80th Assembly District
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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.
48th Congressional District
Elect Stephen Houlahan for Congress to put CD-48 on the right track for progress.
Stephen Houlahan’s track record and policy positions demonstrate that he will be a progressive voice for the constituents of CD-48 and will govern effectively in the best interests of this diverse district.
Progressive endorsements: Houlahan has the endorsement of some democratic organizations, including California Democratic Party, San Diego Democrats for Equality, and Democrats of Southwest Riverside County.
Electoral history: Houlahan ran for this seat in 2022, but lost to incumbent Republican Rep. Darrell Issa in the general election by 10 points.
Top issues: Reproductive freedom, election integrity, clean energy, climate protections, improving Medicare access, creating a public insurance program for children, and holding Big Pharma accountable.
Priority bills: As a member of the Santee City Council from 2016 to 2020, Houlahan was a strong opponent of the power plant and pipeline projects in the city, and supported a multimillion-dollar effort to develop Mast Park. He was also a proponent of establishing term limits for members of the city’s government.
Governance and community leadership experience: Houlahan is a registered nurse, which he does to provide care and service to members of his community. Houlahan cites his 20+ years of nursing and health-care administration experience as the catalyst for his recognition of health as a great equalizer, and the profound limitations of America’s public insurance system. His professional background has motivated his interest in creating Medikids to provide coverage to uninsured children, supporting reproductive freedom, and fighting for the environmental protections that provide a safe climate for communities.
Other background: Houlahan, a nurse and former public official, is a lifelong resident of the 48th district. Along with his master of science in nursing degree, he holds a master of business administration degree from the University of San Diego.
The Race
Primary election: There are three candidates running in the March 5 primary, including Stephen Houlahan (D), incumbent Rep. Darrell Issa (R), and Lucinda Jahn (NPP). The top two vote recipients will advance to the general election on November 5.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Houlahan’s campaign has raised $10,000 as of October 2023, and is not funded by police, real estate, fossil fuel, or corporate PAC interests.
Opposing candidate: Republican Rep. Darrell Issa
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Issa’s campaign has raised $638,000 as of October 2023, and is funded by fossil fuel, real estate, and corporate PAC interests. He has received problematic donations from Amazon PAC, National Association of Realtors PAC, Edison International PAC, and Chevron Employees PAC.
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Jahn’s campaign has not filed any fundraising receipts with the FEC as of October 2023.
The District
Counties in district: California’s 48th Congressional District includes parts of San Diego and Riverside Counties.
Voter registration: 30% Democrat, 40% Republican, and 21% No Party Preference.
District demographics: 21% Latino, 7% Asian, and 4% Black.
Recent election results: CD-48 voted for Donald Trump for president in 2020 by 13 points and Brian Dahle for governor in 2022 by 24 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 Stephen Houlahan for Congress to put CD-48 on the right track for progress.
Stephen Houlahan’s track record and policy positions demonstrate that he will be a progressive voice for the constituents of CD-48 and will govern effectively in the best interests of this diverse district.
Progressive endorsements: Houlahan has the endorsement of some democratic organizations, including California Democratic Party, San Diego Democrats for Equality, and Democrats of Southwest Riverside County.
Electoral history: Houlahan ran for this seat in 2022, but lost to incumbent Republican Rep. Darrell Issa in the general election by 10 points.
Top issues: Reproductive freedom, election integrity, clean energy, climate protections, improving Medicare access, creating a public insurance program for children, and holding Big Pharma accountable.
Priority bills: As a member of the Santee City Council from 2016 to 2020, Houlahan was a strong opponent of the power plant and pipeline projects in the city, and supported a multimillion-dollar effort to develop Mast Park. He was also a proponent of establishing term limits for members of the city’s government.
Governance and community leadership experience: Houlahan is a registered nurse, which he does to provide care and service to members of his community. Houlahan cites his 20+ years of nursing and health-care administration experience as the catalyst for his recognition of health as a great equalizer, and the profound limitations of America’s public insurance system. His professional background has motivated his interest in creating Medikids to provide coverage to uninsured children, supporting reproductive freedom, and fighting for the environmental protections that provide a safe climate for communities.
Other background: Houlahan, a nurse and former public official, is a lifelong resident of the 48th district. Along with his master of science in nursing degree, he holds a master of business administration degree from the University of San Diego.
The Race
Primary election: There are three candidates running in the March 5 primary, including Stephen Houlahan (D), incumbent Rep. Darrell Issa (R), and Lucinda Jahn (NPP). The top two vote recipients will advance to the general election on November 5.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Houlahan’s campaign has raised $10,000 as of October 2023, and is not funded by police, real estate, fossil fuel, or corporate PAC interests.
Opposing candidate: Republican Rep. Darrell Issa
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Issa’s campaign has raised $638,000 as of October 2023, and is funded by fossil fuel, real estate, and corporate PAC interests. He has received problematic donations from Amazon PAC, National Association of Realtors PAC, Edison International PAC, and Chevron Employees PAC.
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Jahn’s campaign has not filed any fundraising receipts with the FEC as of October 2023.
The District
Counties in district: California’s 48th Congressional District includes parts of San Diego and Riverside Counties.
Voter registration: 30% Democrat, 40% Republican, and 21% No Party Preference.
District demographics: 21% Latino, 7% Asian, and 4% Black.
Recent election results: CD-48 voted for Donald Trump for president in 2020 by 13 points and Brian Dahle for governor in 2022 by 24 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 Stephen Houlahan for Congress to put CD-48 on the right track for progress.
Stephen Houlahan’s track record and policy positions demonstrate that he will be a progressive voice for the constituents of CD-48 and will govern effectively in the best interests of this diverse district.
Progressive endorsements: Houlahan has the endorsement of some democratic organizations, including California Democratic Party, San Diego Democrats for Equality, and Democrats of Southwest Riverside County.
Electoral history: Houlahan ran for this seat in 2022, but lost to incumbent Republican Rep. Darrell Issa in the general election by 10 points.
Top issues: Reproductive freedom, election integrity, clean energy, climate protections, improving Medicare access, creating a public insurance program for children, and holding Big Pharma accountable.
Priority bills: As a member of the Santee City Council from 2016 to 2020, Houlahan was a strong opponent of the power plant and pipeline projects in the city, and supported a multimillion-dollar effort to develop Mast Park. He was also a proponent of establishing term limits for members of the city’s government.
Governance and community leadership experience: Houlahan is a registered nurse, which he does to provide care and service to members of his community. Houlahan cites his 20+ years of nursing and health-care administration experience as the catalyst for his recognition of health as a great equalizer, and the profound limitations of America’s public insurance system. His professional background has motivated his interest in creating Medikids to provide coverage to uninsured children, supporting reproductive freedom, and fighting for the environmental protections that provide a safe climate for communities.
Other background: Houlahan, a nurse and former public official, is a lifelong resident of the 48th district. Along with his master of science in nursing degree, he holds a master of business administration degree from the University of San Diego.
The Race
Primary election: There are three candidates running in the March 5 primary, including Stephen Houlahan (D), incumbent Rep. Darrell Issa (R), and Lucinda Jahn (NPP). The top two vote recipients will advance to the general election on November 5.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Houlahan’s campaign has raised $10,000 as of October 2023, and is not funded by police, real estate, fossil fuel, or corporate PAC interests.
Opposing candidate: Republican Rep. Darrell Issa
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Issa’s campaign has raised $638,000 as of October 2023, and is funded by fossil fuel, real estate, and corporate PAC interests. He has received problematic donations from Amazon PAC, National Association of Realtors PAC, Edison International PAC, and Chevron Employees PAC.
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Jahn’s campaign has not filed any fundraising receipts with the FEC as of October 2023.
The District
Counties in district: California’s 48th Congressional District includes parts of San Diego and Riverside Counties.
Voter registration: 30% Democrat, 40% Republican, and 21% No Party Preference.
District demographics: 21% Latino, 7% Asian, and 4% Black.
Recent election results: CD-48 voted for Donald Trump for president in 2020 by 13 points and Brian Dahle for governor in 2022 by 24 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.
50th Congressional District
Re-elect Congressional Representative Scott Peters to keep CD-50 on the right track for progress.
Rep. Peters’ track record and policy positions demonstrate that he will continue to be a representative voice for the constituents of CD-50 and will govern effectively in the best interests of this diverse district.
Progressive endorsements: Rep. Peters has the endorsement of some progressive groups, including Equality California, League of Conservation Voters, and California Environmental Voters.
Top issues: Labor and employment, conservation, veterans’ services, and national security.
Priority bills: This year, Rep. Peters’ priorities for CD-50 have included 15 bills about digital-privacy protections, decreasing pollution and environmental destruction, and expanding services like education and childcare for police officers and veterans. All currently remain in committee.
Member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus?: No.
