Update
2022 California Midterm Election Results
Voting Matters - Make Your Voice Heard!
Your vote is your voice, and big changes are coming in the California State Legislature. You’ll have your first opportunity to influence those changes by voting in the June 7th Primary. In addition, California is losing a seat in Congress and so you may be represented by someone new. That’s why it is important to understand the changes and vote!
The first thing to find out is what Assembly, State Senate, and Congressional district you now live in. Every ten years, based on census data, new district lines are drawn in each state. California completed its redistricting process in 2021. The Primary will decide which 2 candidates have enough votes to move on to the General Election in November. In both cases, you will be voting for the person you want to represent you as part of your new district.
While not all districts have changed, some are dramatically different. Click here to find your current and new districts for US Congress, State Senate, and State Assembly.
To make sure you’re registered to vote and to check your party preference, your polling place, ballot drop off sites, and other important information, go to the California Secretary of State’s website at https://voterstatus.sos.ca.gov.
Why so many changes in the state Legislature?
There are a number of reasons why there will be quite a few open seats in the Legislature going into next year. These include:
- Large numbers of legislators terming out of office,
- Legislators being appointed to or taking new jobs outside of elected office,
- Retirements, which open the door to legislators who wish to seek higher offices.
- Changes in elected officials’ district, either pitting them against another incumbent from the same party or requiring them to move.
A few key races: Clean Water Action Endorsements
All races are important and we encourage you to learn what you can about the candidates in your area. However, as we approach the Primary, Clean Water Action’s Vote Environment (CWAVE) Committee decided that a few races are especially important because they are open seats and certain candidates have already stood out to us as leaders for the environment, social justice, and democracy. Here’s who we have endorsed so far (check this page for further endorsements as we approach the November election):
Congressional District 15 (San Mateo Co.): Kevin Mullin and David Canepa
With the retirement of Representative Jackie Speier, Clean Water Action sees both of these candidates as leaders who will promote both the environmental and environmental justice needs of the diverse communities within the district. Both candidates have strong local roots and governmental experience. In our candidate questionnaire, Kevin Mullin prioritized 1) energy reform, 2) protection of wetlands and improvement of water conservation, as well as 3) protecting land/wildlife and promoting the state park system. David Canepa focused on 1) increased funding for advanced water sanitation and infrastructure, 2) incentives for clean energy vehicles, and 3) addressing toxic PFAS in drinking water.
California State Senate District 8 (Sacramento Area): Dave Jones
Dave Jones is the leader this district needs because of his broad experience working on the ground to empower communities, as well as his service in elected office, including in the State Assembly. He is the only district candidate who has articulated a clear vision to address climate change, environmental pollution, air quality, and the plastics crisis in ways that also promote environmental justice and equity. Jones is committed, and has the experience to dismantle systemic racism both within state government and the environment.
California State Senate District 10 (Alameda and Santa Clara Counties, including Hayward, Fremont, Milpitas and North San Jose): Aisha Wahab
Aisha Wahab is running to replace current Senator Bob Wieckowski, who is terming out of office. According to Wahab’s candidate questionnaire, carbon, infrastructure, jobs, and water are "our biggest issues" and she is focused on ensuring that all Californians have access to homes and a safe environment in a state with rising costs and inequities.
California State Senate District 16 (Kern County): Bryan Osorio
Bryan Osorio, current mayor of Delano, is needed in the Senate to counter the current influence that Big Oil and Big Agriculture have in the Capitol. While these industries make huge profits, local communities suffer from drought and poor water quality, the health impacts of fossil fuel extraction, and limited economic opportunity. Osorio is the only candidate to commit to ensuring that all district residents have access to clean water and that we not only move away from reliance on fossil fuels, but that workers in that industry have a just transition to newer, profitable, and cleaner energy jobs.
California Assembly District 10 (Sacramento/Elk Grove): Dr. Tecoy Porter
Dr. Tecoy Porter is a long-time advocate within his community. Among his priorities are addressing problems disproportionately impacting low-income communities and communities of color, such as the lack of healthy food and public transportation, air and water pollution, and unsafe housing. He is also committed to establishing an Office of Race and Gender Equity to analyze unintended consequences of state policies.
