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Courage California endorses Vice President Kamala Harris and Governor Tim Walz for President and Vice President to keep America on the right track for progress. 

Vice President Kamala Harris and Governor Tim Walz have track records and policy positions that demonstrate that they will govern effectively in the best interests of this diverse nation.

Progressive endorsements: Vice President Harris and Gov. Walz have the endorsement of many groups, including Courage California, Reproductive Freedom for All, Sierra Club, National Organization for Women PAC, League of Conservation Voters, Gen-Z for Change, Black Voters Matter, Congressional Black Caucus, and Congressional Progressive Caucus. Vice President Harris has also received the endorsement of a significant number of labor unions, including seven state AFL-CIO delegations, North America’s Building Trades Union, National Education Association, IATSE, National Nurses United, American Postal Workers Union, and American Federation of Teachers. She has the support of the Democratic National Committee, and an overwhelming number of Democratic leaders, including current President Joe Biden, former President Barack Obama, former President Bill Clinton, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, five current cabinet secretaries, 46 sitting U.S. senators, 200 members of the House of Representatives, and 23 Democratic state governors. 

Priority policies: The Biden-Harris administration has had policy successes across diverse issue areas during their first term. Immediately after taking office during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, they worked to move the American Rescue Plan through Congress and successfully passed legislation to provide stimulus checks, boosts to unemployment payments, and increased funds for education and small-business loans. The plan also ramped up the distribution and administration of vaccines. This legislative effort was followed by the Bi-Partisan Infrastructure Law, which made a $1 billion investment in electric vehicle infrastructure, national road and bridge repair, clean drinking-water modifications, and power grid updates. In addition to these investments, the administration passed President Biden’s signature Inflation Reduction Act, an expansive bill to provide needed funding to cap prescription drug costs for the elderly, increase corporate taxes, invest in clean energy and climate protections, reduce the federal deficit, and increase tax accountability by provided additional funding to the IRS. Vice President Harris cast the tiebreaking vote in the Senate to move the bill forward, creating nearly 170,000 clean-energy jobs, increasing clean-energy investments by $110 billion, and capping insulin at $35 a month. After years of inaction from the federal government, President Biden tasked Vice President Harris with leading the newly created Office of Gun Violence Prevention, and their advocacy resulted in a significant new bill that strengthens background-check laws, incentivizes state-based red-flag laws, and expands limitations on the acquisition of firearms by perpetrators of domestic abuse. President Biden also signed the CHIPS Act into law to increase domestic production of the semiconductors used in the manufacturing of many of the products that Americans use daily. 

The Biden-Harris administration’s economic policies have contributed to the lowest unemployment rate in over 50 years, at 3.4% in January 2024, economic growth of 3.1% in 2023, and an inflation rate that dropped below 3% at the end of December. The administration has led the U.S. back into the Paris Climate Accord, forgiven $144 billion in education debt, and provided consistent support to striking labor unions across the country. While many of these accomplishments came during the first two years of the administration, when Democrats controlled both chambers of Congress, President Biden and Vice President Harris have worked across the aisle to move impactful legislation forward for the American people with a divided Congress.

After the leaking of the Dobbs decision that overturned Roe v. Wade and curtailed a national right to abortion, Vice President Harris was tapped to act as a messenger for the administration on the importance of access to reproductive health care. She guided the development of executive action on the issue, has been an outspoken advocate of restoring the right to abortion care, and urged President Biden to make a public rhetorical connection between the rolling back of abortion rights and the conservative effort to limit access to infertility treatment. 

While the administration’s legislative successes have been substantial, they have been subjected to significant criticism from progressives during this first term. While President Biden has maintained strong support for Israel during the October 7 Hamas attacks and the Israeli government’s retaliatory attacks on Palestinians in Gaza, the electorate and congressional representatives have expressed concerns about the U.S. government providing continued funding to the Israeli military, and activists and leaders called on the Biden administration to advocate sooner for a ceasefire in Gaza. Vice President Harris has reaffirmed her strong support for Israel, and has been more forceful in calling for a ceasefire, hostage release, increase in aid to Gazans, and the right to self-determination for Palestinians. 

On immigration and the southern border, the federal government’s failure to act has effectively continued the anti-immigrant policies enacted under the Trump administration and caused big-city mayors and Democratic governors to publicly request that the White House and Congress pass meaningful legislation to reform an increasingly overwhelmed asylum and immigration system. Under Republican control, Congress has not passed any immigration reforms, and Republican leaders have advocated for more punitive and inhumane immigration policies. To advance this issue, Vice President Harris was tasked with addressing the root causes of migration in Mexico and Central America, including boosting economic growth and strengthening democracy in Honduras, El Salvador, and Guatemala. While these efforts have not made a meaningful difference in the number of migrants attempting to cross the U.S. border to date, they have resulted in a memorandum of understanding with the Mexican government that provided an initial $4 billion investment in root-cause work in the region and an additional $5.2 billion investment from private companies. This funding is supporting entrepreneurial projects, affordable housing, climate protections, access to health care, food security, and labor rights initiatives.

Governance and community leadership experience: Vice President Harris has served in the White House since 2020, when she was elected with President Joe Biden on a joint ticket with 306 electoral votes and over 51% of the national popular vote. Their campaign won six critical swing states—Michigan, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Georgia, Nevada, and Arizona—to secure the electoral college victory.

Prior to her election, Vice President Harris was the first woman of color elected to represent California in the United States Senate, winning her 2016 election with over 60% of the vote. During her time in the Senate, she sponsored legislation on climate and environmental protections, rental and housing protections, women’s health, and pandemic relief. She was also an original cosponsor of the progressive Green New Deal authored by Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Sen. Ed Markey.  Before serving in the Senate, Vice President Harris had a long legal career in California, serving for 8 years in the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office before transitioning to a role as a prosecutor in the San Francisco District Attorney’s Office. In 2003, she won her bid to become district attorney of the city and county of San Francisco, where she served two terms before being elected as the attorney general for the state of California in 2010. She was the first woman and the first person of color to hold this seat. Vice President Harris’s record was both progressive for the time and complicated by her moderate approach to policing and criminal justice. She has been criticized for failing to institute comprehensive police accountability measures, for not establishing meaningful prison reform, and for taking a hands-off approach to cases related to police misconduct. However, her lenient approach to policing was often punctuated by decidedly progressive support for social justice issues, including the establishment of an education- and workforce-reentry program designed to diminish recidivism. 

Gov. Walz has served as governor of Minnesota since 2018, when he was elected with over 53% of the vote. In 2022, he won his reelection against a Republican challenger by seven points. He served six terms in Congress, representing the rural and moderate MN-1 district, and winning his last reelection in 2016 with 50% of the vote.

Gov. Walz has moved the state forward on a variety of issues, including codifying the right to abortion in the state, establishing a paid family-leave program, legalizing the recreational use of marijuana, expanding background-check requirements for firearm purchases, and creating a coverage mandate for gender-affirming care. 

Gov. Walz joined the Army National Guard when he was 17 years old, and remained a reservist for 24 years, before retiring as a master sergeant in 2004 to run for Congress. While never deployed to a combat zone, Gov. Walz was stationed in a support role in Italy during Operation Iraqi Freedom. He remained a strong supporter of veterans and the military during his time in Congress, eventually serving as a ranking member of the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee. Prior to entering public service, Gov. Walz spent 15 years as a high school teacher, spending a year teaching in China before returning to Nebraska and eventually moving to a school district in Mankato, Minnesota. In addition to his teaching responsibilities, Gov. Walz served as an assistant coach on the football team, the faculty advisor for the school’s gay-straight alliance, and head of Educational Travel Adventures organization, where he helped organize annual student trips to China. 

Other background: Vice President Harris grew up in Berkeley, CA, and was a longtime resident of Los Angeles. She is the daughter of a Jamaican father and an Indian mother, who both immigrated to the Bay Area in the 1960s.

Gov. Walz is from a small town in Nebraska, and has lived in Minnesota for nearly 30 years. 

The Race

Primary election results: The March 2024 results included incumbent President Joe Biden (D) 89%, Marianne Williamson (D) 4%, and Dean Phillips (D) 3%. In July 2024, President Biden publicly announced his decision to end his presidential campaign, and endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris for President. Democrats swiftly coalesced around Vice President Harris’s candidacy, and she earned enough delegates for the formal party nomination during a virtual roll-call vote on August 2, 2024. On August 6, she selected Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz to serve as her running mate. They have been awarded California’s delegates and will appear as the Democratic nominees for president and vice president in the November 5 general election, running against the Republican ticket, former President Donald Trump and his running mate, Sen. JD Vance.

Candidate fundraising and pledges: Vice President Harris’s campaign has raised $488 million as of August 2024, including $247 million transferred from the Biden campaign after President Joe Biden departed the race. 

Opposing candidate: Republican President Donald Trump
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: President Trump’s campaign has raised $264 million.

The Position

The president of the United States is the head of the executive branch of the federal government, and the commander-in-chief for all branches of the armed forces. A president has the power to make diplomatic, executive, and judicial appointments, and can sign into law or veto legislation. Presidential administrations are responsible for both foreign and domestic policy priorities. Presidents are limited to serving two four-year terms in office.

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Elect Rep. Adam Schiff to the United States Senate to keep California on the right track for progress. 

Rep. Adam Schiff’s track record and policy positions demonstrate that he will continue to be a progressive voice for Californians and will govern effectively in the best interests of this diverse state.

