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Welcome to the Courage California Progressive Voters Guide! We compile the information that allows you to make informed decisions about the races on your ballot, based on your values. Please share this guide with your friends and family!
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14th Congressional District
Courage California endorses Dr. Aisha Wahab for Congress to keep CD-14 on the right track for progress.
Progressive endorsements: Dr. Aisha Wahab has the endorsement of many groups, including Courage California, California Working Families Party, Congressional Progressive Caucus, Equality California, Alameda Labor Council, and many other labor groups. She has also received endorsements from problematic stakeholders, including California Chiefs of Police Association, and California Correctional Peace Officers Association.
Electoral history: Dr. Wahab was elected to the state Senate in 2022 after earning over 53% of the vote. She previously won her 2018 bid for the at-large Hayward City Council seat with 27% of the vote. Wahab ran for the CD-15 seat in 2020 but withdrew her candidacy before the election, when Rep. Swalwell ended his presidential campaign and ran for re-election.
Top issues: Homelessness and housing, affordability, and workforce development.
Governance and community leadership experience: Dr. Wahab currently serves as the state senator for SD-10. During her time in the state legislature, she has authored bills to cap the cost of insulin, prohibit federal law enforcement from wearing masks when operating in the state, and increase legal protections for survivors of sexual assault. In her campaign and her work, she has highlighted the experience of working people, and supported policies that would improve the cost of living, expand homeownership, increase career training opportunities, and protect access to health care and public education. She scores a 100 out of 100 on Courage Score, our annual analysis of legislators’ progressive voting records. Based on our Courage Score analysis, Dr. Wahab has supported most progressive bills that made it to a vote, and has earned the Courage All-Star designation.
Prior to her election to public office, Dr. Wahab was an organizer and advocate whose work was inspired by her own experiences with foster care, adoption, and unstable housing in the Bay Area community. During her career, she has served and held leadership roles on the Alameda County Human Relations Commission, Afghan Coalition, Abode Services, and Tri-City Volunteers. She was also the Alameda County Public Health Commissioner, and joined a White House Roundtable of Afghan-American leaders during the Obama administration.
Other background: Wahab is from Fremont and has lived in Hayward for most of her adult life. She is the first Afghan-American woman to be elected to public office in the United States.
The Race
Primary and special elections: Rep. Eric Swalwell, who has served in Congress since 2012, resigned from the CD-14 seat following sexual assault accusations that also ended his gubernatorial campaign. Gov. Gavin Newsom called a special election for the remainder of the current term, with a primary vote on June 16 and a runoff on August 18.Nine candidates are running for the next term in the June 2 primary: Dr. Aisha Wahab (D), Rakhi Israni (D), Melissa Hernandez (D), Matt Ortega (D), Carin Elam (D), Victor Aguilar (D), Wendy Huang (R), Dena Maldonado (R), and Suzanne Chenault (NPP). The top two vote recipients will advance to the general election on November 3.
Courage California endorses a vote for Dr. Aisha Wahab in each of these four upcoming elections.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Dr. Aisha Wahab’s campaign does not currently have fundraising information available through the FEC.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Rakhi Israni’s campaign does not currently have fundraising information available through the FEC. Notably, Israni has made significant donations to far-right Republicans in the past, including anti-abortion candidates, Laura Loomer, and the head of Christians United for Israel.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Melissa Hernandez’s campaign does not currently have fundraising information available through the FEC.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Matt Orgeta’s campaign has raised $13,500 as of April 2026, and is not funded by police, fossil fuel, real estate, or corporate PAC interests.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Carin Elam’s campaign has raised $4,400 as of April 2026, and is not funded by police, fossil fuel, real estate, or corporate PAC interests.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Victor Aguilar’s campaign does not currently have fundraising information available through the FEC.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Wendy Huang’s campaign does not currently have fundraising information available through the FEC.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Dena Maldonado’s campaign does not currently have fundraising information available through the FEC.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Suzanne Chenault’s campaign does not currently have fundraising information available through the FEC.
The District
Change in district after Proposition 50 redistricting: With the passage of Proposition 50 in November 2025, California’s 14th congressional district went from D+ 32% to D+ 35%. These district lines will be in effect through the 2030 elections, after which the California Citizens Redistricting Commission will draw new lines.Counties in district: California’s 14th congressional district includes parts of Alameda County.
Voter registration: 54% Democrat, 18% Republican, and 28% No Party Preference. Democrats typically hold this district.
District demographics: 20% Latino, 36% Asian, and 6% Black.
Recent election results: CD-14 voted for Kamala Harris for president in 2020 by 35 points and Gavin Newsom for governor in 2022 by 34 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 and nationwide.The United States is divided into 435 congressional districts, each with a population of about 780,000 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.
Democrats currently hold 42 of California’s seats, Republicans hold seven, and Independents hold one. The CD-01 seat is vacant, and will be filled in a special election with a June 2 primary and an August 4 runoff. The CD-14 seat is vacant, and will be filled in a special election with a June 16 primary and an August 18 runoff.
Courage California endorses Dr. Aisha Wahab for Congress to keep CD-14 on the right track for progress.
Progressive endorsements: Dr. Aisha Wahab has the endorsement of many groups, including Courage California, California Working Families Party, Congressional Progressive Caucus, Equality California, Alameda Labor Council, and many other labor groups. She has also received endorsements from problematic stakeholders, including California Chiefs of Police Association, and California Correctional Peace Officers Association.
Electoral history: Dr. Wahab was elected to the state Senate in 2022 after earning over 53% of the vote. She previously won her 2018 bid for the at-large Hayward City Council seat with 27% of the vote. Wahab ran for the CD-15 seat in 2020 but withdrew her candidacy before the election, when Rep. Swalwell ended his presidential campaign and ran for re-election.
Top issues: Homelessness and housing, affordability, and workforce development.
Governance and community leadership experience: Dr. Wahab currently serves as the state senator for SD-10. During her time in the state legislature, she has authored bills to cap the cost of insulin, prohibit federal law enforcement from wearing masks when operating in the state, and increase legal protections for survivors of sexual assault. In her campaign and her work, she has highlighted the experience of working people, and supported policies that would improve the cost of living, expand homeownership, increase career training opportunities, and protect access to health care and public education. She scores a 100 out of 100 on Courage Score, our annual analysis of legislators’ progressive voting records. Based on our Courage Score analysis, Dr. Wahab has supported most progressive bills that made it to a vote, and has earned the Courage All-Star designation.
Prior to her election to public office, Dr. Wahab was an organizer and advocate whose work was inspired by her own experiences with foster care, adoption, and unstable housing in the Bay Area community. During her career, she has served and held leadership roles on the Alameda County Human Relations Commission, Afghan Coalition, Abode Services, and Tri-City Volunteers. She was also the Alameda County Public Health Commissioner, and joined a White House Roundtable of Afghan-American leaders during the Obama administration.
Other background: Wahab is from Fremont and has lived in Hayward for most of her adult life. She is the first Afghan-American woman to be elected to public office in the United States.
The Race
Primary and special elections: Rep. Eric Swalwell, who has served in Congress since 2012, resigned from the CD-14 seat following sexual assault accusations that also ended his gubernatorial campaign. Gov. Gavin Newsom called a special election for the remainder of the current term, with a primary vote on June 16 and a runoff on August 18.Nine candidates are running for the next term in the June 2 primary: Dr. Aisha Wahab (D), Rakhi Israni (D), Melissa Hernandez (D), Matt Ortega (D), Carin Elam (D), Victor Aguilar (D), Wendy Huang (R), Dena Maldonado (R), and Suzanne Chenault (NPP). The top two vote recipients will advance to the general election on November 3.
Courage California endorses a vote for Dr. Aisha Wahab in each of these four upcoming elections.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Dr. Aisha Wahab’s campaign does not currently have fundraising information available through the FEC.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Rakhi Israni’s campaign does not currently have fundraising information available through the FEC. Notably, Israni has made significant donations to far-right Republicans in the past, including anti-abortion candidates, Laura Loomer, and the head of Christians United for Israel.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Melissa Hernandez’s campaign does not currently have fundraising information available through the FEC.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Matt Orgeta’s campaign has raised $13,500 as of April 2026, and is not funded by police, fossil fuel, real estate, or corporate PAC interests.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Carin Elam’s campaign has raised $4,400 as of April 2026, and is not funded by police, fossil fuel, real estate, or corporate PAC interests.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Victor Aguilar’s campaign does not currently have fundraising information available through the FEC.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Wendy Huang’s campaign does not currently have fundraising information available through the FEC.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Dena Maldonado’s campaign does not currently have fundraising information available through the FEC.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Suzanne Chenault’s campaign does not currently have fundraising information available through the FEC.
The District
Change in district after Proposition 50 redistricting: With the passage of Proposition 50 in November 2025, California’s 14th congressional district went from D+ 32% to D+ 35%. These district lines will be in effect through the 2030 elections, after which the California Citizens Redistricting Commission will draw new lines.Counties in district: California’s 14th congressional district includes parts of Alameda County.
Voter registration: 54% Democrat, 18% Republican, and 28% No Party Preference. Democrats typically hold this district.
District demographics: 20% Latino, 36% Asian, and 6% Black.
Recent election results: CD-14 voted for Kamala Harris for president in 2020 by 35 points and Gavin Newsom for governor in 2022 by 34 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 and nationwide.The United States is divided into 435 congressional districts, each with a population of about 780,000 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.
Democrats currently hold 42 of California’s seats, Republicans hold seven, and Independents hold one. The CD-01 seat is vacant, and will be filled in a special election with a June 2 primary and an August 4 runoff. The CD-14 seat is vacant, and will be filled in a special election with a June 16 primary and an August 18 runoff.
Courage California endorses Dr. Aisha Wahab for Congress to keep CD-14 on the right track for progress.
Progressive endorsements: Dr. Aisha Wahab has the endorsement of many groups, including Courage California, California Working Families Party, Congressional Progressive Caucus, Equality California, Alameda Labor Council, and many other labor groups. She has also received endorsements from problematic stakeholders, including California Chiefs of Police Association, and California Correctional Peace Officers Association.
Electoral history: Dr. Wahab was elected to the state Senate in 2022 after earning over 53% of the vote. She previously won her 2018 bid for the at-large Hayward City Council seat with 27% of the vote. Wahab ran for the CD-15 seat in 2020 but withdrew her candidacy before the election, when Rep. Swalwell ended his presidential campaign and ran for re-election.
Top issues: Homelessness and housing, affordability, and workforce development.
Governance and community leadership experience: Dr. Wahab currently serves as the state senator for SD-10. During her time in the state legislature, she has authored bills to cap the cost of insulin, prohibit federal law enforcement from wearing masks when operating in the state, and increase legal protections for survivors of sexual assault. In her campaign and her work, she has highlighted the experience of working people, and supported policies that would improve the cost of living, expand homeownership, increase career training opportunities, and protect access to health care and public education. She scores a 100 out of 100 on Courage Score, our annual analysis of legislators’ progressive voting records. Based on our Courage Score analysis, Dr. Wahab has supported most progressive bills that made it to a vote, and has earned the Courage All-Star designation.
Prior to her election to public office, Dr. Wahab was an organizer and advocate whose work was inspired by her own experiences with foster care, adoption, and unstable housing in the Bay Area community. During her career, she has served and held leadership roles on the Alameda County Human Relations Commission, Afghan Coalition, Abode Services, and Tri-City Volunteers. She was also the Alameda County Public Health Commissioner, and joined a White House Roundtable of Afghan-American leaders during the Obama administration.
Other background: Wahab is from Fremont and has lived in Hayward for most of her adult life. She is the first Afghan-American woman to be elected to public office in the United States.
The Race
Primary and special elections: Rep. Eric Swalwell, who has served in Congress since 2012, resigned from the CD-14 seat following sexual assault accusations that also ended his gubernatorial campaign. Gov. Gavin Newsom called a special election for the remainder of the current term, with a primary vote on June 16 and a runoff on August 18.Nine candidates are running for the next term in the June 2 primary: Dr. Aisha Wahab (D), Rakhi Israni (D), Melissa Hernandez (D), Matt Ortega (D), Carin Elam (D), Victor Aguilar (D), Wendy Huang (R), Dena Maldonado (R), and Suzanne Chenault (NPP). The top two vote recipients will advance to the general election on November 3.
Courage California endorses a vote for Dr. Aisha Wahab in each of these four upcoming elections.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Dr. Aisha Wahab’s campaign does not currently have fundraising information available through the FEC.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Rakhi Israni’s campaign does not currently have fundraising information available through the FEC. Notably, Israni has made significant donations to far-right Republicans in the past, including anti-abortion candidates, Laura Loomer, and the head of Christians United for Israel.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Melissa Hernandez’s campaign does not currently have fundraising information available through the FEC.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Matt Orgeta’s campaign has raised $13,500 as of April 2026, and is not funded by police, fossil fuel, real estate, or corporate PAC interests.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Carin Elam’s campaign has raised $4,400 as of April 2026, and is not funded by police, fossil fuel, real estate, or corporate PAC interests.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Victor Aguilar’s campaign does not currently have fundraising information available through the FEC.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Wendy Huang’s campaign does not currently have fundraising information available through the FEC.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Dena Maldonado’s campaign does not currently have fundraising information available through the FEC.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Suzanne Chenault’s campaign does not currently have fundraising information available through the FEC.
The District
Change in district after Proposition 50 redistricting: With the passage of Proposition 50 in November 2025, California’s 14th congressional district went from D+ 32% to D+ 35%. These district lines will be in effect through the 2030 elections, after which the California Citizens Redistricting Commission will draw new lines.Counties in district: California’s 14th congressional district includes parts of Alameda County.
Voter registration: 54% Democrat, 18% Republican, and 28% No Party Preference. Democrats typically hold this district.
District demographics: 20% Latino, 36% Asian, and 6% Black.
Recent election results: CD-14 voted for Kamala Harris for president in 2020 by 35 points and Gavin Newsom for governor in 2022 by 34 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 and nationwide.The United States is divided into 435 congressional districts, each with a population of about 780,000 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.
Democrats currently hold 42 of California’s seats, Republicans hold seven, and Independents hold one. The CD-01 seat is vacant, and will be filled in a special election with a June 2 primary and an August 4 runoff. The CD-14 seat is vacant, and will be filled in a special election with a June 16 primary and an August 18 runoff.
State Assembly, 20th District
Re-elect State Assemblymember Liz Ortega to keep AD-20 on the right track for progress.
