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Welcome to the Courage California Progressive Voters Guide! We compile the information that allows you to make informed decisions about the races on your ballot, based on your values. Please share this guide with your friends and family!
State Assembly, 32nd District
Depending on where you live, you may have one of the below State Assembly races on your ballot.
Elect Dr. Chris Cruz-Boone for State Assembly to put AD-32 on the right track for progress.
Dr. Chris Cruz-Boone’s track record and policy positions demonstrate that she will be a progressive voice for the constituents of AD-32 and will govern effectively in the best interests of this diverse district.
Progressive endorsements: Dr. Cruz-Boone has the endorsement of some groups, including Planned Parenthood Advocates Mar Monte, Democratic Women of Kern, and Bakersfield Elementary Teachers Association.
Electoral history: Dr. Cruz-Boone has run for office previously, and won her 2020 race for Bakersfield City School District Board of Education by 14 points. She won reelection in 2024 in an uncontested race that did not appear on the ballot.
Top issues: Education and special education services, water access and management, environmental protections, community safety, and drug prevention and awareness.
Governance and community leadership experience: Dr. Cruz-Boone has been a lecturer and professor in the California State University system for nearly 20 years, and has also recently started her second term as a trustee of the Bakersfield City School District Board of Education. Raised by a single mother, Dr. Cruz-Boone credits Bakersfield’s public education system with providing her with ample access to opportunity, and has embarked on a career in education to give back to her San Joaquin Valley community. She is a longtime supporter of education policy that centers teachers, students, and parents, and increases the accessibility of the classroom experience for all learners.
Other background: Dr. Cruz-Boone is from Bakersfield and is a lifelong resident of Kern County.
The Race
Primary election: There are four candidates running in the February 25 primary, including Dr. Chris Cruz-Boone (D), Stan Ellis (R), Holli Willibey (R), and William Brown, Jr (L). The top two vote recipients will advance to the general election on April 29 if no candidate receives a majority of the votes. This seat was held by former Assemblymember Vince Fong, who won his race for CD-20, and was sworn in to Congress in June 2024.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Dr. Cruz-Boone’s campaign has not filed any campaign fundraising receipts with the secretary of state as of January 2025.
Opposing candidate: Republican Stan Ellis
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Ellis’s campaign has raised $39,000 and is not funded by police, fossil fuel, corporate PAC, or real estate interests.
Opposing candidate: Republican Holli Willibey
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Willibey’s campaign has not filed any campaign fundraising receipts with the secretary of state as of January 2025.
Opposing candidate: Libertarian William Brown, Jr.
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Brown’s campaign has not filed any campaign fundraising receipts with the secretary of state as of January 2025.
The District
Counties in district: California’s 32nd Assembly District includes parts of Kern and Tulare Counties.
Voter registration: 25% Democrat, 48% Republican, and 18% No Party Preference. Democrats held this seat until 2020, when Republicans won and flipped it red.
District demographics: 25% Latino, 5% Asian, and 3% Black.
Recent election results: AD-32 voted for Donald Trump for president in 2024 by 33 points and Brian Dahle 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 59 seats in the California State Assembly, while Republicans hold 19 seats and one seat is vacant.
Elect Dr. Chris Cruz-Boone for State Assembly to put AD-32 on the right track for progress.
Dr. Chris Cruz-Boone’s track record and policy positions demonstrate that she will be a progressive voice for the constituents of AD-32 and will govern effectively in the best interests of this diverse district.
Progressive endorsements: Dr. Cruz-Boone has the endorsement of some groups, including Planned Parenthood Advocates Mar Monte, Democratic Women of Kern, and Bakersfield Elementary Teachers Association.
Electoral history: Dr. Cruz-Boone has run for office previously, and won her 2020 race for Bakersfield City School District Board of Education by 14 points. She won reelection in 2024 in an uncontested race that did not appear on the ballot.
Top issues: Education and special education services, water access and management, environmental protections, community safety, and drug prevention and awareness.
Governance and community leadership experience: Dr. Cruz-Boone has been a lecturer and professor in the California State University system for nearly 20 years, and has also recently started her second term as a trustee of the Bakersfield City School District Board of Education. Raised by a single mother, Dr. Cruz-Boone credits Bakersfield’s public education system with providing her with ample access to opportunity, and has embarked on a career in education to give back to her San Joaquin Valley community. She is a longtime supporter of education policy that centers teachers, students, and parents, and increases the accessibility of the classroom experience for all learners.