Progressive endorsements: Rep. Schiff has the endorsement of many groups, including California Environmental Voters, East Area Progressive Democrats, Giffords PAC, Planned Parenthood Action Committee, Sierra Forward, and a large number of labor unions. He is also endorsed by an overwhelming number of leaders across local, state, and federal offices, including Sen. Alex Padilla; nearly the entire Democratic California Congressional delegation; Gov. Gavin Newsom; and a majority of the Democratic members of the state Senate and Assembly. Rep. Schiff’s endorsers include his primary opponents Rep. Katie Porter, and Rep. Barbara Lee.

Top issues: Health-care access, sustainability and climate action, press freedom, affordable housing development, reproductive justice, national security, and AI regulation.

Priority bills: Rep. Schiff is an attorney and a public official and has been a consistent legislator on issues of government accountability, voting access, and health care. He rose to prominence as the chair of the House Intelligence Committee who led the first impeachment inquiry of the Trump administration. During this Congress, he has sponsored 59 bills on housing affordability, national security, and press freedom, all of which remain in committee. He has had legislative success on bills to increase pension payments for teachers, expand labor-organizing protections, secure nearly $200 million in funding to address affordable-housing development and homelessness in the state, create the patient bill of rights, and limit corporate spending to influence elections. He is also the lead author of legislation to end the NRA and the gun industry’s immunity from liability, which prevented victims and their families from seeking legal recourse.

Rep. Schiff is a longtime supporter of progressive education, immigration, and environmental policies. However, he has been criticized for maintaining a moderate lean, including on issues pertaining to military spending and the use of military force, which resulted in his 2002 vote in favor of authorizing the use of military force against Iraq. He is a longtime loyalist of Speaker Emeritus Nancy Pelosi, who selected him over the more progressive Rep. Jerry Nadler for his appointment as chair of the House Intelligence Committee in 2015. Rep. Schiff has also been consistently hawkish on foreign policy, casting votes in favor of increases in military spending in the 2019 National Defense Authorization Act, and providing consistent support to Israel in the form of military funding and defense of expanded settlements. Rep. Schiff has been heavily criticized for his controversial approach to the Senate primary in March 2024, where his campaign ran millions of dollars in targeted ads that highlighted little-known Republican candidate Steve Garvey and ultimately helped elevate him to the general election over the two more progressive candidates, Rep. Katie Porter and Rep. Barbara Lee. 

Committee leadership/membership: Rep. Schiff currently sits on the House Judiciary Committee. 

Governance and community leadership experience: Rep. Schiff has served in Congress since 2000, when he was elected with over 52% of the vote. In 2022, he won his reelection against a Democratic challenger by 42 points.

Prior to his election to Congress, Rep. Schiff worked as a law clerk and then as an assistant United States attorney before being elected to California’s state Senate in 1996.

Other background: Rep. Schiff is from the Bay Area. He holds a law degree from Harvard University.

The Race

Primary election results: There were 31 candidates in the March 2024 primary and the results included Rep. Adam Schiff (D) 32%, Steve Garvey (R) 32%, Rep. Katie Porter (D) 15%, and Rep. Barbara Lee (D) 10%. Rep. Adam Schiff and Steve Garvey will contend in a run-off in the November 5 general election. 

Candidate fundraising and pledges: Rep. Schiff’s campaign has raised $37 million and is not funded by police or fossil fuel interests.

Opposing candidate: Republican Steve Garvey
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Garvey’s campaign has raised $10.9 million and is funded by real estate interests.

The District

State: California is the most populous state in the United States, and includes 58 counties and 39 million residents.

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

District demographics: 40% Latino, 16% Asian, and 7% Black

Recent election results: California voted for Joe Biden for president in 2020 by 29 points and Gavin Newsom for governor in 2022 by 18 points. Sen. Feinstein won her 2018 reelection against now Los Angeles City Councilmember Kevin de León by 8 points. 

The Position

Members of the Senate represent and advocate for the needs of their state constituency and share legislative responsibility with the House of Representatives. They are responsible for creating, debating, and voting on legislation that addresses issues of national importance. Senators have the exclusive responsibility of providing advice and consent to the executive branch on treaties, and on the nomination and approval of cabinet secretaries, ambassadors, and federal judges. The Senate also has the sole authority to bring and try an impeachment of a high official, up to and including removal from office with a two-thirds majority vote.

Each state, regardless of population, is represented by two senators. Senate elections are statewide, and senators are elected to serve a six-year term. There is no term limit for this position.

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Elect Katie Chan for City Council to put Alhambra on the right track for progress. 

Progressive endorsements: Chan has the endorsement of many groups, including California Democratic Renters Council, San Gabriel Valley Progressives, Project ID, Evolve California, and Ground Game LA, as well as labor unions, like Unite Here! Local 11, and local leaders, like LA City Councilmember Eunisses Hernandez. 

Electoral history: Chan has not run for public office previously.

Governance and community leadership experience: Katie Chan is a social worker in the LA City Councilmember Eunisses Hernandez’s office, providing support and resources to community members. She has also served in many appointed and elected leadership roles, including within the California Democratic Party’s Democratic Caucus, and most recently as president of the Environmental and Sustainability Commission in District 4.

Other background: Chan is from Alhambra and is a first-generation American. 

The Race

Primary election results: The Alhambra City Council is not subject to a primary election. All open seats will be decided in the November general election.

The District

City: Alhambra is Los Angeles County’s 28th most populous city.

Governance structure: Alhambra City Council oversees the needs of 83,000 people and manages an estimated operating budget of $161.82 million annually. Alhambra is managed by a council-manager structured government.

The Position

Incorporated cities in California are generally governed by a five-person city council. A city council is responsible for establishing policy, passing local laws (called ordinances), voting on budget appropriations, and developing an overall vision for the city. City council members in Alhambra serve four-year terms and are not subject to term limits. 

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Elect Jillian Burgos for City Council to put Los Angeles on the right track for progress. 

Jillian Burgos’s track record and policy positions demonstrate that she will be a progressive voice for the constituents of City Council District 2 and will govern effectively in the best interests of this diverse district.

Progressive endorsements: Burgos has the endorsement of many groups, including California Working Families Party, California Progressive Alliance, Initiate Justice Action, LA Forward, and Sunrise Movement. She has also received the endorsement of some local leaders, including LA City Controller Kenneth Mejia, and Culver City Mayor Yasmine-Imani McMorrin.

Electoral history: In 2021, Burgos was elected to the NoHo Neighborhood Council, a community advisory board created by the Los Angeles City Charter over 20 years ago. 

Top issues: Homelessness and housing, protections for unhoused neighbors and renters, public safety and crisis response, climate justice, racial justice, LGBTQIA+ and gender rights protections, immigration and ending cooperation with ICE and DHS, arts and education, and expanded transportation access.

Governance and community leadership experience: Burgos is a licensed optician, small-business owner, and public servant, which she does to build relationships and solutions in her community. Since joining the NoHo Neighborhood Council in 2021, Burgos has served as treasurer, chair of the Housing & Services Committee, and vice chair for Outreach. She has collaborated with SAJE and Abundant Housing LA to establish Housing Crisis and Tenants’ Rights workshops, and has supported grant initiatives to provide food to unhoused neighbors. She has been a strong advocate of ending the criminalization of homelessness, protecting renters, creating more affordable housing units, and providing wraparound services to individuals experiencing housing insecurity. In addition to her public work, she also owns Dainty Dames Events, an interactive theater company.

Other background: Burgos is from Ohio, and has lived in North Hollywood since 2010.

The Race

Primary election results: The March 2024 results included Adrin Nazarian 37%, Jillian Burgos 22%, Sam Kbushyan 15%, Manny Gonez 12%, Jon-Paul Bird 7%, Rudy Melendez 4%, and Marin Ghandilyan 3%. Adrin Nazarian and Jillian Burgos will contend in a run-off in the November 5 general election. 

Candidate fundraising and pledges: Burgos’s campaign has raised $167,000 and is not funded by police, fossil fuel, real estate, or corporate PAC interests.

Opposing candidate: Adrin Nazarian
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Nazarian’s campaign has raised $1.1 million and is funded by police, real estate, and corporate PAC interests.

The District

City: Los Angeles is Los Angeles County’s most populous city. Los Angeles’s City Council District 2 includes North Hollywood, Studio City, Sun Valley, Toluca Lake, Valley Glen, Valley Village, and Van Nuys.

Governance structure: Los Angeles City Council oversees the needs of 3.8 million people and manages an estimated operating budget of $13 billion annually. Los Angeles is managed by a government that is structured as mayor-council.

The Position

Incorporated cities in California are generally governed by a five-person city council, although Los Angeles maintains a 15-person city council. A city council is responsible for establishing policy, passing local laws (called ordinances), voting on budget appropriations, and developing an overall vision for the city. City councilmembers in Los Angeles are ‎limited to three terms, or 12 years in office total. 

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Reelect Councilmember Heather Hutt to keep Los Angeles on the right track for progress. 

Councilmember Heather Hutt’s track record and policy positions demonstrate that she will continue to be a progressive voice for the constituents of City Council District 10 and will govern effectively in the best interests of this diverse district.

Progressive endorsements: Councilmember Hutt has the endorsement of some groups, including Abundant Housing LA, Streets for All, California Rising, and California Black Women’s Democratic Club. She has also received the endorsement of some local leaders, including LA Mayor Karen Bass, and LA City Councilmembers Eunisses Hernandez, Curren Price, Hugo Soto-Martinez, and Imelda Padilla.


Top issues: Homelessness and rehousing programs, workforce development, economic growth, neighborhood safety, community maintenance and public works, and expanding green spaces.

Key initiatives: Since joining the City Council, Councilmember Hutt has supported initiatives to increase the development of affordable housing units, provide wraparound health services for people experiencing housing insecurity, improve transparency and efficiency in the public transportation system, and boost ethics and accountability in the City Council. She has opposed some policing initiatives, like adding a robot dog to the department and purchasing more helicopters, but did vote in favor of a $384 million budget increase for the LAPD.

