA and a master’s in education from Harvard, and was a history teacher and college counselor to high school students. She helped launch the Nelson Mandela School for Social Justice in Brooklyn, New York.
The Race
Primary election results: The March 2024 results included Efren Martinez (D) 33%, Sade Elhawary (D) 31%, Dulce Vasquez (D) 13%, Greg Akili (D) 11%, and Tara Perry (D) 11%. Efren Martinez and Sade Elhawary will contend in a run-off in the November 5 general election.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Elhawary’s campaign has raised $1 million and is not funded by police, fossil fuel, real estate, or corporate PAC interests.
Opposing candidate: Democrat Efren Martinez Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Martinez’s campaign has raised $803,000 and is funded by police, fossil fuel, and corporate PAC interests.
The District
Counties in district: California’s 57th Assembly District includes parts of Los Angeles County.
Voter registration: 63% Democrat, 7% Republican, and 23% No Party Preference. Democrats typically hold this district.
District demographics: 57% Latino, 4% Asian, and 30% Black. This district is considered to be one of the strong Latino seats in the California Assembly delegation.
Recent election results: AD-57 voted for Joe Biden for president in 2020 by 73 points and Gavin Newsom for governor in 2022 by 69 points.
The Position
State assemblymembers represent and advocate for the needs of their district constituents at the California State Capitol. They are responsible for creating, debating, and voting on legislation that addresses issues within their district.
The California State Assembly has 80 districts. Each represents a population of at least 465,000 Californians. Representatives are elected to the Assembly for a two-year term. Every two years, all 80 seats are subject to election. Members elected before 2012 are restricted to three two-year terms (six years) in the Assembly. Those elected in or after 2012 are allowed to serve 12 years total across both the state Senate or Assembly. This term, Democrats currently hold a three-quarters supermajority of 62 seats in the California State Assembly, while Republicans hold 17 seats and one seat is vacant.
Courage California endorses Clarissa Cervantes for State Assembly to put AD-58 on the right track for progress.
Clarissa Cervantes’s policy positions demonstrate that she will be a progressive voice for the constituents of AD-58 and will govern effectively in the best interests of this diverse district.
Progressive endorsements: Cervantes has the endorsement of many groups, including Courage California, IE United, LGBTQ+ Victory Fund, YIMBY Action, and Equality California, as well as labor unions, like SEIU, National Union of Healthcare Workers, UAW, CA Faculty Association, and CA Federation of Teachers. She has also received the endorsement of some elected leaders, including Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas, State Sen. María Elena Durazo, and Assm. Alex Lee.
Electoral history: Clarissa Cervantes has run for office previously, and won a seat on the Riverside City Council as the top vote-getter in a field of 6, with 52% of the vote.
Top issues: Infrastructure, transportation, small business, public safety, and housing.
Governance and community leadership experience: Clarissa Cervante is a businesswoman, an organizer, and a Riverside City Councilmember, which she does to bring representation and progressive solutions to community issues. On the Riverside City Council, she has helped to secure funding for infrastructure projects and to administer grants for small business, and voted to increase affordable housing. She previously chaired the Transportation NOW Chapter of the Riverside Transit Agency, which aims to increase access and equity in Riverside public transit. Cervantes also served as legislative field representative for her city council predecessor and political organizer for SEIU 121RN. She has worked and led several voter-registration drives, registering over 30,000 Democrats in the Inland Empire.
Other background: Cervantes is from Riverside County. She earned her BA from California State University Northridge, and a master’s from Cal Poly Pomona. Cervantes was one of the first Latinas and LGBTQIA+ individuals elected to the Riverside City Council. She has served on various boards and organizations in the district, including Riverside Arts Academy and Riverside County Young Democrats.
The Race
Primary election results: The March 2024 results included Leticia Castillo (R) 47%, Clarissa Cervantes (D) 26%, and Ronaldo Fierro (D) 25%. Leticia Castillo and Clarissa Cervantes will contend in a run-off in the November 5 general election.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Cervantes’s campaign has raised $708,000 and is not funded by police, fossil fuel, real estate, or corporate PAC interests.
Opposing candidate: Republican Leticia Castillo Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Castillo’s campaign has raised $47,000 and is not funded by police, fossil fuel, real estate, or corporate PAC interests.
The District
Counties in district: California’s 58th Assembly District includes parts of Riverside and San Bernardino Counties.
Voter registration: 45% Democrat, 26% Republican, and 21% No Party Preference. Democrats typically hold this district.
District demographics: 52% Latino, 7% Asian, and 7% Black. This district is considered to be one of the strong Latino seats in the California Assembly delegation.
Recent election results: AD-58 voted for Joe Biden for president in 2020 by 19 points and Gavin Newsom for governor in 2022 by 2 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 62 seats in the California State Assembly, while Republicans hold 17 seats and one seat is vacant.
Courage California endorses Clarissa Cervantes for State Assembly to put AD-58 on the right track for progress.
Clarissa Cervantes’s policy positions demonstrate that she will be a progressive voice for the constituents of AD-58 and will govern effectively in the best interests of this diverse district.
Progressive endorsements: Cervantes has the endorsement of many groups, including Courage California, IE United, LGBTQ+ Victory Fund, YIMBY Action, and Equality California, as well as labor unions, like SEIU, National Union of Healthcare Workers, UAW, CA Faculty Association, and CA Federation of Teachers. She has also received the endorsement of some elected leaders, including Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas, State Sen. María Elena Durazo, and Assm. Alex Lee.
Electoral history: Clarissa Cervantes has run for office previously, and won a seat on the Riverside City Council as the top vote-getter in a field of 6, with 52% of the vote.
Top issues: Infrastructure, transportation, small business, public safety, and housing.
Governance and community leadership experience: Clarissa Cervante is a businesswoman, an organizer, and a Riverside City Councilmember, which she does to bring representation and progressive solutions to community issues. On the Riverside City Council, she has helped to secure funding for infrastructure projects and to administer grants for small business, and voted to increase affordable housing. She previously chaired the Transportation NOW Chapter of the Riverside Transit Agency, which aims to increase access and equity in Riverside public transit. Cervantes also served as legislative field representative for her city council predecessor and political organizer for SEIU 121RN. She has worked and led several voter-registration drives, registering over 30,000 Democrats in the Inland Empire.
Other background: Cervantes is from Riverside County. She earned her BA from California State University Northridge, and a master’s from Cal Poly Pomona. Cervantes was one of the first Latinas and LGBTQIA+ individuals elected to the Riverside City Council. She has served on various boards and organizations in the district, including Riverside Arts Academy and Riverside County Young Democrats.
The Race
Primary election results: The March 2024 results included Leticia Castillo (R) 47%, Clarissa Cervantes (D) 26%, and Ronaldo Fierro (D) 25%. Leticia Castillo and Clarissa Cervantes will contend in a run-off in the November 5 general election.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Cervantes’s campaign has raised $708,000 and is not funded by police, fossil fuel, real estate, or corporate PAC interests.
Opposing candidate: Republican Leticia Castillo Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Castillo’s campaign has raised $47,000 and is not funded by police, fossil fuel, real estate, or corporate PAC interests.
The District
Counties in district: California’s 58th Assembly District includes parts of Riverside and San Bernardino Counties.
Voter registration: 45% Democrat, 26% Republican, and 21% No Party Preference. Democrats typically hold this district.
District demographics: 52% Latino, 7% Asian, and 7% Black. This district is considered to be one of the strong Latino seats in the California Assembly delegation.
Recent election results: AD-58 voted for Joe Biden for president in 2020 by 19 points and Gavin Newsom for governor in 2022 by 2 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 62 seats in the California State Assembly, while Republicans hold 17 seats and one seat is vacant.
Courage California endorses Clarissa Cervantes for State Assembly to put AD-58 on the right track for progress.
Clarissa Cervantes’s policy positions demonstrate that she will be a progressive voice for the constituents of AD-58 and will govern effectively in the best interests of this diverse district.
Progressive endorsements: Cervantes has the endorsement of many groups, including Courage California, IE United, LGBTQ+ Victory Fund, YIMBY Action, and Equality California, as well as labor unions, like SEIU, National Union of Healthcare Workers, UAW, CA Faculty Association, and CA Federation of Teachers. She has also received the endorsement of some elected leaders, including Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas, State Sen. María Elena Durazo, and Assm. Alex Lee.
Electoral history: Clarissa Cervantes has run for office previously, and won a seat on the Riverside City Council as the top vote-getter in a field of 6, with 52% of the vote.
Top issues: Infrastructure, transportation, small business, public safety, and housing.
Governance and community leadership experience: Clarissa Cervante is a businesswoman, an organizer, and a Riverside City Councilmember, which she does to bring representation and progressive solutions to community issues. On the Riverside City Council, she has helped to secure funding for infrastructure projects and to administer grants for small business, and voted to increase affordable housing. She previously chaired the Transportation NOW Chapter of the Riverside Transit Agency, which aims to increase access and equity in Riverside public transit. Cervantes also served as legislative field representative for her city council predecessor and political organizer for SEIU 121RN. She has worked and led several voter-registration drives, registering over 30,000 Democrats in the Inland Empire.
Other background: Cervantes is from Riverside County. She earned her BA from California State University Northridge, and a master’s from Cal Poly Pomona. Cervantes was one of the first Latinas and LGBTQIA+ individuals elected to the Riverside City Council. She has served on various boards and organizations in the district, including Riverside Arts Academy and Riverside County Young Democrats.
The Race
Primary election results: The March 2024 results included Leticia Castillo (R) 47%, Clarissa Cervantes (D) 26%, and Ronaldo Fierro (D) 25%. Leticia Castillo and Clarissa Cervantes will contend in a run-off in the November 5 general election.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Cervantes’s campaign has raised $708,000 and is not funded by police, fossil fuel, real estate, or corporate PAC interests.
Opposing candidate: Republican Leticia Castillo Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Castillo’s campaign has raised $47,000 and is not funded by police, fossil fuel, real estate, or corporate PAC interests.
The District
Counties in district: California’s 58th Assembly District includes parts of Riverside and San Bernardino Counties.
Voter registration: 45% Democrat, 26% Republican, and 21% No Party Preference. Democrats typically hold this district.
District demographics: 52% Latino, 7% Asian, and 7% Black. This district is considered to be one of the strong Latino seats in the California Assembly delegation.
Recent election results: AD-58 voted for Joe Biden for president in 2020 by 19 points and Gavin Newsom for governor in 2022 by 2 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 62 seats in the California State Assembly, while Republicans hold 17 seats and one seat is vacant.
Courage California endorses Assemblymember Tina McKinnor for reelection to keep AD-61 on the right track for progress.
Assm. McKinnor’s track record and policy positions demonstrate that she will continue to be a progressive voice for the constituents of AD-61 and will govern effectively in the best interests of this diverse district.
Progressive endorsements: Assm. McKinnor has the endorsement of many groups, including Courage California, Equality California, Abundant Housing LA, California Environmental Voters, and many labor groups.
Top issues: Housing, criminal-justice reform, climate protections, health care, and equity in the cannabis industry.