Progressive endorsements: Asm. Liz Ortega has the endorsement of several groups, including California Working Families Party, Planned Parenthood Advocates Mar Monte, California Environmental Voters, and South Alameda County Young Democrats.
Priority bills: This year, Asm. Ortega’s priorities for AD-20 have included 26 bills about workers’ rights, health and human services, criminal-justice reform, and economic justice. Of these, seven were successfully chaptered into law, 13 died, and the rest remain in committees. She has sponsored and passed legislation to protect immigrants from enforcement on school sites, extend application deadlines for student financial aid, and ensure that public employees are given advance notice of their employers potentially outsourcing work. She scores a Lifetime 100 out of 100 on Courage Score, our annual analysis of legislators’ progressive voting records. Based on our Courage Score analysis, Asm. Ortega has supported most progressive bills that made it to a vote, and earned the designation of All-Star.
Member of the Legislative Progressive Caucus?: Yes.
Committee leadership/membership: Asm. Ortega currently sits on 11 committees, including Budget, Human Services, and Insurance. She chairs the Assembly Committee on Labor and Employment.
Governance experience: Asm. Ortega has served in this State Assembly seat since 2022, when she was elected with over 62% of the vote. In 2024, she won her re-election against a Republican challenger by 46 points.
The Race
Primary election: There are two candidates running in the June 2 primary: Incumbent Asm. Liz Ortega (D) and Patricia Muga (R). The top two vote recipients will advance to the general election on November 3.Candidate fundraising and pledges: Asm. Ortega’s campaign has raised $367,598.
Opponent’s fundraising and pledges: Muga’s campaign has not filed any campaign-finance information as of April 2026.
The Position
State assemblymembers represent and advocate for the needs of their district constituents at the California State Capitol. They are responsible for creating, debating, and voting on legislation that addresses issues within their district and statewide.The California State Assembly has 80 districts. Each represents a population of at least 490,000 Californians. Representatives are elected to the Assembly for a two-year term. Every two years, all 80 seats are subject to election. Members are allowed to serve 12 years total across both the state Senate or the Assembly. Democrats currently hold a three-quarters supermajority of 60 seats in the California State Assembly, while Republicans hold 20 seats.
Re-elect State Assemblymember Liz Ortega to keep AD-20 on the right track for progress.
Progressive endorsements: Asm. Liz Ortega has the endorsement of several groups, including California Working Families Party, Planned Parenthood Advocates Mar Monte, California Environmental Voters, and South Alameda County Young Democrats.
Priority bills: This year, Asm. Ortega’s priorities for AD-20 have included 26 bills about workers’ rights, health and human services, criminal-justice reform, and economic justice. Of these, seven were successfully chaptered into law, 13 died, and the rest remain in committees. She has sponsored and passed legislation to protect immigrants from enforcement on school sites, extend application deadlines for student financial aid, and ensure that public employees are given advance notice of their employers potentially outsourcing work. She scores a Lifetime 100 out of 100 on Courage Score, our annual analysis of legislators’ progressive voting records. Based on our Courage Score analysis, Asm. Ortega has supported most progressive bills that made it to a vote, and earned the designation of All-Star.
Member of the Legislative Progressive Caucus?: Yes.
Committee leadership/membership: Asm. Ortega currently sits on 11 committees, including Budget, Human Services, and Insurance. She chairs the Assembly Committee on Labor and Employment.
Governance experience: Asm. Ortega has served in this State Assembly seat since 2022, when she was elected with over 62% of the vote. In 2024, she won her re-election against a Republican challenger by 46 points.
The Race
Primary election: There are two candidates running in the June 2 primary: Incumbent Asm. Liz Ortega (D) and Patricia Muga (R). The top two vote recipients will advance to the general election on November 3.Candidate fundraising and pledges: Asm. Ortega’s campaign has raised $367,598.
Opponent’s fundraising and pledges: Muga’s campaign has not filed any campaign-finance information as of April 2026.
The Position
State assemblymembers represent and advocate for the needs of their district constituents at the California State Capitol. They are responsible for creating, debating, and voting on legislation that addresses issues within their district and statewide.The California State Assembly has 80 districts. Each represents a population of at least 490,000 Californians. Representatives are elected to the Assembly for a two-year term. Every two years, all 80 seats are subject to election. Members are allowed to serve 12 years total across both the state Senate or the Assembly. Democrats currently hold a three-quarters supermajority of 60 seats in the California State Assembly, while Republicans hold 20 seats.
Re-elect State Assemblymember Liz Ortega to keep AD-20 on the right track for progress.
Progressive endorsements: Asm. Liz Ortega has the endorsement of several groups, including California Working Families Party, Planned Parenthood Advocates Mar Monte, California Environmental Voters, and South Alameda County Young Democrats.
Priority bills: This year, Asm. Ortega’s priorities for AD-20 have included 26 bills about workers’ rights, health and human services, criminal-justice reform, and economic justice. Of these, seven were successfully chaptered into law, 13 died, and the rest remain in committees. She has sponsored and passed legislation to protect immigrants from enforcement on school sites, extend application deadlines for student financial aid, and ensure that public employees are given advance notice of their employers potentially outsourcing work. She scores a Lifetime 100 out of 100 on Courage Score, our annual analysis of legislators’ progressive voting records. Based on our Courage Score analysis, Asm. Ortega has supported most progressive bills that made it to a vote, and earned the designation of All-Star.
Member of the Legislative Progressive Caucus?: Yes.
Committee leadership/membership: Asm. Ortega currently sits on 11 committees, including Budget, Human Services, and Insurance. She chairs the Assembly Committee on Labor and Employment.
Governance experience: Asm. Ortega has served in this State Assembly seat since 2022, when she was elected with over 62% of the vote. In 2024, she won her re-election against a Republican challenger by 46 points.
The Race
Primary election: There are two candidates running in the June 2 primary: Incumbent Asm. Liz Ortega (D) and Patricia Muga (R). The top two vote recipients will advance to the general election on November 3.Candidate fundraising and pledges: Asm. Ortega’s campaign has raised $367,598.
Opponent’s fundraising and pledges: Muga’s campaign has not filed any campaign-finance information as of April 2026.
The Position
State assemblymembers represent and advocate for the needs of their district constituents at the California State Capitol. They are responsible for creating, debating, and voting on legislation that addresses issues within their district and statewide.The California State Assembly has 80 districts. Each represents a population of at least 490,000 Californians. Representatives are elected to the Assembly for a two-year term. Every two years, all 80 seats are subject to election. Members are allowed to serve 12 years total across both the state Senate or the Assembly. Democrats currently hold a three-quarters supermajority of 60 seats in the California State Assembly, while Republicans hold 20 seats.
Statewide
Courage California endorses Tom Steyer for Governor to keep California on the right track for progress.
Progressive endorsements: Tom Steyer has the endorsement of many groups in the state, including Courage California, NRDC Action Fund, California Environmental Voters, California Teachers Association, United Domestic Workers, California Nurses Association, and several other labor groups. He is also supported by Rep. Ro Khanna and several state legislators, such as Legislative Progressive Caucus Chair Asm. Alex Lee, Asm. Isaac Bryan, Asm. Mia Bonta, Sen. Lola Smallwood-Cuevas, and Sen. Caroline Menjivar.
Top issues: Affordability, single-payer health care, education, corporate accountability and taxation, housing development, climate protections, and revenue generation
Governance and community leadership experience: Steyer founded the hedge fund management firm Farallon Capital Management before leaving that role in 2012 to dedicate himself to full-time policy advocacy. As a philanthropist, he was an early adopter of the Giving Pledge, making a public commitment to donate most of his wealth during his lifetime. To that end, he has been a longtime investor in grassroots organizing, advocating for Donald Trump’s impeachment during his first term, founding NextGen to support youth voter registration across the country, advocating for the passage of several state propositions on criminal-justice reform and progressive taxation, founding a nonprofit bank to provide affordable loans and reinvestment to local communities, and helping to establish free, nutritious school lunches for public school students in California.
His campaign has advocated for shifting the property tax burden through the passage of a split-roll ballot measure, improving access to MediCal and single-payer health care, increasing the state’s education ranking, and building one million homes that are affordable for everyday Californians. He has been outspoken about the criminality of federal immigration action, the Abolish ICE movement, and the importance of ensuring that California does not cooperate with illegal enforcement. Steyer has also been active in climate justice, supporting emissions-reduction efforts and holding polluters accountable for the harm they cause to local communities. He has advocated for reducing the cost of electricity to make green energy affordable to the average resident through electric vehicles, residential heat pumps, and solar panels.
Other background: Steyer has lived in San Francisco for 40 years.
The Race
Primary election: Nine major candidates are running in the June 2 primary, including Tom Steyer (D), Xavier Becerra (D), Katie Porter (D), Matt Mahan (D), Tony Thurmond (D), Betty Yee (D), Antonio Villaraigosa (D), Steve Hilton (R), and Chad Bianco (R). The top two vote recipients will advance to the general election on November 3.Candidate fundraising is categorized into two buckets. The first bucket is direct donations made to the campaign, typically from individuals, companies, and PACs. There are limits on direct campaign contributions — the maximum per election (primary and general) in the gubernatorial race is $39,200 — but donors can freely coordinate on strategy and spending with the candidate’s campaign. The second bucket is independent expenditures (IEs), which are contributions from an entity to support or oppose a candidate through efforts independent of candidate campaigns. These IE contributions are not coordinated directly with the campaign and are often unsolicited by the candidates; they are not subject to campaign donation limits, and do not follow the same reporting rules as direct donations. The issuance of independent expenditures often strategically indicates alignment with particular values and seeks to boost candidates who will pursue related policy or defeat candidates who will oppose related policy.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Tom Steyer’s campaign has raised $122 million in direct donations as of April 2026 and is almost entirely self-funded. He has not received donations from real estate, fossil fuel, corporate PAC, or police interests. Steyer has not been the beneficiary of independent expenditures in support of his candidacy as of April 2026. He is the target of a $13 million IE in opposition to his candidacy, funded by PG&E, California Association of Realtors, and California Correctional Peace Officers Association.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Xavier Becerra’s campaign has raised $2.8 million in direct donations as of April 2026 and is not funded by police, real estate, or corporate PAC interests but is supported by Chevron. Becerra’s campaign has not benefited from significant independent expenditures as of April 2026.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Katie Porter’s campaign has raised $6.2 million in direct donations as of April 2026 and is not funded by police, fossil fuel, real estate, or corporate PAC interests. Porter’s candidacy has been supported by an independent expenditure from Uber Technologies Inc., National Union of Healthcare Workers, California Teamsters Public Affairs Council PAC, and Singleton Schreiber, LLP.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Matt Mahan’s campaign has raised $12.7 million in direct donations as of April 2026 and is not funded by police, fossil fuel, or corporate PAC interests. Mahan’s campaign has received donations from Google cofounder Sergey Brin and billionaire Michael Moritz, and is supported by Govern for California, an advocacy group popular with Big Tech executives. His candidacy is supported by a $15 million IE funded by tech and finance executives, and is opposed by an IE led by the California Nurses Association. Mahan’s campaign also devised an unusual fundraising strategy that aimed to raise $35 million by April 17, and guaranteed donors would receive their money back if the goal was not reached.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Chad Bianco’s campaign has raised $4.3 million in direct donations as of April 2026 and is not funded by corporate PAC interests. Bianco’s campaign has not benefited from significant independent expenditures.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Steve Hilton’s campaign has raised $7 million in direct donations as of April 2026, with substantial self-funding. He has not received donations from fossil fuel or police interests but is supported by Fox News Chairman Rupert Murdoch and Google cofounder Sergey Brin. Hilton has not benefited from significant independent expenditures
The District
State: California is the most populous state in the United States, and includes 58 counties and 40 million residents.Voter registration: Of the 23 million registered voters in the state, 45% are Democrat, 25% are Republican, and 23% have no party preference. Democrats have held the Governor’s seat since 2011.
District demographics: 41% Latino, 17% Asian, and 6% Black.
Recent election results: California voted for Kamala Harris for president in 2024 by 20 points and Gavin Newsom for governor in 2022 by 18 points.
The Position
Governors serve as the chief executive officer of their state and have the authority to sign and implement state laws. They are responsible for overseeing the operations of the state’s executive branch and advancing statewide initiatives and programs through executive orders, legislative proposals, or executive budgets. Governors have the exclusive authority to nominate or appoint officials, including agency heads, cabinet secretaries, and state court judges. Gubernatorial power varies across states, as each state government operates under the guidance of its own state constitution.Each governor is elected by popular vote in a statewide election. In California, governors are elected to serve a four-year term and are limited to two terms in office.
Courage California endorses Tom Steyer for Governor to keep California on the right track for progress.
Progressive endorsements: Tom Steyer has the endorsement of many groups in the state, including Courage California, NRDC Action Fund, California Environmental Voters, California Teachers Association, United Domestic Workers, California Nurses Association, and several other labor groups. He is also supported by Rep. Ro Khanna and several state legislators, such as Legislative Progressive Caucus Chair Asm. Alex Lee, Asm. Isaac Bryan, Asm. Mia Bonta, Sen. Lola Smallwood-Cuevas, and Sen. Caroline Menjivar.
Top issues: Affordability, single-payer health care, education, corporate accountability and taxation, housing development, climate protections, and revenue generation
Governance and community leadership experience: Steyer founded the hedge fund management firm Farallon Capital Management before leaving that role in 2012 to dedicate himself to full-time policy advocacy. As a philanthropist, he was an early adopter of the Giving Pledge, making a public commitment to donate most of his wealth during his lifetime. To that end, he has been a longtime investor in grassroots organizing, advocating for Donald Trump’s impeachment during his first term, founding NextGen to support youth voter registration across the country, advocating for the passage of several state propositions on criminal-justice reform and progressive taxation, founding a nonprofit bank to provide affordable loans and reinvestment to local communities, and helping to establish free, nutritious school lunches for public school students in California.
His campaign has advocated for shifting the property tax burden through the passage of a split-roll ballot measure, improving access to MediCal and single-payer health care, increasing the state’s education ranking, and building one million homes that are affordable for everyday Californians. He has been outspoken about the criminality of federal immigration action, the Abolish ICE movement, and the importance of ensuring that California does not cooperate with illegal enforcement. Steyer has also been active in climate justice, supporting emissions-reduction efforts and holding polluters accountable for the harm they cause to local communities. He has advocated for reducing the cost of electricity to make green energy affordable to the average resident through electric vehicles, residential heat pumps, and solar panels.
Other background: Steyer has lived in San Francisco for 40 years.