Governance and community leadership experience: Councilmember Hutt has served in this seat since 2022, when she began serving as the district’s interim councilmember after Councilmember Mark Ridley-Thomas left the seat. She was formally appointed as councilmember in April 2023, and is running for her first full term on the City Council. Councilmember Hutt also ran in a special election for AD-54 in 2021, but came in second with nearly 25% of the vote.

Prior to her appointment to the City Council, Councilmember Hutt had a long career in politics. She served as a district director in both the California Assembly and the California State Senate before transitioning to work as state director for former Sen. Kamala Harris. During her time with the Senate, she worked to combat Trump administration policies on immigration, and advance social justice initiatives. Councilmember Hutt also worked as a chief of staff for former Councilmember Herb Wesson, and has supported local environmental protection and climate justice initiatives.

Other background: Councilmember Hutt is a lifelong resident of Los Angeles. 

The Race

Primary election results: The March 2024 results included incumbent Councilmember Heather Hutt 38%, Grace Yoo 23%, Eddie Anderson 19%, Aura Vásquez 14%, and Reggie Jones-Sawyer 6%. Councilmember Heather Hutt and Grace Yoo will contend in a run-off in the November 5 general election. 

Candidate fundraising and pledges: Councilmember Heather Hutt’s campaign has raised $347,000 and is not funded by corporate PAC, fossil fuel, or police interests.

Opposing candidate: Grace Yoo
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Yoo’s campaign has raised $601,000 and is funded by real estate interests. Yoo ran for this seat and lost in 2015 and 2020. In 2018, she led protests against building a homeless shelter in Koreatown.

The District

City: Los Angeles is Los Angeles County’s most populous city. Los Angeles City Council District 10 includes the communities of Mid-City, Angelus Vista, Wilshire Vista, Jefferson Park, Cienega, Baldwin Hills, Baldwin Village, Reynier Village, Koreatown, and Little Bangladesh. 

Governance structure: Los Angeles City Council oversees the needs of 3.8 million people and manages an estimated operating budget of $13 billion annually. Los Angeles is managed by a government that is structured as mayor-council.

The Position

Incorporated cities in California are generally governed by a five-person city council, although Los Angeles maintains a 15 district city council and a mayoral seat. A city council is responsible for establishing policy, passing local laws (called ordinances), voting on budget appropriations, and developing an overall vision for the city. City councilmembers in Los Angeles are ‎limited to 3 terms, or 12 years in office total. 

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Elect Ysabel Jurado for City Council to put Los Angeles on the right track for progress. 

Ysabel Jurado’s policy positions demonstrate that she will be a progressive voice for the constituents of Los Angeles City Council District 14 and will govern effectively in the best interests of this diverse district.

Progressive endorsements: Jurado has the endorsement of many groups, including California Women’s List, LA Forward, ACCE Action, Ground Game LA, Los Angeles League of Conservation Voters, and Democratic Socialists of America Los Angeles. She has also received the endorsement of some local leaders, including LA City Controller Kenneth Mejia, LA City Councilmember Eunisses Hernandez, LAUSD Board President Jackie Goldberg, and Burbank Mayor Konstantine Anthony.

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

Top issues: Homelessness and housing, labor rights, fare-free transit, police accountability, and climate and environmental justice.

Governance and community leadership experience: Jurado is a tenants’ rights attorney and housing affordability activist, which she does to leverage her legal expertise to support increased social equity in her community. In her work, she has defended community members and small businesses against eviction and rent hikes, and has been a strong advocate of establishing achievable pathways to homeownership, and protecting affordability. During the pandemic, she witnessed the policy failures that resulted in housing instability for local residents, and is running for this seat to provide representative leadership for her neighbors. Jurado has established herself as a respected local leader. She earned both her bachelor’s and JD degrees at UCLA, and worked in the Los Angeles Mayor’s Office for three years before entering legal practice. Corruption in the City Council motivated her run for office, and she views the racist rhetoric and blatant gerrymandering that has characterized city government in recent years as antithetical to the needs and interests of Council District 14 constituents. As an attorney and a lifelong resident of the district, her service on the council would focus on social justice, housing affordability, and support for working families.

Other background: Jurado is a lifelong resident of Los Angeles. She is the daughter of Filipino immigrants. 

The Race

Primary election results: The March 2024 results included Ysabel Jurado 25%, incumbent Councilmember Kevin de León 23%, Miguel Santiago 21%, Wendy Carrillo 15%, Eduardo ‘Lalo’ Vargas 5%, Teresa Hillery 4%, Genny Guerrero 4%, and Nadine Diaz 3%. Ysabel Jurado and Councilmember Kevin de León will contend in a run-off in the November 5 general election. 

Candidate fundraising and pledges: Jurado’s campaign has raised $602,000 and is not funded by police, fossil fuel, real estate, or corporate PAC interests.

Opposing candidate: Councilmember Kevin de León
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Councilmember de León’s campaign has raised $870,000 and is funded by police and real estate interests. In fall 2022, it was revealed through a leaked audio recording that Councilmember de León and several other council members had made derogatory and racist comments about Black constituents and the Black son of another member of the City Council. He was promptly censured by the City Council and stripped of his ability to participate in council meetings, but resisted calls for his resignation from prominent Democrats, including President Joe Biden. Since the scandal, Councilmember de León has been combative and defensive with the public, and was caught on camera in an altercation with an activist at a holiday toy giveaway in December 2022.

The District

City: Los Angeles is Los Angeles County’s most populous city. Los Angeles’s City Council District 14 includes Boyle Heights, Lincoln Heights, Downtown LA, El Sereno, and Northeast LA. 

Governance structure: Los Angeles City Council oversees the needs of 3.8 million people and manages an estimated operating budget of $13 billion annually. Los Angeles is managed by a mayor-council government structure.

The Position

Incorporated cities in California are generally governed by a five-person city council, although Los Angeles maintains a 15-person city council. A city council is responsible for establishing policy, passing local laws (called ordinances), voting on budget appropriations, and developing an overall vision for the city. City councilmembers in Los Angeles are ‎limited to three terms, or 12 years in office total. 

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Reelect Councilmember Brian Calderon Tabatabai to keep West Covina on the right track for progress. 

Progressive endorsements: Councilmember Tabatabai has the endorsement of many groups, including the California Working Families Party, the Sierra Club, California Environmental Voters, LA Voice, California Democratic Renters Council, and the LA County Democratic Party, labor unions like Unite Here! Local 11, SEIU California, and National Union of Healthcare Workers, and local leaders like Dolores Huerta, Rep. Grace Napolitano, LA County Supervisor Hilda Solis, and Assm. Anthony Rendon.

Key initiatives: Councilmember Councilmember Tabatabai has successfully secured funding for homelessness services, blocked an Amazon warehouse in the district, and executed West Covina’s first Pride event. He sits on the League of California Cities Public Safety Commission, where he advocates for alternatives to incarceration. He was also recently appointed to the California Tax Credit Allocation Committee, which incentivizes low-income housing through tax credits. 

Governance and community leadership experience: Councilmember Tabatabai has served in this seat since 2020. He was the top vote-getter in a field of three, and was elected with over 40% of the vote. 

Prior to his election to the City Council, Councilmember Tabatabai was a longtime public school teacher and coach. He began his career as an elementary special educator, then taught high school for more than 15 years. While in the classroom, Tabatabai helped write El Monte High School’s ethnic studies curriculum and pushed for more progressive policies toward school discipline. 

Other background: Councilmember Tabatabai is from the San Gabriel Valley. 

The Race

Primary election results: The West Covina City Council is not subject to a primary election. All open seats will be decided in the November general election.

The District

City: West Covina is Los Angeles County’s 14th most populous city. West Covina’s City Council District 1 includes the City Hall.

Governance structure: West Covina City Council oversees the needs of 106,617 people and manages an estimated operating budget of $155.69 million annually. West Covina is managed by a council-manager government structure.

The Position

Incorporated cities in California are generally governed by a five-person city council. A city council is responsible for establishing policy, passing local laws (called ordinances), voting on budget appropriations, and developing an overall vision for the city. City council members in West Covina serve four-year terms, and are not subject to term limits.

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Elect Karla Griego for School Board to put Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) on the right track for progress. 

Progressive endorsements: Griego has the endorsement of some groups, including California Working Families Party, La Defensa, United Farm Workers, United Teachers Los Angeles, and East Area Progressive Democrats. She also has the endorsement of some local leaders, including LA Councilmember Nithya Raman, outgoing District 5 Board Member Jackie Goldberg, and LA Councilmember Hugo Soto-Martinez.

Electoral history: Griego has not run for public office previously.

Governance and community leadership experience: Griego is a special education teacher and Community Schools Coordinator with LAUSD, working in a school for pregnant and parenting minors. She is a proponent of social and emotional learning, increasing resources for students with disabilities, and creating safe educational environments for diverse students. 

Other background: Griego is an immigrant, and has lived in Los Angeles since she was 5 years old. She is the parent of an LAUSD student.

The Race

Primary election results: The March 2024 results included Karla Griego 37%, Graciela Ortiz 29%, Fidencio Gallardo 25%, and Victorio Gutierrez 10%. Karla Griego and Graciela “Grace” Ortiz will contend in the November 5 run-off election.

The District

School system: LAUSD is located in Los Angeles County, which is California’s most populous county. LAUSD includes 86 high schools, 77 middle schools, 435 elementary schools, and 11 adult education center(s) serving a population of roughly 557,000 Californians. It is the second-largest school district in the United States.