Committee leadership/membership: Rep. Peters currently sits on 2 committees, including the Energy and Commerce Committee and the Budget Committee. He serves as co-chair of the Congressional Algae Caucus, Congressional Special Operations Forces Caucus, and Congressional Life Sciences Caucus.
Governance and community leadership experience: Rep. Peters has served in Congress since 2012, when he was elected with over 51% of the vote. In 2022, he won his re-election against a Republican challenger by 26 points.
Prior to his election to Congress, Rep. Peters was an attorney in private practice, served on the San Diego City Council, and was chair of the San Diego Port District. His local roles established his interest in economic development and the creation of local jobs, which are issues he has continued to be involved with during his time in Congress. Rep. Peters also cites his father’s activism for housing desegregation and racial equality as influential in his own pursuit of equity legislation for voting rights, LGBTQIA+ rights, and protections for immigrants.
Other background: Rep. Peters has lived in La Jolla for over 30 years. Before attending law school, he spent his early career as an economist in the Environmental Protection Agency.
The Race
Primary election: There are 4 candidates running in the March 5 primary, including incumbent Rep. Scott Peters (D), Peter Bono (R), Timothy Bilash (D), and Solomon David Moss (R). The top two vote recipients will advance to the general election on November 5.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Rep. Peters’ campaign has raised $663,954 and is not funded by the police. He is funded by the fossil fuel and real estate industries. He has also accepted donations from corporate PACs, including more than $30,000 from defense contractors and more than $80,000 from the pharmaceutical industry.
Opposing candidate: Democrat Timothy Bilash
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Bilash’s campaign has raised $19,361, and is principally self-funded; $19,000 were loaned to the campaign by Bilash himself. As of January 2024, no other candidates have filed and campaign receipts for the current election cycle.
The District
Counties in district: California’s 50th Congressional District includes parts of San Diego County.
Voter registration: 44% Democrat, 25% Republican, and 25% No Party Preference. Democrats typically hold this district.
District demographics: 17% Latino, 12% Asian, and 4% Black.
Recent election results: CD-50 voted for Joe Biden for president in 2020 by 33 points and Gavin Newsom for governor in 2022 by 22 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 Scott Peters to keep CD-50 on the right track for progress.
Rep. Peters’ track record and policy positions demonstrate that he will continue to be a representative voice for the constituents of CD-50 and will govern effectively in the best interests of this diverse district.
Progressive endorsements: Rep. Peters has the endorsement of some progressive groups, including Equality California, League of Conservation Voters, and California Environmental Voters.
Top issues: Labor and employment, conservation, veterans’ services, and national security.
Priority bills: This year, Rep. Peters’ priorities for CD-50 have included 15 bills about digital-privacy protections, decreasing pollution and environmental destruction, and expanding services like education and childcare for police officers and veterans. All currently remain in committee.
Member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus?: No.
Committee leadership/membership: Rep. Peters currently sits on 2 committees, including the Energy and Commerce Committee and the Budget Committee. He serves as co-chair of the Congressional Algae Caucus, Congressional Special Operations Forces Caucus, and Congressional Life Sciences Caucus.
Governance and community leadership experience: Rep. Peters has served in Congress since 2012, when he was elected with over 51% of the vote. In 2022, he won his re-election against a Republican challenger by 26 points.
Prior to his election to Congress, Rep. Peters was an attorney in private practice, served on the San Diego City Council, and was chair of the San Diego Port District. His local roles established his interest in economic development and the creation of local jobs, which are issues he has continued to be involved with during his time in Congress. Rep. Peters also cites his father’s activism for housing desegregation and racial equality as influential in his own pursuit of equity legislation for voting rights, LGBTQIA+ rights, and protections for immigrants.
Other background: Rep. Peters has lived in La Jolla for over 30 years. Before attending law school, he spent his early career as an economist in the Environmental Protection Agency.
The Race
Primary election: There are 4 candidates running in the March 5 primary, including incumbent Rep. Scott Peters (D), Peter Bono (R), Timothy Bilash (D), and Solomon David Moss (R). The top two vote recipients will advance to the general election on November 5.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Rep. Peters’ campaign has raised $663,954 and is not funded by the police. He is funded by the fossil fuel and real estate industries. He has also accepted donations from corporate PACs, including more than $30,000 from defense contractors and more than $80,000 from the pharmaceutical industry.
Opposing candidate: Democrat Timothy Bilash
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Bilash’s campaign has raised $19,361, and is principally self-funded; $19,000 were loaned to the campaign by Bilash himself. As of January 2024, no other candidates have filed and campaign receipts for the current election cycle.
The District
Counties in district: California’s 50th Congressional District includes parts of San Diego County.
Voter registration: 44% Democrat, 25% Republican, and 25% No Party Preference. Democrats typically hold this district.
District demographics: 17% Latino, 12% Asian, and 4% Black.
Recent election results: CD-50 voted for Joe Biden for president in 2020 by 33 points and Gavin Newsom for governor in 2022 by 22 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 Scott Peters to keep CD-50 on the right track for progress.
Rep. Peters’ track record and policy positions demonstrate that he will continue to be a representative voice for the constituents of CD-50 and will govern effectively in the best interests of this diverse district.
Progressive endorsements: Rep. Peters has the endorsement of some progressive groups, including Equality California, League of Conservation Voters, and California Environmental Voters.
Top issues: Labor and employment, conservation, veterans’ services, and national security.
Priority bills: This year, Rep. Peters’ priorities for CD-50 have included 15 bills about digital-privacy protections, decreasing pollution and environmental destruction, and expanding services like education and childcare for police officers and veterans. All currently remain in committee.
Member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus?: No.
Committee leadership/membership: Rep. Peters currently sits on 2 committees, including the Energy and Commerce Committee and the Budget Committee. He serves as co-chair of the Congressional Algae Caucus, Congressional Special Operations Forces Caucus, and Congressional Life Sciences Caucus.
Governance and community leadership experience: Rep. Peters has served in Congress since 2012, when he was elected with over 51% of the vote. In 2022, he won his re-election against a Republican challenger by 26 points.
Prior to his election to Congress, Rep. Peters was an attorney in private practice, served on the San Diego City Council, and was chair of the San Diego Port District. His local roles established his interest in economic development and the creation of local jobs, which are issues he has continued to be involved with during his time in Congress. Rep. Peters also cites his father’s activism for housing desegregation and racial equality as influential in his own pursuit of equity legislation for voting rights, LGBTQIA+ rights, and protections for immigrants.
Other background: Rep. Peters has lived in La Jolla for over 30 years. Before attending law school, he spent his early career as an economist in the Environmental Protection Agency.
The Race
Primary election: There are 4 candidates running in the March 5 primary, including incumbent Rep. Scott Peters (D), Peter Bono (R), Timothy Bilash (D), and Solomon David Moss (R). The top two vote recipients will advance to the general election on November 5.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Rep. Peters’ campaign has raised $663,954 and is not funded by the police. He is funded by the fossil fuel and real estate industries. He has also accepted donations from corporate PACs, including more than $30,000 from defense contractors and more than $80,000 from the pharmaceutical industry.
Opposing candidate: Democrat Timothy Bilash
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Bilash’s campaign has raised $19,361, and is principally self-funded; $19,000 were loaned to the campaign by Bilash himself. As of January 2024, no other candidates have filed and campaign receipts for the current election cycle.
The District
Counties in district: California’s 50th Congressional District includes parts of San Diego County.
Voter registration: 44% Democrat, 25% Republican, and 25% No Party Preference. Democrats typically hold this district.
District demographics: 17% Latino, 12% Asian, and 4% Black.
Recent election results: CD-50 voted for Joe Biden for president in 2020 by 33 points and Gavin Newsom for governor in 2022 by 22 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.
52nd Congressional District
Re-elect Congressional Representative Juan Vargas to keep CD-52 on the right track for progress.
Rep. Juan Vargas’s track record and policy positions demonstrate that he will continue to be a progressive voice for the constituents of CD-52 and will govern effectively in the best interest of this diverse district.
Progressive endorsements: Rep. Vargas has the endorsement of some progressive groups, including Equality California, and California Environmental Voters.
Top issues: Pandemic response and recovery, protecting water quality, homelessness and housing, corporate transparency, and environmental protection.
Priority bills: This year, Rep. Vargas’s priorities for CD-52 have included four bills about homeownership, sustainable growth, and public health. Of these, one has been received in the Senate, and the others remain in committee. He has sponsored legislation to adjust the required frequency of credit union board meetings, and to update the federal government’s authority to increase production of medical supplies during a public health emergency. He has also sponsored a bill that requires public companies to annually disclose environmental, social, and governance metrics through the Security and Exchange Commission in an effort to increase transparency on corporate environmental impact.
Member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus?: Yes.
Committee leadership/membership: Rep. Vargas currently sits on the Financial Services Committee. He is a member of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus.
