CALIFORNIA VOTERS
Governor Newsom issued an executive order adding 21 more days for counties to report their final election results, pushing the final results to April 24.
Voter turnout is around 9.4 million, which is 10% above the 2016 presidential primary.
California counties will conduct all-mail elections for special May 12 election run-offs in CD25, Democrat Katie Hill’s former seat in Los Angeles County, and SD28, Republican Jeff Stone’s former seat in the Inland Empire.
The Public Policy Institute of California has a new report showing how COVID-19 disproportionately impacts low-income workers, a large portion of whom live in Los Angeles. “These Californians are not necessarily at high risk of health complications from COVID-19, but they will be deeply affected by the economic consequences of the steps being taken by cities, counties, and regions to contain the outbreak and protect public health.”
COVID-19 may also make the affordable housing crisis worse in the state. Governor Newsom is asking cities to provide eviction and rent relief, and lawmakers will need to consider other ways to generate and provide further housing support.
CDT is joining over 125 organizations of the Dream Alliance in signing a letter to Governor Newsom and the state legislators asking “to protect the health, safety, and economic well-being of workers in this state,” including guaranteeing job-protected leave, expanding paid sick leave, expanding access to wage replacement programs and allowing flexible work arrangements.
Several CDT partners, including Smart Justice California and PolicyLink, co-authored a letter to Governor Newsom to “1) reduce density inside CA prisons to allow for social distancing, and/or 2) release vulnerable populations.”
All of these issues and efforts underscore how fragile our current social safety net is and how there is now even greater urgency to pass the Schools and Communities First (SCF) ballot initiative, led by CDT partner Million Voters Project. The additional funding from SCF will support local government and school system infrastructure to respond to crises like this. Schools and Communities First has gathered enough signatures to qualify for the ballot, and its leaders are talking with the Secretary of State office about submitting the 1.7 million signatures and the timing of getting the measure on the ballot.
DEMOCRATIC PRESIDENTIAL NOMINATION
Joseph R. Biden – 27.9% (+3.0% from March 4)
Michael R. Bloomberg (no longer running) – 12.2% (-2.1%)
Bernie Sanders – 35.7% (+2.1%)
Elizabeth Warren (no longer running) – 13.3% (+1.3%)
This list only includes candidates who have won at least 5% of the vote. Fifteen other candidates have between 0.0%-4.4% of the vote.
The U.S. Census Bureau has suspended all field operations for the 2020 Census until April 1. Nationwide, 11 million people have responded so far to the letter the Census Bureau mailed earlier this month. The Census Bureau has a live tracker for response rates, by state. In 2010, there was 74% final mail participation in the Census.
The LA Times profiles how CDT partner California Calls is shifting their Census outreach strategies to reach communities statewide via remote phone banking. Census completion will be a challenge because it is being conducted online and the most hard-to-count populations generally do not have internet access.
After pressure from advocates and elected officials, ICE is delaying arresting immigrants who are not “public safety risks.”
CONGRESSIONAL RACES
CENTRAL VALLEY
All four Central Valley congressional races below are top priority races for CDT partner Communities for a New California.
Congressional District 10
Michael J. “Mike” Barkley (D) – 3.3% (+0.2% since March 4)
Ryan Blevins (D) – 2.1% (+0.1%)
Josh Harder (D – Incumbent) – 43.6% (+3.8%)
Bob Elliott (R) – 13.3% (-0.9%)
Ted Howze (R) – 34.5% (-3.0%)
Marla Sousa Livengood (R) – 3.3% (-0.1%)
Congressional District 16
Jim Costa (D – Incumbent) – 37.5% (no change since March 4)
Esmeralda Soria (D) – 21.3 (+2.9%)
Kimberly Elizabeth Williams (D) – 5.8% (+0.2%)
Kevin Cookingham (R) – 35.3% (-3.2%)
Congressional District 21
TJ Cox (D – Incumbent) – 38.7% (+2.6% since March 4)
Ricardo De La Fuente (D) – 8.9% (+0.6%)
Roque “Rocky” De La Fuente (R) – 2.4% (-0.1%)
David G. Valadao (R) – 50.0% (-3.1%)
David Valadao is seeking to reclaim this seat that he lost to Cox in 2018.