Governance structure: LAUSD has a 7-person board that provides administrative oversight and manages a budget of $18.8 billion annually.  

The Position

Members of the LAUSD are elected in a districted race and serve four-year terms. 

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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.
 

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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.
 

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Reelect State Senator Henry Stern to keep SD-27 on the right track for progress. 

Sen. Henry Stern’s track record and policy positions demonstrate that he will continue to be a progressive voice for the constituents of SD-27 and will govern effectively in the best interests of this diverse district.

Progressive endorsements: Sen. Stern has the endorsement of some groups, including California Environmental Voters, Stonewall Democratic Club, and Equality California, as well as labor unions, like United Farm Workers, AFSCME, United Healthcare Workers West, and SEIU. 

Top issues: Green energy, climate resiliency, public utilities, and health care.

Priority bills: This legislative session, Sen. Stern’s priorities for SD-27 have included 39 bills about reducing emissions, strengthening incentives for green energy for individuals, increasing penalties for polluting corporations, making health care (including medical marijuana) easier to access, and climate research. Of these, nine have been chaptered into law, four have died, one has been vetoed, and the rest remain in committee. In 2023, he sponsored and passed legislation to require the annual creation of a climate-related financial-risk disclosure for some entities operating in the state, allow medicinal cannabis access for individuals over 65 who have chronic conditions, streamline the installation of sunshade structures on school grounds, and require state agencies to reduce methane gas emissions. In 2024, he proposed legislation to amend the borrowing and repayment period for the Los Angeles County Flood Control District, adjust reporting requirements for the California Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006, and create the California Teachers Collaborative for Holocaust and Genocide Education to establish statewide curriculum framework around these topics. Sen. Stern scored a CS of 100 out of 100 on Courage Score for supporting the most progressive bills that made it to a vote last year, and has been designated as a Courage All-Star. That said, Sen. Stern has not supported and abstained from several votes on criminal justice reform in previous years. 

Committee leadership/membership: Sen. Stern currently sits on four committees, including Judiciary, Natural Resources and Water, and Energy, Utilities, and Communications. He serves as chair of the Joint Legislative Committee on Climate Change Policies.

Governance and community leadership experience: Sen. Stern has served in this state Senate seat since 2016, when he was elected with over 55% of the vote. In 2020, he won his reelection against a Republican challenger by 20 points.

Prior to his election to the state Senate, Sen. Stern was an environmental lawyer and a high school teacher. He served as an attorney on Capitol Hill before pursuing civil rights and environmental law back in California. He is a longtime supporter of environmental protections, and has received annual recognition from Sierra Club and California Environmental Justice Alliance for his work in the legislature, and has authored legislation providing incentives and requirements for clean energy. As a state Senator, he serves as the Senate’s Ex Oficio member to the California Air Resources Board.

Other background: Sen. Stern is from New York and was raised in California. He earned his BA from Harvard and his law degree from UC Berkeley.

The Race

Primary election results: The March 2024 results included incumbent Sen. Henry Stern (D) 44%, Lucie Volotzky (R) 38%, Susan Collins (D) 18%. Sen. Henry Stern and Lucie Volotzky will contend in a run-off in the November 5 general election. 

Candidate fundraising and pledges: Sen. Stern’s campaign has raised $671,000 and is funded by police, fossil fuel, corporate PAC, and real estate interests. His problematic donors include NRG Energy Incorporated, Los Angeles Police Protective League PAC, Google LLC, Comcast Corporation, and California Real Estate PAC.

Opposing candidate: Republican Lucie Volotzky
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Volotzky’s campaign has raised $39,000 and is not funded by police, real estate, fossil fuel, and corporate PAC interests.

The District

Counties in district: California’s 27th State Senate District includes parts of Los Angeles and Ventura Counties.

Voter registration: 47% Democrat, 24% Republican, and 22% No Party Preference. Democrats typically hold this district.

District demographics: 18% Latino, 11% Asian, and 5% Black. 

Recent election results: SD-27 voted for Joe Biden for president in 2020 by 29 points and Gavin Newsom for governor in 2022 by 21 points.

The Position

State senators represent and advocate for the needs of their district constituents at the California State Capitol. They are responsible for creating, debating, and voting on legislation that addresses issues within their district.

The California State Senate has 40 districts. Each represents a population of about 930,000 Californians. Representatives are elected to the Senate for a four-year term. Every two years, half of the Senate’s 40 seats are subject to election. Members elected before 2012 are restricted to two four-year terms (eight years) in the Senate. Those elected in or after 2012 are allowed to serve 12 years total across both the state Senate or Assembly. This term, Democrats currently hold a two-thirds supermajority of 31 seats in the California State Senate, while Republicans hold 9 seats.

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Reelect State Senator Lena Gonzalez to keep SD-33 on the right track for progress. 

Sen. Gonzalez’s track record and policy positions demonstrate that she will continue to be a progressive voice for the constituents of SD-33 and will govern effectively in the best interests of this diverse district.

Progressive endorsements: Sen. Gonzalez has the endorsement of many groups, including California Environmental Voters, Equality California, and SEIU-United Healthcare Workers West. 

Top issues: Environmental protections, clean-energy infrastructure, public services, economic growth, housing insecurity and affordability, mental health care, college access, and labor and employment protections.

Priority bills: This legislative session, Sen. Gonzalez’s priorities for SD-33 have included 45 bills about climate and air pollution protections, electric vehicle infrastructure, sustainability, and labor protections. Of these, nine have been successfully chaptered into law, nine have died, two have been vetoed, and the rest remain in committee. In 2023, she sponsored and passed legislation to extend California’s Clean Transportation Program, require more transparent data-sharing from Caltrans on highway system expansions, increase the required sick-day provision from three to five, and allow public colleges and universities to repurpose grant funds into awards for eligible California Dream Act students. In 2024, she proposed legislation to require the state of California to increase monthly savings to address oil clean-up projects in Long Beach, reduce health disparities for Latino and Indigenous communities, and require that individuals who move to California with a firearm obtain a Firearm Safety Certificate. During her time in the state Senate, she has consistently 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, Sen. Gonzalez has supported all progressive bills that made it to a vote, and has been designated as a Courage All-Star.

Committee leadership/membership: Sen. Gonzalez currently sits on five committees, including Energy, Utilities, and Communication, Environmental Quality, Education, and Health. She serves as chair of the Select Committee on Ports and Goods Movement, and as the Senate Majority Leader. 

Governance and community leadership experience: Sen. Gonzalez has served in this state Senate seat since 2019, when she won a special election with over 69% of the vote. In 2020, she won a full-term and defeated her Republican challenger by 24 points.

Prior to her election to the state Senate, Sen. Gonzalez served for five years as a councilmember for the Long Beach City Council, where she supported workforce development and housing initiatives. Before entering public service, she worked for Microsoft developing programs that addressed the digital divide and women in STEM.

Other background: Sen. Gonzalez lives in Long Beach. She is a first-generation American.

The Race

Primary election results: The March 2024 results included incumbent Sen. Lena Gonzalez (D) 69%, Mario Paz (R) 17%, Sharifah Hardie (R) 14%. Sen. Lena Gonzalez and Mario Paz will contend in a run-off in the November 5 general election. 

Candidate fundraising and pledges: Sen. Gonzalez’s campaign has raised $1.5 million and is funded by police, fossil fuel, corporate PAC, and real estate interests. Her problematic donors include Sempra Energy, PG&E Corporation, Lyft Inc., and California Real Estate PAC.

Opposing candidate: Republican Mario Paz
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Paz’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 33rd State Senate District includes parts of Los Angeles County.

Voter registration: 56% Democrat, 15% Republican, and 22% No Party Preference. Democrats typically hold this seat.

District demographics: 53% Latino, 10% Asian, and 11% Black. This district is considered to be one of the strong Latino seats in the California State Senate delegation.

Recent election results: SD-33 voted for Joe Biden for president in 2020 by 50 points and Gavin Newsom for governor in 2022 by 38 points.

The Position

State senators represent and advocate for the needs of their district constituents at the California State Capitol. They are responsible for creating, debating, and voting on legislation that addresses issues within their district.

The California State Senate has 40 districts. Each represents a population of about 930,000 Californians. Representatives are elected to the Senate for a four-year term. Every two years, half of the Senate's 40 seats are subject to election. Members elected before 2012 are restricted to two four-year terms (eight years) in the Senate. Those elected in or after 2012 are allowed to serve 12 years total across both the state Senate or Assembly. This term, Democrats currently hold a two-thirds supermajority of 31 seats in the California State Senate, while Republicans hold 9 seats.

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Courage California endorses 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.
 

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Elect Ricardo Ortega for State Assembly to put AD-34 on the right track for progress. 

Ricardo Ortega’s policy positions demonstrate that he will be a progressive voice for the constituents of AD-34 and will govern effectively in the best interests of this diverse district.

Progressive endorsements: Ortega has the endorsement of some groups, including California Latino Legislative Caucus, Equality California, National Union of Healthcare Workers, and Planned Parenthood of Orange and San Bernardino Counties. He has also received the endorsement of some elected leaders, including Assm. Luz Rivas, Assembly Speaker Emeritus Anthony Rendon, and State Sen. María Elena Durazo.

Electoral history: Ortega has not run for office before.

Top issues: Sustainable economic growth, public safety, infrastructure investments, health-care access and facilities, and improving the child welfare system.

