Jackie Elward (listed in Progressive Voters Guide)

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.

U.S. Senator

No Recommendation

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.

4th Congressional District

Member of the House of Representatives

Democrat

Mike Thompson

Website Endorsements

Re-elect Congressional Representative Mike Thompson to keep CD-4 on the right track for progress.

Rep. Mike Thompson’s track record and policy positions demonstrate that he will continue to be a representative voice for the constituents of CD-4 and will govern effectively in the best interests of this diverse district.

Progressive endorsements: Rep. Thompson has the endorsement of some progressive groups, including Equality California.

Top issues: Health care, mental health, awareness, climate disaster and wildfires, and agriculture.

Priority bills: This year, Rep. Thompson’s priorities for CD-4 have included 8 bills about research and support to sustain local agriculture in the face of natural disaster; promoting access to health-care services, including mental health and telehealth; and raising awareness about issues like hearing loss, youth health, and Women’s History Month. All currently remain in committee.

Member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus?: No.

Committee leadership/membership: Rep. Thompson currently sits on 1 committee, the House Ways and Means Committee. He also chairs the Gun Violence Prevention Task Force and founded several caucuses relevant to the environmental and economic interests of the 4th District, including the Congressional Wine Caucus and Invasive Species Caucus.

Governance and community leadership experience: Rep. Thompson has served in this congressional seat since 1999, when he was elected with over 65% of the vote. In 2022, he won his re-election against a Republican challenger by 36 points.

Prior to his election to Congress, Rep. Thompson served as an aide to then State Assemblymember Jackie Speier. He went on to win election to the California State Senate in 1990. He is a longtime supporter of gun safety and veterans’ rights, and has a moderate approach to fiscal spending.

Other background: Rep. Thompson, the first Vietnam veteran elected to the California State Senate, is from St. Helena, CA. Prior to serving in Congress, Rep. Thompson represented California’s 2nd Senate District, where he chaired the Budget Committee.

The Race

Primary election: There are 2 candidates running in the March 5 primary, including incumbent Rep. Thompson (D) and challenger Andrew Engdahl (D). The top two vote recipients will advance to the general election on November 5.

Candidate fundraising and pledges: Rep. Thompson’s campaign has raised $792,177 and is not funded by police money. He has accepted donations from corporate PACs, including more than $100,000 from the financial services industry. He has also received nearly $20,000 from the real estate sector, and nearly $40,000 from the fossil fuel industry.

Opposing candidate: Democrat Andrew Engdahl
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Engdahl’s campaign has raised less than $100 for the current election cycle.

The District

Counties in district: California’s 4th Congressional District includes all of Napa and Lake Counties, and parts of Solano, Sonoma, and Yolo Counties.

Voter registration: 28% Democrat, 22% Republican, and 21% No Party Preference. Democrats typically hold this district.

District demographics: 20% Latino, 8% Asian, and 3% Black.

Recent election results: CD-4 voted for Joe Biden for president in 2020 by 37 points and Gavin Newsom for governor in 2022 by 27 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 Mike Thompson to keep CD-4 on the right track for progress.

Rep. Mike Thompson’s track record and policy positions demonstrate that he will continue to be a representative voice for the constituents of CD-4 and will govern effectively in the best interests of this diverse district.

Progressive endorsements: Rep. Thompson has the endorsement of some progressive groups, including Equality California.

Top issues: Health care, mental health, awareness, climate disaster and wildfires, and agriculture.

Priority bills: This year, Rep. Thompson’s priorities for CD-4 have included 8 bills about research and support to sustain local agriculture in the face of natural disaster; promoting access to health-care services, including mental health and telehealth; and raising awareness about issues like hearing loss, youth health, and Women’s History Month. All currently remain in committee.

Member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus?: No.

Committee leadership/membership: Rep. Thompson currently sits on 1 committee, the House Ways and Means Committee. He also chairs the Gun Violence Prevention Task Force and founded several caucuses relevant to the environmental and economic interests of the 4th District, including the Congressional Wine Caucus and Invasive Species Caucus.

Governance and community leadership experience: Rep. Thompson has served in this congressional seat since 1999, when he was elected with over 65% of the vote. In 2022, he won his re-election against a Republican challenger by 36 points.

Prior to his election to Congress, Rep. Thompson served as an aide to then State Assemblymember Jackie Speier. He went on to win election to the California State Senate in 1990. He is a longtime supporter of gun safety and veterans’ rights, and has a moderate approach to fiscal spending.

Other background: Rep. Thompson, the first Vietnam veteran elected to the California State Senate, is from St. Helena, CA. Prior to serving in Congress, Rep. Thompson represented California’s 2nd Senate District, where he chaired the Budget Committee.

The Race

Primary election: There are 2 candidates running in the March 5 primary, including incumbent Rep. Thompson (D) and challenger Andrew Engdahl (D). The top two vote recipients will advance to the general election on November 5.

Candidate fundraising and pledges: Rep. Thompson’s campaign has raised $792,177 and is not funded by police money. He has accepted donations from corporate PACs, including more than $100,000 from the financial services industry. He has also received nearly $20,000 from the real estate sector, and nearly $40,000 from the fossil fuel industry.

Opposing candidate: Democrat Andrew Engdahl
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Engdahl’s campaign has raised less than $100 for the current election cycle.

The District

Counties in district: California’s 4th Congressional District includes all of Napa and Lake Counties, and parts of Solano, Sonoma, and Yolo Counties.

Voter registration: 28% Democrat, 22% Republican, and 21% No Party Preference. Democrats typically hold this district.

District demographics: 20% Latino, 8% Asian, and 3% Black.

Recent election results: CD-4 voted for Joe Biden for president in 2020 by 37 points and Gavin Newsom for governor in 2022 by 27 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 Mike Thompson to keep CD-4 on the right track for progress.

Rep. Mike Thompson’s track record and policy positions demonstrate that he will continue to be a representative voice for the constituents of CD-4 and will govern effectively in the best interests of this diverse district.

Progressive endorsements: Rep. Thompson has the endorsement of some progressive groups, including Equality California.

Top issues: Health care, mental health, awareness, climate disaster and wildfires, and agriculture.

Priority bills: This year, Rep. Thompson’s priorities for CD-4 have included 8 bills about research and support to sustain local agriculture in the face of natural disaster; promoting access to health-care services, including mental health and telehealth; and raising awareness about issues like hearing loss, youth health, and Women’s History Month. All currently remain in committee.

Member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus?: No.

Committee leadership/membership: Rep. Thompson currently sits on 1 committee, the House Ways and Means Committee. He also chairs the Gun Violence Prevention Task Force and founded several caucuses relevant to the environmental and economic interests of the 4th District, including the Congressional Wine Caucus and Invasive Species Caucus.

Governance and community leadership experience: Rep. Thompson has served in this congressional seat since 1999, when he was elected with over 65% of the vote. In 2022, he won his re-election against a Republican challenger by 36 points.

Prior to his election to Congress, Rep. Thompson served as an aide to then State Assemblymember Jackie Speier. He went on to win election to the California State Senate in 1990. He is a longtime supporter of gun safety and veterans’ rights, and has a moderate approach to fiscal spending.

Other background: Rep. Thompson, the first Vietnam veteran elected to the California State Senate, is from St. Helena, CA. Prior to serving in Congress, Rep. Thompson represented California’s 2nd Senate District, where he chaired the Budget Committee.

The Race

Primary election: There are 2 candidates running in the March 5 primary, including incumbent Rep. Thompson (D) and challenger Andrew Engdahl (D). The top two vote recipients will advance to the general election on November 5.

Candidate fundraising and pledges: Rep. Thompson’s campaign has raised $792,177 and is not funded by police money. He has accepted donations from corporate PACs, including more than $100,000 from the financial services industry. He has also received nearly $20,000 from the real estate sector, and nearly $40,000 from the fossil fuel industry.

Opposing candidate: Democrat Andrew Engdahl
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Engdahl’s campaign has raised less than $100 for the current election cycle.

The District

Counties in district: California’s 4th Congressional District includes all of Napa and Lake Counties, and parts of Solano, Sonoma, and Yolo Counties.

Voter registration: 28% Democrat, 22% Republican, and 21% No Party Preference. Democrats typically hold this district.

District demographics: 20% Latino, 8% Asian, and 3% Black.

Recent election results: CD-4 voted for Joe Biden for president in 2020 by 37 points and Gavin Newsom for governor in 2022 by 27 points.

The Position

Congressmembers represent and advocate for the needs of their district constituents at the United States Capitol. They are responsible for creating, debating, and voting on legislation that addresses issues within their district.

The United States is divided into 435 congressional districts, each with a population of about 710,000 individuals. Each district elects a representative to the House of Representatives for a two-year term. California has 52 congressional representatives, the largest delegation in the country. There is no term limit for this position.

7th Congressional District

Member of the House of Representatives

Democrat

Doris Matsui

Website

Re-elect Congressional Representative Doris Matsui to keep CD-7 on the right track for progress.

Rep. Doris Matsui’s track record and policy positions demonstrate that she will continue to be a representative voice for the constituents of CD-7 and will govern effectively in the best interests of this diverse district.

Progressive endorsements: Rep. Matsui has the endorsement of many groups, including Equality California, California Environmental Voters, and California Democratic Party. In recent elections, she has also received the endorsement of many elected officials, including Gov. Gavin Newsom, Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi, and Rep. Jared Huffman.

Top issues: Affordable and accessible health care, internet access, technology education, net neutrality, environmental protections, natural disaster preparedness, energy, and transportation and public works.

Priority bills: This year, Rep. Matsui’s priorities for CD-7 have included 19 bills to improve school cybersecurity, expand Medicare treatment access, and address internet transparency. All of these are currently in committee. She has sponsored legislation to support gender equity in education, reduce diesel emissions, and create more transparency in online algorithms.

Member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus?: No.

Committee leadership/membership: Rep. Matsui currently sits on the Energy & Commerce Committee. She serves as the co-chair of seven caucuses, including Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition, Rare Disease, Congressional High-Tech, and House Task Force on Aging and Families. She is a member of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus.

Governance and community leadership experience: Rep. Matsui has served in this congressional seat since 2012, when she was elected with over 75% of the vote. In 2022, she won her re-election against a Republican challenger by 36 points.

Prior to her election to Congress, Rep. Matsui served as board chair for the KVIE public television station in Sacramento, as well as in leadership roles for the Crocker Art Museum, Sacramento Children’s Home, and the Sacramento Symphony Orchestra. Her political involvement began when she volunteered for former President Bill Clinton’s 1992 presidential campaign, and served on his transition team before becoming a deputy assistant to the president. In this role, one of her responsibilities was supporting the administration’s outreach and engagement with Asian American communities.

Other background: Rep. Matsui is from California’s Central Valley. She is a longtime supporter of reproductive rights, net neutrality, and the arts.

The Race

Primary election: There are three candidates running in the March 5 primary, including Rep. Doris Matsui (D), David Mandel (D), and Tom Silva (R). The top two vote recipients will advance to the general election on November 5.

Candidate fundraising and pledges: Rep. Matsui’s campaign has raised $610,000 as of January 2024, and is not funded by police organizations.

Opposing candidate: David Mandel
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Mandel’s campaign has raised $28,000 as of January 2024, and is primarily self-funded.

Opposing candidate: Tom Silva
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Silva’s campaign has raised $4,000 as of January 2024, and is entirely self-funded.

The District

Counties in district: California’s 7th Congressional District includes parts of Sacramento, Yolo, and Solano Counties.

Voter registration: 51% Democrat, 20% Republican, and 22% No Party Preference. Democrats typically hold this district.

District demographics: 20% Latino, 21% Asian, and 13% Black.

Recent election results: CD-7 voted for Joe Biden for president in 2020 by 37 points and Gavin Newsom for governor in 2022 by 28 points.

The Position

Congressmembers represent and advocate for the needs of their district constituents at the United States Capitol. They are responsible for creating, debating, and voting on legislation that addresses issues within their district.

