California Legislative Jewish Caucus Endorses Diverse Group of Candidates

Last week, the California Legislative Jewish Caucus announced endorsements of seven candidates running for the State Legislature. The move comes just before the June 7 California primary election. 

All seven candidates are running for open seats. The Caucus has also endorsed all of its members currently running for re-election. 

Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel and Senator Scott Wiener, the Chair and Vice Chair of the Caucus, respectively, called themselves “proud to endorse such a strong and diverse slate of candidates for State Legislature.” 

If elected, these candidates have the potential to significantly increase Jewish Caucus’s presence in Sacramento. It currently has 19 members, after Assemblymember Matt Haney was elected via a special election in San Francisco. The Caucus’s focuses on the priorities of California’s Jewish community and uplifting vulnerable Californians of all backgrounds. 

The slate of endorsed candidates showcases the diversity among Jews in the Golden State. If elected, their districts would span from Marin County to the San Fernando Valley. A majority of these candidates are women, three publicly identify as LGBTQ+, and two are people of color.

Gabriel and Wiener continued by noting that “these impressive leaders already have accomplished so much in their communities” and that they are “particularly proud that our slate reflects the beautiful diversity of our Jewish community.” 

Among the candidates are Morro Bay City Councilmember Dawn Addis running in the 20^th Assembly District and outgoing Palm Springs Mayor Christy Holstege campaigning to represent the city in the 42^nd Assembly District. Other candidates include Jennifer Esteen (AD-20), Daniel Hertzberg (SD-20), Josh Lowenthal (AD-69), Andrea Rosenthal (AD-39), and Steve Schwartz (AD-12). 

 “We are excited to partner with them in Sacramento on our shared goals of fighting antisemitism, strengthening Holocaust education, deepening the California-Israel partnership, and advancing our Tikkun Olam agenda to uplift vulnerable Californians of all backgrounds,” said Gabriel and Weiner.