Priority bills: This year, Assm. McKinnor’s priorities for AD-61 have included 48 bills about social services, housing, aging and disability resources, and collective bargaining. Of these, 10 have been successfully chaptered into law, 11 have died, four have been vetoed, and the rest remain in committee. In 2023, she sponsored and passed legislation to amend the statute of limitations in childhood sexual-assault cases, expand access to unionization, extend the window for a family to be reunited in family court by 6 months, and allow for resentencing of individuals who received firearm enhancements prior to 2018. In 2024, she proposed legislation to increase equity by requiring jails and detention centers to sell sulfate-free shampoos and curl creams, make communications from restorative-justice programs inadmissible in court proceedings, remove restrictions on students over the age of 12 carrying and administering opioid overdose nasal spray while on school property, and expand rights for pregnant or postpartum defendants in the state’s criminal justice system. She scored a CS of 100 out of 100 on Courage Score, our annual analysis of legislators’ progressive voting records. Based on our Courage Score analysis, Assm. McKinnor supported all progressive bills that made it to a vote last year. She has been designated as a Courage All-Star this session, and was the author of two criminal justice reform bills evaluated for our scorecard, AB1028 and AB1310.
Member of the California Legislative Progressive Caucus?: Yes, and currently serves as vice chair.
Committee leadership/membership: Assm. McKinnor currently sits on six committees, including Business and Professions, Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials, Judiciary, and Governmental Organization. She serves as chair of the Standing Committee on Public Employment and Retirement, Select Committee on 2028 Olympic & Paralympic Games, and Select Committee on Restorative Justice. Assm. McKinnor is also a member of the California Legislative Black Caucus.
Governance and community leadership experience: Assm. McKinnor has served in this assembly seat since June 2022, when she was elected with over 53% of the vote in a special election to replace AD-62 Assm. Autumn Burke after her mid-term retirement. In the 2022 general election, she won her reelection against a Democratic challenger by 28 points.
Prior to joining the Assembly, Assm. McKinnor was the civic-engagement director for LA Voice and LA Voice Action, an interfaith organization that works with 59 connected congregations in Los Angeles County to bring progressive change to criminal justice, immigration, election reform, and housing reform. She did this work to find diverse and comprehensive solutions to community issues through local collaboration. Assm. McKinnor founded the McKinnor Group, a consulting firm that offers a full spectrum of campaign services to elected officials, candidates, ballot-measure efforts, corporations, nonprofits, lobbyists, and other political groups. She has served as a board member with Partnership for Growth LA, and was the operational director for the California Democratic Party. Assm. McKinnor is a collaborative leader, and often seeks input and guidance from individuals and groups that have been directly affected by an issue. She has built a strong network in both the legislative and organizing communities, and has leveraged her deep knowledge of fiscal and people management to create meaningful change.
Other background: Assm. McKinnor has lived in Los Angeles for nearly 30 years.
The Race
Primary election results: The March 2024 results included incumbent Assm. Tina McKinnor (D) 80%, and Alfonso Hernandez (R) 20%. Assm. Tina McKinnor and Alfonso Hernandez will contend in a run-off in the November 5 general election.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Assm. McKinnor’s campaign has raised $942,000 and is not funded by police interests. She has received problematic donations from fossil fuel, corporate PAC, and real estate interests, including Sempra Energy, PG&E Corporation, Nike Inc., and California Real Estate PAC.
Opposing candidate: Republican Alfonso Hernandez Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Hernandez’s campaign has not filed any campaign fundraising receipts with the Secretary of State as of August 2024.
The District
Counties in district: California’s 61st Assembly District includes parts of Los Angeles County.
Voter registration: 63% Democrat, 10% Republican, and 21% No Party Preference. Democrats typically hold this district.
District demographics: 34% Latino, 6% Asian, and 34% Black.
Recent election results: AD-61 voted for Joe Biden for president in 2020 by 68 points and Gavin Newsom for governor in 2022 by 60 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 62 seats in the California State Assembly, while Republicans hold 17 seats and one seat is vacant.
Courage California endorses Assemblymember Tina McKinnor for reelection to keep AD-61 on the right track for progress.
Assm. McKinnor’s track record and policy positions demonstrate that she will continue to be a progressive voice for the constituents of AD-61 and will govern effectively in the best interests of this diverse district.
Progressive endorsements: Assm. McKinnor has the endorsement of many groups, including Courage California, Equality California, Abundant Housing LA, California Environmental Voters, and many labor groups.
Top issues: Housing, criminal-justice reform, climate protections, health care, and equity in the cannabis industry.
Priority bills: This year, Assm. McKinnor’s priorities for AD-61 have included 48 bills about social services, housing, aging and disability resources, and collective bargaining. Of these, 10 have been successfully chaptered into law, 11 have died, four have been vetoed, and the rest remain in committee. In 2023, she sponsored and passed legislation to amend the statute of limitations in childhood sexual-assault cases, expand access to unionization, extend the window for a family to be reunited in family court by 6 months, and allow for resentencing of individuals who received firearm enhancements prior to 2018. In 2024, she proposed legislation to increase equity by requiring jails and detention centers to sell sulfate-free shampoos and curl creams, make communications from restorative-justice programs inadmissible in court proceedings, remove restrictions on students over the age of 12 carrying and administering opioid overdose nasal spray while on school property, and expand rights for pregnant or postpartum defendants in the state’s criminal justice system. She scored a CS of 100 out of 100 on Courage Score, our annual analysis of legislators’ progressive voting records. Based on our Courage Score analysis, Assm. McKinnor supported all progressive bills that made it to a vote last year. She has been designated as a Courage All-Star this session, and was the author of two criminal justice reform bills evaluated for our scorecard, AB1028 and AB1310.
Member of the California Legislative Progressive Caucus?: Yes, and currently serves as vice chair.
Committee leadership/membership: Assm. McKinnor currently sits on six committees, including Business and Professions, Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials, Judiciary, and Governmental Organization. She serves as chair of the Standing Committee on Public Employment and Retirement, Select Committee on 2028 Olympic & Paralympic Games, and Select Committee on Restorative Justice. Assm. McKinnor is also a member of the California Legislative Black Caucus.
Governance and community leadership experience: Assm. McKinnor has served in this assembly seat since June 2022, when she was elected with over 53% of the vote in a special election to replace AD-62 Assm. Autumn Burke after her mid-term retirement. In the 2022 general election, she won her reelection against a Democratic challenger by 28 points.
Prior to joining the Assembly, Assm. McKinnor was the civic-engagement director for LA Voice and LA Voice Action, an interfaith organization that works with 59 connected congregations in Los Angeles County to bring progressive change to criminal justice, immigration, election reform, and housing reform. She did this work to find diverse and comprehensive solutions to community issues through local collaboration. Assm. McKinnor founded the McKinnor Group, a consulting firm that offers a full spectrum of campaign services to elected officials, candidates, ballot-measure efforts, corporations, nonprofits, lobbyists, and other political groups. She has served as a board member with Partnership for Growth LA, and was the operational director for the California Democratic Party. Assm. McKinnor is a collaborative leader, and often seeks input and guidance from individuals and groups that have been directly affected by an issue. She has built a strong network in both the legislative and organizing communities, and has leveraged her deep knowledge of fiscal and people management to create meaningful change.
Other background: Assm. McKinnor has lived in Los Angeles for nearly 30 years.
The Race
Primary election results: The March 2024 results included incumbent Assm. Tina McKinnor (D) 80%, and Alfonso Hernandez (R) 20%. Assm. Tina McKinnor and Alfonso Hernandez will contend in a run-off in the November 5 general election.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Assm. McKinnor’s campaign has raised $942,000 and is not funded by police interests. She has received problematic donations from fossil fuel, corporate PAC, and real estate interests, including Sempra Energy, PG&E Corporation, Nike Inc., and California Real Estate PAC.
Opposing candidate: Republican Alfonso Hernandez Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Hernandez’s campaign has not filed any campaign fundraising receipts with the Secretary of State as of August 2024.
The District
Counties in district: California’s 61st Assembly District includes parts of Los Angeles County.
Voter registration: 63% Democrat, 10% Republican, and 21% No Party Preference. Democrats typically hold this district.
District demographics: 34% Latino, 6% Asian, and 34% Black.
Recent election results: AD-61 voted for Joe Biden for president in 2020 by 68 points and Gavin Newsom for governor in 2022 by 60 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 62 seats in the California State Assembly, while Republicans hold 17 seats and one seat is vacant.
Courage California endorses Assemblymember Tina McKinnor for reelection to keep AD-61 on the right track for progress.
Assm. McKinnor’s track record and policy positions demonstrate that she will continue to be a progressive voice for the constituents of AD-61 and will govern effectively in the best interests of this diverse district.
Progressive endorsements: Assm. McKinnor has the endorsement of many groups, including Courage California, Equality California, Abundant Housing LA, California Environmental Voters, and many labor groups.
Top issues: Housing, criminal-justice reform, climate protections, health care, and equity in the cannabis industry.
Priority bills: This year, Assm. McKinnor’s priorities for AD-61 have included 48 bills about social services, housing, aging and disability resources, and collective bargaining. Of these, 10 have been successfully chaptered into law, 11 have died, four have been vetoed, and the rest remain in committee. In 2023, she sponsored and passed legislation to amend the statute of limitations in childhood sexual-assault cases, expand access to unionization, extend the window for a family to be reunited in family court by 6 months, and allow for resentencing of individuals who received firearm enhancements prior to 2018. In 2024, she proposed legislation to increase equity by requiring jails and detention centers to sell sulfate-free shampoos and curl creams, make communications from restorative-justice programs inadmissible in court proceedings, remove restrictions on students over the age of 12 carrying and administering opioid overdose nasal spray while on school property, and expand rights for pregnant or postpartum defendants in the state’s criminal justice system. She scored a CS of 100 out of 100 on Courage Score, our annual analysis of legislators’ progressive voting records. Based on our Courage Score analysis, Assm. McKinnor supported all progressive bills that made it to a vote last year. She has been designated as a Courage All-Star this session, and was the author of two criminal justice reform bills evaluated for our scorecard, AB1028 and AB1310.
Member of the California Legislative Progressive Caucus?: Yes, and currently serves as vice chair.
Committee leadership/membership: Assm. McKinnor currently sits on six committees, including Business and Professions, Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials, Judiciary, and Governmental Organization. She serves as chair of the Standing Committee on Public Employment and Retirement, Select Committee on 2028 Olympic & Paralympic Games, and Select Committee on Restorative Justice. Assm. McKinnor is also a member of the California Legislative Black Caucus.
Governance and community leadership experience: Assm. McKinnor has served in this assembly seat since June 2022, when she was elected with over 53% of the vote in a special election to replace AD-62 Assm. Autumn Burke after her mid-term retirement. In the 2022 general election, she won her reelection against a Democratic challenger by 28 points.
Prior to joining the Assembly, Assm. McKinnor was the civic-engagement director for LA Voice and LA Voice Action, an interfaith organization that works with 59 connected congregations in Los Angeles County to bring progressive change to criminal justice, immigration, election reform, and housing reform. She did this work to find diverse and comprehensive solutions to community issues through local collaboration. Assm. McKinnor founded the McKinnor Group, a consulting firm that offers a full spectrum of campaign services to elected officials, candidates, ballot-measure efforts, corporations, nonprofits, lobbyists, and other political groups. She has served as a board member with Partnership for Growth LA, and was the operational director for the California Democratic Party. Assm. McKinnor is a collaborative leader, and often seeks input and guidance from individuals and groups that have been directly affected by an issue. She has built a strong network in both the legislative and organizing communities, and has leveraged her deep knowledge of fiscal and people management to create meaningful change.
Other background: Assm. McKinnor has lived in Los Angeles for nearly 30 years.
The Race
Primary election results: The March 2024 results included incumbent Assm. Tina McKinnor (D) 80%, and Alfonso Hernandez (R) 20%. Assm. Tina McKinnor and Alfonso Hernandez will contend in a run-off in the November 5 general election.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Assm. McKinnor’s campaign has raised $942,000 and is not funded by police interests. She has received problematic donations from fossil fuel, corporate PAC, and real estate interests, including Sempra Energy, PG&E Corporation, Nike Inc., and California Real Estate PAC.
Opposing candidate: Republican Alfonso Hernandez Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Hernandez’s campaign has not filed any campaign fundraising receipts with the Secretary of State as of August 2024.
The District
Counties in district: California’s 61st Assembly District includes parts of Los Angeles County.
Voter registration: 63% Democrat, 10% Republican, and 21% No Party Preference. Democrats typically hold this district.
District demographics: 34% Latino, 6% Asian, and 34% Black.
Recent election results: AD-61 voted for Joe Biden for president in 2020 by 68 points and Gavin Newsom for governor in 2022 by 60 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 62 seats in the California State Assembly, while Republicans hold 17 seats and one seat is vacant.
Courage California endorses Jovanka Beckles for State Senate to put SD-7 on the right track for progress.
Jovanka Beckles’s track record and policy positions demonstrate that she will be a progressive voice for the constituents of SD-7 and will govern effectively in the best interests of this diverse district.
Progressive endorsements: Beckles has the endorsement of many progressive groups, including Courage California, Richmond Progressive Alliance, California Environmental Justice Alliance Action, Women in Politics, Berkeley Tenants Union, and East Bay Democratic Socialists of America. She has also received the endorsement of some local leaders, including Rep. Ro Khanna, Richmond Mayor Eduardo Martínez, Pinole Mayor Devin Murphy, Alameda County DA Pamela Price, and many members of the East Bay City Council.
Electoral history: Beckles was elected to the Richmond City Council in 2010 with over 13% of the vote in a 10-person field, and served two terms. In 2020, she was elected to the Alameda County Transit Board Ward 1 seat over the incumbent with 48% of the vote.
Top issues: Reparations, housing, health care for all, taxing the rich, reforming Proposition 13, and enshrining marriage equality in the state constitution.
Priority bills: As a member of the Richmond City Council, Beckles has supported initiatives to prevent city contractors from inquiring about past criminal history on job applications, establish a municipal ID program, and increase the minimum wage. She has been a strong advocate for improving housing access and resources, and was instrumental in the passage of rent control and just-cause eviction laws in Richmond. These laws protect tenants’ rights and help keep the city affordable and accessible to individuals and families across income levels. As a member of the Alameda County Transit Board, she has worked to make public transportation more accessible for local residents, maintain service routes, create pandemic protections for drivers and operators, and acknowledge the intersections of racial and transit justice.
Governance and community leadership experience: Prior to her elected roles, Beckles served on Richmond’s Economic Development Commission, and the Planning Commission. Alongside her public service, Beckles is a mental-health clinician, which she does to support the development of youth and families experiencing hardship. This work has allowed her to create systems and services to meet community needs and improve social and economic advancement. She is a longtime supporter of climate, social, and racial justice, and has used her local leadership roles to bring visibility and resources to these issues.
Other background: Becklesis from Panama and immigrated to the United States as a child. If elected, she would be the first queer Black Latinx person to serve in the California State Senate.
The Race
Primary election results: The March 2024 results included Berkeley Mayor Jesse Arreguín (D) 32%, Jovanka Beckles (D) 18%, Dan Kalb (D) 15%, Kathryn Lybarger (D) 15%, Sandre Swanson (D) 12%, and Jeanne Solnordal (R) 9%. Mayor Jesse Arreguín and Jovanka Beckles will contend in a run-off in the November 5 general election.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Jovanka Beckles’s campaign has raised $234,000 and is not funded by police, fossil fuel, corporate PAC, or fossil fuel interests.
Opposing candidate: Republican Mayor Jesse Arreguín Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Mayor Arreguín’s campaign has raised $1.3 million and is funded by real estate, corporate PAC, and fossil fuel interests.
The District
Counties in district: California’s 7th State Senate District includes parts of Contra Costa and Alameda Counties.
Voter registration: 69% Democrat, 6% Republican, and 20% No Party Preference. Democrats typically hold this district.
District demographics: 16% Latino, 21% Asian, and 21% Black.
Recent election results: SD-7 voted for Joe Biden for president in 2020 by 79 points and Gavin Newsom for governor in 2022 by 78 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.
Courage California endorses Jovanka Beckles for State Senate to put SD-7 on the right track for progress.
Jovanka Beckles’s track record and policy positions demonstrate that she will be a progressive voice for the constituents of SD-7 and will govern effectively in the best interests of this diverse district.
Progressive endorsements: Beckles has the endorsement of many progressive groups, including Courage California, Richmond Progressive Alliance, California Environmental Justice Alliance Action, Women in Politics, Berkeley Tenants Union, and East Bay Democratic Socialists of America. She has also received the endorsement of some local leaders, including Rep. Ro Khanna, Richmond Mayor Eduardo Martínez, Pinole Mayor Devin Murphy, Alameda County DA Pamela Price, and many members of the East Bay City Council.
Electoral history: Beckles was elected to the Richmond City Council in 2010 with over 13% of the vote in a 10-person field, and served two terms. In 2020, she was elected to the Alameda County Transit Board Ward 1 seat over the incumbent with 48% of the vote.
Top issues: Reparations, housing, health care for all, taxing the rich, reforming Proposition 13, and enshrining marriage equality in the state constitution.
Priority bills: As a member of the Richmond City Council, Beckles has supported initiatives to prevent city contractors from inquiring about past criminal history on job applications, establish a municipal ID program, and increase the minimum wage. She has been a strong advocate for improving housing access and resources, and was instrumental in the passage of rent control and just-cause eviction laws in Richmond. These laws protect tenants’ rights and help keep the city affordable and accessible to individuals and families across income levels. As a member of the Alameda County Transit Board, she has worked to make public transportation more accessible for local residents, maintain service routes, create pandemic protections for drivers and operators, and acknowledge the intersections of racial and transit justice.
Governance and community leadership experience: Prior to her elected roles, Beckles served on Richmond’s Economic Development Commission, and the Planning Commission. Alongside her public service, Beckles is a mental-health clinician, which she does to support the development of youth and families experiencing hardship. This work has allowed her to create systems and services to meet community needs and improve social and economic advancement. She is a longtime supporter of climate, social, and racial justice, and has used her local leadership roles to bring visibility and resources to these issues.
Other background: Becklesis from Panama and immigrated to the United States as a child. If elected, she would be the first queer Black Latinx person to serve in the California State Senate.
The Race
Primary election results: The March 2024 results included Berkeley Mayor Jesse Arreguín (D) 32%, Jovanka Beckles (D) 18%, Dan Kalb (D) 15%, Kathryn Lybarger (D) 15%, Sandre Swanson (D) 12%, and Jeanne Solnordal (R) 9%. Mayor Jesse Arreguín and Jovanka Beckles will contend in a run-off in the November 5 general election.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Jovanka Beckles’s campaign has raised $234,000 and is not funded by police, fossil fuel, corporate PAC, or fossil fuel interests.
Opposing candidate: Republican Mayor Jesse Arreguín Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Mayor Arreguín’s campaign has raised $1.3 million and is funded by real estate, corporate PAC, and fossil fuel interests.
The District
Counties in district: California’s 7th State Senate District includes parts of Contra Costa and Alameda Counties.
Voter registration: 69% Democrat, 6% Republican, and 20% No Party Preference. Democrats typically hold this district.
District demographics: 16% Latino, 21% Asian, and 21% Black.
Recent election results: SD-7 voted for Joe Biden for president in 2020 by 79 points and Gavin Newsom for governor in 2022 by 78 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.
Courage California endorses Jovanka Beckles for State Senate to put SD-7 on the right track for progress.
Jovanka Beckles’s track record and policy positions demonstrate that she will be a progressive voice for the constituents of SD-7 and will govern effectively in the best interests of this diverse district.
Progressive endorsements: Beckles has the endorsement of many progressive groups, including Courage California, Richmond Progressive Alliance, California Environmental Justice Alliance Action, Women in Politics, Berkeley Tenants Union, and East Bay Democratic Socialists of America. She has also received the endorsement of some local leaders, including Rep. Ro Khanna, Richmond Mayor Eduardo Martínez, Pinole Mayor Devin Murphy, Alameda County DA Pamela Price, and many members of the East Bay City Council.
Electoral history: Beckles was elected to the Richmond City Council in 2010 with over 13% of the vote in a 10-person field, and served two terms. In 2020, she was elected to the Alameda County Transit Board Ward 1 seat over the incumbent with 48% of the vote.
Top issues: Reparations, housing, health care for all, taxing the rich, reforming Proposition 13, and enshrining marriage equality in the state constitution.
Priority bills: As a member of the Richmond City Council, Beckles has supported initiatives to prevent city contractors from inquiring about past criminal history on job applications, establish a municipal ID program, and increase the minimum wage. She has been a strong advocate for improving housing access and resources, and was instrumental in the passage of rent control and just-cause eviction laws in Richmond. These laws protect tenants’ rights and help keep the city affordable and accessible to individuals and families across income levels. As a member of the Alameda County Transit Board, she has worked to make public transportation more accessible for local residents, maintain service routes, create pandemic protections for drivers and operators, and acknowledge the intersections of racial and transit justice.
Governance and community leadership experience: Prior to her elected roles, Beckles served on Richmond’s Economic Development Commission, and the Planning Commission. Alongside her public service, Beckles is a mental-health clinician, which she does to support the development of youth and families experiencing hardship. This work has allowed her to create systems and services to meet community needs and improve social and economic advancement. She is a longtime supporter of climate, social, and racial justice, and has used her local leadership roles to bring visibility and resources to these issues.
Other background: Becklesis from Panama and immigrated to the United States as a child. If elected, she would be the first queer Black Latinx person to serve in the California State Senate.
The Race
Primary election results: The March 2024 results included Berkeley Mayor Jesse Arreguín (D) 32%, Jovanka Beckles (D) 18%, Dan Kalb (D) 15%, Kathryn Lybarger (D) 15%, Sandre Swanson (D) 12%, and Jeanne Solnordal (R) 9%. Mayor Jesse Arreguín and Jovanka Beckles will contend in a run-off in the November 5 general election.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Jovanka Beckles’s campaign has raised $234,000 and is not funded by police, fossil fuel, corporate PAC, or fossil fuel interests.
Opposing candidate: Republican Mayor Jesse Arreguín Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Mayor Arreguín’s campaign has raised $1.3 million and is funded by real estate, corporate PAC, and fossil fuel interests.
The District
Counties in district: California’s 7th State Senate District includes parts of Contra Costa and Alameda Counties.
Voter registration: 69% Democrat, 6% Republican, and 20% No Party Preference. Democrats typically hold this district.
District demographics: 16% Latino, 21% Asian, and 21% Black.
Recent election results: SD-7 voted for Joe Biden for president in 2020 by 79 points and Gavin Newsom for governor in 2022 by 78 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.
Courage California endorses Marisol Rubio for State Senate to put SD-9 on the right track for progress.
Marisol Rubio’s track record and policy positions demonstrate that she will be a progressive voice for the constituents of SD-9 and will govern effectively in the best interests of this diverse district.
Progressive endorsements: Rubio has the endorsement of many groups, including Courage California, California Environmental Voters, Evolve California, Alliance of Californians for Community Empowerment, South Alameda County Progressive Democrats, Our Revolution East Bay, Evolve California, and California Working Families Party, as well as labor unions like California Teachers Association, California School Employees Association, National Union of Healthcare Workers, AFSCME, and SEIU. She has also been endorsed by elected officials, including congressional Rep. Ro Khanna.
Electoral history: Rubio ran for State Senate in 2020, and was defeated in the primary, losing out by 3 points to the Democratic incumbent and Republican challenger. She was elected to the San Ramon City Council in 2022.