The United States is divided into 435 congressional districts, each with a population of about 710,000 individuals. Each district elects a representative to the House of Representatives for a two-year term. California has 52 congressional representatives, the largest delegation in the country. There is no term limit for this position.

Re-elect Congressional Representative Doris Matsui to keep CD-7 on the right track for progress.

Rep. Doris Matsui’s track record and policy positions demonstrate that she will continue to be a representative voice for the constituents of CD-7 and will govern effectively in the best interests of this diverse district.

Progressive endorsements: Rep. Matsui has the endorsement of many groups, including Equality California, California Environmental Voters, and California Democratic Party. In recent elections, she has also received the endorsement of many elected officials, including Gov. Gavin Newsom, Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi, and Rep. Jared Huffman.

Top issues: Affordable and accessible health care, internet access, technology education, net neutrality, environmental protections, natural disaster preparedness, energy, and transportation and public works.

Priority bills: This year, Rep. Matsui’s priorities for CD-7 have included 19 bills to improve school cybersecurity, expand Medicare treatment access, and address internet transparency. All of these are currently in committee. She has sponsored legislation to support gender equity in education, reduce diesel emissions, and create more transparency in online algorithms.

Member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus?: No.

Committee leadership/membership: Rep. Matsui currently sits on the Energy & Commerce Committee. She serves as the co-chair of seven caucuses, including Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition, Rare Disease, Congressional High-Tech, and House Task Force on Aging and Families. She is a member of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus.

Governance and community leadership experience: Rep. Matsui has served in this congressional seat since 2012, when she was elected with over 75% of the vote. In 2022, she won her re-election against a Republican challenger by 36 points.

Prior to her election to Congress, Rep. Matsui served as board chair for the KVIE public television station in Sacramento, as well as in leadership roles for the Crocker Art Museum, Sacramento Children’s Home, and the Sacramento Symphony Orchestra. Her political involvement began when she volunteered for former President Bill Clinton’s 1992 presidential campaign, and served on his transition team before becoming a deputy assistant to the president. In this role, one of her responsibilities was supporting the administration’s outreach and engagement with Asian American communities.

Other background: Rep. Matsui is from California’s Central Valley. She is a longtime supporter of reproductive rights, net neutrality, and the arts.

The Race

Primary election: There are three candidates running in the March 5 primary, including Rep. Doris Matsui (D), David Mandel (D), and Tom Silva (R). The top two vote recipients will advance to the general election on November 5.

Candidate fundraising and pledges: Rep. Matsui’s campaign has raised $610,000 as of January 2024, and is not funded by police organizations.

Opposing candidate: David Mandel
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Mandel’s campaign has raised $28,000 as of January 2024, and is primarily self-funded.

Opposing candidate: Tom Silva
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Silva’s campaign has raised $4,000 as of January 2024, and is entirely self-funded.

The District

Counties in district: California’s 7th Congressional District includes parts of Sacramento, Yolo, and Solano Counties.

Voter registration: 51% Democrat, 20% Republican, and 22% No Party Preference. Democrats typically hold this district.

District demographics: 20% Latino, 21% Asian, and 13% Black.

Recent election results: CD-7 voted for Joe Biden for president in 2020 by 37 points and Gavin Newsom for governor in 2022 by 28 points.

The Position

Congressmembers represent and advocate for the needs of their district constituents at the United States Capitol. They are responsible for creating, debating, and voting on legislation that addresses issues within their district.

The United States is divided into 435 congressional districts, each with a population of about 710,000 individuals. Each district elects a representative to the House of Representatives for a two-year term. California has 52 congressional representatives, the largest delegation in the country. There is no term limit for this position.

Re-elect Congressional Representative Doris Matsui to keep CD-7 on the right track for progress.

Rep. Doris Matsui’s track record and policy positions demonstrate that she will continue to be a representative voice for the constituents of CD-7 and will govern effectively in the best interests of this diverse district.

Progressive endorsements: Rep. Matsui has the endorsement of many groups, including Equality California, California Environmental Voters, and California Democratic Party. In recent elections, she has also received the endorsement of many elected officials, including Gov. Gavin Newsom, Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi, and Rep. Jared Huffman.

Top issues: Affordable and accessible health care, internet access, technology education, net neutrality, environmental protections, natural disaster preparedness, energy, and transportation and public works.

Priority bills: This year, Rep. Matsui’s priorities for CD-7 have included 19 bills to improve school cybersecurity, expand Medicare treatment access, and address internet transparency. All of these are currently in committee. She has sponsored legislation to support gender equity in education, reduce diesel emissions, and create more transparency in online algorithms.

Member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus?: No.

Committee leadership/membership: Rep. Matsui currently sits on the Energy & Commerce Committee. She serves as the co-chair of seven caucuses, including Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition, Rare Disease, Congressional High-Tech, and House Task Force on Aging and Families. She is a member of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus.

Governance and community leadership experience: Rep. Matsui has served in this congressional seat since 2012, when she was elected with over 75% of the vote. In 2022, she won her re-election against a Republican challenger by 36 points.

Prior to her election to Congress, Rep. Matsui served as board chair for the KVIE public television station in Sacramento, as well as in leadership roles for the Crocker Art Museum, Sacramento Children’s Home, and the Sacramento Symphony Orchestra. Her political involvement began when she volunteered for former President Bill Clinton’s 1992 presidential campaign, and served on his transition team before becoming a deputy assistant to the president. In this role, one of her responsibilities was supporting the administration’s outreach and engagement with Asian American communities.

Other background: Rep. Matsui is from California’s Central Valley. She is a longtime supporter of reproductive rights, net neutrality, and the arts.

The Race

Primary election: There are three candidates running in the March 5 primary, including Rep. Doris Matsui (D), David Mandel (D), and Tom Silva (R). The top two vote recipients will advance to the general election on November 5.

Candidate fundraising and pledges: Rep. Matsui’s campaign has raised $610,000 as of January 2024, and is not funded by police organizations.

Opposing candidate: David Mandel
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Mandel’s campaign has raised $28,000 as of January 2024, and is primarily self-funded.

Opposing candidate: Tom Silva
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Silva’s campaign has raised $4,000 as of January 2024, and is entirely self-funded.

The District

Counties in district: California’s 7th Congressional District includes parts of Sacramento, Yolo, and Solano Counties.

Voter registration: 51% Democrat, 20% Republican, and 22% No Party Preference. Democrats typically hold this district.

District demographics: 20% Latino, 21% Asian, and 13% Black.

Recent election results: CD-7 voted for Joe Biden for president in 2020 by 37 points and Gavin Newsom for governor in 2022 by 28 points.

The Position

Congressmembers represent and advocate for the needs of their district constituents at the United States Capitol. They are responsible for creating, debating, and voting on legislation that addresses issues within their district.

The United States is divided into 435 congressional districts, each with a population of about 710,000 individuals. Each district elects a representative to the House of Representatives for a two-year term. California has 52 congressional representatives, the largest delegation in the country. There is no term limit for this position.

8th Congressional District

Member of the House of Representatives

Democrat

John Garamendi

Website Endorsements

Re-elect Congressional Representative John Garamendi to keep CD-8 on the right track for progress.

During recent redistricting and in response to progressive activists, the new CD-08 was intentionally drawn to ensure that the voting population of the district was equitably represented across white, Black, Latino, and Asian communities. It is the most diverse congressional district created in the state. Rep. John Garamendi is not a resident of this new district and will not provide the kind of diverse representation that activists had hoped their efforts would yield. However, Rep. Garamendi’s track record and policy positions demonstrate that he will continue to be a progressive leader for the constituents of CD-08 and will govern effectively in the best interests of this diverse district if he is subjected to community accountability measures.

Progressive endorsements: Rep. Garamendi has the endorsement of some groups, including Equality California, California Environmental Voters, and the California Democratic Party. In his 2022 campaign, he also received the endorsement of many elected leaders, including Sen. Alex Padilla, Democratic Whip Rep. Jim Clyburn, former President Barack Obama, and many local mayors and city councilmembers. However, Rep. Garamendi has also received endorsements from problematic stakeholders in previous elections, including Peace Officers Research Association of California (PORAC) and California Association of Highway Patrolmen.

Top issues: Armed forces, national security, maritime industries, public works, environmental protections, and trade and domestic production.

Priority bills: This year, Rep. Garamendi’s priorities for CD-8 have included 28 bills about clean water, immigration, armed services, and school lunches. All of these bills are currently in committee. He has sponsored legislation designed to prevent military price gouging from the Pentagon, require infrastructure protections and repairs, eliminate tax exemptions in professional sports, and request military support in fighting wildfires.

Member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus?: Yes.

Committee leadership/membership: Rep. Garamendi currently sits on the Armed Services Committee and the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.

Governance and community leadership experience: Rep. Garamendi has served in this Congress since 2009, when he won a special election with over 52% of the vote. In 2022, he won his re-election against a Republican challenger by 52 points.

Prior to his election to Congress, Rep. Garamendi held a variety of positions in public service. He served in the state legislature for over 20 years, was appointed deputy secretary of the Interior during the Clinton administration, was elected state insurance commissioner, and was lieutenant governor of California before running for Congress. He has been a longtime supporter of land use and environmental protections, working to protect public lands, limit oil and gas development, and conserve California’s water resources. He has used his congressional committee assignments to advocate for military and infrastructure changes that center on environmental and resource protections.

Other background: Rep. Garamendi is from Mokelumne Hill, CA, and has lived in Walnut Grove for most of his adult life. He was raised on a cattle ranch, and served time in the Peace Corps before returning to run for public office in California. He and his wife continue to raise cattle on their property.

The Race

Primary election: There are two candidates running in the March 5 primary, including Rep. John Garamendi (D) and Rudy Recile (R). The top two vote recipients will advance to the general election on November 5.

Candidate fundraising and pledges: Rep. Garamendi’s campaign has raised $250,000 as of October 2023, and is not funded by police or fossil fuel interests.

Opposing candidate: Republican Rudy Recile
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Recile’s campaign has raised $3,000 as of October 2023, and is funded primarily by individual and candidate donations.

The District

Counties in district: California’s 8th Congressional District includes parts of Contra Costa and Solano Counties.

Voter registration: 56% Democrat, 13% Republican, and 22% No Party Preference.

District demographics: 23% Latino, 20% Asian, and 19% Black.

Recent election results: CD-8 voted for Joe Biden for president in 2020 by 54 points and Gavin Newsom for governor in 2022 by 48 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 John Garamendi to keep CD-8 on the right track for progress.

During recent redistricting and in response to progressive activists, the new CD-08 was intentionally drawn to ensure that the voting population of the district was equitably represented across white, Black, Latino, and Asian communities. It is the most diverse congressional district created in the state. Rep. John Garamendi is not a resident of this new district and will not provide the kind of diverse representation that activists had hoped their efforts would yield. However, Rep. Garamendi’s track record and policy positions demonstrate that he will continue to be a progressive leader for the constituents of CD-08 and will govern effectively in the best interests of this diverse district if he is subjected to community accountability measures.

Progressive endorsements: Rep. Garamendi has the endorsement of some groups, including Equality California, California Environmental Voters, and the California Democratic Party. In his 2022 campaign, he also received the endorsement of many elected leaders, including Sen. Alex Padilla, Democratic Whip Rep. Jim Clyburn, former President Barack Obama, and many local mayors and city councilmembers. However, Rep. Garamendi has also received endorsements from problematic stakeholders in previous elections, including Peace Officers Research Association of California (PORAC) and California Association of Highway Patrolmen.

Top issues: Armed forces, national security, maritime industries, public works, environmental protections, and trade and domestic production.

Priority bills: This year, Rep. Garamendi’s priorities for CD-8 have included 28 bills about clean water, immigration, armed services, and school lunches. All of these bills are currently in committee. He has sponsored legislation designed to prevent military price gouging from the Pentagon, require infrastructure protections and repairs, eliminate tax exemptions in professional sports, and request military support in fighting wildfires.