Other background: Dr. Cruz-Boone is from Bakersfield and is a lifelong resident of Kern County.
The Race
Primary election: There are four candidates running in the February 25 primary, including Dr. Chris Cruz-Boone (D), Stan Ellis (R), Holli Willibey (R), and William Brown, Jr (L). The top two vote recipients will advance to the general election on April 29 if no candidate receives a majority of the votes. This seat was held by former Assemblymember Vince Fong, who won his race for CD-20, and was sworn in to Congress in June 2024.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Dr. Cruz-Boone’s campaign has not filed any campaign fundraising receipts with the secretary of state as of January 2025.
Opposing candidate: Republican Stan Ellis
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Ellis’s campaign has raised $39,000 and is not funded by police, fossil fuel, corporate PAC, or real estate interests.
Opposing candidate: Republican Holli Willibey
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Willibey’s campaign has not filed any campaign fundraising receipts with the secretary of state as of January 2025.
Opposing candidate: Libertarian William Brown, Jr.
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Brown’s campaign has not filed any campaign fundraising receipts with the secretary of state as of January 2025.
The District
Counties in district: California’s 32nd Assembly District includes parts of Kern and Tulare Counties.
Voter registration: 25% Democrat, 48% Republican, and 18% No Party Preference. Democrats held this seat until 2020, when Republicans won and flipped it red.
District demographics: 25% Latino, 5% Asian, and 3% Black.
Recent election results: AD-32 voted for Donald Trump for president in 2024 by 33 points and Brian Dahle 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 59 seats in the California State Assembly, while Republicans hold 19 seats and one seat is vacant.
Elect Dr. Chris Cruz-Boone for State Assembly to put AD-32 on the right track for progress.
Dr. Chris Cruz-Boone’s track record and policy positions demonstrate that she will be a progressive voice for the constituents of AD-32 and will govern effectively in the best interests of this diverse district.
Progressive endorsements: Dr. Cruz-Boone has the endorsement of some groups, including Planned Parenthood Advocates Mar Monte, Democratic Women of Kern, and Bakersfield Elementary Teachers Association.
Electoral history: Dr. Cruz-Boone has run for office previously, and won her 2020 race for Bakersfield City School District Board of Education by 14 points. She won reelection in 2024 in an uncontested race that did not appear on the ballot.
Top issues: Education and special education services, water access and management, environmental protections, community safety, and drug prevention and awareness.
Governance and community leadership experience: Dr. Cruz-Boone has been a lecturer and professor in the California State University system for nearly 20 years, and has also recently started her second term as a trustee of the Bakersfield City School District Board of Education. Raised by a single mother, Dr. Cruz-Boone credits Bakersfield’s public education system with providing her with ample access to opportunity, and has embarked on a career in education to give back to her San Joaquin Valley community. She is a longtime supporter of education policy that centers teachers, students, and parents, and increases the accessibility of the classroom experience for all learners.
Other background: Dr. Cruz-Boone is from Bakersfield and is a lifelong resident of Kern County.
The Race
Primary election: There are four candidates running in the February 25 primary, including Dr. Chris Cruz-Boone (D), Stan Ellis (R), Holli Willibey (R), and William Brown, Jr (L). The top two vote recipients will advance to the general election on April 29 if no candidate receives a majority of the votes. This seat was held by former Assemblymember Vince Fong, who won his race for CD-20, and was sworn in to Congress in June 2024.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Dr. Cruz-Boone’s campaign has not filed any campaign fundraising receipts with the secretary of state as of January 2025.
Opposing candidate: Republican Stan Ellis
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Ellis’s campaign has raised $39,000 and is not funded by police, fossil fuel, corporate PAC, or real estate interests.
Opposing candidate: Republican Holli Willibey
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Willibey’s campaign has not filed any campaign fundraising receipts with the secretary of state as of January 2025.
Opposing candidate: Libertarian William Brown, Jr.
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Brown’s campaign has not filed any campaign fundraising receipts with the secretary of state as of January 2025.
The District
Counties in district: California’s 32nd Assembly District includes parts of Kern and Tulare Counties.
Voter registration: 25% Democrat, 48% Republican, and 18% No Party Preference. Democrats held this seat until 2020, when Republicans won and flipped it red.
District demographics: 25% Latino, 5% Asian, and 3% Black.
