39th Assembly District
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Voting has changed in Los Angeles County this year. The Voter’s Choice Act was enacted in the county to make voting more convenient. Changes include an expanded period of in-person early voting, every registered voter in the county will receive a vote-by-mail ballot, and every registered voter in the county is able to vote in-person at any Vote Center in their county. Also, in-person voters in Los Angeles County will have the opportunity to use the new Ballot Marking Device, a touchscreen with audio features, to mark their ballots. Have questions about the changes to voting in Los Angeles County? Find out how to vote in Los Angeles County.
Federal
Re-elect President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris to keep America on track.
President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris have a track record and policy positions that demonstrate that they will continue to govern effectively in the best interests of this diverse nation.
Progressive endorsements: President Biden and Vice President Harris have the endorsement of some progressive groups, including the Sierra Club, Reproductive Freedom for All America, League of Conservation Voters, National Center for Transgender Equality, and Students Demand Action. They have also received the endorsement of a significant number of labor unions, including United Auto Workers, Actors’ Equity Association, AFL-CIO, IATSE, National Nurses United, and the American Federation of Teachers. President Biden and Vice President Harris also have the backing of the Democratic National Committee and a significant number of current and former Democratic officials, including former President Barack Obama, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, former Climate Envoy John Kerry, 14 current governors, 30 sitting U.S. senators, and over 70 members of the House of Representatives. This list includes California’s elected leaders Gov. Gavin Newsom, Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis, Sen. Alex Padilla, Rep. Katie Porter, Rep. Eric Swalwell, and LA Mayor Karen Bass.
Priority policies: The Biden administration has had policy successes across a diversity of issue areas during their first term. Immediately after taking office during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, President Biden 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 that 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. The White House has indicated that nearly 170,000 clean energy jobs have been created by this legislation, clean energy investments have increased by $110 billion, and insulin has been capped at $35 a month. After years of inaction from the federal government, President Biden signed a significant gun-safety bill into law, which 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 Americans use daily.
The Biden administration’s economic policies have contributed to the lowest unemployment rate in over 50 years, at 3.4% as of 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 $136 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.
While the administration’s legislative successes have been substantial, they have been subject 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 have called on the Biden administration to advocate for a ceasefire in Gaza. 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.
Governance and community leadership experience: President Biden and Vice President Harris have served in the White House since 2020, when they were elected 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 his election, President Biden had a long and prominent political career. He served two terms as former President Barack Obama’s vice president and was responsible for managing the 2009 economic recovery, helping to expand health care through the Affordable Care Act, and acting as the administration’s liaison to the Senate. Before joining the Obama administration, he spent 36 years representing Delaware in the Senate. He was often critiqued as being an unremarkable, status quo Democrat, and mid-career votes in favor of the Defense of Marriage Act, anti-drug legislation, and the Iraq War reaffirm that characterization. In 1991, Vice President Biden was the chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee and presided over the Supreme Court confirmation hearings for Justice Clarence Thomas, who had been credibly accused of sexual harassment by a former colleague, Anita Hill. Vice President Biden’s mismanagement of the hearing resulted in a targeted and unfair character assassination of Anita Hill and remains a reminder of his complicity in the patriarchal and racist systems on which our American government is built.
Prior to her election, Vice President Harris was the first woman of color elected to represent California in the United States 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.
Other background: President Biden is from Scranton, PA, and moved to Delaware with his family when he was 10 years old. He has been a resident of Wilmington, Delaware, for most of his adult life. 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 emigrated to the Bay Area in the 1960s.
The Race
Primary election: Eight candidates are running in the March 5 Democratic primary, including incumbent President Joe Biden (D), Rep. Dean Phillips (D), and Marianne Williamson (D). The candidate who receives the most delegates in the national Democratic primary will formally become the party’s designated Presidential candidate in August 2024.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: President Biden’s campaign has raised $56 million as of December 2023, and is not funded by police, real estate, corporate PAC, or fossil fuel interests.
Opposing candidate: Rep. Dean Phillips
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Rep. Phillips’s campaign has not filed any campaign fundraising receipts with the FEC as of December 2023.
Opposing candidate: Marianne Williamson
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Williamson’s campaign has raised $2.6 million as of December 2023, and is funded by corporate PAC interests. A significant amount of her campaign funding has been through candidate donations and loans taken out by the candidate.
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.
Re-elect President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris to keep America on track.
President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris have a track record and policy positions that demonstrate that they will continue to govern effectively in the best interests of this diverse nation.
Progressive endorsements: President Biden and Vice President Harris have the endorsement of some progressive groups, including the Sierra Club, Reproductive Freedom for All America, League of Conservation Voters, National Center for Transgender Equality, and Students Demand Action. They have also received the endorsement of a significant number of labor unions, including United Auto Workers, Actors’ Equity Association, AFL-CIO, IATSE, National Nurses United, and the American Federation of Teachers. President Biden and Vice President Harris also have the backing of the Democratic National Committee and a significant number of current and former Democratic officials, including former President Barack Obama, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, former Climate Envoy John Kerry, 14 current governors, 30 sitting U.S. senators, and over 70 members of the House of Representatives. This list includes California’s elected leaders Gov. Gavin Newsom, Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis, Sen. Alex Padilla, Rep. Katie Porter, Rep. Eric Swalwell, and LA Mayor Karen Bass.
Priority policies: The Biden administration has had policy successes across a diversity of issue areas during their first term. Immediately after taking office during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, President Biden 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 that 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. The White House has indicated that nearly 170,000 clean energy jobs have been created by this legislation, clean energy investments have increased by $110 billion, and insulin has been capped at $35 a month. After years of inaction from the federal government, President Biden signed a significant gun-safety bill into law, which 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 Americans use daily.
The Biden administration’s economic policies have contributed to the lowest unemployment rate in over 50 years, at 3.4% as of 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 $136 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.
While the administration’s legislative successes have been substantial, they have been subject 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 have called on the Biden administration to advocate for a ceasefire in Gaza. 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.
Governance and community leadership experience: President Biden and Vice President Harris have served in the White House since 2020, when they were elected 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 his election, President Biden had a long and prominent political career. He served two terms as former President Barack Obama’s vice president and was responsible for managing the 2009 economic recovery, helping to expand health care through the Affordable Care Act, and acting as the administration’s liaison to the Senate. Before joining the Obama administration, he spent 36 years representing Delaware in the Senate. He was often critiqued as being an unremarkable, status quo Democrat, and mid-career votes in favor of the Defense of Marriage Act, anti-drug legislation, and the Iraq War reaffirm that characterization. In 1991, Vice President Biden was the chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee and presided over the Supreme Court confirmation hearings for Justice Clarence Thomas, who had been credibly accused of sexual harassment by a former colleague, Anita Hill. Vice President Biden’s mismanagement of the hearing resulted in a targeted and unfair character assassination of Anita Hill and remains a reminder of his complicity in the patriarchal and racist systems on which our American government is built.
Prior to her election, Vice President Harris was the first woman of color elected to represent California in the United States 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.
Other background: President Biden is from Scranton, PA, and moved to Delaware with his family when he was 10 years old. He has been a resident of Wilmington, Delaware, for most of his adult life. 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 emigrated to the Bay Area in the 1960s.
The Race
Primary election: Eight candidates are running in the March 5 Democratic primary, including incumbent President Joe Biden (D), Rep. Dean Phillips (D), and Marianne Williamson (D). The candidate who receives the most delegates in the national Democratic primary will formally become the party’s designated Presidential candidate in August 2024.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: President Biden’s campaign has raised $56 million as of December 2023, and is not funded by police, real estate, corporate PAC, or fossil fuel interests.
Opposing candidate: Rep. Dean Phillips
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Rep. Phillips’s campaign has not filed any campaign fundraising receipts with the FEC as of December 2023.
Opposing candidate: Marianne Williamson
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Williamson’s campaign has raised $2.6 million as of December 2023, and is funded by corporate PAC interests. A significant amount of her campaign funding has been through candidate donations and loans taken out by the candidate.
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.
Re-elect President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris to keep America on track.
President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris have a track record and policy positions that demonstrate that they will continue to govern effectively in the best interests of this diverse nation.
Progressive endorsements: President Biden and Vice President Harris have the endorsement of some progressive groups, including the Sierra Club, Reproductive Freedom for All America, League of Conservation Voters, National Center for Transgender Equality, and Students Demand Action. They have also received the endorsement of a significant number of labor unions, including United Auto Workers, Actors’ Equity Association, AFL-CIO, IATSE, National Nurses United, and the American Federation of Teachers. President Biden and Vice President Harris also have the backing of the Democratic National Committee and a significant number of current and former Democratic officials, including former President Barack Obama, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, former Climate Envoy John Kerry, 14 current governors, 30 sitting U.S. senators, and over 70 members of the House of Representatives. This list includes California’s elected leaders Gov. Gavin Newsom, Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis, Sen. Alex Padilla, Rep. Katie Porter, Rep. Eric Swalwell, and LA Mayor Karen Bass.
Priority policies: The Biden administration has had policy successes across a diversity of issue areas during their first term. Immediately after taking office during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, President Biden 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 that 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. The White House has indicated that nearly 170,000 clean energy jobs have been created by this legislation, clean energy investments have increased by $110 billion, and insulin has been capped at $35 a month. After years of inaction from the federal government, President Biden signed a significant gun-safety bill into law, which 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 Americans use daily.
The Biden administration’s economic policies have contributed to the lowest unemployment rate in over 50 years, at 3.4% as of 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 $136 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.
While the administration’s legislative successes have been substantial, they have been subject 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 have called on the Biden administration to advocate for a ceasefire in Gaza. 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.
Governance and community leadership experience: President Biden and Vice President Harris have served in the White House since 2020, when they were elected 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 his election, President Biden had a long and prominent political career. He served two terms as former President Barack Obama’s vice president and was responsible for managing the 2009 economic recovery, helping to expand health care through the Affordable Care Act, and acting as the administration’s liaison to the Senate. Before joining the Obama administration, he spent 36 years representing Delaware in the Senate. He was often critiqued as being an unremarkable, status quo Democrat, and mid-career votes in favor of the Defense of Marriage Act, anti-drug legislation, and the Iraq War reaffirm that characterization. In 1991, Vice President Biden was the chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee and presided over the Supreme Court confirmation hearings for Justice Clarence Thomas, who had been credibly accused of sexual harassment by a former colleague, Anita Hill. Vice President Biden’s mismanagement of the hearing resulted in a targeted and unfair character assassination of Anita Hill and remains a reminder of his complicity in the patriarchal and racist systems on which our American government is built.
Prior to her election, Vice President Harris was the first woman of color elected to represent California in the United States 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.
Other background: President Biden is from Scranton, PA, and moved to Delaware with his family when he was 10 years old. He has been a resident of Wilmington, Delaware, for most of his adult life. 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 emigrated to the Bay Area in the 1960s.
The Race
Primary election: Eight candidates are running in the March 5 Democratic primary, including incumbent President Joe Biden (D), Rep. Dean Phillips (D), and Marianne Williamson (D). The candidate who receives the most delegates in the national Democratic primary will formally become the party’s designated Presidential candidate in August 2024.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: President Biden’s campaign has raised $56 million as of December 2023, and is not funded by police, real estate, corporate PAC, or fossil fuel interests.
Opposing candidate: Rep. Dean Phillips
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Rep. Phillips’s campaign has not filed any campaign fundraising receipts with the FEC as of December 2023.
Opposing candidate: Marianne Williamson
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Williamson’s campaign has raised $2.6 million as of December 2023, and is funded by corporate PAC interests. A significant amount of her campaign funding has been through candidate donations and loans taken out by the candidate.
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.
There are 22 candidates running for California’s open U.S. Senate seat. Based on our analysis, three qualified candidates for this position have a distinct vision for the state. We recommend that you choose the candidate who best aligns to your values in this race.
The Race
Primary election: In October 2022, Governor Newsom appointed labor leader, political advisor, and former Emily’s List President Laphonza Butler to serve the remainder of the six-year term of Sen. Dianne Feinstein, who died September 2022 after serving in the U.S. Senate since 1992. There are 22 candidates running in the March 5 primary, including Rep. Barbara Lee (D), Rep. Katie Porter (D), and Rep. Adam Schiff (D). The top two vote recipients will advance to the general election on November 5.
The Candidates
Key Initiatives: Representative Barbara Lee is a longtime Congresswoman and has been a consistent progressive voice in Congress. She has been a prolific author of legislation related to ending AIDS/HIV, malaria, and tuberculosis, has moved efforts to reduce poverty forward, and was the only member of Congress to vote against the authorization for the use of military force after the attacks on September 11, 2001, a controversial position at the time. In recent legislative sessions, she has authored and sponsored legislation to curtail CEO overpay, improve research and public awareness of sickle cell disease, address the national backlog of unprocessed rape kits, and improve mental health resources for students. Prior to her election to the House of Representatives, Rep. Lee worked as a social worker and founded a mental-health service organization, Community Health Alliance for Neighborhood Growth and Education, to benefit her local East Bay community. She then spent eleven years working on the staff of Rep. Ron Dellums, eventually serving as his chief of staff. After her tenure in congressional staffing, she founded a facilities-management company. A few years later, in 1990, Rep. Lee launched a successful bid for a seat in the California Assembly, where she served for six years, before she was elected to the state Senate.
Representative Katie Porter is an attorney and public servant and has been a strong advocate for consumer protection, corporate accountability, and government transparency. She has gained notoriety for her meticulous and expert style of questioning in congressional hearings, and exercises this skill during Oversight and Reform Committee sessions. Her legislative successes include bills to lower prescription drug prices, increase the fee oil and gas companies pay to drill on public lands, lower the income threshold for out-of-pocket healthcare costs, and extend mental healthcare coverage. She has also recently supported efforts to ban members of Congress and their families from trading stocks. Prior to her election to Congress, Rep. Porter spent twenty years as a consumer-protection attorney. Ahead of the housing crisis in 2008, she issued early warnings of the financial system’s predatory lending, and has a strong track record of winning cases related to financial regulation. In 2012, then California Attorney General Kamala Harris appointed Rep. Porter to oversee banks as they returned over $18 billion to cheated homeowners in the state.
Representative Adam Schiff is an attorney and public official and has been a consistent legislator on issues of government accountability, voting access, healthcare, and voting access. He rose to prominence as the Chair of the House Intelligence Committee who led the first impeachment inquiry of the Trump Administration. 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. Prior to his election to Congress, Rep. Schiff worked as a law clerk and then as Assistant United States Attorney before being elected to California’s State Senate in 1996. He is a longtime supporter of progressive education, immigration, and environmental policies, but has cast unfavorable votes on issues pertaining to military spending and the use of military force, including a 2002 vote in favor of authorizing the use of military force against Iraq.
Community Leadership Experience, Fundraising, and Endorsements: Rep. Lee has served in Congress since 1998, when she was elected with over 66% of the vote. In 2022, she won her reelection to CD-12 over a Republican challenger by 81 points. Her campaign has raised $3.3 million as of December 2023, and is not funded by police, fossil fuel, or corporate PAC interests. Rep. Lee has the endorsement of many progressive groups, including California Working Families Party, Black Women Organized for Political Action PAC, Gen Z for Change, Feminist Majority PAC, Our Revolution, and Reproductive Freedom for All California (formerly NARAL Pro-Choice California). She has also received the endorsement of some community and elected leaders, including Dolores Huerta, State Attorney General Rob Bonta, State Controller Malia Cohen, California Secretary of State Dr. Shirley Weber, Rep. Ro Khanna, Rep. Pramila Jayapal, State Senator Lola Smallwood-Cuevas, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, and San Francisco Mayor London Breed.
Rep. Porter has served in Congress since 2018, when she was elected with over 52% of the vote. In 2022, she won her reelection against a Republican challenger by 3 points. Her campaign has raised $22 million as of December 2023, and is not funded by police, fossil fuel, or real estate interests. Rep. Porter has the endorsement of many progressive groups, including California Labor Federation, National Union of Healthcare Workers, and Women in Leadership PAC. She has also received the endorsement of many elected leaders, including Sen. Elizabeth Warren, Attorney General Rob Bonta, Assm. Alex Lee, State Sen. Scott Wiener, Rep. Robert Garcia, and State Sen. Catherine Blakespear.
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. His campaign has raised $21 million as of December 2023, and is not funded by police, or fossil fuel interests. Rep. Schiff has the endorsement of some labor groups, including IATSE California Council, IAFF, and Amalgamated Transit Union. He has also received the endorsement of many elected officials, including former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Rep. Kamlager-Dove, State Sen. Maria Elena Durazo, Assm. Tina McKinnor, Assm. Rick Chavez Zbur, and San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria.
Other background: Rep. Lee is from El Paso, TX, and moved to the San Fernando Valley when she was a child. She attended Mills College, where she served as president of the Black Student Union and invited Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm to speak on campus. Her interaction with Rep. Chisholm was an early inspiration for her pursuit of a career in public service.
Rep. Porter is from Fort Dodge, IA, and now resides in Irvine, CA. Along with her legal practice, she is a longtime tenured professor of law at University of California-Irvine.
Rep. Schiff is from the Bay Area. He holds a law degree from Harvard University.
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.
There are 22 candidates running for California’s open U.S. Senate seat. Based on our analysis, three qualified candidates for this position have a distinct vision for the state. We recommend that you choose the candidate who best aligns to your values in this race.
The Race
Primary election: In October 2022, Governor Newsom appointed labor leader, political advisor, and former Emily’s List President Laphonza Butler to serve the remainder of the six-year term of Sen. Dianne Feinstein, who died September 2022 after serving in the U.S. Senate since 1992. There are 22 candidates running in the March 5 primary, including Rep. Barbara Lee (D), Rep. Katie Porter (D), and Rep. Adam Schiff (D). The top two vote recipients will advance to the general election on November 5.