California Assembly District 12 (Marin/North Bay): Sara Aminzadeh
Sara Aminzadeh is a leading expert on water and water equity, and will bring extensive experience as an advocate, author, and policy maker to the Capitol. Aminzadeh is the only candidate who provided Clean Water Action a written and implementable climate action plan. She also prioritizes addressing water supply issues through storm water capture, recycling, conservation, monitoring, as well as tackling inadequate drainage and sewers that particularly plague low-income communities of color with racist housing histories.
California Assembly District 16 (Parts of Alameda and Contra Costa Counties): Rebecca Bauer-Kahan
Rebecca Bauer-Kahan’s environmental leadership has been recognized in Sacramento, which is why she was appointed to the important Assembly Committee on Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials and is chairing the Water, Parks, and Wildlife Committee. She understands the axis between drought and clean water. While many law-makers talk about building environmentally damaging dams to address drought, Bauer-Kahan knows that the real solution is keeping our current water resources clean and available. She is also the candidate who can force polluters to do more to protect groundwater and lift up the voices of tribes and other vulnerable communities to ensure that archaic water rights are more equitable.
California Assembly District 20 (East Bay): Jennifer Esteen
Jennifer Esteen is running to replace retiring Assemblymember Bill Quirk. Clean Water Action has endorsed Esteen because of her focus on mitigating and adapting to climate change, as well as addressing toxic emissions that disproportionately impact BIPOC communities. Esteen, who would be the first openly Gay Black female state legislator, has also prioritized responding to the racist impact of industry money in the electoral system and vows to act as an organizer within the Capitol to bring community voices to the work of dismantling racism in the Legislature and state laws.
California Assembly District 21 (Bay Area Peninsula): James Coleman
James Coleman, a former community organizer and current member of the South San Francisco City Council, is running to fill the Assembly seat being vacated by Kevin Mullin (see above). Coleman, who identifies himself as from a working class background and the only LGBTQ+ candidate in the district, believes there is a need for aggressive action on climate, including holding PG&E accountable for their infrastructure, decarbonizing the energy economy, promoting environmental justice in low-income communities and communities of color, as well as those living on the coast, and providing early pensions or job training for fossil fuel workers.
Paid for and authorized by Clean Water Action. Not authorized by any candidate or candidate committee. For more information, call 415-369-9160.
Voting Matters - Make Your Voice Heard!
Your vote is your voice, and big changes are coming in the California State Legislature. You’ll have your first opportunity to influence those changes by voting in the June 7th Primary. In addition, California is losing a seat in Congress and so you may be represented by someone new. That’s why it is important to understand the changes and vote!
The first thing to find out is what Assembly, State Senate, and Congressional district you now live in. Every ten years, based on census data, new district lines are drawn in each state. California completed its redistricting process in 2021. The Primary will decide which 2 candidates have enough votes to move on to the General Election in November. In both cases, you will be voting for the person you want to represent you as part of your new district.
While not all districts have changed, some are dramatically different. Click here to find your current and new districts for US Congress, State Senate, and State Assembly.
To make sure you’re registered to vote and to check your party preference, your polling place, ballot drop off sites, and other important information, go to the California Secretary of State’s website at https://voterstatus.sos.ca.gov.
Why so many changes in the state Legislature?
There are a number of reasons why there will be quite a few open seats in the Legislature going into next year. These include:
- Large numbers of legislators terming out of office,
- Legislators being appointed to or taking new jobs outside of elected office,
- Retirements, which open the door to legislators who wish to seek higher offices.
- Changes in elected officials’ district, either pitting them against another incumbent from the same party or requiring them to move.
A few key races: Clean Water Action Endorsements
All races are important and we encourage you to learn what you can about the candidates in your area. However, as we approach the Primary, Clean Water Action’s Vote Environment (CWAVE) Committee decided that a few races are especially important because they are open seats and certain candidates have already stood out to us as leaders for the environment, social justice, and democracy. Here’s who we have endorsed so far (check this page for further endorsements as we approach the November election):
Congressional District 15 (San Mateo Co.): Kevin Mullin and David Canepa
With the retirement of Representative Jackie Speier, Clean Water Action sees both of these candidates as leaders who will promote both the environmental and environmental justice needs of the diverse communities within the district. Both candidates have strong local roots and governmental experience. In our candidate questionnaire, Kevin Mullin prioritized 1) energy reform, 2) protection of wetlands and improvement of water conservation, as well as 3) protecting land/wildlife and promoting the state park system. David Canepa focused on 1) increased funding for advanced water sanitation and infrastructure, 2) incentives for clean energy vehicles, and 3) addressing toxic PFAS in drinking water.