Governance and community leadership experience: Ortega is a youth advocate, which he does to support the ongoing improvement and equity of the systems supporting underserved young people and their communities. In roles with Children’s Institute, California Youth Connection, and Children’s Law Center of California, Ortega has supported social-emotional development, crisis intervention, family communication, and client documentation. He has also served in a variety of public roles, including as a Los Angeles County Youth Commissioner, a member of the state’s Mental Health Board for Transitional Age Youth, and a member of the Huntington Park Civil Service Commission. Ortega experienced homelessness in his youth, and has been a committed advocate for legislation and policies that ease foster youth placements and other public support for this vulnerable population. 

Other background: Ortega is from Los Angeles County.

The Race

Primary election results: The March 2024 results included incumbent Assm. Tom Lackey (R) 66%, and Ricardo Ortega (D) 34%. Assm. Tom Lackey and Ricardo Ortega will contend in a run-off in the November 5 general election. 

Candidate fundraising and pledges: Ortega’s campaign has raised $61,000 and is not funded by police, fossil fuel, corporate PAC, or real estate interests.

Opposing candidate: Republican Assm. Tom Lackey
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Assm. Lackey’s campaign has raised $377,000 and is funded by police, fossil fuel, real estate, and corporate PAC interests.

The District

Counties in district: California’s 34th Assembly District includes parts of Los Angeles, San Bernardino, and Kern Counties.

Voter registration: 32% Democrat, 39% Republican, and 20% No Party Preference. Republicans typically hold this district.

District demographics: 28% Latino, 4% Asian, and 9% Black. 

Recent election results: AD-34 voted for Donald Trump for president in 2020 by 56 points and Brian Dahle for governor in 2022 by 26 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.

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Re-elect Assemblymember Juan Carrillo to keep AD-39 on the right track for progress. 

Assm. Juan Carrillo’s track record and policy positions demonstrate that he will continue to be a representative voice for the constituents of AD-39. While he has maintained concerning ties to problematic police organizations and has not supported some significant progressive legislation that has made it to a vote, our analysis shows that he will govern effectively in the best interests of this diverse district if he is subjected to increased community accountability.  

Progressive endorsements: Assm. Carrillo has the endorsement of some groups, including Equality California, AFSCME California, High Desert Progressive Democrats, and SEIU-United Healthcare Workers West. He has also received problematic donations from a variety of organizations, including California Real Estate PAC, Edison International, California Association of Highway Patrolmen, and Amazon.com Services.

Top issues: Pandemic recovery, worker equity, homelessness and housing, clean energy and pollution protections, wildlife and water conservation, early-childhood education, and transportation.

Priority bills: This legislative session, Assm. Carrillo’s priorities for AD-39 have included 40 bills about clean energy and pollution, housing policy, wildlife conservation, and health care. Of these, seven have been successfully chaptered into law, six have died, three have been vetoed, and the rest remain in committee. In 2023, he sponsored and passed legislation to create more efficiency in broadband permitting and installation, expand requirements for marketing the planned sale of goods from a delinquent storage unit, and build data, modeling, and analytic tools to support sustainable transportation initiatives in the state. In 2024, he proposed legislation to raise awareness about mental health for California students, require the state board of education to adopt a parent guide and toolkit for the English Learner Roadmap, and expand access to homeownership by creating a framework for the Building Homeownership for All Program. He scored a CS of 73 out of 100 on Courage Score, our annual analysis of legislators’ progressive voting records. Based on our Courage Score analysis, Assm. Carrillo supported some progressive bills that made it to a vote last year. Assm. Carrillo failed to cast a vote on several critical pieces of legislation, including bills to set a $20 minimum wage for fast-food workers, increase grant-fund reporting requirements for charter schools, and create protections from retaliation for workers who report labor violations or unequal pay. 

Member of the California Legislative Progressive Caucus?: No

Committee leadership/membership: Assm. Carrillo currently sits on four committees, including Military and Veterans Affairs, Business and Professions, and Transportation. He serves as chair of the Standing Committee on Local Government, and as chair of the Select Committee on Mobility in the Golden State. Assm. Carrillo is a member of the California Legislative Latino Caucus and the Problem Solvers Caucus, a bipartisan and bicameral group that claims that their collaborative work allows them to take a more holistic approach to evaluating legislation. In reality, the Problem Solvers Caucus actively works with problematic industries against progressive policies.

Governance and community leadership experience: Assm. Carrillo has served in this assembly seat since 2022, when he was elected with over 57% of the vote. 

Prior to his election to the Assembly, Assm. Carrillo served as a member of the Palmdale City Council and the Palmdale School District Board of Trustees. As a community leader, he was a strong supporter of efforts to create greater local equity in education, housing, and health care. As part of his policy work, he supported the establishment of a plan for $5,000 of local rental assistance. Before entering public service, he spent 10 years as a city planner in Palmdale.

Other background: Assm. Carrillo is from Guadalajara Jalisco, Mexico. He attended an ESL program when he was 15, after his immigration to the United States.

The Race

Primary election results: The March 2024 results included incumbent Assm. Juan Carrillo (D) 53%, and Paul Andre Marsh (R) 47%. Assm. Juan Carrillo and Paul Andre Marsh will contend in a run-off in the November 5 general election. 

Candidate fundraising and pledges: Assm. Carrillo’s campaign has raised $902,000 and is funded by police, fossil fuel, corporate PAC, and real estate interests. His problematic donors include California Apartment Association PAC, California Correctional Peace Officers Association PAC, Berry Petroleum Company, and AirBnB Inc.

Opposing candidate: Republican Paul Andre Marsh
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Marsh’s campaign has raised $15,000 and is funded primarily by individual donors.

The District

Counties in district: California’s 39th Assembly District includes parts of Los Angeles and San Bernardino Counties.

Voter registration: 47% Democrat, 22% Republican, and 22% No Party Preference. Democrats typically hold this district.

District demographics: 50% Latino, 4% Asian, and 17% Black. This district is considered to be one of the strong Latino seats in the California Assembly delegation.

Recent election results: AD-39 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.

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Reelect Assemblymember Pilar Schiavo to keep AD-40 on the right track for progress. 

Assm. Schiavo’s track record and policy positions demonstrate that she will continue to be a representative voice for the constituents of AD-40 and will govern effectively in the best interests of this diverse district.

Progressive endorsements: Assm. Schiavo has the endorsement of many groups, including Equality California, Sierra Club California, Reproductive Freedom for All California, California Environmental Voters, and many labor groups. She has also received a problematic endorsement from Los Angeles Police Protective League. 

Top issues: Economy and jobs creation, Health Care for All, homelessness and housing, mutual aid, women’s issues, and environmental protections.

Priority bills: This legislative session, Assm. Schiavo’s priorities for AD-40 have included 44 bills about PFAS and product safety, worker benefits, homelessness and housing, and childcare. Of these, eight have been successfully chaptered into law, 10 have died, four have been vetoed, and the rest remain in committee. In 2023, she sponsored and passed legislation to require the convening of an Affordable Housing Finance Workgroup to develop recommendations for funding projects, update regulations on payment deferral requests for military reservists, and eliminate corporate greed in the Medicare system. In 2024, she proposed legislation to encourage all school districts to develop a healthy homework policy to guide homework distribution by grade, require the Department of Public Health to raise awareness of the state’s abortion access website, and put new limits on foreclosure proceedings. She scored a CS of 75 out of 100 on Courage Score, our annual analysis of legislators’ progressive voting records. Based on our Courage Score analysis, Assm. Schiavo supported some progressive bills that made it to a vote last year. Assm. Schiavo failed to cast a vote on several important pieces of legislation this session, including ACA13 to amend the threshold for passing ballot measures, AB600 to allow a judge to recall a sentence if there is a change to the law after sentencing, and AB12 to cap the security deposit amount a landlord can require to one month of rent.

Member of the California Legislative Progressive Caucus?: No

Committee leadership/membership: Assm. Schiavo currently sits on five standing committees, including Health, Water, Parks, and Wildlife, and Utilities and Energy. She serves as chair of the Committee on Military and Veterans Affairs, and chair of the Select Committee on Electric Vehicles and Charging Infrastructure.

Governance and community leadership experience: Assm. Schiavo has served in this assembly seat since 2022, when she was elected with 50.2% of the vote, a margin of just 500 votes over her Republican opponent.

Prior to her election to the Assembly, Assm. Schiavo was long involved in labor-organizing work. She served as political director for the San Francisco Labor Council, which guaranteed health care in San Francisco. Schiavo also recruited and trained new organizers at the AFL-CIO Organizing Institute and represented mental health workers for SEIU in Massachusetts, where she also did low-income tenant organizing. She spent 13 years with the California Nurses Association (CNA), where she worked closely with nurses to organize a statewide coalition for a single-payer system in California, including coordinating the field campaign for SB 562. Her work with CNA also involved time as a field coordinator to deploy nurses for disasters and humanitarian missions to hurricane sites, border shelters, California wildfires, and a COVID-19 vaccine clinic in South Los Angeles. Assm. Schiavo has worked with APEN and a broad coalition in the East Bay on environmental issues, and with Jobs with Justice SF, the Chinese Progressive Association, and various SEIU Local and unions in San Francisco while at the San Francisco Labor Council. In her more recent organizing, Schiavo co-founded West Valley Homes YES! (WVHY) to fight for housing for unhoused neighbors. In 2020, the organization became the largest mutual-aid program in the San Fernando Valley. 

Other background: Assm. Schiavo is from Southern California’s West Valley and currently lives in Chatsworth.

The Race

Primary election results: The March 2024 results included incumbent Assm. Pilar Schiavo (D) 50.2%, and Patrick Lee Gipson (R) 49.8%. Assm. Pilar Schiavo and Patrick Lee Gipson will contend in a run-off in the November 5 general election. 