Member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus?: Yes.

Committee leadership/membership: Rep. Garamendi currently sits on the Armed Services Committee and the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.

Governance and community leadership experience: Rep. Garamendi has served in this Congress since 2009, when he won a special election with over 52% of the vote. In 2022, he won his re-election against a Republican challenger by 52 points.

Prior to his election to Congress, Rep. Garamendi held a variety of positions in public service. He served in the state legislature for over 20 years, was appointed deputy secretary of the Interior during the Clinton administration, was elected state insurance commissioner, and was lieutenant governor of California before running for Congress. He has been a longtime supporter of land use and environmental protections, working to protect public lands, limit oil and gas development, and conserve California’s water resources. He has used his congressional committee assignments to advocate for military and infrastructure changes that center on environmental and resource protections.

Other background: Rep. Garamendi is from Mokelumne Hill, CA, and has lived in Walnut Grove for most of his adult life. He was raised on a cattle ranch, and served time in the Peace Corps before returning to run for public office in California. He and his wife continue to raise cattle on their property.

The Race

Primary election: There are two candidates running in the March 5 primary, including Rep. John Garamendi (D) and Rudy Recile (R). The top two vote recipients will advance to the general election on November 5.

Candidate fundraising and pledges: Rep. Garamendi’s campaign has raised $250,000 as of October 2023, and is not funded by police or fossil fuel interests.

Opposing candidate: Republican Rudy Recile
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Recile’s campaign has raised $3,000 as of October 2023, and is funded primarily by individual and candidate donations.

The District

Counties in district: California’s 8th Congressional District includes parts of Contra Costa and Solano Counties.

Voter registration: 56% Democrat, 13% Republican, and 22% No Party Preference.

District demographics: 23% Latino, 20% Asian, and 19% Black.

Recent election results: CD-8 voted for Joe Biden for president in 2020 by 54 points and Gavin Newsom for governor in 2022 by 48 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 John Garamendi to keep CD-8 on the right track for progress.

During recent redistricting and in response to progressive activists, the new CD-08 was intentionally drawn to ensure that the voting population of the district was equitably represented across white, Black, Latino, and Asian communities. It is the most diverse congressional district created in the state. Rep. John Garamendi is not a resident of this new district and will not provide the kind of diverse representation that activists had hoped their efforts would yield. However, Rep. Garamendi’s track record and policy positions demonstrate that he will continue to be a progressive leader for the constituents of CD-08 and will govern effectively in the best interests of this diverse district if he is subjected to community accountability measures.

Progressive endorsements: Rep. Garamendi has the endorsement of some groups, including Equality California, California Environmental Voters, and the California Democratic Party. In his 2022 campaign, he also received the endorsement of many elected leaders, including Sen. Alex Padilla, Democratic Whip Rep. Jim Clyburn, former President Barack Obama, and many local mayors and city councilmembers. However, Rep. Garamendi has also received endorsements from problematic stakeholders in previous elections, including Peace Officers Research Association of California (PORAC) and California Association of Highway Patrolmen.

Top issues: Armed forces, national security, maritime industries, public works, environmental protections, and trade and domestic production.

Priority bills: This year, Rep. Garamendi’s priorities for CD-8 have included 28 bills about clean water, immigration, armed services, and school lunches. All of these bills are currently in committee. He has sponsored legislation designed to prevent military price gouging from the Pentagon, require infrastructure protections and repairs, eliminate tax exemptions in professional sports, and request military support in fighting wildfires.

Member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus?: Yes.

Committee leadership/membership: Rep. Garamendi currently sits on the Armed Services Committee and the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.

Governance and community leadership experience: Rep. Garamendi has served in this Congress since 2009, when he won a special election with over 52% of the vote. In 2022, he won his re-election against a Republican challenger by 52 points.

Prior to his election to Congress, Rep. Garamendi held a variety of positions in public service. He served in the state legislature for over 20 years, was appointed deputy secretary of the Interior during the Clinton administration, was elected state insurance commissioner, and was lieutenant governor of California before running for Congress. He has been a longtime supporter of land use and environmental protections, working to protect public lands, limit oil and gas development, and conserve California’s water resources. He has used his congressional committee assignments to advocate for military and infrastructure changes that center on environmental and resource protections.

Other background: Rep. Garamendi is from Mokelumne Hill, CA, and has lived in Walnut Grove for most of his adult life. He was raised on a cattle ranch, and served time in the Peace Corps before returning to run for public office in California. He and his wife continue to raise cattle on their property.

The Race

Primary election: There are two candidates running in the March 5 primary, including Rep. John Garamendi (D) and Rudy Recile (R). The top two vote recipients will advance to the general election on November 5.

Candidate fundraising and pledges: Rep. Garamendi’s campaign has raised $250,000 as of October 2023, and is not funded by police or fossil fuel interests.

Opposing candidate: Republican Rudy Recile
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Recile’s campaign has raised $3,000 as of October 2023, and is funded primarily by individual and candidate donations.

The District

Counties in district: California’s 8th Congressional District includes parts of Contra Costa and Solano Counties.

Voter registration: 56% Democrat, 13% Republican, and 22% No Party Preference.

District demographics: 23% Latino, 20% Asian, and 19% Black.

Recent election results: CD-8 voted for Joe Biden for president in 2020 by 54 points and Gavin Newsom for governor in 2022 by 48 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.

9th Congressional District

Member of the House of Representatives

Democrat

Josh Harder

Website

Re-elect Congressional Representative Josh Harder to keep CD-9 on the right track for progress.

Rep. Josh Harder’s track record and policy positions demonstrate that he will continue to provide representative leadership for the constituents of CD-09 and will govern effectively in the best interests of this diverse district. This is a seat that Republicans have prioritized to flip to maintain control of the House.

Progressive endorsements: Rep. Harder has the endorsement of some progressive groups, including Planned Parenthood Action Fund, Sierra Club Independent Action, and California Environmental Voters. In his 2022 campaign, he earned the endorsement of former President Barack Obama and Sen. Elizabeth Warren. However, he has also received problematic endorsements in past campaigns, including from the Peace Officers Research Association of California.

Top issues: Workforce development and employment resources, campaign-finance reform, education affordability, and health-care access.

Priority bills: This year, Rep. Harder’s priorities for CD-9 have included 22 bills about corporate accountability, artificial intelligence, workforce readiness, natural disaster protections, and agriculture. Nearly all of these bills are currently in committee. He has sponsored legislation to reduce emergency price-gouging from corporations, establish youth workforce development and apprenticeship programs, modernize agriculture and farming, increase the number of funded medical residency programs, and improve mental health care in schools and agricultural industries.

Member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus?: No.

Committee leadership/membership: Rep. Harder currently sits on the Appropriations Committee.

Governance and community leadership experience: Rep. Harder has served in this congressional seat since 2020, when he won his election against a Republican challenger by 10 points. In 2022, he won his re-election against a Republican challenger by 10 points.

Prior to his election to Congress, Rep. Harder was a small-business leader before returning to his hometown to work as a junior-college business instructor. His younger brother has preexisting medical conditions, and he has cited his family’s experience with the health-care and health-insurance systems as a motivator for his continued advocacy and sponsorship of Medicare for All. Rep. Harder has made some contradictory legislative decisions, including failing to sign on as a co-sponsor of the 2022 H.R. 40 bill, which would begin the formal process of studying the case for reparations to Black Americans, despite indicating that he has been a lifelong proponent of social justice.

Other background: Rep. Harder is from Turlock and now lives in Tracy. His family has been part of the Central Valley community for generations.

The Race

Primary election: There are four candidates running in the March 5 primary, including Rep. Josh Harder (D), Kevin Lincoln (R), and John McBride (R). The top two vote recipients will advance to the general election on November 5.

Candidate fundraising and pledges: Rep. Harder’s campaign has raised $1.5 million as of October 2023, and is not funded by fossil fuel, real estate, corporate PAC, or police interests.

Opposing candidate: Republican Kevin Lincoln
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Lincoln’s campaign has raised $300,000 as of October 2023, and is funded by real estate interests.

Opposing candidate: Republican John McBride
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: McBride’s campaign has raised $3,000 as of October 2023, and is funded entirely by individual donors.

The District

Counties in district: California’s 9th Congressional District includes parts of San Joaquin, Contra Costa, and Stanislaus Counties.

Voter registration: 43% Democrat, 28% Republican, and 21% No Party Preference. Democrats typically hold this district.

District demographics: 31% Latino, 15% Asian, and 9% Black.

Recent election results: CD-9 voted for Joe Biden for president in 2020 by 13 points and Brian Dahle for governor in 2022 by 5 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 Josh Harder to keep CD-9 on the right track for progress.

Rep. Josh Harder’s track record and policy positions demonstrate that he will continue to provide representative leadership for the constituents of CD-09 and will govern effectively in the best interests of this diverse district. This is a seat that Republicans have prioritized to flip to maintain control of the House.

Progressive endorsements: Rep. Harder has the endorsement of some progressive groups, including Planned Parenthood Action Fund, Sierra Club Independent Action, and California Environmental Voters. In his 2022 campaign, he earned the endorsement of former President Barack Obama and Sen. Elizabeth Warren. However, he has also received problematic endorsements in past campaigns, including from the Peace Officers Research Association of California.

Top issues: Workforce development and employment resources, campaign-finance reform, education affordability, and health-care access.

Priority bills: This year, Rep. Harder’s priorities for CD-9 have included 22 bills about corporate accountability, artificial intelligence, workforce readiness, natural disaster protections, and agriculture. Nearly all of these bills are currently in committee. He has sponsored legislation to reduce emergency price-gouging from corporations, establish youth workforce development and apprenticeship programs, modernize agriculture and farming, increase the number of funded medical residency programs, and improve mental health care in schools and agricultural industries.

Member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus?: No.

Committee leadership/membership: Rep. Harder currently sits on the Appropriations Committee.

Governance and community leadership experience: Rep. Harder has served in this congressional seat since 2020, when he won his election against a Republican challenger by 10 points. In 2022, he won his re-election against a Republican challenger by 10 points.

Prior to his election to Congress, Rep. Harder was a small-business leader before returning to his hometown to work as a junior-college business instructor. His younger brother has preexisting medical conditions, and he has cited his family’s experience with the health-care and health-insurance systems as a motivator for his continued advocacy and sponsorship of Medicare for All. Rep. Harder has made some contradictory legislative decisions, including failing to sign on as a co-sponsor of the 2022 H.R. 40 bill, which would begin the formal process of studying the case for reparations to Black Americans, despite indicating that he has been a lifelong proponent of social justice.

Other background: Rep. Harder is from Turlock and now lives in Tracy. His family has been part of the Central Valley community for generations.

The Race

Primary election: There are four candidates running in the March 5 primary, including Rep. Josh Harder (D), Kevin Lincoln (R), and John McBride (R). The top two vote recipients will advance to the general election on November 5.

Candidate fundraising and pledges: Rep. Harder’s campaign has raised $1.5 million as of October 2023, and is not funded by fossil fuel, real estate, corporate PAC, or police interests.

Opposing candidate: Republican Kevin Lincoln
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Lincoln’s campaign has raised $300,000 as of October 2023, and is funded by real estate interests.

Opposing candidate: Republican John McBride
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: McBride’s campaign has raised $3,000 as of October 2023, and is funded entirely by individual donors.

The District

Counties in district: California’s 9th Congressional District includes parts of San Joaquin, Contra Costa, and Stanislaus Counties.

Voter registration: 43% Democrat, 28% Republican, and 21% No Party Preference. Democrats typically hold this district.

District demographics: 31% Latino, 15% Asian, and 9% Black.

Recent election results: CD-9 voted for Joe Biden for president in 2020 by 13 points and Brian Dahle for governor in 2022 by 5 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 Josh Harder to keep CD-9 on the right track for progress.

