Legislative Participants

Patrick Ahrens proudly represents the 26th Assembly District, located in the heart of Silicon Valley within the Santa Clara County. Assembly District 26 includes the cities of Cupertino, Santa Clara, and Sunnyvale, and part of the City of San José including the communities of Alviso and West San José, as well as the unincorporated communities of Burbank and Fruitdale.

A native of Silicon Valley, Ahrens is deeply committed to addressing the challenges faced by his constituents in one of the most dynamic yet demanding regions of California. His journey into public service was shaped by his own challenges, including growing up in a house with substance abuse issues and facing homelessness and housing insecurity as a college student. These experiences fueled his passion for public service and inspired his career advocating for affordable housing and education equity. He has championed policies to expand access and affordability in higher education, focusing on supporting community college students and ensuring pathways for economic mobility.

Prior to joining the Assembly, Ahrens served as a Trustee on the Foothill-De Anza Community College District Board, where he led efforts to build affordable housing for faculty, staff, and students, and collaborated with Santa Clara County to establish a first-in-the-state medical clinic at De Anza College.

Assemblymember Ahrens is the Co-Chair of the California Legislative Technology & Innovation Caucus, and a Member of the California Legislative Jewish Caucus and the Bay Area Caucus.

A first-generation college graduate, Ahrens earned an associate degree from De Anza College, a bachelor’s degree from the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), and a master’s degree in public administration from San José State University. He resides in Sunnyvale and is proud to represent the vibrant communities of Santa Clara County in the State Assembly.

Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin represents California's 42nd Assembly District, which includes portions of both Ventura and Los Angeles Counties; including all of Agoura Hills, Bel Air, Beverly Glen, Brentwood, Casa Conejo, Calabasas, Hidden Hills, Lake Sherwood, Malibu, Moorpark, Oak Park, Pacific Palisades, Santa Susana, Simi Valley, Thousand Oaks, Topanga, Westlake Village, and portions of Camarillo.

As the former Mayor of Thousand Oaks, Irwin understands the importance of working across party lines at all levels of government to help make her community one of the safest places to live and raise a family. Through her leadership, funding was allocated for the creation of the CSU Channel Island School of Engineering, an Early Childhood Education Center at CSUCI, and for innovation centers on UC campuses to transform UC research into products. Her legislation has created and expanded tax-free savings accounts for the disabled and increased the cybersecurity of state agencies. During her seven-year tenure as Chair of the Military and Veterans Affairs Committee, she removed barriers for military service members seeking mental health services, reformed the administration of Veterans' homes, and strengthened consumer protections for members of the National Guard and reserved called to active duty. Irwin has also focused on ensuring safety for California families with laws that protect children from unsafe products, assist law enforcement investigating online crime, and empower parents to safeguard their child’s identity. She also championed the environment with laws that expanded the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy, promoted renewable energy resources, while also leading efforts to utilize the local brine line to bring purified water to local farmers. 

Assemblymember Irwin currently chairs the Revenue & Taxation Committee, and is a member of the Agriculture Committee, Business & Professions Committee, Higher Education Committee, and the Privacy & Consumer Protection Committee. She also chairs the Assembly Select Committee on Cybersecurity, and Co-chairs the National Conference of State Legislatures Task Force on Cybersecurity. She has also been appointed by the Assembly Speaker to serve on numerous boards such as the State Public Works Board, the Cradle-to-Career Data System Governing Board. 

Prior to her public service, Irwin was an employee of Teledyne Systems and engineer at Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Lab. She has been honored as Assemblymember of the Year by TechNet, the Woman of the Year for the Greater Conejo Valley Chamber of Commerce, the Champion for College Opportunity and Student Success by the Campaign for College Opportunity, and received the California Bear Award for her service to the California National Guard. Assemblymember Irwin holds a Bachelor of Science in Systems Engineering from UC San Diego. A proud mother of three young adults, Jacqui Irwin and her husband Jon have lived in Thousand Oaks for nearly 20 years.

In November 2016, Cecilia Aguiar-Curry was elected to the California Assembly to represent the 4th District that includes all or parts of Napa, Lake, Yolo, Sonoma, Colusa and Solano counties. 

Cecilia grew up in western Yolo County and has long served her community. After going to school and working in the Bay Area for several years, she moved back to her hometown of Winters where she almost immediately became active in the local community. She first served as planning commissioner and then was elected to the city council eventually serving as the first female mayor of Winters.  As a youth, she cut apricots in the packing shed and helped her father in the walnut orchards in the area. She is still involved in local agriculture to this day as she and her brothers own an 80-acre walnut orchard.

After earning a degree in business administration from San Jose State University, she launched a consulting firm that specialized in public outreach with government agencies. As mayor of Winters, Cecilia oversaw improvements in the downtown area and worked to improve local schools, including securing computers for every sixth grader in the city. She brought broadband internet to rural communities, built senior housing and helped the area to become an agricultural and food innovation hub for the region.

With the understanding that employment is central to any successful community, Cecilia helped bring a PG&E training facility to Winters that provided hundreds of jobs for local residents.

Cecilia was also involved in efforts to create the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument in the inner California Coast Ranges that was proclaimed by President Obama in 2015. She currently resides in Winters a block from her childhood home with her longtime partner, Larry Harris, and has a stepson and two grown daughters.

Anamarie Ávila Farías proudly represents California’s 15th Assembly District, which includes parts of Contra Costa County and the East Bay. A lifelong public servant and advocate for working families, Ávila Farías brings decades of experience in affordable housing, economic development, and educational equity to her role in the State Assembly. As the granddaughter of Mexican immigrants who came to the United States through the Bracero Program, Ávila Farías’s personal story reflects the resilience and contributions of immigrant communities. Raised by a single mother after her father’s passing, she overcame significant socioeconomic challenges, inspiring her lifelong commitment to addressing poverty and inequities. These experiences drive her dedication to policies that support housing security, workforce development, and family well-being.