Candidate fundraising and pledges: Assm. Schiavo’s campaign has raised $1.7 million  and is funded by police, fossil fuel, real estate, and corporate PAC interests. Her problematic donors include Los Angeles Police Protective League PAC, Edison International, California Real Estate PAC, and AirBnB Inc.

Opposing candidate: Republican Patrick Lee Gipson
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Gipson’s campaign has raised $273,000 and is funded by police interests.

The District

Counties in district: California’s 40th Assembly District includes parts of Los Angeles County.

Voter registration: 42% Democrat, 29% Republican, and 22% No Party Preference. This district was held by Republicans until 2018 when James Ramos won and flipped it from red to blue. 

District demographics: 27% Latino, 15% Asian, and 6% Black. 

Recent election results: AD-40 voted for Joe Biden for president in 2020 by 16 points and Gavin Newsom for governor in 2022 by 6 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.

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Elect John Harabedian for State Assembly to put AD-41 on the right track for progress. 

John Harabedian’s track record and policy positions demonstrate that he will be a progressive voice for the constituents of AD-41 and will govern effectively in the best interests of this diverse district.

Progressive endorsements: Harabedian has the endorsement of some groups, including California Environmental Voters, California Teachers Association, and AFSCME California PEOPLE. He has also received the endorsement of some elected leaders, including State Sen. María Elena Durazo, Assm. Rick Chavez Zbur, and Assm. Matt Haney. 

Electoral history: Harabedian has run for office previously, and won his 2012 and 2016 races for Sierra Madre City Council. He served two terms as mayor during his time on the Council. 

Top issues: Homelessness and housing, climate protections, voting rights and election protection, reproductive freedom, and gun-violence prevention.

Governance and community leadership experience: Harabedian is an attorney and a public servant. He has worked as a prosecutor for the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office and in private practice, and has worked on cases involving immigration law and equal rights. In his public service roles, he prioritized environmental protections, and housing development. Harabedian was also involved in the establishment of a solar panel field that provides power for the municipal water department. He is currently the Regional Vice Chair of the Los Angeles County Democratic Party. 

Other background: Harabedian is from Sierra Madre, and lives in Pasadena. He is Armenian-American.

The Race

Primary election results: The March 2024 results included Michelle Del Rosario Martinez (R) 40%, John Harabedian (D) 30%, Phlunté Riddle (D) 16%, and Jed Leano (D) 15%. Michelle Del Rosario Martinez and John Harabedian will contend in a run-off in the November 5 general election. 

Candidate fundraising and pledges: Harabedian’s campaign has raised $831,000 and is funded by police, fossil fuel, real estate, and corporate PAC interests. His problematic donors include Sempra Energy, California Association of Highway Patrolmen PAC, AT&T, and California Business Properties Association PAC. 

Opposing candidate: Republican Michelle Del Rosario Martinez
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Martinez’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 41st Assembly District includes parts of Los Angeles and San Bernardino Counties.

Voter registration: 45% Democrat, 28% Republican, and 20% No Party Preference. Democrats typically hold this district.

District demographics: 26% Latino, 13% Asian, and 8% Black.

Recent election results: AD-41 voted for Joe Biden for president in 2020 by 25 points and Gavin Newsom for governor in 2022 by 17 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.

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Reelect Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin to keep AD-42 on the right track for progress. 

Assm. Jacqui Irwin has been a frequent recipient of donations from a variety of problematic funders, including Sempra Energy, McDonald’s Corporation, California Real Estate PAC, and California Association of Highway Patrolmen PAC. Given Assm. Irwin’s connection to these groups, it is important that voters continue to hold her accountable to ensure that her legislative efforts remain in the best interests of AD-42 constituents instead of wealthy special interests. 

Endorsements: Assm. Jacqui Irwin has the endorsement of some groups, including Equality California, California Environmental Voters, Planned Parenthood, and AFSCME California. However, she has been a frequent recipient of support from police and law enforcement organizations and leaders, including endorsements from Los Angeles Police Protective League, Simi Valley Police Officers Association, and California Correctional Peace Officers Association. 

Top issues: Consumer protections, transportation, education, electric vehicle infrastructure, taxation, and medical care.

Priority bills: This legislative session, Assm. Irwin’s priorities for AD-42 have included 49 bills about properties impacted by wildfires, worker benefits, and the online footprint of government agencies. Of these, 14 have been successfully chaptered into law, five have died, four have been vetoed, and the rest remain in committee. In 2023, she sponsored and passed legislation to increase the age of eligibility for the ABLE Act from 26 to 46, streamline the review process for some groups of individuals qualified for the Multifamily Housing Program and the Behavioral Health Continuum Infrastructure Program, and expand exemptions for death benefits in Workers’ Compensation. In 2024, she proposed legislation to eliminate jurisdictional rules in cases of theft, authorize civil engineers to provide visual inspections of new condominium construction, and raise awareness about engineering, and the importance of physical and mental health. She scored a CS of 48 out of 100 on Courage Score, our annual analysis of legislators’ progressive voting record. Based on our Courage Score analysis, Assm. Irwin supported a few progressive bills that made it to a vote. Last year, she failed to cast a vote on several critical pieces of legislation, including bills to close loopholes for no-fault just-cause evictions, protect workers against discrimination and retaliation from their employers, allow a judge to recall a sentence when laws or circumstances change, and cap the amount a landlord can request as a security deposit to a single month of rent. Assm. Irwin is a member of the California Legislative Latino Caucus and the Problem Solvers Caucus, a bipartisan and bicameral group that claims that their collaborative work allows them to take a more holistic approach to evaluating legislation. In reality, the Problem Solvers Caucus actively works with problematic industries against progressive policies.

Member of the California Legislative Progressive Caucus?: No

Committee Leadership/Membership: Assm. Irwin currently sits on five standing committees, including Agriculture, Business and Professions, Higher Education, and Privacy and Consumer Protection. She serves as chair of the committee on Revenue and Taxation, and the chair of the select committee on Cybersecurity. 

Governance and community leadership experience: Assm. Irwin has served in this assembly seat since 2014, when she was elected with over 52% of the vote. In 2022, she won her reelection against a Republican challenger by 10 points.

Prior to her election to the State Assembly, Assm. Irwin spent ten years on the Thousand Oaks City Council, including two terms as mayor. In this local role, she worked for increased public safety and the preservation of open lands. She started her career in engineering, and has championed Assembly bills centered on the expansion of STEM education centers and improved cybersecurity policies.

Other background: Assm. Irwin has lived in Thousand Oaks for 20 years.

The Race

Primary election results: The March 2024 results included incumbent Assm. Jacqui Irwin (D) 54%, and Ted Nordblum (R) 46%. Assm. Jacqui Irwin and Ted Nordblum will contend in a run-off in the November 5 general election. 

Candidate fundraising and pledges: Assm. Irwin’s campaign has raised $737,000 and is funded by police, fossil fuel, real estate, and corporate PAC interests. Her problematic donors include Bloom Energy Corporation, Association for Los Angeles Deputy Sheriffs State PAC, Apartment Association of Greater Los Angeles Candidate PAC, and AirBnB Inc.

Opposing candidate: Republican Ted Nordblum
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Nordblum’s campaign has raised $96,000 and is funded primarily by individual donors.

The District

Counties in district: California’s 42nd Assembly District includes parts of Los Angeles and Ventura Counties.

Voter registration: 42% Democrat, 30% Republican, and 21% No Party Preference. Republicans held this seat until redistricting. In 2022, Assm. Jacqui Irwin won and flipped it from red to blue.

District demographics: 14% Latino, 9% Asian, and 2% Black. 

Recent election results: AD-42 voted for Joe Biden for president in 2020 by 19 points and Gavin Newsom for governor in 2022 by 8 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.

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Elect Celeste Rodriguez for State Assembly to put AD-43 on the right track for progress. 

Celeste Rodriguez’s track record and policy positions demonstrate that she will be a progressive voice for the constituents of AD-43 and will govern effectively in the best interests of this diverse district.

Progressive endorsements: Rodriguez has received the endorsement of some groups, including California Legislative Women’s Caucus, Equality California, Abundant Housing LA, and many labor organizations. She has also received the endorsement of some elected leaders, including Rep. Tony Cardenas, Speaker Robert Rivas, State Sen. Monique Limón, Assm. Luz Rivas, and Assm. Isaac Bryan.

Electoral history: Rodriguez narrowly won her race for San Fernando City Council in 2020 with 25% of the vote. She currently serves as mayor.

Top issues: Economic empowerment and growth, homelessness and housing, and environmental justice.

Governance and community leadership experience: Rodriguez is a public servant and elected official, which she does to create responsive and effective public programs to support local communities. She currently serves as the head of the Community Services Section of the Los Angeles Community Investment for Families Department (CIFD), where she leads a team working on local initiatives to help alleviate poverty and financial hardship. This work includes children’s savings accounts, a local guaranteed income pilot, and stability support programs. Rodriguez worked for former Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti and the City of Los Angeles on homelessness initiatives, veterans’ affairs, and economic development. She has also served as the Racial Equity Officer for CIFD and the Los Angeles Housing and Community Investment Department. She won election to the San Fernando City Council in 2020, and has served as mayor since 2022. In her first elected role, Rodriguez has focused on initiatives to fund and implement economic development, infrastructure improvements, and affordability. 

Other background: Rodriguez is a lifelong resident of the San Fernando Valley.

The Race

Primary election results: The March 2024 results included Celeste Rodriguez (D) 44%, Victoria Garcia (R) 24%, Walter Garcia (D) 17%, and Felicia Novick (R) 7%. Celeste Rodriguez and Victoria Garcia will contend in a run-off in the November 5 general election. 

