Political Party:
Democrat
Ballot Designation:
California Assembly Speaker
Law Enforcement Contributions:
Background:
Assemblymember Robert Rivas was first elected to the State Assembly in 2018, after serving on the San Benito County Board of Supervisors for eight years. In June 2023, Rivas assumed the position of Assembly Speaker, succeeding Anthony Rendon, and has since used that power to push through several tough-on-crime pieces of legislation.
In 2023, he helped revive SB 14, a bill that had failed to pass the Public Safety Committee but the Speaker insisted on giving it another vote. SB 14 eventually passed and expanded the Three Strikes Law in California for the first time in over two decades.
Assemblymember Rivas was also one of the chief architects of the legislative retail theft package in 2024, and was the author of AB 2943 and AB 1960, two bills strongly opposed by IJ Action. Assemblymember Rivas also worked with the Governor to try and qualify an alternative tough-on-crime measure to the November 2024 ballot to compete with Prop 36, but that ultimately failed.
Assemblymember Rivas has a strong voting record on certain justice reform measures, earning an “A” on our Legislative Scorecard in 2023, 2024, and 2025.
Public Safety Platform:
On his campaign website, Assemblymember Rivas states that he has “led the way on critically needed legislation”, including “Addressing the root causes of crime by encouraging rehab for theft due to substance abuse or poverty,” but also by authoring “The strongest retail theft and property crime laws in a generation – protecting shoppers, business owners, and workers.”
Because of his somewhat mixed record in the Legislature and the large amount of campaign contributions he has received from law enforcement, IJ Action recommends re-electing Assemblymember Rivas as the Harm Reduction candidate given the more right-wing views of his opponents..
Website:
Political Party:
Republican
Ballot Designation:
Teamster Truck Driver
Law Enforcement Contributions:
Candidate has not raised any campaign funds as of 4/16/26
Background:
J.W. Paine is a truck driver by profession. He ran unsuccessfully for California Secretary of State in 2022 and for this same Assembly seat in 2024.
Public Safety Platform:
On his campaign website, Paine expresses his support for police officers in schools, while also stating: “Do the Crime, Do the Time. Mandatory sentencing guidelines for violent crimes.”
Website:
Political Party:
Republican
Ballot Designation:
Small Businessman/Father
Law Enforcement Contributions:
Candidate has not raised any campaign funds as of 4/16/26
Background:
Dennis Sanchez trained as a police officer with the Salinas Police Department, and has since then created his own construction and security businesses.
Public Safety Platform:
Although he states on his campaign website that he is focused on public safety, he does not outline any policy recommendations on that subject or any other.
Website:
