2024 November General Election Environmental Justice Candidate Voter Guide

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The California Environmental Justice Alliance Action (CEJA Action) is proud to announce our endorsements for the 2024 November general election. Seven candidates we endorsed in the primary have moved on to this cycle, and we’ve endorsed a further 17 progressive candidates who are proven or that we believe will become environmental justice leaders.

On November 5, 2024 (and earlier if you vote by mail), we have an opportunity to prioritize community health, the transition away from fossil fuels, and an environmentally just future. We’ve seen some massive victories this year: we held CEJA’s biggest lobby day ever to hold elected officials accountable to environmental and climate justice issues, passed legislation to make polluters pay their share, and kicked oil and gas wells out of our neighborhoods and beat Big Oil’s scam before it got to the ballot. We have the political power, we have the momentum – let’s unite our voices and elect progressive leaders.

Dawn Addis for AD 30

Why We Endorsed

As a former Morro Bay city councilmember and multilingual educator, in her first term, Assemblymember Addis has worked to link local environmental justice issues to statewide solutions. In the legislature, Addis authored bills to protect local governments’ authority to restrict oil and gas pollution, and she stood with CEJA in advocating for health and safety protections from oil and gas drilling for future affordable housing development.

Jovanka Beckles for SD 7

Why We Endorsed

A former Richmond city councilmember and current Alameda-Contra Costa transit board director, Jovanka Beckles is a stalwart advocate across Senate District 7. Beckles passed a ban on coal transport through Richmond and led the city of Richmond to file a lawsuit against Chevron to hold them accountable for endangering communities of color and causing climate catastrophes.

Steve Bennett for AD 38

Why We Endorsed

Assemblymember Steve Bennett has a long history of supporting Ventura County’s frontline farmworking communities and creating California’s first multilingual farmworker resource center. Assemblymember Bennett has continued his leadership for California’s working families and democracy rights.

Isaac Bryan for AD 55

Why We Endorsed

As chair of the Natural Resources committee, Assemblymember Bryan has prioritized environmental justice communities’ concerns and authored bills to bring federal funding to disadvantaged communities in California, democracy rights, and work to hold Big Oil accountable to protect the health of communities living with oil drilling in their neighborhoods.

Michelle Chambers for SD 35

Why We Endorsed

Former Compton city councilmember Michelle Chambers is proven a leader in bridging policy-makers and governmental agencies to advocate for community engagement and public health protections by upholding the California Environmental Quality Act to take action when neighborhoods are contaminated. Chambers passionately advocates for environmental justice, focusing on building a clean and safe future for workers and communities of color.

Sade Elhawary for AD 57

Why We Endorsed

Dedicated educator, community organizer, and public leader, Sade Elhawary has seen the ways that corporate polluters’ have poisoned communities and escaped accountability. She is committed to championing healthy, safe, well-resourced, and environmentally just South Los Angeles.

Robert Garcia for AD 50

Why We Endorsed

Esteemed school teacher and Etiwanda school board member, Robert Garcia has spent his career serving students and families of color. As an advocate for healthy homes and neighborhoods, and quality education for all, Garcia emphasizes the importance of environmental justice in San Bernardino.

Eloise Gómez Reyes for SD 29

Why We Endorsed

Assemblymember Eloise Gómez Reyes, a tireless environmental champion, advocates for vital legislation for environmental justice communities. A former Assembly Majority Leader, she actively protects neighborhoods who suffer the worst air and health concerns from the proliferation of warehouses and pollution in the Inland Valley.

Lena Gonzalez for SD 33

Why We Endorsed

Elected in 2019, Senator Lena Gonzalez has been a champion in Sacramento for environmental justice communities across the state. Senator Gonzalez is a courageous and trusted leader who held Big Oil accountable and established health and safety buffer zones to end neighborhood oil drilling near homes, schools, and hospitals.

Christy Holstege for AD 47

Why We Endorsed

Christy Holstege, a civil rights attorney and former mayor, prioritizes green energy, affordable housing, and access to green spaces for constituents most economically and environmentally vulnerable in Palm Springs. Her dedication to healthcare access and homelessness reduction underscores her commitment to community health and environmental justice.

Alex Lee for AD 24

Why We Endorsed

Serving as chair of the Assembly’s Progressive Caucus, Assemblymember Lee has led legislation for working families and tenants to advance economic and racial justice across District 24.

Ash Kalra for AD 25

Why We Endorsed

A long time progressive leader within the Assembly, Assemblymember Kalra has led foundational worker, environmental and racial justice legislation. His leadership has been key in expanding tenant protections and programs to address air pollution and hold polluters accountable.

John Laird for SD 17

Why We Endorsed

John Laird is the former secretary of natural resources and assemblymember representing California’s 27th District, encompassing Monterey, Santa Cruz, and Santa Clara Counties. Throughout his career, Laird has advanced social justice issues from the environment to civil rights and he will be a voice for environmental action in the Senate. In his time in the Senate, Laird co-authored Senate Bill 1137 which created health and safety setbacks between oil and gas operations and homes.

David Lee for AD 19

Why We Endorsed

As an educator at Bay Area community colleges and Executive Director of the Chinese American Voters Education Committee, David Lee has dedicated his career to serve and empower San Francisco youth and communities of color to access quality public education, environmental and climate protections, and access to vital green spaces.

Monique Limón for SD 19

Why We Endorsed

A consistent EJ champion for four years since elected into the legislature due to her tireless work in representing Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties in Assembly District 37 to pass victories for environmental justice issues, corporate accountability, education access, public health. Monique Limón authored Senate Bill 1137 which created health and safety setbacks between oil and gas operations and homes.

Tina McKinnor for AD 61

Why We Endorsed

Assemblymember Tina McKinnor has served the public as a former staff of the legislature and California Democratic Party, and a longtime faith-based social justice organizer. McKinnor has spent her career advocating for policies to improve the lives of low income and communities of color. In 2022, McKinnor co-authored Senate Bill 1137 which created health and safety setbacks between oil and gas operations and homes.

Kipp Mueller for SD 23

Why We Endorsed

Dedicated civil rights and labor attorney Kipp Mueller fights for employees, union members, and asylum seekers. With progressive values, Mueller aims to bring positive changes, with an emphasis on equitable policies and environmental justice reforms in the district.

Al Muratsuchi for AD 66

Why We Endorsed

Assemblymember Al Muratsuchi was the first California state legislator to attempt to protect community health and safety by ending neighborhood oil drilling with Assembly Bill 345 in 2019. He then was a principal co-author of the setbacks bill Senate Bill 1137 which passed in 2022. In the Assembly Natural Resources committee last year, he stood with CEJA in advocating for health and safety protections from oil and gas drilling for future affordable housing development.

Liz Ortega for AD 20

Why We Endorsed

As the former first Latina Alameda labor council executive secretary treasurer, Assemblymember Ortega has spent years empowering union members and working families. Throughout her career as an assemblymember, she has expanded benefits and protections for frontline workers and their families in important worker protections that impact our communities.

Gail Pellerin for AD 28

Why We Endorsed

As Santa Cruz County’s chief elections official for over 20 years, Pellerin expanded voting accessibility to ensure that our democracy includes everyone, including non-English speakers and system-impacted voters.

Marisol Rubio for SD 9

Why We Endorsed

Marisol Rubio is an educator, scientist, caregiver, and current city councilmember in San Ramon, a refinery fenceline city. On the city council, Rubio established the first Climate Task Force in San Ramon which is responsible for informing the Climate Action Plan. Through this local work, she recognized the intersection of the environment, labor, and housing and advocated for progressive policies that benefit seniors and working families.

Pilar Schiavo for AD 40

Why We Endorsed

As a previous labor leader for over 20 years serving California’s health professionals, Assemblymember Schiavo has built broad coalitions between labor and community organizations to advocate for economic and environmental justice victories for tenants, working families, and communities of color. In her first term, Schiavo spearheaded and won district-wide resources supporting rental and utility assistance, and rental hike protections.

Chris Ward for AD 78

Why We Endorsed

As a current assemblymember and former San Diego city councilmember, Chris Ward has led alongside regional and statewide environmental justice organizations to combat climate change. Assemblymember. Ward served as a co-author of Senate Bill 467 to establish health and safety buffer zones from oil drilling in neighborhoods. Ward also authored Assembly Bill 2316 which set up community solar and has also provided helpful comments while the program is under development at the Public Utilities Commission.

Rick Zbur for AD 51

Why We Endorsed

As a former environmental lawyer and most recently as Executive Director of Equality California, Rick Zbur has been a statewide expert in environmental and civil rights litigation. His expertise in the foundation of environmental policy and human rights will advance intersectional environmental and climate justice policy that uplift California’s low income and communities of color. In the Assembly Natural Resources committee last year, Zbur stood with CEJA in advocating for health and safety protections from oil and gas drilling for future affordable housing development.

Ad paid for by CEJA Action PAC, sponsored by CEJA Action a project of Tides Advocacy.
Not authorized by a candidate or a committee controlled by a candidate.