Top issues: Environmental protections, reproductive rights, climate change, and housing.
Priority bills: As San Ramon City Councilmember, she has been a strong supporter of action to combat climate change. She helped form the first Ad Hoc Climate Action Council, and also helped direct policy to meet the housing needs of San Ramon.
Governance and community leadership experience: Rubio is a San Ramon City Councilmember, scientific researcher, health care provider, and former teacher. Rubio serves on the Executive Committee of the Democratic Party of Contra Costa County. She co-authored two resolutions that were adopted by the California Democratic Party and helped pass several progressive bills and resolutions including the Green New Deal for California, a call for a climate-focused presidential debate, and support for the public banking movement, which gives localities the ability to open banks to serve marginalized residents. She also advocated for the California Democratic Party to stop accepting money from police and the fossil fuel industry. She has served as a board member for the Sierra Club, an elected delegate to the Democratic National Convention, and is an SEIU Local 2015 member.
Other background: Rubio is from California. She earned her BA in molecular biology from UC Berkeley.
The Race
Primary election results: The March 2024 results included Assm. Tim Grayson (D) 59%, and Marisol Rubio (D) 40%. Assm. Tim Grayson and Marisol Rubio will contend in a run-off in the November 5 general election.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Marisol Rubio’s campaign has raised $146,000 and is not funded by police, fossil fuel, real estate, or corporate PAC interests.
Opposing candidate: Republican Assm. Tim Grayson Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Assm. Grayson’s campaign has raised $961,000 and is funded by police, fossil fuel, real estate, and corporate PAC interests.
The District
Counties in district: California’s 9th State Senate District includes parts of Alameda and Contra Costa Counties.
Voter registration: 53% Democrat, 18% Republican, and 23% No Party Preference. Democrats typically hold this district.
District demographics: 17% Latino, 19% Asian, and 8% Black.
Recent election results: SD-9 voted for Joe Biden for president in 2020 by 45 points and Gavin Newsom for governor in 2022 by 36 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.
Courage California endorses Marisol Rubio for State Senate to put SD-9 on the right track for progress.
Marisol Rubio’s track record and policy positions demonstrate that she will be a progressive voice for the constituents of SD-9 and will govern effectively in the best interests of this diverse district.
Progressive endorsements: Rubio has the endorsement of many groups, including Courage California, California Environmental Voters, Evolve California, Alliance of Californians for Community Empowerment, South Alameda County Progressive Democrats, Our Revolution East Bay, Evolve California, and California Working Families Party, as well as labor unions like California Teachers Association, California School Employees Association, National Union of Healthcare Workers, AFSCME, and SEIU. She has also been endorsed by elected officials, including congressional Rep. Ro Khanna.
Electoral history: Rubio ran for State Senate in 2020, and was defeated in the primary, losing out by 3 points to the Democratic incumbent and Republican challenger. She was elected to the San Ramon City Council in 2022.
Top issues: Environmental protections, reproductive rights, climate change, and housing.
Priority bills: As San Ramon City Councilmember, she has been a strong supporter of action to combat climate change. She helped form the first Ad Hoc Climate Action Council, and also helped direct policy to meet the housing needs of San Ramon.
Governance and community leadership experience: Rubio is a San Ramon City Councilmember, scientific researcher, health care provider, and former teacher. Rubio serves on the Executive Committee of the Democratic Party of Contra Costa County. She co-authored two resolutions that were adopted by the California Democratic Party and helped pass several progressive bills and resolutions including the Green New Deal for California, a call for a climate-focused presidential debate, and support for the public banking movement, which gives localities the ability to open banks to serve marginalized residents. She also advocated for the California Democratic Party to stop accepting money from police and the fossil fuel industry. She has served as a board member for the Sierra Club, an elected delegate to the Democratic National Convention, and is an SEIU Local 2015 member.
Other background: Rubio is from California. She earned her BA in molecular biology from UC Berkeley.
The Race
Primary election results: The March 2024 results included Assm. Tim Grayson (D) 59%, and Marisol Rubio (D) 40%. Assm. Tim Grayson and Marisol Rubio will contend in a run-off in the November 5 general election.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Marisol Rubio’s campaign has raised $146,000 and is not funded by police, fossil fuel, real estate, or corporate PAC interests.
Opposing candidate: Republican Assm. Tim Grayson Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Assm. Grayson’s campaign has raised $961,000 and is funded by police, fossil fuel, real estate, and corporate PAC interests.
The District
Counties in district: California’s 9th State Senate District includes parts of Alameda and Contra Costa Counties.
Voter registration: 53% Democrat, 18% Republican, and 23% No Party Preference. Democrats typically hold this district.
District demographics: 17% Latino, 19% Asian, and 8% Black.
Recent election results: SD-9 voted for Joe Biden for president in 2020 by 45 points and Gavin Newsom for governor in 2022 by 36 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.
Courage California endorses Marisol Rubio for State Senate to put SD-9 on the right track for progress.
Marisol Rubio’s track record and policy positions demonstrate that she will be a progressive voice for the constituents of SD-9 and will govern effectively in the best interests of this diverse district.
Progressive endorsements: Rubio has the endorsement of many groups, including Courage California, California Environmental Voters, Evolve California, Alliance of Californians for Community Empowerment, South Alameda County Progressive Democrats, Our Revolution East Bay, Evolve California, and California Working Families Party, as well as labor unions like California Teachers Association, California School Employees Association, National Union of Healthcare Workers, AFSCME, and SEIU. She has also been endorsed by elected officials, including congressional Rep. Ro Khanna.
Electoral history: Rubio ran for State Senate in 2020, and was defeated in the primary, losing out by 3 points to the Democratic incumbent and Republican challenger. She was elected to the San Ramon City Council in 2022.
Top issues: Environmental protections, reproductive rights, climate change, and housing.
Priority bills: As San Ramon City Councilmember, she has been a strong supporter of action to combat climate change. She helped form the first Ad Hoc Climate Action Council, and also helped direct policy to meet the housing needs of San Ramon.
Governance and community leadership experience: Rubio is a San Ramon City Councilmember, scientific researcher, health care provider, and former teacher. Rubio serves on the Executive Committee of the Democratic Party of Contra Costa County. She co-authored two resolutions that were adopted by the California Democratic Party and helped pass several progressive bills and resolutions including the Green New Deal for California, a call for a climate-focused presidential debate, and support for the public banking movement, which gives localities the ability to open banks to serve marginalized residents. She also advocated for the California Democratic Party to stop accepting money from police and the fossil fuel industry. She has served as a board member for the Sierra Club, an elected delegate to the Democratic National Convention, and is an SEIU Local 2015 member.
Other background: Rubio is from California. She earned her BA in molecular biology from UC Berkeley.
The Race
Primary election results: The March 2024 results included Assm. Tim Grayson (D) 59%, and Marisol Rubio (D) 40%. Assm. Tim Grayson and Marisol Rubio will contend in a run-off in the November 5 general election.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Marisol Rubio’s campaign has raised $146,000 and is not funded by police, fossil fuel, real estate, or corporate PAC interests.
Opposing candidate: Republican Assm. Tim Grayson Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Assm. Grayson’s campaign has raised $961,000 and is funded by police, fossil fuel, real estate, and corporate PAC interests.
The District
Counties in district: California’s 9th State Senate District includes parts of Alameda and Contra Costa Counties.
Voter registration: 53% Democrat, 18% Republican, and 23% No Party Preference. Democrats typically hold this district.
District demographics: 17% Latino, 19% Asian, and 8% Black.
Recent election results: SD-9 voted for Joe Biden for president in 2020 by 45 points and Gavin Newsom for governor in 2022 by 36 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.
Courage California endorses Kipp Mueller for State Senate to put SD-23 on the right track for progress.
Kipp Mueller’s policy positions demonstrate that he will be a progressive voice for the constituents of SD-23 and will govern effectively in the best interests of this diverse district.
Progressive endorsements: Mueller has the endorsement of some groups, including Courage California, California Environmental Voters, Inland Empire United, Safer CA, and Abundant Housing LA, as well as labor unions like LA County Federation of Labor, California Faculty Association, United Healthcare Workers West, and SEIU. He has also been endorsed by elected officials like Attorney General Rob Bonta, Lt. Governor Eleni Kounalakis, State Controller Malia Cohen, Assm. Eloise Gomez Reyes, Assm. Buffy Wicks, and State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond.
Electoral history: Mueller lost a close 2020 race for state Senate against the Republican incumbent by 2 points.
Top issues: Economic growth, education, health care, ending homelessness, climate change, and green energy.
Governance and community leadership experience: Kipp Mueller is a labor and immigration attorney, which he does because of his commitment to putting real people over corporations. Mueller has successfully represented union workers who have experienced fatal work accidents, and worked as a pro bono asylum attorney at an ICE detention center in Adelanto. Following law school, he served in the Consumer Protections branch of the Obama’s administration’s Department of Justice. He now sits on the Access to Justice committee for the LA County Bar Association.
Other background: Mueller is from Sacramento. He earned his BA from UC Berkeley, and his law degree from Columbia University.
The Race
Primary election results: The March 2024 results included Suzette Martinez Valladares (R) 33%, Kipp Mueller (D) 29%, James ‘DJ’ Hamburger (R) 24%, Blanca Azucena Gomez (D) 9%, and Ollie McCaulley (D) 5%. Suzette Martinez Valladares and Kipp Mueller will contend in a run-off in the November 5 general election.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Mueller’s campaign has raised $1.6 million and is not funded by police, fossil fuel, real estate, or corporate PAC interests.
Opposing candidate: Republican Suzette Martinez Valladares Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Martinez Valladares’s campaign has raised $1.1 million and is funded by police, fossil fuel, corporate PAC, and real estate interests.
The District
Counties in district: California’s 23rd State Senate District includes parts of Los Angeles and San Bernardino Counties.
Voter registration: 41% Democrat, 30% Republican, and 21% No Party Preference. This district is typically competitive.
District demographics: 38% Latino, 6% Asian, and 11% Black.
Recent election results: SD-23 voted for Joe Biden for president in 2020 by 8 points and Brian Dahle for governor in 2022 by 7 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.
Courage California endorses Kipp Mueller for State Senate to put SD-23 on the right track for progress.
Kipp Mueller’s policy positions demonstrate that he will be a progressive voice for the constituents of SD-23 and will govern effectively in the best interests of this diverse district.
Progressive endorsements: Mueller has the endorsement of some groups, including Courage California, California Environmental Voters, Inland Empire United, Safer CA, and Abundant Housing LA, as well as labor unions like LA County Federation of Labor, California Faculty Association, United Healthcare Workers West, and SEIU. He has also been endorsed by elected officials like Attorney General Rob Bonta, Lt. Governor Eleni Kounalakis, State Controller Malia Cohen, Assm. Eloise Gomez Reyes, Assm. Buffy Wicks, and State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond.
Electoral history: Mueller lost a close 2020 race for state Senate against the Republican incumbent by 2 points.
Top issues: Economic growth, education, health care, ending homelessness, climate change, and green energy.
Governance and community leadership experience: Kipp Mueller is a labor and immigration attorney, which he does because of his commitment to putting real people over corporations. Mueller has successfully represented union workers who have experienced fatal work accidents, and worked as a pro bono asylum attorney at an ICE detention center in Adelanto. Following law school, he served in the Consumer Protections branch of the Obama’s administration’s Department of Justice. He now sits on the Access to Justice committee for the LA County Bar Association.
Other background: Mueller is from Sacramento. He earned his BA from UC Berkeley, and his law degree from Columbia University.