The Candidates
Key Initiatives: Representative Barbara Lee is a longtime Congresswoman and has been a consistent progressive voice in Congress. She has been a prolific author of legislation related to ending AIDS/HIV, malaria, and tuberculosis, has moved efforts to reduce poverty forward, and was the only member of Congress to vote against the authorization for the use of military force after the attacks on September 11, 2001, a controversial position at the time. In recent legislative sessions, she has authored and sponsored legislation to curtail CEO overpay, improve research and public awareness of sickle cell disease, address the national backlog of unprocessed rape kits, and improve mental health resources for students. Prior to her election to the House of Representatives, Rep. Lee worked as a social worker and founded a mental-health service organization, Community Health Alliance for Neighborhood Growth and Education, to benefit her local East Bay community. She then spent eleven years working on the staff of Rep. Ron Dellums, eventually serving as his chief of staff. After her tenure in congressional staffing, she founded a facilities-management company. A few years later, in 1990, Rep. Lee launched a successful bid for a seat in the California Assembly, where she served for six years, before she was elected to the state Senate.
Representative Katie Porter is an attorney and public servant and has been a strong advocate for consumer protection, corporate accountability, and government transparency. She has gained notoriety for her meticulous and expert style of questioning in congressional hearings, and exercises this skill during Oversight and Reform Committee sessions. Her legislative successes include bills to lower prescription drug prices, increase the fee oil and gas companies pay to drill on public lands, lower the income threshold for out-of-pocket healthcare costs, and extend mental healthcare coverage. She has also recently supported efforts to ban members of Congress and their families from trading stocks. Prior to her election to Congress, Rep. Porter spent twenty years as a consumer-protection attorney. Ahead of the housing crisis in 2008, she issued early warnings of the financial system’s predatory lending, and has a strong track record of winning cases related to financial regulation. In 2012, then California Attorney General Kamala Harris appointed Rep. Porter to oversee banks as they returned over $18 billion to cheated homeowners in the state.
Representative Adam Schiff is an attorney and public official and has been a consistent legislator on issues of government accountability, voting access, healthcare, and voting access. He rose to prominence as the Chair of the House Intelligence Committee who led the first impeachment inquiry of the Trump Administration. 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. Prior to his election to Congress, Rep. Schiff worked as a law clerk and then as Assistant United States Attorney before being elected to California’s State Senate in 1996. He is a longtime supporter of progressive education, immigration, and environmental policies, but has cast unfavorable votes on issues pertaining to military spending and the use of military force, including a 2002 vote in favor of authorizing the use of military force against Iraq.
Community Leadership Experience, Fundraising, and Endorsements: Rep. Lee has served in Congress since 1998, when she was elected with over 66% of the vote. In 2022, she won her reelection to CD-12 over a Republican challenger by 81 points. Her campaign has raised $3.3 million as of December 2023, and is not funded by police, fossil fuel, or corporate PAC interests. Rep. Lee has the endorsement of many progressive groups, including California Working Families Party, Black Women Organized for Political Action PAC, Gen Z for Change, Feminist Majority PAC, Our Revolution, and Reproductive Freedom for All California (formerly NARAL Pro-Choice California). She has also received the endorsement of some community and elected leaders, including Dolores Huerta, State Attorney General Rob Bonta, State Controller Malia Cohen, California Secretary of State Dr. Shirley Weber, Rep. Ro Khanna, Rep. Pramila Jayapal, State Senator Lola Smallwood-Cuevas, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, and San Francisco Mayor London Breed.
Rep. Porter has served in Congress since 2018, when she was elected with over 52% of the vote. In 2022, she won her reelection against a Republican challenger by 3 points. Her campaign has raised $22 million as of December 2023, and is not funded by police, fossil fuel, or real estate interests. Rep. Porter has the endorsement of many progressive groups, including California Labor Federation, National Union of Healthcare Workers, and Women in Leadership PAC. She has also received the endorsement of many elected leaders, including Sen. Elizabeth Warren, Attorney General Rob Bonta, Assm. Alex Lee, State Sen. Scott Wiener, Rep. Robert Garcia, and State Sen. Catherine Blakespear.
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. His campaign has raised $21 million as of December 2023, and is not funded by police, or fossil fuel interests. Rep. Schiff has the endorsement of some labor groups, including IATSE California Council, IAFF, and Amalgamated Transit Union. He has also received the endorsement of many elected officials, including former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Rep. Kamlager-Dove, State Sen. Maria Elena Durazo, Assm. Tina McKinnor, Assm. Rick Chavez Zbur, and San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria.
Other background: Rep. Lee is from El Paso, TX, and moved to the San Fernando Valley when she was a child. She attended Mills College, where she served as president of the Black Student Union and invited Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm to speak on campus. Her interaction with Rep. Chisholm was an early inspiration for her pursuit of a career in public service.
Rep. Porter is from Fort Dodge, IA, and now resides in Irvine, CA. Along with her legal practice, she is a longtime tenured professor of law at University of California-Irvine.
Rep. Schiff is from the Bay Area. He holds a law degree from Harvard University.
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.
Glendale Unified School District
Depending on where you live, you may have one of the below school races on your ballot.
Elect Telly Tse to put Glendale Unified School District on the right track for progress.
Telly Tse’s track record and policy positions demonstrate that he will be a progressive champion for the Glendale Unified School District community and will work effectively in the best interests of this diverse district.
Progressive endorsements: Tse has the endorsement of many progressive groups, including Glendale Teachers Association, Los Angeles County Federation of Labor, Our Schools USA, Equality California, and East Area Progressive Democrats. He has also received the endorsement of many elected leaders, including Assm. Laura Friedman, Glendale Mayor Dan Brotman, and four current members of the Glendale Unified School District Board.
Electoral history: Tse has not run for public office before.
Top issues: Racial and social justice inclusion, smaller class sizes, restorative discipline practices, investment in educators and district staff, and improved community communication.
Governance and community leadership experience: Tse is a special education teacher, youth sports coach, and education advocate, which he does to bring leadership and community values to the local education system. Through several leadership roles, including terms as president of the Beverly Hills Education Association, board member for the California Teachers Association, board member for the National Education Association, and board member for the local AYSO, Tse has advocated for higher wages, improved benefits, greater support for student diversity, curriculum adjustments, and fair labor practices. He is a longtime supporter of initiatives designed to improve student learning through social equity and inclusive curriculum.
Other background: Tse is from Los Angeles. He is the son of immigrants from Hong Kong.
The Race
Primary election: There are three candidates running in the nonpartisan March 5 primary, including Telly Tse, Shant Kevorkian, and Jordan Henry. The top two vote recipients will advance to the general election on November 5, unless one candidate receives more than 50% of the vote and wins outright in the primary.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Tse’s campaign has not filed any campaign fundraising receipts with the city as of December 2023.
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Neither of the challengers in this race have filed any campaign fundraising receipts with the city as of December 2023.
The District
School system: Glendale Unified School District is located in Los Angeles County, which is California’s most populous county. Glendale Unified School District includes 7 high schools, 20 middle schools, 22 elementary schools serving a population of roughly 24,000 California students.
Governance structure: Glendale Unified School District has a five-person board that provides administrative oversight and manages a budget of $335 million annually.
The Position
Members of the Glendale Unified School District are elected in a districted race where the top candidate goes on to serve. Terms last four years, and members are limited to serving three terms in this position.
Elect Telly Tse to put Glendale Unified School District on the right track for progress.
Telly Tse’s track record and policy positions demonstrate that he will be a progressive champion for the Glendale Unified School District community and will work effectively in the best interests of this diverse district.
Progressive endorsements: Tse has the endorsement of many progressive groups, including Glendale Teachers Association, Los Angeles County Federation of Labor, Our Schools USA, Equality California, and East Area Progressive Democrats. He has also received the endorsement of many elected leaders, including Assm. Laura Friedman, Glendale Mayor Dan Brotman, and four current members of the Glendale Unified School District Board.
Electoral history: Tse has not run for public office before.
Top issues: Racial and social justice inclusion, smaller class sizes, restorative discipline practices, investment in educators and district staff, and improved community communication.
Governance and community leadership experience: Tse is a special education teacher, youth sports coach, and education advocate, which he does to bring leadership and community values to the local education system. Through several leadership roles, including terms as president of the Beverly Hills Education Association, board member for the California Teachers Association, board member for the National Education Association, and board member for the local AYSO, Tse has advocated for higher wages, improved benefits, greater support for student diversity, curriculum adjustments, and fair labor practices. He is a longtime supporter of initiatives designed to improve student learning through social equity and inclusive curriculum.
Other background: Tse is from Los Angeles. He is the son of immigrants from Hong Kong.
The Race
Primary election: There are three candidates running in the nonpartisan March 5 primary, including Telly Tse, Shant Kevorkian, and Jordan Henry. The top two vote recipients will advance to the general election on November 5, unless one candidate receives more than 50% of the vote and wins outright in the primary.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Tse’s campaign has not filed any campaign fundraising receipts with the city as of December 2023.
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Neither of the challengers in this race have filed any campaign fundraising receipts with the city as of December 2023.
The District
School system: Glendale Unified School District is located in Los Angeles County, which is California’s most populous county. Glendale Unified School District includes 7 high schools, 20 middle schools, 22 elementary schools serving a population of roughly 24,000 California students.
Governance structure: Glendale Unified School District has a five-person board that provides administrative oversight and manages a budget of $335 million annually.
The Position
Members of the Glendale Unified School District are elected in a districted race where the top candidate goes on to serve. Terms last four years, and members are limited to serving three terms in this position.
Elect Telly Tse to put Glendale Unified School District on the right track for progress.
Telly Tse’s track record and policy positions demonstrate that he will be a progressive champion for the Glendale Unified School District community and will work effectively in the best interests of this diverse district.
Progressive endorsements: Tse has the endorsement of many progressive groups, including Glendale Teachers Association, Los Angeles County Federation of Labor, Our Schools USA, Equality California, and East Area Progressive Democrats. He has also received the endorsement of many elected leaders, including Assm. Laura Friedman, Glendale Mayor Dan Brotman, and four current members of the Glendale Unified School District Board.
Electoral history: Tse has not run for public office before.
Top issues: Racial and social justice inclusion, smaller class sizes, restorative discipline practices, investment in educators and district staff, and improved community communication.
Governance and community leadership experience: Tse is a special education teacher, youth sports coach, and education advocate, which he does to bring leadership and community values to the local education system. Through several leadership roles, including terms as president of the Beverly Hills Education Association, board member for the California Teachers Association, board member for the National Education Association, and board member for the local AYSO, Tse has advocated for higher wages, improved benefits, greater support for student diversity, curriculum adjustments, and fair labor practices. He is a longtime supporter of initiatives designed to improve student learning through social equity and inclusive curriculum.
Other background: Tse is from Los Angeles. He is the son of immigrants from Hong Kong.
The Race
Primary election: There are three candidates running in the nonpartisan March 5 primary, including Telly Tse, Shant Kevorkian, and Jordan Henry. The top two vote recipients will advance to the general election on November 5, unless one candidate receives more than 50% of the vote and wins outright in the primary.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Tse’s campaign has not filed any campaign fundraising receipts with the city as of December 2023.
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Neither of the challengers in this race have filed any campaign fundraising receipts with the city as of December 2023.
The District
School system: Glendale Unified School District is located in Los Angeles County, which is California’s most populous county. Glendale Unified School District includes 7 high schools, 20 middle schools, 22 elementary schools serving a population of roughly 24,000 California students.
Governance structure: Glendale Unified School District has a five-person board that provides administrative oversight and manages a budget of $335 million annually.
The Position
Members of the Glendale Unified School District are elected in a districted race where the top candidate goes on to serve. Terms last four years, and members are limited to serving three terms in this position.
Elect Neda Farid to put Glendale Unified School District on the right track for progress.
Neda Farid’s track record and policy positions demonstrate that she will be a progressive champion for the Glendale Unified School District community and will work effectively in the best interests of this diverse district.
Progressive endorsements: Farid has the endorsement of many groups, including Glendale Teachers Association, Glendale College Guild, National Women’s Political Caucus, and Stonewall Democratic Club Los Angeles. She has also received the endorsement of some local leaders, including Assm. Laura Friedman, Glendale Mayor Dan Brotman, and three current members of the Glendale Unified School District Board.
Electoral history: Farid ran for this office in 2020, but lost to the incumbent after earning 33% of the vote.
Top issues: Student mental health services, arts funding, access for diverse students, improved teacher retention, and engage families and community in district success.
Governance and Community Leadership Experience: Farid is a longtime education volunteer and advocate, which she does to address disparities of access and inclusivity in schools. After serving as a classroom volunteer, she joined the local PTA and eventually became President of the Glendale Council PTA, which governs all of the school-level PTA’s in the district. Farid has used her leadership position to gain a better understanding of the cultural landscape of individual schools, promote social equity and diversity within the district, and contribute to the Restorative Justice Task Force, Education Foundation Board, and Facilities Advisory Committee.
Other background: Farid has lived in Glendale for over 30 years.
The Race
Primary election: There are two candidates running in the nonpartisan March 5 primary, including Neda Farid, and Aneta Krpekyan. The top two vote recipients will advance to the general election on November 5, unless one candidate receives more than 50% of the vote and wins outright in the primary.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Neda Farid’s campaign has not filed any campaign fundraising receipts with the city as of December 2023.
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: The challenger in this race has not filed any campaign fundraising receipts with the city as of December 2023.
The District
School system: Glendale Unified School District is located in Los Angeles County, which is California’s most populous county. Glendale Unified School District includes 7 high schools, 20 middle schools, and 22 elementary schools serving a population of roughly 24,000 California students.
Governance structure: Glendale Unified School District has a five-person board that provides administrative oversight and manages a budget of $335 million annually.
The Position
Members of the Glendale Unified School District are elected in a district race where the top candidate goes on to serve. Terms last four years, and members are limited to serving three terms in this position.
Elect Neda Farid to put Glendale Unified School District on the right track for progress.
Neda Farid’s track record and policy positions demonstrate that she will be a progressive champion for the Glendale Unified School District community and will work effectively in the best interests of this diverse district.
Progressive endorsements: Farid has the endorsement of many groups, including Glendale Teachers Association, Glendale College Guild, National Women’s Political Caucus, and Stonewall Democratic Club Los Angeles. She has also received the endorsement of some local leaders, including Assm. Laura Friedman, Glendale Mayor Dan Brotman, and three current members of the Glendale Unified School District Board.
Electoral history: Farid ran for this office in 2020, but lost to the incumbent after earning 33% of the vote.
Top issues: Student mental health services, arts funding, access for diverse students, improved teacher retention, and engage families and community in district success.
Governance and Community Leadership Experience: Farid is a longtime education volunteer and advocate, which she does to address disparities of access and inclusivity in schools. After serving as a classroom volunteer, she joined the local PTA and eventually became President of the Glendale Council PTA, which governs all of the school-level PTA’s in the district. Farid has used her leadership position to gain a better understanding of the cultural landscape of individual schools, promote social equity and diversity within the district, and contribute to the Restorative Justice Task Force, Education Foundation Board, and Facilities Advisory Committee.
Other background: Farid has lived in Glendale for over 30 years.
The Race
Primary election: There are two candidates running in the nonpartisan March 5 primary, including Neda Farid, and Aneta Krpekyan. The top two vote recipients will advance to the general election on November 5, unless one candidate receives more than 50% of the vote and wins outright in the primary.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Neda Farid’s campaign has not filed any campaign fundraising receipts with the city as of December 2023.
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: The challenger in this race has not filed any campaign fundraising receipts with the city as of December 2023.
The District
School system: Glendale Unified School District is located in Los Angeles County, which is California’s most populous county. Glendale Unified School District includes 7 high schools, 20 middle schools, and 22 elementary schools serving a population of roughly 24,000 California students.
Governance structure: Glendale Unified School District has a five-person board that provides administrative oversight and manages a budget of $335 million annually.
The Position
Members of the Glendale Unified School District are elected in a district race where the top candidate goes on to serve. Terms last four years, and members are limited to serving three terms in this position.
Elect Neda Farid to put Glendale Unified School District on the right track for progress.
Neda Farid’s track record and policy positions demonstrate that she will be a progressive champion for the Glendale Unified School District community and will work effectively in the best interests of this diverse district.
Progressive endorsements: Farid has the endorsement of many groups, including Glendale Teachers Association, Glendale College Guild, National Women’s Political Caucus, and Stonewall Democratic Club Los Angeles. She has also received the endorsement of some local leaders, including Assm. Laura Friedman, Glendale Mayor Dan Brotman, and three current members of the Glendale Unified School District Board.
Electoral history: Farid ran for this office in 2020, but lost to the incumbent after earning 33% of the vote.
Top issues: Student mental health services, arts funding, access for diverse students, improved teacher retention, and engage families and community in district success.
Governance and Community Leadership Experience: Farid is a longtime education volunteer and advocate, which she does to address disparities of access and inclusivity in schools. After serving as a classroom volunteer, she joined the local PTA and eventually became President of the Glendale Council PTA, which governs all of the school-level PTA’s in the district. Farid has used her leadership position to gain a better understanding of the cultural landscape of individual schools, promote social equity and diversity within the district, and contribute to the Restorative Justice Task Force, Education Foundation Board, and Facilities Advisory Committee.
Other background: Farid has lived in Glendale for over 30 years.
The Race
Primary election: There are two candidates running in the nonpartisan March 5 primary, including Neda Farid, and Aneta Krpekyan. The top two vote recipients will advance to the general election on November 5, unless one candidate receives more than 50% of the vote and wins outright in the primary.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Neda Farid’s campaign has not filed any campaign fundraising receipts with the city as of December 2023.
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: The challenger in this race has not filed any campaign fundraising receipts with the city as of December 2023.
The District
School system: Glendale Unified School District is located in Los Angeles County, which is California’s most populous county. Glendale Unified School District includes 7 high schools, 20 middle schools, and 22 elementary schools serving a population of roughly 24,000 California students.
Governance structure: Glendale Unified School District has a five-person board that provides administrative oversight and manages a budget of $335 million annually.
The Position
Members of the Glendale Unified School District are elected in a district race where the top candidate goes on to serve. Terms last four years, and members are limited to serving three terms in this position.
State Senate
Depending on where you live, you may have one of the below State Senate races on your ballot.