The Race
Primary election: Nine major candidates are running in the June 2 primary, including Tom Steyer (D), Xavier Becerra (D), Katie Porter (D), Matt Mahan (D), Tony Thurmond (D), Betty Yee (D), Antonio Villaraigosa (D), Steve Hilton (R), and Chad Bianco (R). The top two vote recipients will advance to the general election on November 3.Candidate fundraising is categorized into two buckets. The first bucket is direct donations made to the campaign, typically from individuals, companies, and PACs. There are limits on direct campaign contributions — the maximum per election (primary and general) in the gubernatorial race is $39,200 — but donors can freely coordinate on strategy and spending with the candidate’s campaign. The second bucket is independent expenditures (IEs), which are contributions from an entity to support or oppose a candidate through efforts independent of candidate campaigns. These IE contributions are not coordinated directly with the campaign and are often unsolicited by the candidates; they are not subject to campaign donation limits, and do not follow the same reporting rules as direct donations. The issuance of independent expenditures often strategically indicates alignment with particular values and seeks to boost candidates who will pursue related policy or defeat candidates who will oppose related policy.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Tom Steyer’s campaign has raised $122 million in direct donations as of April 2026 and is almost entirely self-funded. He has not received donations from real estate, fossil fuel, corporate PAC, or police interests. Steyer has not been the beneficiary of independent expenditures in support of his candidacy as of April 2026. He is the target of a $13 million IE in opposition to his candidacy, funded by PG&E, California Association of Realtors, and California Correctional Peace Officers Association.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Xavier Becerra’s campaign has raised $2.8 million in direct donations as of April 2026 and is not funded by police, real estate, or corporate PAC interests but is supported by Chevron. Becerra’s campaign has not benefited from significant independent expenditures as of April 2026.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Katie Porter’s campaign has raised $6.2 million in direct donations as of April 2026 and is not funded by police, fossil fuel, real estate, or corporate PAC interests. Porter’s candidacy has been supported by an independent expenditure from Uber Technologies Inc., National Union of Healthcare Workers, California Teamsters Public Affairs Council PAC, and Singleton Schreiber, LLP.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Matt Mahan’s campaign has raised $12.7 million in direct donations as of April 2026 and is not funded by police, fossil fuel, or corporate PAC interests. Mahan’s campaign has received donations from Google cofounder Sergey Brin and billionaire Michael Moritz, and is supported by Govern for California, an advocacy group popular with Big Tech executives. His candidacy is supported by a $15 million IE funded by tech and finance executives, and is opposed by an IE led by the California Nurses Association. Mahan’s campaign also devised an unusual fundraising strategy that aimed to raise $35 million by April 17, and guaranteed donors would receive their money back if the goal was not reached.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Chad Bianco’s campaign has raised $4.3 million in direct donations as of April 2026 and is not funded by corporate PAC interests. Bianco’s campaign has not benefited from significant independent expenditures.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Steve Hilton’s campaign has raised $7 million in direct donations as of April 2026, with substantial self-funding. He has not received donations from fossil fuel or police interests but is supported by Fox News Chairman Rupert Murdoch and Google cofounder Sergey Brin. Hilton has not benefited from significant independent expenditures
The District
State: California is the most populous state in the United States, and includes 58 counties and 40 million residents.Voter registration: Of the 23 million registered voters in the state, 45% are Democrat, 25% are Republican, and 23% have no party preference. Democrats have held the Governor’s seat since 2011.
District demographics: 41% Latino, 17% Asian, and 6% Black.
Recent election results: California voted for Kamala Harris for president in 2024 by 20 points and Gavin Newsom for governor in 2022 by 18 points.
The Position
Governors serve as the chief executive officer of their state and have the authority to sign and implement state laws. They are responsible for overseeing the operations of the state’s executive branch and advancing statewide initiatives and programs through executive orders, legislative proposals, or executive budgets. Governors have the exclusive authority to nominate or appoint officials, including agency heads, cabinet secretaries, and state court judges. Gubernatorial power varies across states, as each state government operates under the guidance of its own state constitution.Each governor is elected by popular vote in a statewide election. In California, governors are elected to serve a four-year term and are limited to two terms in office.
Courage California endorses Tom Steyer for Governor to keep California on the right track for progress.
Progressive endorsements: Tom Steyer has the endorsement of many groups in the state, including Courage California, NRDC Action Fund, California Environmental Voters, California Teachers Association, United Domestic Workers, California Nurses Association, and several other labor groups. He is also supported by Rep. Ro Khanna and several state legislators, such as Legislative Progressive Caucus Chair Asm. Alex Lee, Asm. Isaac Bryan, Asm. Mia Bonta, Sen. Lola Smallwood-Cuevas, and Sen. Caroline Menjivar.
Top issues: Affordability, single-payer health care, education, corporate accountability and taxation, housing development, climate protections, and revenue generation
Governance and community leadership experience: Steyer founded the hedge fund management firm Farallon Capital Management before leaving that role in 2012 to dedicate himself to full-time policy advocacy. As a philanthropist, he was an early adopter of the Giving Pledge, making a public commitment to donate most of his wealth during his lifetime. To that end, he has been a longtime investor in grassroots organizing, advocating for Donald Trump’s impeachment during his first term, founding NextGen to support youth voter registration across the country, advocating for the passage of several state propositions on criminal-justice reform and progressive taxation, founding a nonprofit bank to provide affordable loans and reinvestment to local communities, and helping to establish free, nutritious school lunches for public school students in California.
His campaign has advocated for shifting the property tax burden through the passage of a split-roll ballot measure, improving access to MediCal and single-payer health care, increasing the state’s education ranking, and building one million homes that are affordable for everyday Californians. He has been outspoken about the criminality of federal immigration action, the Abolish ICE movement, and the importance of ensuring that California does not cooperate with illegal enforcement. Steyer has also been active in climate justice, supporting emissions-reduction efforts and holding polluters accountable for the harm they cause to local communities. He has advocated for reducing the cost of electricity to make green energy affordable to the average resident through electric vehicles, residential heat pumps, and solar panels.
Other background: Steyer has lived in San Francisco for 40 years.
The Race
Primary election: Nine major candidates are running in the June 2 primary, including Tom Steyer (D), Xavier Becerra (D), Katie Porter (D), Matt Mahan (D), Tony Thurmond (D), Betty Yee (D), Antonio Villaraigosa (D), Steve Hilton (R), and Chad Bianco (R). The top two vote recipients will advance to the general election on November 3.Candidate fundraising is categorized into two buckets. The first bucket is direct donations made to the campaign, typically from individuals, companies, and PACs. There are limits on direct campaign contributions — the maximum per election (primary and general) in the gubernatorial race is $39,200 — but donors can freely coordinate on strategy and spending with the candidate’s campaign. The second bucket is independent expenditures (IEs), which are contributions from an entity to support or oppose a candidate through efforts independent of candidate campaigns. These IE contributions are not coordinated directly with the campaign and are often unsolicited by the candidates; they are not subject to campaign donation limits, and do not follow the same reporting rules as direct donations. The issuance of independent expenditures often strategically indicates alignment with particular values and seeks to boost candidates who will pursue related policy or defeat candidates who will oppose related policy.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Tom Steyer’s campaign has raised $122 million in direct donations as of April 2026 and is almost entirely self-funded. He has not received donations from real estate, fossil fuel, corporate PAC, or police interests. Steyer has not been the beneficiary of independent expenditures in support of his candidacy as of April 2026. He is the target of a $13 million IE in opposition to his candidacy, funded by PG&E, California Association of Realtors, and California Correctional Peace Officers Association.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Xavier Becerra’s campaign has raised $2.8 million in direct donations as of April 2026 and is not funded by police, real estate, or corporate PAC interests but is supported by Chevron. Becerra’s campaign has not benefited from significant independent expenditures as of April 2026.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Katie Porter’s campaign has raised $6.2 million in direct donations as of April 2026 and is not funded by police, fossil fuel, real estate, or corporate PAC interests. Porter’s candidacy has been supported by an independent expenditure from Uber Technologies Inc., National Union of Healthcare Workers, California Teamsters Public Affairs Council PAC, and Singleton Schreiber, LLP.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Matt Mahan’s campaign has raised $12.7 million in direct donations as of April 2026 and is not funded by police, fossil fuel, or corporate PAC interests. Mahan’s campaign has received donations from Google cofounder Sergey Brin and billionaire Michael Moritz, and is supported by Govern for California, an advocacy group popular with Big Tech executives. His candidacy is supported by a $15 million IE funded by tech and finance executives, and is opposed by an IE led by the California Nurses Association. Mahan’s campaign also devised an unusual fundraising strategy that aimed to raise $35 million by April 17, and guaranteed donors would receive their money back if the goal was not reached.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Chad Bianco’s campaign has raised $4.3 million in direct donations as of April 2026 and is not funded by corporate PAC interests. Bianco’s campaign has not benefited from significant independent expenditures.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Steve Hilton’s campaign has raised $7 million in direct donations as of April 2026, with substantial self-funding. He has not received donations from fossil fuel or police interests but is supported by Fox News Chairman Rupert Murdoch and Google cofounder Sergey Brin. Hilton has not benefited from significant independent expenditures
The District
State: California is the most populous state in the United States, and includes 58 counties and 40 million residents.Voter registration: Of the 23 million registered voters in the state, 45% are Democrat, 25% are Republican, and 23% have no party preference. Democrats have held the Governor’s seat since 2011.
District demographics: 41% Latino, 17% Asian, and 6% Black.
Recent election results: California voted for Kamala Harris for president in 2024 by 20 points and Gavin Newsom for governor in 2022 by 18 points.
The Position
Governors serve as the chief executive officer of their state and have the authority to sign and implement state laws. They are responsible for overseeing the operations of the state’s executive branch and advancing statewide initiatives and programs through executive orders, legislative proposals, or executive budgets. Governors have the exclusive authority to nominate or appoint officials, including agency heads, cabinet secretaries, and state court judges. Gubernatorial power varies across states, as each state government operates under the guidance of its own state constitution.Each governor is elected by popular vote in a statewide election. In California, governors are elected to serve a four-year term and are limited to two terms in office.
Courage California endorses Michael Tubbs for Lieutenant Governor to keep California on the right track for progress.
Progressive endorsements: Michael Tubbs has the endorsement of many groups, including Courage California, Community Water Center Action, Inland Empire United, Pilipino Action Center, Harvey Milk LGBTQ Democratic Club, Project Super Bloom, ACCE Action, California Environmental Voters, California Working Families Party, SEIU California, and many Democratic clubs, including young and campus-based Democratic clubs. He is also supported by many community and elected leaders, like Dolores Huerta, Rep. Robert Garcia, Rep. Lateefah Simon, Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee, State Sen. Lola Smallwood-Cuevas, Asm. Mia Bonta, Los Angeles County Supervisor Holly Mitchell, Orange County Supervisor, Vicente Sarmiento, and San Diego County Supervisor Monica Montgomery Steppe.
Top issues: Housing affordability, higher education affordability, economic mobility, and environmental protection, including clean air and water.
Governance and community leadership experience: Tubbs is founder of the nonprofit End Poverty in California (EPIC) and Special Advisor to Governor Gavin Newsom for Economic Mobility. He previously served as a city councilmember and mayor of Stockton, where he helped the city recover from bankruptcy, created a guaranteed basic income project that has now been adopted by other cities, worked with the police chief to reduce homicides (by 40%) and officer-involved shootings, supported small businesses in the city in partnership with groups like Main Street Launch, raised over $20 million to create the Stockton Scholars scholarship and mentorship program, led a Stockton Green New Deal with a diverse coalition, and worked with a local labor union to keep San Joaquin County from closing two local health clinics. Tubbs was Stockton’s first African American mayor and the youngest mayor of a major city in the United States.
The Race
Primary election: There are 16 candidates running in the June 2 primary, including Michael Tubbs, State Treasurer Fiona Ma (D), Janelle Kellman (D), and Oliver Ma (D). The top two vote recipients will advance to the general election on November 3.Candidate fundraising and pledges: Tubbs’ campaign has raised $2,125,751 and is not funded by fossil fuel, real estate, law enforcement, or corporate donors. He does have the support of some tech, finance, and other corporate executives.
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: State Treasurer Fiona Ma’s campaign has raised $2,531,616 and is not funded by fossil fuel or real estate donors.
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Kellman’s campaign has raised $526,161 and is not funded by fossil fuel, law enforcement, real estate, or corporate donors.
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Oliver Ma’s campaign has raised $458,642 and is not funded by fossil fuel, law enforcement, real estate, or corporate donors.
The District
State: California is the most populous state in the United States, and includes 58 counties and 40 million residents.Voter registration: Of the 23 million registered voters in the state, 45% are Democrat, 25% are Republican, and 23% have no party preference. Democrats have held the governor’s seat since 2011.
District demographics: 41% Latino, 17% Asian, and 6% Black.
Recent election results: California voted for Kamala Harris for president in 2024 by 20 points and Gavin Newsom for governor in 2022 by 18 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 and statewide.The California State Senate has 40 districts. Each represents a population of about 988,000 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 are allowed to serve 12 years total across both the state Senate or the Assembly. Democrats currently hold a three-quarters supermajority of 30 seats in the California State Senate, while Republicans hold ten seats.
Courage California endorses Michael Tubbs for Lieutenant Governor to keep California on the right track for progress.
Progressive endorsements: Michael Tubbs has the endorsement of many groups, including Courage California, Community Water Center Action, Inland Empire United, Pilipino Action Center, Harvey Milk LGBTQ Democratic Club, Project Super Bloom, ACCE Action, California Environmental Voters, California Working Families Party, SEIU California, and many Democratic clubs, including young and campus-based Democratic clubs. He is also supported by many community and elected leaders, like Dolores Huerta, Rep. Robert Garcia, Rep. Lateefah Simon, Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee, State Sen. Lola Smallwood-Cuevas, Asm. Mia Bonta, Los Angeles County Supervisor Holly Mitchell, Orange County Supervisor, Vicente Sarmiento, and San Diego County Supervisor Monica Montgomery Steppe.
Top issues: Housing affordability, higher education affordability, economic mobility, and environmental protection, including clean air and water.
Governance and community leadership experience: Tubbs is founder of the nonprofit End Poverty in California (EPIC) and Special Advisor to Governor Gavin Newsom for Economic Mobility. He previously served as a city councilmember and mayor of Stockton, where he helped the city recover from bankruptcy, created a guaranteed basic income project that has now been adopted by other cities, worked with the police chief to reduce homicides (by 40%) and officer-involved shootings, supported small businesses in the city in partnership with groups like Main Street Launch, raised over $20 million to create the Stockton Scholars scholarship and mentorship program, led a Stockton Green New Deal with a diverse coalition, and worked with a local labor union to keep San Joaquin County from closing two local health clinics. Tubbs was Stockton’s first African American mayor and the youngest mayor of a major city in the United States.