Congressional District 22
Phil Arballo (D) – 25.0% (+1.5% since March 4)
Bobby Bliatout (D) – 13.1% (+1.6%)
Dary Rezvani (D) – 3.1% (+0.2%)
Devin G. Nunes (R-Incumbent) – 56.1% (-3.3%)
Eric Garcia (NPP) – 2.7% (+0.1%)
LOS ANGELES
Congressional District 25 (Los Angeles) – Regular election
Christy Smith (D) – 31.7% (+0.9% since March 4)
Cenk Uygur (D) – 5.9% (+0.7%)
Mike Garcia (R) – 23.9% (-1.6%)
Steve Knight (R) – 18.9% (-1.2%)
This list only includes candidates who have won at least 5% of the vote. Nine other candidates have between 0.4%-4.0% of the vote. CDT and Voices for Progress endorsed Christy in 2018 in her successful run for state assembly in AD38. Steve Knight is seeking to reclaim this seat that he lost in 2018 to Katie Hill, though it looks like Smith will face Republican Mike Garcia, a former U.S. Navy fighter pilot and businessman.
Congressional District 25 (Los Angeles) – Special election
Christy Smith (D) – 36.1%
Cenk Uygur (D) – 6.5%
Mike Garcia (R) – 25.4%
Steve Knight (R) – 17.2%
This list only includes candidates who have won at least 5% of the vote. Nine other candidates have between 0.7%-4.5% of the vote. The special election run-off is on May 12 to serve the rest of the current term, through the end of the year.
ORANGE COUNTY
All three Orange County congressional races below are top priority Democratic protects for CDT partner Orange County Civic Engagement Table Action (OCCETA).
Congressional District 39 (Orange County)
Gil Cisneros (D-Incumbent) – 46.9% (+2.6% since March 4)
Young Kim (R) – 48.4% (-2.4%)
Steve Cox (NPP) – 4.8% (-0.1%)
Young Kim is seeking to reclaim this seat that she lost to Cisneros in 2018.
Congressional District 45
Katie Porter (D-Incumbent) – 50.8% (+2.7% since March 4)
Peggy Huang (R) – 11.1% (-0.2%)
Greg Raths (R) – 17.9% (-1.0%)
Don Sedgwick (R) – 12.8% (-1.1%)
This list only includes candidates who have won at least 5% of the vote. Three other candidates have between 1.0%-4.0% of the vote.
Congressional District 48
Harley Rouda (D-Incumbent) – 46.7% (+3.0% since March 4)
Brian Burley (R) – 12.1% (-0.7%)
Michelle Steel (R) – 34.9% (-1.8%)
This list only includes candidates who have won at least 5% of the vote. Three other candidates have between 1.3%-2.7% of the vote.
SAN DIEGO
Congressional District 49 (which also includes a small portion of Orange County)
Mike Levin (D-Incumbent) – 56.4% (+3.6% since March 4)
Brian Maryott (R) – 43.6% (-3.6%)
Congressional District 50
Maria Calderon (D) – 5.6% (+0.5% since March 4)
Ammar Campa-Najjar* (D) – 36.4% (+2.0%)
Carl DeMaio (R) – 19.9% (-1.1%)
Darrell Issa (R) – 23.2% (-1.7%)
Brian W. Jones (R) – 10.6% (-0.2%)
This list only includes candidates who have won at least 5% of the vote. Five other candidates have between 0.2%-2.1% of the vote. CDT supported Ammar when he narrowly lost this seat to then-Republican incumbent Duncan Hunter in 2018. We are supporting him again in 2020, and his candidacy is a priority for CDT partners Engage San Diego Action Fund and Alliance San Diego Mobilization Fund.
Congressional District 53
Janessa Goldbeck (D) – 8.5% (+1.1% since March 4)
Georgette Gómez (D) – 20.0% (+1.4%)
Sarah Jacobs (D) – 29.1% (-0.5%)
Michael Patrick Oristian (R) – 7.4% (-1.7%)
Famela Ramos (R) – 7.5% (-0.6%)
Chris Stoddard (R) – 13.0% (-1.0%)
This list only includes candidates who have won at least 5% of the vote. Nine other candidates have between 0.4%-3.6% of the vote. This district is currently represented by Democrat Susan Davis, who is retiring from this seat.
STATE LEGISLATIVE RACES
CDT-endorsed Assemblywoman and chairwoman of the Assembly Appropriations Committee Lorena Gonzalez is warning her colleagues that they should expect to pass few bills this year, with the exception of “coronavirus response plans, efforts to address homelessness and wildfire prevention proposals” (per the LA Times). There won’t be enough time to fully vet the 2,200 bills introduced by this past February, and large amounts of the state budget will be dedicated to COVID-19 responses.