Ávila Farías made history in 2012 as the first Latina elected to the Martinez City Council and later served on the Contra Costa County Board of Education. Her accomplishments include launching affordable housing programs, championing accessory dwelling units (ADUs) for multi-generational housing, and creating green housing developments that transform environmental threats into sustainable solutions. She also spearheaded workforce initiatives, such as pre-apprenticeship programs for at-risk and incarcerated youth.

Appointed by both Governor Brown and Governor Newsom to the California Housing Finance Agency Board, Ávila Farías has been a leading voice for housing equity, creating programs like the Building Black Wealth campaign to increase Black homeownership and an ADU grant program to expand housing opportunities. A dedicated advocate for education and youth empowerment, she continues to serve on nonprofit boards supporting environmental education and juvenile justice reform. A proud third-generation Contra Costa County resident, Ávila Farías earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of San Francisco.

Assemblymember Steve Bennett was elected to the Assembly in November 2020 and represents the 38th district that includes the western part of Ventura County. He currently serves as Chair of Budget Subcommittee 4: Climate Crisis, Resources, Energy, and Transportation, and the Chair of the Select Committee on Building a Zero-Carbon Hydrogen Economy.

Born and raised in the Midwest, Steve developed a strong sense of community responsibility. After graduating from Brown University with an Honors Degree in Economics, Steve served his community as a high school Economics and American History teacher for over 20 years. At the same time, he advanced solutions to community problems of urban sprawl, money corrupting politics, and problems encountered by disadvantaged communities.

He was elected to the Ventura City Council in 1993 and served until 1997. There he co-authored the Save Open Space and Agricultural Resources (SOAR) initiatives that have made Ventura County a national leader in land-use planning. SOAR slows urban sprawl by requiring a vote of the citizens before greenbelt areas outside of the cities can be rezoned for development. During his time on the city council, he also authored one of the State's toughest campaign finance reform laws; as he fought to decrease the role of money in politics.

From 2000 to 2020, Assemblymember Bennett served his community as a Ventura County Supervisor. He first brought fiscally responsible policies to county government. He then led efforts to improve conditions for the disadvantaged and the voiceless. He co-authored a first of its kind Farmworker Resource Program that has dramatically improved the county's assistance to this vulnerable and valued population. He beat back opposition to the creation of Ventura's first municipal homeless shelter.

Steve has a particular passion for supporting the foster children of Ventura County and the 11,000 seniors residing in hundreds of nursing facilities. He spent 20 years leading the Board in efforts to improve conditions for foster children and ensure that the thousands of seniors who have outlived their friends and family receive a weekly visit by an Ombudsman solely focused on their welfare in the facility.

Steve launched his bid for the Assembly with a recognition that the window to effectively address climate change is rapidly closing. His first climate change efforts focus on improving storage capacity of renewable energy which is an essential step to achieving the goal of 100% renewable energy.

Steve and his wife Leslie share a passion for education. Leslie spent three decades as a high school Spanish teacher. For the past 14 years, they have shared their home with an immigrant family from Mexico. The experience of their adoptive family has led to a desire to leave a better world for those trapped by growing income inequality. Improved educational options, access to good medical care, and affordable housing are essential to doing that and a focus of Steve’s service in the Assembly.

Tasha Boerner was first elected to the California State Assembly in November of 2018 and re-elected for her fourth term in November 2024. She represents the 77th District, encompassing Carlsbad, Encinitas, Solana Beach, Del Mar, and the coastal communities of La Jolla south to Coronado.

Tasha was selected by Speaker Robert Rivas to chair the Assembly Communications and Conveyance Committee for the 2024-2025 session. She serves on the following policy committees: Higher Education, Public Employment & Retirement, Utilities & Energy, and Water, Parks, & Wildlife. 

Before serving in the State Assembly, Tasha served as a local City Councilmember, businesswoman, and former PTA leader. A fourth-generation San Diego County resident, she served as a member of the city’s Planning Commission prior to her election to the Encinitas City Council in 2016.

Professionally, Tasha has worked for global Fortune 500 companies, non-profits, and higher-education institutions. In response to her daughter’s struggle with a sensory processing disorder, Tasha started a business designing sensory-friendly clothing for little girls.

Tasha earned an M.A. in International Studies from Claremont Graduate University Institute of Politics and Policy. She received her B.A. in Political Science from the University of California, Berkeley. Tasha is the proud Mom of two children.

Mia Bonta was elected to serve California’s 18th Assembly District in a special election on August 31, 2021. The 18thAssembly District encompasses the East Bay area of Northern California. It includes a large portion of the City of Oakland and the cities of Emeryville and Alameda. Assemblymember Bonta’s priority is to make California a more affordable, inclusive, and equitable home for all.

Mia has spent her career advocating for students and working families. Mia made Alameda her home more than 20 years ago where she has worked for and led several nonprofit organizations focused on improving educational outcomes for low-income students. Prior to being elected to the State Assembly, Mia served as the CEO of Oakland Promise, a cradle-to-college and career preparation initiative across Oakland public schools. In 2018, Mia was elected to the Alameda Unified School District School Board and she served as Board President from 2018-2021. In addition to her professional work, Mia has served on the boards of national non-profits seeking to build power for low-income people like Community Change Action and local providers like Alameda Free Library Foundation. Mia also served as an appointed 18th Assembly District Delegate to the California Democratic Party and on the AD-18 Advisory Committees for Women, Education, and Early Childhood.

Mia’s advocacy on behalf of children and working families became the focal point of her campaign for Assembly. Mia has seen firsthand the cracks in the systems intended to lift up the most vulnerable in her community, and she campaigned on priority issues such as fighting homelessness, building more affordable housing, passing transformative criminal justice reform, and combating the threat of climate change. She also intends to prioritize issues in California’s public education system so that students and teachers have the resources they need to succeed.

