9th Assembly District
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Voting has changed in Sacramento 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. Have questions about the changes to voting in Sacramento County? Find out how to vote in Sacramento 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.
Congress
Depending on where you live, you may have one of the below congressional districts on your ballot.
3rd Congressional District
Elect Jessica Morse for Congress to put CD-3 on the right track for progress.
Jessica Morse’s policy positions demonstrate that she will be a progressive voice for the constituents of CD-3 and will govern effectively in the best interests of this diverse district.
Progressive endorsements: Morse has the endorsement of some progressive groups, including Sierra Forward and League of Conservation Voters.
Electoral history: Morse lost her race for CD-4 in 2018 against Republican incumbent Rep. Tom McClintock by 8 points.
Top issues: Wildfire prevention, climate protections, reducing health-care costs, and housing affordability.
Governance and community leadership experience: Morse is a public official and a wildfire prevention advocate, which she does to improve the pace of prevention measures across the state. Appointed by Gov. Newsom to serve as the deputy secretary for Forest and Wildland Resilience with the California Natural Resources Agency, Morse has spent the last several years stewarding public funds and resources to shape improved wildfire policy. She transitioned to wildfire prevention and advocacy work after volunteering in the aftermath of the Camp Fire in Paradise. Before beginning her work with the state, Morse supported national security through several roles with the U.S. Department of Defense, USAID, and the State Department, which included an extended civilian deployment to Iraq. Across her leadership roles, she has been a strong proponent of renewable technology and data-informed strategies.
Other background: Morse is from Northern California and lives near the Sierra foothills. She is a fifth-generation Californian, and has hiked 500 miles of the Pacific Crest Trail.
The Race
Primary election: There are three candidates running in the March 5 primary, including Jessica Morse (D), incumbent Rep. Kevin Kiley (R), and Douglas Joseph Huhn (D). The top two vote recipients will advance to the general election on November 5.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Morse’s campaign has raised $319,000 as of October 2023, and is not funded by police, fossil fuel, real estate, or corporate PAC interests.
Opposing candidate: Republican Rep. Kevin Kiley
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Kiley’s campaign has raised $1.7 million as of October 2023, and is funded by real estate, fossil fuel, and corporate PAC interests.
Opposing candidate: Democrat Douglas Joseph Huhn
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Huhn’s campaign has not filed any campaign finance receipts with the FEC as of October 2023.
The District
Counties in district: California’s 3rd Congressional District includes parts of Placer, Sacramento, Nevada, El Dorado, Plumas, Inyo, Mono, Yuba, Sierra, and Alpine Counties.
Voter registration: 33% Democrat, 38% Republican, and 19% No Party Preference.
District demographics: 10% Latino, 6% Asian, and 2% Black.
Recent election results: CD-3 voted for Donald Trump for president in 2020 by 2 points and Brian Dahle for governor in 2022 by 14 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 Jessica Morse for Congress to put CD-3 on the right track for progress.
Jessica Morse’s policy positions demonstrate that she will be a progressive voice for the constituents of CD-3 and will govern effectively in the best interests of this diverse district.
Progressive endorsements: Morse has the endorsement of some progressive groups, including Sierra Forward and League of Conservation Voters.
Electoral history: Morse lost her race for CD-4 in 2018 against Republican incumbent Rep. Tom McClintock by 8 points.
Top issues: Wildfire prevention, climate protections, reducing health-care costs, and housing affordability.
Governance and community leadership experience: Morse is a public official and a wildfire prevention advocate, which she does to improve the pace of prevention measures across the state. Appointed by Gov. Newsom to serve as the deputy secretary for Forest and Wildland Resilience with the California Natural Resources Agency, Morse has spent the last several years stewarding public funds and resources to shape improved wildfire policy. She transitioned to wildfire prevention and advocacy work after volunteering in the aftermath of the Camp Fire in Paradise. Before beginning her work with the state, Morse supported national security through several roles with the U.S. Department of Defense, USAID, and the State Department, which included an extended civilian deployment to Iraq. Across her leadership roles, she has been a strong proponent of renewable technology and data-informed strategies.
Other background: Morse is from Northern California and lives near the Sierra foothills. She is a fifth-generation Californian, and has hiked 500 miles of the Pacific Crest Trail.
The Race
Primary election: There are three candidates running in the March 5 primary, including Jessica Morse (D), incumbent Rep. Kevin Kiley (R), and Douglas Joseph Huhn (D). The top two vote recipients will advance to the general election on November 5.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Morse’s campaign has raised $319,000 as of October 2023, and is not funded by police, fossil fuel, real estate, or corporate PAC interests.
Opposing candidate: Republican Rep. Kevin Kiley
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Kiley’s campaign has raised $1.7 million as of October 2023, and is funded by real estate, fossil fuel, and corporate PAC interests.
Opposing candidate: Democrat Douglas Joseph Huhn
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Huhn’s campaign has not filed any campaign finance receipts with the FEC as of October 2023.
The District
Counties in district: California’s 3rd Congressional District includes parts of Placer, Sacramento, Nevada, El Dorado, Plumas, Inyo, Mono, Yuba, Sierra, and Alpine Counties.
Voter registration: 33% Democrat, 38% Republican, and 19% No Party Preference.
District demographics: 10% Latino, 6% Asian, and 2% Black.
Recent election results: CD-3 voted for Donald Trump for president in 2020 by 2 points and Brian Dahle for governor in 2022 by 14 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 Jessica Morse for Congress to put CD-3 on the right track for progress.
Jessica Morse’s policy positions demonstrate that she will be a progressive voice for the constituents of CD-3 and will govern effectively in the best interests of this diverse district.
Progressive endorsements: Morse has the endorsement of some progressive groups, including Sierra Forward and League of Conservation Voters.
