Christopher Cabaldon – Senate District 3

Harm reduction candidate

Political Party - Democrat

Ballot Designation

Educator / State Commissioner

Law Enforcement Contributions

  • California Correctional Peace Officers Association (CCPOA) PAC
  • California Association of Highway Patrolmen Small Contributor Committee

Background

Cabaldon was the Mayor of West Sacramento for over two decades, becoming the longest serving LGBTQ+ Mayor in US history. He is also a professor of Public Policy and Administration at Sacramento State University.

During the 2020 uprisings, as Mayor of West Sacramento, Cabaldon established a Community Outreach and Support Division within the West Sacramento Police Department. He highlighted how the city has not had officer-involved shootings in many years, nor have there been racial bias complaints. However, “The fact that we don’t have shootings and we don’t have racial bias complaints doesn’t tell us the whole story,” he said to the Daily Democrat in a 2020 article.

Public Safety Platform

According to his campaign website: “Crime is up throughout the state and too many families don’t feel safe in their communities. As Mayor, Christopher championed a comprehensive approach to public safety ensuring officers had resources and training they need, recruiting new officers that look like the communities they serve, reducing abuse of 911 calls for racial harassment and creating equitable justice programs.” The site further states “Christopher advocated for innovative strategies that safely and sensitively address mental health-related crises. In the State Senate, he will prioritize investments in public safety that promote improved 911 response times, combat the spate of smash-and-grab robberies gripping our communities, and keep our neighborhoods safe.”

Due to Calbadon’s campaign contributions from law enforcement, problematic rhetoric on public safety, and the fact that he is running against a right-wing candidate who supports the repeal of Prop 47 and Prop 57, IJ Action is recommending him as the harm reduction candidate in the SD 3 race.

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