A proud Black Latina, Mia was raised by activists who protested outside the halls of power so that one day, people like her could have a seat at the table inside. Growing up, Mia moved 13 times in 16 years, and with every move she carried what was most precious to her: a crate of books. Education was the one constant in her life, and Mia was fortunate to attend schools that would foster her love of learning and offer her a caring community of teachers and administrators committed to her success. For Mia, education was life-changing, and was what first inspired Mia to become a public servant. Mia holds a B.A. in Psychology from Yale University and went on to pursue an Ed.M from Harvard Graduate School of Education and a J.D. from Yale Law School.

Assemblymember Bonta lives in Alameda with her husband, Rob, and their three children.

Leticia graduated locally from Buena Vista Vocational Educational High School while Simultaneously completing the cosmetology program at Corona College of Cosmetology in 1989. She also holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Human Services from University of Phoenix and a Master of Arts degree in Counseling Psychology with a dual specialization in Marriage and Family Therapy and Professional Clinical Counseling from National University.

Leticia's professional background includes working as a Licensed Clinical Psychotherapist for the County of Riverside Department of Mental Health where she worked with families, children, and adults who were facing severe mental health challenges, as well as substance use, legal, and homeless issues. Leticia was able to see firsthand how the continued mishandling of the COVID-19 emergency powers created an increase of mental health challenges for both children and adults many who were already suffering from severe mental health to those who experienced their first mental health challenges during the extended shutdowns. Now, Leticia owns a private practice where she continues to serve the needs of those in her community.

California is at its breaking point. Many of OUR friends, family, and neighbors have already left the state. Our once safe communities are now filled with crime, drug use, and homelessness. Criminals are set free while law abiding citizens pay the price of the failed soft on crime policies in Sacramento. I want to change that by supporting stronger measures to reduce crime and homelessness and strengthen our law enforcement agencies because we all deserve to feel safe in our communities.

As a mother and grandmother, Leticia is pro-school choice, and pro-parental rights, and stands firm on parents knowing what is best for their children, not the government. Leticia also understands the high cost of living challenges that California families are facing. Leticia, wants a better future for all California families. 

Leticia is pro-Second Amendment and believes Californians have a right to protect and defend themselves. She vehemently supports our military, which includes her brother a Marine Veteran, a nephew who served in the Air Force Reserves, and one who serves in the Navy to this day.

Leticia is a first generation Mexican-American and the youngest of six siblings who is fluent in both English and Spanish, as her parents are immigrants from Mexico. Her Dad came to the United States legally through the farm laborer (braceros) program and achieved the American Dream through his faith in God and strong work ethics; he believed that America is the Land of Opportunity and that we all have the same opportunities to determine our own future. From his love of God and our country, he instilled in her the same beliefs and values.

Assemblymember Mike Fong was elected to the 49th District of the California State Assembly in a special election in February 2022. He represents Alhambra, Arcadia, El Monte, Monterey Park, Rosemead, San Gabriel, San Marino, South Pasadena, Temple City, as well as the unincorporated areas of South San Gabriel, North El Monte, and East Pasadena.

Mr. Fong currently serves as Chair of the Assembly Higher Education Committee, the Assembly Vice Chair of the Asian American & Pacific Islander Legislative Caucus, and the Chair of the Select Committee on Racism, Hate and Xenophobia.  Mr. Fong is also a member of the Appropriations; Banking and Finance; Budget; Budget Subcommittee #3 on Education Finance; and Arts, Entertainment, Sports, and Tourism Committees.

During his time in the Assembly, Mr. Fong has introduced legislation to increase access to quality education at every level, elevate language access for non-English speaking Californians, and improve public safety by helping to expedite the removal of dangerous weapons off our streets. 

Prior to his election to the Assembly, Mr. Fong served as a Trustee of the Los Angeles Community College District, which serves 250,000 students. Since 2022, Mr. Fong has authored over a dozen pieces of legislation that were signed into law by the Governor or incorporated in the state’s budget, and secured $35 million in funding to improve parks, community centers, and other projects in the 49th District. 

A product of Los Angeles County, Mr. Fong graduated from California State University at Northridge with a Master of Public Administration in Public Sector Management & Leadership and from University of California at Los Angeles with a B.S. in Psychobiology and a minor in Education. He is an avid fan of Dodger Baseball and UCLA athletics.

Assemblymember Robert Garcia is a lifelong educator and public servant with over two decades of experience in California’s public schools. The proud son of immigrants, Garcia was raised by hardworking parents who prioritized education despite limited access to it themselves—his father left school after third grade, and his mother gave birth to Robert at age 17. Their sacrifices instilled in him the value of perseverance and academic achievement, making him the first in his family to graduate high school at age 17.

Garcia earned a bachelor’s degree in biology from UCLA and a master’s degree in public policy from USC. While mentoring students from under-resourced high schools in Los Angeles, he discovered his passion for teaching and went on to become a math and science educator and school administrator. Throughout his career, he has helped schools navigate systemic challenges and improve academic outcomes, especially for underserved students.

In 2016, Garcia was elected to the Etiwanda School District Board of Trustees and re-elected in 2020 with nearly 70% of the vote. As Board President, he led the district through the COVID-19 pandemic and helped secure numerous state and national accolades, including two California Exemplary District Awards and five National Blue Ribbon School designations.

Elected to the California State Assembly, Garcia now represents the Inland Empire, bringing his personal experience and education leadership to the Capitol. His legislative priorities include fully funding public education, improving public safety, addressing homelessness, expanding job opportunities, and supporting small businesses. His work is grounded in the belief that education is the foundation for strong, thriving communities.

Assemblymember Garcia lives in Rancho Cucamonga with his wife, Samantha, and their three children, where they remain deeply engaged in the community they call home.