The Race
Primary election results: The March 2024 results included Suzette Martinez Valladares (R) 33%, Kipp Mueller (D) 29%, James ‘DJ’ Hamburger (R) 24%, Blanca Azucena Gomez (D) 9%, and Ollie McCaulley (D) 5%. Suzette Martinez Valladares and Kipp Mueller will contend in a run-off in the November 5 general election.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Mueller’s campaign has raised $1.6 million and is not funded by police, fossil fuel, real estate, or corporate PAC interests.
Opposing candidate: Republican Suzette Martinez Valladares Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Martinez Valladares’s campaign has raised $1.1 million and is funded by police, fossil fuel, corporate PAC, and real estate interests.
The District
Counties in district: California’s 23rd State Senate District includes parts of Los Angeles and San Bernardino Counties.
Voter registration: 41% Democrat, 30% Republican, and 21% No Party Preference. This district is typically competitive.
District demographics: 38% Latino, 6% Asian, and 11% Black.
Recent election results: SD-23 voted for Joe Biden for president in 2020 by 8 points and Brian Dahle for governor in 2022 by 7 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.
Courage California endorses Kipp Mueller for State Senate to put SD-23 on the right track for progress.
Kipp Mueller’s policy positions demonstrate that he will be a progressive voice for the constituents of SD-23 and will govern effectively in the best interests of this diverse district.
Progressive endorsements: Mueller has the endorsement of some groups, including Courage California, California Environmental Voters, Inland Empire United, Safer CA, and Abundant Housing LA, as well as labor unions like LA County Federation of Labor, California Faculty Association, United Healthcare Workers West, and SEIU. He has also been endorsed by elected officials like Attorney General Rob Bonta, Lt. Governor Eleni Kounalakis, State Controller Malia Cohen, Assm. Eloise Gomez Reyes, Assm. Buffy Wicks, and State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond.
Electoral history: Mueller lost a close 2020 race for state Senate against the Republican incumbent by 2 points.
Top issues: Economic growth, education, health care, ending homelessness, climate change, and green energy.
Governance and community leadership experience: Kipp Mueller is a labor and immigration attorney, which he does because of his commitment to putting real people over corporations. Mueller has successfully represented union workers who have experienced fatal work accidents, and worked as a pro bono asylum attorney at an ICE detention center in Adelanto. Following law school, he served in the Consumer Protections branch of the Obama’s administration’s Department of Justice. He now sits on the Access to Justice committee for the LA County Bar Association.
Other background: Mueller is from Sacramento. He earned his BA from UC Berkeley, and his law degree from Columbia University.
The Race
Primary election results: The March 2024 results included Suzette Martinez Valladares (R) 33%, Kipp Mueller (D) 29%, James ‘DJ’ Hamburger (R) 24%, Blanca Azucena Gomez (D) 9%, and Ollie McCaulley (D) 5%. Suzette Martinez Valladares and Kipp Mueller will contend in a run-off in the November 5 general election.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Mueller’s campaign has raised $1.6 million and is not funded by police, fossil fuel, real estate, or corporate PAC interests.
Opposing candidate: Republican Suzette Martinez Valladares Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Martinez Valladares’s campaign has raised $1.1 million and is funded by police, fossil fuel, corporate PAC, and real estate interests.
The District
Counties in district: California’s 23rd State Senate District includes parts of Los Angeles and San Bernardino Counties.
Voter registration: 41% Democrat, 30% Republican, and 21% No Party Preference. This district is typically competitive.
District demographics: 38% Latino, 6% Asian, and 11% Black.
Recent election results: SD-23 voted for Joe Biden for president in 2020 by 8 points and Brian Dahle for governor in 2022 by 7 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.
Courage California endorses Sasha Renée Pérez for state Senate to put SD-25 on the right track for progress.
Sasha Renée Pérez’s track record and policy positions demonstrate that she will be a progressive voice for the constituents of SD-25 and will govern effectively in the best interests of this diverse district.
Progressive endorsements: Pérez has the endorsement of many groups, including Courage California, California Environmental Voters, California LGBTQ Legislative Caucus, and many local labor unions. She has also received the endorsement of many elected officials, including Rep. Robert Garcia, State Sen. Lola Smallwood Cuevas, Assm. Tina McKinnor, and a majority of members from the California Legislative Progressive Caucus.
Electoral history: Pérez won her 2020 race for Alhambra City Council with over 58% of the vote. She served a term as mayor early in her time on the City Council.
Top issues: Homelessness and housing, small-business pandemic recovery, immigration protections, mental health care, supporting organized labor, CalGrant expansion, gun reform, and youth empowerment.
Priority bills: As a member of the Alhambra City Council, she has been a strong supporter of local efforts to improve public safety, labor empowerment, and sustainability through focused collaborative leadership. Pérez led successful organizing efforts to pass the HERO Pay Ordinance to temporarily increase wages for essential grocery and pharmacy workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. She has also supported an initiative that brings mental health care and social workers to work as part of the public-safety response team, and to solidify government funding for the development of a $25 million community center. Pérez has deep personal and professional ties to organized labor, and was instrumental in establishing the city’s Project Labor Agreement. She has also worked to help develop the communities first sustainability plan, which earned her the Congressional Woman of the Year award from Rep. Judy Chu in 2022. Pérez is an outspoken progressive, and has consistently used her platform to advocate for working people when she encounters systems that are designed to create inequity.
Governance and community leadership experience: Pérez is an educator and a public servant, which she does to create diverse coalitions that work to improve policy outcomes across communities. As a student, Pérez was a member of student government, and worked to support an initiative that was ultimately awarded $97 million to support college access and affordability for students across the state. Building on that work, she spent her early career as an educator who taught civic engagement to high school students. She built on those efforts when she joined Campaign for College Opportunity. She collaborated with Sen. Leyva and Assm. Medina to expand Cal Grant access to more California students, and would continue to advocate for the passage of that policy as a member of the state Senate. More recently, she was political director for California’s 2022 Prop 1 campaign, which successfully protected the right to abortion and contraception in the state’s constitution.
Other background: Pérez is from the San Gabriel Valley. Her family has a long history of labor organizing, which was instrumental in her pursuit of advocacy and public service. She is the youngest Latina mayor to serve in the state of California.
The Race
Primary election results: The March 2024 results included Elizabeth Wong Ahlers (R) 36%, Sasha Renée Pérez (D) 33%, Yvonne Yiu (D) 18%, Sandra Armenta (D) 10%, and Teddy Choi (D) 4%. Elizabeth Wong Ahlers and Sasha Renée Pérez will contend in a run-off in the November 5 general election.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Pérez’s campaign has raised $1.2 million and is not funded by police interests. She has received problematic donations from Edison International, GE Property Management, and AT&T Services Incorporated.
Opposing candidate: Republican Elizabeth Wong Ahlers Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Wong Ahlers’s campaign has raised $250,000 and is not funded by police, fossil fuel, real estate, or corporate PAC interests.
The District
Counties in district: California’s 25th State Senate District includes parts of Los Angeles and San Bernardino Counties.
Voter registration: 46% Democrat, 22% Republican, and 26% No Party Preference. Democrats typically hold this district.
District demographics: 23% Latino, 30% Asian, and 5% Black.
Recent election results: SD-25 voted for Joe Biden for president in 2020 by 31 points and Gavin Newsom for governor in 2022 by 26 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.
Courage California endorses Sasha Renée Pérez for state Senate to put SD-25 on the right track for progress.
Sasha Renée Pérez’s track record and policy positions demonstrate that she will be a progressive voice for the constituents of SD-25 and will govern effectively in the best interests of this diverse district.
Progressive endorsements: Pérez has the endorsement of many groups, including Courage California, California Environmental Voters, California LGBTQ Legislative Caucus, and many local labor unions. She has also received the endorsement of many elected officials, including Rep. Robert Garcia, State Sen. Lola Smallwood Cuevas, Assm. Tina McKinnor, and a majority of members from the California Legislative Progressive Caucus.
Electoral history: Pérez won her 2020 race for Alhambra City Council with over 58% of the vote. She served a term as mayor early in her time on the City Council.
Top issues: Homelessness and housing, small-business pandemic recovery, immigration protections, mental health care, supporting organized labor, CalGrant expansion, gun reform, and youth empowerment.
Priority bills: As a member of the Alhambra City Council, she has been a strong supporter of local efforts to improve public safety, labor empowerment, and sustainability through focused collaborative leadership. Pérez led successful organizing efforts to pass the HERO Pay Ordinance to temporarily increase wages for essential grocery and pharmacy workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. She has also supported an initiative that brings mental health care and social workers to work as part of the public-safety response team, and to solidify government funding for the development of a $25 million community center. Pérez has deep personal and professional ties to organized labor, and was instrumental in establishing the city’s Project Labor Agreement. She has also worked to help develop the communities first sustainability plan, which earned her the Congressional Woman of the Year award from Rep. Judy Chu in 2022. Pérez is an outspoken progressive, and has consistently used her platform to advocate for working people when she encounters systems that are designed to create inequity.
Governance and community leadership experience: Pérez is an educator and a public servant, which she does to create diverse coalitions that work to improve policy outcomes across communities. As a student, Pérez was a member of student government, and worked to support an initiative that was ultimately awarded $97 million to support college access and affordability for students across the state. Building on that work, she spent her early career as an educator who taught civic engagement to high school students. She built on those efforts when she joined Campaign for College Opportunity. She collaborated with Sen. Leyva and Assm. Medina to expand Cal Grant access to more California students, and would continue to advocate for the passage of that policy as a member of the state Senate. More recently, she was political director for California’s 2022 Prop 1 campaign, which successfully protected the right to abortion and contraception in the state’s constitution.
Other background: Pérez is from the San Gabriel Valley. Her family has a long history of labor organizing, which was instrumental in her pursuit of advocacy and public service. She is the youngest Latina mayor to serve in the state of California.
The Race
Primary election results: The March 2024 results included Elizabeth Wong Ahlers (R) 36%, Sasha Renée Pérez (D) 33%, Yvonne Yiu (D) 18%, Sandra Armenta (D) 10%, and Teddy Choi (D) 4%. Elizabeth Wong Ahlers and Sasha Renée Pérez will contend in a run-off in the November 5 general election.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Pérez’s campaign has raised $1.2 million and is not funded by police interests. She has received problematic donations from Edison International, GE Property Management, and AT&T Services Incorporated.
Opposing candidate: Republican Elizabeth Wong Ahlers Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Wong Ahlers’s campaign has raised $250,000 and is not funded by police, fossil fuel, real estate, or corporate PAC interests.
The District
Counties in district: California’s 25th State Senate District includes parts of Los Angeles and San Bernardino Counties.
Voter registration: 46% Democrat, 22% Republican, and 26% No Party Preference. Democrats typically hold this district.
District demographics: 23% Latino, 30% Asian, and 5% Black.
Recent election results: SD-25 voted for Joe Biden for president in 2020 by 31 points and Gavin Newsom for governor in 2022 by 26 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.
Courage California endorses Sasha Renée Pérez for state Senate to put SD-25 on the right track for progress.
Sasha Renée Pérez’s track record and policy positions demonstrate that she will be a progressive voice for the constituents of SD-25 and will govern effectively in the best interests of this diverse district.
Progressive endorsements: Pérez has the endorsement of many groups, including Courage California, California Environmental Voters, California LGBTQ Legislative Caucus, and many local labor unions. She has also received the endorsement of many elected officials, including Rep. Robert Garcia, State Sen. Lola Smallwood Cuevas, Assm. Tina McKinnor, and a majority of members from the California Legislative Progressive Caucus.