Governance and community leadership experience: Rep. Vargas has served in this congressional seat since 2012, when he was elected with over 70% of the vote. In 2022, he won his re-election against a Republican challenger by 34 points.
Prior to his election to Congress, Rep. Vargas was elected to the San Diego City Council, then the California State Assembly, and finally the state Senate. He is a longtime supporter of immigration reform and youth advocacy. While with the San Diego City Council and the California State Legislature, Rep. Vargas was particularly focused on protecting children from exploitation and abuse: he sponsored a bill that mandated that school coaching staff report suspected abuse, as well as strengthened protections from smoking exposure and tobacco advertising for minors. Before entering politics, Rep. Vargas spent time working with the Jesuits, a religious order, on initiatives to support orphans and displaced families in El Salvador, and then returned to San Diego to work as an attorney in private practice.
Other background: Rep. Juan Vargas is the son of Mexican immigrants, and was raised in San Diego. He holds a bachelor's degree from the University of San Diego, a master’s from Fordham University, and a law degree from Harvard University.
The Race
Primary election: There are two candidates running in the March 5 primary, including Rep. Juan Vargas (D), and Jeremiah Suzara (NPP). The top two vote recipients will advance to the general election on November 5.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Rep. Vargas’s campaign has raised $348,000 as of October 2023, and is not funded by police interests.
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: The Republican challenger in this race has not recorded any campaign fundraising receipts with the FEC as of October 2023.
The District
Counties in district: California’s 52nd Congressional District includes parts of San Diego County.
Voter registration: 48% Democrat, 19% Republican, and 26% No Party Preference. Democrats typically hold this district.
District demographics: 51% Latino, 17% Asian, and 10% Black. This district is considered to be one of the 16 strong Latino seats in the California congressional delegation.
Recent election results: CD-52 voted for Joe Biden for president in 2020 by 37 points and Gavin Newsom for governor in 2022 by 26 points.
The Position
Congressmembers represent and advocate for the needs of their district constituents at the United States Capitol. They are responsible for creating, debating, and voting on legislation that addresses issues within their district.
The United States is divided into 435 congressional districts, each with a population of about 710,000 individuals. Each district elects a representative to the House of Representatives for a two-year term. California has 52 congressional representatives, the largest delegation in the country. There is no term limit for this position.
Re-elect Congressional Representative Juan Vargas to keep CD-52 on the right track for progress.
Rep. Juan Vargas’s track record and policy positions demonstrate that he will continue to be a progressive voice for the constituents of CD-52 and will govern effectively in the best interest of this diverse district.
Progressive endorsements: Rep. Vargas has the endorsement of some progressive groups, including Equality California, and California Environmental Voters.
Top issues: Pandemic response and recovery, protecting water quality, homelessness and housing, corporate transparency, and environmental protection.
Priority bills: This year, Rep. Vargas’s priorities for CD-52 have included four bills about homeownership, sustainable growth, and public health. Of these, one has been received in the Senate, and the others remain in committee. He has sponsored legislation to adjust the required frequency of credit union board meetings, and to update the federal government’s authority to increase production of medical supplies during a public health emergency. He has also sponsored a bill that requires public companies to annually disclose environmental, social, and governance metrics through the Security and Exchange Commission in an effort to increase transparency on corporate environmental impact.
Member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus?: Yes.
Committee leadership/membership: Rep. Vargas currently sits on the Financial Services Committee. He is a member of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus.
Governance and community leadership experience: Rep. Vargas has served in this congressional seat since 2012, when he was elected with over 70% of the vote. In 2022, he won his re-election against a Republican challenger by 34 points.
Prior to his election to Congress, Rep. Vargas was elected to the San Diego City Council, then the California State Assembly, and finally the state Senate. He is a longtime supporter of immigration reform and youth advocacy. While with the San Diego City Council and the California State Legislature, Rep. Vargas was particularly focused on protecting children from exploitation and abuse: he sponsored a bill that mandated that school coaching staff report suspected abuse, as well as strengthened protections from smoking exposure and tobacco advertising for minors. Before entering politics, Rep. Vargas spent time working with the Jesuits, a religious order, on initiatives to support orphans and displaced families in El Salvador, and then returned to San Diego to work as an attorney in private practice.
Other background: Rep. Juan Vargas is the son of Mexican immigrants, and was raised in San Diego. He holds a bachelor's degree from the University of San Diego, a master’s from Fordham University, and a law degree from Harvard University.
The Race
Primary election: There are two candidates running in the March 5 primary, including Rep. Juan Vargas (D), and Jeremiah Suzara (NPP). The top two vote recipients will advance to the general election on November 5.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Rep. Vargas’s campaign has raised $348,000 as of October 2023, and is not funded by police interests.
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: The Republican challenger in this race has not recorded any campaign fundraising receipts with the FEC as of October 2023.
The District
Counties in district: California’s 52nd Congressional District includes parts of San Diego County.
Voter registration: 48% Democrat, 19% Republican, and 26% No Party Preference. Democrats typically hold this district.
District demographics: 51% Latino, 17% Asian, and 10% Black. This district is considered to be one of the 16 strong Latino seats in the California congressional delegation.
Recent election results: CD-52 voted for Joe Biden for president in 2020 by 37 points and Gavin Newsom for governor in 2022 by 26 points.
The Position
Congressmembers represent and advocate for the needs of their district constituents at the United States Capitol. They are responsible for creating, debating, and voting on legislation that addresses issues within their district.
The United States is divided into 435 congressional districts, each with a population of about 710,000 individuals. Each district elects a representative to the House of Representatives for a two-year term. California has 52 congressional representatives, the largest delegation in the country. There is no term limit for this position.
Re-elect Congressional Representative Juan Vargas to keep CD-52 on the right track for progress.
Rep. Juan Vargas’s track record and policy positions demonstrate that he will continue to be a progressive voice for the constituents of CD-52 and will govern effectively in the best interest of this diverse district.
Progressive endorsements: Rep. Vargas has the endorsement of some progressive groups, including Equality California, and California Environmental Voters.
Top issues: Pandemic response and recovery, protecting water quality, homelessness and housing, corporate transparency, and environmental protection.
Priority bills: This year, Rep. Vargas’s priorities for CD-52 have included four bills about homeownership, sustainable growth, and public health. Of these, one has been received in the Senate, and the others remain in committee. He has sponsored legislation to adjust the required frequency of credit union board meetings, and to update the federal government’s authority to increase production of medical supplies during a public health emergency. He has also sponsored a bill that requires public companies to annually disclose environmental, social, and governance metrics through the Security and Exchange Commission in an effort to increase transparency on corporate environmental impact.
Member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus?: Yes.
Committee leadership/membership: Rep. Vargas currently sits on the Financial Services Committee. He is a member of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus.
Governance and community leadership experience: Rep. Vargas has served in this congressional seat since 2012, when he was elected with over 70% of the vote. In 2022, he won his re-election against a Republican challenger by 34 points.
Prior to his election to Congress, Rep. Vargas was elected to the San Diego City Council, then the California State Assembly, and finally the state Senate. He is a longtime supporter of immigration reform and youth advocacy. While with the San Diego City Council and the California State Legislature, Rep. Vargas was particularly focused on protecting children from exploitation and abuse: he sponsored a bill that mandated that school coaching staff report suspected abuse, as well as strengthened protections from smoking exposure and tobacco advertising for minors. Before entering politics, Rep. Vargas spent time working with the Jesuits, a religious order, on initiatives to support orphans and displaced families in El Salvador, and then returned to San Diego to work as an attorney in private practice.
Other background: Rep. Juan Vargas is the son of Mexican immigrants, and was raised in San Diego. He holds a bachelor's degree from the University of San Diego, a master’s from Fordham University, and a law degree from Harvard University.
The Race
Primary election: There are two candidates running in the March 5 primary, including Rep. Juan Vargas (D), and Jeremiah Suzara (NPP). The top two vote recipients will advance to the general election on November 5.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Rep. Vargas’s campaign has raised $348,000 as of October 2023, and is not funded by police interests.
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: The Republican challenger in this race has not recorded any campaign fundraising receipts with the FEC as of October 2023.
The District
Counties in district: California’s 52nd Congressional District includes parts of San Diego County.
Voter registration: 48% Democrat, 19% Republican, and 26% No Party Preference. Democrats typically hold this district.
District demographics: 51% Latino, 17% Asian, and 10% Black. This district is considered to be one of the 16 strong Latino seats in the California congressional delegation.
Recent election results: CD-52 voted for Joe Biden for president in 2020 by 37 points and Gavin Newsom for governor in 2022 by 26 points.
The Position
Congressmembers represent and advocate for the needs of their district constituents at the United States Capitol. They are responsible for creating, debating, and voting on legislation that addresses issues within their district.
The United States is divided into 435 congressional districts, each with a population of about 710,000 individuals. Each district elects a representative to the House of Representatives for a two-year term. California has 52 congressional representatives, the largest delegation in the country. There is no term limit for this position.