Senator Lena Gonzalez proudly represents one million residents in California’s 33rd Senate District, which encompasses Southeast Los Angeles, the City and Port of Long Beach, Lakewood, Signal Hill, and Catalina Island. As Senate Majority Leader and Chair of the California Latino Legislative Caucus, she plays a key role in supporting legislative leadership and is a dedicated advocate on the critical issues impacting Californians.

Senator Gonzalez has led on major policies, including Broadband for All, clean transportation incentives, and expanding paid sick leave. She is also the author of the Abortion Accessibility Act to remove barriers to care and SB 1137 to protect communities from pollution and end neighborhood oil drilling. 

Before joining the Senate, Senator Gonzalez served on the Long Beach City Council, where she championed various local policies focused on labor rights, supporting local businesses, sustainability, and innovation. One of her proudest achievements was the Digital Inclusion Roadmap, which has received national recognition for its collaborative and equitable approach. She also worked at Microsoft, leading social impact programs and key data initiatives on the future of work and criminal justice-related projects. 

Senator Gonzalez holds a BA in Political Science from Cal State Long Beach and an Executive MBA from Loyola Marymount University. She’s incredibly proud to be the daughter of a hardworking union truck driver and devoted father, and a brave, resilient mother who immigrated from Mexico. Senator Gonzalez resides in Long Beach with her family.

Assemblymember Mark Gonzálezwas first elected to the California State Assembly in November 2024 and appointed by the Speaker of the Assembly to serve as Majority Whip.

González represents the 54th Assembly District — one of the most diverse districts in California. District 54 encompasses Boyle Heights, Lincoln Heights, Westlake, Downtown Los Angeles, Koreatown, Pico-Union, Chinatown, Little Tokyo, Historic Filipinotown, and the cities of Vernon, Montebello, and Commerce.

González is the son of a single mother and grew up in Section 8 housing — he understands the challenges working families face in trying to make ends meet. After his mother suffered a stroke two years ago, Mark became her sole caregiver — taking his mom to the grocery store, doctor appointments, and attending church with her every Sunday. In this role, he witnessed the failures of government, social programs, and the healthcare system to support vulnerable seniors adequately.

Prior to his election to the State Assembly, Mark served as Chair of the Los Angeles County Democratic Party. He successfully organized support for laws to make community college free, protect our air and water, make housing more affordable, and combat the homelessness crisis.

After the overturning of Roe v. Wade, Mark helped lead the fight to pass a constitutional amendment in California protecting a person's right to access safe, legal abortion care — effectively turning California into a safe haven for anyone seeking reproductive care across the nation. In 2023, Mark organized to pass a new law ensuring all healthcare workers receive a minimum wage of $25/hour.

The challenges he and his family faced are at the core of his advocacy, driving him to stand up for his community and work toward ensuring that no Californian has to endure such struggles.

Tim Grayson was previously elected to serve in the California Assembly in November 2016 and to represent the 15th Assembly District. He is the son of a Teamster father and his mother was a public transit worker. He is the first in his family to earn a college degree. In 2010, Grayson was elected to serve on the Concord City Council, winning reelection in 2014 and serving on the Council until his election to the Assembly. He also served as Concord’s Mayor from 2014-2015.

As a co-founder of the Contra Costa Family Justice Center, Grayson has a long and proven history of advocating for victims of domestic violence, human trafficking, and child and elder abuse. Since his election to the Assembly, Grayson has secured $20 million in state funding for Family Justice Centers throughout California to expand services, reach new communities and streamline services for victims of interpersonal violence. In 2018, Governor Brown signed into law a Grayson bill (AB 998) to allow victim support specialists to work collaboratively to help victims of domestic violence and human trafficking.

Championing the beliefs that higher education should be both accessible and affordable, then-Assemblymember Grayson authored laws to ensure that our qualified California students are not denied admission at UC institutions in favor of less qualified out-of-state students (AB 1674) and to require greater transparency from the University of California Office of the President in UC cost reporting (AB 1655). Grayson also introduced legislation to bring $7 billion in funding for new higher education campus construction and repair of existing facilities. In order to help protect the state against the boom and bust economic cycles of the past decades, Grayson was at the forefront of creating a new budget reserve to complement the constitutionally-capped Rainy Day Fund.  Grayson fought to create the new Budget Deficit Savings Account, and helped secure an initial deposit of $1.75 billion, in the hope that we will be able to avoid devastating and debilitating cuts to education and social and government services should a recession strike again.

Heather was raised in the small town of Dorris in Siskiyou County where she met her high school sweetheart Bryon. They were married in 2003 and now have two boys, Sam and Zack. Together they run their family farm in Modoc County growing hay, vegetables and pumpkins, raising highland cattle and running the County’s only Pumpkin Patch each fall.

Heather was raised by a single mom working multiple jobs to make ends meet. She put herself through college attending Shasta College and Chico State to earn her degree in Agriculture Science. In 2016, she earned her Master’s Degree in Leadership & Management. Heather was an elementary and high school teacher and still teaches a Public Safety Class at Modoc High School. Heather also served as the County 4-H Coordinator through UC Davis.

As a small business owner, Heather understands the constant obstacles of operating your own business. She knows the state needs to make it easier to open and run a small business, and to hire more people at good paying jobs.

For almost five years before that, Heather served Modoc County as the Deputy OES (Office of Emergency Services) Director at the Sheriff’s Office. Heather served as the Public Information Officer for the Sheriff’s Office, organized evacuations due to wildfire and flooding, coordinated support, managed recovery, and assisted on neighboring wildfires such as the Bootleg, Dixie, McKinney and many more.

Heather served as President of a local school board, planted a church and was a children’s church pastor, coaches the Modoc Youth Shooting Team, is on the CA Youth Shooting Sports Association Board, PTO, Cubmaster, little league coach, Alturas Chamber of Commerce, Ducks Unlimited, Modoc Vineyard Church.

