Black History
Running to Represent: Black Dem and GOP Candidates Vying for Cal Legislature Seats
Although African Americans are 5.8% of California residents and 7% of the voting-eligible population, Black candidates are on ballots for 10% of the Senate races and 22.5% of the Assembly races.

By Joe W. Bowers Jr., California Black Media,
Primaries, four positions, California Board of Equalization, 80 seats, State Assembly, 20 State Senate seats, Half of the 40 State Senate seats, subject to election, every two years, 20 even-numbered districts, ballots,
California Black Media (CBM), no Black candidates, Board of Equalization, Malia Cohen, first Black woman elected to the board, passing up a re-election bid, District 2,
18 State Assembly contests, Democrats, Republicans, incumbents,
Although African Americans are 5.8% of California residents and 7% of the voting-eligible population, Black candidates are on ballots for 10% of the Senate races and 22.5% of the Assembly races.
State senators represent an average of 988,455 residents and Assemblymembers represent an average of 494,227 residents. After the redistricting done following the 2020 U.S. Census, African Americans no longer exceed 40% of the population in any district. Three Senate districts and five Assembly districts have African American populations exceeding 20%.
Black candidates running for State Senate are:
Republican Gregory Tatum is a pastor, U.S. Army veteran and avionics technician. He is running to represent Senate District 16 (Bakersfield). State Senator Melissa Hurtado who currently represents District 14 is in this race because redistricting changed her district boundaries. This district is predicted to be a tossup for the two Republican and three Democrats on the ballot.
Four Black Democratic candidates are running to represent Senate District 28 (Los Angeles). Jamaal A. Gulledge is a public servant. Kamilah Victoria Moore, chair of the California Task Force to Study and Develop Reparations proposals for African Americans, has no ballot designation. Lola Smallwood-Cuevas is an educator and community organizer. Cheryl C. Turner is a civil rights lawyer. Five candidates are on the ballot. This is a solid Democratic district.
Black candidates running for State Assembly are:
Democrat Kevin McCarty is an Assemblymember representing District 7 (Sacramento). Due to redistricting, he is running to represent District 6 (Sacramento). He has four opponents. This is a solid Democratic district.
Two Black candidates are competing to represent Assembly District 10 (Elk Grove). Democrat Tecoy Porter is a pastor, educator and nonprofit director. Republican Eric M. Rigard is a retired businessman. Five candidates are on the ballot. This is a solid Democratic district. No incumbent is on the ballot.
Democrat Lori D. Wilson is listed on the ballot as a Democratic mayor and finance director running to represent Assembly District 11 (Vallejo). Recently, she won a special election to represent District 11, making her the incumbent. She has one opponent. This is a solid Democratic district.
Democrat Ida Times-Green is a school board trustee. She is board president of the Sausalito-Marin City School District and is running to represent Assembly District 12 (Marin). She has three Democratic rivals. This is a solid Democratic district. No incumbent is on the ballot.
Democrat Mia Bonta is the Assemblymember representing District 18 (Oakland). She is running for re-election unopposed. This is a solid Democratic district.
Democrat Jennifer Esteen is a psychiatric registered nurse. She is on the ballot to represent Assembly District (20) Alameda. Her opponents are two Democrats and a Republican. This is a solid Democratic district. No incumbent is on the ballot.
Democrat Maurice Goodman is a San Mateo County Community College District trustee. He is running to represent Assembly District 21 (San Mateo). He is running against five Democrats and a Republican. This is a solid Democratic district. No incumbent is on the ballot.
Democrat Jon Wizard is a councilmember and housing policymaker. He is running to represent Assembly District 30 (San Luis Obispo). He is running against three Democrats and a Republican. This is a solid Democratic district. No incumbent is on the ballot.
Democrat Marlon G. Ware is a university professor and director. He is also a retired U.S. Marine officer. He is running to represent Assembly District 36 (Imperial). He has two opponents. Assemblymember Eduardo Garcia (D) currently representing the 56th Assembly District is on the ballot for this seat due to redistricting. This is a solid Democratic district.