State Senator, 23rd District
Elect 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 progressive groups, including 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 has run for office previously, and 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: There are 5 candidates running in the March 5 primary, including Kipp Mueller (D), Suzette Valladares (R), and James “DJ” Hamburger (R). The top two vote recipients will advance to the general election on November 5.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Mueller’s campaign has raised $469,020 and is not funded by corporate PACs, the fossil fuel industry, the real estate industry, or the police.
Opposing candidate: Republicans Suzette Valladares and DJ Hamburger
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Valladares’ campaign has raised $415,355 and is funded by corporate PACs and the fossil fuel industry. She has also accepted more than $30,000 from both the real estate industry and the police. Hamburger has raised $54,094, although he has loaned $50,000 of his own dollars to his campaign.
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.
Elect 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 progressive groups, including 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 has run for office previously, and 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: There are 5 candidates running in the March 5 primary, including Kipp Mueller (D), Suzette Valladares (R), and James “DJ” Hamburger (R). The top two vote recipients will advance to the general election on November 5.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Mueller’s campaign has raised $469,020 and is not funded by corporate PACs, the fossil fuel industry, the real estate industry, or the police.
Opposing candidate: Republicans Suzette Valladares and DJ Hamburger
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Valladares’ campaign has raised $415,355 and is funded by corporate PACs and the fossil fuel industry. She has also accepted more than $30,000 from both the real estate industry and the police. Hamburger has raised $54,094, although he has loaned $50,000 of his own dollars to his campaign.
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.
Elect 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 progressive groups, including 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 has run for office previously, and 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: There are 5 candidates running in the March 5 primary, including Kipp Mueller (D), Suzette Valladares (R), and James “DJ” Hamburger (R). The top two vote recipients will advance to the general election on November 5.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Mueller’s campaign has raised $469,020 and is not funded by corporate PACs, the fossil fuel industry, the real estate industry, or the police.
Opposing candidate: Republicans Suzette Valladares and DJ Hamburger
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Valladares’ campaign has raised $415,355 and is funded by corporate PACs and the fossil fuel industry. She has also accepted more than $30,000 from both the real estate industry and the police. Hamburger has raised $54,094, although he has loaned $50,000 of his own dollars to his campaign.
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.
State Senator, 25th District
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 progressive 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: There are five candidates running in the March 5 primary, including Sasha Renée Pérez (D), Sandra Armenta (D), Teddy Choi (D), Yvonne Yiu (D), and Elizabeth Ahlers (R). The top two vote recipients will advance to the general election on November 5.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Pérez’s campaign has raised $325,000 as of October 2023, and is not funded by police, fossil fuel, or corporate PAC interests.
Opposing candidate: Democrat Yvonne Yiu
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Yiu’s campaign has raised $524,000 as of October 2023, and is funded by real estate interests.
Opposing candidate: Republican Elizabeth Ahlers
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Ahlers’s campaign has raised $95,000 as of October 2023, and is not funded by police, fossil fuel, real estate, or corporate PAC interests.
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: The campaigns of Armenta and Choi have not submitted any fundraising receipts to the California Secretary of State’s office as of October 2023.
The District
Counties in district: California’s 25th State Senate District includes parts of Los Angeles and San Bernardino Counties.
Voter registration: 46% Democrat, 22% Republican, and 26% No Party Preference. Democrats typically hold this district.
District demographics: 23% Latino, 30% Asian, and 5% Black.
Recent election results: SD-25 voted for Joe Biden for president in 2020 by 31 points and Gavin Newsom for governor in 2022 by 26 points.
The Position
State senators represent and advocate for the needs of their district constituents at the California State Capitol. They are responsible for creating, debating, and voting on legislation that addresses issues within their district.
The California State Senate has 40 districts. Each represents a population of about 930,000 Californians. Representatives are elected to the Senate for a four-year term. Every two years, half of the Senate's 40 seats are subject to election. Members elected before 2012 are restricted to two four-year terms (eight years) in the Senate. Those elected in or after 2012 are allowed to serve 12 years total across both the state Senate or Assembly. This term, Democrats currently hold a two-thirds supermajority of 31 seats in the California State Senate, while Republicans hold 9 seats.
Courage California endorses Sasha Renée Pérez for state Senate to put SD-25 on the right track for progress.
Sasha Renée Pérez’s track record and policy positions demonstrate that she will be a progressive voice for the constituents of SD-25 and will govern effectively in the best interests of this diverse district.
Progressive endorsements: Pérez has the endorsement of many progressive 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: There are five candidates running in the March 5 primary, including Sasha Renée Pérez (D), Sandra Armenta (D), Teddy Choi (D), Yvonne Yiu (D), and Elizabeth Ahlers (R). The top two vote recipients will advance to the general election on November 5.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Pérez’s campaign has raised $325,000 as of October 2023, and is not funded by police, fossil fuel, or corporate PAC interests.
Opposing candidate: Democrat Yvonne Yiu
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Yiu’s campaign has raised $524,000 as of October 2023, and is funded by real estate interests.
Opposing candidate: Republican Elizabeth Ahlers
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Ahlers’s campaign has raised $95,000 as of October 2023, and is not funded by police, fossil fuel, real estate, or corporate PAC interests.
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: The campaigns of Armenta and Choi have not submitted any fundraising receipts to the California Secretary of State’s office as of October 2023.
The District
Counties in district: California’s 25th State Senate District includes parts of Los Angeles and San Bernardino Counties.
Voter registration: 46% Democrat, 22% Republican, and 26% No Party Preference. Democrats typically hold this district.
District demographics: 23% Latino, 30% Asian, and 5% Black.
Recent election results: SD-25 voted for Joe Biden for president in 2020 by 31 points and Gavin Newsom for governor in 2022 by 26 points.
The Position
State senators represent and advocate for the needs of their district constituents at the California State Capitol. They are responsible for creating, debating, and voting on legislation that addresses issues within their district.
The California State Senate has 40 districts. Each represents a population of about 930,000 Californians. Representatives are elected to the Senate for a four-year term. Every two years, half of the Senate's 40 seats are subject to election. Members elected before 2012 are restricted to two four-year terms (eight years) in the Senate. Those elected in or after 2012 are allowed to serve 12 years total across both the state Senate or Assembly. This term, Democrats currently hold a two-thirds supermajority of 31 seats in the California State Senate, while Republicans hold 9 seats.
Courage California endorses Sasha Renée Pérez for state Senate to put SD-25 on the right track for progress.
Sasha Renée Pérez’s track record and policy positions demonstrate that she will be a progressive voice for the constituents of SD-25 and will govern effectively in the best interests of this diverse district.
Progressive endorsements: Pérez has the endorsement of many progressive 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: There are five candidates running in the March 5 primary, including Sasha Renée Pérez (D), Sandra Armenta (D), Teddy Choi (D), Yvonne Yiu (D), and Elizabeth Ahlers (R). The top two vote recipients will advance to the general election on November 5.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Pérez’s campaign has raised $325,000 as of October 2023, and is not funded by police, fossil fuel, or corporate PAC interests.
Opposing candidate: Democrat Yvonne Yiu
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Yiu’s campaign has raised $524,000 as of October 2023, and is funded by real estate interests.
Opposing candidate: Republican Elizabeth Ahlers
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Ahlers’s campaign has raised $95,000 as of October 2023, and is not funded by police, fossil fuel, real estate, or corporate PAC interests.
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: The campaigns of Armenta and Choi have not submitted any fundraising receipts to the California Secretary of State’s office as of October 2023.
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.
State Assembly, 39th District
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 subject to increased community accountability.
Progressive endorsements: Assm. Carrillo has the endorsement of some progressive groups, including Equality California, AFSCME California, 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 year, Assm. Carrillo’s priorities for AD-39 have included 16 bills about clean energy and pollution, housing policy, wildlife conservation, and health care. Of these, five have been successfully chaptered into law, three have been vetoed, and the rest remain in committee. He has sponsored and passed legislation to create more efficiency in broadband permitting and installation, establish a system for the preapproval of accessory dwelling unit plans, and build data, modeling, and analytic tools to support sustainable transportation initiatives in the state. He scores 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 has supported some progressive bills that made it to a vote. That said, 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.
Committee leadership/membership: Assm. Carrillo currently sits on nine committees, including Education, Military and Veterans Affairs, 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: There are two candidates running in the March 5 primary, including Assm. Juan Carrillo (D), and Paul Marsh (R). The top two vote recipients will advance to the general election on November 5.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Assm. Carrillo’s campaign has raised $430,000 as of December 2023, and is funded by police, real estate, fossil fuel, and corporate PAC interests.
Opposing candidate: Republican Paul Marsh
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Marsh’s campaign has raised $[NUMBER] and is funded by [PLEDGES].
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 60 seats in the California State Assembly, while Republicans hold 19 seats and one seat is held by an Independent.
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 subject to increased community accountability.
Progressive endorsements: Assm. Carrillo has the endorsement of some progressive groups, including Equality California, AFSCME California, 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 year, Assm. Carrillo’s priorities for AD-39 have included 16 bills about clean energy and pollution, housing policy, wildlife conservation, and health care. Of these, five have been successfully chaptered into law, three have been vetoed, and the rest remain in committee. He has sponsored and passed legislation to create more efficiency in broadband permitting and installation, establish a system for the preapproval of accessory dwelling unit plans, and build data, modeling, and analytic tools to support sustainable transportation initiatives in the state. He scores 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 has supported some progressive bills that made it to a vote. That said, 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.
Committee leadership/membership: Assm. Carrillo currently sits on nine committees, including Education, Military and Veterans Affairs, 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: There are two candidates running in the March 5 primary, including Assm. Juan Carrillo (D), and Paul Marsh (R). The top two vote recipients will advance to the general election on November 5.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Assm. Carrillo’s campaign has raised $430,000 as of December 2023, and is funded by police, real estate, fossil fuel, and corporate PAC interests.
Opposing candidate: Republican Paul Marsh
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Marsh’s campaign has raised $[NUMBER] and is funded by [PLEDGES].
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 60 seats in the California State Assembly, while Republicans hold 19 seats and one seat is held by an Independent.
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 subject to increased community accountability.
Progressive endorsements: Assm. Carrillo has the endorsement of some progressive groups, including Equality California, AFSCME California, 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 year, Assm. Carrillo’s priorities for AD-39 have included 16 bills about clean energy and pollution, housing policy, wildlife conservation, and health care. Of these, five have been successfully chaptered into law, three have been vetoed, and the rest remain in committee. He has sponsored and passed legislation to create more efficiency in broadband permitting and installation, establish a system for the preapproval of accessory dwelling unit plans, and build data, modeling, and analytic tools to support sustainable transportation initiatives in the state. He scores 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 has supported some progressive bills that made it to a vote. That said, 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.
Committee leadership/membership: Assm. Carrillo currently sits on nine committees, including Education, Military and Veterans Affairs, 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: There are two candidates running in the March 5 primary, including Assm. Juan Carrillo (D), and Paul Marsh (R). The top two vote recipients will advance to the general election on November 5.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Assm. Carrillo’s campaign has raised $430,000 as of December 2023, and is funded by police, real estate, fossil fuel, and corporate PAC interests.
Opposing candidate: Republican Paul Marsh
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Marsh’s campaign has raised $[NUMBER] and is funded by [PLEDGES].
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 60 seats in the California State Assembly, while Republicans hold 19 seats and one seat is held by an Independent.
Congress
Depending on where you live, you may have one of the below congressional districts on your ballot.
23rd Congressional District
Elect Derek Marshall to Congress to put CD-23 on the right track for progress.
Derek Marshall’s track record and policy positions demonstrate that he will be a progressive voice for the constituents of CD-23 and will govern effectively in the best interests of this diverse district.
Progressive endorsements: Marshall has the endorsement of some progressive groups, including Equality California, Stonewall Democrats, and the National Education Association.
Electoral history: Marshall has run for office previously, and lost his race for this congressional seat against the Republican incumbent by 22 points.
Top issues: Climate justice, universal health care, labor, and LGBTQIA+ protections.
Governance and community leadership experience: Marshall is a political organizer who is motivated by having witnessed extreme inequality while working in a mutual-aid organization with his family when he was growing up. After studying politics and international relations, Marshall moved to Europe to help found a global research initiative that worked with the UN to hold states accountable for their health and human rights commitments. After returning to California, Marshall helped establish Ground Game LA, an organization that works on housing justice. He also partnered with local community groups to organize arts and culture events to raise money for LGBTQIA+ issues.
Other background: Derek Marshall was raised in a small town. Prior to running for this office, Marshall pursued electoral organizing, working on local Democratic campaigns as well as staffing Sanders’s 2020 presidential campaign in Nevada, helping to deliver the senator’s largest victory in the primary.
The Race
Primary election: There are 4 candidates running in the March 5 primary, including Derek Marshall (D), incumbent Jay Obernolte (R), Matthew Favro (D), and Miguel Arceo (D). The top two vote recipients will advance to the general election on November 5.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Derek Marshall’s campaign has raised $191,935 and is not funded by corporations, the fossil fuel industry, the real estate industry, or the police.
Opposing candidate: Republican Jay Obernolte
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Obernolte’s campaign has raised $527,576 and is funded by the police and the real estate industry. He is also funded by corporations, and has accepted nearly $25,000 from the pharmaceutical industry and $15,000 from weapons manufacturers. He has accepted nearly $40,000 from the fossil fuel industry.
The District
Counties in district: California’s 23rd Congressional District includes parts of Kern, Los Angeles, and San Bernardino Counties.
Voter registration: 34% Democrat, 36% Republican, and 20% No Party Preference. Republicans typically hold this district.
District demographics: 33% Latino, 4% Asian, and 9% Black.
Recent election results: CD-23 voted for Donald Trump for president in 2020 by 10 points and Brian Dahle for governor in 2022 by 21 points.
The Position
Congressmembers represent and advocate for the needs of their district constituents at the United States Capitol. They are responsible for creating, debating, and voting on legislation that addresses issues within their district.
The United States is divided into 435 congressional districts, each with a population of about 710,000 individuals. Each district elects a representative to the House of Representatives for a two-year term. California has 52 congressional representatives, the largest delegation in the country. There is no term limit for this position.
Elect Derek Marshall to Congress to put CD-23 on the right track for progress.
Derek Marshall’s track record and policy positions demonstrate that he will be a progressive voice for the constituents of CD-23 and will govern effectively in the best interests of this diverse district.
Progressive endorsements: Marshall has the endorsement of some progressive groups, including Equality California, Stonewall Democrats, and the National Education Association.
Electoral history: Marshall has run for office previously, and lost his race for this congressional seat against the Republican incumbent by 22 points.
Top issues: Climate justice, universal health care, labor, and LGBTQIA+ protections.
Governance and community leadership experience: Marshall is a political organizer who is motivated by having witnessed extreme inequality while working in a mutual-aid organization with his family when he was growing up. After studying politics and international relations, Marshall moved to Europe to help found a global research initiative that worked with the UN to hold states accountable for their health and human rights commitments. After returning to California, Marshall helped establish Ground Game LA, an organization that works on housing justice. He also partnered with local community groups to organize arts and culture events to raise money for LGBTQIA+ issues.
Other background: Derek Marshall was raised in a small town. Prior to running for this office, Marshall pursued electoral organizing, working on local Democratic campaigns as well as staffing Sanders’s 2020 presidential campaign in Nevada, helping to deliver the senator’s largest victory in the primary.
The Race
Primary election: There are 4 candidates running in the March 5 primary, including Derek Marshall (D), incumbent Jay Obernolte (R), Matthew Favro (D), and Miguel Arceo (D). The top two vote recipients will advance to the general election on November 5.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Derek Marshall’s campaign has raised $191,935 and is not funded by corporations, the fossil fuel industry, the real estate industry, or the police.
Opposing candidate: Republican Jay Obernolte
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Obernolte’s campaign has raised $527,576 and is funded by the police and the real estate industry. He is also funded by corporations, and has accepted nearly $25,000 from the pharmaceutical industry and $15,000 from weapons manufacturers. He has accepted nearly $40,000 from the fossil fuel industry.
The District
Counties in district: California’s 23rd Congressional District includes parts of Kern, Los Angeles, and San Bernardino Counties.
Voter registration: 34% Democrat, 36% Republican, and 20% No Party Preference. Republicans typically hold this district.
District demographics: 33% Latino, 4% Asian, and 9% Black.
Recent election results: CD-23 voted for Donald Trump for president in 2020 by 10 points and Brian Dahle for governor in 2022 by 21 points.
The Position
Congressmembers represent and advocate for the needs of their district constituents at the United States Capitol. They are responsible for creating, debating, and voting on legislation that addresses issues within their district.
The United States is divided into 435 congressional districts, each with a population of about 710,000 individuals. Each district elects a representative to the House of Representatives for a two-year term. California has 52 congressional representatives, the largest delegation in the country. There is no term limit for this position.
Elect Derek Marshall to Congress to put CD-23 on the right track for progress.
Derek Marshall’s track record and policy positions demonstrate that he will be a progressive voice for the constituents of CD-23 and will govern effectively in the best interests of this diverse district.
Progressive endorsements: Marshall has the endorsement of some progressive groups, including Equality California, Stonewall Democrats, and the National Education Association.
Electoral history: Marshall has run for office previously, and lost his race for this congressional seat against the Republican incumbent by 22 points.
Top issues: Climate justice, universal health care, labor, and LGBTQIA+ protections.
Governance and community leadership experience: Marshall is a political organizer who is motivated by having witnessed extreme inequality while working in a mutual-aid organization with his family when he was growing up. After studying politics and international relations, Marshall moved to Europe to help found a global research initiative that worked with the UN to hold states accountable for their health and human rights commitments. After returning to California, Marshall helped establish Ground Game LA, an organization that works on housing justice. He also partnered with local community groups to organize arts and culture events to raise money for LGBTQIA+ issues.
Other background: Derek Marshall was raised in a small town. Prior to running for this office, Marshall pursued electoral organizing, working on local Democratic campaigns as well as staffing Sanders’s 2020 presidential campaign in Nevada, helping to deliver the senator’s largest victory in the primary.
The Race
Primary election: There are 4 candidates running in the March 5 primary, including Derek Marshall (D), incumbent Jay Obernolte (R), Matthew Favro (D), and Miguel Arceo (D). The top two vote recipients will advance to the general election on November 5.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Derek Marshall’s campaign has raised $191,935 and is not funded by corporations, the fossil fuel industry, the real estate industry, or the police.