Assemblymember John Harabedian is a dedicated public servant, accomplished attorney, and community leader with a long history of advocating for environmental protection, social justice, and improved public services.

Born and raised in Sierra Madre, at the heart of California’s 41st State Assembly District, Harabedian began his public service journey as a City Councilmember in 2012. He was re-elected in 2016 and served twice as Mayor. During his tenure, Harabedian championed innovative policies to protect the environment, conserve resources, and expand municipal services. He led Sierra Madre’s groundbreaking solar energy initiative, which now powers the city, and co-founded the Clean Power Alliance to promote renewable energy across the region. He also worked to reduce homelessness and fostered partnerships to enhance local quality of life.

He has served as a prosecutor for the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office and worked with leading institutions such as Latham & Watkins, Stanford’s Immigrants’ Rights Clinic, and the Equality Pro Bono Project. As a CORO Fellow, he contributed to labor and municipal policy initiatives with AFSCME District Council 36 and Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa’s office.

Harabedian is a proud graduate of Loyola High School, holds a bachelor’s degree from Yale University, a master’s in comparative social policy from Oxford University, and a law degree from Stanford University.

The district includes the cities of Bradbury, Claremont, La Cañada Flintridge, La Verne, Monrovia, Pasadena, San Dimas, Sierra Madre, and portions of Hesperia, Rancho Cucamonga, and Upland. Assemblymember John Harabedian lives in  Pasadena with his wife, Young-Gi, and their three children. 

On November 5, 2024, California State Assemblyman Josh Hoover was reelected to his second term representing the 7th Assembly District in Sacramento County. Assembly District 7 includes the cities of Citrus Heights, Folsom, and Rancho Cordova and the unincorporated communities of Carmichael, Fair Oaks, Foothill Farms, Gold River, Mather, McClellan Park, North Highlands, Orangevale, and Rosemont.

Josh is a passionate advocate for California families. His top priorities include making sure our community remains a great place to live, work, and go to school. He serves as the Vice Chair of the Assembly Education Committee and the Assembly Communications & Conveyance Committee. He is also a member of the California Problem Solvers Caucus, a bipartisan group of legislators committed to finding common sense solutions to our state’s biggest challenges. During his first term in office he authored and passed the Phone-Free Schools Act, landmark legislation to increase academic performance and protect the mental health of students across the state.

Josh also serves on the Assembly Select Committee on Serving Students with Disabilities. As the father of a child on the autism spectrum, he cares deeply about the integration and outcomes of kids with special needs. For his work advocating for students, he was named Folsom’s Young Professional of the Year in 2020.

Prior to his election to the Assembly, Josh served as a school board member in the Folsom Cordova Unified School District (FCUSD). He led the fight to reopen schools in his community, and as a result, FCUSD was the first district in Sacramento County to bring students back for in-person instruction. 

Josh earned a bachelor’s degree in political science and public policy from UCLA and a master’s degree in public administration from USC. He lives in Folsom with his wife Nicole and their three children Ayden, Addison, and Austin.

As Deputy Attorney General, Maggy Krell developed a breakthrough legal theory that dismantled the largest on-line sex trafficking operation in the nation. She received a career achievement award from the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children for her work helping survivors.

Maggy Krell was recruited by Planned Parenthood as its Chief Legal Counsel to push back against the Trump White House’s assault on reproductive freedom. 

And Maggy Krell served as a pro-bono lawyer along the border, reuniting mothers and children who had been forcibly separated and detained hundreds of miles apart.

Maggy Krell brings legal scholarship and policy leadership to the California State Assembly.

Alexandra Macedo was born and raised in Tulare, California to a family deeply rooted in Agriculture. From a young age, Alexandra has had a passion for the agriculture industry. Following graduation from Tulare Union High School, Alexandra attended California State University, Northridge where she obtained her B.S. in Business Law.

Following the completion of her undergraduate degree, Alexandra returned to the Central Valley. She partnered with her mother, Tina, in Macedo Engineering & Consulting, Inc, to provide support for dairy and crop farmers. Very quickly Alexandra recognized a need for agricultural attorneys to fight for and protect the industry she loved so dearly.

This led her to San Joaquin College of Law in Clovis, California. Alexandra continued to manage the business throughout her law school career while commuting and being a full-time student. She graduated in May of 2021, and now is the President of Macedo Environmental Consulting, Inc. Her business offers environmental compliance assistance and consulting along with agricultural design and project management.

Alexandra is also the fourth generation to be a part of her family’s livestock market, Tulare Sales Yard, which has been in her family since 1939. Alexandra’s family is also carrying on the family tradition of farming almonds on property that her late grandfather owned. In addition to the many hats she wears, Alexandra has served on multiple advisory boards and committees for regulation facing the agriculturists on California and regularly visits classrooms and youth groups to educate them on where their food comes from.

Alexandra’s love and passion for the agriculture industry is present in all that she does, and she takes the responsibility of carrying on this tradition for generations to come very seriously. Alexandra plans to run for office so she can continue to serve the men and women of the agricultural community and to effect change on a much larger scale.

Jerry McNerney was first elected to Congress in 2006 to serve portions of San Joaquin, Alameda, Contra Costa, and Santa Clara Counties. He retired from Congress in 2023 after serving for 16 years. He served on the Veterans Affairs Committee, the Committee on Science, Space and Technology, and the Committee on Energy and Commerce.

During his time in Congress authoring the Traumatic Brain Injury Law, provided innumerable individual veteran benefits, and fought relentlessly for the new CBOC veterans’ health facility near French Camp now serving the region’s veterans.

In Congress, McNerney became the congressional expert on energy, water and tech issues including chairing the Artificial Intelligence Caucus, the Congressional Grid Innovation Caucus, and the WiFi Caucus. He authored the AI in Government Act.