Electoral history: Morse lost her race for CD-4 in 2018 against Republican incumbent Rep. Tom McClintock by 8 points.
Top issues: Wildfire prevention, climate protections, reducing health-care costs, and housing affordability.
Governance and community leadership experience: Morse is a public official and a wildfire prevention advocate, which she does to improve the pace of prevention measures across the state. Appointed by Gov. Newsom to serve as the deputy secretary for Forest and Wildland Resilience with the California Natural Resources Agency, Morse has spent the last several years stewarding public funds and resources to shape improved wildfire policy. She transitioned to wildfire prevention and advocacy work after volunteering in the aftermath of the Camp Fire in Paradise. Before beginning her work with the state, Morse supported national security through several roles with the U.S. Department of Defense, USAID, and the State Department, which included an extended civilian deployment to Iraq. Across her leadership roles, she has been a strong proponent of renewable technology and data-informed strategies.
Other background: Morse is from Northern California and lives near the Sierra foothills. She is a fifth-generation Californian, and has hiked 500 miles of the Pacific Crest Trail.
The Race
Primary election: There are three candidates running in the March 5 primary, including Jessica Morse (D), incumbent Rep. Kevin Kiley (R), and Douglas Joseph Huhn (D). The top two vote recipients will advance to the general election on November 5.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Morse’s campaign has raised $319,000 as of October 2023, and is not funded by police, fossil fuel, real estate, or corporate PAC interests.
Opposing candidate: Republican Rep. Kevin Kiley
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Kiley’s campaign has raised $1.7 million as of October 2023, and is funded by real estate, fossil fuel, and corporate PAC interests.
Opposing candidate: Democrat Douglas Joseph Huhn
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Huhn’s campaign has not filed any campaign finance receipts with the FEC as of October 2023.
The District
Counties in district: California’s 3rd Congressional District includes parts of Placer, Sacramento, Nevada, El Dorado, Plumas, Inyo, Mono, Yuba, Sierra, and Alpine Counties.
Voter registration: 33% Democrat, 38% Republican, and 19% No Party Preference.
District demographics: 10% Latino, 6% Asian, and 2% Black.
Recent election results: CD-3 voted for Donald Trump for president in 2020 by 2 points and Brian Dahle for governor in 2022 by 14 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.
6th Congressional District
Re-elect Congressional Representative Ami Bera to keep CD-6 on the right track for progress.
Rep. Bera’s track record and policy positions demonstrate that he is a member of the centrist New Democrat coalition. Voters should continue to hold him accountable while in office to make sure he represents the people of the district.
Progressive endorsements: Rep. Bera has the endorsement of some progressive groups, including Equality California, California Environmental Voters, and Planned Parenthood.
Top issues: Health care, veterans’ affairs, diplomatic relations with China, support for first responders and health-care workers.
Priority bills: This year, Rep. Bera’s priorities for CD-6 have included 14 bills about improving access to health care, including reproductive health care, relations with Asian countries and China in particular, and protecting the mental health of first responders and the police. All currently remain in committee.
Member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus?: No.
Committee leadership/membership: Rep. Bera currently sits on 3 committees, including the Foreign Affairs Committee and the Select Committees Intelligence and the Coronavirus Pandemic.
Governance and community leadership experience: Rep. Bera has served in this congressional seat since 2012, when he won by over 3 points. In 2022, he won his re-election against a Republican challenger by 12 points.
Prior to his election to Congress, Rep. Bera had a long career as a medical doctor in several California health systems. He is a longtime supporter of streamlining health-care services, and has leveraged his medical knowledge as a legislator. Rep. Bera has routinely been criticized from the left for his willingness to compromise with Republicans, even on policies that prove detrimental for his constituents. For example, he supported Republican legislation that removed $20 billion from SNAP benefits while representing a district in which more than 23,000 households rely on nutrition-assistance programs. Additionally, Rep. Bera’s father was sentenced to a year in prison for federal campaign-finance violations after he funneled funds to contacts to donate to his son’s 2010 and 2012 campaigns, then repaid donations using campaign accounts.
Other background: Rep. Bera is from Orange County. He earned his B.S. and medical degree from UC Irvine.
The Race
Primary election: There are 7 candidates running in the March 5 primary, including incumbent Rep. Ami Bera (D), Craig DeLuz (R), Chris Bish (R), and Ray Riehle (R). The top two vote recipients will advance to the general election on November 5.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Rep. Bera’s campaign has raised $459,095 and is not funded by the police. He has accepted donations from the real estate industry and the fossil fuel industry. He is also funded by corporate PACs, including nearly $250,000 from the pharmaceutical industry.
Opposing candidate: Republican Chris Bish
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Bish’s campaign has raised $34,187 and has not committed to refusing donations from corporate PACs, the real estate or fossil fuel industries, or the police.
Opposing candidate: Republican Craig DeLuz
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: DeLuz’s campaign has raised $15,481 and has not committed to refusing donations from corporate PACs, the real estate or fossil fuel industries, or the police.
Opposing candidate: Republican Ray Riehle
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Riehle’s campaign has raised $11,269 and has not committed to refusing donations from corporate PACs, the real estate or fossil fuel industries, or the police.
The District
Counties in district: California’s 6th Congressional District includes parts of Sacramento County.
Voter registration: 43% Democrat, 27% Republican, and 21% No Party Preference. Democrats typically hold this district.
District demographics: 17% Latino, 11% Asian, and 11% Black.
Recent election results: CD-6 voted for Joe Biden for president in 2020 by 18 points and Gavin Newsom for governor in 2022 by 9 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 Ami Bera to keep CD-6 on the right track for progress.