Rep. Josh Harder’s track record and policy positions demonstrate that he will continue to provide representative leadership for the constituents of CD-09 and will govern effectively in the best interests of this diverse district. This is a seat that Republicans have prioritized to flip to maintain control of the House.

Progressive endorsements: Rep. Harder has the endorsement of some progressive groups, including Planned Parenthood Action Fund, Sierra Club Independent Action, and California Environmental Voters. In his 2022 campaign, he earned the endorsement of former President Barack Obama and Sen. Elizabeth Warren. However, he has also received problematic endorsements in past campaigns, including from the Peace Officers Research Association of California.

Top issues: Workforce development and employment resources, campaign-finance reform, education affordability, and health-care access.

Priority bills: This year, Rep. Harder’s priorities for CD-9 have included 22 bills about corporate accountability, artificial intelligence, workforce readiness, natural disaster protections, and agriculture. Nearly all of these bills are currently in committee. He has sponsored legislation to reduce emergency price-gouging from corporations, establish youth workforce development and apprenticeship programs, modernize agriculture and farming, increase the number of funded medical residency programs, and improve mental health care in schools and agricultural industries.

Member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus?: No.

Committee leadership/membership: Rep. Harder currently sits on the Appropriations Committee.

Governance and community leadership experience: Rep. Harder has served in this congressional seat since 2020, when he won his election against a Republican challenger by 10 points. In 2022, he won his re-election against a Republican challenger by 10 points.

Prior to his election to Congress, Rep. Harder was a small-business leader before returning to his hometown to work as a junior-college business instructor. His younger brother has preexisting medical conditions, and he has cited his family’s experience with the health-care and health-insurance systems as a motivator for his continued advocacy and sponsorship of Medicare for All. Rep. Harder has made some contradictory legislative decisions, including failing to sign on as a co-sponsor of the 2022 H.R. 40 bill, which would begin the formal process of studying the case for reparations to Black Americans, despite indicating that he has been a lifelong proponent of social justice.

Other background: Rep. Harder is from Turlock and now lives in Tracy. His family has been part of the Central Valley community for generations.

The Race

Primary election: There are four candidates running in the March 5 primary, including Rep. Josh Harder (D), Kevin Lincoln (R), and John McBride (R). The top two vote recipients will advance to the general election on November 5.

Candidate fundraising and pledges: Rep. Harder’s campaign has raised $1.5 million as of October 2023, and is not funded by fossil fuel, real estate, corporate PAC, or police interests.

Opposing candidate: Republican Kevin Lincoln
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Lincoln’s campaign has raised $300,000 as of October 2023, and is funded by real estate interests.

Opposing candidate: Republican John McBride
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: McBride’s campaign has raised $3,000 as of October 2023, and is funded entirely by individual donors.

The District

Counties in district: California’s 9th Congressional District includes parts of San Joaquin, Contra Costa, and Stanislaus Counties.

Voter registration: 43% Democrat, 28% Republican, and 21% No Party Preference. Democrats typically hold this district.

District demographics: 31% Latino, 15% Asian, and 9% Black.

Recent election results: CD-9 voted for Joe Biden for president in 2020 by 13 points and Brian Dahle for governor in 2022 by 5 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.

10th Congressional District

Member of the House of Representatives

Democrat

Mark DeSaulnier

Website

Re-elect Congressional Representative Mark DeSaulnier to keep CD-10 on the right track for progress.

Rep. Mark DeSaulnier’s track record and policy positions demonstrate that he will continue to be a progressive voice for the constituents of CD-10 and will govern effectively in the best interests of this diverse district.

Progressive endorsements: Rep. DeSaulnier has the endorsement of some progressive groups, including California Environmental Voters and Equality California.

Top issues: Health care, transportation and transit, and education and school services.

Priority bills: This year, Rep. DeSaulnier’s priorities for CD-10 have included 19 bills about health care for immunocompromised individuals and those with disabilities, improving education and school services, and developing sustainable and equitable transportation. All currently remain in committee.

Member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus?: Yes.

Committee leadership/membership: Rep. DeSaulnier currently sits on 3 committees, including the House Ethics Committee, the Committee on Education and Labor, and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.

Governance and community leadership experience: Rep. DeSaulnier has served in this congressional seat since 2014, when he was elected with over 70% of the vote. In 2022, he won his re-election against a Green Party challenger by 58 points.

Prior to his election to Congress, Rep. DeSaulnier was first a union member with Teamsters International and Hotel Employees and Restaurant Employees International, and then a restaurant manager and owner. He maintains strong connections with organized labor. He was elected to the city council of Concord, CA, in 1991, served as mayor from 1993 to 1994, and was then appointed to the Contra Costa Board of Supervisors, on which he served until 2002. DeSaulnier was then elected to the California State Assembly for one year, followed by the state Senate for one year.

Other background: Rep. DeSaulnier is from Massachusetts and has lived in Concord for more than 3 decades.

The Race

Primary election: There are 7 candidates running in the March 5 primary, including incumbent Rep. Mark DeSaulnier (D), Katherine Piccinini (R), and Nolan Chen (R). The top two vote recipients will advance to the general election on November 5.

Candidate fundraising and pledges: Rep. DeSaulnier’s campaign has raised $226,502 and is not funded by the police. He has accepted donations from corporate PACs, the fossil fuel industry, and the real estate industry.

Opposing candidate: Republican Nolan Chen
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Chen has raised $2,850. However, his campaign is largely self-funded, and he has loaned $2,500 of his own money. No other candidate has filed any campaign receipts for the current election cycle.

The District

Counties in district: California’s 10th Congressional District includes parts of Alameda and Contra Costa Counties.

Voter registration: 50% Democrat, 21% Republican, and 23% No Party Preference. Democrats typically hold this district.

District demographics: 13% Latino, 17% Asian, and 5% Black.

Recent election results: CD-10 voted for Joe Biden for president in 2020 by 39 points and Gavin Newsom for governor in 2022 by 30 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 Mark DeSaulnier to keep CD-10 on the right track for progress.

Rep. Mark DeSaulnier’s track record and policy positions demonstrate that he will continue to be a progressive voice for the constituents of CD-10 and will govern effectively in the best interests of this diverse district.

Progressive endorsements: Rep. DeSaulnier has the endorsement of some progressive groups, including California Environmental Voters and Equality California.

Top issues: Health care, transportation and transit, and education and school services.

Priority bills: This year, Rep. DeSaulnier’s priorities for CD-10 have included 19 bills about health care for immunocompromised individuals and those with disabilities, improving education and school services, and developing sustainable and equitable transportation. All currently remain in committee.

Member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus?: Yes.

Committee leadership/membership: Rep. DeSaulnier currently sits on 3 committees, including the House Ethics Committee, the Committee on Education and Labor, and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.

Governance and community leadership experience: Rep. DeSaulnier has served in this congressional seat since 2014, when he was elected with over 70% of the vote. In 2022, he won his re-election against a Green Party challenger by 58 points.

Prior to his election to Congress, Rep. DeSaulnier was first a union member with Teamsters International and Hotel Employees and Restaurant Employees International, and then a restaurant manager and owner. He maintains strong connections with organized labor. He was elected to the city council of Concord, CA, in 1991, served as mayor from 1993 to 1994, and was then appointed to the Contra Costa Board of Supervisors, on which he served until 2002. DeSaulnier was then elected to the California State Assembly for one year, followed by the state Senate for one year.

Other background: Rep. DeSaulnier is from Massachusetts and has lived in Concord for more than 3 decades.

The Race

Primary election: There are 7 candidates running in the March 5 primary, including incumbent Rep. Mark DeSaulnier (D), Katherine Piccinini (R), and Nolan Chen (R). The top two vote recipients will advance to the general election on November 5.

Candidate fundraising and pledges: Rep. DeSaulnier’s campaign has raised $226,502 and is not funded by the police. He has accepted donations from corporate PACs, the fossil fuel industry, and the real estate industry.

Opposing candidate: Republican Nolan Chen
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Chen has raised $2,850. However, his campaign is largely self-funded, and he has loaned $2,500 of his own money. No other candidate has filed any campaign receipts for the current election cycle.

The District

Counties in district: California’s 10th Congressional District includes parts of Alameda and Contra Costa Counties.

Voter registration: 50% Democrat, 21% Republican, and 23% No Party Preference. Democrats typically hold this district.

District demographics: 13% Latino, 17% Asian, and 5% Black.

Recent election results: CD-10 voted for Joe Biden for president in 2020 by 39 points and Gavin Newsom for governor in 2022 by 30 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 Mark DeSaulnier to keep CD-10 on the right track for progress.

Rep. Mark DeSaulnier’s track record and policy positions demonstrate that he will continue to be a progressive voice for the constituents of CD-10 and will govern effectively in the best interests of this diverse district.

Progressive endorsements: Rep. DeSaulnier has the endorsement of some progressive groups, including California Environmental Voters and Equality California.

Top issues: Health care, transportation and transit, and education and school services.

Priority bills: This year, Rep. DeSaulnier’s priorities for CD-10 have included 19 bills about health care for immunocompromised individuals and those with disabilities, improving education and school services, and developing sustainable and equitable transportation. All currently remain in committee.

Member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus?: Yes.

Committee leadership/membership: Rep. DeSaulnier currently sits on 3 committees, including the House Ethics Committee, the Committee on Education and Labor, and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.

Governance and community leadership experience: Rep. DeSaulnier has served in this congressional seat since 2014, when he was elected with over 70% of the vote. In 2022, he won his re-election against a Green Party challenger by 58 points.

Prior to his election to Congress, Rep. DeSaulnier was first a union member with Teamsters International and Hotel Employees and Restaurant Employees International, and then a restaurant manager and owner. He maintains strong connections with organized labor. He was elected to the city council of Concord, CA, in 1991, served as mayor from 1993 to 1994, and was then appointed to the Contra Costa Board of Supervisors, on which he served until 2002. DeSaulnier was then elected to the California State Assembly for one year, followed by the state Senate for one year.

Other background: Rep. DeSaulnier is from Massachusetts and has lived in Concord for more than 3 decades.

The Race

Primary election: There are 7 candidates running in the March 5 primary, including incumbent Rep. Mark DeSaulnier (D), Katherine Piccinini (R), and Nolan Chen (R). The top two vote recipients will advance to the general election on November 5.

Candidate fundraising and pledges: Rep. DeSaulnier’s campaign has raised $226,502 and is not funded by the police. He has accepted donations from corporate PACs, the fossil fuel industry, and the real estate industry.

Opposing candidate: Republican Nolan Chen
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Chen has raised $2,850. However, his campaign is largely self-funded, and he has loaned $2,500 of his own money. No other candidate has filed any campaign receipts for the current election cycle.

The District

Counties in district: California’s 10th Congressional District includes parts of Alameda and Contra Costa Counties.

Voter registration: 50% Democrat, 21% Republican, and 23% No Party Preference. Democrats typically hold this district.

District demographics: 13% Latino, 17% Asian, and 5% Black.

Recent election results: CD-10 voted for Joe Biden for president in 2020 by 39 points and Gavin Newsom for governor in 2022 by 30 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 Senator, 3rd District

Member of the State Senate

Democrat

Jackie Elward

Website Endorsements

Courage California endorses Jackie Elward for State Senate to put SD-3 on the right track for progress.

Elward’s track record and policy positions demonstrate that she will be a progressive voice for the constituents of SD-3 and will govern effectively in the best interests of this diverse district.

Progressive endorsements: Elward has the endorsement of many progressive groups, including Courage California, Alliance of Californians for Community Empowerment (ACCE) Action, California Environmental Voters, and Working Families Party. She has also received the endorsement of many elected leaders, including State Sen. Lola Smallwood-Cuevas, Assm. Damon Connolly, Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis, and several local county supervisors, city councilmembers, and education leaders.