Opposing candidate: Republican Jay Obernolte
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Obernolte’s campaign has raised $527,576 and is funded by the police and the real estate industry. He is also funded by corporations, and has accepted nearly $25,000 from the pharmaceutical industry and $15,000 from weapons manufacturers. He has accepted nearly $40,000 from the fossil fuel industry.
The District
Counties in district: California’s 23rd Congressional District includes parts of Kern, Los Angeles, and San Bernardino Counties.
Voter registration: 34% Democrat, 36% Republican, and 20% No Party Preference. Republicans typically hold this district.
District demographics: 33% Latino, 4% Asian, and 9% Black.
Recent election results: CD-23 voted for Donald Trump for president in 2020 by 10 points and Brian Dahle for governor in 2022 by 21 points.
The Position
Congressmembers represent and advocate for the needs of their district constituents at the United States Capitol. They are responsible for creating, debating, and voting on legislation that addresses issues within their district.
The United States is divided into 435 congressional districts, each with a population of about 710,000 individuals. Each district elects a representative to the House of Representatives for a two-year term. California has 52 congressional representatives, the largest delegation in the country. There is no term limit for this position.
27th Congressional District
Elect George Whitesides for Congress to put CD-27 on the right track for progress.
George Whitesides’s policy positions demonstrate that he will be a representative voice for the constituents of CD-27 and will govern effectively in the best interests of this diverse district. The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee has designated this district as a priority flip in 2024 after it was won narrowly by Republican Rep. Mike Garcia in 2022.
Progressive endorsements: Whitesides has the endorsement of many groups, including California Environmental Voters, 3.14 Action Fund, Santa Clarita Valley Democrats, and AFL-CIO. He has also received the endorsement of many elected leaders, including Rep. Ted Lieu, Rep. Adam Schiff, Assm. Pilar Schiavo, and State Treasurer Fiona Ma.
Electoral history: Whitesides has not run for public office before.
Top issues: Economic growth and job creation, wildfire protections and response, reproductive justice, and safeguarding Social Security and Medicare.
Governance and community leadership experience: Whitesides is an aerospace professional and a local leader, which he does to support innovation and local job creation, and contribute to solving problems on the ground in his community. He served in leadership at NASA during the Obama Administration before spending ten years as the first CEO of Virgin Galactic, a space innovation and exploration company founded by Richard Branson. Under Whitesides’s leadership, the company grew its operations in the Antelope Valley, created over 700 local jobs, and ran their first commercial space flights. In 2022, he became a co-founder of Megafire Action, a non-profit that seeks to use science, policy, and technology to reduce the number of wildfires annually. As a local leader, Whitesides created collaboration between the aerospace industry and the health-care community during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, and serves on the board of directors for the Antelope Valley Economic Development & Growth Enterprise.
Other background: George Whitesides is originally from Massachusetts and is a longtime resident of the Antelope Valley. He holds degrees from Princeton University and Cambridge University, and was a Fulbright Scholar.
The Race
Primary election: There are three candidates running in the March 5 primary, including George Whitesides (D), and incumbent Rep. Mike Garcia (R). The top two vote recipients will advance to the general election on November 5.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: George Whitesides’s campaign has raised $2.2 million as of October 2023, and is not funded by police, real estate, fossil fuel, or corporate PAC interests. He has donated over $2.1 million to his own campaign.
Opposing candidate: Republican Rep. Mike Garcia
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Rep. Garcia’s campaign has raised $2.4 million as of October 2023, and is funded by corporate PAC, fossil fuel, and real estate interests.
The District
Counties in district: California’s 27th Congressional District includes parts of Los Angeles County.
Voter registration: 42% Democrat, 29% Republican, and 22% No Party Preference. Democrats typically held this seat until it was redistricted in 2022.
District demographics: 33% Latino, 10% Asian, and 11% Black.
Recent election results: CD-27 voted for Joe Biden for president in 2020 by 12 points and Brian Dahle for governor in 2022 by 2 points.
The Position
Congressmembers represent and advocate for the needs of their district constituents at the United States Capitol. They are responsible for creating, debating, and voting on legislation that addresses issues within their district.
The United States is divided into 435 congressional districts, each with a population of about 710,000 individuals. Each district elects a representative to the House of Representatives for a two-year term. California has 52 congressional representatives, the largest delegation in the country. There is no term limit for this position.
Elect George Whitesides for Congress to put CD-27 on the right track for progress.
George Whitesides’s policy positions demonstrate that he will be a representative voice for the constituents of CD-27 and will govern effectively in the best interests of this diverse district. The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee has designated this district as a priority flip in 2024 after it was won narrowly by Republican Rep. Mike Garcia in 2022.
Progressive endorsements: Whitesides has the endorsement of many groups, including California Environmental Voters, 3.14 Action Fund, Santa Clarita Valley Democrats, and AFL-CIO. He has also received the endorsement of many elected leaders, including Rep. Ted Lieu, Rep. Adam Schiff, Assm. Pilar Schiavo, and State Treasurer Fiona Ma.
Electoral history: Whitesides has not run for public office before.
Top issues: Economic growth and job creation, wildfire protections and response, reproductive justice, and safeguarding Social Security and Medicare.
Governance and community leadership experience: Whitesides is an aerospace professional and a local leader, which he does to support innovation and local job creation, and contribute to solving problems on the ground in his community. He served in leadership at NASA during the Obama Administration before spending ten years as the first CEO of Virgin Galactic, a space innovation and exploration company founded by Richard Branson. Under Whitesides’s leadership, the company grew its operations in the Antelope Valley, created over 700 local jobs, and ran their first commercial space flights. In 2022, he became a co-founder of Megafire Action, a non-profit that seeks to use science, policy, and technology to reduce the number of wildfires annually. As a local leader, Whitesides created collaboration between the aerospace industry and the health-care community during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, and serves on the board of directors for the Antelope Valley Economic Development & Growth Enterprise.
Other background: George Whitesides is originally from Massachusetts and is a longtime resident of the Antelope Valley. He holds degrees from Princeton University and Cambridge University, and was a Fulbright Scholar.
The Race
Primary election: There are three candidates running in the March 5 primary, including George Whitesides (D), and incumbent Rep. Mike Garcia (R). The top two vote recipients will advance to the general election on November 5.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: George Whitesides’s campaign has raised $2.2 million as of October 2023, and is not funded by police, real estate, fossil fuel, or corporate PAC interests. He has donated over $2.1 million to his own campaign.
Opposing candidate: Republican Rep. Mike Garcia
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Rep. Garcia’s campaign has raised $2.4 million as of October 2023, and is funded by corporate PAC, fossil fuel, and real estate interests.
The District
Counties in district: California’s 27th Congressional District includes parts of Los Angeles County.
Voter registration: 42% Democrat, 29% Republican, and 22% No Party Preference. Democrats typically held this seat until it was redistricted in 2022.
District demographics: 33% Latino, 10% Asian, and 11% Black.
Recent election results: CD-27 voted for Joe Biden for president in 2020 by 12 points and Brian Dahle for governor in 2022 by 2 points.
The Position
Congressmembers represent and advocate for the needs of their district constituents at the United States Capitol. They are responsible for creating, debating, and voting on legislation that addresses issues within their district.
The United States is divided into 435 congressional districts, each with a population of about 710,000 individuals. Each district elects a representative to the House of Representatives for a two-year term. California has 52 congressional representatives, the largest delegation in the country. There is no term limit for this position.
Elect George Whitesides for Congress to put CD-27 on the right track for progress.
George Whitesides’s policy positions demonstrate that he will be a representative voice for the constituents of CD-27 and will govern effectively in the best interests of this diverse district. The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee has designated this district as a priority flip in 2024 after it was won narrowly by Republican Rep. Mike Garcia in 2022.
Progressive endorsements: Whitesides has the endorsement of many groups, including California Environmental Voters, 3.14 Action Fund, Santa Clarita Valley Democrats, and AFL-CIO. He has also received the endorsement of many elected leaders, including Rep. Ted Lieu, Rep. Adam Schiff, Assm. Pilar Schiavo, and State Treasurer Fiona Ma.
Electoral history: Whitesides has not run for public office before.
Top issues: Economic growth and job creation, wildfire protections and response, reproductive justice, and safeguarding Social Security and Medicare.
Governance and community leadership experience: Whitesides is an aerospace professional and a local leader, which he does to support innovation and local job creation, and contribute to solving problems on the ground in his community. He served in leadership at NASA during the Obama Administration before spending ten years as the first CEO of Virgin Galactic, a space innovation and exploration company founded by Richard Branson. Under Whitesides’s leadership, the company grew its operations in the Antelope Valley, created over 700 local jobs, and ran their first commercial space flights. In 2022, he became a co-founder of Megafire Action, a non-profit that seeks to use science, policy, and technology to reduce the number of wildfires annually. As a local leader, Whitesides created collaboration between the aerospace industry and the health-care community during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, and serves on the board of directors for the Antelope Valley Economic Development & Growth Enterprise.
Other background: George Whitesides is originally from Massachusetts and is a longtime resident of the Antelope Valley. He holds degrees from Princeton University and Cambridge University, and was a Fulbright Scholar.
The Race
Primary election: There are three candidates running in the March 5 primary, including George Whitesides (D), and incumbent Rep. Mike Garcia (R). The top two vote recipients will advance to the general election on November 5.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: George Whitesides’s campaign has raised $2.2 million as of October 2023, and is not funded by police, real estate, fossil fuel, or corporate PAC interests. He has donated over $2.1 million to his own campaign.
Opposing candidate: Republican Rep. Mike Garcia
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Rep. Garcia’s campaign has raised $2.4 million as of October 2023, and is funded by corporate PAC, fossil fuel, and real estate interests.
The District
Counties in district: California’s 27th Congressional District includes parts of Los Angeles County.
Voter registration: 42% Democrat, 29% Republican, and 22% No Party Preference. Democrats typically held this seat until it was redistricted in 2022.
District demographics: 33% Latino, 10% Asian, and 11% Black.
Recent election results: CD-27 voted for Joe Biden for president in 2020 by 12 points and Brian Dahle for governor in 2022 by 2 points.
The Position
Congressmembers represent and advocate for the needs of their district constituents at the United States Capitol. They are responsible for creating, debating, and voting on legislation that addresses issues within their district.
The United States is divided into 435 congressional districts, each with a population of about 710,000 individuals. Each district elects a representative to the House of Representatives for a two-year term. California has 52 congressional representatives, the largest delegation in the country. There is no term limit for this position.
28th Congressional District
Re-elect Congressional Representative Judy Chu to keep CD-28 on the right track for progress.
Rep. Judy Chu’s track record and policy positions demonstrate that she will continue to be a progressive voice for the constituents of CD-28 and will govern effectively in the best interests of this diverse district.
Progressive endorsements: Rep. Chu has the endorsement of some progressive groups, including Equality California, Planned Parenthood Action Fund, and California Environmental Voters.
Top issues: Civil liberty, reproductive rights, women’s healthcare, taxation, disaster relief, LGBTQIA+ rights, entrepreneurship and small business support, and immigration protections.
Priority bills: This year, Rep. Chu’s priorities for CD-28 have included 24 bills about small-business investment, women’s health, environmental protections, and mental health care. Of these, one has been passed through to the Senate, and the rest remain in committee. She has sponsored legislation to raise the amount of banking capital that can be invested in SBICs, protect victims of labor violations from removal by the Department of Homeland Security, create resources to destigmatize mental health issues, and prohibit governmental restrictions on abortion care before fetal viability.
Member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus?: Yes.
Committee leadership/membership: Rep. Chu currently sits on two committees, Ways and Means, and Small Business. She serves as the chair of the Asian Pacific American Caucus, and the Creative Rights Caucus, which supports copyright protections of those in the creative industries.
Governance and community leadership experience: Rep. Chu has served in this congressional seat since 2012, when she was elected with over 64% of the vote. In 2022, she won her re-election against a Republican challenger by 32 points.
Prior to her election to Congress, Rep. Chu served as mayor of Monterey Park from 1989 to 1994. In 2001, she was elected to the State Assembly, where she served two terms. She served as the 4th District representative on the California State Board of Equalization from 2007 to 2009, before transitioning to her Congressional seat. She was elected to Congress in 2009, becoming the first Chinese American to serve in the institution. Rep. Chu has been a longtime supporter of civil liberties and reproductive rights.
Other background: Rep. Chu grew up in Los Angeles.
The Race
Primary election: There are five candidates running in the March 5 primary, including Rep. Judy Chu (D), Kerry Lewis (R), Robert George Lucero (R), April Verlato (R), and Bonnie Wallace (R). The top two vote recipients will advance to the general election on November 5.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Rep. Chu’s campaign has raised $687,000 as of October 2023, and is not funded by police interests.
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: As of October 2023, none of the Republican challengers in this race have filed any campaign finance receipts with the FEC.
The District
Counties in district: California’s 28th Congressional District includes parts of Los Angeles and San Bernardino Counties.
Voter registration: 47% Democrat, 22% Republican, and 26% No Party Preference. Democrats typically hold this district.
District demographics: 24% Latino, 35% Asian, and 5% Black.
Recent election results: CD-28 voted for Joe Biden for president in 2020 by 34 points and Gavin Newsom for governor in 2022 by 26 points.
The Position
Congressmembers represent and advocate for the needs of their district constituents at the United States Capitol. They are responsible for creating, debating, and voting on legislation that addresses issues within their district.
The United States is divided into 435 congressional districts, each with a population of about 710,000 individuals. Each district elects a representative to the House of Representatives for a two-year term. California has 52 congressional representatives, the largest delegation in the country. There is no term limit for this position.
Re-elect Congressional Representative Judy Chu to keep CD-28 on the right track for progress.
Rep. Judy Chu’s track record and policy positions demonstrate that she will continue to be a progressive voice for the constituents of CD-28 and will govern effectively in the best interests of this diverse district.
Progressive endorsements: Rep. Chu has the endorsement of some progressive groups, including Equality California, Planned Parenthood Action Fund, and California Environmental Voters.
Top issues: Civil liberty, reproductive rights, women’s healthcare, taxation, disaster relief, LGBTQIA+ rights, entrepreneurship and small business support, and immigration protections.
Priority bills: This year, Rep. Chu’s priorities for CD-28 have included 24 bills about small-business investment, women’s health, environmental protections, and mental health care. Of these, one has been passed through to the Senate, and the rest remain in committee. She has sponsored legislation to raise the amount of banking capital that can be invested in SBICs, protect victims of labor violations from removal by the Department of Homeland Security, create resources to destigmatize mental health issues, and prohibit governmental restrictions on abortion care before fetal viability.
Member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus?: Yes.
Committee leadership/membership: Rep. Chu currently sits on two committees, Ways and Means, and Small Business. She serves as the chair of the Asian Pacific American Caucus, and the Creative Rights Caucus, which supports copyright protections of those in the creative industries.
Governance and community leadership experience: Rep. Chu has served in this congressional seat since 2012, when she was elected with over 64% of the vote. In 2022, she won her re-election against a Republican challenger by 32 points.
Prior to her election to Congress, Rep. Chu served as mayor of Monterey Park from 1989 to 1994. In 2001, she was elected to the State Assembly, where she served two terms. She served as the 4th District representative on the California State Board of Equalization from 2007 to 2009, before transitioning to her Congressional seat. She was elected to Congress in 2009, becoming the first Chinese American to serve in the institution. Rep. Chu has been a longtime supporter of civil liberties and reproductive rights.
Other background: Rep. Chu grew up in Los Angeles.
The Race
Primary election: There are five candidates running in the March 5 primary, including Rep. Judy Chu (D), Kerry Lewis (R), Robert George Lucero (R), April Verlato (R), and Bonnie Wallace (R). The top two vote recipients will advance to the general election on November 5.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Rep. Chu’s campaign has raised $687,000 as of October 2023, and is not funded by police interests.
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: As of October 2023, none of the Republican challengers in this race have filed any campaign finance receipts with the FEC.
The District
Counties in district: California’s 28th Congressional District includes parts of Los Angeles and San Bernardino Counties.
Voter registration: 47% Democrat, 22% Republican, and 26% No Party Preference. Democrats typically hold this district.
District demographics: 24% Latino, 35% Asian, and 5% Black.
Recent election results: CD-28 voted for Joe Biden for president in 2020 by 34 points and Gavin Newsom for governor in 2022 by 26 points.
The Position
Congressmembers represent and advocate for the needs of their district constituents at the United States Capitol. They are responsible for creating, debating, and voting on legislation that addresses issues within their district.
The United States is divided into 435 congressional districts, each with a population of about 710,000 individuals. Each district elects a representative to the House of Representatives for a two-year term. California has 52 congressional representatives, the largest delegation in the country. There is no term limit for this position.
Re-elect Congressional Representative Judy Chu to keep CD-28 on the right track for progress.
Rep. Judy Chu’s track record and policy positions demonstrate that she will continue to be a progressive voice for the constituents of CD-28 and will govern effectively in the best interests of this diverse district.
Progressive endorsements: Rep. Chu has the endorsement of some progressive groups, including Equality California, Planned Parenthood Action Fund, and California Environmental Voters.
Top issues: Civil liberty, reproductive rights, women’s healthcare, taxation, disaster relief, LGBTQIA+ rights, entrepreneurship and small business support, and immigration protections.
Priority bills: This year, Rep. Chu’s priorities for CD-28 have included 24 bills about small-business investment, women’s health, environmental protections, and mental health care. Of these, one has been passed through to the Senate, and the rest remain in committee. She has sponsored legislation to raise the amount of banking capital that can be invested in SBICs, protect victims of labor violations from removal by the Department of Homeland Security, create resources to destigmatize mental health issues, and prohibit governmental restrictions on abortion care before fetal viability.
Member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus?: Yes.
Committee leadership/membership: Rep. Chu currently sits on two committees, Ways and Means, and Small Business. She serves as the chair of the Asian Pacific American Caucus, and the Creative Rights Caucus, which supports copyright protections of those in the creative industries.