The Race
Primary election: There are 16 candidates running in the June 2 primary, including Michael Tubbs, State Treasurer Fiona Ma (D), Janelle Kellman (D), and Oliver Ma (D). The top two vote recipients will advance to the general election on November 3.Candidate fundraising and pledges: Tubbs’ campaign has raised $2,125,751 and is not funded by fossil fuel, real estate, law enforcement, or corporate donors. He does have the support of some tech, finance, and other corporate executives.
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: State Treasurer Fiona Ma’s campaign has raised $2,531,616 and is not funded by fossil fuel or real estate donors.
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Kellman’s campaign has raised $526,161 and is not funded by fossil fuel, law enforcement, real estate, or corporate donors.
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Oliver Ma’s campaign has raised $458,642 and is not funded by fossil fuel, law enforcement, real estate, or corporate donors.
The District
State: California is the most populous state in the United States, and includes 58 counties and 40 million residents.Voter registration: Of the 23 million registered voters in the state, 45% are Democrat, 25% are Republican, and 23% have no party preference. Democrats have held the governor’s seat since 2011.
District demographics: 41% Latino, 17% Asian, and 6% Black.
Recent election results: California voted for Kamala Harris for president in 2024 by 20 points and Gavin Newsom for governor in 2022 by 18 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 and statewide.The California State Senate has 40 districts. Each represents a population of about 988,000 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 are allowed to serve 12 years total across both the state Senate or the Assembly. Democrats currently hold a three-quarters supermajority of 30 seats in the California State Senate, while Republicans hold ten seats.
Courage California endorses Michael Tubbs for Lieutenant Governor to keep California on the right track for progress.
Progressive endorsements: Michael Tubbs has the endorsement of many groups, including Courage California, Community Water Center Action, Inland Empire United, Pilipino Action Center, Harvey Milk LGBTQ Democratic Club, Project Super Bloom, ACCE Action, California Environmental Voters, California Working Families Party, SEIU California, and many Democratic clubs, including young and campus-based Democratic clubs. He is also supported by many community and elected leaders, like Dolores Huerta, Rep. Robert Garcia, Rep. Lateefah Simon, Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee, State Sen. Lola Smallwood-Cuevas, Asm. Mia Bonta, Los Angeles County Supervisor Holly Mitchell, Orange County Supervisor, Vicente Sarmiento, and San Diego County Supervisor Monica Montgomery Steppe.
Top issues: Housing affordability, higher education affordability, economic mobility, and environmental protection, including clean air and water.
Governance and community leadership experience: Tubbs is founder of the nonprofit End Poverty in California (EPIC) and Special Advisor to Governor Gavin Newsom for Economic Mobility. He previously served as a city councilmember and mayor of Stockton, where he helped the city recover from bankruptcy, created a guaranteed basic income project that has now been adopted by other cities, worked with the police chief to reduce homicides (by 40%) and officer-involved shootings, supported small businesses in the city in partnership with groups like Main Street Launch, raised over $20 million to create the Stockton Scholars scholarship and mentorship program, led a Stockton Green New Deal with a diverse coalition, and worked with a local labor union to keep San Joaquin County from closing two local health clinics. Tubbs was Stockton’s first African American mayor and the youngest mayor of a major city in the United States.
The Race
Primary election: There are 16 candidates running in the June 2 primary, including Michael Tubbs, State Treasurer Fiona Ma (D), Janelle Kellman (D), and Oliver Ma (D). The top two vote recipients will advance to the general election on November 3.Candidate fundraising and pledges: Tubbs’ campaign has raised $2,125,751 and is not funded by fossil fuel, real estate, law enforcement, or corporate donors. He does have the support of some tech, finance, and other corporate executives.
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: State Treasurer Fiona Ma’s campaign has raised $2,531,616 and is not funded by fossil fuel or real estate donors.
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Kellman’s campaign has raised $526,161 and is not funded by fossil fuel, law enforcement, real estate, or corporate donors.
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Oliver Ma’s campaign has raised $458,642 and is not funded by fossil fuel, law enforcement, real estate, or corporate donors.
The District
State: California is the most populous state in the United States, and includes 58 counties and 40 million residents.Voter registration: Of the 23 million registered voters in the state, 45% are Democrat, 25% are Republican, and 23% have no party preference. Democrats have held the governor’s seat since 2011.
District demographics: 41% Latino, 17% Asian, and 6% Black.
Recent election results: California voted for Kamala Harris for president in 2024 by 20 points and Gavin Newsom for governor in 2022 by 18 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 and statewide.The California State Senate has 40 districts. Each represents a population of about 988,000 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 are allowed to serve 12 years total across both the state Senate or the Assembly. Democrats currently hold a three-quarters supermajority of 30 seats in the California State Senate, while Republicans hold ten seats.
Re-elect Secretary of State Dr. Shirley Weber to keep California on the right track for progress.
Progressive endorsements: Secretary Weber has the endorsement of many groups, including California Nurses Association, California Teachers Association, Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California, San Diego Democrats for Equality, California Women’s List, and several other labor unions. She has also received the support of several local and state leaders, including Attorney General Rob Bonta, State Controller Malia Cohen, State Superintendent Tony Thurmond, Asm. LaShae Sharp-Collins, and San Diego County Supervisor Monica Montgomery-Steppe.
Top issues and priority policies: Restoring trust and transparency, encouraging Californians to vote, expanding access to the ballot, monitoring and upgrading cybersecurity policies to protect elections, and revamping voter-education outreach programs for the formerly incarcerated who are now eligible to vote.
Governance experience: Dr. Weber was appointed to serve as secretary of state by Governor Gavin Newsom in 2020 after Alex Padilla was appointed to serve the rest of Vice President Kamala Harris’s Senate term. She was unanimously confirmed by the state legislature. Dr. Weber won her 2022 election with 59% of the vote. She is the first Black California Secretary of State. In this role, Dr. Weber has focused on expanding voter outreach in rural communities and on high school and college campuses. She has sued local governments for violating election laws, successfully defended against the Trump administration’s attempt to seize California’s voter data, and supported the Prop 50 redistricting effort to counter the Republican-led undemocratic gerrymandering campaigns. Community groups have advocated for Dr. Weber to continue to expand access to voters with disabilities and voters with limited English proficiency.
Dr. Weber previously served in the State Assembly from 2012–2021, and sponsored bills on a variety of issues, including school safety, full-day kindergarten, reducing the use of deadly force by police, strengthening the CalFresh program, and creating the state Reparations Task Force. Her successes also included environmental cleanup, increasing food access for food-insecure communities, establishing protections for residents of long-term nursing facilities, and lowering the cost of childcare. She scored a lifetime 93 out of 100 on Courage Score, our annual analysis of legislators’ progressive voting records. Based on our Courage Score analysis, Sec. Weber supported nearly all progressive bills that made it to a vote.
Prior to serving in public office, Secretary Weber founded the Department of Africana Studies at San Diego State University in 1972, and taught there for forty years. She also served as president of the National Council for Black Studies from 2002–2006, as president of the San Diego Board of Education from 1988–1996, and as chairperson of San Diego’s Citizens Equal Opportunity Commission.
The Race
Primary election: There are four candidates running in the June 2 primary: incumbent Secretary Dr. Shirley Weber (D), Michael Feinstein (Grn), Gary Blenner (Grn), and Donald Wagner (R). The top two vote recipients will advance to the general election on November 3.Candidate fundraising and pledges: Secretary Weber’s campaign has raised $462,061 and is not funded by fossil fuel, real estate, or corporate contributions.
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Michael Feinstein’s campaign has not filed any campaign-finance information as of April 2026.
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Gary Blenner’s campaign has not filed any campaign-finance information as of April 2026.
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Donald Wagner’s campaign has raised $501,693 and is funded by law enforcement. Wagner is an Orange County supervisor and a founder of the county’s Federalist Society, a conservative legal group that has successfully gotten more right-wing judges appointed around the country, including to the U.S. Supreme Court. He supports the Republican-backed voter-ID ballot measure that will keep eligible Californians from voting and says he will end the practice of sending mail-in ballots to every voter in the state.
The District
State: California is the most populous state in the United States, and includes 58 counties and 40 million residents.Voter registration: Of the 23 million registered voters in the state, 45% are Democrat, 25% are Republican, and 23% have no party preference. Democrats have held the Governor’s seat since 2011.
District demographics: 41% Latino, 17% Asian, and 6% Black.
Recent election results: California voted for Kamala Harris for president in 2024 by 20 points and Gavin Newsom for governor in 2022 by 18 points.
The Position
The secretary of state acts as the lead records officer for the state of California, and manages an office of 500 civil-service employees who are responsible for ensuring transparency and accessibility in elections, campaigning, business records, and legislative advocacy. The secretary of state’s office has a significant responsibility for election implementation and integrity, as it produces information pamphlets for voters in ten languages, provides statewide testing and approval for voting equipment, maintains the voter database, and certifies the official candidate lists and the official election results. The secretary of state’s office also oversees the filing and disclosure of campaign-finance information, the management of business records, the safeguarding of statewide address confidentiality, and the maintenance of registries for domestic partnerships and advanced health-care directives. The secretary of state is elected for a four-year term and may serve a maximum of two terms in office. This office has traditionally been held by Democrats.Re-elect Secretary of State Dr. Shirley Weber to keep California on the right track for progress.
Progressive endorsements: Secretary Weber has the endorsement of many groups, including California Nurses Association, California Teachers Association, Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California, San Diego Democrats for Equality, California Women’s List, and several other labor unions. She has also received the support of several local and state leaders, including Attorney General Rob Bonta, State Controller Malia Cohen, State Superintendent Tony Thurmond, Asm. LaShae Sharp-Collins, and San Diego County Supervisor Monica Montgomery-Steppe.
Top issues and priority policies: Restoring trust and transparency, encouraging Californians to vote, expanding access to the ballot, monitoring and upgrading cybersecurity policies to protect elections, and revamping voter-education outreach programs for the formerly incarcerated who are now eligible to vote.
Governance experience: Dr. Weber was appointed to serve as secretary of state by Governor Gavin Newsom in 2020 after Alex Padilla was appointed to serve the rest of Vice President Kamala Harris’s Senate term. She was unanimously confirmed by the state legislature. Dr. Weber won her 2022 election with 59% of the vote. She is the first Black California Secretary of State. In this role, Dr. Weber has focused on expanding voter outreach in rural communities and on high school and college campuses. She has sued local governments for violating election laws, successfully defended against the Trump administration’s attempt to seize California’s voter data, and supported the Prop 50 redistricting effort to counter the Republican-led undemocratic gerrymandering campaigns. Community groups have advocated for Dr. Weber to continue to expand access to voters with disabilities and voters with limited English proficiency.
Dr. Weber previously served in the State Assembly from 2012–2021, and sponsored bills on a variety of issues, including school safety, full-day kindergarten, reducing the use of deadly force by police, strengthening the CalFresh program, and creating the state Reparations Task Force. Her successes also included environmental cleanup, increasing food access for food-insecure communities, establishing protections for residents of long-term nursing facilities, and lowering the cost of childcare. She scored a lifetime 93 out of 100 on Courage Score, our annual analysis of legislators’ progressive voting records. Based on our Courage Score analysis, Sec. Weber supported nearly all progressive bills that made it to a vote.
Prior to serving in public office, Secretary Weber founded the Department of Africana Studies at San Diego State University in 1972, and taught there for forty years. She also served as president of the National Council for Black Studies from 2002–2006, as president of the San Diego Board of Education from 1988–1996, and as chairperson of San Diego’s Citizens Equal Opportunity Commission.
The Race
Primary election: There are four candidates running in the June 2 primary: incumbent Secretary Dr. Shirley Weber (D), Michael Feinstein (Grn), Gary Blenner (Grn), and Donald Wagner (R). The top two vote recipients will advance to the general election on November 3.Candidate fundraising and pledges: Secretary Weber’s campaign has raised $462,061 and is not funded by fossil fuel, real estate, or corporate contributions.
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Michael Feinstein’s campaign has not filed any campaign-finance information as of April 2026.
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Gary Blenner’s campaign has not filed any campaign-finance information as of April 2026.
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Donald Wagner’s campaign has raised $501,693 and is funded by law enforcement. Wagner is an Orange County supervisor and a founder of the county’s Federalist Society, a conservative legal group that has successfully gotten more right-wing judges appointed around the country, including to the U.S. Supreme Court. He supports the Republican-backed voter-ID ballot measure that will keep eligible Californians from voting and says he will end the practice of sending mail-in ballots to every voter in the state.
The District
State: California is the most populous state in the United States, and includes 58 counties and 40 million residents.Voter registration: Of the 23 million registered voters in the state, 45% are Democrat, 25% are Republican, and 23% have no party preference. Democrats have held the Governor’s seat since 2011.
District demographics: 41% Latino, 17% Asian, and 6% Black.
Recent election results: California voted for Kamala Harris for president in 2024 by 20 points and Gavin Newsom for governor in 2022 by 18 points.
The Position
The secretary of state acts as the lead records officer for the state of California, and manages an office of 500 civil-service employees who are responsible for ensuring transparency and accessibility in elections, campaigning, business records, and legislative advocacy. The secretary of state’s office has a significant responsibility for election implementation and integrity, as it produces information pamphlets for voters in ten languages, provides statewide testing and approval for voting equipment, maintains the voter database, and certifies the official candidate lists and the official election results. The secretary of state’s office also oversees the filing and disclosure of campaign-finance information, the management of business records, the safeguarding of statewide address confidentiality, and the maintenance of registries for domestic partnerships and advanced health-care directives. The secretary of state is elected for a four-year term and may serve a maximum of two terms in office. This office has traditionally been held by Democrats.
Re-elect Secretary of State Dr. Shirley Weber to keep California on the right track for progress.
Progressive endorsements: Secretary Weber has the endorsement of many groups, including California Nurses Association, California Teachers Association, Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California, San Diego Democrats for Equality, California Women’s List, and several other labor unions. She has also received the support of several local and state leaders, including Attorney General Rob Bonta, State Controller Malia Cohen, State Superintendent Tony Thurmond, Asm. LaShae Sharp-Collins, and San Diego County Supervisor Monica Montgomery-Steppe.