State Assembly, 80th District
Re-elect Assemblymember David Alvarez to keep AD-80 on track for progress.
Assm. David Alvarez’s track record and policy positions demonstrate that he will continue to be a representative leader for the constituents of AD-80. While he has opposed some significant progressive legislation during his time in the Assembly, our analysis shows that he will govern effectively in the best interests of this diverse district if he is subjected to increased community accountability.
Progressive endorsements: Assm. Alvarez has the endorsement of some progressive groups, including Equality California, AFSCME California, and SEIU-United Healthcare Workers West. He has also received problematic endorsements in previous elections, including from Chula Vista Police Officers Association and Deputy Sheriffs Association of San Diego County.
Top issues: Community college access and affordability, clean water conservation, greenhouse-gas reduction, affordable housing, ending bans on low-rider cruising, and social services.
Priority bills: This year, Assm. Alvarez’s priorities for AD-80 have included 30 bills about community college, greenhouse-gas reduction, affordable housing, and water conservation and quality. Of these, nine have been chaptered into law, and the rest remain in committee. This session, he has sponsored and passed AB436 to ban local regulations that criminalize low-rider cruising, AB91 to provide in-state community college tuition to qualifying students residing in Mexico, and AB425 to expand Medi-cal coverage to include laboratory genetic and panel blood testing. He scores a CS of 68 out of 100 on Courage Score, our annual analysis of legislators’ progressive voting records. Based on our Courage Score analysis, Assm. Alvarez has supported some progressive bills that made it to a vote. However, he has voted against several critical bills across a variety of issue areas this session, including AB460 to strengthen the authority of the State Water Resources Control Board, AB1347 to eliminate paper receipts and their toxic ink, and AB958 to increase the number of weekly personal visits permitted to an incarcerated person. In addition, Assm. Alvarez is a member of the Problem Solvers Caucus, a bipartisan and bicameral group that claims that their collaborative work allows them to take a more holistic approach to evaluating legislation. In reality, the Problem Solvers Caucus actively works with problematic industries against progressive policies.
Committee leadership/membership: Assm. Alvarez currently sits on twelve committees, including Budget, Business & Professions, Emergency Management, Military and Veterans Affairs, and California-Mexico Bi-National Affairs. He serves as chair of the Joint Legislative Audit Committee.
Governance and community leadership experience: Assm. Alvarez has served in this seat since June 2022, when he won a special election with over 54% of the vote. In November 2022, he was elected to a full term in the general election with over 69% of the vote.
Prior to his election to the Assembly, Assm. Alvarez was involved in local leadership for much of his career, including his eight-year service with the San Diego City Council, and with San Diego County Regional Airport Authority, San Diego Association of Governments, and Metropolitan Transit System. During his time in local leadership in San Diego, he advocated for funding local arts programming, expanding the public parks system, and preserving a local high school in its original location. Alvarez implemented a collaborative approach in his work, which has allowed him to successfully partner with stakeholders in Washington, DC, and Mexico while supporting local projects. In 2016, he was the lone voice of dissent on the San Diego City Council against a twenty-year lease-to-own deal for a downtown building, which Alvarez believed would cost taxpayers millions of dollars more than an outright purchase of the structure. It was later revealed that his concerns were correct, and that the mayor had intentionally pushed the deal through.
Other background: Assm. Alvarez is a lifelong resident of the Barrio Logan area of San Diego.
The Race
Primary election: There are two candidates running in the March 5 primary, including incumbent Assm. David Alvarez (D), and Lincoln Pickard (R). The top two vote recipients will advance to the general election on November 5.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Assm. Alvarez’s campaign has raised $531,000 as of December 2023, and is funded by police, real estate, fossil fuel, and corporate PAC interests.
Opposing candidate: Republican Lincoln Pickard
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Pickard’s campaign has not filed any campaign finance receipts with the California Secretary of State’s office as of December 2023.
The District
Counties in district: California’s 80th Assembly District includes parts of San Diego County.
Voter registration: 47% Democrat, 21% Republican, and 26% No Party Preference. Democrats typically hold this district.
District demographics: 56% Latino, 15% Asian, and 6% Black. This district is considered to be one of the strong Latino seats in the California Assembly delegation.
Recent election results: AD-80 voted for Joe Biden for president in 2020 by 33 points and Gavin Newsom for governor in 2022 by 22 points.
The Position
State assemblymembers represent and advocate for the needs of their district constituents at the California State Capitol. They are responsible for creating, debating, and voting on legislation that addresses issues within their district.
The California State Assembly has 80 districts. Each represents a population of at least 465,000 Californians. Representatives are elected to the Assembly for a two-year term. Every two years, all 80 seats are subject to election. Members elected before 2012 are restricted to three two-year terms (six years) in the Assembly. Those elected in or after 2012 are allowed to serve 12 years total across both the state Senate or Assembly. This term, Democrats currently hold a three-quarters supermajority of 60 seats in the California State Assembly, while Republicans hold 19 seats and one seat is held by an Independent.
Re-elect Assemblymember David Alvarez to keep AD-80 on track for progress.
Assm. David Alvarez’s track record and policy positions demonstrate that he will continue to be a representative leader for the constituents of AD-80. While he has opposed some significant progressive legislation during his time in the Assembly, our analysis shows that he will govern effectively in the best interests of this diverse district if he is subjected to increased community accountability.
Progressive endorsements: Assm. Alvarez has the endorsement of some progressive groups, including Equality California, AFSCME California, and SEIU-United Healthcare Workers West. He has also received problematic endorsements in previous elections, including from Chula Vista Police Officers Association and Deputy Sheriffs Association of San Diego County.
Top issues: Community college access and affordability, clean water conservation, greenhouse-gas reduction, affordable housing, ending bans on low-rider cruising, and social services.
Priority bills: This year, Assm. Alvarez’s priorities for AD-80 have included 30 bills about community college, greenhouse-gas reduction, affordable housing, and water conservation and quality. Of these, nine have been chaptered into law, and the rest remain in committee. This session, he has sponsored and passed AB436 to ban local regulations that criminalize low-rider cruising, AB91 to provide in-state community college tuition to qualifying students residing in Mexico, and AB425 to expand Medi-cal coverage to include laboratory genetic and panel blood testing. He scores a CS of 68 out of 100 on Courage Score, our annual analysis of legislators’ progressive voting records. Based on our Courage Score analysis, Assm. Alvarez has supported some progressive bills that made it to a vote. However, he has voted against several critical bills across a variety of issue areas this session, including AB460 to strengthen the authority of the State Water Resources Control Board, AB1347 to eliminate paper receipts and their toxic ink, and AB958 to increase the number of weekly personal visits permitted to an incarcerated person. In addition, Assm. Alvarez is a member of the Problem Solvers Caucus, a bipartisan and bicameral group that claims that their collaborative work allows them to take a more holistic approach to evaluating legislation. In reality, the Problem Solvers Caucus actively works with problematic industries against progressive policies.
Committee leadership/membership: Assm. Alvarez currently sits on twelve committees, including Budget, Business & Professions, Emergency Management, Military and Veterans Affairs, and California-Mexico Bi-National Affairs. He serves as chair of the Joint Legislative Audit Committee.
Governance and community leadership experience: Assm. Alvarez has served in this seat since June 2022, when he won a special election with over 54% of the vote. In November 2022, he was elected to a full term in the general election with over 69% of the vote.
Prior to his election to the Assembly, Assm. Alvarez was involved in local leadership for much of his career, including his eight-year service with the San Diego City Council, and with San Diego County Regional Airport Authority, San Diego Association of Governments, and Metropolitan Transit System. During his time in local leadership in San Diego, he advocated for funding local arts programming, expanding the public parks system, and preserving a local high school in its original location. Alvarez implemented a collaborative approach in his work, which has allowed him to successfully partner with stakeholders in Washington, DC, and Mexico while supporting local projects. In 2016, he was the lone voice of dissent on the San Diego City Council against a twenty-year lease-to-own deal for a downtown building, which Alvarez believed would cost taxpayers millions of dollars more than an outright purchase of the structure. It was later revealed that his concerns were correct, and that the mayor had intentionally pushed the deal through.
Other background: Assm. Alvarez is a lifelong resident of the Barrio Logan area of San Diego.
The Race
Primary election: There are two candidates running in the March 5 primary, including incumbent Assm. David Alvarez (D), and Lincoln Pickard (R). The top two vote recipients will advance to the general election on November 5.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Assm. Alvarez’s campaign has raised $531,000 as of December 2023, and is funded by police, real estate, fossil fuel, and corporate PAC interests.
Opposing candidate: Republican Lincoln Pickard
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Pickard’s campaign has not filed any campaign finance receipts with the California Secretary of State’s office as of December 2023.
The District
Counties in district: California’s 80th Assembly District includes parts of San Diego County.