McNerney holds a Ph.D. in Mathematics. Prior to serving in Congress, he spent 20+ years as an engineer and consultant in the energy and clean energy industry, helping develop cutting-edge wind technologies and wind turbines.

McNerney and his wife, Mary, have been married since 1977. His oldest son, Michael, served as an officer in the US Air Force and is now a serial entrepreneur in cyber security living in the Bay Area with his wife and two children. McNerney’s daughter, Margaret, is a Ph.D. neuroscientist working at the Palo Alto VA and teaching at Stanford. His son, Greg, is a Ph.D. biophysicist and now works at Intel Corporation in Beaverton, OR.

Assemblymember Tina McKinnor (D - Inglewood) was first elected to the California State Assembly in June 2022 representing the cities and communities of Gardena, Hawthorne, Inglewood, Lawndale, Lenox, Los Angeles, Marina del Rey, Venice, West Athens, Westchester and Westmont in Los Angeles County.

McKinnor currently serves as Chair of the Public Employment and Retirement Committee and serves on the following policy committees: Arts, Entertainment, Sports and Tourism Committee; Business and Professions Committee; Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials Committee; the Governmental Organization Committee and the Judiciary Committee. Additionally, in March 2023, McKinnor was appointed to the State Coastal Conservancy. 

In January 2024, McKinnor was unanimously elected Chair of the Los Angeles County Legislative Delegation. The Los Angeles County Legislative Delegation is the largest, bi-partisan, and most diverse delegation in the California Legislature. Collectively, the Delegation’s 39 Assemblymembers and State Senators represent nearly ten million Califonians.

As a legislator, McKinnor has received national recognition for leading some of the most progressive policy issues in California including legislation to unionize state legislative employees, reducing microplastics from our environment and eliminating racist housing policies needed to create safe and inclusive neighborhoods across the state.

Prior to her election to the State Assembly, McKinnor served as Civic Engagement Director for the non-profit LAVoice and previously served as Operational Director for the California Democratic Party and Chief of Staff to several Members of the State Assembly. McKinnor received a BA in Accounting from California State University, Dominguez Hills. McKinnor was born and raised in Los Angeles County,  is the mother of two adult sons and recently welcomed her first grandchild.

Assemblymember Stephanie Nguyen was elected to the California State Assembly in November of 2022 to represent the 10th Assembly District and recently reelected in November 2024.

Assemblymember Nguyen served as the Executive Director of Asian Resources, Inc. (ARI) to ensure that all communities, especially the low-income, immigrant, refugee, limited English-speaking youth, formerly incarcerated and undocumented, have access to support and services to help them get one step closer to self-sufficiency. She was elected to the Elk Grove City Council in 2017 and was the first Asian American woman in this role. She has lived, worked, and served the Sacramento and Elk Grove communities almost all her life. The daughter of Vietnamese refugees who fled the Vietnam War by boat, she grew up in Sacramento’s Little Saigon district and attended Sacramento schools before graduating from Sacramento State University.

Assemblymember Nguyen serves on the Assembly Committees on Business and Professions; Governmental Organization; Insurance; Public Employment and Retirement; and Public Safety. She also serves as the Vice Chair for the AAPI Legislative Caucus.

In addition to her legislative duties, she spearheaded crucial initiatives aimed at advancing women's health rights and healthcare standards nationwide. Notably, she led the passage of Assembly Bill 1646 (AB 1646), ensuring comprehensive training for OB-GYN medical students across the country, particularly focusing on abortion procedures. Her dedication to promoting equitable and accessible healthcare underscores her commitment to serving the needs of all Californians.

Assemblymember Gail Pellerin was elected to the California State Assembly in November of 2022 to represent the 28th Assembly District.

Assemblymember Pellerin served as the chief elections official in Santa Cruz County from 1993 until her retirement in December 2020. Gail served as President of the California Association of Clerks and Election Officials from 2010 to 2012 and as co-chair of the Secretary of State’s Voting Accessibility Advisory Committee.

Gail has a BS in Journalism from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. Before her experience in public service, Gail worked as a campaign assistant to political campaigns, a newspaper reporter and photographer, and a community college instructor.

Assemblymember Chris Rogers proudly serves California’s 2nd Assembly District, which encompasses Eureka, Arcata, and Santa Rosa. Before joining the State Assembly, Chris made a significant impact as a Santa Rosa City Councilmember and Mayor, where he led efforts in wildfire recovery, housing affordability, and environmental sustainability. Known for his collaborative leadership style, Chris has been instrumental in securing resources to support small businesses and protect vulnerable communities during challenging times.

Chris holds degrees from UC Santa Barbara and Sonoma State University, where he developed a passion for policymaking and community engagement. He brings this passion to the State Assembly, focusing on creating a modern and equitable rural economy, healthcare access, and driving climate action. A lifelong resident of Santa Rosa, Chris is dedicated to preserving Northern California's natural beauty while ensuring its residents a prosperous future.

Assemblymember Rhodesia Ransom represents California’s 13th Assembly District, which includes the vibrant communities of Stockton, Tracy and Mountain House. With over two decades of experience in public service, Rhodesia has been a fierce advocate for social justice, equitable education, and economic empowerment. As a former Tracy City Councilmember and non-profit leader, she stood up for the most vulnerable, strengthened economic opportunities, and fought to reduce homelessness in the region.

Ransom earned her Master’s in Public Administration, equipping her with the knowledge and skills to address complex policy challenges effectively. She is committed to fostering collaboration between state and local stakeholders to address her district's unique challenges. Rhodesia and her husband reside in Tracy, where they raised their three children and have been active community members for over two decades.

Assemblywoman Pilar Schiavo was elected to the California State Assembly in November of 2022 to represent the 40th Assembly District, representing the Northwest San Fernando Valley and the Santa Clarita Valley. Upon her election, she was appointed as Assistant Majority Whip by the Speaker of the Assembly and now serves as Chair of the Assembly Committee on Military and Veterans Affairs. In her first term in office she delivered over one million dollars into the pockets of community members through assistance with state agencies and $95 million in district investments addressing school safety and greening, supporting small businesses, creating infrastructure jobs, creating veteran housing, improving clean air and water supply, increase healthcare delivery, addressing housing and homelessness, and bolstering community safety.