Rep. Bera’s track record and policy positions demonstrate that he is a member of the centrist New Democrat coalition. Voters should continue to hold him accountable while in office to make sure he represents the people of the district.
Progressive endorsements: Rep. Bera has the endorsement of some progressive groups, including Equality California, California Environmental Voters, and Planned Parenthood.
Top issues: Health care, veterans’ affairs, diplomatic relations with China, support for first responders and health-care workers.
Priority bills: This year, Rep. Bera’s priorities for CD-6 have included 14 bills about improving access to health care, including reproductive health care, relations with Asian countries and China in particular, and protecting the mental health of first responders and the police. All currently remain in committee.
Member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus?: No.
Committee leadership/membership: Rep. Bera currently sits on 3 committees, including the Foreign Affairs Committee and the Select Committees Intelligence and the Coronavirus Pandemic.
Governance and community leadership experience: Rep. Bera has served in this congressional seat since 2012, when he won by over 3 points. In 2022, he won his re-election against a Republican challenger by 12 points.
Prior to his election to Congress, Rep. Bera had a long career as a medical doctor in several California health systems. He is a longtime supporter of streamlining health-care services, and has leveraged his medical knowledge as a legislator. Rep. Bera has routinely been criticized from the left for his willingness to compromise with Republicans, even on policies that prove detrimental for his constituents. For example, he supported Republican legislation that removed $20 billion from SNAP benefits while representing a district in which more than 23,000 households rely on nutrition-assistance programs. Additionally, Rep. Bera’s father was sentenced to a year in prison for federal campaign-finance violations after he funneled funds to contacts to donate to his son’s 2010 and 2012 campaigns, then repaid donations using campaign accounts.
Other background: Rep. Bera is from Orange County. He earned his B.S. and medical degree from UC Irvine.
The Race
Primary election: There are 7 candidates running in the March 5 primary, including incumbent Rep. Ami Bera (D), Craig DeLuz (R), Chris Bish (R), and Ray Riehle (R). The top two vote recipients will advance to the general election on November 5.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Rep. Bera’s campaign has raised $459,095 and is not funded by the police. He has accepted donations from the real estate industry and the fossil fuel industry. He is also funded by corporate PACs, including nearly $250,000 from the pharmaceutical industry.
Opposing candidate: Republican Chris Bish
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Bish’s campaign has raised $34,187 and has not committed to refusing donations from corporate PACs, the real estate or fossil fuel industries, or the police.
Opposing candidate: Republican Craig DeLuz
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: DeLuz’s campaign has raised $15,481 and has not committed to refusing donations from corporate PACs, the real estate or fossil fuel industries, or the police.
Opposing candidate: Republican Ray Riehle
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Riehle’s campaign has raised $11,269 and has not committed to refusing donations from corporate PACs, the real estate or fossil fuel industries, or the police.
The District
Counties in district: California’s 6th Congressional District includes parts of Sacramento County.
Voter registration: 43% Democrat, 27% Republican, and 21% No Party Preference. Democrats typically hold this district.
District demographics: 17% Latino, 11% Asian, and 11% Black.
Recent election results: CD-6 voted for Joe Biden for president in 2020 by 18 points and Gavin Newsom for governor in 2022 by 9 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 Ami Bera to keep CD-6 on the right track for progress.
Rep. Bera’s track record and policy positions demonstrate that he is a member of the centrist New Democrat coalition. Voters should continue to hold him accountable while in office to make sure he represents the people of the district.
Progressive endorsements: Rep. Bera has the endorsement of some progressive groups, including Equality California, California Environmental Voters, and Planned Parenthood.
Top issues: Health care, veterans’ affairs, diplomatic relations with China, support for first responders and health-care workers.
Priority bills: This year, Rep. Bera’s priorities for CD-6 have included 14 bills about improving access to health care, including reproductive health care, relations with Asian countries and China in particular, and protecting the mental health of first responders and the police. All currently remain in committee.
Member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus?: No.
Committee leadership/membership: Rep. Bera currently sits on 3 committees, including the Foreign Affairs Committee and the Select Committees Intelligence and the Coronavirus Pandemic.
Governance and community leadership experience: Rep. Bera has served in this congressional seat since 2012, when he won by over 3 points. In 2022, he won his re-election against a Republican challenger by 12 points.
Prior to his election to Congress, Rep. Bera had a long career as a medical doctor in several California health systems. He is a longtime supporter of streamlining health-care services, and has leveraged his medical knowledge as a legislator. Rep. Bera has routinely been criticized from the left for his willingness to compromise with Republicans, even on policies that prove detrimental for his constituents. For example, he supported Republican legislation that removed $20 billion from SNAP benefits while representing a district in which more than 23,000 households rely on nutrition-assistance programs. Additionally, Rep. Bera’s father was sentenced to a year in prison for federal campaign-finance violations after he funneled funds to contacts to donate to his son’s 2010 and 2012 campaigns, then repaid donations using campaign accounts.
Other background: Rep. Bera is from Orange County. He earned his B.S. and medical degree from UC Irvine.
The Race
Primary election: There are 7 candidates running in the March 5 primary, including incumbent Rep. Ami Bera (D), Craig DeLuz (R), Chris Bish (R), and Ray Riehle (R). The top two vote recipients will advance to the general election on November 5.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Rep. Bera’s campaign has raised $459,095 and is not funded by the police. He has accepted donations from the real estate industry and the fossil fuel industry. He is also funded by corporate PACs, including nearly $250,000 from the pharmaceutical industry.
Opposing candidate: Republican Chris Bish
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Bish’s campaign has raised $34,187 and has not committed to refusing donations from corporate PACs, the real estate or fossil fuel industries, or the police.
Opposing candidate: Republican Craig DeLuz
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: DeLuz’s campaign has raised $15,481 and has not committed to refusing donations from corporate PACs, the real estate or fossil fuel industries, or the police.