Voter registration: 47% Democrat, 21% Republican, and 26% No Party Preference. Democrats typically hold this district.
District demographics: 56% Latino, 15% Asian, and 6% Black. This district is considered to be one of the strong Latino seats in the California Assembly delegation.
Recent election results: AD-80 voted for Joe Biden for president in 2020 by 33 points and Gavin Newsom for governor in 2022 by 22 points.
The Position
State assemblymembers represent and advocate for the needs of their district constituents at the California State Capitol. They are responsible for creating, debating, and voting on legislation that addresses issues within their district.
The California State Assembly has 80 districts. Each represents a population of at least 465,000 Californians. Representatives are elected to the Assembly for a two-year term. Every two years, all 80 seats are subject to election. Members elected before 2012 are restricted to three two-year terms (six years) in the Assembly. Those elected in or after 2012 are allowed to serve 12 years total across both the state Senate or Assembly. This term, Democrats currently hold a three-quarters supermajority of 60 seats in the California State Assembly, while Republicans hold 19 seats and one seat is held by an Independent.
Re-elect Assemblymember David Alvarez to keep AD-80 on track for progress.
Assm. David Alvarez’s track record and policy positions demonstrate that he will continue to be a representative leader for the constituents of AD-80. While he has opposed some significant progressive legislation during his time in the Assembly, our analysis shows that he will govern effectively in the best interests of this diverse district if he is subjected to increased community accountability.
Progressive endorsements: Assm. Alvarez has the endorsement of some progressive groups, including Equality California, AFSCME California, and SEIU-United Healthcare Workers West. He has also received problematic endorsements in previous elections, including from Chula Vista Police Officers Association and Deputy Sheriffs Association of San Diego County.
Top issues: Community college access and affordability, clean water conservation, greenhouse-gas reduction, affordable housing, ending bans on low-rider cruising, and social services.
Priority bills: This year, Assm. Alvarez’s priorities for AD-80 have included 30 bills about community college, greenhouse-gas reduction, affordable housing, and water conservation and quality. Of these, nine have been chaptered into law, and the rest remain in committee. This session, he has sponsored and passed AB436 to ban local regulations that criminalize low-rider cruising, AB91 to provide in-state community college tuition to qualifying students residing in Mexico, and AB425 to expand Medi-cal coverage to include laboratory genetic and panel blood testing. He scores a CS of 68 out of 100 on Courage Score, our annual analysis of legislators’ progressive voting records. Based on our Courage Score analysis, Assm. Alvarez has supported some progressive bills that made it to a vote. However, he has voted against several critical bills across a variety of issue areas this session, including AB460 to strengthen the authority of the State Water Resources Control Board, AB1347 to eliminate paper receipts and their toxic ink, and AB958 to increase the number of weekly personal visits permitted to an incarcerated person. In addition, Assm. Alvarez is a member of the Problem Solvers Caucus, a bipartisan and bicameral group that claims that their collaborative work allows them to take a more holistic approach to evaluating legislation. In reality, the Problem Solvers Caucus actively works with problematic industries against progressive policies.
Committee leadership/membership: Assm. Alvarez currently sits on twelve committees, including Budget, Business & Professions, Emergency Management, Military and Veterans Affairs, and California-Mexico Bi-National Affairs. He serves as chair of the Joint Legislative Audit Committee.
Governance and community leadership experience: Assm. Alvarez has served in this seat since June 2022, when he won a special election with over 54% of the vote. In November 2022, he was elected to a full term in the general election with over 69% of the vote.
Prior to his election to the Assembly, Assm. Alvarez was involved in local leadership for much of his career, including his eight-year service with the San Diego City Council, and with San Diego County Regional Airport Authority, San Diego Association of Governments, and Metropolitan Transit System. During his time in local leadership in San Diego, he advocated for funding local arts programming, expanding the public parks system, and preserving a local high school in its original location. Alvarez implemented a collaborative approach in his work, which has allowed him to successfully partner with stakeholders in Washington, DC, and Mexico while supporting local projects. In 2016, he was the lone voice of dissent on the San Diego City Council against a twenty-year lease-to-own deal for a downtown building, which Alvarez believed would cost taxpayers millions of dollars more than an outright purchase of the structure. It was later revealed that his concerns were correct, and that the mayor had intentionally pushed the deal through.
Other background: Assm. Alvarez is a lifelong resident of the Barrio Logan area of San Diego.
The Race
Primary election: There are two candidates running in the March 5 primary, including incumbent Assm. David Alvarez (D), and Lincoln Pickard (R). The top two vote recipients will advance to the general election on November 5.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Assm. Alvarez’s campaign has raised $531,000 as of December 2023, and is funded by police, real estate, fossil fuel, and corporate PAC interests.
Opposing candidate: Republican Lincoln Pickard
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Pickard’s campaign has not filed any campaign finance receipts with the California Secretary of State’s office as of December 2023.
The District
Counties in district: California’s 80th Assembly District includes parts of San Diego County.
Voter registration: 47% Democrat, 21% Republican, and 26% No Party Preference. Democrats typically hold this district.
District demographics: 56% Latino, 15% Asian, and 6% Black. This district is considered to be one of the strong Latino seats in the California Assembly delegation.
Recent election results: AD-80 voted for Joe Biden for president in 2020 by 33 points and Gavin Newsom for governor in 2022 by 22 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, 39th District
Depending on where you live, you may have one of the below State Senate races on your ballot.
Elect Dr. Akilah Weber for state Senate to put SD-39 on the right track for progress.
Assemblymember Akilah Weber’s track record and policy positions demonstrate that she will be a progressive voice for the constituents of SD-39 and will govern effectively in the best interests of this diverse district.
Progressive endorsements: Assm. Weber has the endorsement of many progressive groups, including California Legislative Black Caucus, National Union of Healthcare Workers, Equality California, and Planned Parenthood Action Fund of the Pacific Southwest. She has also received the endorsement of many elected leaders, including State Sen. Toni Atkins, San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria, State Sen. Scott Wiener, and Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis.
Electoral History: Assm. Weber has served in the State Assembly since April 2021, when she won a special election for the AD-79 seat with over 52% of the vote. She earned a full term in 2022 when she won her re-election against a Republican challenger by 28 points. She currently serves as secretary of the California Legislative Black Caucus.
Top issues: Public health, education, reproductive justice, economic recovery, environment, and justice and civil rights.
Priority bills: This year, Assm. Weber’s priorities for her current district, AD-79, have included 32 bills about maternal and infant health, health-care access, sexual-violence prevention, and criminal justice reform. Of these, 14 have been chaptered into law, 5 have been vetoed, and the rest remain in committee. She has sponsored and passed legislation to improve perinatal equity in health care, adjust insurance coverage requirements, update special-education standards, and improve sexual-assault response requirements at public education institutions. She scores a CS of 86 out of 100 on Courage Score, our annual analysis of legislators’ progressive voting records. Based on our Courage Score analysis, Dr. Weber has supported the most progressive bills that made it to a vote. That said, she failed to cast a vote on bills intended to amend charter-school grant-reporting requirements, guarantee 5 days of annual sick leave to most workers in the state, and require corporations with revenues over $1 billion to publicly disclose their annual emissions.
Governance and community leadership experience: Prior to her election to the State Assembly, Dr. Weber worked as an ob/gyn, a medical director, a professor of medicine, and a city councilmember in La Mesa. Assm. Weber is a longtime supporter of comprehensive reproductive health care. She founded the Pediatric & Adolescent Gynecology Division at Rady’s Children Hospital to ensure that young people have access to reproductive health, and now acts as its director. Assm. Weber is also a proponent of criminal legal reform. While serving on the La Mesa City Council, she helped establish a Community Police Oversight Board, and has introduced Assembly bills that improve treatment for arrested and incarcerated individuals with mental-health needs.
Other background: Assm. Weber is from San Diego. She is the daughter of California Secretary of State Dr. Shirley Weber.
The Race
Primary election: Assm. Akilah Weber (D) is the only candidate running for this seat.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Dr. Weber’s campaign has raised $227,000 as of December 2023, and is not funded by police.
The District
Counties in district: California’s 39th State Senate District includes parts of San Diego County.
Voter registration: 46% Democrat, 22% Republican, and 24% No Party Preference. Democrats typically hold this district.
District demographics: 23% Latino, 11% Asian, and 10% Black.
Recent election results: SD-39 voted for Joe Biden for president in 2020 by 33 points and Gavin Newsom for governor in 2022 by 24 points.
The Position
State senators represent and advocate for the needs of their district constituents at the California State Capitol. They are responsible for creating, debating, and voting on legislation that addresses issues within their district.