Electoral history: Elward ran for Rohnert City Council in 2018, but lost after only earning 18% of the vote. She ran again in 2020 and was elected with over 56% of the vote. She has served a term as mayor.

Top issues: Education, affordable housing development, homelessness, mental health services, climate justice, support organized labor, public safety, and civil rights advocacy.

Priority bills: As a member of the Rohnert Park City Council, Elward has been a strong supporter of efforts to complete a 60-unit housing project for the local homeless community, and increase development in the downtown area. During her time as mayor, she also moved forward a police accountability initiative, which included the appointment of an independent auditor, crisis-management training, and use-of-force training. She also serves as the Council’s liaison to several local initiatives, including Sonoma Clean Power Authority, Sonoma County Continuum of Care, Senior Citizens Advisory Commission, and Waste and Recycling.

Governance and community leadership experience: Along with her City Council work, Elward is an educator and an activist, which she does to bring leadership to her local community. She has served as a teacher and staff member at Santa Rosa French American Charter School for several years. Elward is also the founder of Les Enfants Baobab, which is a non-profit organization designed to provide resources, including education and clothing, to students in Kinshasa, where she lived and studied.

Other background: Elward is from Democratic Republic of Congo, and immigrated to the United States in the early aughts. She is the first Black woman to serve on the Rohnert Park City Council, and the first Black female immigrant to serve as mayor.

The Race

Primary election: There are five candidates running in the March 5 primary, including Jackie Elward (D), Thomas Bogue (R), Christopher Cabaldon (D), Jimih Jones (R), and Rozzana Verder-Aliga (D). The top two vote recipients will advance to the general election on November 5.

Candidate fundraising and pledges: Elward’s campaign has raised $132,000 as of December 2023, and is not funded by police, real estate, fossil fuel, or corporate PAC interests.

Opposing candidate: Democrat Christopher Cabaldon
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Cabaldon’s campaign has raised $214,000 as of December 2023, and is funded by real estate and corporate PAC interests.

Opposing candidate: Democrat Rozzana Verder-Aliga
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Verder-Aliga’s campaign has raised $342,000 as of December 2023, and is funded by real estate interests.

The District

Counties in district: California’s 3rd State Senate District includes parts of Solano, Yolo, Napa, Contra Costa, Sonoma, and Sacramento Counties.

Voter registration: 50% Democrat, 22% Republican, and 21% No Party Preference. Democrats typically hold this district.

District demographics: 21% Latino, 13% Asian, and 9% Black.

Recent election results: SD-3 voted for Joe Biden for president in 2020 by 33 points and Gavin Newsom for governor in 2022 by 23 points.

The Position

State senators represent and advocate for the needs of their district constituents at the California State Capitol. They are responsible for creating, debating, and voting on legislation that addresses issues within their district.

The California State Senate has 40 districts. Each represents a population of about 930,000 Californians. Representatives are elected to the Senate for a four-year term. Every two years, half of the Senate's 40 seats are subject to election. Members elected before 2012 are restricted to two four-year terms (eight years) in the Senate. Those elected in or after 2012 are allowed to serve 12 years total across both the state Senate or Assembly. This term, Democrats currently hold a two-thirds supermajority of 31 seats in the California State Senate, while Republicans hold 9 seats.

Courage California endorses Jackie Elward for State Senate to put SD-3 on the right track for progress.

Elward’s track record and policy positions demonstrate that she will be a progressive voice for the constituents of SD-3 and will govern effectively in the best interests of this diverse district.

Progressive endorsements: Elward has the endorsement of many progressive groups, including Courage California, Alliance of Californians for Community Empowerment (ACCE) Action, California Environmental Voters, and Working Families Party. She has also received the endorsement of many elected leaders, including State Sen. Lola Smallwood-Cuevas, Assm. Damon Connolly, Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis, and several local county supervisors, city councilmembers, and education leaders.

Electoral history: Elward ran for Rohnert City Council in 2018, but lost after only earning 18% of the vote. She ran again in 2020 and was elected with over 56% of the vote. She has served a term as mayor.

Top issues: Education, affordable housing development, homelessness, mental health services, climate justice, support organized labor, public safety, and civil rights advocacy.

Priority bills: As a member of the Rohnert Park City Council, Elward has been a strong supporter of efforts to complete a 60-unit housing project for the local homeless community, and increase development in the downtown area. During her time as mayor, she also moved forward a police accountability initiative, which included the appointment of an independent auditor, crisis-management training, and use-of-force training. She also serves as the Council’s liaison to several local initiatives, including Sonoma Clean Power Authority, Sonoma County Continuum of Care, Senior Citizens Advisory Commission, and Waste and Recycling.

Governance and community leadership experience: Along with her City Council work, Elward is an educator and an activist, which she does to bring leadership to her local community. She has served as a teacher and staff member at Santa Rosa French American Charter School for several years. Elward is also the founder of Les Enfants Baobab, which is a non-profit organization designed to provide resources, including education and clothing, to students in Kinshasa, where she lived and studied.

Other background: Elward is from Democratic Republic of Congo, and immigrated to the United States in the early aughts. She is the first Black woman to serve on the Rohnert Park City Council, and the first Black female immigrant to serve as mayor.

The Race

Primary election: There are five candidates running in the March 5 primary, including Jackie Elward (D), Thomas Bogue (R), Christopher Cabaldon (D), Jimih Jones (R), and Rozzana Verder-Aliga (D). The top two vote recipients will advance to the general election on November 5.

Candidate fundraising and pledges: Elward’s campaign has raised $132,000 as of December 2023, and is not funded by police, real estate, fossil fuel, or corporate PAC interests.

Opposing candidate: Democrat Christopher Cabaldon
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Cabaldon’s campaign has raised $214,000 as of December 2023, and is funded by real estate and corporate PAC interests.

Opposing candidate: Democrat Rozzana Verder-Aliga
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Verder-Aliga’s campaign has raised $342,000 as of December 2023, and is funded by real estate interests.

The District

Counties in district: California’s 3rd State Senate District includes parts of Solano, Yolo, Napa, Contra Costa, Sonoma, and Sacramento Counties.

Voter registration: 50% Democrat, 22% Republican, and 21% No Party Preference. Democrats typically hold this district.

District demographics: 21% Latino, 13% Asian, and 9% Black.

Recent election results: SD-3 voted for Joe Biden for president in 2020 by 33 points and Gavin Newsom for governor in 2022 by 23 points.

The Position

State senators represent and advocate for the needs of their district constituents at the California State Capitol. They are responsible for creating, debating, and voting on legislation that addresses issues within their district.

The California State Senate has 40 districts. Each represents a population of about 930,000 Californians. Representatives are elected to the Senate for a four-year term. Every two years, half of the Senate's 40 seats are subject to election. Members elected before 2012 are restricted to two four-year terms (eight years) in the Senate. Those elected in or after 2012 are allowed to serve 12 years total across both the state Senate or Assembly. This term, Democrats currently hold a two-thirds supermajority of 31 seats in the California State Senate, while Republicans hold 9 seats.

Endorsed By: Courage California

Courage California endorses Jackie Elward for State Senate to put SD-3 on the right track for progress.

Elward’s track record and policy positions demonstrate that she will be a progressive voice for the constituents of SD-3 and will govern effectively in the best interests of this diverse district.

Progressive endorsements: Elward has the endorsement of many progressive groups, including Courage California, Alliance of Californians for Community Empowerment (ACCE) Action, California Environmental Voters, and Working Families Party. She has also received the endorsement of many elected leaders, including State Sen. Lola Smallwood-Cuevas, Assm. Damon Connolly, Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis, and several local county supervisors, city councilmembers, and education leaders.

Electoral history: Elward ran for Rohnert City Council in 2018, but lost after only earning 18% of the vote. She ran again in 2020 and was elected with over 56% of the vote. She has served a term as mayor.

Top issues: Education, affordable housing development, homelessness, mental health services, climate justice, support organized labor, public safety, and civil rights advocacy.

Priority bills: As a member of the Rohnert Park City Council, Elward has been a strong supporter of efforts to complete a 60-unit housing project for the local homeless community, and increase development in the downtown area. During her time as mayor, she also moved forward a police accountability initiative, which included the appointment of an independent auditor, crisis-management training, and use-of-force training. She also serves as the Council’s liaison to several local initiatives, including Sonoma Clean Power Authority, Sonoma County Continuum of Care, Senior Citizens Advisory Commission, and Waste and Recycling.

Governance and community leadership experience: Along with her City Council work, Elward is an educator and an activist, which she does to bring leadership to her local community. She has served as a teacher and staff member at Santa Rosa French American Charter School for several years. Elward is also the founder of Les Enfants Baobab, which is a non-profit organization designed to provide resources, including education and clothing, to students in Kinshasa, where she lived and studied.

Other background: Elward is from Democratic Republic of Congo, and immigrated to the United States in the early aughts. She is the first Black woman to serve on the Rohnert Park City Council, and the first Black female immigrant to serve as mayor.

The Race

Primary election: There are five candidates running in the March 5 primary, including Jackie Elward (D), Thomas Bogue (R), Christopher Cabaldon (D), Jimih Jones (R), and Rozzana Verder-Aliga (D). The top two vote recipients will advance to the general election on November 5.

Candidate fundraising and pledges: Elward’s campaign has raised $132,000 as of December 2023, and is not funded by police, real estate, fossil fuel, or corporate PAC interests.

Opposing candidate: Democrat Christopher Cabaldon
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Cabaldon’s campaign has raised $214,000 as of December 2023, and is funded by real estate and corporate PAC interests.

Opposing candidate: Democrat Rozzana Verder-Aliga
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Verder-Aliga’s campaign has raised $342,000 as of December 2023, and is funded by real estate interests.

The District

Counties in district: California’s 3rd State Senate District includes parts of Solano, Yolo, Napa, Contra Costa, Sonoma, and Sacramento Counties.

Voter registration: 50% Democrat, 22% Republican, and 21% No Party Preference. Democrats typically hold this district.

District demographics: 21% Latino, 13% Asian, and 9% Black.

Recent election results: SD-3 voted for Joe Biden for president in 2020 by 33 points and Gavin Newsom for governor in 2022 by 23 points.

The Position

State senators represent and advocate for the needs of their district constituents at the California State Capitol. They are responsible for creating, debating, and voting on legislation that addresses issues within their district.

The California State Senate has 40 districts. Each represents a population of about 930,000 Californians. Representatives are elected to the Senate for a four-year term. Every two years, half of the Senate's 40 seats are subject to election. Members elected before 2012 are restricted to two four-year terms (eight years) in the Senate. Those elected in or after 2012 are allowed to serve 12 years total across both the state Senate or Assembly. This term, Democrats currently hold a two-thirds supermajority of 31 seats in the California State Senate, while Republicans hold 9 seats.

Endorsed By: Courage California

Statewide Ballot Measures

Proposition #1

No Position

Vote on Proposition 1

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.

School Board Races

Depending on where you live, you may have one of the below school races on your ballot.

Glendale Unified School District

Glendale Unified School District, Board of Education Trustee, Area A

Telly Tse

Website Endorsements

Elect Telly Tse to put Glendale Unified School District on the right track for progress.

Telly Tse’s track record and policy positions demonstrate that he will be a progressive champion for the Glendale Unified School District community and will work effectively in the best interests of this diverse district.

Progressive endorsements: Tse has the endorsement of many progressive groups, including Glendale Teachers Association, Los Angeles County Federation of Labor, Our Schools USA, Equality California, and East Area Progressive Democrats. He has also received the endorsement of many elected leaders, including Assm. Laura Friedman, Glendale Mayor Dan Brotman, and four current members of the Glendale Unified School District Board.

Electoral history: Tse has not run for public office before.

Top issues: Racial and social justice inclusion, smaller class sizes, restorative discipline practices, investment in educators and district staff, and improved community communication.