Recent election results: AD-32 voted for Donald Trump for president in 2024 by 33 points and Brian Dahle 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 59 seats in the California State Assembly, while Republicans hold 19 seats and one seat is vacant.
State Senator, 36th District
Depending on where you live, you may have one of the below State Senate races on your ballot.
Elect Jimmy Pham for State Senate to put SD-36 on the right track for progress.
Jimmy Pham’s policy positions demonstrate that he will be a representative voice for the constituents of SD-36 and will govern effectively in the best interests of this diverse district.
Progressive endorsements: Pham has the endorsement of a few groups, including Newport Beach Women’s Democratic Club and Hubert Humphrey Democratic Club. He also has the endorsement of many local leaders, including Rep. Dave Min, State Sen. Tom Umberg, Artesia Mayor Ali Taj, and several local school trustees.
Electoral history: Pham has run for office previously, and lost his 2024 bid for AD-70 to a Republican challenger by 11 points. Prior to this run, he lost his 2022 race for Westminster City Council.
Top issues: Climate action and environmental protection, homelessness and housing, public safety, education, and wildfire preparedness and prevention.
Governance and community leadership experience: Pham is an immigration attorney. He has been a longtime supporter of immigration reform, and has advocated to improve conditions in immigration detention centers. While campaigning for Assembly in 2024, he has also called for increased funding for public safety, including for the police. He is an engaged member of his community and has been involved with many local organizations, including serving as the chair of the City of Westminster Traffic Commission, board secretary of the Vietnamese American Democratic Club, and member of the Westminster Chamber of Commerce.
Other background: Pham is a lifelong resident of Orange County and a first-generation American.
The Race
Primary election: There are four candidates running in the February 25 primary, including Jimmy Pham (D), Julie Diep (D), John Briscoe (R), and Tony Strickland (R). The top two vote recipients will advance to the general election on April 29 if no candidate receives a majority of the votes. This seat was held by former Sen. Janet Nguyen until November 2024, when she was elected to serve on the Orange County Board of Supervisors.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Pham’s campaign has raised $300 and is not funded by police, real estate, fossil fuel, or corporate PAC interests.
Opposing candidate: Democrat Julie Diep
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Diep’s campaign has not filed any campaign fundraising receipts with the secretary of state as of January 2025.
Opposing candidate: Republican John Briscoe
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Briscoe’s campaign has not filed any campaign fundraising receipts with the secretary of state as of January 2025.
Opposing candidate: Republican Tony Strickland
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Strickland’s campaign has raised $61,000 and is not funded by police, fossil fuel, real estate, or corporate PAC interests.
The District
Counties in district: California’s 36th State Senate District includes parts of Orange and Los Angeles Counties.
Voter registration: 34% Democrat, 37% Republican, and 23% No Party Preference. Republicans typically hold this district.
District demographics: 17% Latino, 26% Asian, and 2% Black.
Recent election results: SD-36 voted for Donald Trump for president in 2024 by 4 points and Brian Dahle for governor in 2022 by 8 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 30 seats in the California State Senate, while Republicans hold 9 seats and one seat is vacant.
Elect Jimmy Pham for State Senate to put SD-36 on the right track for progress.
Jimmy Pham’s policy positions demonstrate that he will be a representative voice for the constituents of SD-36 and will govern effectively in the best interests of this diverse district.
Progressive endorsements: Pham has the endorsement of a few groups, including Newport Beach Women’s Democratic Club and Hubert Humphrey Democratic Club. He also has the endorsement of many local leaders, including Rep. Dave Min, State Sen. Tom Umberg, Artesia Mayor Ali Taj, and several local school trustees.
Electoral history: Pham has run for office previously, and lost his 2024 bid for AD-70 to a Republican challenger by 11 points. Prior to this run, he lost his 2022 race for Westminster City Council.
Top issues: Climate action and environmental protection, homelessness and housing, public safety, education, and wildfire preparedness and prevention.
Governance and community leadership experience: Pham is an immigration attorney. He has been a longtime supporter of immigration reform, and has advocated to improve conditions in immigration detention centers. While campaigning for Assembly in 2024, he has also called for increased funding for public safety, including for the police. He is an engaged member of his community and has been involved with many local organizations, including serving as the chair of the City of Westminster Traffic Commission, board secretary of the Vietnamese American Democratic Club, and member of the Westminster Chamber of Commerce.