Opposing candidate: Republican Ray Riehle
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Riehle’s campaign has raised $11,269 and has not committed to refusing donations from corporate PACs, the real estate or fossil fuel industries, or the police.
The District
Counties in district: California’s 6th Congressional District includes parts of Sacramento County.
Voter registration: 43% Democrat, 27% Republican, and 21% No Party Preference. Democrats typically hold this district.
District demographics: 17% Latino, 11% Asian, and 11% Black.
Recent election results: CD-6 voted for Joe Biden for president in 2020 by 18 points and Gavin Newsom for governor in 2022 by 9 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.
7th Congressional District
Re-elect Congressional Representative Doris Matsui to keep CD-7 on the right track for progress.
Rep. Doris Matsui’s track record and policy positions demonstrate that she will continue to be a representative voice for the constituents of CD-7 and will govern effectively in the best interests of this diverse district.
Progressive endorsements: Rep. Matsui has the endorsement of many groups, including Equality California, California Environmental Voters, and California Democratic Party. In recent elections, she has also received the endorsement of many elected officials, including Gov. Gavin Newsom, Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi, and Rep. Jared Huffman.
Top issues: Affordable and accessible health care, internet access, technology education, net neutrality, environmental protections, natural disaster preparedness, energy, and transportation and public works.
Priority bills: This year, Rep. Matsui’s priorities for CD-7 have included 19 bills to improve school cybersecurity, expand Medicare treatment access, and address internet transparency. All of these are currently in committee. She has sponsored legislation to support gender equity in education, reduce diesel emissions, and create more transparency in online algorithms.
Member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus?: No.
Committee leadership/membership: Rep. Matsui currently sits on the Energy & Commerce Committee. She serves as the co-chair of seven caucuses, including Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition, Rare Disease, Congressional High-Tech, and House Task Force on Aging and Families. She is a member of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus.
Governance and community leadership experience: Rep. Matsui has served in this congressional seat since 2012, when she was elected with over 75% of the vote. In 2022, she won her re-election against a Republican challenger by 36 points.
Prior to her election to Congress, Rep. Matsui served as board chair for the KVIE public television station in Sacramento, as well as in leadership roles for the Crocker Art Museum, Sacramento Children’s Home, and the Sacramento Symphony Orchestra. Her political involvement began when she volunteered for former President Bill Clinton’s 1992 presidential campaign, and served on his transition team before becoming a deputy assistant to the president. In this role, one of her responsibilities was supporting the administration’s outreach and engagement with Asian American communities.
Other background: Rep. Matsui is from California’s Central Valley. She is a longtime supporter of reproductive rights, net neutrality, and the arts.
The Race
Primary election: There are three candidates running in the March 5 primary, including Rep. Doris Matsui (D), David Mandel (D), and Tom Silva (R). The top two vote recipients will advance to the general election on November 5.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Rep. Matsui’s campaign has raised $610,000 as of January 2024, and is not funded by police organizations.
Opposing candidate: David Mandel
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Mandel’s campaign has raised $28,000 as of January 2024, and is primarily self-funded.
Opposing candidate: Tom Silva
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Silva’s campaign has raised $4,000 as of January 2024, and is entirely self-funded.
The District
Counties in district: California’s 7th Congressional District includes parts of Sacramento, Yolo, and Solano Counties.
Voter registration: 51% Democrat, 20% Republican, and 22% No Party Preference. Democrats typically hold this district.
District demographics: 20% Latino, 21% Asian, and 13% Black.
Recent election results: CD-7 voted for Joe Biden for president in 2020 by 37 points and Gavin Newsom for governor in 2022 by 28 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 Doris Matsui to keep CD-7 on the right track for progress.
Rep. Doris Matsui’s track record and policy positions demonstrate that she will continue to be a representative voice for the constituents of CD-7 and will govern effectively in the best interests of this diverse district.
Progressive endorsements: Rep. Matsui has the endorsement of many groups, including Equality California, California Environmental Voters, and California Democratic Party. In recent elections, she has also received the endorsement of many elected officials, including Gov. Gavin Newsom, Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi, and Rep. Jared Huffman.
Top issues: Affordable and accessible health care, internet access, technology education, net neutrality, environmental protections, natural disaster preparedness, energy, and transportation and public works.
Priority bills: This year, Rep. Matsui’s priorities for CD-7 have included 19 bills to improve school cybersecurity, expand Medicare treatment access, and address internet transparency. All of these are currently in committee. She has sponsored legislation to support gender equity in education, reduce diesel emissions, and create more transparency in online algorithms.
Member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus?: No.
Committee leadership/membership: Rep. Matsui currently sits on the Energy & Commerce Committee. She serves as the co-chair of seven caucuses, including Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition, Rare Disease, Congressional High-Tech, and House Task Force on Aging and Families. She is a member of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus.
Governance and community leadership experience: Rep. Matsui has served in this congressional seat since 2012, when she was elected with over 75% of the vote. In 2022, she won her re-election against a Republican challenger by 36 points.
Prior to her election to Congress, Rep. Matsui served as board chair for the KVIE public television station in Sacramento, as well as in leadership roles for the Crocker Art Museum, Sacramento Children’s Home, and the Sacramento Symphony Orchestra. Her political involvement began when she volunteered for former President Bill Clinton’s 1992 presidential campaign, and served on his transition team before becoming a deputy assistant to the president. In this role, one of her responsibilities was supporting the administration’s outreach and engagement with Asian American communities.
Other background: Rep. Matsui is from California’s Central Valley. She is a longtime supporter of reproductive rights, net neutrality, and the arts.
The Race
Primary election: There are three candidates running in the March 5 primary, including Rep. Doris Matsui (D), David Mandel (D), and Tom Silva (R). The top two vote recipients will advance to the general election on November 5.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Rep. Matsui’s campaign has raised $610,000 as of January 2024, and is not funded by police organizations.
Opposing candidate: David Mandel
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Mandel’s campaign has raised $28,000 as of January 2024, and is primarily self-funded.
Opposing candidate: Tom Silva
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Silva’s campaign has raised $4,000 as of January 2024, and is entirely self-funded.
The District
Counties in district: California’s 7th Congressional District includes parts of Sacramento, Yolo, and Solano Counties.
Voter registration: 51% Democrat, 20% Republican, and 22% No Party Preference. Democrats typically hold this district.
District demographics: 20% Latino, 21% Asian, and 13% Black.
Recent election results: CD-7 voted for Joe Biden for president in 2020 by 37 points and Gavin Newsom for governor in 2022 by 28 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 Doris Matsui to keep CD-7 on the right track for progress.
Rep. Doris Matsui’s track record and policy positions demonstrate that she will continue to be a representative voice for the constituents of CD-7 and will govern effectively in the best interests of this diverse district.
Progressive endorsements: Rep. Matsui has the endorsement of many groups, including Equality California, California Environmental Voters, and California Democratic Party. In recent elections, she has also received the endorsement of many elected officials, including Gov. Gavin Newsom, Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi, and Rep. Jared Huffman.
Top issues: Affordable and accessible health care, internet access, technology education, net neutrality, environmental protections, natural disaster preparedness, energy, and transportation and public works.
Priority bills: This year, Rep. Matsui’s priorities for CD-7 have included 19 bills to improve school cybersecurity, expand Medicare treatment access, and address internet transparency. All of these are currently in committee. She has sponsored legislation to support gender equity in education, reduce diesel emissions, and create more transparency in online algorithms.
Member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus?: No.
Committee leadership/membership: Rep. Matsui currently sits on the Energy & Commerce Committee. She serves as the co-chair of seven caucuses, including Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition, Rare Disease, Congressional High-Tech, and House Task Force on Aging and Families. She is a member of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus.
Governance and community leadership experience: Rep. Matsui has served in this congressional seat since 2012, when she was elected with over 75% of the vote. In 2022, she won her re-election against a Republican challenger by 36 points.
Prior to her election to Congress, Rep. Matsui served as board chair for the KVIE public television station in Sacramento, as well as in leadership roles for the Crocker Art Museum, Sacramento Children’s Home, and the Sacramento Symphony Orchestra. Her political involvement began when she volunteered for former President Bill Clinton’s 1992 presidential campaign, and served on his transition team before becoming a deputy assistant to the president. In this role, one of her responsibilities was supporting the administration’s outreach and engagement with Asian American communities.
Other background: Rep. Matsui is from California’s Central Valley. She is a longtime supporter of reproductive rights, net neutrality, and the arts.
The Race
Primary election: There are three candidates running in the March 5 primary, including Rep. Doris Matsui (D), David Mandel (D), and Tom Silva (R). The top two vote recipients will advance to the general election on November 5.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Rep. Matsui’s campaign has raised $610,000 as of January 2024, and is not funded by police organizations.
Opposing candidate: David Mandel
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Mandel’s campaign has raised $28,000 as of January 2024, and is primarily self-funded.
Opposing candidate: Tom Silva
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Silva’s campaign has raised $4,000 as of January 2024, and is entirely self-funded.
The District
Counties in district: California’s 7th Congressional District includes parts of Sacramento, Yolo, and Solano Counties.
Voter registration: 51% Democrat, 20% Republican, and 22% No Party Preference. Democrats typically hold this district.
District demographics: 20% Latino, 21% Asian, and 13% Black.
Recent election results: CD-7 voted for Joe Biden for president in 2020 by 37 points and Gavin Newsom for governor in 2022 by 28 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.
State Assembly, 9th District
This district is a safe Republican seat in the 2024 election cycle with no Democratic challenger running in this race. We recommend that you choose the candidate who best aligns to your values.
The Race
Primary election: There are two candidates running in the March 5 primary: incumbent Assm. Heath Flora (R) and Tami Nobriga (I). The top two vote recipients will advance to the general election on November 5.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Assm. Flora’s campaign has raised $340,000 as of December 2023, and is funded by police, fossil fuel, corporate PAC, and real estate interests.
Opposing candidate: Tami Nobriga
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Nobriga’s campaign has not filed any campaign fundraising receipts with the Secretary of State’s office as of December 2023.
The District
Counties in district: California’s 9th Assembly District includes parts of San Joaquin, Calaveras, Amador, Sacramento, and Stanislaus Counties.
Voter registration: 33% Democrat, 40% Republican, and 19% No Party Preference. Republicans typically hold this district.
District demographics: 28% Latino, 6% Asian, and 3% Black.
Recent election results: AD-9 voted for Donald Trump for president in 2020 by 14 points and Brian Dahle for governor in 2022 by 31 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.
This district is a safe Republican seat in the 2024 election cycle with no Democratic challenger running in this race. We recommend that you choose the candidate who best aligns to your values.
The Race
Primary election: There are two candidates running in the March 5 primary: incumbent Assm. Heath Flora (R) and Tami Nobriga (I). The top two vote recipients will advance to the general election on November 5.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Assm. Flora’s campaign has raised $340,000 as of December 2023, and is funded by police, fossil fuel, corporate PAC, and real estate interests.
Opposing candidate: Tami Nobriga
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Nobriga’s campaign has not filed any campaign fundraising receipts with the Secretary of State’s office as of December 2023.
The District
Counties in district: California’s 9th Assembly District includes parts of San Joaquin, Calaveras, Amador, Sacramento, and Stanislaus Counties.