Governance and community leadership experience: Tse is a special education teacher, youth sports coach, and education advocate, which he does to bring leadership and community values to the local education system. Through several leadership roles, including terms as president of the Beverly Hills Education Association, board member for the California Teachers Association, board member for the National Education Association, and board member for the local AYSO, Tse has advocated for higher wages, improved benefits, greater support for student diversity, curriculum adjustments, and fair labor practices. He is a longtime supporter of initiatives designed to improve student learning through social equity and inclusive curriculum.

Other background: Tse is from Los Angeles. He is the son of immigrants from Hong Kong.

The Race

Primary election: There are three candidates running in the nonpartisan March 5 primary, including Telly Tse, Shant Kevorkian, and Jordan Henry. The top two vote recipients will advance to the general election on November 5, unless one candidate receives more than 50% of the vote and wins outright in the primary.

Candidate fundraising and pledges: Tse’s campaign has not filed any campaign fundraising receipts with the city as of December 2023.

Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Neither of the challengers in this race have filed any campaign fundraising receipts with the city as of December 2023.

The District

School system: Glendale Unified School District is located in Los Angeles County, which is California’s most populous county. Glendale Unified School District includes 7 high schools, 20 middle schools, 22 elementary schools serving a population of roughly 24,000 California students.

Governance structure: Glendale Unified School District has a five-person board that provides administrative oversight and manages a budget of $335 million annually.

The Position

Members of the Glendale Unified School District are elected in a districted race where the top candidate goes on to serve. Terms last four years, and members are limited to serving three terms in this position.

Elect Telly Tse to put Glendale Unified School District on the right track for progress.

Telly Tse’s track record and policy positions demonstrate that he will be a progressive champion for the Glendale Unified School District community and will work effectively in the best interests of this diverse district.

Progressive endorsements: Tse has the endorsement of many progressive groups, including Glendale Teachers Association, Los Angeles County Federation of Labor, Our Schools USA, Equality California, and East Area Progressive Democrats. He has also received the endorsement of many elected leaders, including Assm. Laura Friedman, Glendale Mayor Dan Brotman, and four current members of the Glendale Unified School District Board.

Electoral history: Tse has not run for public office before.

Top issues: Racial and social justice inclusion, smaller class sizes, restorative discipline practices, investment in educators and district staff, and improved community communication.

Governance and community leadership experience: Tse is a special education teacher, youth sports coach, and education advocate, which he does to bring leadership and community values to the local education system. Through several leadership roles, including terms as president of the Beverly Hills Education Association, board member for the California Teachers Association, board member for the National Education Association, and board member for the local AYSO, Tse has advocated for higher wages, improved benefits, greater support for student diversity, curriculum adjustments, and fair labor practices. He is a longtime supporter of initiatives designed to improve student learning through social equity and inclusive curriculum.

Other background: Tse is from Los Angeles. He is the son of immigrants from Hong Kong.

The Race

Primary election: There are three candidates running in the nonpartisan March 5 primary, including Telly Tse, Shant Kevorkian, and Jordan Henry. The top two vote recipients will advance to the general election on November 5, unless one candidate receives more than 50% of the vote and wins outright in the primary.

Candidate fundraising and pledges: Tse’s campaign has not filed any campaign fundraising receipts with the city as of December 2023.

Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Neither of the challengers in this race have filed any campaign fundraising receipts with the city as of December 2023.

The District

School system: Glendale Unified School District is located in Los Angeles County, which is California’s most populous county. Glendale Unified School District includes 7 high schools, 20 middle schools, 22 elementary schools serving a population of roughly 24,000 California students.

Governance structure: Glendale Unified School District has a five-person board that provides administrative oversight and manages a budget of $335 million annually.

The Position

Members of the Glendale Unified School District are elected in a districted race where the top candidate goes on to serve. Terms last four years, and members are limited to serving three terms in this position.

Elect Telly Tse to put Glendale Unified School District on the right track for progress.

Telly Tse’s track record and policy positions demonstrate that he will be a progressive champion for the Glendale Unified School District community and will work effectively in the best interests of this diverse district.

Progressive endorsements: Tse has the endorsement of many progressive groups, including Glendale Teachers Association, Los Angeles County Federation of Labor, Our Schools USA, Equality California, and East Area Progressive Democrats. He has also received the endorsement of many elected leaders, including Assm. Laura Friedman, Glendale Mayor Dan Brotman, and four current members of the Glendale Unified School District Board.

Electoral history: Tse has not run for public office before.

Top issues: Racial and social justice inclusion, smaller class sizes, restorative discipline practices, investment in educators and district staff, and improved community communication.

Governance and community leadership experience: Tse is a special education teacher, youth sports coach, and education advocate, which he does to bring leadership and community values to the local education system. Through several leadership roles, including terms as president of the Beverly Hills Education Association, board member for the California Teachers Association, board member for the National Education Association, and board member for the local AYSO, Tse has advocated for higher wages, improved benefits, greater support for student diversity, curriculum adjustments, and fair labor practices. He is a longtime supporter of initiatives designed to improve student learning through social equity and inclusive curriculum.

Other background: Tse is from Los Angeles. He is the son of immigrants from Hong Kong.

The Race

Primary election: There are three candidates running in the nonpartisan March 5 primary, including Telly Tse, Shant Kevorkian, and Jordan Henry. The top two vote recipients will advance to the general election on November 5, unless one candidate receives more than 50% of the vote and wins outright in the primary.

Candidate fundraising and pledges: Tse’s campaign has not filed any campaign fundraising receipts with the city as of December 2023.

Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Neither of the challengers in this race have filed any campaign fundraising receipts with the city as of December 2023.

The District

School system: Glendale Unified School District is located in Los Angeles County, which is California’s most populous county. Glendale Unified School District includes 7 high schools, 20 middle schools, 22 elementary schools serving a population of roughly 24,000 California students.

Governance structure: Glendale Unified School District has a five-person board that provides administrative oversight and manages a budget of $335 million annually.

The Position

Members of the Glendale Unified School District are elected in a districted race where the top candidate goes on to serve. Terms last four years, and members are limited to serving three terms in this position.

Glendale Unified School District, Board of Education Trustee, Area E

Neda Farid

Website Endorsements

Elect Neda Farid to put Glendale Unified School District on the right track for progress.

Neda Farid’s track record and policy positions demonstrate that she will be a progressive champion for the Glendale Unified School District community and will work effectively in the best interests of this diverse district.

Progressive endorsements: Farid has the endorsement of many groups, including Glendale Teachers Association, Glendale College Guild, National Women’s Political Caucus, and Stonewall Democratic Club Los Angeles. She has also received the endorsement of some local leaders, including Assm. Laura Friedman, Glendale Mayor Dan Brotman, and three current members of the Glendale Unified School District Board.

Electoral history: Farid ran for this office in 2020, but lost to the incumbent after earning 33% of the vote.

Top issues: Student mental health services, arts funding, access for diverse students, improved teacher retention, and engage families and community in district success.

Governance and Community Leadership Experience: Farid is a longtime education volunteer and advocate, which she does to address disparities of access and inclusivity in schools. After serving as a classroom volunteer, she joined the local PTA and eventually became President of the Glendale Council PTA, which governs all of the school-level PTA’s in the district. Farid has used her leadership position to gain a better understanding of the cultural landscape of individual schools, promote social equity and diversity within the district, and contribute to the Restorative Justice Task Force, Education Foundation Board, and Facilities Advisory Committee.

Other background: Farid has lived in Glendale for over 30 years.

The Race

Primary election: There are two candidates running in the nonpartisan March 5 primary, including Neda Farid, and Aneta Krpekyan. The top two vote recipients will advance to the general election on November 5, unless one candidate receives more than 50% of the vote and wins outright in the primary.

Candidate fundraising and pledges: Neda Farid’s campaign has not filed any campaign fundraising receipts with the city as of December 2023.

Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: The challenger in this race has not filed any campaign fundraising receipts with the city as of December 2023.

The District

School system: Glendale Unified School District is located in Los Angeles County, which is California’s most populous county. Glendale Unified School District includes 7 high schools, 20 middle schools, and 22 elementary schools serving a population of roughly 24,000 California students.

Governance structure: Glendale Unified School District has a five-person board that provides administrative oversight and manages a budget of $335 million annually.

The Position

Members of the Glendale Unified School District are elected in a district race where the top candidate goes on to serve. Terms last four years, and members are limited to serving three terms in this position.

Elect Neda Farid to put Glendale Unified School District on the right track for progress.

Neda Farid’s track record and policy positions demonstrate that she will be a progressive champion for the Glendale Unified School District community and will work effectively in the best interests of this diverse district.

Progressive endorsements: Farid has the endorsement of many groups, including Glendale Teachers Association, Glendale College Guild, National Women’s Political Caucus, and Stonewall Democratic Club Los Angeles. She has also received the endorsement of some local leaders, including Assm. Laura Friedman, Glendale Mayor Dan Brotman, and three current members of the Glendale Unified School District Board.

Electoral history: Farid ran for this office in 2020, but lost to the incumbent after earning 33% of the vote.

Top issues: Student mental health services, arts funding, access for diverse students, improved teacher retention, and engage families and community in district success.

Governance and Community Leadership Experience: Farid is a longtime education volunteer and advocate, which she does to address disparities of access and inclusivity in schools. After serving as a classroom volunteer, she joined the local PTA and eventually became President of the Glendale Council PTA, which governs all of the school-level PTA’s in the district. Farid has used her leadership position to gain a better understanding of the cultural landscape of individual schools, promote social equity and diversity within the district, and contribute to the Restorative Justice Task Force, Education Foundation Board, and Facilities Advisory Committee.

Other background: Farid has lived in Glendale for over 30 years.

The Race

Primary election: There are two candidates running in the nonpartisan March 5 primary, including Neda Farid, and Aneta Krpekyan. The top two vote recipients will advance to the general election on November 5, unless one candidate receives more than 50% of the vote and wins outright in the primary.

Candidate fundraising and pledges: Neda Farid’s campaign has not filed any campaign fundraising receipts with the city as of December 2023.

Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: The challenger in this race has not filed any campaign fundraising receipts with the city as of December 2023.

The District

School system: Glendale Unified School District is located in Los Angeles County, which is California’s most populous county. Glendale Unified School District includes 7 high schools, 20 middle schools, and 22 elementary schools serving a population of roughly 24,000 California students.

Governance structure: Glendale Unified School District has a five-person board that provides administrative oversight and manages a budget of $335 million annually.

The Position

Members of the Glendale Unified School District are elected in a district race where the top candidate goes on to serve. Terms last four years, and members are limited to serving three terms in this position.

Elect Neda Farid to put Glendale Unified School District on the right track for progress.

Neda Farid’s track record and policy positions demonstrate that she will be a progressive champion for the Glendale Unified School District community and will work effectively in the best interests of this diverse district.

Progressive endorsements: Farid has the endorsement of many groups, including Glendale Teachers Association, Glendale College Guild, National Women’s Political Caucus, and Stonewall Democratic Club Los Angeles. She has also received the endorsement of some local leaders, including Assm. Laura Friedman, Glendale Mayor Dan Brotman, and three current members of the Glendale Unified School District Board.

Electoral history: Farid ran for this office in 2020, but lost to the incumbent after earning 33% of the vote.

Top issues: Student mental health services, arts funding, access for diverse students, improved teacher retention, and engage families and community in district success.

Governance and Community Leadership Experience: Farid is a longtime education volunteer and advocate, which she does to address disparities of access and inclusivity in schools. After serving as a classroom volunteer, she joined the local PTA and eventually became President of the Glendale Council PTA, which governs all of the school-level PTA’s in the district. Farid has used her leadership position to gain a better understanding of the cultural landscape of individual schools, promote social equity and diversity within the district, and contribute to the Restorative Justice Task Force, Education Foundation Board, and Facilities Advisory Committee.

Other background: Farid has lived in Glendale for over 30 years.