Top issues and priority policies: Restoring trust and transparency, encouraging Californians to vote, expanding access to the ballot, monitoring and upgrading cybersecurity policies to protect elections, and revamping voter-education outreach programs for the formerly incarcerated who are now eligible to vote.
Governance experience: Dr. Weber was appointed to serve as secretary of state by Governor Gavin Newsom in 2020 after Alex Padilla was appointed to serve the rest of Vice President Kamala Harris’s Senate term. She was unanimously confirmed by the state legislature. Dr. Weber won her 2022 election with 59% of the vote. She is the first Black California Secretary of State. In this role, Dr. Weber has focused on expanding voter outreach in rural communities and on high school and college campuses. She has sued local governments for violating election laws, successfully defended against the Trump administration’s attempt to seize California’s voter data, and supported the Prop 50 redistricting effort to counter the Republican-led undemocratic gerrymandering campaigns. Community groups have advocated for Dr. Weber to continue to expand access to voters with disabilities and voters with limited English proficiency.
Dr. Weber previously served in the State Assembly from 2012–2021, and sponsored bills on a variety of issues, including school safety, full-day kindergarten, reducing the use of deadly force by police, strengthening the CalFresh program, and creating the state Reparations Task Force. Her successes also included environmental cleanup, increasing food access for food-insecure communities, establishing protections for residents of long-term nursing facilities, and lowering the cost of childcare. She scored a lifetime 93 out of 100 on Courage Score, our annual analysis of legislators’ progressive voting records. Based on our Courage Score analysis, Sec. Weber supported nearly all progressive bills that made it to a vote.
Prior to serving in public office, Secretary Weber founded the Department of Africana Studies at San Diego State University in 1972, and taught there for forty years. She also served as president of the National Council for Black Studies from 2002–2006, as president of the San Diego Board of Education from 1988–1996, and as chairperson of San Diego’s Citizens Equal Opportunity Commission.
The Race
Primary election: There are four candidates running in the June 2 primary: incumbent Secretary Dr. Shirley Weber (D), Michael Feinstein (Grn), Gary Blenner (Grn), and Donald Wagner (R). The top two vote recipients will advance to the general election on November 3.Candidate fundraising and pledges: Secretary Weber’s campaign has raised $462,061 and is not funded by fossil fuel, real estate, or corporate contributions.
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Michael Feinstein’s campaign has not filed any campaign-finance information as of April 2026.
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Gary Blenner’s campaign has not filed any campaign-finance information as of April 2026.
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Donald Wagner’s campaign has raised $501,693 and is funded by law enforcement. Wagner is an Orange County supervisor and a founder of the county’s Federalist Society, a conservative legal group that has successfully gotten more right-wing judges appointed around the country, including to the U.S. Supreme Court. He supports the Republican-backed voter-ID ballot measure that will keep eligible Californians from voting and says he will end the practice of sending mail-in ballots to every voter in the state.
The District
State: California is the most populous state in the United States, and includes 58 counties and 40 million residents.Voter registration: Of the 23 million registered voters in the state, 45% are Democrat, 25% are Republican, and 23% have no party preference. Democrats have held the Governor’s seat since 2011.
District demographics: 41% Latino, 17% Asian, and 6% Black.
Recent election results: California voted for Kamala Harris for president in 2024 by 20 points and Gavin Newsom for governor in 2022 by 18 points.
The Position
The secretary of state acts as the lead records officer for the state of California, and manages an office of 500 civil-service employees who are responsible for ensuring transparency and accessibility in elections, campaigning, business records, and legislative advocacy. The secretary of state’s office has a significant responsibility for election implementation and integrity, as it produces information pamphlets for voters in ten languages, provides statewide testing and approval for voting equipment, maintains the voter database, and certifies the official candidate lists and the official election results. The secretary of state’s office also oversees the filing and disclosure of campaign-finance information, the management of business records, the safeguarding of statewide address confidentiality, and the maintenance of registries for domestic partnerships and advanced health-care directives. The secretary of state is elected for a four-year term and may serve a maximum of two terms in office. This office has traditionally been held by Democrats.
Courage California endorses Attorney General Rob Bonta for re-election to keep California on the right track for progress.
Progressive endorsements: Attorney General Rob Bonta has the endorsement of many groups in the state, including Courage California, Smart Justice California, California Environmental Voters, and many labor unions. He has also received the endorsement of many elected officials, including Gov. Gavin Newsom, Sen. Adam Schiff, Sen. Alex Padilla, most members of the Democratic California House delegation, and many state legislators.
Top issues: Protecting California’s federal funding, fighting organized crime, access to reproductive health care, and maintaining safety and affordability for Californians.
Priority policies: This year, Attorney General Bonta’s priorities for California have focused on efforts to fight the Trump administration’s policies, including blocking an executive order to restrict mail voting, protecting access to gender-affirming care, opposing mandatory immigration detention without due process, and challenging HUD-funding restrictions. His office has also worked to improve the use of sexual assault evidence kits, increase accountability for Big Oil, and block corporate mergers. His office recently brought charges against a fraud ring responsible for $267 million in hospice fraud in Los Angeles, secured significant prison sentences for child sex abusers, and supported litigation that eventually led to the Trump administration dropping their appeals in cases related to rescinding funding from state energy and HUD programs.
Governance and community leadership experience: Attorney General Bonta was first elected to the State Assembly in 2012 and served as a consistent progressive champion for nine years. In 2021, Governor Gavin Newsom appointed him as state attorney general after the seat was vacated by Xavier Becerra upon his confirmation to serve in the Biden administration. Bonta won a full term in the general election in 2022 after defeating his Republican challenger by 18 points.
During his time in the State Assembly, Attorney General Bonta was an effective legislator who worked on bills related to climate protections, criminal justice and prison reform, immigrant rights, and housing protections. Bonta scored a lifetime score of 98 out of 100 on Courage Score, our annual analysis of legislators’ progressive voting records. Based on our Courage Score analysis, he supported the most progressive bills that made it to a vote and earned the Courage Score All-Star designation three times.
Prior to his election to the State Assembly, Attorney General Bonta served as a deputy city attorney for both the City and County of San Francisco, as an elected member of the Alameda Health Care District Board of Directors, as board president for the Social Service Human Relations board, as board president for Alternatives in Action, and as chair of the Economic Development Commission. He is a longtime activist in the ongoing fight for racial, economic, and social justice.
Other background: Attorney General Rob Bonta, a civil rights attorney, is from Alameda, CA. He is the son of farmworkers who provided leadership to the labor movement and is the first Filipino American to serve as California’s attorney general.
The Race
Primary election: There are three candidates running in the June 2 primary: incumbent Attorney General Rob Bonta, Michael Gates (R), and Marjorie Mikels (G). The top two vote recipients will advance to the general election on November 3.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Attorney General Rob Bonta’s campaign has raised $7.6 million as of April 2026. He is not funded by fossil fuel or police interests.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Michael Gates’s campaign has raised $716,000 as of April 2026 and is not funded by fossil fuel or corporate PAC interests.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Marjorie Mikels’s campaign has not filed any campaign fundraising receipts with the secretary of state’s office as of April 2026.
The District
State: California is the most populous state in the United States, and includes 58 counties and 40 million residents.
Voter registration: Of the 23 million registered voters in the state, 45% are Democrat, 25% are Republican, and 23% have no party preference. Democrats have held the governor’s seat since 2011.
District demographics: 41% Latino, 17% Asian, and 6% Black.
Recent election results: California voted for Kamala Harris for president in 2024 by 20 points and Gavin Newsom for governor in 2022 by 18 points.
The Position
The state attorney general acts as the lead attorney and law-enforcement official for the state of California and has oversight of over 4,500 state-employed district attorneys, investigators, police officers, and administrators. The attorney general executes a variety of responsibilities in the state, including representing the people of California in criminal and civil matters in court, coordinating statewide law-enforcement efforts, providing legal counsel to state agencies, and managing special projects to protect the rights of Californians. California has 58 elected district attorneys who report to the attorney general, one for every county in the state. The attorney general is elected for a four-year term and may serve a maximum of two terms in office. This office has traditionally been held by Democrats.
Last updated: 4/26/26
References:
https://oag.ca.gov/media/news
https://ballotpedia.org/RobBonta
Courage California endorses Attorney General Rob Bonta for re-election to keep California on the right track for progress.
Progressive endorsements: Attorney General Rob Bonta has the endorsement of many groups in the state, including Courage California, Smart Justice California, California Environmental Voters, and many labor unions. He has also received the endorsement of many elected officials, including Gov. Gavin Newsom, Sen. Adam Schiff, Sen. Alex Padilla, most members of the Democratic California House delegation, and many state legislators.
Top issues: Protecting California’s federal funding, fighting organized crime, access to reproductive health care, and maintaining safety and affordability for Californians.
Priority policies: This year, Attorney General Bonta’s priorities for California have focused on efforts to fight the Trump administration’s policies, including blocking an executive order to restrict mail voting, protecting access to gender-affirming care, opposing mandatory immigration detention without due process, and challenging HUD-funding restrictions. His office has also worked to improve the use of sexual assault evidence kits, increase accountability for Big Oil, and block corporate mergers. His office recently brought charges against a fraud ring responsible for $267 million in hospice fraud in Los Angeles, secured significant prison sentences for child sex abusers, and supported litigation that eventually led to the Trump administration dropping their appeals in cases related to rescinding funding from state energy and HUD programs.
Governance and community leadership experience: Attorney General Bonta was first elected to the State Assembly in 2012 and served as a consistent progressive champion for nine years. In 2021, Governor Gavin Newsom appointed him as state attorney general after the seat was vacated by Xavier Becerra upon his confirmation to serve in the Biden administration. Bonta won a full term in the general election in 2022 after defeating his Republican challenger by 18 points.
During his time in the State Assembly, Attorney General Bonta was an effective legislator who worked on bills related to climate protections, criminal justice and prison reform, immigrant rights, and housing protections. Bonta scored a lifetime score of 98 out of 100 on Courage Score, our annual analysis of legislators’ progressive voting records. Based on our Courage Score analysis, he supported the most progressive bills that made it to a vote and earned the Courage Score All-Star designation three times.
Prior to his election to the State Assembly, Attorney General Bonta served as a deputy city attorney for both the City and County of San Francisco, as an elected member of the Alameda Health Care District Board of Directors, as board president for the Social Service Human Relations board, as board president for Alternatives in Action, and as chair of the Economic Development Commission. He is a longtime activist in the ongoing fight for racial, economic, and social justice.
Other background: Attorney General Rob Bonta, a civil rights attorney, is from Alameda, CA. He is the son of farmworkers who provided leadership to the labor movement and is the first Filipino American to serve as California’s attorney general.
The Race
Primary election: There are three candidates running in the June 2 primary: incumbent Attorney General Rob Bonta, Michael Gates (R), and Marjorie Mikels (G). The top two vote recipients will advance to the general election on November 3.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Attorney General Rob Bonta’s campaign has raised $7.6 million as of April 2026. He is not funded by fossil fuel or police interests.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Michael Gates’s campaign has raised $716,000 as of April 2026 and is not funded by fossil fuel or corporate PAC interests.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Marjorie Mikels’s campaign has not filed any campaign fundraising receipts with the secretary of state’s office as of April 2026.
The District
State: California is the most populous state in the United States, and includes 58 counties and 40 million residents.
Voter registration: Of the 23 million registered voters in the state, 45% are Democrat, 25% are Republican, and 23% have no party preference. Democrats have held the governor’s seat since 2011.
District demographics: 41% Latino, 17% Asian, and 6% Black.
Recent election results: California voted for Kamala Harris for president in 2024 by 20 points and Gavin Newsom for governor in 2022 by 18 points.
The Position
The state attorney general acts as the lead attorney and law-enforcement official for the state of California and has oversight of over 4,500 state-employed district attorneys, investigators, police officers, and administrators. The attorney general executes a variety of responsibilities in the state, including representing the people of California in criminal and civil matters in court, coordinating statewide law-enforcement efforts, providing legal counsel to state agencies, and managing special projects to protect the rights of Californians. California has 58 elected district attorneys who report to the attorney general, one for every county in the state. The attorney general is elected for a four-year term and may serve a maximum of two terms in office. This office has traditionally been held by Democrats.
Last updated: 4/26/26
References:
https://oag.ca.gov/media/news
https://ballotpedia.org/RobBonta
Courage California endorses Attorney General Rob Bonta for re-election to keep California on the right track for progress.
Progressive endorsements: Attorney General Rob Bonta has the endorsement of many groups in the state, including Courage California, Smart Justice California, California Environmental Voters, and many labor unions. He has also received the endorsement of many elected officials, including Gov. Gavin Newsom, Sen. Adam Schiff, Sen. Alex Padilla, most members of the Democratic California House delegation, and many state legislators.
Top issues: Protecting California’s federal funding, fighting organized crime, access to reproductive health care, and maintaining safety and affordability for Californians.
Priority policies: This year, Attorney General Bonta’s priorities for California have focused on efforts to fight the Trump administration’s policies, including blocking an executive order to restrict mail voting, protecting access to gender-affirming care, opposing mandatory immigration detention without due process, and challenging HUD-funding restrictions. His office has also worked to improve the use of sexual assault evidence kits, increase accountability for Big Oil, and block corporate mergers. His office recently brought charges against a fraud ring responsible for $267 million in hospice fraud in Los Angeles, secured significant prison sentences for child sex abusers, and supported litigation that eventually led to the Trump administration dropping their appeals in cases related to rescinding funding from state energy and HUD programs.
Governance and community leadership experience: Attorney General Bonta was first elected to the State Assembly in 2012 and served as a consistent progressive champion for nine years. In 2021, Governor Gavin Newsom appointed him as state attorney general after the seat was vacated by Xavier Becerra upon his confirmation to serve in the Biden administration. Bonta won a full term in the general election in 2022 after defeating his Republican challenger by 18 points.
During his time in the State Assembly, Attorney General Bonta was an effective legislator who worked on bills related to climate protections, criminal justice and prison reform, immigrant rights, and housing protections. Bonta scored a lifetime score of 98 out of 100 on Courage Score, our annual analysis of legislators’ progressive voting records. Based on our Courage Score analysis, he supported the most progressive bills that made it to a vote and earned the Courage Score All-Star designation three times.
Prior to his election to the State Assembly, Attorney General Bonta served as a deputy city attorney for both the City and County of San Francisco, as an elected member of the Alameda Health Care District Board of Directors, as board president for the Social Service Human Relations board, as board president for Alternatives in Action, and as chair of the Economic Development Commission. He is a longtime activist in the ongoing fight for racial, economic, and social justice.