Voter registration: 33% Democrat, 40% Republican, and 19% No Party Preference. Republicans typically hold this district.
District demographics: 28% Latino, 6% Asian, and 3% Black.
Recent election results: AD-9 voted for Donald Trump for president in 2020 by 14 points and Brian Dahle for governor in 2022 by 31 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.
State Senator, 3rd District
Depending on where you live, you may have one of the below State Senate races on your ballot.
Courage California endorses Jackie Elward for State Senate to put SD-3 on the right track for progress.
Elward’s track record and policy positions demonstrate that she will be a progressive voice for the constituents of SD-3 and will govern effectively in the best interests of this diverse district.
Progressive endorsements: Elward has the endorsement of many progressive groups, including Courage California, Alliance of Californians for Community Empowerment (ACCE) Action, California Environmental Voters, and Working Families Party. She has also received the endorsement of many elected leaders, including State Sen. Lola Smallwood-Cuevas, Assm. Damon Connolly, Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis, and several local county supervisors, city councilmembers, and education leaders.
Electoral history: Elward ran for Rohnert City Council in 2018, but lost after only earning 18% of the vote. She ran again in 2020 and was elected with over 56% of the vote. She has served a term as mayor.
Top issues: Education, affordable housing development, homelessness, mental health services, climate justice, support organized labor, public safety, and civil rights advocacy.
Priority bills: As a member of the Rohnert Park City Council, Elward has been a strong supporter of efforts to complete a 60-unit housing project for the local homeless community, and increase development in the downtown area. During her time as mayor, she also moved forward a police accountability initiative, which included the appointment of an independent auditor, crisis-management training, and use-of-force training. She also serves as the Council’s liaison to several local initiatives, including Sonoma Clean Power Authority, Sonoma County Continuum of Care, Senior Citizens Advisory Commission, and Waste and Recycling.
Governance and community leadership experience: Along with her City Council work, Elward is an educator and an activist, which she does to bring leadership to her local community. She has served as a teacher and staff member at Santa Rosa French American Charter School for several years. Elward is also the founder of Les Enfants Baobab, which is a non-profit organization designed to provide resources, including education and clothing, to students in Kinshasa, where she lived and studied.
Other background: Elward is from Democratic Republic of Congo, and immigrated to the United States in the early aughts. She is the first Black woman to serve on the Rohnert Park City Council, and the first Black female immigrant to serve as mayor.
The Race
Primary election: There are five candidates running in the March 5 primary, including Jackie Elward (D), Thomas Bogue (R), Christopher Cabaldon (D), Jimih Jones (R), and Rozzana Verder-Aliga (D). The top two vote recipients will advance to the general election on November 5.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Elward’s campaign has raised $132,000 as of December 2023, and is not funded by police, real estate, fossil fuel, or corporate PAC interests.
Opposing candidate: Democrat Christopher Cabaldon
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Cabaldon’s campaign has raised $214,000 as of December 2023, and is funded by real estate and corporate PAC interests.
Opposing candidate: Democrat Rozzana Verder-Aliga
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Verder-Aliga’s campaign has raised $342,000 as of December 2023, and is funded by real estate interests.
The District
Counties in district: California’s 3rd State Senate District includes parts of Solano, Yolo, Napa, Contra Costa, Sonoma, and Sacramento Counties.
Voter registration: 50% Democrat, 22% Republican, and 21% No Party Preference. Democrats typically hold this district.
District demographics: 21% Latino, 13% Asian, and 9% Black.
Recent election results: SD-3 voted for Joe Biden for president in 2020 by 33 points and Gavin Newsom for governor in 2022 by 23 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 Jackie Elward for State Senate to put SD-3 on the right track for progress.
Elward’s track record and policy positions demonstrate that she will be a progressive voice for the constituents of SD-3 and will govern effectively in the best interests of this diverse district.
Progressive endorsements: Elward has the endorsement of many progressive groups, including Courage California, Alliance of Californians for Community Empowerment (ACCE) Action, California Environmental Voters, and Working Families Party. She has also received the endorsement of many elected leaders, including State Sen. Lola Smallwood-Cuevas, Assm. Damon Connolly, Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis, and several local county supervisors, city councilmembers, and education leaders.
Electoral history: Elward ran for Rohnert City Council in 2018, but lost after only earning 18% of the vote. She ran again in 2020 and was elected with over 56% of the vote. She has served a term as mayor.
Top issues: Education, affordable housing development, homelessness, mental health services, climate justice, support organized labor, public safety, and civil rights advocacy.
Priority bills: As a member of the Rohnert Park City Council, Elward has been a strong supporter of efforts to complete a 60-unit housing project for the local homeless community, and increase development in the downtown area. During her time as mayor, she also moved forward a police accountability initiative, which included the appointment of an independent auditor, crisis-management training, and use-of-force training. She also serves as the Council’s liaison to several local initiatives, including Sonoma Clean Power Authority, Sonoma County Continuum of Care, Senior Citizens Advisory Commission, and Waste and Recycling.
Governance and community leadership experience: Along with her City Council work, Elward is an educator and an activist, which she does to bring leadership to her local community. She has served as a teacher and staff member at Santa Rosa French American Charter School for several years. Elward is also the founder of Les Enfants Baobab, which is a non-profit organization designed to provide resources, including education and clothing, to students in Kinshasa, where she lived and studied.
Other background: Elward is from Democratic Republic of Congo, and immigrated to the United States in the early aughts. She is the first Black woman to serve on the Rohnert Park City Council, and the first Black female immigrant to serve as mayor.