Electoral history: Pérez won her 2020 race for Alhambra City Council with over 58% of the vote. She served a term as mayor early in her time on the City Council.
Top issues: Homelessness and housing, small-business pandemic recovery, immigration protections, mental health care, supporting organized labor, CalGrant expansion, gun reform, and youth empowerment.
Priority bills: As a member of the Alhambra City Council, she has been a strong supporter of local efforts to improve public safety, labor empowerment, and sustainability through focused collaborative leadership. Pérez led successful organizing efforts to pass the HERO Pay Ordinance to temporarily increase wages for essential grocery and pharmacy workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. She has also supported an initiative that brings mental health care and social workers to work as part of the public-safety response team, and to solidify government funding for the development of a $25 million community center. Pérez has deep personal and professional ties to organized labor, and was instrumental in establishing the city’s Project Labor Agreement. She has also worked to help develop the communities first sustainability plan, which earned her the Congressional Woman of the Year award from Rep. Judy Chu in 2022. Pérez is an outspoken progressive, and has consistently used her platform to advocate for working people when she encounters systems that are designed to create inequity.
Governance and community leadership experience: Pérez is an educator and a public servant, which she does to create diverse coalitions that work to improve policy outcomes across communities. As a student, Pérez was a member of student government, and worked to support an initiative that was ultimately awarded $97 million to support college access and affordability for students across the state. Building on that work, she spent her early career as an educator who taught civic engagement to high school students. She built on those efforts when she joined Campaign for College Opportunity. She collaborated with Sen. Leyva and Assm. Medina to expand Cal Grant access to more California students, and would continue to advocate for the passage of that policy as a member of the state Senate. More recently, she was political director for California’s 2022 Prop 1 campaign, which successfully protected the right to abortion and contraception in the state’s constitution.
Other background: Pérez is from the San Gabriel Valley. Her family has a long history of labor organizing, which was instrumental in her pursuit of advocacy and public service. She is the youngest Latina mayor to serve in the state of California.
The Race
Primary election results: The March 2024 results included Elizabeth Wong Ahlers (R) 36%, Sasha Renée Pérez (D) 33%, Yvonne Yiu (D) 18%, Sandra Armenta (D) 10%, and Teddy Choi (D) 4%. Elizabeth Wong Ahlers and Sasha Renée Pérez will contend in a run-off in the November 5 general election.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Pérez’s campaign has raised $1.2 million and is not funded by police interests. She has received problematic donations from Edison International, GE Property Management, and AT&T Services Incorporated.
Opposing candidate: Republican Elizabeth Wong Ahlers Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Wong Ahlers’s campaign has raised $250,000 and is not funded by police, fossil fuel, real estate, or corporate PAC interests.
The District
Counties in district: California’s 25th State Senate District includes parts of Los Angeles and San Bernardino Counties.
Voter registration: 46% Democrat, 22% Republican, and 26% No Party Preference. Democrats typically hold this district.
District demographics: 23% Latino, 30% Asian, and 5% Black.
Recent election results: SD-25 voted for Joe Biden for president in 2020 by 31 points and Gavin Newsom for governor in 2022 by 26 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.
Courage California endorses Assemblymember Eloise Reyes for state Senate to put SD-29 on the right track for progress.
Assemblymember Eloise Reyes’s track record and policy positions demonstrate that she will be a progressive voice for the constituents of SD-29 and will govern effectively in the best interests of this diverse district.
Progressive endorsements: Assm. Reyes has the endorsement of many groups and labor unions, including Courage California, California Working Families Party, California Environmental Voters, IE United, and United Farm Workers. She is also endorsed by many elected officials, including Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis, Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas, State Controller Malia Cohen, Assm. Isaac Bryan, and San Bernardino Mayor Helen Tran.
Electoral history: Assm. Reyes has served in the State Assembly since 2016, when she won her election with over 54% of the vote. In 2022, she won her reelection against a Republican challenger by 14 points.
Top issues: Environmental and climate protections, affordable housing, education, and criminal justice reform.
Priority bills: As a member of the State Assembly, she has authored bills to improve economic development, criminal justice reform, access to housing, and to protect communities from the impacts of warehouses. This legislative session, she has authored 50 bills about air pollution, housing, social services, education, and worker protections. Of these, eleven have been successfully chaptered into law, six have died, two have been vetoed, and the rest remain in committee. In 2023, she sponsored and passed legislation to require that free menstrual products be provided in the bathrooms of schools housing grades 3–12, establish the Dream Resource Center Grant Program to increase resources and counseling to high school students, and create the Digital Equity Bill of Rights to ensure broadband and digital access to all residents. In 2024, she proposed legislation to remove barriers to outpatient prescription drug coverage, require the Office of Emergency Services to provide additional funding for crime victim services, and improve the distribution of voter-registration information to high school students. She scored a CS of 100 out of 100 on Courage Score, our annual analysis of legislators’ progressive voting records. Based on our Courage Score analysis, Assm. Reyes supported the most progressive bills that made it to a vote, and was designated a Courage All-Star for the 2023 legislative cycle.
Governance and community leadership experience: Assm. Reyes has held several leadership roles during her time in the Assembly, including serving as co-chair of the Legislative Ethics Committee, and assistant majority whip. In 2020, she became the first Latina to be appointed Assembly majority leader. Prior to her election to the State Assembly, Assm. Reyes taught as an adjunct professor at Cal Poly Pomona, provided free legal aid to residents of the Inland Empire, and co-founded the Inland Empire Community Health Center. She is a longtime supporter of environmental protection.
Other background: Assm. Reyes grew up in the San Bernardino Valley and lives in Grand Terrace, CA.
The Race
Primary election results: The March 2024 results included Assm. Eloise Gómez Reyes (D) 45%, Carlos Garcia (R) 32%, Kathleen Torres Hazelton (R) 13%, and Jason O’Brien (D) 10%. Assm. Eloise Gómez Reyes and Carlos Garcia will contend in a run-off in the November 5 general election.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Assm. Reyes’s campaign has raised $1.2 million and is funded by police, fossil fuel, real estate, and corporate PAC interests. Her problematic donors include Facebook Inc., Edison International, California Real Estate PAC, and California Correctional Peace Officers Association PAC.
Opposing candidate: Republican Carlos Garcia Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Garcia’s campaign has raised $33,000 and is funded by police interests.
The District
Counties in district: California’s 29th State Senate District includes parts of San Bernardino County.
Voter registration: 47% Democrat, 23% Republican, and 22% No Party Preference.
District demographics: 54% Latino, 6% Asian, and 13% Black. This district is considered to be one of the strong Latino seats in the California State Senate delegation.
Recent election results: SD-29 voted for Joe Biden for president in 2020 by 27 points and Gavin Newsom for governor in 2022 by 11 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.
Courage California endorses Assemblymember Eloise Reyes for state Senate to put SD-29 on the right track for progress.
Assemblymember Eloise Reyes’s track record and policy positions demonstrate that she will be a progressive voice for the constituents of SD-29 and will govern effectively in the best interests of this diverse district.
Progressive endorsements: Assm. Reyes has the endorsement of many groups and labor unions, including Courage California, California Working Families Party, California Environmental Voters, IE United, and United Farm Workers. She is also endorsed by many elected officials, including Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis, Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas, State Controller Malia Cohen, Assm. Isaac Bryan, and San Bernardino Mayor Helen Tran.
Electoral history: Assm. Reyes has served in the State Assembly since 2016, when she won her election with over 54% of the vote. In 2022, she won her reelection against a Republican challenger by 14 points.
Top issues: Environmental and climate protections, affordable housing, education, and criminal justice reform.
Priority bills: As a member of the State Assembly, she has authored bills to improve economic development, criminal justice reform, access to housing, and to protect communities from the impacts of warehouses. This legislative session, she has authored 50 bills about air pollution, housing, social services, education, and worker protections. Of these, eleven have been successfully chaptered into law, six have died, two have been vetoed, and the rest remain in committee. In 2023, she sponsored and passed legislation to require that free menstrual products be provided in the bathrooms of schools housing grades 3–12, establish the Dream Resource Center Grant Program to increase resources and counseling to high school students, and create the Digital Equity Bill of Rights to ensure broadband and digital access to all residents. In 2024, she proposed legislation to remove barriers to outpatient prescription drug coverage, require the Office of Emergency Services to provide additional funding for crime victim services, and improve the distribution of voter-registration information to high school students. She scored a CS of 100 out of 100 on Courage Score, our annual analysis of legislators’ progressive voting records. Based on our Courage Score analysis, Assm. Reyes supported the most progressive bills that made it to a vote, and was designated a Courage All-Star for the 2023 legislative cycle.
Governance and community leadership experience: Assm. Reyes has held several leadership roles during her time in the Assembly, including serving as co-chair of the Legislative Ethics Committee, and assistant majority whip. In 2020, she became the first Latina to be appointed Assembly majority leader. Prior to her election to the State Assembly, Assm. Reyes taught as an adjunct professor at Cal Poly Pomona, provided free legal aid to residents of the Inland Empire, and co-founded the Inland Empire Community Health Center. She is a longtime supporter of environmental protection.
Other background: Assm. Reyes grew up in the San Bernardino Valley and lives in Grand Terrace, CA.
The Race
Primary election results: The March 2024 results included Assm. Eloise Gómez Reyes (D) 45%, Carlos Garcia (R) 32%, Kathleen Torres Hazelton (R) 13%, and Jason O’Brien (D) 10%. Assm. Eloise Gómez Reyes and Carlos Garcia will contend in a run-off in the November 5 general election.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Assm. Reyes’s campaign has raised $1.2 million and is funded by police, fossil fuel, real estate, and corporate PAC interests. Her problematic donors include Facebook Inc., Edison International, California Real Estate PAC, and California Correctional Peace Officers Association PAC.
Opposing candidate: Republican Carlos Garcia Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Garcia’s campaign has raised $33,000 and is funded by police interests.
The District
Counties in district: California’s 29th State Senate District includes parts of San Bernardino County.
Voter registration: 47% Democrat, 23% Republican, and 22% No Party Preference.
District demographics: 54% Latino, 6% Asian, and 13% Black. This district is considered to be one of the strong Latino seats in the California State Senate delegation.
Recent election results: SD-29 voted for Joe Biden for president in 2020 by 27 points and Gavin Newsom for governor in 2022 by 11 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.
Courage California endorses Assemblymember Eloise Reyes for state Senate to put SD-29 on the right track for progress.
Assemblymember Eloise Reyes’s track record and policy positions demonstrate that she will be a progressive voice for the constituents of SD-29 and will govern effectively in the best interests of this diverse district.
Progressive endorsements: Assm. Reyes has the endorsement of many groups and labor unions, including Courage California, California Working Families Party, California Environmental Voters, IE United, and United Farm Workers. She is also endorsed by many elected officials, including Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis, Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas, State Controller Malia Cohen, Assm. Isaac Bryan, and San Bernardino Mayor Helen Tran.
Electoral history: Assm. Reyes has served in the State Assembly since 2016, when she won her election with over 54% of the vote. In 2022, she won her reelection against a Republican challenger by 14 points.
Top issues: Environmental and climate protections, affordable housing, education, and criminal justice reform.