Other background: Attorney General Rob Bonta, a civil rights attorney, is from Alameda, CA. He is the son of farmworkers who provided leadership to the labor movement and is the first Filipino American to serve as California’s attorney general.
The Race
Primary election: There are three candidates running in the June 2 primary: incumbent Attorney General Rob Bonta, Michael Gates (R), and Marjorie Mikels (G). The top two vote recipients will advance to the general election on November 3.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Attorney General Rob Bonta’s campaign has raised $7.6 million as of April 2026. He is not funded by fossil fuel or police interests.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Michael Gates’s campaign has raised $716,000 as of April 2026 and is not funded by fossil fuel or corporate PAC interests.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Marjorie Mikels’s campaign has not filed any campaign fundraising receipts with the secretary of state’s office as of April 2026.
The District
State: California is the most populous state in the United States, and includes 58 counties and 40 million residents.
Voter registration: Of the 23 million registered voters in the state, 45% are Democrat, 25% are Republican, and 23% have no party preference. Democrats have held the governor’s seat since 2011.
District demographics: 41% Latino, 17% Asian, and 6% Black.
Recent election results: California voted for Kamala Harris for president in 2024 by 20 points and Gavin Newsom for governor in 2022 by 18 points.
The Position
The state attorney general acts as the lead attorney and law-enforcement official for the state of California and has oversight of over 4,500 state-employed district attorneys, investigators, police officers, and administrators. The attorney general executes a variety of responsibilities in the state, including representing the people of California in criminal and civil matters in court, coordinating statewide law-enforcement efforts, providing legal counsel to state agencies, and managing special projects to protect the rights of Californians. California has 58 elected district attorneys who report to the attorney general, one for every county in the state. The attorney general is elected for a four-year term and may serve a maximum of two terms in office. This office has traditionally been held by Democrats.
Last updated: 4/26/26
References:
https://oag.ca.gov/media/news
https://ballotpedia.org/RobBonta
Re-elect Controller Malia Cohen to keep California on the right track for progress.
Malia Cohen has been state controller since 2023, when she was elected with 55% of the vote. In her tenure as controller, she has prioritized fairness and equity, supporting gender equity, workforce training and development, affordable housing, affordable and quality health care, climate change, and corporate accountability in her duties. Controller Cohen previously served on the California State Board of Equalization and the San Francisco Board of Supervisors. As chair of the San Francisco Employee Retirement System, she led the effort to divest from fossil fuels. Controller Malia Cohen has the endorsement of many progressive groups, including Equality California, California Environmental Voters, California Nurses Association, SEIU California, California Labor Federation, and several other labor unions. She is also supported by elected leaders, including Senator Adam Schiff, Governor Gavin Newsom, State Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas, and Senate President Pro Tempore Monique Limón.
The Race
Primary election: There are three candidates running in the June 2 primary: incumbent Controller Malia Cohen (D), Herb Morgan (R), and Meghann Adams (PAF). The top two vote recipients will advance to the general election on November 3.Candidate fundraising and pledges: Controller Malia Cohen’s campaign has raised $1,214,831.
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Herb Morgan’s campaign has raised $373,351 and is partially self-funded. He does not have any contributions from fossil fuel, real estate, law enforcement, or corporate donors.
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Meghann Adams’s campaign has raised $15,697 and is not funded by fossil fuel, real estate, law enforcement, or corporate donors.
The District
State: California is the most populous state in the United States, and includes 58 counties and 40 million residents.Voter registration: Of the 23 million registered voters in the state, 45% are Democrat, 25% are Republican, and 23% have no party preference. Democrats have held the governor’s seat since 2011.
District demographics: 41% Latino, 17% Asian, and 6% Black.
Recent election results: California voted for Kamala Harris for president in 2024 by 20 points and Gavin Newsom for governor in 2022 by 18 points.
The Position
The state controller acts as the lead fiscal authority for the state of California, which is the fifth-largest economy in the world. The state controller manages an office of 1,400 public servants responsible for the disbursement of financial resources across the state. The state controller’s office oversees audits of funds distributed to state agencies and programs, acts as a steward for unclaimed property that falls to state possession, provides accounting and reporting services for government entities, and manages payroll accounting and data for state employees. The state controller also serves as a policy liaison to a variety of finance organizations, including the state’s two pension funds, CalPERS and CalSTRS, and the California Franchise Tax Board. The state controller is elected for a four-year term and may serve a maximum of two terms in office. This office has traditionally been held by Democrats.Re-elect Controller Malia Cohen to keep California on the right track for progress.
Malia Cohen has been state controller since 2023, when she was elected with 55% of the vote. In her tenure as controller, she has prioritized fairness and equity, supporting gender equity, workforce training and development, affordable housing, affordable and quality health care, climate change, and corporate accountability in her duties. Controller Cohen previously served on the California State Board of Equalization and the San Francisco Board of Supervisors. As chair of the San Francisco Employee Retirement System, she led the effort to divest from fossil fuels. Controller Malia Cohen has the endorsement of many progressive groups, including Equality California, California Environmental Voters, California Nurses Association, SEIU California, California Labor Federation, and several other labor unions. She is also supported by elected leaders, including Senator Adam Schiff, Governor Gavin Newsom, State Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas, and Senate President Pro Tempore Monique Limón.
The Race
Primary election: There are three candidates running in the June 2 primary: incumbent Controller Malia Cohen (D), Herb Morgan (R), and Meghann Adams (PAF). The top two vote recipients will advance to the general election on November 3.Candidate fundraising and pledges: Controller Malia Cohen’s campaign has raised $1,214,831.
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Herb Morgan’s campaign has raised $373,351 and is partially self-funded. He does not have any contributions from fossil fuel, real estate, law enforcement, or corporate donors.
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Meghann Adams’s campaign has raised $15,697 and is not funded by fossil fuel, real estate, law enforcement, or corporate donors.
The District
State: California is the most populous state in the United States, and includes 58 counties and 40 million residents.Voter registration: Of the 23 million registered voters in the state, 45% are Democrat, 25% are Republican, and 23% have no party preference. Democrats have held the governor’s seat since 2011.
District demographics: 41% Latino, 17% Asian, and 6% Black.
Recent election results: California voted for Kamala Harris for president in 2024 by 20 points and Gavin Newsom for governor in 2022 by 18 points.
The Position
The state controller acts as the lead fiscal authority for the state of California, which is the fifth-largest economy in the world. The state controller manages an office of 1,400 public servants responsible for the disbursement of financial resources across the state. The state controller’s office oversees audits of funds distributed to state agencies and programs, acts as a steward for unclaimed property that falls to state possession, provides accounting and reporting services for government entities, and manages payroll accounting and data for state employees. The state controller also serves as a policy liaison to a variety of finance organizations, including the state’s two pension funds, CalPERS and CalSTRS, and the California Franchise Tax Board. The state controller is elected for a four-year term and may serve a maximum of two terms in office. This office has traditionally been held by Democrats.
Re-elect Controller Malia Cohen to keep California on the right track for progress.
Malia Cohen has been state controller since 2023, when she was elected with 55% of the vote. In her tenure as controller, she has prioritized fairness and equity, supporting gender equity, workforce training and development, affordable housing, affordable and quality health care, climate change, and corporate accountability in her duties. Controller Cohen previously served on the California State Board of Equalization and the San Francisco Board of Supervisors. As chair of the San Francisco Employee Retirement System, she led the effort to divest from fossil fuels. Controller Malia Cohen has the endorsement of many progressive groups, including Equality California, California Environmental Voters, California Nurses Association, SEIU California, California Labor Federation, and several other labor unions. She is also supported by elected leaders, including Senator Adam Schiff, Governor Gavin Newsom, State Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas, and Senate President Pro Tempore Monique Limón.
The Race
Primary election: There are three candidates running in the June 2 primary: incumbent Controller Malia Cohen (D), Herb Morgan (R), and Meghann Adams (PAF). The top two vote recipients will advance to the general election on November 3.Candidate fundraising and pledges: Controller Malia Cohen’s campaign has raised $1,214,831.
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Herb Morgan’s campaign has raised $373,351 and is partially self-funded. He does not have any contributions from fossil fuel, real estate, law enforcement, or corporate donors.
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Meghann Adams’s campaign has raised $15,697 and is not funded by fossil fuel, real estate, law enforcement, or corporate donors.
The District
State: California is the most populous state in the United States, and includes 58 counties and 40 million residents.Voter registration: Of the 23 million registered voters in the state, 45% are Democrat, 25% are Republican, and 23% have no party preference. Democrats have held the governor’s seat since 2011.
District demographics: 41% Latino, 17% Asian, and 6% Black.
Recent election results: California voted for Kamala Harris for president in 2024 by 20 points and Gavin Newsom for governor in 2022 by 18 points.
The Position
The state controller acts as the lead fiscal authority for the state of California, which is the fifth-largest economy in the world. The state controller manages an office of 1,400 public servants responsible for the disbursement of financial resources across the state. The state controller’s office oversees audits of funds distributed to state agencies and programs, acts as a steward for unclaimed property that falls to state possession, provides accounting and reporting services for government entities, and manages payroll accounting and data for state employees. The state controller also serves as a policy liaison to a variety of finance organizations, including the state’s two pension funds, CalPERS and CalSTRS, and the California Franchise Tax Board. The state controller is elected for a four-year term and may serve a maximum of two terms in office. This office has traditionally been held by Democrats.
Elect Nelson Esparza to the Board of Equalization to keep California on the right track for progress.
Nelson Esparza is an educator and has served on the Fresno City Council since 2019, and won his 2022 re-election by 43 points. In this role, he has prioritized increasing public safety, bringing affordable housing to the inner city, supporting working families and ensuring equitable infrastructure investments across Fresno. Esparza is a member of the Fresno County Economic Development Corporation Board; is PAC chair of the State Center Federation of Teachers, Local 1533; and serves the Democratic Party. He previously served as a trustee on the Fresno County Board of Education. Esparza has the endorsement of several groups, including Fresno County Young Democrats, San Bernardino County Young Democrats, California Teachers Association, SEIU California, and California Democratic Party. He is also supported by elected leaders, such as California State Controller Malia Cohen, U.S. Sen. Adam Schiff, Rep. Jim Costa, Rep. Adam Gray, BOE Member Sally Lieber, and Asm. Esmeralda Soria.
The Race
Primary election: There are five candidates running in the June 2 primary: Nelson Esparza (D), Donald Williamson (D), Dusty Beach (R), Shannon Grove (R), and Nader Shahatit (R). The top two vote recipients will advance to the general election on November 3.Candidate fundraising and pledges: Nelson Esparza’s campaign has raised $203,143 and is not funded by fossil fuel, law enforcement, or corporate donors.
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Donald Williamson’s campaign has not filed any campaign-finance information as of April 2026.
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Dusty Beach’s campaign has not filed any campaign-finance information as of April 2026.
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Shannon Grove’s campaign has raised $863,704. Her problematic donors include AT&T, Phillips 66, Amazon, and California Correctional Peace Officers Association.
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Nader Shahatit’s campaign has raised $2,100 and is self-funded.
The District
Counties in district: California’s Board of Equalization District 1 includes 33 inland counties spanning from Modoc and Shasta Counties to the north to San Bernardino County in the south.Voter registration: 37% Democrat, 33% Republican, and 21% No Party Preference. Republicans typically hold this district.
Recent election results: BOE District 1 voted for Donald Trump for president in 2024 by three points and Brian Dahle for governor in 2022 by eight points.
The Position
The California Board of Equalization is composed of four members elected by popular vote to represent individual districts within the state. It is the only elected tax board in the country. The state controller serves in an at-large capacity as the 5th member. The Board of Equalization is responsible for managing taxation in the state, including in the areas of property, alcoholic beverage, and insurance. This includes oversight of valuation assessments on public utility and railroad property, mapping and assigning tax rates to geographic areas in the state, conducting assessment surveys and compliance audits, and administering tax exemptions. In California, board members meet each month in Sacramento to execute their duties of oversight, policy setting, and regulation to guide the work of the appointed executive director and Board of Equalization staff.Board members are elected to four-year terms in office and cannot serve more than two terms.
Elect Nelson Esparza to the Board of Equalization to keep California on the right track for progress.
Nelson Esparza is an educator and has served on the Fresno City Council since 2019, and won his 2022 re-election by 43 points. In this role, he has prioritized increasing public safety, bringing affordable housing to the inner city, supporting working families and ensuring equitable infrastructure investments across Fresno. Esparza is a member of the Fresno County Economic Development Corporation Board; is PAC chair of the State Center Federation of Teachers, Local 1533; and serves the Democratic Party. He previously served as a trustee on the Fresno County Board of Education. Esparza has the endorsement of several groups, including Fresno County Young Democrats, San Bernardino County Young Democrats, California Teachers Association, SEIU California, and California Democratic Party. He is also supported by elected leaders, such as California State Controller Malia Cohen, U.S. Sen. Adam Schiff, Rep. Jim Costa, Rep. Adam Gray, BOE Member Sally Lieber, and Asm. Esmeralda Soria.
The Race
Primary election: There are five candidates running in the June 2 primary: Nelson Esparza (D), Donald Williamson (D), Dusty Beach (R), Shannon Grove (R), and Nader Shahatit (R). The top two vote recipients will advance to the general election on November 3.Candidate fundraising and pledges: Nelson Esparza’s campaign has raised $203,143 and is not funded by fossil fuel, law enforcement, or corporate donors.
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Donald Williamson’s campaign has not filed any campaign-finance information as of April 2026.
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Dusty Beach’s campaign has not filed any campaign-finance information as of April 2026.
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Shannon Grove’s campaign has raised $863,704. Her problematic donors include AT&T, Phillips 66, Amazon, and California Correctional Peace Officers Association.
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Nader Shahatit’s campaign has raised $2,100 and is self-funded.
The District
Counties in district: California’s Board of Equalization District 1 includes 33 inland counties spanning from Modoc and Shasta Counties to the north to San Bernardino County in the south.Voter registration: 37% Democrat, 33% Republican, and 21% No Party Preference. Republicans typically hold this district.
Recent election results: BOE District 1 voted for Donald Trump for president in 2024 by three points and Brian Dahle for governor in 2022 by eight points.