The Race

Primary election: There are two candidates running in the nonpartisan March 5 primary, including Neda Farid, and Aneta Krpekyan. The top two vote recipients will advance to the general election on November 5, unless one candidate receives more than 50% of the vote and wins outright in the primary.

Candidate fundraising and pledges: Neda Farid’s campaign has not filed any campaign fundraising receipts with the city as of December 2023.

Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: The challenger in this race has not filed any campaign fundraising receipts with the city as of December 2023.

The District

School system: Glendale Unified School District is located in Los Angeles County, which is California’s most populous county. Glendale Unified School District includes 7 high schools, 20 middle schools, and 22 elementary schools serving a population of roughly 24,000 California students.

Governance structure: Glendale Unified School District has a five-person board that provides administrative oversight and manages a budget of $335 million annually.

The Position

Members of the Glendale Unified School District are elected in a district race where the top candidate goes on to serve. Terms last four years, and members are limited to serving three terms in this position.

Orange Unified School District

Orange Unified School District, Board of Education Trustee, Area 1

Bea Mendoza

Website Endorsements

Elect Bea Mendoza to put Orange County Board of Education on the right track for progress.

Bea Mendoza’s track record and policy positions demonstrate that she will be a progressive champion for the Orange County Board of Education community and will work effectively in the best interests of this diverse district.

Progressive endorsements: Mendoza has the endorsement of some progressive groups, including Women for American Values & Ethics (WAVE), Orange County Labor Federation, and International Brotherhood of Teamsters. She has also received the endorsement of many local leaders, including retired Rep. Loretta Sanchez, Orange County Supervisor Vicente Sarmiento, and Buena Park Councilman Connor Traut.

Electoral history: Mendoza ran for Santa Ana City Council in a November 2019 special election, but did not win. She came in third with nearly 24% of the vote.

Top issues: Student success, eliminating wasteful budget spending, investing available resources into students and schools, reducing class sizes, developing twenty-first century curricula, and centering student mental health.

Governance and community leadership experience: Mendoza is a non-profit and community leader, which she does to reinvest in the community where she grew up. A longtime advocate for marginalized populations, she has served as CEO of YWCA of Orange County, Manager of Youth Empowerment Services (YES), a Victim Assistant Specialist for Zero Abuse Project, and an appointed city commissioner. Mendoza was a longtime member of the PTA, and served two terms in leadership roles with the organization’s Santiago Elementary board. She currently works as chief of staff for the California League of United Latin American Citizens.

Other background: Mendoza is from Santa Ana. Her three children have attended Orange County public schools.

The Race

Primary election: There are two candidates running in the nonpartisan March 5 primary, including Bea Mendoza, incumbent Board Member Jorge Valdes. The top two vote recipients will advance to the general election on November 5.

Candidate fundraising and pledges: Mendoza’s campaign has raised $1,200 as of June 2023, and is not funded by police, fossil fuel, real estate, or corporate PAC interests.

Opposing candidate: Jorge Valdes
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Valdes’s campaign has raised $16,000 as of June 2023, and is not funded by police, fossil fuel, real estate, or corporate PAC interests.

The District

School system: Orange County is California’s third most populous county. Orange County Board of Education provides leadership and resources to 12 unified school districts, 3 union high school districts, and 13 elementary school districts. Trustee Area 1 includes the communities of Santa Ana, Tustin, and Anaheim.

Governance structure: Orange County has a five-person Board of Education that provides administrative oversight and manages a budget of $6.7 billion annually.

The Position

Members of the Orange County School Board are elected in district races. Board members serve four year terms.

Elect Bea Mendoza to put Orange County Board of Education on the right track for progress.

Bea Mendoza’s track record and policy positions demonstrate that she will be a progressive champion for the Orange County Board of Education community and will work effectively in the best interests of this diverse district.

Progressive endorsements: Mendoza has the endorsement of some progressive groups, including Women for American Values & Ethics (WAVE), Orange County Labor Federation, and International Brotherhood of Teamsters. She has also received the endorsement of many local leaders, including retired Rep. Loretta Sanchez, Orange County Supervisor Vicente Sarmiento, and Buena Park Councilman Connor Traut.

Electoral history: Mendoza ran for Santa Ana City Council in a November 2019 special election, but did not win. She came in third with nearly 24% of the vote.

Top issues: Student success, eliminating wasteful budget spending, investing available resources into students and schools, reducing class sizes, developing twenty-first century curricula, and centering student mental health.

Governance and community leadership experience: Mendoza is a non-profit and community leader, which she does to reinvest in the community where she grew up. A longtime advocate for marginalized populations, she has served as CEO of YWCA of Orange County, Manager of Youth Empowerment Services (YES), a Victim Assistant Specialist for Zero Abuse Project, and an appointed city commissioner. Mendoza was a longtime member of the PTA, and served two terms in leadership roles with the organization’s Santiago Elementary board. She currently works as chief of staff for the California League of United Latin American Citizens.

Other background: Mendoza is from Santa Ana. Her three children have attended Orange County public schools.

The Race

Primary election: There are two candidates running in the nonpartisan March 5 primary, including Bea Mendoza, incumbent Board Member Jorge Valdes. The top two vote recipients will advance to the general election on November 5.

Candidate fundraising and pledges: Mendoza’s campaign has raised $1,200 as of June 2023, and is not funded by police, fossil fuel, real estate, or corporate PAC interests.

Opposing candidate: Jorge Valdes
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Valdes’s campaign has raised $16,000 as of June 2023, and is not funded by police, fossil fuel, real estate, or corporate PAC interests.

The District

School system: Orange County is California’s third most populous county. Orange County Board of Education provides leadership and resources to 12 unified school districts, 3 union high school districts, and 13 elementary school districts. Trustee Area 1 includes the communities of Santa Ana, Tustin, and Anaheim.

Governance structure: Orange County has a five-person Board of Education that provides administrative oversight and manages a budget of $6.7 billion annually.

The Position

Members of the Orange County School Board are elected in district races. Board members serve four year terms.

Elect Bea Mendoza to put Orange County Board of Education on the right track for progress.

Bea Mendoza’s track record and policy positions demonstrate that she will be a progressive champion for the Orange County Board of Education community and will work effectively in the best interests of this diverse district.

Progressive endorsements: Mendoza has the endorsement of some progressive groups, including Women for American Values & Ethics (WAVE), Orange County Labor Federation, and International Brotherhood of Teamsters. She has also received the endorsement of many local leaders, including retired Rep. Loretta Sanchez, Orange County Supervisor Vicente Sarmiento, and Buena Park Councilman Connor Traut.

Electoral history: Mendoza ran for Santa Ana City Council in a November 2019 special election, but did not win. She came in third with nearly 24% of the vote.

Top issues: Student success, eliminating wasteful budget spending, investing available resources into students and schools, reducing class sizes, developing twenty-first century curricula, and centering student mental health.

Governance and community leadership experience: Mendoza is a non-profit and community leader, which she does to reinvest in the community where she grew up. A longtime advocate for marginalized populations, she has served as CEO of YWCA of Orange County, Manager of Youth Empowerment Services (YES), a Victim Assistant Specialist for Zero Abuse Project, and an appointed city commissioner. Mendoza was a longtime member of the PTA, and served two terms in leadership roles with the organization’s Santiago Elementary board. She currently works as chief of staff for the California League of United Latin American Citizens.

Other background: Mendoza is from Santa Ana. Her three children have attended Orange County public schools.

The Race

Primary election: There are two candidates running in the nonpartisan March 5 primary, including Bea Mendoza, incumbent Board Member Jorge Valdes. The top two vote recipients will advance to the general election on November 5.

Candidate fundraising and pledges: Mendoza’s campaign has raised $1,200 as of June 2023, and is not funded by police, fossil fuel, real estate, or corporate PAC interests.

Opposing candidate: Jorge Valdes
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Valdes’s campaign has raised $16,000 as of June 2023, and is not funded by police, fossil fuel, real estate, or corporate PAC interests.

The District

School system: Orange County is California’s third most populous county. Orange County Board of Education provides leadership and resources to 12 unified school districts, 3 union high school districts, and 13 elementary school districts. Trustee Area 1 includes the communities of Santa Ana, Tustin, and Anaheim.

Governance structure: Orange County has a five-person Board of Education that provides administrative oversight and manages a budget of $6.7 billion annually.

The Position

Members of the Orange County School Board are elected in district races. Board members serve four year terms.

Orange Unified School District, Board of Education Trustee, Area 3

Dr. Nancy Watkins

Website

Elect Dr. Nancy Watkins to put Orange County Board of Education on the right track for progress.

Dr. Nancy Watkins’s policy positions demonstrate that she will be a progressive champion for the Orange County Board of Education community and will work effectively in the best interests of this diverse district.

Progressive endorsements: Dr. Watkins has the endorsement of many progressive groups, including Women for American Values & Ethics (WAVE), Planned Parenthood, California Teachers Association, Orange County Labor Federation, and Women In Leadership (WIL).

Electoral history: Dr. Watkins has not run for office before.

Top issues: Strong and safe schools, ensuring quality education for all students, fiscal responsibility, and strong district governance.

Governance and community leadership experience: Dr. Watkins is an educator, which she does to advocate for quality public education in her community. Holding a master of public policy degree and a doctorate in education leadership and educational policy, Dr. Watkins has had a long career in education that includes 22 years at Valencia High School, where she served as a teacher and assistant principal. She has also spent time working in higher education as a professor at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, and a professor and program director at California State University Fullerton. Dr. Watkins is a Fulbright Scholar and has extensive experience with curriculum development, education theory, and organizational leadership.

Other background: Dr. Watkins is a lifelong resident of Southern California.

The Race

Primary election: There are two candidates running in the nonpartisan March 5 primary, including Dr. Nancy Watkins, and incumbent Board Member Ken Williams. The top two vote recipients will advance to the general election on November 5.

Candidate fundraising and pledges: Dr. Watkins’s campaign has raised $24,000 as of June 2023, and is not funded by police, fossil fuel, real estate, or corporate PAC interests.

Opposing candidate: Ken Williams
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Williams’s campaign has received $19,000 in loans from the candidate as of June 2023.

The District

School system: Orange County is California’s third most populous county. The Orange County Board of Education provides leadership and resources to 12 unified school districts, 3 union high school districts, and 13 elementary school districts. Trustee Area 3 includes the communities of Brea, Placentia, Yorba Linda, Anaheim, Orange, Villa Park, Foothill Ranch, Lake Forest, Tustin, and Irvine.

Governance structure: Orange County has a five-person Board of Education that provides administrative oversight and manages a budget of $6.7 billion annually.

The Position

Members of the Orange County School Board are elected in district races. Board members serve four year terms.

Elect Dr. Nancy Watkins to put Orange County Board of Education on the right track for progress.

Dr. Nancy Watkins’s policy positions demonstrate that she will be a progressive champion for the Orange County Board of Education community and will work effectively in the best interests of this diverse district.

Progressive endorsements: Dr. Watkins has the endorsement of many progressive groups, including Women for American Values & Ethics (WAVE), Planned Parenthood, California Teachers Association, Orange County Labor Federation, and Women In Leadership (WIL).

Electoral history: Dr. Watkins has not run for office before.

Top issues: Strong and safe schools, ensuring quality education for all students, fiscal responsibility, and strong district governance.

Governance and community leadership experience: Dr. Watkins is an educator, which she does to advocate for quality public education in her community. Holding a master of public policy degree and a doctorate in education leadership and educational policy, Dr. Watkins has had a long career in education that includes 22 years at Valencia High School, where she served as a teacher and assistant principal. She has also spent time working in higher education as a professor at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, and a professor and program director at California State University Fullerton. Dr. Watkins is a Fulbright Scholar and has extensive experience with curriculum development, education theory, and organizational leadership.

Other background: Dr. Watkins is a lifelong resident of Southern California.

The Race

Primary election: There are two candidates running in the nonpartisan March 5 primary, including Dr. Nancy Watkins, and incumbent Board Member Ken Williams. The top two vote recipients will advance to the general election on November 5.