The Race
Primary election: There are five candidates running in the March 5 primary, including Jackie Elward (D), Thomas Bogue (R), Christopher Cabaldon (D), Jimih Jones (R), and Rozzana Verder-Aliga (D). The top two vote recipients will advance to the general election on November 5.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Elward’s campaign has raised $132,000 as of December 2023, and is not funded by police, real estate, fossil fuel, or corporate PAC interests.
Opposing candidate: Democrat Christopher Cabaldon
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Cabaldon’s campaign has raised $214,000 as of December 2023, and is funded by real estate and corporate PAC interests.
Opposing candidate: Democrat Rozzana Verder-Aliga
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Verder-Aliga’s campaign has raised $342,000 as of December 2023, and is funded by real estate interests.
The District
Counties in district: California’s 3rd State Senate District includes parts of Solano, Yolo, Napa, Contra Costa, Sonoma, and Sacramento Counties.
Voter registration: 50% Democrat, 22% Republican, and 21% No Party Preference. Democrats typically hold this district.
District demographics: 21% Latino, 13% Asian, and 9% Black.
Recent election results: SD-3 voted for Joe Biden for president in 2020 by 33 points and Gavin Newsom for governor in 2022 by 23 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.
Endorsed By: Courage California
Courage California endorses Jackie Elward for State Senate to put SD-3 on the right track for progress.
Elward’s track record and policy positions demonstrate that she will be a progressive voice for the constituents of SD-3 and will govern effectively in the best interests of this diverse district.
Progressive endorsements: Elward has the endorsement of many progressive groups, including Courage California, Alliance of Californians for Community Empowerment (ACCE) Action, California Environmental Voters, and Working Families Party. She has also received the endorsement of many elected leaders, including State Sen. Lola Smallwood-Cuevas, Assm. Damon Connolly, Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis, and several local county supervisors, city councilmembers, and education leaders.
Electoral history: Elward ran for Rohnert City Council in 2018, but lost after only earning 18% of the vote. She ran again in 2020 and was elected with over 56% of the vote. She has served a term as mayor.
Top issues: Education, affordable housing development, homelessness, mental health services, climate justice, support organized labor, public safety, and civil rights advocacy.
Priority bills: As a member of the Rohnert Park City Council, Elward has been a strong supporter of efforts to complete a 60-unit housing project for the local homeless community, and increase development in the downtown area. During her time as mayor, she also moved forward a police accountability initiative, which included the appointment of an independent auditor, crisis-management training, and use-of-force training. She also serves as the Council’s liaison to several local initiatives, including Sonoma Clean Power Authority, Sonoma County Continuum of Care, Senior Citizens Advisory Commission, and Waste and Recycling.
Governance and community leadership experience: Along with her City Council work, Elward is an educator and an activist, which she does to bring leadership to her local community. She has served as a teacher and staff member at Santa Rosa French American Charter School for several years. Elward is also the founder of Les Enfants Baobab, which is a non-profit organization designed to provide resources, including education and clothing, to students in Kinshasa, where she lived and studied.
Other background: Elward is from Democratic Republic of Congo, and immigrated to the United States in the early aughts. She is the first Black woman to serve on the Rohnert Park City Council, and the first Black female immigrant to serve as mayor.
The Race
Primary election: There are five candidates running in the March 5 primary, including Jackie Elward (D), Thomas Bogue (R), Christopher Cabaldon (D), Jimih Jones (R), and Rozzana Verder-Aliga (D). The top two vote recipients will advance to the general election on November 5.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Elward’s campaign has raised $132,000 as of December 2023, and is not funded by police, real estate, fossil fuel, or corporate PAC interests.
Opposing candidate: Democrat Christopher Cabaldon
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Cabaldon’s campaign has raised $214,000 as of December 2023, and is funded by real estate and corporate PAC interests.
Opposing candidate: Democrat Rozzana Verder-Aliga
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Verder-Aliga’s campaign has raised $342,000 as of December 2023, and is funded by real estate interests.
The District
Counties in district: California’s 3rd State Senate District includes parts of Solano, Yolo, Napa, Contra Costa, Sonoma, and Sacramento Counties.
Voter registration: 50% Democrat, 22% Republican, and 21% No Party Preference. Democrats typically hold this district.
District demographics: 21% Latino, 13% Asian, and 9% Black.
Recent election results: SD-3 voted for Joe Biden for president in 2020 by 33 points and Gavin Newsom for governor in 2022 by 23 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.
Endorsed By: Courage California
Sacramento County, District 4
Elect Braden Murphy for Supervisor to put Sacramento County on the right track for progress.
Braden Murphy’s policy positions demonstrate that he will be a progressive voice for the constituents of Sacramento County and will govern effectively in the best interests of this diverse district.
Progressive endorsements: Murphy has the endorsement of many progressive groups, including California Working Families Party, California Democratic Renters Council, Wellstone Progressive Democrats of Sacramento, and ACCE Action. He has also received the endorsement of some local leaders, including Citrus Heights Councilwoman Porsche Middleton, and Folsom Cordova School Board Member Kara Lofthouse.
Electoral history: Murphy ran for the California State Board of Equalization District 1 seat in 2022. He came in third with 14% of the vote, and did not advance beyond the primary.
Top issues: Economic growth and job creation, homelessness and affordable housing, and infrastructure repairs.
Governance and community leadership experience: Murphy was born with cerebral palsy and has been an advocate for universal health care and universal early-childhood education. His platform focuses on providing a living wage to all residents of the county, and ensuring that the region has adequate and affordable housing options. He would also work to address mental health care supports, particularly in county jail facilities, and to ensure that municipal services are funded and managed. In previous campaigns, Murphy has spoken about how the failure to transition to universal health care and education policy models can limit the capacity of families and individuals with disabilities to transition to a middle-class lifestyle. He would bring this knowledge to his equity efforts as an elected official.
Other background: Murphy is from Folsom.