The California State Senate has 40 districts. Each represents a population of about 930,000 Californians. Representatives are elected to the Senate for a four-year term. Every two years, half of the Senate's 40 seats are subject to election. Members elected before 2012 are restricted to two four-year terms (eight years) in the Senate. Those elected in or after 2012 are allowed to serve 12 years total across both the state Senate or Assembly. This term, Democrats currently hold a two-thirds supermajority of 31 seats in the California State Senate, while Republicans hold 9 seats.
Elect Dr. Akilah Weber for state Senate to put SD-39 on the right track for progress.
Assemblymember Akilah Weber’s track record and policy positions demonstrate that she will be a progressive voice for the constituents of SD-39 and will govern effectively in the best interests of this diverse district.
Progressive endorsements: Assm. Weber has the endorsement of many progressive groups, including California Legislative Black Caucus, National Union of Healthcare Workers, Equality California, and Planned Parenthood Action Fund of the Pacific Southwest. She has also received the endorsement of many elected leaders, including State Sen. Toni Atkins, San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria, State Sen. Scott Wiener, and Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis.
Electoral History: Assm. Weber has served in the State Assembly since April 2021, when she won a special election for the AD-79 seat with over 52% of the vote. She earned a full term in 2022 when she won her re-election against a Republican challenger by 28 points. She currently serves as secretary of the California Legislative Black Caucus.
Top issues: Public health, education, reproductive justice, economic recovery, environment, and justice and civil rights.
Priority bills: This year, Assm. Weber’s priorities for her current district, AD-79, have included 32 bills about maternal and infant health, health-care access, sexual-violence prevention, and criminal justice reform. Of these, 14 have been chaptered into law, 5 have been vetoed, and the rest remain in committee. She has sponsored and passed legislation to improve perinatal equity in health care, adjust insurance coverage requirements, update special-education standards, and improve sexual-assault response requirements at public education institutions. She scores a CS of 86 out of 100 on Courage Score, our annual analysis of legislators’ progressive voting records. Based on our Courage Score analysis, Dr. Weber has supported the most progressive bills that made it to a vote. That said, she failed to cast a vote on bills intended to amend charter-school grant-reporting requirements, guarantee 5 days of annual sick leave to most workers in the state, and require corporations with revenues over $1 billion to publicly disclose their annual emissions.
Governance and community leadership experience: Prior to her election to the State Assembly, Dr. Weber worked as an ob/gyn, a medical director, a professor of medicine, and a city councilmember in La Mesa. Assm. Weber is a longtime supporter of comprehensive reproductive health care. She founded the Pediatric & Adolescent Gynecology Division at Rady’s Children Hospital to ensure that young people have access to reproductive health, and now acts as its director. Assm. Weber is also a proponent of criminal legal reform. While serving on the La Mesa City Council, she helped establish a Community Police Oversight Board, and has introduced Assembly bills that improve treatment for arrested and incarcerated individuals with mental-health needs.
Other background: Assm. Weber is from San Diego. She is the daughter of California Secretary of State Dr. Shirley Weber.
The Race
Primary election: Assm. Akilah Weber (D) is the only candidate running for this seat.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Dr. Weber’s campaign has raised $227,000 as of December 2023, and is not funded by police.
The District
Counties in district: California’s 39th State Senate District includes parts of San Diego County.
Voter registration: 46% Democrat, 22% Republican, and 24% No Party Preference. Democrats typically hold this district.
District demographics: 23% Latino, 11% Asian, and 10% Black.
Recent election results: SD-39 voted for Joe Biden for president in 2020 by 33 points and Gavin Newsom for governor in 2022 by 24 points.
The Position
State senators represent and advocate for the needs of their district constituents at the California State Capitol. They are responsible for creating, debating, and voting on legislation that addresses issues within their district.
The California State Senate has 40 districts. Each represents a population of about 930,000 Californians. Representatives are elected to the Senate for a four-year term. Every two years, half of the Senate's 40 seats are subject to election. Members elected before 2012 are restricted to two four-year terms (eight years) in the Senate. Those elected in or after 2012 are allowed to serve 12 years total across both the state Senate or Assembly. This term, Democrats currently hold a two-thirds supermajority of 31 seats in the California State Senate, while Republicans hold 9 seats.
Elect Dr. Akilah Weber for state Senate to put SD-39 on the right track for progress.
Assemblymember Akilah Weber’s track record and policy positions demonstrate that she will be a progressive voice for the constituents of SD-39 and will govern effectively in the best interests of this diverse district.
Progressive endorsements: Assm. Weber has the endorsement of many progressive groups, including California Legislative Black Caucus, National Union of Healthcare Workers, Equality California, and Planned Parenthood Action Fund of the Pacific Southwest. She has also received the endorsement of many elected leaders, including State Sen. Toni Atkins, San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria, State Sen. Scott Wiener, and Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis.
Electoral History: Assm. Weber has served in the State Assembly since April 2021, when she won a special election for the AD-79 seat with over 52% of the vote. She earned a full term in 2022 when she won her re-election against a Republican challenger by 28 points. She currently serves as secretary of the California Legislative Black Caucus.
Top issues: Public health, education, reproductive justice, economic recovery, environment, and justice and civil rights.
Priority bills: This year, Assm. Weber’s priorities for her current district, AD-79, have included 32 bills about maternal and infant health, health-care access, sexual-violence prevention, and criminal justice reform. Of these, 14 have been chaptered into law, 5 have been vetoed, and the rest remain in committee. She has sponsored and passed legislation to improve perinatal equity in health care, adjust insurance coverage requirements, update special-education standards, and improve sexual-assault response requirements at public education institutions. She scores a CS of 86 out of 100 on Courage Score, our annual analysis of legislators’ progressive voting records. Based on our Courage Score analysis, Dr. Weber has supported the most progressive bills that made it to a vote. That said, she failed to cast a vote on bills intended to amend charter-school grant-reporting requirements, guarantee 5 days of annual sick leave to most workers in the state, and require corporations with revenues over $1 billion to publicly disclose their annual emissions.
Governance and community leadership experience: Prior to her election to the State Assembly, Dr. Weber worked as an ob/gyn, a medical director, a professor of medicine, and a city councilmember in La Mesa. Assm. Weber is a longtime supporter of comprehensive reproductive health care. She founded the Pediatric & Adolescent Gynecology Division at Rady’s Children Hospital to ensure that young people have access to reproductive health, and now acts as its director. Assm. Weber is also a proponent of criminal legal reform. While serving on the La Mesa City Council, she helped establish a Community Police Oversight Board, and has introduced Assembly bills that improve treatment for arrested and incarcerated individuals with mental-health needs.
Other background: Assm. Weber is from San Diego. She is the daughter of California Secretary of State Dr. Shirley Weber.
The Race
Primary election: Assm. Akilah Weber (D) is the only candidate running for this seat.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Dr. Weber’s campaign has raised $227,000 as of December 2023, and is not funded by police.
The District
Counties in district: California’s 39th State Senate District includes parts of San Diego County.
Voter registration: 46% Democrat, 22% Republican, and 24% No Party Preference. Democrats typically hold this district.
District demographics: 23% Latino, 11% Asian, and 10% Black.
Recent election results: SD-39 voted for Joe Biden for president in 2020 by 33 points and Gavin Newsom for governor in 2022 by 24 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.
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.
City of San Diego
Depending on where you live, you may have the below city races on your ballot.
Elect Geneviéve Jones-Wright to put San Diego on the right track for progress.
Genevieve Jones-Wright’s policy positions demonstrate that she will be a progressive voice for the constituents of San Diego and will govern effectively in the best interests of this diverse city.
Progressive endorsements: In a previous race for San Diego County District Attorney, Jones-Wright received significant endorsements from then Senator Kamala Harris, Gov. Gavin Newsom, former Assm. Lorena Gonzalez-Fletcher, and San Diego Democratic Party.
Electoral history: Jones-Wright ran for San Diego County District Attorney in 2018, but lost to current DA Summer Stephan by 26 points.
Top issues: Housing and homelessness, access to homeownership, neighborhood investment, and government accountability and transparency.
Governance and community leadership experience: Jones-Wright is an attorney and educator, which she does to develop a more just and inclusive community. She spent over ten years working as a public defender, where she developed a strong understanding of the limitations to systemic change in criminal justice. In an effort to address these inadequacies, she transitioned to a role as executive director of Community Advocates for Just and Moral Governance to work toward building coalitions for more accountability in government and more equity for citizens. Jones-Wright is a legal consultant and speaker, and founded Motivation in Action to provide guidance to corporate leaders on effective DEI practices.
Other background: Jones-Wright is from San Diego. She received her law degree from Howard University, and her master of laws from California Western School of Law.
The Race
Primary election: There are five candidates running in the nonpartisan March 5 primary, including Geneviéve Jones-Wright, incumbent Mayor Todd Gloria, Jane Glasson, Dan Smiechowski, and Larry Turner. The top two vote recipients will advance to the general election on November 5, unless one candidate receives more than 50% of the vote and wins outright in the primary.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Jones-Wright’s campaign has raised $4,300 as of December 2023, and is not funded by police, fossil fuel, corporate PAC, or real estate interests.