Priority bills: As a member of the State Assembly, she has authored bills to improve economic development, criminal justice reform, access to housing, and to protect communities from the impacts of warehouses. This legislative session, she has authored 50 bills about air pollution, housing, social services, education, and worker protections. Of these, eleven have been successfully chaptered into law, six have died, two have been vetoed, and the rest remain in committee. In 2023, she sponsored and passed legislation to require that free menstrual products be provided in the bathrooms of schools housing grades 3–12, establish the Dream Resource Center Grant Program to increase resources and counseling to high school students, and create the Digital Equity Bill of Rights to ensure broadband and digital access to all residents. In 2024, she proposed legislation to remove barriers to outpatient prescription drug coverage, require the Office of Emergency Services to provide additional funding for crime victim services, and improve the distribution of voter-registration information to high school students. She scored a CS of 100 out of 100 on Courage Score, our annual analysis of legislators’ progressive voting records. Based on our Courage Score analysis, Assm. Reyes supported the most progressive bills that made it to a vote, and was designated a Courage All-Star for the 2023 legislative cycle.
Governance and community leadership experience: Assm. Reyes has held several leadership roles during her time in the Assembly, including serving as co-chair of the Legislative Ethics Committee, and assistant majority whip. In 2020, she became the first Latina to be appointed Assembly majority leader. Prior to her election to the State Assembly, Assm. Reyes taught as an adjunct professor at Cal Poly Pomona, provided free legal aid to residents of the Inland Empire, and co-founded the Inland Empire Community Health Center. She is a longtime supporter of environmental protection.
Other background: Assm. Reyes grew up in the San Bernardino Valley and lives in Grand Terrace, CA.
The Race
Primary election results: The March 2024 results included Assm. Eloise Gómez Reyes (D) 45%, Carlos Garcia (R) 32%, Kathleen Torres Hazelton (R) 13%, and Jason O’Brien (D) 10%. Assm. Eloise Gómez Reyes and Carlos Garcia will contend in a run-off in the November 5 general election.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Assm. Reyes’s campaign has raised $1.2 million and is funded by police, fossil fuel, real estate, and corporate PAC interests. Her problematic donors include Facebook Inc., Edison International, California Real Estate PAC, and California Correctional Peace Officers Association PAC.
Opposing candidate: Republican Carlos Garcia Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Garcia’s campaign has raised $33,000 and is funded by police interests.
The District
Counties in district: California’s 29th State Senate District includes parts of San Bernardino County.
Voter registration: 47% Democrat, 23% Republican, and 22% No Party Preference.
District demographics: 54% Latino, 6% Asian, and 13% Black. This district is considered to be one of the strong Latino seats in the California State Senate delegation.
Recent election results: SD-29 voted for Joe Biden for president in 2020 by 27 points and Gavin Newsom for governor in 2022 by 11 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.
Courage California endorses Michelle Chambers for state Senate to put SD-35 on the right track for progress.
Michelle Chambers’s track record and policy positions demonstrate that she will be a progressive voice for the constituents of SD-35 and will govern effectively in the best interests of this diverse district.
Progressive endorsements: Chambers has the endorsement of many groups, including Courage California, LA Voice Action, Working Families Party, California Legislative Black Caucus, and California Environmental Voters. She has also received the endorsement of many elected leaders, including Attorney General Rob Bonta, Rep. Sydney Kamlager-Dove, State Sen. Lola Smallwood-Cuevas, Assm. Tina McKinnor, and LA County Supervisor Holly Mitchell.
Electoral history: Chambers won her 2019 race for Compton City Council District 1 against the incumbent with over 65% of the vote. She resigned from the seat midway through her first term in March 2022 to work in Attorney General Rob Bonta’s office.
Top issues: Quality of life improvement, homelessness and housing, health care, economic improvement, public safety, senior and veteran services, and creating employment opportunities
Governance and community leadership experience: Chambers is a public policy professional, which she does to support services and systems that improve quality of life for members of the community. Aside from her tenure on the Compton City Council, Chambers has served in a variety of leadership positions in the state, including as external affairs manager to Attorney General Rob Bonta, special assistant to Los Angeles County Assessor Jeffrey Prang, and senior field deputy to Assm. Mike Gipson. Over a 30-year career, she has supported the work of state legislative leaders, congressional offices, local public works, and organized labor. These positions have provided Chambers with a comprehensive understanding of the public sector, and how to create positive outcomes across communities.
Other background: Michelle Chambers is a longtime resident of Compton.
The Race
Primary election results: The March 2024 results included Laura Richardson (D) 28%, Michelle Chambers (D) 25%, James Arlandus Spencer (R) 19%, Albert Robles (D) 9%, Alex Monteiro (D) 6%, and Jennifer Trichelle-Marie Williams (D) 5%. Laura Richardson and Michelle Chambers will contend in a run-off in the November 5 general election.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Chambers’s campaign has raised $707,000 and is not funded by police, real estate, or fossil fuel interests.
Opposing candidate: Democrat Laura Richardson Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Richardson’s campaign has raised $617,000 and is funded by police, fossil fuel, real estate, and corporate PAC interests.
The District
Counties in district: California’s 35th State Senate District includes parts of Los Angeles County.
Voter registration: 61% Democrat, 11% Republican, and 22% No Party Preference. Democrats typically hold this district.
District demographics: 47% Latino, 9% Asian, and 31% Black.
Recent election results: SD-35 voted for Joe Biden for president in 2020 by 61 points and Gavin Newsom for governor in 2022 by 54 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.
Courage California endorses Michelle Chambers for state Senate to put SD-35 on the right track for progress.
Michelle Chambers’s track record and policy positions demonstrate that she will be a progressive voice for the constituents of SD-35 and will govern effectively in the best interests of this diverse district.
Progressive endorsements: Chambers has the endorsement of many groups, including Courage California, LA Voice Action, Working Families Party, California Legislative Black Caucus, and California Environmental Voters. She has also received the endorsement of many elected leaders, including Attorney General Rob Bonta, Rep. Sydney Kamlager-Dove, State Sen. Lola Smallwood-Cuevas, Assm. Tina McKinnor, and LA County Supervisor Holly Mitchell.
Electoral history: Chambers won her 2019 race for Compton City Council District 1 against the incumbent with over 65% of the vote. She resigned from the seat midway through her first term in March 2022 to work in Attorney General Rob Bonta’s office.
Top issues: Quality of life improvement, homelessness and housing, health care, economic improvement, public safety, senior and veteran services, and creating employment opportunities
Governance and community leadership experience: Chambers is a public policy professional, which she does to support services and systems that improve quality of life for members of the community. Aside from her tenure on the Compton City Council, Chambers has served in a variety of leadership positions in the state, including as external affairs manager to Attorney General Rob Bonta, special assistant to Los Angeles County Assessor Jeffrey Prang, and senior field deputy to Assm. Mike Gipson. Over a 30-year career, she has supported the work of state legislative leaders, congressional offices, local public works, and organized labor. These positions have provided Chambers with a comprehensive understanding of the public sector, and how to create positive outcomes across communities.
Other background: Michelle Chambers is a longtime resident of Compton.
The Race
Primary election results: The March 2024 results included Laura Richardson (D) 28%, Michelle Chambers (D) 25%, James Arlandus Spencer (R) 19%, Albert Robles (D) 9%, Alex Monteiro (D) 6%, and Jennifer Trichelle-Marie Williams (D) 5%. Laura Richardson and Michelle Chambers will contend in a run-off in the November 5 general election.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Chambers’s campaign has raised $707,000 and is not funded by police, real estate, or fossil fuel interests.
Opposing candidate: Democrat Laura Richardson Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Richardson’s campaign has raised $617,000 and is funded by police, fossil fuel, real estate, and corporate PAC interests.
The District
Counties in district: California’s 35th State Senate District includes parts of Los Angeles County.
Voter registration: 61% Democrat, 11% Republican, and 22% No Party Preference. Democrats typically hold this district.
District demographics: 47% Latino, 9% Asian, and 31% Black.
Recent election results: SD-35 voted for Joe Biden for president in 2020 by 61 points and Gavin Newsom for governor in 2022 by 54 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.
Courage California endorses Michelle Chambers for state Senate to put SD-35 on the right track for progress.
Michelle Chambers’s track record and policy positions demonstrate that she will be a progressive voice for the constituents of SD-35 and will govern effectively in the best interests of this diverse district.
Progressive endorsements: Chambers has the endorsement of many groups, including Courage California, LA Voice Action, Working Families Party, California Legislative Black Caucus, and California Environmental Voters. She has also received the endorsement of many elected leaders, including Attorney General Rob Bonta, Rep. Sydney Kamlager-Dove, State Sen. Lola Smallwood-Cuevas, Assm. Tina McKinnor, and LA County Supervisor Holly Mitchell.
Electoral history: Chambers won her 2019 race for Compton City Council District 1 against the incumbent with over 65% of the vote. She resigned from the seat midway through her first term in March 2022 to work in Attorney General Rob Bonta’s office.
Top issues: Quality of life improvement, homelessness and housing, health care, economic improvement, public safety, senior and veteran services, and creating employment opportunities
Governance and community leadership experience: Chambers is a public policy professional, which she does to support services and systems that improve quality of life for members of the community. Aside from her tenure on the Compton City Council, Chambers has served in a variety of leadership positions in the state, including as external affairs manager to Attorney General Rob Bonta, special assistant to Los Angeles County Assessor Jeffrey Prang, and senior field deputy to Assm. Mike Gipson. Over a 30-year career, she has supported the work of state legislative leaders, congressional offices, local public works, and organized labor. These positions have provided Chambers with a comprehensive understanding of the public sector, and how to create positive outcomes across communities.
Other background: Michelle Chambers is a longtime resident of Compton.
The Race
Primary election results: The March 2024 results included Laura Richardson (D) 28%, Michelle Chambers (D) 25%, James Arlandus Spencer (R) 19%, Albert Robles (D) 9%, Alex Monteiro (D) 6%, and Jennifer Trichelle-Marie Williams (D) 5%. Laura Richardson and Michelle Chambers will contend in a run-off in the November 5 general election.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Chambers’s campaign has raised $707,000 and is not funded by police, real estate, or fossil fuel interests.
Opposing candidate: Democrat Laura Richardson Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Richardson’s campaign has raised $617,000 and is funded by police, fossil fuel, real estate, and corporate PAC interests.
The District
Counties in district: California’s 35th State Senate District includes parts of Los Angeles County.
Voter registration: 61% Democrat, 11% Republican, and 22% No Party Preference. Democrats typically hold this district.
District demographics: 47% Latino, 9% Asian, and 31% Black.
Recent election results: SD-35 voted for Joe Biden for president in 2020 by 61 points and Gavin Newsom for governor in 2022 by 54 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.
Depending on where you live, you may have the below county races on your ballot.
Voting has changed in Los Angeles County this year. The Voter’s Choice Act was enacted in the county to make voting more convenient. Changes include an expanded period of in-person early voting, every registered voter in the county will receive a vote-by-mail ballot, and every registered voter in the county is able to vote in-person at any Vote Center in their county. Also, in-person voters in Los Angeles County will have the opportunity to use the new Ballot Marking Device, a touchscreen with audio features, to mark their ballots. Have questions about the changes to voting in Los Angeles County? Find out how to vote in Los Angeles County.
Courage California endorses District Attorney George Gascón for reelection to keep Los Angeles County on the right track for progress.
District Attorney George Gascón’s track record and policy positions demonstrate that he will continue to be a progressive voice for the constituents of Los Angeles County and will govern effectively in the best interests of this diverse district.
Progressive endorsements: District Attorney Gascón has the endorsement of many groups, including Courage California, California Working Families Party, Planned Parenthood Advocacy Project, Black Women for Wellness, LA Forward, and Los Angeles County Federation of Labor.
Top issues: Public safety, police accountability, criminal justice reform, reducing violent crime, immigration, climate justice, and ending mass incarceration.
