Political Party:
Democrat
Ballot Designation:
Teacher
Law Enforcement Contributions:
None as of 4/16/26
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/
Political Party:
Democrat
Ballot Designation:
Water Treatment Operator
Law Enforcement Contributions:
Candidate has not raised any campaign funds as of 4/16/26
Background:
Michael Perez has no campaign website and no information about his background or public safety views are readily available.
Public Safety Platform:
Website:
No Website
Political Party:
Republican
Ballot Designation:
Marketing Director/Mother
Law Enforcement Contributions:
Candidate has not raised any campaign funds as of 4/16/26
Background:
Tami Nobriga is a retired businesswoman who previously ran for State Assembly. She is running again as a far-right candidate, branding herself as “The REAL conservative.
Public Safety Platform:
Nobriga outlines an extreme tough-on-crime platform centered on punishment and expanded enforcement. She supports life sentences without parole for certain offenses, increasing armed security in schools, expanding access to concealed carry permits, and promoting voter ID policies. While she references addressing homelessness and mental health, her overall approach is rooted in punitive, non-evidence-based policies with no clear investment in prevention or community-based safety strategies.
Website:
Political Party:
Republican
Ballot Designation:
Businessman/Broker/Rancher
Law Enforcement Contributions:
None as of 4/16/26
Background:
Brandon Owen is a small business owner, real estate broker, and rancher running for State Assembly as a conservative, anti-establishment candidate. He built a nutrition and wellness business and emphasizes his experience in housing, agriculture, and local economic issues.
Public Safety Platform:
Owen outlines a basic tough-on-crime public safety stance centered on enforcement and support for law enforcement. He emphasizes prioritizing victims, enforcing laws, and backing police, while also tying public safety to election integrity through support for voter ID policies. His platform lacks detail and focuses broadly on enforcement, with no clear investment in prevention or community-based safety strategies.
Website:
Political Party:
Republican
Ballot Designation:
Trucker/Tradesman/Businessman
Law Enforcement Contributions:
None as of 4/16/26
Background:
Jim Shoemaker is a small business owner and former truck driver with experience in construction, agriculture, and the local farm bureau. He is running for State Assembly with a focus on conservative values and local economic issues.
Public Safety Platform:
Shoemaker outlines a traditional tough-on-crime public safety platform centered on enforcement and increased support for law enforcement. He emphasizes holding repeat and violent offenders accountable, increasing funding and staffing for police, and rolling back policies he views as “soft-on-crime.” His approach prioritizes enforcement and punishment, with no clear investment in prevention or community-based safety strategies.
Website:
