Reelect Assemblymember Isaac Bryan to keep AD-55 on the right track for progress.
Assm. Isaac Bryan’s track record and policy positions demonstrate that he will continue to be a progressive voice for the constituents of AD-55 and will govern effectively in the best interests of this diverse district.
Progressive endorsements: Assm. Bryan has the endorsement of many groups, including California Environmental Voters, AFSCME California, Sierra Club California, and Equality California.
Top issues: Homelessness and housing, workforce development programs, child welfare and social services, election security, and incarceration and justice reform.
Priority bills: This legislative session, Assm. Bryan’s priorities for AD-55 have included 51 bills about election protections and redistricting, housing, workforce development, and criminal justice reform. Of these, nine have been successfully chaptered into law, nine have died, four have been vetoed, and the rest remain in committee. In 2023, he sponsored and passed legislation to ensure victims of crimes are notified of the availability of restorative justice programs, clarify the ballot language for measures to provide voters with the options of “keep the law” or “overturn the law,” require the designation of ALS as a neurodegenerative disease in public health data collection, and allow presidential electors to meet in a location other than the State Capitol when there is a declared state of emergency. In 2024, he sponsored legislation to create a pilot to improve access to voting infrastructure in jail facilities, require cities and counties to update their general safety plan to include protocols for protecting residents from extreme heat, improve access to legal representation and consultation for minors and nonminor dependents, and increase awareness of the foster-care system. 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. Bryan supported all progressive bills that made it to a vote last year, and earned the Courage All-Star designation for his legislative work. He was the author of two critical pieces of progressive legislation this session: AB421 to clarify the ballot language for statewide referendum, and ACA4 to restore voting rights to individuals incarcerated in prisons.
Member of the California Legislative Progressive Caucus?: Yes
Committee leadership/membership: Assm. Bryan currently sits on five committees, including Appropriations, Government Organization, Judiciary, and Privacy and Consumer Protection. He serves as chair of the Standing Committee on Natural Resources, and as chair of the Select Committee on Poverty and Economic Inclusion. Assm. Bryan is treasurer of the California Legislative Black Caucus, and previously served as the Assembly Majority Leader.
Governance and community leadership experience: Assm. Bryan has served in the Assembly since May 2021, when he won a special election for the AD-54 seat. After redistricting, he won a full term in the general election for AD-55 with 84% of the vote.
Prior to his election to the State Assembly, Assm. Bryan developed his political acumen as a published academic, earning a master’s of public policy degree from UCLA. After graduating, he became founding director of the UCLA Black Policy Project, which aims to address racial inequity through policy analysis and advocacy. His work there allowed him to focus on research regarding the resources needed for successful reentry after incarceration, and larger issues with youth-justice policy. Assm. Bryan’s interest in issues of equity is personal. As one of nine adopted children in a family of 15, he encountered significant academic challenges and observed his siblings struggling with houselessness, addiction, and mental health issues. Assm. Bryan is a longtime supporter of policy that addresses the intersections of these complex social issues. He co-chaired the committee supporting Measure J, which amended the Los Angeles County charter to require that 10% of local revenue be reinvested in the community and in alternatives to incarcerations. The measure was passed by voters in November 2020, and brings meaningful local investment to the county.
Other background: Assm. Isaac Bryan lives in Jefferson Park.
The Race
Primary election results: The March 2024 results included incumbent Assm. Isaac Bryan (D) 84%, and Keith Cascio (R) 16%. Assm. Isaac Bryan and Keith Cascio will contend in a run-off in the November 5 general election.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Assm. Bryan’s campaign has raised $910,000 and is not funded by police interests. He has received problematic donations from fossil fuel, real estate, and corporate PAC interests, including from Sempra Energy, Disney Worldwide Services Incorporated, and California Real Estate PAC.
Opposing candidate: Republican Keith Cascio
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Cascio’s campaign has raised $1,000 and is not funded by police, fossil fuel, corporate PAC, or real estate interests.
The District
Counties in district: California’s 55th Assembly District includes parts of Los Angeles County.
Voter registration: 66% Democrat, 8% Republican, and 20% No Party Preference.
District demographics: 25% Latino, 11% Asian, and 29% Black.
Recent election results: AD-55 voted for Joe Biden for president in 2020 by 71 points and Gavin Newsom for governor in 2022 by 66 points.
The Position
State assemblymembers represent and advocate for the needs of their district constituents at the California State Capitol. They are responsible for creating, debating, and voting on legislation that addresses issues within their district.
The California State Assembly has 80 districts. Each represents a population of at least 465,000 Californians. Representatives are elected to the Assembly for a two-year term. Every two years, all 80 seats are subject to election. Members elected before 2012 are restricted to three two-year terms (six years) in the Assembly. Those elected in or after 2012 are allowed to serve 12 years total across both the state Senate or Assembly. This term, Democrats currently hold a three-quarters supermajority of 62 seats in the California State Assembly, while Republicans hold 17 seats and one seat is vacant.