Key initiatives: District Attorney Gascón has successfully returned the DA’s office to its pre-pandemic felony case-filing rate, eliminated the death penalty from sentencing, and stopped the scheduling of executions for individuals previously sentenced to death. He has also reduced the frequency of transferring minors to adult court, and has recalled cases in which minors were sentenced. District Attorney Gascón has also reduced the frequency of sentence enhancements, a policy that saves California taxpayers millions of dollars in prison costs. After a March 2021 State Supreme Court decision that eliminated cash bail in the state for individuals who can’t afford it, District Attorney Gascón’s office stopped seeking bail for misdemeanor and nonviolent felonies, which has increased the equity of the criminal justice system.
District Attorney Gascón faced two recall efforts in 2021 and 2022, although neither gathered enough valid petition signatures to qualify for the ballot. A recall was supported by controversial former Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva, and District Attorney Gascón’s efforts to reform the dysfunctional and inequitable criminal justice system have been unpopular with rank-and-file law enforcement.
Governance and community leadership experience: District Attorney Gascón has served in this seat since 2020, when he was elected with over 53% of the vote.
Prior to his election in Los Angeles, District Attorney Gascón served two terms as San Francisco DA, where he increased the prosecution of sexual assault cases, and created a new law-enforcement unit focused on addressing child abuse and sexual assault. He implemented practices and resources that centered on survivors, and has proposed policies that protect undocumented, LGBTQIA+, and student survivors while prioritizing cultural and linguistic competency. He is a staunch opponent of the death penalty, often citing its disproportionate impact on Black and brown communities, and has implemented reformist sentencing policies since his election as Los Angeles DA. District Attorney Gascón’s track record and position on law-enforcement accountability is rare, particularly for someone with a law-enforcement background. During his term as San Francisco DA, Gascón prosecuted more than 30 police officers for criminal conduct. In 2019, while many police, law-enforcement officials, and prosecutors fought against its passage, he advocated for Assembly Bill 392, also known as the Stephon Clark Bill, which created a stricter standard for police use of force. He remains the only law-enforcement official in California to advocate for this legislation and his willingness to pursue police brutality cases has been a highlight of his prosecutorial leadership.
Other background: District Attorney Gascón is from Cuba and immigrated to Los Angeles when he was 13. He has had a 40-year career in law enforcement, in which he started as a beat cop and rose through the ranks to serve as chief of police in San Francisco before pursuing elected office.
The Race
Primary election results: The March 2024 results included incumbent District Attorney George Gascón 25%, Nathan Hochman 16%, Jonathan Hatami 13%, Debra Archuleta 9%, Jeff Chemerinsky 8%, Maria Ramirez 7%, John McKinney 6%, and Eric Siddall 6%. District Attorney George Gascón and Nathan Hochman will contend in a run-off in the November 5 general election.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: District Attorney Gascón’s campaign has raised $643,000 and is not funded by police, real estate, fossil fuel, or corporate PAC interests..
Opposing candidate: Nathan Hochman Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Hochman’s campaign has raised $3.4 million and is funded by real estate interests. Hochman is a former prosecutor and ran as a Republican in the 2022 California State Attorney General race.
The District
County: Los Angeles County is California's most populous county. Los Angeles County has a population of 9.7 million and a demographic breakdown of 49% Latino, 16% Asian, 9% Black.
Governance structure: Los Angeles County’s District Attorney oversees an office of nearly 1,000 deputy district attorneys, and the prosecution of criminal offenses across the county and unincorporated areas. It is the largest local district attorney office in the nation.
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 serving 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.
Courage California endorses District Attorney George Gascón for reelection to keep Los Angeles County on the right track for progress.
District Attorney George Gascón’s track record and policy positions demonstrate that he will continue to be a progressive voice for the constituents of Los Angeles County and will govern effectively in the best interests of this diverse district.
Progressive endorsements: District Attorney Gascón has the endorsement of many groups, including Courage California, California Working Families Party, Planned Parenthood Advocacy Project, Black Women for Wellness, LA Forward, and Los Angeles County Federation of Labor.
Top issues: Public safety, police accountability, criminal justice reform, reducing violent crime, immigration, climate justice, and ending mass incarceration.
Key initiatives: District Attorney Gascón has successfully returned the DA’s office to its pre-pandemic felony case-filing rate, eliminated the death penalty from sentencing, and stopped the scheduling of executions for individuals previously sentenced to death. He has also reduced the frequency of transferring minors to adult court, and has recalled cases in which minors were sentenced. District Attorney Gascón has also reduced the frequency of sentence enhancements, a policy that saves California taxpayers millions of dollars in prison costs. After a March 2021 State Supreme Court decision that eliminated cash bail in the state for individuals who can’t afford it, District Attorney Gascón’s office stopped seeking bail for misdemeanor and nonviolent felonies, which has increased the equity of the criminal justice system.
District Attorney Gascón faced two recall efforts in 2021 and 2022, although neither gathered enough valid petition signatures to qualify for the ballot. A recall was supported by controversial former Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva, and District Attorney Gascón’s efforts to reform the dysfunctional and inequitable criminal justice system have been unpopular with rank-and-file law enforcement.
Governance and community leadership experience: District Attorney Gascón has served in this seat since 2020, when he was elected with over 53% of the vote.
Prior to his election in Los Angeles, District Attorney Gascón served two terms as San Francisco DA, where he increased the prosecution of sexual assault cases, and created a new law-enforcement unit focused on addressing child abuse and sexual assault. He implemented practices and resources that centered on survivors, and has proposed policies that protect undocumented, LGBTQIA+, and student survivors while prioritizing cultural and linguistic competency. He is a staunch opponent of the death penalty, often citing its disproportionate impact on Black and brown communities, and has implemented reformist sentencing policies since his election as Los Angeles DA. District Attorney Gascón’s track record and position on law-enforcement accountability is rare, particularly for someone with a law-enforcement background. During his term as San Francisco DA, Gascón prosecuted more than 30 police officers for criminal conduct. In 2019, while many police, law-enforcement officials, and prosecutors fought against its passage, he advocated for Assembly Bill 392, also known as the Stephon Clark Bill, which created a stricter standard for police use of force. He remains the only law-enforcement official in California to advocate for this legislation and his willingness to pursue police brutality cases has been a highlight of his prosecutorial leadership.
Other background: District Attorney Gascón is from Cuba and immigrated to Los Angeles when he was 13. He has had a 40-year career in law enforcement, in which he started as a beat cop and rose through the ranks to serve as chief of police in San Francisco before pursuing elected office.
The Race
Primary election results: The March 2024 results included incumbent District Attorney George Gascón 25%, Nathan Hochman 16%, Jonathan Hatami 13%, Debra Archuleta 9%, Jeff Chemerinsky 8%, Maria Ramirez 7%, John McKinney 6%, and Eric Siddall 6%. District Attorney George Gascón and Nathan Hochman will contend in a run-off in the November 5 general election.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: District Attorney Gascón’s campaign has raised $643,000 and is not funded by police, real estate, fossil fuel, or corporate PAC interests..
Opposing candidate: Nathan Hochman Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Hochman’s campaign has raised $3.4 million and is funded by real estate interests. Hochman is a former prosecutor and ran as a Republican in the 2022 California State Attorney General race.
The District
County: Los Angeles County is California's most populous county. Los Angeles County has a population of 9.7 million and a demographic breakdown of 49% Latino, 16% Asian, 9% Black.
Governance structure: Los Angeles County’s District Attorney oversees an office of nearly 1,000 deputy district attorneys, and the prosecution of criminal offenses across the county and unincorporated areas. It is the largest local district attorney office in the nation.
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 serving 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.
Courage California endorses District Attorney George Gascón for reelection to keep Los Angeles County on the right track for progress.
District Attorney George Gascón’s track record and policy positions demonstrate that he will continue to be a progressive voice for the constituents of Los Angeles County and will govern effectively in the best interests of this diverse district.
Progressive endorsements: District Attorney Gascón has the endorsement of many groups, including Courage California, California Working Families Party, Planned Parenthood Advocacy Project, Black Women for Wellness, LA Forward, and Los Angeles County Federation of Labor.
Top issues: Public safety, police accountability, criminal justice reform, reducing violent crime, immigration, climate justice, and ending mass incarceration.
Key initiatives: District Attorney Gascón has successfully returned the DA’s office to its pre-pandemic felony case-filing rate, eliminated the death penalty from sentencing, and stopped the scheduling of executions for individuals previously sentenced to death. He has also reduced the frequency of transferring minors to adult court, and has recalled cases in which minors were sentenced. District Attorney Gascón has also reduced the frequency of sentence enhancements, a policy that saves California taxpayers millions of dollars in prison costs. After a March 2021 State Supreme Court decision that eliminated cash bail in the state for individuals who can’t afford it, District Attorney Gascón’s office stopped seeking bail for misdemeanor and nonviolent felonies, which has increased the equity of the criminal justice system.
District Attorney Gascón faced two recall efforts in 2021 and 2022, although neither gathered enough valid petition signatures to qualify for the ballot. A recall was supported by controversial former Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva, and District Attorney Gascón’s efforts to reform the dysfunctional and inequitable criminal justice system have been unpopular with rank-and-file law enforcement.
Governance and community leadership experience: District Attorney Gascón has served in this seat since 2020, when he was elected with over 53% of the vote.
Prior to his election in Los Angeles, District Attorney Gascón served two terms as San Francisco DA, where he increased the prosecution of sexual assault cases, and created a new law-enforcement unit focused on addressing child abuse and sexual assault. He implemented practices and resources that centered on survivors, and has proposed policies that protect undocumented, LGBTQIA+, and student survivors while prioritizing cultural and linguistic competency. He is a staunch opponent of the death penalty, often citing its disproportionate impact on Black and brown communities, and has implemented reformist sentencing policies since his election as Los Angeles DA. District Attorney Gascón’s track record and position on law-enforcement accountability is rare, particularly for someone with a law-enforcement background. During his term as San Francisco DA, Gascón prosecuted more than 30 police officers for criminal conduct. In 2019, while many police, law-enforcement officials, and prosecutors fought against its passage, he advocated for Assembly Bill 392, also known as the Stephon Clark Bill, which created a stricter standard for police use of force. He remains the only law-enforcement official in California to advocate for this legislation and his willingness to pursue police brutality cases has been a highlight of his prosecutorial leadership.
Other background: District Attorney Gascón is from Cuba and immigrated to Los Angeles when he was 13. He has had a 40-year career in law enforcement, in which he started as a beat cop and rose through the ranks to serve as chief of police in San Francisco before pursuing elected office.
The Race
Primary election results: The March 2024 results included incumbent District Attorney George Gascón 25%, Nathan Hochman 16%, Jonathan Hatami 13%, Debra Archuleta 9%, Jeff Chemerinsky 8%, Maria Ramirez 7%, John McKinney 6%, and Eric Siddall 6%. District Attorney George Gascón and Nathan Hochman will contend in a run-off in the November 5 general election.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: District Attorney Gascón’s campaign has raised $643,000 and is not funded by police, real estate, fossil fuel, or corporate PAC interests..
Opposing candidate: Nathan Hochman Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Hochman’s campaign has raised $3.4 million and is funded by real estate interests. Hochman is a former prosecutor and ran as a Republican in the 2022 California State Attorney General race.
The District
County: Los Angeles County is California's most populous county. Los Angeles County has a population of 9.7 million and a demographic breakdown of 49% Latino, 16% Asian, 9% Black.
Governance structure: Los Angeles County’s District Attorney oversees an office of nearly 1,000 deputy district attorneys, and the prosecution of criminal offenses across the county and unincorporated areas. It is the largest local district attorney office in the nation.
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 serving 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.