Other background: Pham is a lifelong resident of Orange County and a first-generation American.
The Race
Primary election: There are four candidates running in the February 25 primary, including Jimmy Pham (D), Julie Diep (D), John Briscoe (R), and Tony Strickland (R). The top two vote recipients will advance to the general election on April 29 if no candidate receives a majority of the votes. This seat was held by former Sen. Janet Nguyen until November 2024, when she was elected to serve on the Orange County Board of Supervisors.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Pham’s campaign has raised $300 and is not funded by police, real estate, fossil fuel, or corporate PAC interests.
Opposing candidate: Democrat Julie Diep
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Diep’s campaign has not filed any campaign fundraising receipts with the secretary of state as of January 2025.
Opposing candidate: Republican John Briscoe
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Briscoe’s campaign has not filed any campaign fundraising receipts with the secretary of state as of January 2025.
Opposing candidate: Republican Tony Strickland
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Strickland’s campaign has raised $61,000 and is not funded by police, fossil fuel, real estate, or corporate PAC interests.
The District
Counties in district: California’s 36th State Senate District includes parts of Orange and Los Angeles Counties.
Voter registration: 34% Democrat, 37% Republican, and 23% No Party Preference. Republicans typically hold this district.
District demographics: 17% Latino, 26% Asian, and 2% Black.
Recent election results: SD-36 voted for Donald Trump for president in 2024 by 4 points and Brian Dahle for governor in 2022 by 8 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 30 seats in the California State Senate, while Republicans hold 9 seats and one seat is vacant.
Elect Jimmy Pham for State Senate to put SD-36 on the right track for progress.
Jimmy Pham’s policy positions demonstrate that he will be a representative voice for the constituents of SD-36 and will govern effectively in the best interests of this diverse district.
Progressive endorsements: Pham has the endorsement of a few groups, including Newport Beach Women’s Democratic Club and Hubert Humphrey Democratic Club. He also has the endorsement of many local leaders, including Rep. Dave Min, State Sen. Tom Umberg, Artesia Mayor Ali Taj, and several local school trustees.
Electoral history: Pham has run for office previously, and lost his 2024 bid for AD-70 to a Republican challenger by 11 points. Prior to this run, he lost his 2022 race for Westminster City Council.
Top issues: Climate action and environmental protection, homelessness and housing, public safety, education, and wildfire preparedness and prevention.
Governance and community leadership experience: Pham is an immigration attorney. He has been a longtime supporter of immigration reform, and has advocated to improve conditions in immigration detention centers. While campaigning for Assembly in 2024, he has also called for increased funding for public safety, including for the police. He is an engaged member of his community and has been involved with many local organizations, including serving as the chair of the City of Westminster Traffic Commission, board secretary of the Vietnamese American Democratic Club, and member of the Westminster Chamber of Commerce.
Other background: Pham is a lifelong resident of Orange County and a first-generation American.
The Race
Primary election: There are four candidates running in the February 25 primary, including Jimmy Pham (D), Julie Diep (D), John Briscoe (R), and Tony Strickland (R). The top two vote recipients will advance to the general election on April 29 if no candidate receives a majority of the votes. This seat was held by former Sen. Janet Nguyen until November 2024, when she was elected to serve on the Orange County Board of Supervisors.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Pham’s campaign has raised $300 and is not funded by police, real estate, fossil fuel, or corporate PAC interests.
Opposing candidate: Democrat Julie Diep
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Diep’s campaign has not filed any campaign fundraising receipts with the secretary of state as of January 2025.
Opposing candidate: Republican John Briscoe
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Briscoe’s campaign has not filed any campaign fundraising receipts with the secretary of state as of January 2025.
Opposing candidate: Republican Tony Strickland
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Strickland’s campaign has raised $61,000 and is not funded by police, fossil fuel, real estate, or corporate PAC interests.
The District
Counties in district: California’s 36th State Senate District includes parts of Orange and Los Angeles Counties.
Voter registration: 34% Democrat, 37% Republican, and 23% No Party Preference. Republicans typically hold this district.
District demographics: 17% Latino, 26% Asian, and 2% Black.
Recent election results: SD-36 voted for Donald Trump for president in 2024 by 4 points and Brian Dahle for governor in 2022 by 8 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 30 seats in the California State Senate, while Republicans hold 9 seats and one seat is vacant.