California State Senate District 8 (Sacramento Area): Dave Jones
Dave Jones is the leader this district needs because of his broad experience working on the ground to empower communities, as well as his service in elected office, including in the State Assembly. He is the only district candidate who has articulated a clear vision to address climate change, environmental pollution, air quality, and the plastics crisis in ways that also promote environmental justice and equity. Jones is committed, and has the experience to dismantle systemic racism both within state government and the environment.
California State Senate District 10 (Alameda and Santa Clara Counties, including Hayward, Fremont, Milpitas and North San Jose): Aisha Wahab
Aisha Wahab is running to replace current Senator Bob Wieckowski, who is terming out of office. According to Wahab’s candidate questionnaire, carbon, infrastructure, jobs, and water are "our biggest issues" and she is focused on ensuring that all Californians have access to homes and a safe environment in a state with rising costs and inequities.
California State Senate District 16 (Kern County): Bryan Osorio
Bryan Osorio, current mayor of Delano, is needed in the Senate to counter the current influence that Big Oil and Big Agriculture have in the Capitol. While these industries make huge profits, local communities suffer from drought and poor water quality, the health impacts of fossil fuel extraction, and limited economic opportunity. Osorio is the only candidate to commit to ensuring that all district residents have access to clean water and that we not only move away from reliance on fossil fuels, but that workers in that industry have a just transition to newer, profitable, and cleaner energy jobs.
California Assembly District 10 (Sacramento/Elk Grove): Dr. Tecoy Porter
Dr. Tecoy Porter is a long-time advocate within his community. Among his priorities are addressing problems disproportionately impacting low-income communities and communities of color, such as the lack of healthy food and public transportation, air and water pollution, and unsafe housing. He is also committed to establishing an Office of Race and Gender Equity to analyze unintended consequences of state policies.
California Assembly District 12 (Marin/North Bay): Sara Aminzadeh
Sara Aminzadeh is a leading expert on water and water equity, and will bring extensive experience as an advocate, author, and policy maker to the Capitol. Aminzadeh is the only candidate who provided Clean Water Action a written and implementable climate action plan. She also prioritizes addressing water supply issues through storm water capture, recycling, conservation, monitoring, as well as tackling inadequate drainage and sewers that particularly plague low-income communities of color with racist housing histories.
California Assembly District 16 (Parts of Alameda and Contra Costa Counties): Rebecca Bauer-Kahan
Rebecca Bauer-Kahan’s environmental leadership has been recognized in Sacramento, which is why she was appointed to the important Assembly Committee on Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials and is chairing the Water, Parks, and Wildlife Committee. She understands the axis between drought and clean water. While many law-makers talk about building environmentally damaging dams to address drought, Bauer-Kahan knows that the real solution is keeping our current water resources clean and available. She is also the candidate who can force polluters to do more to protect groundwater and lift up the voices of tribes and other vulnerable communities to ensure that archaic water rights are more equitable.
California Assembly District 20 (East Bay): Jennifer Esteen
Jennifer Esteen is running to replace retiring Assemblymember Bill Quirk. Clean Water Action has endorsed Esteen because of her focus on mitigating and adapting to climate change, as well as addressing toxic emissions that disproportionately impact BIPOC communities. Esteen, who would be the first openly Gay Black female state legislator, has also prioritized responding to the racist impact of industry money in the electoral system and vows to act as an organizer within the Capitol to bring community voices to the work of dismantling racism in the Legislature and state laws.
California Assembly District 21 (Bay Area Peninsula): James Coleman
James Coleman, a former community organizer and current member of the South San Francisco City Council, is running to fill the Assembly seat being vacated by Kevin Mullin (see above). Coleman, who identifies himself as from a working class background and the only LGBTQ+ candidate in the district, believes there is a need for aggressive action on climate, including holding PG&E accountable for their infrastructure, decarbonizing the energy economy, promoting environmental justice in low-income communities and communities of color, as well as those living on the coast, and providing early pensions or job training for fossil fuel workers.
Paid for and authorized by Clean Water Action. Not authorized by any candidate or candidate committee. For more information, call 415-369-9160.