Opposing candidate: Mayor Todd Gloria
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Mayor Gloria’s campaign has raised $500,000 as of December 2023, and is not funded by police, fossil fuel, corporate PAC, or real estate interests. Mayor Gloria has been criticized for his problematic stances on several issues, including his encampment ban that would over-police unhoused people and his lack of stronger measures to address climate change.
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: The other challengers in this race have not filed any campaign fundraising receipts with the city as of December 2023.
The District
City: San Diego is San Diego County’s most populous city. San Diego’s mayor and city council oversee the needs of 1.3 million people and manage an estimated operating budget of $5.1 billion annually.
District demographics: As of the 2020 Census, San Diego had a demographic breakdown of 30% Latino, 17% Asian, and 6% Black.
Recent election results: San Diego County, which includes San Diego, voted for Joe Biden for president in 2020 by 22 points and for Gavin Newsom for governor in 2022 by 12 points.
The Position
San Diego uses a mayor-city-council government structure, in which the mayor is elected at large and acts as chair of the 9-member city council and as the city’s chief executive officer. The city council is responsible for establishing policy, passing local laws (called ordinances), voting on budget appropriations, and developing an overall vision for the city. The mayor of San Diego has veto and emergency powers and is responsible for managing many departments and agencies. They also carry out ordinances, ensure coordination among different branches of city government, and submit the city’s annual budget proposal. In San Diego, a mayor is elected to a 4-year term, with a limit of two consecutive terms.
Elect Geneviéve Jones-Wright to put San Diego on the right track for progress.
Genevieve Jones-Wright’s policy positions demonstrate that she will be a progressive voice for the constituents of San Diego and will govern effectively in the best interests of this diverse city.
Progressive endorsements: In a previous race for San Diego County District Attorney, Jones-Wright received significant endorsements from then Senator Kamala Harris, Gov. Gavin Newsom, former Assm. Lorena Gonzalez-Fletcher, and San Diego Democratic Party.
Electoral history: Jones-Wright ran for San Diego County District Attorney in 2018, but lost to current DA Summer Stephan by 26 points.
Top issues: Housing and homelessness, access to homeownership, neighborhood investment, and government accountability and transparency.
Governance and community leadership experience: Jones-Wright is an attorney and educator, which she does to develop a more just and inclusive community. She spent over ten years working as a public defender, where she developed a strong understanding of the limitations to systemic change in criminal justice. In an effort to address these inadequacies, she transitioned to a role as executive director of Community Advocates for Just and Moral Governance to work toward building coalitions for more accountability in government and more equity for citizens. Jones-Wright is a legal consultant and speaker, and founded Motivation in Action to provide guidance to corporate leaders on effective DEI practices.
Other background: Jones-Wright is from San Diego. She received her law degree from Howard University, and her master of laws from California Western School of Law.
The Race
Primary election: There are five candidates running in the nonpartisan March 5 primary, including Geneviéve Jones-Wright, incumbent Mayor Todd Gloria, Jane Glasson, Dan Smiechowski, and Larry Turner. The top two vote recipients will advance to the general election on November 5, unless one candidate receives more than 50% of the vote and wins outright in the primary.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Jones-Wright’s campaign has raised $4,300 as of December 2023, and is not funded by police, fossil fuel, corporate PAC, or real estate interests.
Opposing candidate: Mayor Todd Gloria
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Mayor Gloria’s campaign has raised $500,000 as of December 2023, and is not funded by police, fossil fuel, corporate PAC, or real estate interests. Mayor Gloria has been criticized for his problematic stances on several issues, including his encampment ban that would over-police unhoused people and his lack of stronger measures to address climate change.
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: The other challengers in this race have not filed any campaign fundraising receipts with the city as of December 2023.
The District
City: San Diego is San Diego County’s most populous city. San Diego’s mayor and city council oversee the needs of 1.3 million people and manage an estimated operating budget of $5.1 billion annually.
District demographics: As of the 2020 Census, San Diego had a demographic breakdown of 30% Latino, 17% Asian, and 6% Black.
Recent election results: San Diego County, which includes San Diego, voted for Joe Biden for president in 2020 by 22 points and for Gavin Newsom for governor in 2022 by 12 points.
The Position
San Diego uses a mayor-city-council government structure, in which the mayor is elected at large and acts as chair of the 9-member city council and as the city’s chief executive officer. The city council is responsible for establishing policy, passing local laws (called ordinances), voting on budget appropriations, and developing an overall vision for the city. The mayor of San Diego has veto and emergency powers and is responsible for managing many departments and agencies. They also carry out ordinances, ensure coordination among different branches of city government, and submit the city’s annual budget proposal. In San Diego, a mayor is elected to a 4-year term, with a limit of two consecutive terms.
Elect Geneviéve Jones-Wright to put San Diego on the right track for progress.
Genevieve Jones-Wright’s policy positions demonstrate that she will be a progressive voice for the constituents of San Diego and will govern effectively in the best interests of this diverse city.
Progressive endorsements: In a previous race for San Diego County District Attorney, Jones-Wright received significant endorsements from then Senator Kamala Harris, Gov. Gavin Newsom, former Assm. Lorena Gonzalez-Fletcher, and San Diego Democratic Party.
Electoral history: Jones-Wright ran for San Diego County District Attorney in 2018, but lost to current DA Summer Stephan by 26 points.
Top issues: Housing and homelessness, access to homeownership, neighborhood investment, and government accountability and transparency.
Governance and community leadership experience: Jones-Wright is an attorney and educator, which she does to develop a more just and inclusive community. She spent over ten years working as a public defender, where she developed a strong understanding of the limitations to systemic change in criminal justice. In an effort to address these inadequacies, she transitioned to a role as executive director of Community Advocates for Just and Moral Governance to work toward building coalitions for more accountability in government and more equity for citizens. Jones-Wright is a legal consultant and speaker, and founded Motivation in Action to provide guidance to corporate leaders on effective DEI practices.
Other background: Jones-Wright is from San Diego. She received her law degree from Howard University, and her master of laws from California Western School of Law.
The Race
Primary election: There are five candidates running in the nonpartisan March 5 primary, including Geneviéve Jones-Wright, incumbent Mayor Todd Gloria, Jane Glasson, Dan Smiechowski, and Larry Turner. The top two vote recipients will advance to the general election on November 5, unless one candidate receives more than 50% of the vote and wins outright in the primary.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Jones-Wright’s campaign has raised $4,300 as of December 2023, and is not funded by police, fossil fuel, corporate PAC, or real estate interests.
Opposing candidate: Mayor Todd Gloria
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Mayor Gloria’s campaign has raised $500,000 as of December 2023, and is not funded by police, fossil fuel, corporate PAC, or real estate interests. Mayor Gloria has been criticized for his problematic stances on several issues, including his encampment ban that would over-police unhoused people and his lack of stronger measures to address climate change.
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: The other challengers in this race have not filed any campaign fundraising receipts with the city as of December 2023.
The District
City: San Diego is San Diego County’s most populous city. San Diego’s mayor and city council oversee the needs of 1.3 million people and manage an estimated operating budget of $5.1 billion annually.
District demographics: As of the 2020 Census, San Diego had a demographic breakdown of 30% Latino, 17% Asian, and 6% Black.
Recent election results: San Diego County, which includes San Diego, voted for Joe Biden for president in 2020 by 22 points and for Gavin Newsom for governor in 2022 by 12 points.
The Position
San Diego uses a mayor-city-council government structure, in which the mayor is elected at large and acts as chair of the 9-member city council and as the city’s chief executive officer. The city council is responsible for establishing policy, passing local laws (called ordinances), voting on budget appropriations, and developing an overall vision for the city. The mayor of San Diego has veto and emergency powers and is responsible for managing many departments and agencies. They also carry out ordinances, ensure coordination among different branches of city government, and submit the city’s annual budget proposal. In San Diego, a mayor is elected to a 4-year term, with a limit of two consecutive terms.
City of San Diego, District 9
Depending on where you live, you may have the below city district races on your ballot.
Re-elect Councilmember Sean Elo-Rivera to keep San Diego on the right track for progress.
Councilmember Sean Elo-Rivera’s track record and policy positions demonstrate that he will continue to be a progressive voice for the constituents of City Council District 9 and will govern effectively in the best interests of this diverse district.
Progressive endorsements: Councilmember Elo-Rivera has the endorsement of California Working Families Party in this race.
Top issues: Renter protections, homelessness and housing, infrastructure and public works, and taxation.
Key initiatives: Since joining the City Council, Councilmember Elo-Rivera has provided leadership in securing stronger renter protections, minimizing displacement for unhoused San Diegans, and holding SeaWorld accountable for unpaid rent and fees to the city. He was also an advocate for the successful effort to remove a 100-year-old ordinance that provided free trash pickup to some city residents at the expense of taxpayers. In December 2021, he was elected by the City Council to serve a term as president of the body, and has been re-elected to the position twice since.