Prior to her election, Assemblywoman Schiavo was a Small Business Owner and Nurse Advocate who worked in the labor movement for more than 20 years on issues that deeply impact people’s lives, including expanding healthcare access and affordability, winning real solutions to homelessness, advocating for housing people can afford, and delivering on good jobs that allow families to thrive.

Throughout her career, Assemblywoman Schiavo helped deliver healthcare, including reproductive healthcare, to more than one million people and fought to put critical dollars in the pockets of workers. In the Northwest San Fernando Valley, she co-founded an organization that helped secure housing for Veterans experiencing homelessness, co-founded an organization that delivered more than 50,000 meals to people in need, and increased resources to help keep our communities safe.

Assemblywoman Schiavo is the daughter of small business owners and was a small business owner herself. Her father was a logger who became an electrician after two battles with cancer after exposure to Agent Orange while serving in the military, and her mom was a bookkeeper and managed the family electrical business. When her dad got a union job, she saw the life-changing impacts it had on her family – it is that formative experience, along with her desire to help children and families, that led her to the labor movement where she fought to lift up families just like hers.

Assemblywoman Schiavo lives in Chatsworth with her daughter Sofia where they love to hike in the Santa Susana Mountains. She has been involved in the PTA of her daughter’s neighborhood public school. Her stepdaughter Germany graduated from Granada Hills Charter High School and is now a senior in college studying business administration.

Assemblymember Nick Schultz proudly represents California’s 44th Assembly District, which includes the cities of Burbank and Glendale, alongside the Los Angeles neighborhoods of Sunland Tujunga, North Hollywood, Sherman Oaks, Studio City, and Valley Village.

Raised by a single mother, Assemblymember Schultz became the first in his working-class family to graduate from college. In his role as a Deputy Attorney General with the California Department of Justice, Schultz prosecuted public corruption, human trafficking, and financial crimes while advancing innovative reforms like establishing a Post-Conviction Review Unit to address wrongful convictions.

Schultz was elected in 2020 election to the Burbank City Council, where he received one of the highest vote totals in city history. In 2023, he became Mayor of Burbank. During his tenure, he championed policies to combat homelessness, reduce crime, and achieve carbon neutrality. He also prioritized housing affordability, approving over 1,000 new units for low-income Californians.

Assemblymember Schultz has a bachelor’s degree and a law degree from the University of Oregon and resides in Burbank.

Senator Smallwood-Cuevas, a daughter of a single mother who is a U.S. veteran and registered nurse, grew up experiencing the challenges that working families face and the harsh economic conditions that drive compounded poverty and social inequities. After graduating from California State University of Hayward with a Bachelor’s Degree in Communications, she began working as a journalist, reporting on the lives of working families. She soon held her first union membership role with the Newspaper Guild, where she became involved in worker organizing by fighting to stop the pink-slipping of newsroom employees, which successfully helped them keep their jobs.

Senator Smallwood-Cuevas entered the labor movement as a community coordinator for SEIU Local 1877, now SEIU USWW. She was a lead organizer for the Justice for Janitors campaign, organizing over 4,000 security officers, resulting in a landslide victory that secured a 40 percent pay increase, health benefits, and job security. She later joined the UCLA Labor Center, where she founded their Center for the Advancement of Racial Equity at Work. Her leadership in labor education and policy led her to co-founding the Los Angeles Black Worker Center, which became a nationally recognized model acknowledged by President Barack Obama and Labor Secretary Tom Perez. She also served as Treasurer of the Los Angeles County Workforce Development Board and held various advocacy roles with the U.S. Department of Labor and the Los Angeles County Worker Center Network.

Since being elected to the California State Senate, Senator Smallwood-Cuevas has championed landmark legislation to raise labor standards, expand access to justice for workers, and ensure public investments supporting equitable economic opportunities. As Chair of the Senate Labor, Public Employment and Retirement Committee, she has led efforts to strengthen worker protections across the state. She fought to ensure workers can report wage theft or pay discrimination without fear of retaliation (SB 497, 2023), and she led legislation to protect displaced retail workers by requiring advance notice and transfer opportunities when large chain stores close (SB 627, 2023). She co-led efforts to secure community benefits in major infrastructure projects, helping to open union career pathways for historically excluded workers (SB 150, 2023). She also advanced SB 572 (2024), which authorizes the sale of surplus state property in South Los Angeles to support affordable and mixed-use housing development, prioritizing community land trusts, and equitable local input.

Beyond labor policy, Senator Smallwood-Cuevas is working to preserve and uplift the cultural legacy of her district. She has partnered with community leaders to establish the first Historic South LA Black Cultural District, honoring the region’s profound contributions to California’s social, political and cultural history. This effort reflects her broader vision to recognize and invest in historically marginalized communities through both cultural and economic development.

In addition to her legislative work, Senator Smallwood-Cuevas has secured major budget investments to support her district. She championed a $1 million allocation to the Play Equity Fund to develop new recreational spaces in South Los Angeles, addressing the region’s lack of green spaces and promoting environmental equity. She also facilitated $1.85 million in CA RISE grant funding for six employment social enterprises, expanding job training and workforce pathways for individuals who face systemic barriers to employment. These investments reflect her commitment to addressing the economic, social and environmental needs of her community.

Senator Smallwood-Cuevas’ legislative priorities include enforcing worker rights, expanding collective bargaining, creating good union jobs, and strengthening social safety net programs that uplift working families. She is also committed to progressive justice reforms, a just transition to a green economy, and achieving universal healthcare for all Californians. A progressive leader, Senator Smallwood-Cuevas identifies as a Working Families Democrat.