Candidate fundraising and pledges: Rodriguez’s campaign has raised $516,000 and is funded by police, fossil fuel, real estate, and corporate PAC interests. Her problematic donors include Edison International, DoorDash Inc, California Real Estate PAC, and California Association of Highway Patrolmen PAC.

Opposing candidate: Republican Victoria Garcia
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Garcia’s campaign has raised $4,000 and is funded by individual donors.

The District

Counties in district: California’s 43rd Assembly District includes parts of Los Angeles County.

Voter registration: 56% Democrat, 14% Republican, and 24% No Party Preference. Democrats typically hold this district.

District demographics: 64% Latino, 9% Asian, and 5% Black. This district is considered to be one of the strong Latino seats in the California Assembly delegation.

Recent election results: AD-43 voted for Joe Biden for president in 2020 by 50 points and Gavin Newsom for governor in 2022 by 42 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.

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Elect Nick Schultz for State Assembly to put AD-44 on the right track for progress. 

Nick Schultz’s track record and policy positions demonstrate that he will be a progressive voice for the constituents of AD-44 and will govern effectively in the best interests of this diverse district.

Progressive endorsements: Schultz has the endorsement of many groups, including California Legislative Progressive Caucus, Abundant Housing Los Angeles, California Environmental Voters, Smart Justice California, and many labor organizations. He has also received the endorsement of some local leaders, including outgoing AD-44 Assm. Laura Friedman, Assm. Ash Kalra, State Sen. Scott Wiener, and Burbank Vice Mayor Nikki Perez. 

Electoral history: Schultz has run for office previously, and won his race for Burbank City Council in 2020 after earning over 15% of the vote. As of December 2023, he is serving as mayor. 

Top issues: Climate protections, criminal justice reform, homelessness and housing affordability, economic growth, and health care for all.

Governance and community leadership experience: Schultz is a public official and a public servant, which he does to use his knowledge and leadership to support community initiatives. As a member of the Burbank City Council, he has worked to support economic development and stimulation through the challenging pandemic years, support hero pay for grocery and other essential workers, steward a pollution-reduction plan designed to lead the city to eventual carbon neutrality, and establish 1,000 new housing units within the city. Schultz is an attorney, and currently serves as deputy attorney general for the California Department of Justice. As a Special Prosecutions AG, he primarily prosecutes cases of public corruption, tax evasion, human trafficking, and police misconduct. He has helped improve policy at the DOJ by assisting in the creation of a Post-Conviction Review Unit to evaluate potential wrongful convictions in the state. Long involved in local politics, Schultz currently serves as vice chair of the Democratic Party of the San Fernando Valley. 

Other background: Schultz lives in Burbank. He was a first-generation college student.

The Race

Primary election results: The March 2024 results included Nick Schultz (D) 28%, Tony Rodriguez (R) 26%, Ed Han (D) 16%, Elen Asatryan (D) 13%, Steve Pierson (D) 7%, and Carmenita Helligar (D) 6%. Nick Schultz and Tony Rodriguez will contend in a run-off in the November 5 general election. 

Candidate fundraising and pledges: Schultz’s campaign has raised $928,000 and is not funded by fossil fuel interests. He has received problematic donations from police, real estate, and corporate PAC interests, including from California Real Estate PAC, Disney Worldwide Services Inc., Johnson & Johnson, and Western Manufactured Housing Communities Association PAC.

Opposing candidate: Republican Tony Rodriguez
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Rodriguez’s campaign has raised $7,300 and is funded primarily by individual donors.

The District

Counties in district: California’s 44th Assembly District includes parts of Los Angeles County.

Voter registration: 51% Democrat, 19% Republican, and 24% No Party Preference. Democrats typically hold this district.

District demographics: 18% Latino, 11% Asian, and 5% Black. 

Recent election results: AD-44 voted for Joe Biden for president in 2020 by 39 points and Gavin Newsom for governor in 2022 by 40 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.

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Reelect Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel to keep AD-46 on the right track for progress. 

Assm. Jesse Gabriel’s track record and policy positions demonstrate that he will continue to be a representative voice for the constituents of AD-46 and will govern effectively in the best interests of this diverse district.

Progressive endorsements: Assm. Gabriel has the endorsement of many groups, including Equality California, AFSCME California, California Labor Federation, and California Environmental Voters. He has the endorsement of many elected leaders, including Sen. Alex Padilla, Gov. Gavin Newsom, and Secretary of State Dr. Shirley Weber. However, Assm. Gabriel has also received a problematic endorsement from California Correctional Peace Officers Association.

Top issues: Police officer training, green economy infrastructure, justice reform, voting rights, and housing.

Priority bills: This legislative session, Assm. Gabriel’s priorities for AD-46 have included 64 bills about electric vehicle infrastructure, consumer protections, criminal justice reform, and firearm safety. Of these, 14 have been successfully chaptered into law, eight have died, three have been vetoed, and the rest remain in committee. In 2023, he sponsored and passed legislation to impose an excise tax of 11% on retail firearm and ammunition sales, expand the ability to modify a restraining order through its duration, and designate an individual’s citizenship and immigration status as part of their sensitive personal information in consumer privacy. In 2024, he proposed legislation to increase accountability for corporate criminals and fund programs for survivors of domestic violence, human trafficking, and assault, strengthen whistleblower hotline laws, eliminate six harmful chemicals from school lunches, and regulate company carbon offsets. He scored a CS of 86 out of 100 on Courage Score, our annual analysis of legislators’ progressive voting records. Based on our Courage Score analysis, Assm. Gabriel supported some progressive bills that made it to a vote last year. That said, Assm. Gabriel failed to cast a vote on several significant pieces of legislation, including bills to allow resentencing for individuals with firearm enhancements, protect out-of-state individuals seeking abortion or gender affirming care in California, and increase charter school accountability by enforcing more grant-reporting requirements.

Member of the California Legislative Progressive Caucus?: Yes

Committee leadership/membership: Assm. Gabriel currently sits on two committees, including Governmental Organization, and Budget, where he serves as chair. He also serves as vice chair of the Joint Legislative Budget Committee. Assm. Gabriel is also co-chair of the California Legislative Jewish Caucus. 

Governance and community leadership experience: Assm. Gabriel has served in this assembly seat since 2018, when he won a special election with over 65% of the vote. In 2022, he won his reelection against a Republican challenger by 30 points.

Prior to his election to the Assembly, Assm. Gabriel was counselor to former US Senator Evan Bayh. Assm. Gabriel has been a longtime supporter of expanding legal services to low-income Californians.

Other background: Assm. Gabriel, an attorney, is from Berkeley. He represented survivors of abuse and other notable groups, like Holocaust survivors, in his legal practice at Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher.

The Race

Primary election results: The March 2024 results included incumbent Assm. Jesse Gabriel (D) 66%, and Tracey Schroeder (R) 34%. Assm. Jesse Gabriel and Tracey Schroeder will contend in a run-off in the November 5 general election. 

Candidate fundraising and pledges: Assm. Gabriel’s campaign has raised $1.3 million and is funded by police, fossil fuel, corporate PAC, and real estate interests. His problematic donors include California Correctional Peace Officers Association PAC, Bloom Energy Corporation, Apartment Association of Greater Los Angeles PAC, Amazon.com Services LLC, and AirBnB Inc.

Opposing candidate: Republican Tracey Schroeder
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Schroeder’s campaign has raised $6,200 and is funded primarily by individual donors.

The District

Counties in district: California’s 46th Assembly District includes parts of Los Angeles and Ventura Counties.

Voter registration: 51% Democrat, 19% Republican, and 23% No Party Preference. Democrats typically hold this district.

District demographics: 29% Latino, 12% Asian, and 6% Black. 

Recent election results: AD-46 voted for Joe Biden for president in 2020 by 38 points and Gavin Newsom for governor in 2022 by 32 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.

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Reelect Assemblymember Mike Fong to keep AD-49 on the right track for progress. 

Assm. Mike Fong’s track record and policy positions demonstrate that he will continue to be a progressive voice for the constituents of AD-49 and will govern effectively in the best interests of this diverse district.

Progressive endorsements: Assm. Fong has the endorsement of some groups, including Equality California, California Environmental Voters, and SEIU-United Healthcare Workers West. 

Top issues: Education, workforce development, disability access, environmental protections, homelessness and housing, firearm safety, and technological infrastructure.

Priority bills: This legislative session, Assm. Fong’s priorities for AD-49 have included 43 bills about higher education, firearm safety, workforce development, and postsecondary education. Of these, 12 have been successfully chaptered into law, three have died, two have been vetoed, and the rest remain in committee. In 2023, he sponsored and passed legislation to establish the California Court Interpreter Workforce Pilot Program, prohibit the sale of firearms and their accessories by government entities, improve protections for survivors of sexual misconduct on campuses, and establish a statewide bond to provide funding for K–12 and community college facilities. In 2024, he proposed legislation to require CSU and US systems to establish systems to oversee the prevention of sexual harassment and discrimination on campus, provide preapprenticeship courses at community colleges, and increase parity in employee-discipline protections at community colleges. He 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. Fong supported all progressive bills that made it to a vote in his tenure in the Assembly, and was designated as an Honorable Mention legislator in 2022 and 2023. 

Member of the California Legislative Progressive Caucus?: No

Committee leadership/membership: Assm. Fong currently sits on six committees, including Appropriations, Banking and Finance, and Budget. He serves as the chair of the Standing Committee on Higher Education, and the Select Committee on Racism, Hate, and Xenophobia. 

Governance and community leadership experience: Assm. Fong has served in this assembly seat since February 2022, when he won a special election with over 67% of the vote. In 2022, he won his full-term reelection against a Republican challenger by 34 points.