The Position
The California Board of Equalization is composed of four members elected by popular vote to represent individual districts within the state. It is the only elected tax board in the country. The state controller serves in an at-large capacity as the 5th member. The Board of Equalization is responsible for managing taxation in the state, including in the areas of property, alcoholic beverage, and insurance. This includes oversight of valuation assessments on public utility and railroad property, mapping and assigning tax rates to geographic areas in the state, conducting assessment surveys and compliance audits, and administering tax exemptions. In California, board members meet each month in Sacramento to execute their duties of oversight, policy setting, and regulation to guide the work of the appointed executive director and Board of Equalization staff.Board members are elected to four-year terms in office and cannot serve more than two terms.
Elect Nelson Esparza to the Board of Equalization to keep California on the right track for progress.
Nelson Esparza is an educator and has served on the Fresno City Council since 2019, and won his 2022 re-election by 43 points. In this role, he has prioritized increasing public safety, bringing affordable housing to the inner city, supporting working families and ensuring equitable infrastructure investments across Fresno. Esparza is a member of the Fresno County Economic Development Corporation Board; is PAC chair of the State Center Federation of Teachers, Local 1533; and serves the Democratic Party. He previously served as a trustee on the Fresno County Board of Education. Esparza has the endorsement of several groups, including Fresno County Young Democrats, San Bernardino County Young Democrats, California Teachers Association, SEIU California, and California Democratic Party. He is also supported by elected leaders, such as California State Controller Malia Cohen, U.S. Sen. Adam Schiff, Rep. Jim Costa, Rep. Adam Gray, BOE Member Sally Lieber, and Asm. Esmeralda Soria.
The Race
Primary election: There are five candidates running in the June 2 primary: Nelson Esparza (D), Donald Williamson (D), Dusty Beach (R), Shannon Grove (R), and Nader Shahatit (R). The top two vote recipients will advance to the general election on November 3.Candidate fundraising and pledges: Nelson Esparza’s campaign has raised $203,143 and is not funded by fossil fuel, law enforcement, or corporate donors.
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Donald Williamson’s campaign has not filed any campaign-finance information as of April 2026.
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Dusty Beach’s campaign has not filed any campaign-finance information as of April 2026.
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Shannon Grove’s campaign has raised $863,704. Her problematic donors include AT&T, Phillips 66, Amazon, and California Correctional Peace Officers Association.
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Nader Shahatit’s campaign has raised $2,100 and is self-funded.
The District
Counties in district: California’s Board of Equalization District 1 includes 33 inland counties spanning from Modoc and Shasta Counties to the north to San Bernardino County in the south.Voter registration: 37% Democrat, 33% Republican, and 21% No Party Preference. Republicans typically hold this district.
Recent election results: BOE District 1 voted for Donald Trump for president in 2024 by three points and Brian Dahle for governor in 2022 by eight points.
The Position
The California Board of Equalization is composed of four members elected by popular vote to represent individual districts within the state. It is the only elected tax board in the country. The state controller serves in an at-large capacity as the 5th member. The Board of Equalization is responsible for managing taxation in the state, including in the areas of property, alcoholic beverage, and insurance. This includes oversight of valuation assessments on public utility and railroad property, mapping and assigning tax rates to geographic areas in the state, conducting assessment surveys and compliance audits, and administering tax exemptions. In California, board members meet each month in Sacramento to execute their duties of oversight, policy setting, and regulation to guide the work of the appointed executive director and Board of Equalization staff.Board members are elected to four-year terms in office and cannot serve more than two terms.
Re-elect Sally Lieber to the Board of Equalization to keep California on the right track for progress.
Sally Lieber has served on the California State Board of Equalization (BOE) since 2023, when she was elected with 70% of the vote. As a member of the board, she has prioritized transparency and accountability, affordable housing, environmental protection, and veterans’ and homeowners’ services. In 2024, Lieber ran an unsuccessful campaign for Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors but was able to retain her BOE seat. She previously served in the California State Assembly, where she championed educational and economic opportunities, environmental protections, and protecting victims and survivors of crime. Lieber has the endorsement of several groups, including Sierra Club, Equality California, Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California, California Working Families Party, California Teachers Association, and other labor unions and Democratic Clubs. She also has the support of many elected leaders, such as State Controller Malia Cohen, Attorney General Rob Bonta, Rep. Lateefah Simon, Rep. Ro Khanna, San Francisco City Attorney David Chiu, and Santa Clara County Supervisor Betty Duong.
The Race
Primary election: There are six candidates running in the June 2 primary, including incumbent Sally Lieber (D), John Pimentel (D), and four Republicans. The top two vote recipients will advance to the general election on November 3.Candidate fundraising and pledges: Sally Lieber’s campaign has raised $338,427 and is not funded by fossil fuel, law enforcement, real estate, or corporate donors.
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: John Pimentel’s campaign has raised $266,000 and is not funded by fossil fuel, law enforcement, real estate, or corporate donors.
The District
Counties in district: California’s Board of Equalization District 2 includes 19 coastal counties spanning from Del Norte County in the north to Ventura County in the south.Voter registration: 52% Democrat, 18% Republican, and 23% No Party Preference. Democrats typically hold this district.
Recent election results: BOE District 2 voted for Kamala Harris for president in 2024 by 41 points and Gavin Newsom for governor in 2022 by 41 points.
The Position
The California Board of Equalization is composed of four members elected by popular vote to represent individual districts within the state. It is the only elected tax board in the country. The state controller serves in an at-large capacity as the 5th member. The Board of Equalization is responsible for managing taxation in the state, including in the areas of property, alcoholic beverage, and insurance. This includes oversight of valuation assessments on public utility and railroad property, mapping and assigning tax rates to geographic areas in the state, conducting assessment surveys and compliance audits, and administering tax exemptions. In California, board members meet each month in Sacramento to execute their duties of oversight, policy setting, and regulation to guide the work of the appointed executive director and Board of Equalization staff.Board members are elected to four-year terms in office and cannot serve more than two terms.
Re-elect Sally Lieber to the Board of Equalization to keep California on the right track for progress.
Sally Lieber has served on the California State Board of Equalization (BOE) since 2023, when she was elected with 70% of the vote. As a member of the board, she has prioritized transparency and accountability, affordable housing, environmental protection, and veterans’ and homeowners’ services. In 2024, Lieber ran an unsuccessful campaign for Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors but was able to retain her BOE seat. She previously served in the California State Assembly, where she championed educational and economic opportunities, environmental protections, and protecting victims and survivors of crime. Lieber has the endorsement of several groups, including Sierra Club, Equality California, Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California, California Working Families Party, California Teachers Association, and other labor unions and Democratic Clubs. She also has the support of many elected leaders, such as State Controller Malia Cohen, Attorney General Rob Bonta, Rep. Lateefah Simon, Rep. Ro Khanna, San Francisco City Attorney David Chiu, and Santa Clara County Supervisor Betty Duong.
The Race
Primary election: There are six candidates running in the June 2 primary, including incumbent Sally Lieber (D), John Pimentel (D), and four Republicans. The top two vote recipients will advance to the general election on November 3.Candidate fundraising and pledges: Sally Lieber’s campaign has raised $338,427 and is not funded by fossil fuel, law enforcement, real estate, or corporate donors.
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: John Pimentel’s campaign has raised $266,000 and is not funded by fossil fuel, law enforcement, real estate, or corporate donors.
The District
Counties in district: California’s Board of Equalization District 2 includes 19 coastal counties spanning from Del Norte County in the north to Ventura County in the south.Voter registration: 52% Democrat, 18% Republican, and 23% No Party Preference. Democrats typically hold this district.
Recent election results: BOE District 2 voted for Kamala Harris for president in 2024 by 41 points and Gavin Newsom for governor in 2022 by 41 points.
The Position
The California Board of Equalization is composed of four members elected by popular vote to represent individual districts within the state. It is the only elected tax board in the country. The state controller serves in an at-large capacity as the 5th member. The Board of Equalization is responsible for managing taxation in the state, including in the areas of property, alcoholic beverage, and insurance. This includes oversight of valuation assessments on public utility and railroad property, mapping and assigning tax rates to geographic areas in the state, conducting assessment surveys and compliance audits, and administering tax exemptions. In California, board members meet each month in Sacramento to execute their duties of oversight, policy setting, and regulation to guide the work of the appointed executive director and Board of Equalization staff.Board members are elected to four-year terms in office and cannot serve more than two terms.
Re-elect Sally Lieber to the Board of Equalization to keep California on the right track for progress.
Sally Lieber has served on the California State Board of Equalization (BOE) since 2023, when she was elected with 70% of the vote. As a member of the board, she has prioritized transparency and accountability, affordable housing, environmental protection, and veterans’ and homeowners’ services. In 2024, Lieber ran an unsuccessful campaign for Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors but was able to retain her BOE seat. She previously served in the California State Assembly, where she championed educational and economic opportunities, environmental protections, and protecting victims and survivors of crime. Lieber has the endorsement of several groups, including Sierra Club, Equality California, Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California, California Working Families Party, California Teachers Association, and other labor unions and Democratic Clubs. She also has the support of many elected leaders, such as State Controller Malia Cohen, Attorney General Rob Bonta, Rep. Lateefah Simon, Rep. Ro Khanna, San Francisco City Attorney David Chiu, and Santa Clara County Supervisor Betty Duong.
The Race
Primary election: There are six candidates running in the June 2 primary, including incumbent Sally Lieber (D), John Pimentel (D), and four Republicans. The top two vote recipients will advance to the general election on November 3.Candidate fundraising and pledges: Sally Lieber’s campaign has raised $338,427 and is not funded by fossil fuel, law enforcement, real estate, or corporate donors.
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: John Pimentel’s campaign has raised $266,000 and is not funded by fossil fuel, law enforcement, real estate, or corporate donors.
The District
Counties in district: California’s Board of Equalization District 2 includes 19 coastal counties spanning from Del Norte County in the north to Ventura County in the south.Voter registration: 52% Democrat, 18% Republican, and 23% No Party Preference. Democrats typically hold this district.
Recent election results: BOE District 2 voted for Kamala Harris for president in 2024 by 41 points and Gavin Newsom for governor in 2022 by 41 points.
The Position
The California Board of Equalization is composed of four members elected by popular vote to represent individual districts within the state. It is the only elected tax board in the country. The state controller serves in an at-large capacity as the 5th member. The Board of Equalization is responsible for managing taxation in the state, including in the areas of property, alcoholic beverage, and insurance. This includes oversight of valuation assessments on public utility and railroad property, mapping and assigning tax rates to geographic areas in the state, conducting assessment surveys and compliance audits, and administering tax exemptions. In California, board members meet each month in Sacramento to execute their duties of oversight, policy setting, and regulation to guide the work of the appointed executive director and Board of Equalization staff.Board members are elected to four-year terms in office and cannot serve more than two terms.
Elect Sam Sukaton to the Board of Equalization to keep California on the right track for progress.
Sam Sukaton is lead organizer for AFT Local 1521, the LA Community College Faculty Guild, organizing students and faculty in the largest community college in the district. He previously led climate budget investment and redistricting campaigns with California Environmental Voters, directed Senator Bernie Sanders’s 2020 campaign in the inland southern region of the state, and worked with the California Public Utilities Commission, Energy Commission, Air Resources Board, and Natural Resources Agency. Sukaton’s top priorities are ensuring tax fairness and uniform assessments; modernizing the system for efficiency and accountability; protecting local schools, cities, and counties; and fairness for working families and small businesses. He has the endorsement of the California Working Families Party.
The Race
Primary election: There are ten candidates running in the June 2 primary, including Sam Sukaton (D), Mike Gipson (D), and Yvonne Yiu (D). The top two vote recipients will advance to the general election on November 3.Candidate fundraising and pledges: Sam Sukaton’s campaign has raised $29,858 and is not funded by fossil fuel, law enforcement, real estate, or corporate donors.
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Mike Gipson’s campaign has raised $838,255 and is funded by fossil fuel, law enforcement, real estate, and corporate contributions. His problematic donors include AT&T, Sempra Energy, Exxon Mobil, Phillips 66, California Association of Highway Patrolmen, Los Angeles Police Protective League, and Walmart. Gipson has served in the California State Assembly since 2014. He scores a lifetime 76 out of 100 on Courage Score, our annual analysis of legislators’ progressive voting records. Asm. Gipson was in the Courage Score Hall of Shame three times for not supporting key legislation, and has been a recipient of significant contributions from real estate, oil and gas, and law enforcement.
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Yvonee Yiu’s campaign has raised $1,047,316 and is significantly self-funded. She is a former Monterey Park City Councilmember, and has previously run unsuccessfully for California State controller and the state Senate.
The District
Counties in district: California’s Board of Equalization District 3 includes all of Los Angeles County.Voter registration: 51% Democrat, 19% Republican, and 23% No Party Preference. Democrats typically hold this district.
Recent election results: BOE District 3 voted for Kamala Harris for president in 2024 by 33 points and Gavin Newsom for governor in 2022 by 36 points.
The Position
The California Board of Equalization is composed of four members elected by popular vote to represent individual districts within the state. It is the only elected tax board in the country. The state controller serves in an at-large capacity as the 5th member. The Board of Equalization is responsible for managing taxation in the state, including in the areas of property, alcoholic beverage, and insurance. This includes oversight of valuation assessments on public utility and railroad property, mapping and assigning tax rates to geographic areas in the state, conducting assessment surveys and compliance audits, and administering tax exemptions. In California, board members meet each month in Sacramento to execute their duties of oversight, policy setting, and regulation to guide the work of the appointed executive director and Board of Equalization staff.Board members are elected to four-year terms in office and cannot serve more than two terms.
Elect Sam Sukaton to the Board of Equalization to keep California on the right track for progress.
Sam Sukaton is lead organizer for AFT Local 1521, the LA Community College Faculty Guild, organizing students and faculty in the largest community college in the district. He previously led climate budget investment and redistricting campaigns with California Environmental Voters, directed Senator Bernie Sanders’s 2020 campaign in the inland southern region of the state, and worked with the California Public Utilities Commission, Energy Commission, Air Resources Board, and Natural Resources Agency. Sukaton’s top priorities are ensuring tax fairness and uniform assessments; modernizing the system for efficiency and accountability; protecting local schools, cities, and counties; and fairness for working families and small businesses. He has the endorsement of the California Working Families Party.
The Race
Primary election: There are ten candidates running in the June 2 primary, including Sam Sukaton (D), Mike Gipson (D), and Yvonne Yiu (D). The top two vote recipients will advance to the general election on November 3.Candidate fundraising and pledges: Sam Sukaton’s campaign has raised $29,858 and is not funded by fossil fuel, law enforcement, real estate, or corporate donors.