The Race
Primary election: There are two candidates running in the nonpartisan March 5 primary: Braden Murphy and Folsom Mayor Rosario Rodriguez. A candidate can win this race outright in the primary if they receive more than 50% of the vote.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Braden Murphy’s campaign has raised $2,300 as of December 2023, and is not funded by police, real estate, fossil fuel, or corporate PAC interests.
Opposing candidate: Mayor Rosario Rodriguez
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Mayor Rodriguez’s campaign has raised $16,000 as of December 2023, and is funded by real estate interests.
The District
County: Sacramento County is California’s eighth most populous county. District 4 includes Antelope, Fair Oaks, Folsom, Orangevale, Rancho Murieta, and Rio Linda.
Governance structure: Sacramento County’s Board of Supervisors oversees the needs of 1.5 million people and manages an estimated budget of $8.8 billion annually. According to the County Charter, Sacramento County is governed by the elected Board of Supervisors, and they receive support from the county executive, who acts as their agent.
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 Braden Murphy for Supervisor to put Sacramento County on the right track for progress.
Braden Murphy’s policy positions demonstrate that he will be a progressive voice for the constituents of Sacramento County and will govern effectively in the best interests of this diverse district.
Progressive endorsements: Murphy has the endorsement of many progressive groups, including California Working Families Party, California Democratic Renters Council, Wellstone Progressive Democrats of Sacramento, and ACCE Action. He has also received the endorsement of some local leaders, including Citrus Heights Councilwoman Porsche Middleton, and Folsom Cordova School Board Member Kara Lofthouse.
Electoral history: Murphy ran for the California State Board of Equalization District 1 seat in 2022. He came in third with 14% of the vote, and did not advance beyond the primary.
Top issues: Economic growth and job creation, homelessness and affordable housing, and infrastructure repairs.
Governance and community leadership experience: Murphy was born with cerebral palsy and has been an advocate for universal health care and universal early-childhood education. His platform focuses on providing a living wage to all residents of the county, and ensuring that the region has adequate and affordable housing options. He would also work to address mental health care supports, particularly in county jail facilities, and to ensure that municipal services are funded and managed. In previous campaigns, Murphy has spoken about how the failure to transition to universal health care and education policy models can limit the capacity of families and individuals with disabilities to transition to a middle-class lifestyle. He would bring this knowledge to his equity efforts as an elected official.
Other background: Murphy is from Folsom.
The Race
Primary election: There are two candidates running in the nonpartisan March 5 primary: Braden Murphy and Folsom Mayor Rosario Rodriguez. A candidate can win this race outright in the primary if they receive more than 50% of the vote.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Braden Murphy’s campaign has raised $2,300 as of December 2023, and is not funded by police, real estate, fossil fuel, or corporate PAC interests.
Opposing candidate: Mayor Rosario Rodriguez
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Mayor Rodriguez’s campaign has raised $16,000 as of December 2023, and is funded by real estate interests.
The District
County: Sacramento County is California’s eighth most populous county. District 4 includes Antelope, Fair Oaks, Folsom, Orangevale, Rancho Murieta, and Rio Linda.
Governance structure: Sacramento County’s Board of Supervisors oversees the needs of 1.5 million people and manages an estimated budget of $8.8 billion annually. According to the County Charter, Sacramento County is governed by the elected Board of Supervisors, and they receive support from the county executive, who acts as their agent.
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 Braden Murphy for Supervisor to put Sacramento County on the right track for progress.
Braden Murphy’s policy positions demonstrate that he will be a progressive voice for the constituents of Sacramento County and will govern effectively in the best interests of this diverse district.
Progressive endorsements: Murphy has the endorsement of many progressive groups, including California Working Families Party, California Democratic Renters Council, Wellstone Progressive Democrats of Sacramento, and ACCE Action. He has also received the endorsement of some local leaders, including Citrus Heights Councilwoman Porsche Middleton, and Folsom Cordova School Board Member Kara Lofthouse.
Electoral history: Murphy ran for the California State Board of Equalization District 1 seat in 2022. He came in third with 14% of the vote, and did not advance beyond the primary.
Top issues: Economic growth and job creation, homelessness and affordable housing, and infrastructure repairs.
Governance and community leadership experience: Murphy was born with cerebral palsy and has been an advocate for universal health care and universal early-childhood education. His platform focuses on providing a living wage to all residents of the county, and ensuring that the region has adequate and affordable housing options. He would also work to address mental health care supports, particularly in county jail facilities, and to ensure that municipal services are funded and managed. In previous campaigns, Murphy has spoken about how the failure to transition to universal health care and education policy models can limit the capacity of families and individuals with disabilities to transition to a middle-class lifestyle. He would bring this knowledge to his equity efforts as an elected official.
Other background: Murphy is from Folsom.
The Race
Primary election: There are two candidates running in the nonpartisan March 5 primary: Braden Murphy and Folsom Mayor Rosario Rodriguez. A candidate can win this race outright in the primary if they receive more than 50% of the vote.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Braden Murphy’s campaign has raised $2,300 as of December 2023, and is not funded by police, real estate, fossil fuel, or corporate PAC interests.
Opposing candidate: Mayor Rosario Rodriguez
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Mayor Rodriguez’s campaign has raised $16,000 as of December 2023, and is funded by real estate interests.
The District
County: Sacramento County is California’s eighth most populous county. District 4 includes Antelope, Fair Oaks, Folsom, Orangevale, Rancho Murieta, and Rio Linda.
Governance structure: Sacramento County’s Board of Supervisors oversees the needs of 1.5 million people and manages an estimated budget of $8.8 billion annually. According to the County Charter, Sacramento County is governed by the elected Board of Supervisors, and they receive support from the county executive, who acts as their agent.
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.
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.