Senate District 5 (Central Valley)
Susan Talamantes Eggman* (D) – 34.7% (+3.3% since March 4)
Mani Grewal (D) – 19.0% (+1.1%)
Jesús Andrade (R) – 16.2% (-0.5%)
Kathleen A. Garcia (R) – 5.5% (-0.6%)
Jim Ridenour (R) – 24.6% (-3.3%)
Assemblymember Susan Talamantes Eggman is running to replace moderate Democrat Cathleen Galgiani, who is terming out and endorsed corporate-backed, homophobic Democrat Mani Grewal. Ideally, Susan will make it through the primary and face a Republican, a match-up that will favor her.
Senate District 7 (Contra Costa)
Steve Glazer (D – Incumbent) – 48.4% (+0.2% since March 4))
Marisol Rubio** (D) – 24.4% (+3.3%)
Julie Mobley (R) – 27.3% (-2.0%)
CDT partner Lift Up Contra Costa Action endorsed Marisol Rubio as the progressive challenger to Senator Steve Glazer, the most moderate of Senate Democrats and who is closely aligned with several industries.
Senate District 13 (Silicon Valley)
Josh Becker (D) – 23.9% (+3.5% since March 4)
Michael Brownrigg (D) – 11.7% (-0.1%)
Sally J. Lieber (D) – 17.0% (+1.0%)
Shelly Masur (D) – 16.1% (+0.8%)
Annie Oliva (D) – 11.8% (-1.1%)
Alexander Glew (R) – 17.4% (-3.8%)
John H. Webster (LIB) – 2.1% (-0.3%)
This is a closely watched race to replace Democrat Jerry Hill, who is terming out and endorsed Josh Becker — who has ties to wealthy tech donors — for this seat. Sally Lieber served as a state assemblymember in an overlapping district and is being opposed by several industry interests for her progressive record.
Senate District 15 (Silicon Valley)
Nora Campos (D) – 16.7% (no change since March 4)
Dave Cortese* (D) – 34.0% (+1.0%)
Ann Ravel (D) – 22.1% (+2.3%)
Ken Del Valle (R) – 6.1% (-1.1%)
Robert Howell (R) – 10.2% (-1.9%)
Tim Gildersleeve (NPP) – 0.7% (no change)
Johnny Khamis (NPP) – 10.2% (-0.3%)
This is another closely watched race to replace Democrat Jim Beall, who is terming out. CDT and Voices for Progress endorsed Dave Cortese for this seat. Ann Ravel is an attorney who has served as Santa Clara County Counsel, Deputy Assistant Attorney General in the U.S. Department of Justice, Chair the Fair Political Practices Commission and was appointed by President Obama to the Federal Election Commission.
Senate District 23 (Inland Empire)
Kris Goodfellow (D) – 17.3% (+0.3% since March 4)
Abigail Medina* (D) – 27.7% (+1.4%)
Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh (R) – 25.3% (+0.2%)
Cristina Puraci (R) – 7.9% (-0.5%)
Lloyd White (R) – 21.6% (-1.6%)
CDT and Voices for Progress have endorsed Abigail Medina as she seeks to flip this seat from Republican to Democrat. We endorsed her in 2016 when she narrowly lost an assembly race (challenging a Republican incumbent) that makes up half of this senate district. CDT partner Inland Empire United (IE United) is leading an independent expenditure in support of Abigail. Republican Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh is a Latina realtor.
Senate District 28 (Inland Empire)
Anna Nevenic (D) – 2.9% (no change since March 4)
Elizabeth Romero (D) – 23.5% (+1.8%)
Joy Silver (D) – 20.9% (+0.3%)
Melissa Melendez (R) – 40.5% (-1.0%)
John Schwab (R) – 12.1% (-1.3%)
This is a special election for Republican Jeff Stone’s seat after he was appointed to the federal Department of Labor. The run-off is May 12, 2020. One of IE United’s partners will support Elizabeth Romero’s candidacy for the run-off.
Senate District 29 (Orange County)
Joseph Cho (D) – 19.0% (+1.0% since March 4)
Josh Newman (D) – 33.5% (+0.8%)
Ling Ling Chang (R – Incumbent) – 47.4% (-1.9%)
Democrat Josh Newman is looking to reclaim this seat from Republican incumbent Ling Ling Chang.
Assembly District 9 (Sacramento)
Jim Cooper (D – Incumbent) – 44.0% (+2.2% since March 4)
Tracie Stafford (D) – 24.2% (+4.2%)
Mushtaq A. Tahirkheli (D) – 2.6% (-0.2%)
Eric M. Rigard (R) – 29.2% (-6.2%)
Tracie Stafford is challenging incumbent Jim Cooper, a former police chief and one of the most powerful moderate Democrats in the Assembly. He was recently one of the co-leaders of the informal moderate caucus. CDT partner Smart Justice California endorsed Tracie in this race.