Prior to his election to the Assembly, Assm. Fong served as director of policy and government relations for the City of Los Angeles Department of Neighborhood Empowerment, which he did to support local integration of public services. Before holding this role, Fong served as the East Area director for Los Angeles Mayor Villaraigosa. He also served as commissioner of the Alhambra Transportation Commission, and as an advisory board member for LA’s BEST Afterschool Enrichment Program. In 2020, he was elected to seat number 7 on the Los Angeles Community College Board of Trustees after earning 42% of the vote. Throughout his career, Fong has shown a commitment to supporting education initiatives and programs that allow young people to transition from the classroom through workforce-development opportunities and into meaningful careers in their communities. 

Other background: Assm. Fong is a lifelong resident of Los Angeles.

The Race

Primary election results: The March 2024 results included incumbent Assm. Mike Fong (D) 64%, and Long “David” Liu (R) 36%. Mike Fong and Long “David” Liu will contend in a run-off in the November 5 general election. 

Candidate fundraising and pledges: Assm. Fong’s campaign has raised $1.1 million and is funded by police, fossil fuel, corporate PAC, and real estate interests. His problematic donors include Sempra Energy, Los Angeles Police Protective League PAC, DoorDash Inc, and California Real Estate PAC.

Opposing candidate: Republican Long “David” Liu
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Liu’s campaign has raised $61,000 and is primarily funded by individual donors.

The District

Counties in district: California’s 49th Assembly District includes parts of Los Angeles County.

Voter registration: 46% Democrat, 18% Republican, and 30% No Party Preference. Democrats typically hold this district.

District demographics: 28% Latino, 53% Asian, and 2% Black. This district is considered to be one of the strong Asian seats in the California Assembly delegation.

Recent election results: AD-49 voted for Joe Biden for president in 2020 by 36 points and Gavin Newsom for governor in 2022 by 26 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.

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Reelect Assemblymember Rick Chavez Zbur to keep AD-51 on the right track for progress. 

Assm. Rick Chavez Zbur’s track record and policy positions demonstrate that he will continue to be a progressive voice for the constituents of AD-51 and will govern effectively in the best interests of this diverse district.

Progressive endorsements: Assm. Chavez Zbur has the endorsement of many groups, including Equality California, California Environmental Voters, Sierra Club California, and SEIU-United Healthcare Workers West. He has also received the endorsement of many elected leaders, including Gov. Gavin Newsom, Secretary of State Dr. Shirley Weber, Rep. Ro Khanna, and State Sen. Scott Wiener.

Top issues: Economic reform, reproductive justice, workers’ rights, civil rights, gun safety, homelessness and housing, transportation infrastructure, and climate protections.

Priority bills: This legislative session, Assm. Chavez Zbur’s priorities for AD-51 have included 29 bills about housing, transportation, sustainability, education, and social services. Of these, five have been successfully chaptered into law, three have died, one has been vetoed, and the rest remain in committee. In 2023, he sponsored and passed legislation to provide training to school staff in adequately supporting LGBTQ+ students, increase the age of the foster-care system’s Independent Living Program from 21 to 23, improve local transportation and electric vehicle infrastructure, and reduce housing insecurity by providing rent subsidies to low-income residents and people experiencing unemployment. In 2024, he proposed legislation to support youth transitioning from foster care to adulthood by permitting them to accumulate cash savings, require local jurisdictions to establish local climate change plans, expedite medical licensing for providers who are trained in gender-affirming care, and increase the development of sustainable local housing near public transit lines. He 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. Chavez Zbur supported all progressive bills that made it to a vote last year.

This year, Assm. Chavez Zbur served as the chair of the Select Committee on Retail Theft, which was tasked with working with multiple stakeholders in addressing the statewide impact of this issue. The Committee worked with the governor, Assembly Speaker Rivas, and Senate Pro Tem McGuire to develop a package of bills to address retail theft. As part of this package, Assm. Chavez Zbur authored AB2943, the California Retail Theft Reduction Act, which establishes a new crime for serial thefts, expands the ability of police to detain repeat retail crime offenders, and increases the availability of diversion and rehabilitation programs. The broader package of retail-theft legislation was intended to prevent corporations and law enforcement from putting Proposition 36, which would increase incarceration and balloon the prison costs, on the November ballot, although the ballot measure did ultimately qualify. The package, including AB2943, was passed by the legislature and signed into law by Gov. Newsom in August 2024. 

Member of the California Legislative Progressive Caucus?: Yes

Committee leadership/membership: Assm. Chavez Zbur currently sits on 14 committees, including Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials, Natural Resources, Public Safety, and Revenue and Taxation. He is a Democratic alternate on the Standing Committee on Rules, and serves as chair of the Select Committee on Retail Theft. He is a member of the California Legislative Latino Caucus, and the California Legislative LGBTQ Caucus.

Governance and community leadership experience: Assm. Chavez Zbur has served in this assembly seat since 2022, when he was elected with over 54% of the vote. 

Prior to his election to the Assembly, Assm. Chavez Zbur was an attorney and a nonprofit executive, working in private practice for 25 years before transitioning to serve as executive director of Equality California. He has cited his sister’s battle with ALS and his own experience as a member of the LGBTQIA+ community during the AIDS crisis as inspiring his transition to this work. AD-51 has the highest concentration of LGBTQIA+ individuals in Southern California, and Chavez Zbur’s network and understanding of the issues facing this community have benefitted him as their elected representative. Assm. Chavez Zbur has a long history of progressive community engagement, including serving on the boards of Lambda Legal Defense, Planned Parenthood Los Angeles, and Children Affected by AIDS Foundation, and working to elect former President Bill Clinton and former Senator Barbara Boxer. 

Other background: Assm. Chavez Zbur is from New Mexico and has lived in Los Angeles for nearly 40 years. He has worked to maintain a coalition approach to effect change in his leadership roles across his advocacy work.

The Race

Primary election results: The March 2024 results included incumbent Assm. Rick Chavez Zbur (D) 78%, Stephan Hohil (R) 10.9%, and Shiva Bagheri (R) 10.8%. Assm. Rick Chavez Zbur and Stephan Hohil will contend in a run-off in the November 5 general election. 

Candidate fundraising and pledges: Assm. Chavez Zbur’s campaign has raised $1.1 million and is funded by police, fossil fuel, corporate PAC, and real estate interests. His problematic donors include Edison International, California Real Estate PAC, California Correctional Peace Officers Association PAC, and AirBnB Inc.

Opposing candidate: Republican Stephan Hohil
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Hohil’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 51st Assembly District includes parts of Los Angeles County.

Voter registration: 59% Democrat, 12% Republican, and 23% No Party Preference. Democrats typically hold this district.

District demographics: 14% Latino, 13% Asian, and 6% Black. 

Recent election results: AD-51 voted for Joe Biden for president in 2020 by 58 points and Gavin Newsom for governor in 2022 by 54 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.

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Elect Jessica Caloza for State Assembly to put AD-52 on the right track for progress. 

Caloza’s track record and policy positions demonstrate that she will be a progressive voice for the constituents of AD-52 and will govern effectively in the best interests of this diverse district.

Progressive endorsements: Caloza has the endorsement of many groups, including Planned Parenthood, California Environmental Voters, Reproductive Freedom for All CA, Equality California, Abundant Housing LA, Housing Action Coalition, YIMBY Action, as well as labor unions like SEIU, California Federation of Teachers, AFSCME, and United Healthcare Workers West. She has also been endorsed by elected officials like Attorney General Rob Bonta, State Controller Malia Cohen, and Assemblymembers Mia Bonta and Reggie Jones-Sawyer.  

Electoral history: Caloza has not run for office previously.

Top issues: Reproductive rights, clean air and water, public education, and affordable housing and housing protections.

Governance and community leadership experience: Caloza is a longtime political staffer, which she does to expand economic opportunity, gender equity, and public safety. She currently serves as deputy chief of staff to California Attorney General Rob Bonta. She has previously served as Los Angeles Public Works Commissioner, supporting the delivery of city services, like infrastructure improvement and housing development to LA residents, and as a policy analyst in President Obama’s Department of Education. She has been a longtime supporter of efforts to increase representation for the Filipino-American and Asian-American communities. She was a delegate in the Filipino Youth Leadership Program, and served on the board of organizations like KAYA: Filipino Americans for Progress and the Leadership Council of the Center for Asian Americans United for Self Empowerment.

Other background: Caloza is from the Philippines. She earned a bachelor’s degree from UC San Diego. She is a first-generation immigrant and the first Filipina-American to serve on the Los Angeles Board of Public Works.

The Race

Primary election results: The March 2024 results included Jessica Caloza (D) 30%, Franky Carrillo (D) 26%, Stephen Sills (R) 13%, David Girón (D) 12%, and Ari Ruiz (D) 7%. Jessica Caloza and Franky Carrillo will contend in a run-off in the November 5 general election. 

Candidate fundraising and pledges: Caloza’s campaign has raised $1.2 million and is not funded by police or real estate interests.

Opposing candidate: Democrat Franky Carrillo
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Carrillo’s campaign has raised $378,000 and is not funded by police, fossil fuel, real estate, or corporate PAC interests.

The District

Counties in district: California’s 52nd Assembly District includes parts of Los Angeles County.

Voter registration: 62% Democrat, 10% Republican, and 22% No Party Preference. Democrats typically hold this district.

District demographics: 50% Latino, 15% Asian, and 3% Black. This district is considered to be one of the strong Latino seats in the California Assembly delegation.

Recent election results: AD-52 voted for Joe Biden for president in 2020 by 63 points and Gavin Newsom for governor in 2022 by 67 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.

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