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Mike Gipson’s campaign has raised $838,255 and is funded by fossil fuel, law enforcement, real estate, and corporate contributions. His problematic donors include AT&T, Sempra Energy, Exxon Mobil, Phillips 66, California Association of Highway Patrolmen, Los Angeles Police Protective League, and Walmart. Gipson has served in the California State Assembly since 2014. He scores a lifetime 76 out of 100 on Courage Score, our annual analysis of legislators’ progressive voting records. Asm. Gipson was in the Courage Score Hall of Shame three times for not supporting key legislation, and has been a recipient of significant contributions from real estate, oil and gas, and law enforcement.
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Yvonee Yiu’s campaign has raised $1,047,316 and is significantly self-funded. She is a former Monterey Park City Councilmember, and has previously run unsuccessfully for California State controller and the state Senate.
The District
Counties in district: California’s Board of Equalization District 3 includes all of Los Angeles County.Voter registration: 51% Democrat, 19% Republican, and 23% No Party Preference. Democrats typically hold this district.
Recent election results: BOE District 3 voted for Kamala Harris for president in 2024 by 33 points and Gavin Newsom for governor in 2022 by 36 points.
The Position
The California Board of Equalization is composed of four members elected by popular vote to represent individual districts within the state. It is the only elected tax board in the country. The state controller serves in an at-large capacity as the 5th member. The Board of Equalization is responsible for managing taxation in the state, including in the areas of property, alcoholic beverage, and insurance. This includes oversight of valuation assessments on public utility and railroad property, mapping and assigning tax rates to geographic areas in the state, conducting assessment surveys and compliance audits, and administering tax exemptions. In California, board members meet each month in Sacramento to execute their duties of oversight, policy setting, and regulation to guide the work of the appointed executive director and Board of Equalization staff.Board members are elected to four-year terms in office and cannot serve more than two terms.
Elect Sam Sukaton to the Board of Equalization to keep California on the right track for progress.
Sam Sukaton is lead organizer for AFT Local 1521, the LA Community College Faculty Guild, organizing students and faculty in the largest community college in the district. He previously led climate budget investment and redistricting campaigns with California Environmental Voters, directed Senator Bernie Sanders’s 2020 campaign in the inland southern region of the state, and worked with the California Public Utilities Commission, Energy Commission, Air Resources Board, and Natural Resources Agency. Sukaton’s top priorities are ensuring tax fairness and uniform assessments; modernizing the system for efficiency and accountability; protecting local schools, cities, and counties; and fairness for working families and small businesses. He has the endorsement of the California Working Families Party.
The Race
Primary election: There are ten candidates running in the June 2 primary, including Sam Sukaton (D), Mike Gipson (D), and Yvonne Yiu (D). The top two vote recipients will advance to the general election on November 3.Candidate fundraising and pledges: Sam Sukaton’s campaign has raised $29,858 and is not funded by fossil fuel, law enforcement, real estate, or corporate donors.
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Mike Gipson’s campaign has raised $838,255 and is funded by fossil fuel, law enforcement, real estate, and corporate contributions. His problematic donors include AT&T, Sempra Energy, Exxon Mobil, Phillips 66, California Association of Highway Patrolmen, Los Angeles Police Protective League, and Walmart. Gipson has served in the California State Assembly since 2014. He scores a lifetime 76 out of 100 on Courage Score, our annual analysis of legislators’ progressive voting records. Asm. Gipson was in the Courage Score Hall of Shame three times for not supporting key legislation, and has been a recipient of significant contributions from real estate, oil and gas, and law enforcement.
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Yvonee Yiu’s campaign has raised $1,047,316 and is significantly self-funded. She is a former Monterey Park City Councilmember, and has previously run unsuccessfully for California State controller and the state Senate.
The District
Counties in district: California’s Board of Equalization District 3 includes all of Los Angeles County.Voter registration: 51% Democrat, 19% Republican, and 23% No Party Preference. Democrats typically hold this district.
Recent election results: BOE District 3 voted for Kamala Harris for president in 2024 by 33 points and Gavin Newsom for governor in 2022 by 36 points.
The Position
The California Board of Equalization is composed of four members elected by popular vote to represent individual districts within the state. It is the only elected tax board in the country. The state controller serves in an at-large capacity as the 5th member. The Board of Equalization is responsible for managing taxation in the state, including in the areas of property, alcoholic beverage, and insurance. This includes oversight of valuation assessments on public utility and railroad property, mapping and assigning tax rates to geographic areas in the state, conducting assessment surveys and compliance audits, and administering tax exemptions. In California, board members meet each month in Sacramento to execute their duties of oversight, policy setting, and regulation to guide the work of the appointed executive director and Board of Equalization staff.Board members are elected to four-year terms in office and cannot serve more than two terms.
Elect Cody Petterson to the Board of Equalization to keep California on the right track for progress.
Cody Petterson is the chief deputy of the California State Board of Equalization (BOE) for this district. His top priorities include leading on housing affordability; improving property tax assessment and appeals; increasing the efficiency and effectiveness of the BOE; and fairness, transparency, and accountability. Petterson is also president of the San Diego Unified School District Board of Education — the second-largest district in the state — which he was elected to in 2022 with over 56% of the vote. Under his leadership, the Board of Education adopted an education workforce housing agenda with student wellness as its number one goal. Petterson chairs the San Diego Regional Housing Finance Authority and has served on several civic organizations. He is endorsed by several groups, including Democratic Woman’s Club of San Diego County, California Federation of Teachers, San Diego County Young Democrats, and other Democratic clubs. Petterson is also supported by many elected officials, such as Rep. Juan Vargas; Sen. Akilah Weber Pierson; outgoing BOE Member Mike Schaefer; San Diego County Supervisors Monica Montgomery Steppe, Paloma Aguirre, and Terra Lawson-Remer; San Diego City Councilmember Sean Elo-Rivera; and other mayors, city councilmembers, and school leaders.
The Race
Primary election: There are five candidates running in the June 2 primary, including Cody Petterson (D), Tom Umberg (D), and Martin Arias (D). The top two vote recipients will advance to the general election on November 3.Candidate fundraising and pledges: Cody Petterson’s campaign has raised $28,410 and is not funded by law enforcement, fossil fuel, real estate, or corporate donors.
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Tom Umberg’s campaign has raised $317,759 and is funded by law enforcement and corporate donors. His problematic donors include California Correctional Peace Officers Association, Association of Orange County Deputy Sheriffs, and Liberty Mutual Insurance Company. He has served in the California State Senate since 2018, and previously in the State Assembly from 1990–1994 and 2004–2006. Sen. Umberg scores a lifetime 65 out of 100 on Courage Score, our annual analysis of legislators’ progressive voting records. Based on our Courage Score analysis, he has not supported key bills on youth justice, affordable health care, support for homeless outreach workers, or public safety. Umberg was deputy drug czar for President Bill Clinton and an assistant United States attorney in Orange County.
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Martin Arias’s campaign has raised $265,106 and is not funded by law enforcement, fossil fuel, real estate, or corporate donors.
The District
Counties in district: California’s Board of Equalization District 4 includes Imperial, Orange, Riverside, and San Diego Counties.Voter registration: 39% Democrat, 31% Republican, and 23% No Party Preference. Democrats typically hold this district.
Recent election results: BOE District 4 voted for Kamala Harris for president in 2024 by seven points and Gavin Newsom for governor in 2022 by two points.
The Position
The California Board of Equalization is composed of four members elected by popular vote to represent individual districts within the state. It is the only elected tax board in the country. The state controller serves in an at-large capacity as the 5th member. The Board of Equalization is responsible for managing taxation in the state, including in the areas of property, alcoholic beverage, and insurance. This includes oversight of valuation assessments on public utility and railroad property, mapping and assigning tax rates to geographic areas in the state, conducting assessment surveys and compliance audits, and administering tax exemptions. In California, board members meet each month in Sacramento to execute their duties of oversight, policy setting, and regulation to guide the work of the appointed executive director and Board of Equalization staff.Board members are elected to four-year terms in office and cannot serve more than two terms.
Elect Cody Petterson to the Board of Equalization to keep California on the right track for progress.
Cody Petterson is the chief deputy of the California State Board of Equalization (BOE) for this district. His top priorities include leading on housing affordability; improving property tax assessment and appeals; increasing the efficiency and effectiveness of the BOE; and fairness, transparency, and accountability. Petterson is also president of the San Diego Unified School District Board of Education — the second-largest district in the state — which he was elected to in 2022 with over 56% of the vote. Under his leadership, the Board of Education adopted an education workforce housing agenda with student wellness as its number one goal. Petterson chairs the San Diego Regional Housing Finance Authority and has served on several civic organizations. He is endorsed by several groups, including Democratic Woman’s Club of San Diego County, California Federation of Teachers, San Diego County Young Democrats, and other Democratic clubs. Petterson is also supported by many elected officials, such as Rep. Juan Vargas; Sen. Akilah Weber Pierson; outgoing BOE Member Mike Schaefer; San Diego County Supervisors Monica Montgomery Steppe, Paloma Aguirre, and Terra Lawson-Remer; San Diego City Councilmember Sean Elo-Rivera; and other mayors, city councilmembers, and school leaders.
The Race
Primary election: There are five candidates running in the June 2 primary, including Cody Petterson (D), Tom Umberg (D), and Martin Arias (D). The top two vote recipients will advance to the general election on November 3.Candidate fundraising and pledges: Cody Petterson’s campaign has raised $28,410 and is not funded by law enforcement, fossil fuel, real estate, or corporate donors.
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Tom Umberg’s campaign has raised $317,759 and is funded by law enforcement and corporate donors. His problematic donors include California Correctional Peace Officers Association, Association of Orange County Deputy Sheriffs, and Liberty Mutual Insurance Company. He has served in the California State Senate since 2018, and previously in the State Assembly from 1990–1994 and 2004–2006. Sen. Umberg scores a lifetime 65 out of 100 on Courage Score, our annual analysis of legislators’ progressive voting records. Based on our Courage Score analysis, he has not supported key bills on youth justice, affordable health care, support for homeless outreach workers, or public safety. Umberg was deputy drug czar for President Bill Clinton and an assistant United States attorney in Orange County.
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Martin Arias’s campaign has raised $265,106 and is not funded by law enforcement, fossil fuel, real estate, or corporate donors.
The District
Counties in district: California’s Board of Equalization District 4 includes Imperial, Orange, Riverside, and San Diego Counties.Voter registration: 39% Democrat, 31% Republican, and 23% No Party Preference. Democrats typically hold this district.
Recent election results: BOE District 4 voted for Kamala Harris for president in 2024 by seven points and Gavin Newsom for governor in 2022 by two points.
The Position
The California Board of Equalization is composed of four members elected by popular vote to represent individual districts within the state. It is the only elected tax board in the country. The state controller serves in an at-large capacity as the 5th member. The Board of Equalization is responsible for managing taxation in the state, including in the areas of property, alcoholic beverage, and insurance. This includes oversight of valuation assessments on public utility and railroad property, mapping and assigning tax rates to geographic areas in the state, conducting assessment surveys and compliance audits, and administering tax exemptions. In California, board members meet each month in Sacramento to execute their duties of oversight, policy setting, and regulation to guide the work of the appointed executive director and Board of Equalization staff.Board members are elected to four-year terms in office and cannot serve more than two terms.
Elect Cody Petterson to the Board of Equalization to keep California on the right track for progress.
Cody Petterson is the chief deputy of the California State Board of Equalization (BOE) for this district. His top priorities include leading on housing affordability; improving property tax assessment and appeals; increasing the efficiency and effectiveness of the BOE; and fairness, transparency, and accountability. Petterson is also president of the San Diego Unified School District Board of Education — the second-largest district in the state — which he was elected to in 2022 with over 56% of the vote. Under his leadership, the Board of Education adopted an education workforce housing agenda with student wellness as its number one goal. Petterson chairs the San Diego Regional Housing Finance Authority and has served on several civic organizations. He is endorsed by several groups, including Democratic Woman’s Club of San Diego County, California Federation of Teachers, San Diego County Young Democrats, and other Democratic clubs. Petterson is also supported by many elected officials, such as Rep. Juan Vargas; Sen. Akilah Weber Pierson; outgoing BOE Member Mike Schaefer; San Diego County Supervisors Monica Montgomery Steppe, Paloma Aguirre, and Terra Lawson-Remer; San Diego City Councilmember Sean Elo-Rivera; and other mayors, city councilmembers, and school leaders.
The Race
Primary election: There are five candidates running in the June 2 primary, including Cody Petterson (D), Tom Umberg (D), and Martin Arias (D). The top two vote recipients will advance to the general election on November 3.Candidate fundraising and pledges: Cody Petterson’s campaign has raised $28,410 and is not funded by law enforcement, fossil fuel, real estate, or corporate donors.
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Tom Umberg’s campaign has raised $317,759 and is funded by law enforcement and corporate donors. His problematic donors include California Correctional Peace Officers Association, Association of Orange County Deputy Sheriffs, and Liberty Mutual Insurance Company. He has served in the California State Senate since 2018, and previously in the State Assembly from 1990–1994 and 2004–2006. Sen. Umberg scores a lifetime 65 out of 100 on Courage Score, our annual analysis of legislators’ progressive voting records. Based on our Courage Score analysis, he has not supported key bills on youth justice, affordable health care, support for homeless outreach workers, or public safety. Umberg was deputy drug czar for President Bill Clinton and an assistant United States attorney in Orange County.
Opposing candidate’s fundraising and pledges: Martin Arias’s campaign has raised $265,106 and is not funded by law enforcement, fossil fuel, real estate, or corporate donors.
The District
Counties in district: California’s Board of Equalization District 4 includes Imperial, Orange, Riverside, and San Diego Counties.Voter registration: 39% Democrat, 31% Republican, and 23% No Party Preference. Democrats typically hold this district.
Recent election results: BOE District 4 voted for Kamala Harris for president in 2024 by seven points and Gavin Newsom for governor in 2022 by two points.
The Position
The California Board of Equalization is composed of four members elected by popular vote to represent individual districts within the state. It is the only elected tax board in the country. The state controller serves in an at-large capacity as the 5th member. The Board of Equalization is responsible for managing taxation in the state, including in the areas of property, alcoholic beverage, and insurance. This includes oversight of valuation assessments on public utility and railroad property, mapping and assigning tax rates to geographic areas in the state, conducting assessment surveys and compliance audits, and administering tax exemptions. In California, board members meet each month in Sacramento to execute their duties of oversight, policy setting, and regulation to guide the work of the appointed executive director and Board of Equalization staff.Board members are elected to four-year terms in office and cannot serve more than two terms.