Governance and community leadership experience: Rep. Chu has served in this congressional seat since 2012, when she was elected with over 64% of the vote. In 2022, she won her re-election against a Republican challenger by 32 points.
Prior to her election to Congress, Rep. Chu served as mayor of Monterey Park from 1989 to 1994. In 2001, she was elected to the State Assembly, where she served two terms. She served as the 4th District representative on the California State Board of Equalization from 2007 to 2009, before transitioning to her Congressional seat. She was elected to Congress in 2009, becoming the first Chinese American to serve in the institution. Rep. Chu has been a longtime supporter of civil liberties and reproductive rights.
Other background: Rep. Chu grew up in Los Angeles.
The Race
Primary election: There are five candidates running in the March 5 primary, including Rep. Judy Chu (D), Kerry Lewis (R), Robert George Lucero (R), April Verlato (R), and Bonnie Wallace (R). The top two vote recipients will advance to the general election on November 5.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Rep. Chu’s campaign has raised $687,000 as of October 2023, and is not funded by police interests.
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: As of October 2023, none of the Republican challengers in this race have filed any campaign finance receipts with the FEC.
The District
Counties in district: California’s 28th Congressional District includes parts of Los Angeles and San Bernardino Counties.
Voter registration: 47% Democrat, 22% Republican, and 26% No Party Preference. Democrats typically hold this district.
District demographics: 24% Latino, 35% Asian, and 5% Black.
Recent election results: CD-28 voted for Joe Biden for president in 2020 by 34 points and Gavin Newsom for governor in 2022 by 26 points.
The Position
Congressmembers represent and advocate for the needs of their district constituents at the United States Capitol. They are responsible for creating, debating, and voting on legislation that addresses issues within their district.
The United States is divided into 435 congressional districts, each with a population of about 710,000 individuals. Each district elects a representative to the House of Representatives for a two-year term. California has 52 congressional representatives, the largest delegation in the country. There is no term limit for this position.
Los Angeles County
Voting has changed in Los Angeles County this year. The Voter’s Choice Act was enacted in the county to make voting more convenient. Changes include an expanded period of in-person early voting, every registered voter in the county will receive a vote-by-mail ballot, and every registered voter in the county is able to vote in-person at any Vote Center in their county. Also, in-person voters in Los Angeles County will have the opportunity to use the new Ballot Marking Device, a touchscreen with audio features, to mark their ballots. Have questions about the changes to voting in Los Angeles County? Find out how to vote in Los Angeles County.
Re-elect District Attorney George Gascón to keep Los Angeles County on the right track for progress.
District Attorney George Gascón’s track record and policy positions demonstrate that he will continue to be a progressive voice for the constituents of Los Angeles County and will govern effectively in the best interests of this diverse district.
Progressive endorsements: District Attorney Gascón has the endorsement of some progressive groups, including California Working Families Party, Planned Parenthood Advocacy Project, and Los Angeles County Federation of Labor.
Top issues: Public safety, police accountability, criminal justice reform, reducing violent crime, immigration, climate justice, and ending mass incarceration.
Key initiatives: District Attorney Gascón has successfully returned the DA’s office to its pre-pandemic felony case filing rate, eliminated the death penalty from sentencing, and stopped the scheduling of executions for individuals previously sentenced to death. He has also reduced the frequency of transferring minors to adult court, and has recalled cases in which minors were sentenced. District Attorney Gascón has also reduced the frequency of sentence enhancements, a policy that saves California taxpayers millions of dollars in prison costs. After a March 2021 State Supreme Court decision that eliminated cash bail in the state for individuals who can’t afford it, District Attorney Gascón’s office stopped seeking bail for misdemeanor and nonviolent felonies, which has increased the equity of the criminal justice system.
District Attorney Gascón faced two recall efforts in 2021 and 2022, although neither gathered enough valid petition signatures to qualify for the ballot. A recall was supported by controversial former Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva, and District Attorney Gascón’s efforts to reform the dysfunctional and inequitable criminal justice system have been unpopular with rank-and-file law enforcement.
Governance and community leadership experience: District Attorney Gascón has served in this seat since 2020, when he was elected with over 53% of the vote.
Prior to his election in Los Angeles, District Attorney Gascón served two terms as San Francisco DA, where he increased the prosecution of sexual assault cases, and created a new law-enforcement unit focused on addressing child abuse and sexual assault. He implemented practices and resources that centered on survivors, and has proposed policies that protect undocumented, LGBTQIA+, and student survivors while prioritizing cultural and linguistic competency. He is a staunch opponent of the death penalty, often citing its disproportionate impact on Black and brown communities, and has implemented reformist sentencing policies since his election as Los Angeles DA. District Attorney Gascón’s track record and position on law-enforcement accountability is rare, particularly for someone with a law enforcement background. During his term as San Francisco DA, Gascón prosecuted more than 30 police officers for criminal conduct. In 2019, while many police, law-enforcement officials, and prosecutors fought against its passage, he advocated for Assembly Bill 392, also known as the Stephon Clark Bill, which created a stricter standard for police use of force. He remains the only law-enforcement official in California to advocate for this legislation and his willingness to pursue police brutality cases has been a highlight of his prosecutorial leadership.
Other background: District Attorney Gascón is from Cuba and immigrated to Los Angeles when he was 13. He has had a 40-year career in law enforcement, in which he started as a beat cop and rose through the ranks to serve as chief of police in San Francisco before pursuing elected office.
The Race
Primary election: There are 12 candidates running in the nonpartisan March 5 primary, including District Attorney George Gascón, John McKinney, Maria Ramirez, Jonathan Hatami, and Nathan Hochman. The top two vote recipients will advance to the general election on November 5 unless one candidate receives more than 50% of the vote and wins outright in the primary.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: District Attorney Gascón’s campaign has raised $100,000 as of December 2023, and is not funded by police, real estate, corporate PAC, or fossil fuel interests.
Opposing candidate: John McKinney
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: McKinney’s campaign has raised $165,000 as of December 2023, and is not funded by police, real estate, corporate PAC, or fossil fuel interests.
Opposing candidate: Maria Ramirez
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Ramirez’s campaign has raised $166,000 as of December 2023, and is not funded by police, real estate, corporate PAC, or fossil fuel interests.
Opposing candidate: Jonathan Hatami
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Hatami’s campaign has raised $240,000 as of December 2023, and is funded by real estate, police, and fossil fuel interests.
Opposing candidate: Nathan Hochman
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Hochman’s campaign has raised $645,000 as of December 2023, and is not funded by police, real estate, corporate PAC, or fossil fuel interests.
The District
County: Los Angeles County is California's most populous county. Los Angeles County has a population of 9.7 million and a demographic breakdown of 49% Latino, 16% Asian, 9% Black.
Governance structure: Los Angeles County’s District Attorney oversees an office of nearly 1,000 deputy district attorneys, and the prosecution of criminal offenses across the county and unincorporated areas. It is the largest local district attorney office in the nation.
The Position
Each of the 58 counties in California elects a district Attorney to manage prosecution of criminal offenses related to the violation of state and county law. The district attorney has investigative authority, manages the apprehension of individuals identified through the investigative process, and holds charging and prosecutorial power. The work of the district attorney includes Municipal and Superior court operations, and serving as a legal liaison to the grand jury. The county Board of Supervisors provides financial oversight to the district attorney’s office, but holds no operational power over their work. District attorneys are elected to four-year terms in office.
Re-elect District Attorney George Gascón to keep Los Angeles County on the right track for progress.
District Attorney George Gascón’s track record and policy positions demonstrate that he will continue to be a progressive voice for the constituents of Los Angeles County and will govern effectively in the best interests of this diverse district.
Progressive endorsements: District Attorney Gascón has the endorsement of some progressive groups, including California Working Families Party, Planned Parenthood Advocacy Project, and Los Angeles County Federation of Labor.
Top issues: Public safety, police accountability, criminal justice reform, reducing violent crime, immigration, climate justice, and ending mass incarceration.
Key initiatives: District Attorney Gascón has successfully returned the DA’s office to its pre-pandemic felony case filing rate, eliminated the death penalty from sentencing, and stopped the scheduling of executions for individuals previously sentenced to death. He has also reduced the frequency of transferring minors to adult court, and has recalled cases in which minors were sentenced. District Attorney Gascón has also reduced the frequency of sentence enhancements, a policy that saves California taxpayers millions of dollars in prison costs. After a March 2021 State Supreme Court decision that eliminated cash bail in the state for individuals who can’t afford it, District Attorney Gascón’s office stopped seeking bail for misdemeanor and nonviolent felonies, which has increased the equity of the criminal justice system.
District Attorney Gascón faced two recall efforts in 2021 and 2022, although neither gathered enough valid petition signatures to qualify for the ballot. A recall was supported by controversial former Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva, and District Attorney Gascón’s efforts to reform the dysfunctional and inequitable criminal justice system have been unpopular with rank-and-file law enforcement.
Governance and community leadership experience: District Attorney Gascón has served in this seat since 2020, when he was elected with over 53% of the vote.
Prior to his election in Los Angeles, District Attorney Gascón served two terms as San Francisco DA, where he increased the prosecution of sexual assault cases, and created a new law-enforcement unit focused on addressing child abuse and sexual assault. He implemented practices and resources that centered on survivors, and has proposed policies that protect undocumented, LGBTQIA+, and student survivors while prioritizing cultural and linguistic competency. He is a staunch opponent of the death penalty, often citing its disproportionate impact on Black and brown communities, and has implemented reformist sentencing policies since his election as Los Angeles DA. District Attorney Gascón’s track record and position on law-enforcement accountability is rare, particularly for someone with a law enforcement background. During his term as San Francisco DA, Gascón prosecuted more than 30 police officers for criminal conduct. In 2019, while many police, law-enforcement officials, and prosecutors fought against its passage, he advocated for Assembly Bill 392, also known as the Stephon Clark Bill, which created a stricter standard for police use of force. He remains the only law-enforcement official in California to advocate for this legislation and his willingness to pursue police brutality cases has been a highlight of his prosecutorial leadership.
Other background: District Attorney Gascón is from Cuba and immigrated to Los Angeles when he was 13. He has had a 40-year career in law enforcement, in which he started as a beat cop and rose through the ranks to serve as chief of police in San Francisco before pursuing elected office.
The Race
Primary election: There are 12 candidates running in the nonpartisan March 5 primary, including District Attorney George Gascón, John McKinney, Maria Ramirez, Jonathan Hatami, and Nathan Hochman. The top two vote recipients will advance to the general election on November 5 unless one candidate receives more than 50% of the vote and wins outright in the primary.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: District Attorney Gascón’s campaign has raised $100,000 as of December 2023, and is not funded by police, real estate, corporate PAC, or fossil fuel interests.
Opposing candidate: John McKinney
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: McKinney’s campaign has raised $165,000 as of December 2023, and is not funded by police, real estate, corporate PAC, or fossil fuel interests.
Opposing candidate: Maria Ramirez
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Ramirez’s campaign has raised $166,000 as of December 2023, and is not funded by police, real estate, corporate PAC, or fossil fuel interests.
Opposing candidate: Jonathan Hatami
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Hatami’s campaign has raised $240,000 as of December 2023, and is funded by real estate, police, and fossil fuel interests.
Opposing candidate: Nathan Hochman
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Hochman’s campaign has raised $645,000 as of December 2023, and is not funded by police, real estate, corporate PAC, or fossil fuel interests.
The District
County: Los Angeles County is California's most populous county. Los Angeles County has a population of 9.7 million and a demographic breakdown of 49% Latino, 16% Asian, 9% Black.
Governance structure: Los Angeles County’s District Attorney oversees an office of nearly 1,000 deputy district attorneys, and the prosecution of criminal offenses across the county and unincorporated areas. It is the largest local district attorney office in the nation.
The Position
Each of the 58 counties in California elects a district Attorney to manage prosecution of criminal offenses related to the violation of state and county law. The district attorney has investigative authority, manages the apprehension of individuals identified through the investigative process, and holds charging and prosecutorial power. The work of the district attorney includes Municipal and Superior court operations, and serving as a legal liaison to the grand jury. The county Board of Supervisors provides financial oversight to the district attorney’s office, but holds no operational power over their work. District attorneys are elected to four-year terms in office.
Re-elect District Attorney George Gascón to keep Los Angeles County on the right track for progress.
District Attorney George Gascón’s track record and policy positions demonstrate that he will continue to be a progressive voice for the constituents of Los Angeles County and will govern effectively in the best interests of this diverse district.
Progressive endorsements: District Attorney Gascón has the endorsement of some progressive groups, including California Working Families Party, Planned Parenthood Advocacy Project, and Los Angeles County Federation of Labor.
Top issues: Public safety, police accountability, criminal justice reform, reducing violent crime, immigration, climate justice, and ending mass incarceration.
Key initiatives: District Attorney Gascón has successfully returned the DA’s office to its pre-pandemic felony case filing rate, eliminated the death penalty from sentencing, and stopped the scheduling of executions for individuals previously sentenced to death. He has also reduced the frequency of transferring minors to adult court, and has recalled cases in which minors were sentenced. District Attorney Gascón has also reduced the frequency of sentence enhancements, a policy that saves California taxpayers millions of dollars in prison costs. After a March 2021 State Supreme Court decision that eliminated cash bail in the state for individuals who can’t afford it, District Attorney Gascón’s office stopped seeking bail for misdemeanor and nonviolent felonies, which has increased the equity of the criminal justice system.
District Attorney Gascón faced two recall efforts in 2021 and 2022, although neither gathered enough valid petition signatures to qualify for the ballot. A recall was supported by controversial former Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva, and District Attorney Gascón’s efforts to reform the dysfunctional and inequitable criminal justice system have been unpopular with rank-and-file law enforcement.
Governance and community leadership experience: District Attorney Gascón has served in this seat since 2020, when he was elected with over 53% of the vote.
Prior to his election in Los Angeles, District Attorney Gascón served two terms as San Francisco DA, where he increased the prosecution of sexual assault cases, and created a new law-enforcement unit focused on addressing child abuse and sexual assault. He implemented practices and resources that centered on survivors, and has proposed policies that protect undocumented, LGBTQIA+, and student survivors while prioritizing cultural and linguistic competency. He is a staunch opponent of the death penalty, often citing its disproportionate impact on Black and brown communities, and has implemented reformist sentencing policies since his election as Los Angeles DA. District Attorney Gascón’s track record and position on law-enforcement accountability is rare, particularly for someone with a law enforcement background. During his term as San Francisco DA, Gascón prosecuted more than 30 police officers for criminal conduct. In 2019, while many police, law-enforcement officials, and prosecutors fought against its passage, he advocated for Assembly Bill 392, also known as the Stephon Clark Bill, which created a stricter standard for police use of force. He remains the only law-enforcement official in California to advocate for this legislation and his willingness to pursue police brutality cases has been a highlight of his prosecutorial leadership.
Other background: District Attorney Gascón is from Cuba and immigrated to Los Angeles when he was 13. He has had a 40-year career in law enforcement, in which he started as a beat cop and rose through the ranks to serve as chief of police in San Francisco before pursuing elected office.
The Race
Primary election: There are 12 candidates running in the nonpartisan March 5 primary, including District Attorney George Gascón, John McKinney, Maria Ramirez, Jonathan Hatami, and Nathan Hochman. The top two vote recipients will advance to the general election on November 5 unless one candidate receives more than 50% of the vote and wins outright in the primary.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: District Attorney Gascón’s campaign has raised $100,000 as of December 2023, and is not funded by police, real estate, corporate PAC, or fossil fuel interests.
Opposing candidate: John McKinney
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: McKinney’s campaign has raised $165,000 as of December 2023, and is not funded by police, real estate, corporate PAC, or fossil fuel interests.
Opposing candidate: Maria Ramirez
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Ramirez’s campaign has raised $166,000 as of December 2023, and is not funded by police, real estate, corporate PAC, or fossil fuel interests.
Opposing candidate: Jonathan Hatami
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Hatami’s campaign has raised $240,000 as of December 2023, and is funded by real estate, police, and fossil fuel interests.
Opposing candidate: Nathan Hochman
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Hochman’s campaign has raised $645,000 as of December 2023, and is not funded by police, real estate, corporate PAC, or fossil fuel interests.
The District
County: Los Angeles County is California's most populous county. Los Angeles County has a population of 9.7 million and a demographic breakdown of 49% Latino, 16% Asian, 9% Black.
Governance structure: Los Angeles County’s District Attorney oversees an office of nearly 1,000 deputy district attorneys, and the prosecution of criminal offenses across the county and unincorporated areas. It is the largest local district attorney office in the nation.
The Position
Each of the 58 counties in California elects a district Attorney to manage prosecution of criminal offenses related to the violation of state and county law. The district attorney has investigative authority, manages the apprehension of individuals identified through the investigative process, and holds charging and prosecutorial power. The work of the district attorney includes Municipal and Superior court operations, and serving as a legal liaison to the grand jury. The county Board of Supervisors provides financial oversight to the district attorney’s office, but holds no operational power over their work. District attorneys are elected to four-year terms in office.
County District Races
Depending on where you live, you may have the below county-districted races on your ballot.
Los Angeles County, District 2
Courage California endorses Supervisor Holly Mitchell for re-election to keep Los Angeles County on the right track for progress.
Supervisor Holly Mitchell’s track record and policy positions demonstrate that she will continue to be a progressive voice for the constituents of Los Angeles County and will govern effectively in the best interests of this diverse district.
Progressive endorsements: Supervisor Mitchell has the endorsement of many progressive groups, including Courage California, Planned Parenthood Los Angeles County Action Fund, Los Angeles Federation of Labor, Sierra Club, California Working Families Party, and The Black Women’s Democratic Club. She also has the endorsement of many elected leaders, including LA Mayor Karen Bass, Redondo Beach Mayor Bill Brand, Sen. Laphonza Butler, Rep. Sydney Kamlager Dove, State Sen. Lola Smallwood-Cuevas, and Assm. Isaac Bryan.
Top issues: Alleviating poverty, universal basic income, climate protections, reducing oil drilling within the county, mental health care response, equitable recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, and family and youth development.
