Political Party:
Democrat
Ballot Designation:
Teacher
Law Enforcement Contributions:
None as of 09/17/2026
Background:
Matthew Adams is a teacher and community organizer. Adams has also worked with local nonprofits and interned in the State Assembly.
Public Safety Platform:
Adams does not outline a traditional public safety platform focused on policing or incarceration. Instead, he frames public safety through prevention, emphasizing housing, mental health care, and community-based services. He supports a housing-first approach to homelessness, expanding behavioral health treatment, and investing in crisis response teams and early intervention. His approach prioritizes addressing root causes of instability over enforcement and punishment.
However, Adams’ campaign does not appear to be viable as has secured very few endorsements and has not raised much in campaign contributions. But because he is the only candidate in this crowded race not to express tough-on-crime values, IJ Action recommends him as the Harm Reduction choice.
Website:
Political Party:
Republican
Ballot Designation:
Father/Farmer/Assemblyman
Law Enforcement Contributions:
Background:
.Assemblymember Flora was first elected in 2016 and has been a vocal opponent of justice reform since being in office. In 2024, he authored legislation that failed to pass but would have excluded people with certain sex offense convictions from earning good time and rehabilitative credits under Prop 57. He has earned an “F” on our Scorecard for all three years that we have been evaluating the voting records of those in the Legislature.
Public Safety Platform:
Assemblymember Flora does not outline a public safety platform on his website, but has consistently opposed justice reform and supported policies that increase incarceration and sentencing. He has backed legislation to limit earned credits for incarcerated people and increase penalties for offenses like shoplifting and property damage. He is also a supporter of Proposition 36 and efforts to fund it, reinforcing a tough-on-crime approach centered on punishment and system expansions.
Website:
https://heathflora.com/