In addition to serving as Chair of the Labor, Public Employment and Retirement Committee, Senator Smallwood-Cuevas is a standing member of the Committees on Budget and Fiscal Review, Budget Subcommittee No. 4, Business, Professions and Economic Development, and Governmental Organization, as well as the Joint Committee on the Arts and the Joint Rules Committee.

She also serves on the California Workforce Development Board and the State Public Works Board, and she is a member of the Senate’s Special Committee on International Sporting Events, which focuses on the Olympics and World Cup Soccer.

Catherine Stefani proudly represents California’s 19th Assembly District, encompassing the western neighborhoods of San Francisco and northern San Mateo County. With decades of experience as a prosecutor, policy analyst, and county supervisor, Stefani is a proven leader dedicated to creating safer, more affordable communities and ensuring government works for all Californians.

A lifelong advocate for public safety, Stefani has worked tirelessly to address gun violence, domestic violence, and corruption. As a former prosecutor with the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office, she fought to protect vulnerable victims. Her commitment to reducing gun violence led her to found the San Francisco chapter of Moms Demand Action, where she took on the National Rifle Association and pushed for stronger gun safety laws.

In her time as a San Francisco County Supervisor, Stefani focused on improving community policing, enhancing first responder readiness, and supporting families. She championed affordable housing initiatives, fought for humane solutions to homelessness, and prioritized investments in education and public safety. Her collaborative leadership style and ability to deliver results earned her widespread recognition, including re-election in 2022 with strong community support. She fought to protect vulnerable victims and authored Proposition D to establish local advocacy services for survivors of domestic violence and other crimes.

Stefani grew up in Merced, California, where she developed a deep appreciation for the challenges facing working families. She earned her law degree from McGeorge School of Law and gained policy expertise working with leaders like San Jose Vice Mayor Cindy Chavez and former California Assembly Speaker Herb Wesson. Stefani now lives in San Francisco with her two children and her husband.

David Tangipa was elected to the State Assembly in 2024 to advocate for Calaveras, Fresno, Inyo, Madera, Mariposa, Mono, and Tuolumne counties. Prior to being elected to the legislature, David worked in real estate and with Fresno County.

David is a San Joaquin Valley native. A proud, first-generation American and son of a veteran, David was born and raised in Sacramento and has lived his entire adult life in Fresno. He attended Fresno State and played tight end for the Bulldogs where he learned the importance of discipline, hard work, and spirit of the Central Valley.

After earning a bachelor’s degree in Political Science and Criminology, as well as a master’s in Business Administration with an emphasis in marketing, David embarked on a career helping people live the American dream of owning a home.

David is passionate about serving his community and is involved with Fresno County Athletic Hall of Fame, Fresno State Bulldog Foundation, and Fresno State Football Alumni.

Assemblywoman Lori D. Wilson was elected in April 2022 to represent California’s 11th Assembly District which includes all of Solano County and portions of Contra Costa and Sacramento Counties. The District includes the Cities of: Benicia, Dixon, Fairfield, Oakley, Rio Vista, Suisun City, Vacaville and Vallejo.

Prior to her election to the Assembly, Lori Wilson was the first Black female Mayor to serve in the entire history of Solano County. First elected to the Suisun City Council in 2012, she served as Vice-Mayor for six years before winning the Mayor’s race in 2018. During her tenure, Lori demonstrated a track record of fiscal responsibility while leading efforts to bring more housing, jobs and diversity to Suisun City.

After being elected to the California State Assembly in April of 2022, Assemblywoman Wilson hit the ground running. During this first year and a half, Assemblywoman Wilson has already sent 11 bills to the Governor’s Desk and delivered millions of dollars in state funding directly to the 11th District. From housing to electric vehicle infrastructure to flood resiliency to transportation and public safety improvements, these funds will improve the quality of life in Contra Costa, Sacramento and Solano Counties.

In addition to being an effective and results-oriented legislator, Assemblywoman Wilson’s tenure in the Assembly has also resulted in multiple historic moments. First, Assemblywoman Wilson is the only Black woman in California history to be appointed Chair of the influential Assembly Transportation Committee. Dating back to 1954, the Transportation Committee oversees California’s transportation infrastructure, networks and state agencies tasked with delivering California a safe and efficient transportation system.

Second, Assemblywoman Wilson is the first legislator in the history of California to be elected Chair of the California Legislative Black Caucus as a freshman. The California Legislative Black Caucus was formed in 1967 when African American members of the California Legislature joined together to address the legislative concerns of African Americans and other citizens of color. Under her leadership, the Caucus has shattered previous records delivering hundreds of scholarships to students of color while also enjoying numerous legislative and budget wins.

Finally, Assemblywoman Wilson is the first legislator in the history of California to openly discuss being the parent of a transgender child. In today’s heated political climate, it is crucial that this community has representation in Sacramento and Assemblywoman Wilson has demonstrated her commitment to defending vulnerable communities.

Assemblywoman Wilson’s track record in the California State Assembly includes delivering policies that create good jobs, keep the community safe and improve the quality of life for her constituents and the people of California. Lori is focused on bringing state services directly to individuals, local businesses, veterans, non-profits, and local governments who need help interacting with government agencies, like the Employment Development Department.

Lori is a graduate of California State University, Sacramento with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Accountancy. Her diverse career history, including more than 20 years in Accounting & Finance, has afforded Lori tremendous opportunities to hone her skills in government and nonprofit management, strategic development and budget administration.

A native Californian raised on the west side of Fresno, Lori is married to her high school sweetheart Chavares Wilson, a retired Air Force Reserve Technical Sergeant. They have been blessed with two sons, Tyler and Kiren, a daughter-in-law, Brittney, and a grandson, Weston. They have enjoyed living in Suisun City since 2004 after being stationed at Travis AFB for 5 years.