Key initiatives: Supervisor Mitchell has used her first term to successfully pass several important motions, including a first in the nation phased ban of oil drilling in Los Angeles County, a plan to transition fossil fuel workers to clean-energy jobs, and a guaranteed basic income pilot program. She also presented and passed a motion to establish behavioral health care teams at the Restorative Care Villages, a housing and health-care collaboration between Los Angeles County and University of Southern California. These mental health response teams provide real-time preventative intervention for residents in crisis. Supervisor Mitchell has been a progressive presence on the Board, combining her knowledge of the legislative process with her interest in building a secure social safety net across the county to give all residents the resources they need to thrive.
Governance and community leadership experience: Supervisor Mitchell has served in this seat since 2020, when she was elected with over 60% of the vote.
Prior to her election to the Board of Supervisors, Sen. Mitchell was elected to the state Assembly in 2010 and moved to the state Senate in 2013. In the state Senate, she served as the first African American chair of the powerful Budget and Fiscal Review Committee. During her tenure, Sen. Mitchell was a strong proponent of criminal justice reform. She passed a set of criminal justice reforms that consisted of 10 laws to reduce barriers for Californians affected by the criminal justice system by reducing sentence enhancements for low-level drugs, removing court fees for the innocent, sealing arrest records for people not convicted, ending the sentencing of juveniles to life without parole, and other advancements. She was a notable progressive influence in other areas as well, with nearly 90 bills signed into law on issues that included homelessness, mental health, children’s rights, and job protections. Before holding elected office, Supervisor Mitchell was a longtime non-profit executive and ran Crystal Stairs, Inc., a youth and family development agency.
As a legislator, Supervisor Mitchell scored an overall 98 out of 100 on Courage Score, our annual analysis of legislators’ progressive voting records, and often earned the All-Star designation.
Other background: Supervisor Mitchell is a third-generation Angeleno, and continues to reside in Los Angeles.
The Race
Primary election: There are four candidates running in the nonpartisan March 5 primary, including Supervisor Holly Mitchell, Katrina Williams, Clint Carlton, and Daphne Bradford. The top two vote recipients will advance to the general election on November 5 unless one candidate receives more than 50% of the vote and wins outright in the primary.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Supervisor Mitchell’s campaign has raised $153,000 as of December 2023, and is not funded by fossil fuel or police interests.
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: None of the challengers in this race have filed any campaign fundraising receipts with the County Clerk as of December 2023.
The District
County: Los Angeles County is California’s most populous county. District 2 includes
Leimert Park, Carson, Compton, Culver City, El Segundo, Gardena, Hawthorne, Hermosa Beach, Inglewood, Lawndale, portions of Los Angeles, Manhattan Beach, Redondo Beach, and unincorporated communities.
Governance structure: Los Angeles County’s Board of Supervisors oversees the needs of 9.7 million people and manages an estimated budget of $39 billion annually. According to the County Charter, Los Angeles County is governed by the Board of Supervisors, which has executive, legislative, and quasi-judicial authority. Voters also elect an assessor, a district attorney, and a sheriff, who work alongside the Board of Supervisors to govern within the county.
The Position
Each of the 58 counties in California is governed by a five-person Board of Supervisors. A Board of Supervisors has legislative and executive power to manage county services and resources, including courts, jails, public health, and public lands. They also have quasi-judicial powers, which gives them the right to hold hearings, conduct investigations, and make decisions in a manner similar to judicial courts. Laws passed by Boards of Supervisors are generally called ordinances. Because counties include both incorporated cities, which are administered by their own city councils, and unincorporated areas, which are directly administered by the county, ordinances may or may not apply in different areas of the county. Supervisors are typically limited to 3 terms, or 12 years in office total.
Courage California endorses Supervisor Holly Mitchell for re-election to keep Los Angeles County on the right track for progress.
Supervisor Holly Mitchell’s track record and policy positions demonstrate that she will continue to be a progressive voice for the constituents of Los Angeles County and will govern effectively in the best interests of this diverse district.
Progressive endorsements: Supervisor Mitchell has the endorsement of many progressive groups, including Courage California, Planned Parenthood Los Angeles County Action Fund, Los Angeles Federation of Labor, Sierra Club, California Working Families Party, and The Black Women’s Democratic Club. She also has the endorsement of many elected leaders, including LA Mayor Karen Bass, Redondo Beach Mayor Bill Brand, Sen. Laphonza Butler, Rep. Sydney Kamlager Dove, State Sen. Lola Smallwood-Cuevas, and Assm. Isaac Bryan.
Top issues: Alleviating poverty, universal basic income, climate protections, reducing oil drilling within the county, mental health care response, equitable recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, and family and youth development.
Key initiatives: Supervisor Mitchell has used her first term to successfully pass several important motions, including a first in the nation phased ban of oil drilling in Los Angeles County, a plan to transition fossil fuel workers to clean-energy jobs, and a guaranteed basic income pilot program. She also presented and passed a motion to establish behavioral health care teams at the Restorative Care Villages, a housing and health-care collaboration between Los Angeles County and University of Southern California. These mental health response teams provide real-time preventative intervention for residents in crisis. Supervisor Mitchell has been a progressive presence on the Board, combining her knowledge of the legislative process with her interest in building a secure social safety net across the county to give all residents the resources they need to thrive.
Governance and community leadership experience: Supervisor Mitchell has served in this seat since 2020, when she was elected with over 60% of the vote.
Prior to her election to the Board of Supervisors, Sen. Mitchell was elected to the state Assembly in 2010 and moved to the state Senate in 2013. In the state Senate, she served as the first African American chair of the powerful Budget and Fiscal Review Committee. During her tenure, Sen. Mitchell was a strong proponent of criminal justice reform. She passed a set of criminal justice reforms that consisted of 10 laws to reduce barriers for Californians affected by the criminal justice system by reducing sentence enhancements for low-level drugs, removing court fees for the innocent, sealing arrest records for people not convicted, ending the sentencing of juveniles to life without parole, and other advancements. She was a notable progressive influence in other areas as well, with nearly 90 bills signed into law on issues that included homelessness, mental health, children’s rights, and job protections. Before holding elected office, Supervisor Mitchell was a longtime non-profit executive and ran Crystal Stairs, Inc., a youth and family development agency.
As a legislator, Supervisor Mitchell scored an overall 98 out of 100 on Courage Score, our annual analysis of legislators’ progressive voting records, and often earned the All-Star designation.
Other background: Supervisor Mitchell is a third-generation Angeleno, and continues to reside in Los Angeles.
The Race
Primary election: There are four candidates running in the nonpartisan March 5 primary, including Supervisor Holly Mitchell, Katrina Williams, Clint Carlton, and Daphne Bradford. The top two vote recipients will advance to the general election on November 5 unless one candidate receives more than 50% of the vote and wins outright in the primary.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Supervisor Mitchell’s campaign has raised $153,000 as of December 2023, and is not funded by fossil fuel or police interests.
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: None of the challengers in this race have filed any campaign fundraising receipts with the County Clerk as of December 2023.
The District
County: Los Angeles County is California’s most populous county. District 2 includes
Leimert Park, Carson, Compton, Culver City, El Segundo, Gardena, Hawthorne, Hermosa Beach, Inglewood, Lawndale, portions of Los Angeles, Manhattan Beach, Redondo Beach, and unincorporated communities.
Governance structure: Los Angeles County’s Board of Supervisors oversees the needs of 9.7 million people and manages an estimated budget of $39 billion annually. According to the County Charter, Los Angeles County is governed by the Board of Supervisors, which has executive, legislative, and quasi-judicial authority. Voters also elect an assessor, a district attorney, and a sheriff, who work alongside the Board of Supervisors to govern within the county.
The Position
Each of the 58 counties in California is governed by a five-person Board of Supervisors. A Board of Supervisors has legislative and executive power to manage county services and resources, including courts, jails, public health, and public lands. They also have quasi-judicial powers, which gives them the right to hold hearings, conduct investigations, and make decisions in a manner similar to judicial courts. Laws passed by Boards of Supervisors are generally called ordinances. Because counties include both incorporated cities, which are administered by their own city councils, and unincorporated areas, which are directly administered by the county, ordinances may or may not apply in different areas of the county. Supervisors are typically limited to 3 terms, or 12 years in office total.
Endorsed By: Courage California
Courage California endorses Supervisor Holly Mitchell for re-election to keep Los Angeles County on the right track for progress.
Supervisor Holly Mitchell’s track record and policy positions demonstrate that she will continue to be a progressive voice for the constituents of Los Angeles County and will govern effectively in the best interests of this diverse district.
Progressive endorsements: Supervisor Mitchell has the endorsement of many progressive groups, including Courage California, Planned Parenthood Los Angeles County Action Fund, Los Angeles Federation of Labor, Sierra Club, California Working Families Party, and The Black Women’s Democratic Club. She also has the endorsement of many elected leaders, including LA Mayor Karen Bass, Redondo Beach Mayor Bill Brand, Sen. Laphonza Butler, Rep. Sydney Kamlager Dove, State Sen. Lola Smallwood-Cuevas, and Assm. Isaac Bryan.
Top issues: Alleviating poverty, universal basic income, climate protections, reducing oil drilling within the county, mental health care response, equitable recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, and family and youth development.
Key initiatives: Supervisor Mitchell has used her first term to successfully pass several important motions, including a first in the nation phased ban of oil drilling in Los Angeles County, a plan to transition fossil fuel workers to clean-energy jobs, and a guaranteed basic income pilot program. She also presented and passed a motion to establish behavioral health care teams at the Restorative Care Villages, a housing and health-care collaboration between Los Angeles County and University of Southern California. These mental health response teams provide real-time preventative intervention for residents in crisis. Supervisor Mitchell has been a progressive presence on the Board, combining her knowledge of the legislative process with her interest in building a secure social safety net across the county to give all residents the resources they need to thrive.
Governance and community leadership experience: Supervisor Mitchell has served in this seat since 2020, when she was elected with over 60% of the vote.
Prior to her election to the Board of Supervisors, Sen. Mitchell was elected to the state Assembly in 2010 and moved to the state Senate in 2013. In the state Senate, she served as the first African American chair of the powerful Budget and Fiscal Review Committee. During her tenure, Sen. Mitchell was a strong proponent of criminal justice reform. She passed a set of criminal justice reforms that consisted of 10 laws to reduce barriers for Californians affected by the criminal justice system by reducing sentence enhancements for low-level drugs, removing court fees for the innocent, sealing arrest records for people not convicted, ending the sentencing of juveniles to life without parole, and other advancements. She was a notable progressive influence in other areas as well, with nearly 90 bills signed into law on issues that included homelessness, mental health, children’s rights, and job protections. Before holding elected office, Supervisor Mitchell was a longtime non-profit executive and ran Crystal Stairs, Inc., a youth and family development agency.
As a legislator, Supervisor Mitchell scored an overall 98 out of 100 on Courage Score, our annual analysis of legislators’ progressive voting records, and often earned the All-Star designation.
Other background: Supervisor Mitchell is a third-generation Angeleno, and continues to reside in Los Angeles.
The Race
Primary election: There are four candidates running in the nonpartisan March 5 primary, including Supervisor Holly Mitchell, Katrina Williams, Clint Carlton, and Daphne Bradford. The top two vote recipients will advance to the general election on November 5 unless one candidate receives more than 50% of the vote and wins outright in the primary.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Supervisor Mitchell’s campaign has raised $153,000 as of December 2023, and is not funded by fossil fuel or police interests.
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: None of the challengers in this race have filed any campaign fundraising receipts with the County Clerk as of December 2023.
The District
County: Los Angeles County is California’s most populous county. District 2 includes
Leimert Park, Carson, Compton, Culver City, El Segundo, Gardena, Hawthorne, Hermosa Beach, Inglewood, Lawndale, portions of Los Angeles, Manhattan Beach, Redondo Beach, and unincorporated communities.
Governance structure: Los Angeles County’s Board of Supervisors oversees the needs of 9.7 million people and manages an estimated budget of $39 billion annually. According to the County Charter, Los Angeles County is governed by the Board of Supervisors, which has executive, legislative, and quasi-judicial authority. Voters also elect an assessor, a district attorney, and a sheriff, who work alongside the Board of Supervisors to govern within the county.
The Position
Each of the 58 counties in California is governed by a five-person Board of Supervisors. A Board of Supervisors has legislative and executive power to manage county services and resources, including courts, jails, public health, and public lands. They also have quasi-judicial powers, which gives them the right to hold hearings, conduct investigations, and make decisions in a manner similar to judicial courts. Laws passed by Boards of Supervisors are generally called ordinances. Because counties include both incorporated cities, which are administered by their own city councils, and unincorporated areas, which are directly administered by the county, ordinances may or may not apply in different areas of the county. Supervisors are typically limited to 3 terms, or 12 years in office total.
Endorsed By: Courage California
Los Angeles County, District 5
Elect Chris Holden for Supervisor to put Los Angeles County on the right track for progress.
Assm. Chris Holden’s track record and policy positions demonstrate that he will be a progressive voice for the constituents of Los Angeles County and will govern effectively in the best interests of this diverse district.
Progressive endorsements: Assm. Holden has the endorsement of some progressive groups, including California Working Families Party, LA County Democratic Party, and SEIU2015. He has also received the endorsement of many state and local leaders, including Attorney General Rob Bonta, Sec. of State Dr. Shirley Weber, Assm. Speaker Robert Rivas, Assm. Isaac Bryan, and several city councilmembers.
Electoral history: Assm. Holden has served in the State Assembly since 2012, when he was elected with 58% of the vote. In 2022, he won his reelection against a Republican challenger by 20 points.
Top issues: Workforce development programs, worker protections, transportation, criminal justice reform, improving public services, and environmental protections.
Governance and community leadership experience: Assm. Holden is a public official, and has used his positions to improve access to economic and educational opportunities for his constituents. As a member of the State Assembly, he has successfully passed legislation to improve worker conditions, fund local libraries and hiking trails, and invest in improved services for individuals with disabilities. He has also been a strong proponent of establishing dual enrollment options for high school students to reduce the time and financial burden of college and to increase access to local career pathways.
Assm. Holden scores a Lifetime CS of 95 out of 100 on Courage Score, our annual analysis of legislators’ progressive voting records, and has been designated as a Courage All-Star for his commitment to progressive values. Based on our Courage Score analysis, Assm. Holden has supported the most progressive bills that made it to a vote, although he has failed to cast a vote on bills related to charter school regulation, expanding single-use recyclables, and predatory lending protections.
Prior to his election to the State Assembly, Assm. Holden was a local elected official, serving for 24 years on the Pasadena City Council, including a turn as mayor. During this time, he also served as a member of the Burbank-Glendale-Pasadena Airport Authority. Assm. Holden also owns a local real estate firm, CHMB Consulting. He is a longtime supporter of transportation expansion and college and career access for high school students. As a city councilmember and assemblymember, he has worked on initiatives to expand light rail and public transportation options for local constituents.
Other background: Assm. Holden is a lifelong resident of Pasadena.
The Race
Primary election: There are five candidates running in the nonpartisan March 5 primary, including Assm. Chris Holden, incumbent Supervisor Kathryn Barger, Konstantine Anthony, Perry Goldberg, and Marlon Marroquin. The top two vote recipients will advance to the general election on November 5 unless one candidate receives more than 50% of the vote and wins outright in the primary.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Assm. Holden’s campaign has raised $663,000 as of December 2023, and is funded by corporate PAC, real estate, fossil fuel, and police interests.
Opposing candidate: Supervisor Kathryn Barger
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Supervisor Barger’s campaign has raised $595,000 as of December 2023, and is funded by police, real estate, and corporate PAC interests.
Opposing candidate: Konstantine Anthony
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Anthony’s campaign has raised $35,000 as of December 2023, and is funded entirely by individual donors.
The District
County: Los Angeles County is California's most populous county. District 5 includes Arcadia, Burbank, Claremont, Glendale, Glendora, La Verne, Lancaster, portions of Los Angeles, portions of Los Feliz, Monrovia, portions of North Hollywood, Palmdale, Pasadena, Santa Clarita, Sierra Madre, South Pasadena, Porter Ranch, Shadow Hills, Universal Studios, Valley Village, and unincorporated communities.
Governance structure: Los Angeles County’s Board of Supervisors oversees the needs of 9.7 million people and manages an estimated budget of $39 billion annually. According to the County Charter, Los Angeles County is governed by the Board of Supervisors, which has executive, legislative, and quasi-judicial authority. Voters also elect an assessor, a district attorney, and a sheriff, who work alongside the Board of Supervisors to govern within the county.
The Position
Each of the 58 counties in California is governed by a five-person Board of Supervisors. A Board of Supervisors has legislative and executive power to manage county services and resources, including courts, jails, public health, and public lands. They also have quasi-judicial powers, which gives them the right to hold hearings, conduct investigations, and make decisions in a manner similar to judicial courts. Laws passed by Boards of Supervisors are generally called ordinances. Because counties include both incorporated cities which are administered by their own city councils and unincorporated areas which are directly administered by the county, ordinances may or may not apply in different areas of the county. Supervisors are typically limited to 3 terms, or 12 years in office total.
Elect Chris Holden for Supervisor to put Los Angeles County on the right track for progress.
Assm. Chris Holden’s track record and policy positions demonstrate that he will be a progressive voice for the constituents of Los Angeles County and will govern effectively in the best interests of this diverse district.
Progressive endorsements: Assm. Holden has the endorsement of some progressive groups, including California Working Families Party, LA County Democratic Party, and SEIU2015. He has also received the endorsement of many state and local leaders, including Attorney General Rob Bonta, Sec. of State Dr. Shirley Weber, Assm. Speaker Robert Rivas, Assm. Isaac Bryan, and several city councilmembers.
Electoral history: Assm. Holden has served in the State Assembly since 2012, when he was elected with 58% of the vote. In 2022, he won his reelection against a Republican challenger by 20 points.
Top issues: Workforce development programs, worker protections, transportation, criminal justice reform, improving public services, and environmental protections.
Governance and community leadership experience: Assm. Holden is a public official, and has used his positions to improve access to economic and educational opportunities for his constituents. As a member of the State Assembly, he has successfully passed legislation to improve worker conditions, fund local libraries and hiking trails, and invest in improved services for individuals with disabilities. He has also been a strong proponent of establishing dual enrollment options for high school students to reduce the time and financial burden of college and to increase access to local career pathways.
