Incumbent Tony Cardenas promises to keep prioritizing CA-29’s established interests, particularly in health-care research and building the middle class.
Rep. Cardenas, a former member of the State Legislature and the Los Angeles City Council, is from Pacoima, CA. According to campaign materials, Rep. Cardenas is running for re-election to use his consensus-driven approach to rebuild the middle class and inspire American innovation.
Rep. Cardenas’ priorities for CA-29 this year have included civil rights improvements, juvenile-justice reform, and supporting health-care research. He currently sits on one committee: Energy and Commerce (ranks 20th). This year, Rep. Cardenas has voted 99 percent of the time with Nancy Pelosi and 95 percent of the time with Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. In contrast to Rep. Ocasio-Cortez, Rep. Cardenas agreed on the conference report for the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020, and on making appropriations to the Department of Defense and Department of State. Rep. Cardenas has sponsored 33 bills about health and health research, criminal justice, and commemorating Latinx heritage this year. Of these bills, one has been received in the Senate, two are on the floor of the House, and all remaining are either in committee or referred to committee.
Rep. Cardenas is endorsed by many progressive groups in the district. He is also endorsed by the Peace Officers Research Association of California. However, Rep. Cardenas’ connections and demonstrated record of consensus building in Congress make him a strong choice for representative leadership in office.