Candidate fundraising and pledges: Dr. Watkins’s campaign has raised $24,000 as of June 2023, and is not funded by police, fossil fuel, real estate, or corporate PAC interests.

Opposing candidate: Ken Williams
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Williams’s campaign has received $19,000 in loans from the candidate as of June 2023.

The District

School system: Orange County is California’s third most populous county. The Orange County Board of Education provides leadership and resources to 12 unified school districts, 3 union high school districts, and 13 elementary school districts. Trustee Area 3 includes the communities of Brea, Placentia, Yorba Linda, Anaheim, Orange, Villa Park, Foothill Ranch, Lake Forest, Tustin, and Irvine.

Governance structure: Orange County has a five-person Board of Education that provides administrative oversight and manages a budget of $6.7 billion annually.

The Position

Members of the Orange County School Board are elected in district races. Board members serve four year terms.

Elect Dr. Nancy Watkins to put Orange County Board of Education on the right track for progress.

Dr. Nancy Watkins’s policy positions demonstrate that she will be a progressive champion for the Orange County Board of Education community and will work effectively in the best interests of this diverse district.

Progressive endorsements: Dr. Watkins has the endorsement of many progressive groups, including Women for American Values & Ethics (WAVE), Planned Parenthood, California Teachers Association, Orange County Labor Federation, and Women In Leadership (WIL).

Electoral history: Dr. Watkins has not run for office before.

Top issues: Strong and safe schools, ensuring quality education for all students, fiscal responsibility, and strong district governance.

Governance and community leadership experience: Dr. Watkins is an educator, which she does to advocate for quality public education in her community. Holding a master of public policy degree and a doctorate in education leadership and educational policy, Dr. Watkins has had a long career in education that includes 22 years at Valencia High School, where she served as a teacher and assistant principal. She has also spent time working in higher education as a professor at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, and a professor and program director at California State University Fullerton. Dr. Watkins is a Fulbright Scholar and has extensive experience with curriculum development, education theory, and organizational leadership.

Other background: Dr. Watkins is a lifelong resident of Southern California.

The Race

Primary election: There are two candidates running in the nonpartisan March 5 primary, including Dr. Nancy Watkins, and incumbent Board Member Ken Williams. The top two vote recipients will advance to the general election on November 5.

Candidate fundraising and pledges: Dr. Watkins’s campaign has raised $24,000 as of June 2023, and is not funded by police, fossil fuel, real estate, or corporate PAC interests.

Opposing candidate: Ken Williams
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Williams’s campaign has received $19,000 in loans from the candidate as of June 2023.

The District

School system: Orange County is California’s third most populous county. The Orange County Board of Education provides leadership and resources to 12 unified school districts, 3 union high school districts, and 13 elementary school districts. Trustee Area 3 includes the communities of Brea, Placentia, Yorba Linda, Anaheim, Orange, Villa Park, Foothill Ranch, Lake Forest, Tustin, and Irvine.

Governance structure: Orange County has a five-person Board of Education that provides administrative oversight and manages a budget of $6.7 billion annually.

The Position

Members of the Orange County School Board are elected in district races. Board members serve four year terms.

Orange Unified School District, Board of Education Trustee, Area 4

David Johnson

Website

Elect David Johnson to put the Orange County Board of Education on the right track for progress.

David Johnson’s policy positions demonstrate that he will be a progressive champion for the Orange County Board of Education community and will work effectively in the best interests of this diverse district.

Progressive endorsements: Johnson has the endorsement of some progressive groups, including Women for American Values & Ethics (WAVE).

Electoral history: Johnson ran for the Saddleback Valley Unified School District Board in 2016, but lost after coming in fourth with only 16% of the vote. In 2020, he ran for the Westminster School District Governing Board, and won with over 64% of the vote.

Top issues: Reducing district lawsuits, college and career readiness, increasing school choice for parents and caregivers, and reducing class sizes.

Governance and community leadership experience: Johnson is an organizational management consultant, which he does to bring effective solutions to higher education institutions, corporations, and agencies. He has had longtime involvement in educational and public initiatives in his community, serving in roles that include president of the Pepperdine University Alumni Leadership Council, Westminster Homeless Task Group member, Boy Scout leader, youth sports coach, Westminster City Commissioner for Community Services & Recreation, and local PTA member. Since 2020, Johnson has served as the Area 1 representative for the Westminster School District Governing Board, and currently serves as president of the body. In this role, he has supported the successful search for a new superintendent, expanded student enrichment and academic programs, and balanced the district’s budget. He would bring this experience, and his understanding of organizational operations and negotiation, to the Orange County Board of Education.

Other background: Johnson lives in Westminster.

The Race

Primary election: There are two candidates running in the nonpartisan March 5 primary, including David Johnson, and incumbent Board Member Tim Shaw. The top two vote recipients will advance to the general election on November 5.

Candidate fundraising and pledges: Johnson’s campaign has not filed any campaign fundraising receipts with the county as of December 2023.

Opposing candidate: Tim Shaw
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Shaw’s campaign has not filed any campaign fundraising receipts with the county as of December 2023.

The District

School system: Orange County is California’s third most populous county. Orange County Board of Education provides leadership and resources to 12 unified school districts, 3 union high school districts, and 13 elementary school districts. Trustee Area 4 includes the communities of La Habra, Fullerton, La Palma, Buena Park, Stanton, Garden Grove, and Westminster.

Governance structure: Orange County has a five person Board of Education that provides administrative oversight and manages a budget of $6.7 billion annually.

The Position

Members of the Orange County School Board are elected in district races. Board members serve four-year terms.

Elect David Johnson to put the Orange County Board of Education on the right track for progress.

David Johnson’s policy positions demonstrate that he will be a progressive champion for the Orange County Board of Education community and will work effectively in the best interests of this diverse district.

Progressive endorsements: Johnson has the endorsement of some progressive groups, including Women for American Values & Ethics (WAVE).

Electoral history: Johnson ran for the Saddleback Valley Unified School District Board in 2016, but lost after coming in fourth with only 16% of the vote. In 2020, he ran for the Westminster School District Governing Board, and won with over 64% of the vote.

Top issues: Reducing district lawsuits, college and career readiness, increasing school choice for parents and caregivers, and reducing class sizes.

Governance and community leadership experience: Johnson is an organizational management consultant, which he does to bring effective solutions to higher education institutions, corporations, and agencies. He has had longtime involvement in educational and public initiatives in his community, serving in roles that include president of the Pepperdine University Alumni Leadership Council, Westminster Homeless Task Group member, Boy Scout leader, youth sports coach, Westminster City Commissioner for Community Services & Recreation, and local PTA member. Since 2020, Johnson has served as the Area 1 representative for the Westminster School District Governing Board, and currently serves as president of the body. In this role, he has supported the successful search for a new superintendent, expanded student enrichment and academic programs, and balanced the district’s budget. He would bring this experience, and his understanding of organizational operations and negotiation, to the Orange County Board of Education.

Other background: Johnson lives in Westminster.

The Race

Primary election: There are two candidates running in the nonpartisan March 5 primary, including David Johnson, and incumbent Board Member Tim Shaw. The top two vote recipients will advance to the general election on November 5.

Candidate fundraising and pledges: Johnson’s campaign has not filed any campaign fundraising receipts with the county as of December 2023.

Opposing candidate: Tim Shaw
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Shaw’s campaign has not filed any campaign fundraising receipts with the county as of December 2023.

The District

School system: Orange County is California’s third most populous county. Orange County Board of Education provides leadership and resources to 12 unified school districts, 3 union high school districts, and 13 elementary school districts. Trustee Area 4 includes the communities of La Habra, Fullerton, La Palma, Buena Park, Stanton, Garden Grove, and Westminster.

Governance structure: Orange County has a five person Board of Education that provides administrative oversight and manages a budget of $6.7 billion annually.

The Position

Members of the Orange County School Board are elected in district races. Board members serve four-year terms.

Elect David Johnson to put the Orange County Board of Education on the right track for progress.

David Johnson’s policy positions demonstrate that he will be a progressive champion for the Orange County Board of Education community and will work effectively in the best interests of this diverse district.

Progressive endorsements: Johnson has the endorsement of some progressive groups, including Women for American Values & Ethics (WAVE).

Electoral history: Johnson ran for the Saddleback Valley Unified School District Board in 2016, but lost after coming in fourth with only 16% of the vote. In 2020, he ran for the Westminster School District Governing Board, and won with over 64% of the vote.

Top issues: Reducing district lawsuits, college and career readiness, increasing school choice for parents and caregivers, and reducing class sizes.

Governance and community leadership experience: Johnson is an organizational management consultant, which he does to bring effective solutions to higher education institutions, corporations, and agencies. He has had longtime involvement in educational and public initiatives in his community, serving in roles that include president of the Pepperdine University Alumni Leadership Council, Westminster Homeless Task Group member, Boy Scout leader, youth sports coach, Westminster City Commissioner for Community Services & Recreation, and local PTA member. Since 2020, Johnson has served as the Area 1 representative for the Westminster School District Governing Board, and currently serves as president of the body. In this role, he has supported the successful search for a new superintendent, expanded student enrichment and academic programs, and balanced the district’s budget. He would bring this experience, and his understanding of organizational operations and negotiation, to the Orange County Board of Education.

Other background: Johnson lives in Westminster.

The Race

Primary election: There are two candidates running in the nonpartisan March 5 primary, including David Johnson, and incumbent Board Member Tim Shaw. The top two vote recipients will advance to the general election on November 5.

Candidate fundraising and pledges: Johnson’s campaign has not filed any campaign fundraising receipts with the county as of December 2023.

Opposing candidate: Tim Shaw
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Shaw’s campaign has not filed any campaign fundraising receipts with the county as of December 2023.

The District

School system: Orange County is California’s third most populous county. Orange County Board of Education provides leadership and resources to 12 unified school districts, 3 union high school districts, and 13 elementary school districts. Trustee Area 4 includes the communities of La Habra, Fullerton, La Palma, Buena Park, Stanton, Garden Grove, and Westminster.

Governance structure: Orange County has a five person Board of Education that provides administrative oversight and manages a budget of $6.7 billion annually.

The Position

Members of the Orange County School Board are elected in district races. Board members serve four-year terms.

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Jackie Elward

Courage California endorses Jackie Elward for State Senate to put SD-3 on the right track for progress.

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The District

The Position

Courage California endorses Jackie Elward for State Senate to put SD-3 on the right track for progress.

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The District

The Position

Selected Endorsements

Jackie Elward

Courage California endorses Jackie Elward for State Senate to put SD-3 on the right track for progress.

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Selected Endorsements

3rd Senate District

Re-elect President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris to keep America on track.

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The Position

Re-elect President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris to keep America on track.

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The Position

Re-elect President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris to keep America on track.

The Race

The 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

The Candidates

The District

The 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

The Candidates

The District

The Position

Re-elect Congressional Representative Mike Thompson to keep CD-4 on the right track for progress.

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Re-elect Congressional Representative Mike Thompson to keep CD-4 on the right track for progress.

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Re-elect Congressional Representative Mike Thompson to keep CD-4 on the right track for progress.

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Re-elect Congressional Representative Doris Matsui to keep CD-7 on the right track for progress.

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Re-elect Congressional Representative Doris Matsui to keep CD-7 on the right track for progress.

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Re-elect Congressional Representative Doris Matsui to keep CD-7 on the right track for progress.

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Re-elect Congressional Representative John Garamendi to keep CD-8 on the right track for progress.

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Re-elect Congressional Representative John Garamendi to keep CD-8 on the right track for progress.

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Re-elect Congressional Representative John Garamendi to keep CD-8 on the right track for progress.

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Re-elect Congressional Representative Josh Harder to keep CD-9 on the right track for progress.

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Re-elect Congressional Representative Josh Harder to keep CD-9 on the right track for progress.

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