Assm. Holden scores a Lifetime CS of 95 out of 100 on Courage Score, our annual analysis of legislators’ progressive voting records, and has been designated as a Courage All-Star for his commitment to progressive values. Based on our Courage Score analysis, Assm. Holden has supported the most progressive bills that made it to a vote, although he has failed to cast a vote on bills related to charter school regulation, expanding single-use recyclables, and predatory lending protections.
Prior to his election to the State Assembly, Assm. Holden was a local elected official, serving for 24 years on the Pasadena City Council, including a turn as mayor. During this time, he also served as a member of the Burbank-Glendale-Pasadena Airport Authority. Assm. Holden also owns a local real estate firm, CHMB Consulting. He is a longtime supporter of transportation expansion and college and career access for high school students. As a city councilmember and assemblymember, he has worked on initiatives to expand light rail and public transportation options for local constituents.
Other background: Assm. Holden is a lifelong resident of Pasadena.
The Race
Primary election: There are five candidates running in the nonpartisan March 5 primary, including Assm. Chris Holden, incumbent Supervisor Kathryn Barger, Konstantine Anthony, Perry Goldberg, and Marlon Marroquin. The top two vote recipients will advance to the general election on November 5 unless one candidate receives more than 50% of the vote and wins outright in the primary.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Assm. Holden’s campaign has raised $663,000 as of December 2023, and is funded by corporate PAC, real estate, fossil fuel, and police interests.
Opposing candidate: Supervisor Kathryn Barger
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Supervisor Barger’s campaign has raised $595,000 as of December 2023, and is funded by police, real estate, and corporate PAC interests.
Opposing candidate: Konstantine Anthony
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Anthony’s campaign has raised $35,000 as of December 2023, and is funded entirely by individual donors.
The District
County: Los Angeles County is California's most populous county. District 5 includes Arcadia, Burbank, Claremont, Glendale, Glendora, La Verne, Lancaster, portions of Los Angeles, portions of Los Feliz, Monrovia, portions of North Hollywood, Palmdale, Pasadena, Santa Clarita, Sierra Madre, South Pasadena, Porter Ranch, Shadow Hills, Universal Studios, Valley Village, and unincorporated communities.
Governance structure: Los Angeles County’s Board of Supervisors oversees the needs of 9.7 million people and manages an estimated budget of $39 billion annually. According to the County Charter, Los Angeles County is governed by the Board of Supervisors, which has executive, legislative, and quasi-judicial authority. Voters also elect an assessor, a district attorney, and a sheriff, who work alongside the Board of Supervisors to govern within the county.
The Position
Each of the 58 counties in California is governed by a five-person Board of Supervisors. A Board of Supervisors has legislative and executive power to manage county services and resources, including courts, jails, public health, and public lands. They also have quasi-judicial powers, which gives them the right to hold hearings, conduct investigations, and make decisions in a manner similar to judicial courts. Laws passed by Boards of Supervisors are generally called ordinances. Because counties include both incorporated cities which are administered by their own city councils and unincorporated areas which are directly administered by the county, ordinances may or may not apply in different areas of the county. Supervisors are typically limited to 3 terms, or 12 years in office total.
Elect Chris Holden for Supervisor to put Los Angeles County on the right track for progress.
Assm. Chris Holden’s track record and policy positions demonstrate that he will be a progressive voice for the constituents of Los Angeles County and will govern effectively in the best interests of this diverse district.
Progressive endorsements: Assm. Holden has the endorsement of some progressive groups, including California Working Families Party, LA County Democratic Party, and SEIU2015. He has also received the endorsement of many state and local leaders, including Attorney General Rob Bonta, Sec. of State Dr. Shirley Weber, Assm. Speaker Robert Rivas, Assm. Isaac Bryan, and several city councilmembers.
Electoral history: Assm. Holden has served in the State Assembly since 2012, when he was elected with 58% of the vote. In 2022, he won his reelection against a Republican challenger by 20 points.
Top issues: Workforce development programs, worker protections, transportation, criminal justice reform, improving public services, and environmental protections.
Governance and community leadership experience: Assm. Holden is a public official, and has used his positions to improve access to economic and educational opportunities for his constituents. As a member of the State Assembly, he has successfully passed legislation to improve worker conditions, fund local libraries and hiking trails, and invest in improved services for individuals with disabilities. He has also been a strong proponent of establishing dual enrollment options for high school students to reduce the time and financial burden of college and to increase access to local career pathways.
Assm. Holden scores a Lifetime CS of 95 out of 100 on Courage Score, our annual analysis of legislators’ progressive voting records, and has been designated as a Courage All-Star for his commitment to progressive values. Based on our Courage Score analysis, Assm. Holden has supported the most progressive bills that made it to a vote, although he has failed to cast a vote on bills related to charter school regulation, expanding single-use recyclables, and predatory lending protections.
Prior to his election to the State Assembly, Assm. Holden was a local elected official, serving for 24 years on the Pasadena City Council, including a turn as mayor. During this time, he also served as a member of the Burbank-Glendale-Pasadena Airport Authority. Assm. Holden also owns a local real estate firm, CHMB Consulting. He is a longtime supporter of transportation expansion and college and career access for high school students. As a city councilmember and assemblymember, he has worked on initiatives to expand light rail and public transportation options for local constituents.
Other background: Assm. Holden is a lifelong resident of Pasadena.
The Race
Primary election: There are five candidates running in the nonpartisan March 5 primary, including Assm. Chris Holden, incumbent Supervisor Kathryn Barger, Konstantine Anthony, Perry Goldberg, and Marlon Marroquin. The top two vote recipients will advance to the general election on November 5 unless one candidate receives more than 50% of the vote and wins outright in the primary.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Assm. Holden’s campaign has raised $663,000 as of December 2023, and is funded by corporate PAC, real estate, fossil fuel, and police interests.
Opposing candidate: Supervisor Kathryn Barger
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Supervisor Barger’s campaign has raised $595,000 as of December 2023, and is funded by police, real estate, and corporate PAC interests.
Opposing candidate: Konstantine Anthony
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Anthony’s campaign has raised $35,000 as of December 2023, and is funded entirely by individual donors.
The District
County: Los Angeles County is California's most populous county. District 5 includes Arcadia, Burbank, Claremont, Glendale, Glendora, La Verne, Lancaster, portions of Los Angeles, portions of Los Feliz, Monrovia, portions of North Hollywood, Palmdale, Pasadena, Santa Clarita, Sierra Madre, South Pasadena, Porter Ranch, Shadow Hills, Universal Studios, Valley Village, and unincorporated communities.
Governance structure: Los Angeles County’s Board of Supervisors oversees the needs of 9.7 million people and manages an estimated budget of $39 billion annually. According to the County Charter, Los Angeles County is governed by the Board of Supervisors, which has executive, legislative, and quasi-judicial authority. Voters also elect an assessor, a district attorney, and a sheriff, who work alongside the Board of Supervisors to govern within the county.
The Position
Each of the 58 counties in California is governed by a five-person Board of Supervisors. A Board of Supervisors has legislative and executive power to manage county services and resources, including courts, jails, public health, and public lands. They also have quasi-judicial powers, which gives them the right to hold hearings, conduct investigations, and make decisions in a manner similar to judicial courts. Laws passed by Boards of Supervisors are generally called ordinances. Because counties include both incorporated cities which are administered by their own city councils and unincorporated areas which are directly administered by the county, ordinances may or may not apply in different areas of the county. Supervisors are typically limited to 3 terms, or 12 years in office total.
Los Angeles County Superior Court
Elect George Turner Jr. to put Los Angeles County on the right track for progress.
George Turner Jr.’s track record and legal background demonstrate that he will use his judicial prudence effectively in the best interests of this diverse district.
Progressive endorsements: Turner has the endorsement of some local groups, including LA County Public Defenders Union Local 148 and Culver City Democratic Club. He has also received endorsements from some local leaders, including LA City Controller Kenneth Mejia, LA City Councilmember Eunisses Hernandez, and LA Superior Court Judge Holly Hancock. Turner is part of the three-candidate Defenders of Justice slate developed by La Defensa, Ground Game LA, and Working Families Party.
Electoral history: Turner has not run for public office before.
Top issues: According to campaign materials, Turner is running for election to bring a democratized approach to the bench. He is interested in fairness, rehabilitation, and repairing a system that often does not support the rights and dignity of all.
Governance and community leadership experience: Turner has been a public defender in Los Angeles County for over 15 years, including working with defendants in juvenile and criminal trials. He has a strong interest in providing legal representation to vulnerable and marginalized communities, and currently works in a unit focused on individuals experiencing homelessness. Turner’s legal approach centers the equitable protection of human rights, especially for individuals who have been disadvantaged by broken social systems.
Other background: Turner is a lifelong resident of Inglewood.
The Race
Primary election: There are four candidates running in the nonpartisan March 5 primary, including George Turner Jr., Ronda Dixon, Jacob Lee, and Steve Napolitano. The top two vote recipients will advance to the general election on November 5, unless one candidate receives more than 50% of the vote and wins outright in the primary.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: None of the candidates in this race have filed any campaign fundraising receipts with Los Angeles County as of December 2023.
The District
County: The Superior Court of Los Angeles County operates as the trial court for criminal, civil, and other cases filed in the county.
The Position
Judges of the California Superior Courts are elected in nonpartisan, county-wide elections to six-year terms. Once voted in, a judge can run for retention at the expiration of their term. A retention election is a process by which voters decide whether an incumbent judge should remain for another term. If the judge, when not facing an opponent, does not obtain a certain percentage of voters (often 50%), they are removed from the position. Many judges join the court through a gubernatorial appointment. If a judge is appointed, they compete in the next general election following the appointment.
California has 58 trial, or superior courts, one in each county. In the more than 450 courthouses of the superior courts, a judge and sometimes a jury hears witness testimony and other evidence. These courts hear civil, criminal, family, probate, and juvenile cases. The judge decides cases through the application of relevant law to the relevant facts.
Elect George Turner Jr. to put Los Angeles County on the right track for progress.
George Turner Jr.’s track record and legal background demonstrate that he will use his judicial prudence effectively in the best interests of this diverse district.
Progressive endorsements: Turner has the endorsement of some local groups, including LA County Public Defenders Union Local 148 and Culver City Democratic Club. He has also received endorsements from some local leaders, including LA City Controller Kenneth Mejia, LA City Councilmember Eunisses Hernandez, and LA Superior Court Judge Holly Hancock. Turner is part of the three-candidate Defenders of Justice slate developed by La Defensa, Ground Game LA, and Working Families Party.
Electoral history: Turner has not run for public office before.
Top issues: According to campaign materials, Turner is running for election to bring a democratized approach to the bench. He is interested in fairness, rehabilitation, and repairing a system that often does not support the rights and dignity of all.
Governance and community leadership experience: Turner has been a public defender in Los Angeles County for over 15 years, including working with defendants in juvenile and criminal trials. He has a strong interest in providing legal representation to vulnerable and marginalized communities, and currently works in a unit focused on individuals experiencing homelessness. Turner’s legal approach centers the equitable protection of human rights, especially for individuals who have been disadvantaged by broken social systems.
Other background: Turner is a lifelong resident of Inglewood.
The Race
Primary election: There are four candidates running in the nonpartisan March 5 primary, including George Turner Jr., Ronda Dixon, Jacob Lee, and Steve Napolitano. The top two vote recipients will advance to the general election on November 5, unless one candidate receives more than 50% of the vote and wins outright in the primary.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: None of the candidates in this race have filed any campaign fundraising receipts with Los Angeles County as of December 2023.
The District
County: The Superior Court of Los Angeles County operates as the trial court for criminal, civil, and other cases filed in the county.
The Position
Judges of the California Superior Courts are elected in nonpartisan, county-wide elections to six-year terms. Once voted in, a judge can run for retention at the expiration of their term. A retention election is a process by which voters decide whether an incumbent judge should remain for another term. If the judge, when not facing an opponent, does not obtain a certain percentage of voters (often 50%), they are removed from the position. Many judges join the court through a gubernatorial appointment. If a judge is appointed, they compete in the next general election following the appointment.
California has 58 trial, or superior courts, one in each county. In the more than 450 courthouses of the superior courts, a judge and sometimes a jury hears witness testimony and other evidence. These courts hear civil, criminal, family, probate, and juvenile cases. The judge decides cases through the application of relevant law to the relevant facts.
Elect George Turner Jr. to put Los Angeles County on the right track for progress.
George Turner Jr.’s track record and legal background demonstrate that he will use his judicial prudence effectively in the best interests of this diverse district.
Progressive endorsements: Turner has the endorsement of some local groups, including LA County Public Defenders Union Local 148 and Culver City Democratic Club. He has also received endorsements from some local leaders, including LA City Controller Kenneth Mejia, LA City Councilmember Eunisses Hernandez, and LA Superior Court Judge Holly Hancock. Turner is part of the three-candidate Defenders of Justice slate developed by La Defensa, Ground Game LA, and Working Families Party.
Electoral history: Turner has not run for public office before.
Top issues: According to campaign materials, Turner is running for election to bring a democratized approach to the bench. He is interested in fairness, rehabilitation, and repairing a system that often does not support the rights and dignity of all.
Governance and community leadership experience: Turner has been a public defender in Los Angeles County for over 15 years, including working with defendants in juvenile and criminal trials. He has a strong interest in providing legal representation to vulnerable and marginalized communities, and currently works in a unit focused on individuals experiencing homelessness. Turner’s legal approach centers the equitable protection of human rights, especially for individuals who have been disadvantaged by broken social systems.
Other background: Turner is a lifelong resident of Inglewood.
The Race
Primary election: There are four candidates running in the nonpartisan March 5 primary, including George Turner Jr., Ronda Dixon, Jacob Lee, and Steve Napolitano. The top two vote recipients will advance to the general election on November 5, unless one candidate receives more than 50% of the vote and wins outright in the primary.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: None of the candidates in this race have filed any campaign fundraising receipts with Los Angeles County as of December 2023.
The District
County: The Superior Court of Los Angeles County operates as the trial court for criminal, civil, and other cases filed in the county.
The Position
Judges of the California Superior Courts are elected in nonpartisan, county-wide elections to six-year terms. Once voted in, a judge can run for retention at the expiration of their term. A retention election is a process by which voters decide whether an incumbent judge should remain for another term. If the judge, when not facing an opponent, does not obtain a certain percentage of voters (often 50%), they are removed from the position. Many judges join the court through a gubernatorial appointment. If a judge is appointed, they compete in the next general election following the appointment.
California has 58 trial, or superior courts, one in each county. In the more than 450 courthouses of the superior courts, a judge and sometimes a jury hears witness testimony and other evidence. These courts hear civil, criminal, family, probate, and juvenile cases. The judge decides cases through the application of relevant law to the relevant facts.
Elect Ericka Wiley for Superior Court to put Los Angeles County on the right track for progress.
Ericka Wiley’s track record and legal background demonstrate that she will use her judicial prudence effectively in the best interests of this diverse district.
Progressive endorsements: Wiley has the endorsement of some local groups, including SEIU Local 721, LA County Public Defenders Union Local 148, The National Women’s Political Caucus, and LA County Federation of Labor. She has also received the endorsement of some elected leaders, including nine current judges of the Los Angeles Superior Court, LA City Controller Kenneth Mejia, and LA City Councilmember Eunisses Hernandez. Wiley is part of the three-candidate Defenders of Justice slate developed by La Defensa, Ground Game LA, and Working Families Party.
Electoral history: Wiley has not run for public office before.
Top issues: According to campaign materials, Wiley is running for election to bring fairness, patience, integrity, compassion, and a community approach to the bench. She will work to promote just sentencing, criminal justice reform, and breaking the cycle of recidivism through her judicial work.
Governance and community leadership experience: Wiley has been a public defender in Los Angeles County for over 20 years, which she does to bring advocacy and a restorative approach to the individuals she works with. With a strong understanding of the dysfunctions within the criminal justice system, she has worked to create resources and pathways to recovery for her clients. Wiley has worked within her community to educate young people about the legal system and the rights they hold as citizens, and has been a supervising and training attorney for new lawyers joining the Los Angeles County legal community.
Other background: Wiley is from Los Angeles, and returned to the city after attending college in Nashville and completing her law degree at the University of Cincinnati.
The Race
Primary election: There are three candidates running in the nonpartisan March 5 primary, including Ericka Wiley, Malik Burroughs, and Renee Rose. The top two vote recipients will advance to the general election on November 5, unless one candidate receives more than 50% of the vote and wins outright in the primary.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: None of the candidates in this race have filed any campaign fundraising receipts with Los Angeles County as of December 2023.
The District
County: The Superior Court of Los Angeles County operates as the trial court for criminal, civil, and other cases filed in the county.
The Position
Judges of the California Superior Courts are elected in nonpartisan, county-wide elections to six-year terms. Once voted in, a judge can run for retention at the expiration of their term. A retention election is a process by which voters decide whether an incumbent judge should remain for another term. If the judge, when not facing an opponent, does not obtain a certain percentage of voters (often 50%), they are removed from the position. Many judges join the court through a gubernatorial appointment. If a judge is appointed, they compete in the next general election following the appointment.
California has 58 trial, or superior courts, one in each county. In the more than 450 courthouses of the superior courts, a judge and sometimes a jury hears witness testimony and other evidence. These courts hear civil, criminal, family, probate, and juvenile cases. The judge decides cases through the application of relevant law to the relevant facts.
Elect Ericka Wiley for Superior Court to put Los Angeles County on the right track for progress.
Ericka Wiley’s track record and legal background demonstrate that she will use her judicial prudence effectively in the best interests of this diverse district.
Progressive endorsements: Wiley has the endorsement of some local groups, including SEIU Local 721, LA County Public Defenders Union Local 148, The National Women’s Political Caucus, and LA County Federation of Labor. She has also received the endorsement of some elected leaders, including nine current judges of the Los Angeles Superior Court, LA City Controller Kenneth Mejia, and LA City Councilmember Eunisses Hernandez. Wiley is part of the three-candidate Defenders of Justice slate developed by La Defensa, Ground Game LA, and Working Families Party.