Democrat Chris Holden is an Assemblymember representing District 41 (Pasadena). He is running for re-election unopposed. This is a solid Democratic district.
Democrat Jamie Swain is a truck driver and businesswoman. She is running to represent District 47 (Palm Springs). Her opponents are two Republicans and a Democrat. There is no incumbent on the ballot. This race is judged to be a tossup between the Republicans and Democrats.
Democrat Isaac G. Bryan is the Assemblymember representing District 55 (Los Angeles). He is the incumbent and has one opponent, a Republican. This is a solid Democratic district.
Democrat Reggie Jones-Sawyer is the Assemblymember representing District 57 (Los Angeles). He is running for re-election unopposed. This is a solid Democratic district.
Democrat Corey A Jackson is a Riverside County Board of Education member. He is running to represent Assembly District 60 (Moreno Valley). He has three opponents. This is a solid Democratic district. No incumbent is on the ballot.
Three Black candidates are running to represent Assembly District 61 (Inglewood). Democrat Tina Simone McKinnor is non-profit director and businesswoman. Democrat Robert Pullen-Miles is mayor of the City of Lawndale. Republican James Arlandus Spencer is an Environmental Consultant. Five candidates are on the ballot. This is a solid Democratic district. No incumbent is on the ballot.
Democrat Mike Anthony Gipson is the Assemblymember for District 65 (Compton). He is running for re-election against one opponent. This is a solid Democratic district
Two Black candidates are on the ballot to represent Assembly District 69 (Long Beach). Democrat Al Austin II is a Long Beach councilmember. Democrat Janet Denise Foster is a healthcare administrator. Four Democratic candidates are running for the seat. This is a solid Democratic district. No incumbent is on the ballot.
Democrat Akilah Weber is an assemblymember and doctor. She represents Assembly District 79 (La Mesa) and is running for re-election against two Republican opponents. This is a solid Democratic district.
In each contest for Senate and Assembly seats the two candidates receiving the most votes in the June 7 primary will move on to the Nov. 8 general election.
Activism
Former U.S. Rep. Barbara Lee Reflects on Her Career as She Bids Farewell to Congress
“Together, we have raised our voices and pushed the envelope for peace, justice and equity. It has been the honor of a lifetime to provide constituent services, deliver federal investments to my district, speak out, and often times be the only one to take tough votes against the tide. I have, and will continue to, fight for working families, the middle class, low income and poor people,” said Lee On her final day in Congress.

By Bo Tefu, California Black Media
Outgoing Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA-12) expressed deep gratitude to her constituents and marked the end of her 26-year career in public service.
Lee, who is succeeded by Lateefah Simon, a civil rights and racial justice activist, praised people in her community for their support. She also highlighted her dedication to promoting peace, justice, and equity.
“Together, we have raised our voices and pushed the envelope for peace, justice and equity. It has been the honor of a lifetime to provide constituent services, deliver federal investments to my district, speak out, and often times be the only one to take tough votes against the tide. I have, and will continue to, fight for working families, the middle class, low income and poor people,” said Lee On her final day in Congress.
Throughout her tenure, Lee earned a reputation as a principled lawmaker known for taking bold and sometimes unpopular stances. One of her defining moments came in 2001 when she was the sole member of Congress to vote against the Authorization for the Use of Military Force in response to the September 11 attacks. This decision led to death threats but ultimately cemented her legacy of courage.
Lee’s leadership extended beyond her district, where she fought for social justice, the rights of low-income communities, and global health initiatives. She was a key figure in pushing for the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). She was a vocal critic of the Hyde Amendment, which restricts federal funding for abortion services.
The Congresswoman also faced significant challenges in her career, including a failed Senate bid in 2024. Yet, Lee’s efforts have paved the way for more excellent representation, with more Black women now elected to Congress. She worked closely with organizations like Representation Matters to encourage more women of color to run for office.
Lee says she looks to the future, confident that the next generation of leaders will continue her unfinished work, particularly on issues like military force and reproductive rights.
Activism
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