Reelect Assemblymember Isaac Bryan to keep AD-55 on the right track for progress.
Assm. Isaac Bryan’s track record and policy positions demonstrate that he will continue to be a progressive voice for the constituents of AD-55 and will govern effectively in the best interests of this diverse district.
Progressive endorsements: Assm. Bryan has the endorsement of many groups, including California Environmental Voters, AFSCME California, Sierra Club California, and Equality California.
Top issues: Homelessness and housing, workforce development programs, child welfare and social services, election security, and incarceration and justice reform.
Priority bills: This legislative session, Assm. Bryan’s priorities for AD-55 have included 51 bills about election protections and redistricting, housing, workforce development, and criminal justice reform. Of these, nine have been successfully chaptered into law, nine have died, four have been vetoed, and the rest remain in committee. In 2023, he sponsored and passed legislation to ensure victims of crimes are notified of the availability of restorative justice programs, clarify the ballot language for measures to provide voters with the options of “keep the law” or “overturn the law,” require the designation of ALS as a neurodegenerative disease in public health data collection, and allow presidential electors to meet in a location other than the State Capitol when there is a declared state of emergency. In 2024, he sponsored legislation to create a pilot to improve access to voting infrastructure in jail facilities, require cities and counties to update their general safety plan to include protocols for protecting residents from extreme heat, improve access to legal representation and consultation for minors and nonminor dependents, and increase awareness of the foster-care system. 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. Bryan supported all progressive bills that made it to a vote last year, and earned the Courage All-Star designation for his legislative work. He was the author of two critical pieces of progressive legislation this session: AB421 to clarify the ballot language for statewide referendum, and ACA4 to restore voting rights to individuals incarcerated in prisons.
Member of the California Legislative Progressive Caucus?: Yes
Committee leadership/membership: Assm. Bryan currently sits on five committees, including Appropriations, Government Organization, Judiciary, and Privacy and Consumer Protection. He serves as chair of the Standing Committee on Natural Resources, and as chair of the Select Committee on Poverty and Economic Inclusion. Assm. Bryan is treasurer of the California Legislative Black Caucus, and previously served as the Assembly Majority Leader.
Governance and community leadership experience: Assm. Bryan has served in the Assembly since May 2021, when he won a special election for the AD-54 seat. After redistricting, he won a full term in the general election for AD-55 with 84% of the vote.
Prior to his election to the State Assembly, Assm. Bryan developed his political acumen as a published academic, earning a master’s of public policy degree from UCLA. After graduating, he became founding director of the UCLA Black Policy Project, which aims to address racial inequity through policy analysis and advocacy. His work there allowed him to focus on research regarding the resources needed for successful reentry after incarceration, and larger issues with youth-justice policy. Assm. Bryan’s interest in issues of equity is personal. As one of nine adopted children in a family of 15, he encountered significant academic challenges and observed his siblings struggling with houselessness, addiction, and mental health issues. Assm. Bryan is a longtime supporter of policy that addresses the intersections of these complex social issues. He co-chaired the committee supporting Measure J, which amended the Los Angeles County charter to require that 10% of local revenue be reinvested in the community and in alternatives to incarcerations. The measure was passed by voters in November 2020, and brings meaningful local investment to the county.
Other background: Assm. Isaac Bryan lives in Jefferson Park.
The Race
Primary election results: The March 2024 results included incumbent Assm. Isaac Bryan (D) 84%, and Keith Cascio (R) 16%. Assm. Isaac Bryan and Keith Cascio will contend in a run-off in the November 5 general election.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Assm. Bryan’s campaign has raised $910,000 and is not funded by police interests. He has received problematic donations from fossil fuel, real estate, and corporate PAC interests, including from Sempra Energy, Disney Worldwide Services Incorporated, and California Real Estate PAC.
Opposing candidate: Republican Keith Cascio
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Cascio’s campaign has raised $1,000 and is not funded by police, fossil fuel, corporate PAC, or real estate interests.
The District
Counties in district: California’s 55th Assembly District includes parts of Los Angeles County.
Voter registration: 66% Democrat, 8% Republican, and 20% No Party Preference.
District demographics: 25% Latino, 11% Asian, and 29% Black.
Recent election results: AD-55 voted for Joe Biden for president in 2020 by 71 points and Gavin Newsom for governor in 2022 by 66 points.
The Position
State assemblymembers represent and advocate for the needs of their district constituents at the California State Capitol. They are responsible for creating, debating, and voting on legislation that addresses issues within their district.
The California State Assembly has 80 districts. Each represents a population of at least 465,000 Californians. Representatives are elected to the Assembly for a two-year term. Every two years, all 80 seats are subject to election. Members elected before 2012 are restricted to three two-year terms (six years) in the Assembly. Those elected in or after 2012 are allowed to serve 12 years total across both the state Senate or Assembly. This term, Democrats currently hold a three-quarters supermajority of 62 seats in the California State Assembly, while Republicans hold 17 seats and one seat is vacant.