Electoral history: Wiley has not run for public office before.
Top issues: According to campaign materials, Wiley is running for election to bring fairness, patience, integrity, compassion, and a community approach to the bench. She will work to promote just sentencing, criminal justice reform, and breaking the cycle of recidivism through her judicial work.
Governance and community leadership experience: Wiley has been a public defender in Los Angeles County for over 20 years, which she does to bring advocacy and a restorative approach to the individuals she works with. With a strong understanding of the dysfunctions within the criminal justice system, she has worked to create resources and pathways to recovery for her clients. Wiley has worked within her community to educate young people about the legal system and the rights they hold as citizens, and has been a supervising and training attorney for new lawyers joining the Los Angeles County legal community.
Other background: Wiley is from Los Angeles, and returned to the city after attending college in Nashville and completing her law degree at the University of Cincinnati.
The Race
Primary election: There are three candidates running in the nonpartisan March 5 primary, including Ericka Wiley, Malik Burroughs, and Renee Rose. The top two vote recipients will advance to the general election on November 5, unless one candidate receives more than 50% of the vote and wins outright in the primary.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: None of the candidates in this race have filed any campaign fundraising receipts with Los Angeles County as of December 2023.
The District
County: The Superior Court of Los Angeles County operates as the trial court for criminal, civil, and other cases filed in the county.
The Position
Judges of the California Superior Courts are elected in nonpartisan, county-wide elections to six-year terms. Once voted in, a judge can run for retention at the expiration of their term. A retention election is a process by which voters decide whether an incumbent judge should remain for another term. If the judge, when not facing an opponent, does not obtain a certain percentage of voters (often 50%), they are removed from the position. Many judges join the court through a gubernatorial appointment. If a judge is appointed, they compete in the next general election following the appointment.
California has 58 trial, or superior courts, one in each county. In the more than 450 courthouses of the superior courts, a judge and sometimes a jury hears witness testimony and other evidence. These courts hear civil, criminal, family, probate, and juvenile cases. The judge decides cases through the application of relevant law to the relevant facts.
Elect Ericka Wiley for Superior Court to put Los Angeles County on the right track for progress.
Ericka Wiley’s track record and legal background demonstrate that she will use her judicial prudence effectively in the best interests of this diverse district.
Progressive endorsements: Wiley has the endorsement of some local groups, including SEIU Local 721, LA County Public Defenders Union Local 148, The National Women’s Political Caucus, and LA County Federation of Labor. She has also received the endorsement of some elected leaders, including nine current judges of the Los Angeles Superior Court, LA City Controller Kenneth Mejia, and LA City Councilmember Eunisses Hernandez. Wiley is part of the three-candidate Defenders of Justice slate developed by La Defensa, Ground Game LA, and Working Families Party.
Electoral history: Wiley has not run for public office before.
Top issues: According to campaign materials, Wiley is running for election to bring fairness, patience, integrity, compassion, and a community approach to the bench. She will work to promote just sentencing, criminal justice reform, and breaking the cycle of recidivism through her judicial work.
Governance and community leadership experience: Wiley has been a public defender in Los Angeles County for over 20 years, which she does to bring advocacy and a restorative approach to the individuals she works with. With a strong understanding of the dysfunctions within the criminal justice system, she has worked to create resources and pathways to recovery for her clients. Wiley has worked within her community to educate young people about the legal system and the rights they hold as citizens, and has been a supervising and training attorney for new lawyers joining the Los Angeles County legal community.
Other background: Wiley is from Los Angeles, and returned to the city after attending college in Nashville and completing her law degree at the University of Cincinnati.
The Race
Primary election: There are three candidates running in the nonpartisan March 5 primary, including Ericka Wiley, Malik Burroughs, and Renee Rose. The top two vote recipients will advance to the general election on November 5, unless one candidate receives more than 50% of the vote and wins outright in the primary.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: None of the candidates in this race have filed any campaign fundraising receipts with Los Angeles County as of December 2023.
The District
County: The Superior Court of Los Angeles County operates as the trial court for criminal, civil, and other cases filed in the county.
The Position
Judges of the California Superior Courts are elected in nonpartisan, county-wide elections to six-year terms. Once voted in, a judge can run for retention at the expiration of their term. A retention election is a process by which voters decide whether an incumbent judge should remain for another term. If the judge, when not facing an opponent, does not obtain a certain percentage of voters (often 50%), they are removed from the position. Many judges join the court through a gubernatorial appointment. If a judge is appointed, they compete in the next general election following the appointment.
California has 58 trial, or superior courts, one in each county. In the more than 450 courthouses of the superior courts, a judge and sometimes a jury hears witness testimony and other evidence. These courts hear civil, criminal, family, probate, and juvenile cases. The judge decides cases through the application of relevant law to the relevant facts.
Elect La Shae Henderson to put Los Angeles County on the right track for progress.
La Shae Henderson’s track record and legal background demonstrate that she will use her judicial prudence effectively in the best interests of this diverse district.
Progressive endorsements: Henderson has the endorsement of some local groups, including LA County Public Defenders Union Local 148 and Culver City Democratic Club. She has also received endorsements from some local leaders, including LA City Controller Kenneth Mejia, LA City Councilmember Eunisses Hernandez, and LA Superior Court Judge Holly Hancock. Henderson is part of the three-candidate Defenders of Justice slate developed by La Defensa, Ground Game LA, and Working Families Party.
Electoral history: Henderson has not run for public office before.
Top issues: According to campaign materials, Henderson is running for election to bring impartiality, fairness, equity, and accountability to the bench. She is committed to rendering verdicts based on the facts presented in the courtroom, and taking an unbiased approach to each case.
Governance and community leadership experience: Henderson was a public defender in Los Angeles County for 18 years, and now works in private practice. During her time as a public defender, she worked on cases in the civil contempt and racial justice unit, family law, and juvenile justice division. She is bilingual, and served as a training attorney for fellow lawyers interested in more legal strategies for working inside of the Racial Justice Act. She is experienced in case review and legal analysis, and is dedicated to ensuring that her analysis of the case before her is never predetermined or rooted in bias. Henderson has also long been involved in her community, including as a youth pastor at a local church, and as a professor at her alma mater, Pepperdine Caruso School of Law.
Other background: Henderson has lived in Los Angeles for 20 years.
The Race
Primary election: There are three candidates running in the nonpartisan March 5 primary, including La Shae Henderson, Sam Abourched, and Sharon Ransom. The top two vote recipients will advance to the general election on November 5.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: None of the candidates in this race have filed any campaign fundraising receipts with Los Angeles County as of December 2023.
The District
County: The Superior Court of Los Angeles County operates as the trial court for criminal, civil, and other cases filed in the county.
The Position
Judges of the California Superior Courts are elected in nonpartisan, county-wide elections to six-year terms. Once voted in, a judge can run for retention at the expiration of their term. A retention election is a process by which voters decide whether an incumbent judge should remain for another term. If the judge, when not facing an opponent, does not obtain a certain percentage of voters (often 50%), they are removed from the position. Many judges join the court through a gubernatorial appointment. If a judge is appointed, they compete in the next general election following the appointment.
California has 58 trial, or superior courts, one in each county. In the more than 450 courthouses of the superior courts, a judge and sometimes a jury hears witness testimony and other evidence. These courts hear civil, criminal, family, probate, and juvenile cases. The judge decides cases through the application of relevant law to the relevant facts.
Elect La Shae Henderson to put Los Angeles County on the right track for progress.
La Shae Henderson’s track record and legal background demonstrate that she will use her judicial prudence effectively in the best interests of this diverse district.
Progressive endorsements: Henderson has the endorsement of some local groups, including LA County Public Defenders Union Local 148 and Culver City Democratic Club. She has also received endorsements from some local leaders, including LA City Controller Kenneth Mejia, LA City Councilmember Eunisses Hernandez, and LA Superior Court Judge Holly Hancock. Henderson is part of the three-candidate Defenders of Justice slate developed by La Defensa, Ground Game LA, and Working Families Party.
Electoral history: Henderson has not run for public office before.
Top issues: According to campaign materials, Henderson is running for election to bring impartiality, fairness, equity, and accountability to the bench. She is committed to rendering verdicts based on the facts presented in the courtroom, and taking an unbiased approach to each case.
Governance and community leadership experience: Henderson was a public defender in Los Angeles County for 18 years, and now works in private practice. During her time as a public defender, she worked on cases in the civil contempt and racial justice unit, family law, and juvenile justice division. She is bilingual, and served as a training attorney for fellow lawyers interested in more legal strategies for working inside of the Racial Justice Act. She is experienced in case review and legal analysis, and is dedicated to ensuring that her analysis of the case before her is never predetermined or rooted in bias. Henderson has also long been involved in her community, including as a youth pastor at a local church, and as a professor at her alma mater, Pepperdine Caruso School of Law.
Other background: Henderson has lived in Los Angeles for 20 years.
The Race
Primary election: There are three candidates running in the nonpartisan March 5 primary, including La Shae Henderson, Sam Abourched, and Sharon Ransom. The top two vote recipients will advance to the general election on November 5.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: None of the candidates in this race have filed any campaign fundraising receipts with Los Angeles County as of December 2023.
The District
County: The Superior Court of Los Angeles County operates as the trial court for criminal, civil, and other cases filed in the county.
The Position
Judges of the California Superior Courts are elected in nonpartisan, county-wide elections to six-year terms. Once voted in, a judge can run for retention at the expiration of their term. A retention election is a process by which voters decide whether an incumbent judge should remain for another term. If the judge, when not facing an opponent, does not obtain a certain percentage of voters (often 50%), they are removed from the position. Many judges join the court through a gubernatorial appointment. If a judge is appointed, they compete in the next general election following the appointment.
California has 58 trial, or superior courts, one in each county. In the more than 450 courthouses of the superior courts, a judge and sometimes a jury hears witness testimony and other evidence. These courts hear civil, criminal, family, probate, and juvenile cases. The judge decides cases through the application of relevant law to the relevant facts.
Elect La Shae Henderson to put Los Angeles County on the right track for progress.
La Shae Henderson’s track record and legal background demonstrate that she will use her judicial prudence effectively in the best interests of this diverse district.
Progressive endorsements: Henderson has the endorsement of some local groups, including LA County Public Defenders Union Local 148 and Culver City Democratic Club. She has also received endorsements from some local leaders, including LA City Controller Kenneth Mejia, LA City Councilmember Eunisses Hernandez, and LA Superior Court Judge Holly Hancock. Henderson is part of the three-candidate Defenders of Justice slate developed by La Defensa, Ground Game LA, and Working Families Party.
Electoral history: Henderson has not run for public office before.
Top issues: According to campaign materials, Henderson is running for election to bring impartiality, fairness, equity, and accountability to the bench. She is committed to rendering verdicts based on the facts presented in the courtroom, and taking an unbiased approach to each case.
Governance and community leadership experience: Henderson was a public defender in Los Angeles County for 18 years, and now works in private practice. During her time as a public defender, she worked on cases in the civil contempt and racial justice unit, family law, and juvenile justice division. She is bilingual, and served as a training attorney for fellow lawyers interested in more legal strategies for working inside of the Racial Justice Act. She is experienced in case review and legal analysis, and is dedicated to ensuring that her analysis of the case before her is never predetermined or rooted in bias. Henderson has also long been involved in her community, including as a youth pastor at a local church, and as a professor at her alma mater, Pepperdine Caruso School of Law.
Other background: Henderson has lived in Los Angeles for 20 years.
The Race
Primary election: There are three candidates running in the nonpartisan March 5 primary, including La Shae Henderson, Sam Abourched, and Sharon Ransom. The top two vote recipients will advance to the general election on November 5.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: None of the candidates in this race have filed any campaign fundraising receipts with Los Angeles County as of December 2023.
The District
County: The Superior Court of Los Angeles County operates as the trial court for criminal, civil, and other cases filed in the county.
The Position
Judges of the California Superior Courts are elected in nonpartisan, county-wide elections to six-year terms. Once voted in, a judge can run for retention at the expiration of their term. A retention election is a process by which voters decide whether an incumbent judge should remain for another term. If the judge, when not facing an opponent, does not obtain a certain percentage of voters (often 50%), they are removed from the position. Many judges join the court through a gubernatorial appointment. If a judge is appointed, they compete in the next general election following the appointment.
California has 58 trial, or superior courts, one in each county. In the more than 450 courthouses of the superior courts, a judge and sometimes a jury hears witness testimony and other evidence. These courts hear civil, criminal, family, probate, and juvenile cases. The judge decides cases through the application of relevant law to the relevant facts.
Statewide Ballot Measures
Proposition 1 will establish a $6.4 billion bond to fund an increase in the number of treatment beds and housing units the state provides to individuals struggling with mental health and addiction, and to direct counties to reallocate their Mental Health Services Act funding to address the local housing shortage.
In an effort to address an ongoing housing shortage and addiction crisis in the state, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed two bills—SB326 and AB531—to send a $6.4 billion bond measure to voters in March. This bond would be used to increase capacity in health care and housing across the state by adding 6,800 behavioral health treatment beds, building 4,300 housing units, and creating 26,000 outpatient treatment slots for Californians. Proposition 1 would also require each county to redirect 30% of its Mental Health Services Act funding to housing, including creating new real estate development, and the provision of rental subsidies. Mental Health Services Act funds are raised through a tax on millionaires in the state, and the reallocated portion is expected to total $1 billion annually across the state. Overall, Proposition 1 aims to reduce homelessness and tent encampments, and provide support to individuals who do not have the resources to address behavioral health challenges.
Top support for Proposition 1:
- The legislation that sent Proposition 1 to voters received overwhelming support from the state legislature. SB326 received a unanimous floor vote in the Senate, and earned 68 floor votes in the Assembly. AB531 received 35 floor votes in the Senate, and 66 floor votes in the Assembly.
- YES ON 1 has received over $10.7 million in donations, primarily through Yes on Prop 1—Governor Newsom’s Ballot Measure Committee. The committee has received donations from police, fossil fuel, real estate, and corporate PAC interests, including from California Correctional Peace Officers Association Truth in American Government Fund, AirBnB, Google, and PG&E.
- Gov. Gavin Newsom has enthusiastically supported Proposition 1, arguing that the establishment of more treatment options and housing units has the potential to have a significant impact on marginalized populations within the state over time, and is a humane approach to this ongoing public health crisis.
Top opposition to Proposition 1:
- Groups like Disability Rights California and the League of Women Voters California are concerned that this policy could be interpreted to permit involuntary treatment of mental health and addiction patients in locked facilities. They argue that this aspect of the bill is regressive and is the result of hasty passage, a lack of meaningful legislative debate, and limited input from community groups. Republican activist Carl DeMaio, his conservative PAC Reform California, and the anti-tax Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association are also opposing Proposition 1.
- Some housing and homeless advocates have criticized Proposition 1’s narrow projected impact on a statewide homeless population that is estimated to include 180,000 people. With over half of the proposed new housing units earmarked for veterans, the number of homeless civilians who will benefit from this program is statistically insignificant.
- Proposition 1 has raised concerns among opponents—including several counties and county leaders—around its mandate that 30% of county Mental Health Services Act funding be allocated to address local housing shortages. Stripping funding out of this budget line to fund housing programs will disrupt existing and effective county mental health programs, many of which are tailored to serve marginalized local populations, including Indigenous communities, members of the LGBTQIA+ community, and people of color.
Proposition 1 will establish a $6.4 billion bond to fund an increase in the number of treatment beds and housing units the state provides to individuals struggling with mental health and addiction, and to direct counties to reallocate their Mental Health Services Act funding to address the local housing shortage.
In an effort to address an ongoing housing shortage and addiction crisis in the state, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed two bills—SB326 and AB531—to send a $6.4 billion bond measure to voters in March. This bond would be used to increase capacity in health care and housing across the state by adding 6,800 behavioral health treatment beds, building 4,300 housing units, and creating 26,000 outpatient treatment slots for Californians. Proposition 1 would also require each county to redirect 30% of its Mental Health Services Act funding to housing, including creating new real estate development, and the provision of rental subsidies. Mental Health Services Act funds are raised through a tax on millionaires in the state, and the reallocated portion is expected to total $1 billion annually across the state. Overall, Proposition 1 aims to reduce homelessness and tent encampments, and provide support to individuals who do not have the resources to address behavioral health challenges.
Top support for Proposition 1:
- The legislation that sent Proposition 1 to voters received overwhelming support from the state legislature. SB326 received a unanimous floor vote in the Senate, and earned 68 floor votes in the Assembly. AB531 received 35 floor votes in the Senate, and 66 floor votes in the Assembly.
- YES ON 1 has received over $10.7 million in donations, primarily through Yes on Prop 1—Governor Newsom’s Ballot Measure Committee. The committee has received donations from police, fossil fuel, real estate, and corporate PAC interests, including from California Correctional Peace Officers Association Truth in American Government Fund, AirBnB, Google, and PG&E.
- Gov. Gavin Newsom has enthusiastically supported Proposition 1, arguing that the establishment of more treatment options and housing units has the potential to have a significant impact on marginalized populations within the state over time, and is a humane approach to this ongoing public health crisis.
Top opposition to Proposition 1:
- Groups like Disability Rights California and the League of Women Voters California are concerned that this policy could be interpreted to permit involuntary treatment of mental health and addiction patients in locked facilities. They argue that this aspect of the bill is regressive and is the result of hasty passage, a lack of meaningful legislative debate, and limited input from community groups. Republican activist Carl DeMaio, his conservative PAC Reform California, and the anti-tax Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association are also opposing Proposition 1.
- Some housing and homeless advocates have criticized Proposition 1’s narrow projected impact on a statewide homeless population that is estimated to include 180,000 people. With over half of the proposed new housing units earmarked for veterans, the number of homeless civilians who will benefit from this program is statistically insignificant.
- Proposition 1 has raised concerns among opponents—including several counties and county leaders—around its mandate that 30% of county Mental Health Services Act funding be allocated to address local housing shortages. Stripping funding out of this budget line to fund housing programs will disrupt existing and effective county mental health programs, many of which are tailored to serve marginalized local populations, including Indigenous communities, members of the LGBTQIA+ community, and people of color.