Governance and community leadership experience: Councilmember Elo-Rivera has served in this seat since 2020, when he was elected with over 62% of the vote. Prior to joining the City Council, he was elected to the San Diego Community College Board in 2018 with over 51% of the vote.
Prior to his election to the City Council, Councilmember Elo-Rivera completed law school at Cal Western, where he was exposed to community service opportunities that shifted his professional trajectory. Through his engagement with the Law School’s student government, the campus Amnesty International student group, and providing law clinics to high school students through the City Heights Community Law Project, Councilmember Elo-Rivera began to understand some of the daily challenges that San Diego residents were experiencing. Rather than pursue change through individual legal cases, he decided to move toward a career in local politics. Before winning his seat on the San Diego Community College Board, he volunteered for a successful congressional campaign, and worked in community engagement for the non-profit Mid-City CAN.
Other background: Councilmember Elo-Rivera has lived in San Diego for over ten years. He is the grandson of Syrian, Ukrainian, and Central American immigrants, and was a first-generation college student.
The Race
Primary election: There are three candidates running in the nonpartisan March 5 primary, including incumbent Councilmember Sean Elo-Rivera, Fernando Garcia, and Terry Hoskins. The top two vote recipients will advance to the general election on November 5.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Councilmember Elo-Rivera’s campaign has raised $38,000 as of December 2023, and is not funded by police, real estate, fossil fuel, or corporate PAC interests.
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: The challengers in this race have not filed any campaign fundraising receipts with the city as of December 2023.
The District
City: San Diego is San Diego County’s most populous city. San Diego’s City Council District 9 includes the communities of Alvarado Estates, City Heights, College Area, College View Estates, El Cerrito, Kensington, Mission Valley East, Mountain View, Mt. Hope, Normal Heights, Redwood Village, Rolando Park, Rolando Village, Stockton, and Talmadge.
Governance structure: San Diego City Council oversees the needs of 1.3 million people and manages an estimated operating budget of $5.1 billion annually. San Diego is managed by a mayor-council-structured government.
The Position
Incorporated cities in California are generally governed by a five-person city council, although San Diego maintains a nine-person council. A city council is responsible for establishing policy, passing local laws (called ordinances), voting on budget appropriations, and developing an overall vision for the city. City council members in San Diego are limited to two terms, or 8 years in office total.
Re-elect Councilmember Sean Elo-Rivera to keep San Diego on the right track for progress.
Councilmember Sean Elo-Rivera’s track record and policy positions demonstrate that he will continue to be a progressive voice for the constituents of City Council District 9 and will govern effectively in the best interests of this diverse district.
Progressive endorsements: Councilmember Elo-Rivera has the endorsement of California Working Families Party in this race.
Top issues: Renter protections, homelessness and housing, infrastructure and public works, and taxation.
Key initiatives: Since joining the City Council, Councilmember Elo-Rivera has provided leadership in securing stronger renter protections, minimizing displacement for unhoused San Diegans, and holding SeaWorld accountable for unpaid rent and fees to the city. He was also an advocate for the successful effort to remove a 100-year-old ordinance that provided free trash pickup to some city residents at the expense of taxpayers. In December 2021, he was elected by the City Council to serve a term as president of the body, and has been re-elected to the position twice since.
Governance and community leadership experience: Councilmember Elo-Rivera has served in this seat since 2020, when he was elected with over 62% of the vote. Prior to joining the City Council, he was elected to the San Diego Community College Board in 2018 with over 51% of the vote.
Prior to his election to the City Council, Councilmember Elo-Rivera completed law school at Cal Western, where he was exposed to community service opportunities that shifted his professional trajectory. Through his engagement with the Law School’s student government, the campus Amnesty International student group, and providing law clinics to high school students through the City Heights Community Law Project, Councilmember Elo-Rivera began to understand some of the daily challenges that San Diego residents were experiencing. Rather than pursue change through individual legal cases, he decided to move toward a career in local politics. Before winning his seat on the San Diego Community College Board, he volunteered for a successful congressional campaign, and worked in community engagement for the non-profit Mid-City CAN.
Other background: Councilmember Elo-Rivera has lived in San Diego for over ten years. He is the grandson of Syrian, Ukrainian, and Central American immigrants, and was a first-generation college student.
The Race
Primary election: There are three candidates running in the nonpartisan March 5 primary, including incumbent Councilmember Sean Elo-Rivera, Fernando Garcia, and Terry Hoskins. The top two vote recipients will advance to the general election on November 5.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Councilmember Elo-Rivera’s campaign has raised $38,000 as of December 2023, and is not funded by police, real estate, fossil fuel, or corporate PAC interests.
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: The challengers in this race have not filed any campaign fundraising receipts with the city as of December 2023.
The District
City: San Diego is San Diego County’s most populous city. San Diego’s City Council District 9 includes the communities of Alvarado Estates, City Heights, College Area, College View Estates, El Cerrito, Kensington, Mission Valley East, Mountain View, Mt. Hope, Normal Heights, Redwood Village, Rolando Park, Rolando Village, Stockton, and Talmadge.
Governance structure: San Diego City Council oversees the needs of 1.3 million people and manages an estimated operating budget of $5.1 billion annually. San Diego is managed by a mayor-council-structured government.
The Position
Incorporated cities in California are generally governed by a five-person city council, although San Diego maintains a nine-person council. A city council is responsible for establishing policy, passing local laws (called ordinances), voting on budget appropriations, and developing an overall vision for the city. City council members in San Diego are limited to two terms, or 8 years in office total.
Re-elect Councilmember Sean Elo-Rivera to keep San Diego on the right track for progress.
Councilmember Sean Elo-Rivera’s track record and policy positions demonstrate that he will continue to be a progressive voice for the constituents of City Council District 9 and will govern effectively in the best interests of this diverse district.
Progressive endorsements: Councilmember Elo-Rivera has the endorsement of California Working Families Party in this race.
Top issues: Renter protections, homelessness and housing, infrastructure and public works, and taxation.
Key initiatives: Since joining the City Council, Councilmember Elo-Rivera has provided leadership in securing stronger renter protections, minimizing displacement for unhoused San Diegans, and holding SeaWorld accountable for unpaid rent and fees to the city. He was also an advocate for the successful effort to remove a 100-year-old ordinance that provided free trash pickup to some city residents at the expense of taxpayers. In December 2021, he was elected by the City Council to serve a term as president of the body, and has been re-elected to the position twice since.
Governance and community leadership experience: Councilmember Elo-Rivera has served in this seat since 2020, when he was elected with over 62% of the vote. Prior to joining the City Council, he was elected to the San Diego Community College Board in 2018 with over 51% of the vote.
Prior to his election to the City Council, Councilmember Elo-Rivera completed law school at Cal Western, where he was exposed to community service opportunities that shifted his professional trajectory. Through his engagement with the Law School’s student government, the campus Amnesty International student group, and providing law clinics to high school students through the City Heights Community Law Project, Councilmember Elo-Rivera began to understand some of the daily challenges that San Diego residents were experiencing. Rather than pursue change through individual legal cases, he decided to move toward a career in local politics. Before winning his seat on the San Diego Community College Board, he volunteered for a successful congressional campaign, and worked in community engagement for the non-profit Mid-City CAN.
Other background: Councilmember Elo-Rivera has lived in San Diego for over ten years. He is the grandson of Syrian, Ukrainian, and Central American immigrants, and was a first-generation college student.
The Race
Primary election: There are three candidates running in the nonpartisan March 5 primary, including incumbent Councilmember Sean Elo-Rivera, Fernando Garcia, and Terry Hoskins. The top two vote recipients will advance to the general election on November 5.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Councilmember Elo-Rivera’s campaign has raised $38,000 as of December 2023, and is not funded by police, real estate, fossil fuel, or corporate PAC interests.
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: The challengers in this race have not filed any campaign fundraising receipts with the city as of December 2023.
The District
City: San Diego is San Diego County’s most populous city. San Diego’s City Council District 9 includes the communities of Alvarado Estates, City Heights, College Area, College View Estates, El Cerrito, Kensington, Mission Valley East, Mountain View, Mt. Hope, Normal Heights, Redwood Village, Rolando Park, Rolando Village, Stockton, and Talmadge.
Governance structure: San Diego City Council oversees the needs of 1.3 million people and manages an estimated operating budget of $5.1 billion annually. San Diego is managed by a mayor-council-structured government.
The Position
Incorporated cities in California are generally governed by a five-person city council, although San Diego maintains a nine-person council. A city council is responsible for establishing policy, passing local laws (called ordinances), voting on budget appropriations, and developing an overall vision for the city. City council members in San Diego are limited to two terms, or 8 years in office total.