Assembly District 36 (Los Angeles)
Johnathon Ervin* (D) – 7.8% (+0.6% since March 4)
Steve Fox (D) – 17.3% (+1.5%)
Diedra M. Greenaway (D) – 6.0% (+0.4%)
Tom Lackey (R – Incumbent) – 53.0% (-3.6%)
This list only includes candidates who have won at least 5% of the vote. Four other candidates have between 2.7%-4.9% of the vote. CDT and Voices for Progress endorsed Johnathon Ervin to flip this seat. Steve Fox is a former Democratic assemblymember with a history of sexual misconduct. The Association of Realtors contributed to an independent expenditure for Fox, likely to ensure an easier race for Republican incumbent Tom Lackey.
Assembly District 38 (Los Angeles)
Dina Cervantes (D) – 8.8%
Annie E. Cho (D) – 12.5%
Susan M. Christopher (D) – 5.8%
Kelvin Driscoll (D) – 12.0%
Brandii Grace (D) – 11.6%
Suzette Martinez Valladares (R) – 31.8%
Lucie Lapoint Volotzky (R) – 17.7%
This race is to replace CDT-endorsed Assemblymember Christy Smith, who flipped this seat with our support in 2018 and is leading her primary races to take Katie Hill’s former CD25 seat. The wide field of Democrats split the vote and guaranteed this will be flipped back to a Republican seat in the general election.
Assembly District 42 (Inland Empire/Central Valley)
DeniAntionette Mazingo* (D) – 31.2% (+1.7% since March 4)
Andrew F. Kotyuk (R) – 33.6% (-1.1%)
Chad Mayes (NPP – Incumbent) – 35.2% (-0.6%)
CDT and Voices for Progress endorsed Deni Mazingo to flip this seat to Democratic. Mayes would be the first NPP elected to state office.
LOCAL RACES
Sacramento City Council District 4 – Nonpartisan
Katie Valenzuela – 53% (no change since March 4)
Steve Hansen (Incumbent) – 46% (no change)
Katie Valenzuela is the Policy and Political Director of CDT partner California Environmental Justice Alliance.
Fresno Mayor – Nonpartisan (Central Valley)
Jerry Dyer – 51.57% (-2.91% since March 4)
Andrew Janz – 39.93 (+7.46%)
This list only includes candidates who have won at least 5% of the vote. Five other candidates have between 0.51%-2.26% of the vote. Andrew Janz conceded to former police chief Jerry Dyer on March 11.
Los Angeles District Attorney – Nonpartisan
Jackie Lacey (Incumbent) – 48.65% (-2.04% since March 4)
George Gascón* – 28.22% (+1.39%)
Rachel Rossi – 23.13% (+0.66%)
CDT endorsed George Gascón in his challenge of conservative incumbent Jackie Lacey. We achieved our goal of getting Gascón into a general election run-off with Lacey, made possible with the independent expenditure led by CDT partner LA Voice Action and supported by several CDT donors.
Los Angeles Board of Supervisors, District 2 – Nonpartisan
Herb J. Wesson Jr. – 29.93% 30.07% (-2.16% since March 4)
Holly J. Mitchell* – 29.04% (+3.52%)
Jan C. Perry – 11.92% (-0.34%)
Albert Robles – 10.67% (-0.69%)
Jorge Nuño – 6.56% (-0.08%)
Jake Jeong – 6.45 (-0.09%)
René Lorenzo Rigard – 5.43% (-0.15%)
CDT endorsed Senator Holly Mitchell for this seat, and several CDT donors supported an independent expenditure led by LA Voice Action. She will face LA City Council President Herb Wesson in the general election.
San Diego Mayor – Nonpartisan
Todd Gloria** – 41.56% (+1.23% since March 4)
Barbara Bry – 22.91% (-0.71%)
Scott Sherman – 22.62% (-2.55%)
Tasha Williamson – 7.14% (+1.41%)
Gita Appelbaum Singh – 3.52% (+0.54%)
Rich Riel – 2.26% (-0.02%)
CDT partner Engage San Diego Action Fund endorsed Todd Gloria in this race to replace a termed out Republican with a progressive Democrat. This will be a tough general election between Gloria and Progressive Democrat Barbara Bry. San Diego will have its first Democratic mayor since Bob Filner resigned in 2013.