Political Party:
Democrat
Ballot Designation:
Councilwoman/Educator
Law Enforcement Contributions:
None as of 4/16/26
Background:
Jackie Elward is an educator, labor organizer, immigrant, and nonprofit founder. She was the first Black woman to be elected to the Rohnert City Council, where she has served since 2020.
As a City Councilmember, she supported the launch of the city’s SAFE Team – their local unarmed model of crisis response.
Public Safety Platform:
In her IJ Action candidate questionnaire and subsequent endorsement interview, Elward emphasizes a care-first approach to community safety, focusing on diversion, restorative justice, and wraparound reentry support.
In terms of sentencing reforms, Elward stated that she supports eliminating mandatory minimums and greatly reducing sentencing enhancements. She furthermore supports upholding Prop 57 and credit earning in prison, stating: “Bills that restrict earned credits or narrow eligibility undermine voter intent and move us backward toward a punishment first model that has already failed. Expanding evidence based credit earning aligns incentives with rehabilitation. If someone demonstrates accountability and growth, the system should recognize that progress.”
IJ Action voted to endorse Elward due to her alignment on our values and policy priorities, but also due to her passion and vocal commitment to working in partnership with people impacted by incarceration. We urge residents of AD 12 to vote for Jackie Elward.
Website:
Political Party:
Democrat
Ballot Designation:
Non-profit Executive/Farmer
Law Enforcement Contributions:
None as of 4/16/26
Background:
Steve Schwartz is an organic farmer who founded a nonprofit to support women and immigrants start their own farms.
Public Safety Platform:
Schwartz has a very comprehensive justice reform platform, covering everything from abolishing the death penalty, to reviewing extreme sentences, and expanding mental health and drug courts. Specifically, Schwartz states: “Criminal justice reform should never mean choosing between safe communities and civil rights. We can and must have both. To me, reform means investing in schools and opportunity, not prisons, and addressing the root causes of crime with smart, evidence-based strategies. It means ending failed and inhumane policies like the death penalty and resentencing those who have been subjected to excessive, outdated punishments.”
Although his campaign is in alignment with IJ Action values, his candidacy unfortunately does not appear to be very strong as he does not have any major endorsements and has raised very little in campaign contributions.
Website:
Political Party:
Democrat
Ballot Designation:
Councilmember/Business Owner
Law Enforcement Contributions:
None as of 4/16/26
Background:
Eli Beckman is the first openly LGBTQ+ Mayor of Corte Madera and the Founder and CEO of HAUS+, a company that builds sustainable small homes.
Public Safety Platform:
Beckman covers several policy priorities on his campaign website, such as addressing climate change and the cost of living, but he does not address public safety. He is endorsed by Equality California and the CA Legislative LGBTQ Caucus.
Website:
Political Party:
Democrat
Ballot Designation:
Councilmember/Environmental Attorney
Law Enforcement Contributions:
None as of 4/16/26
Background:
Holli Thier is the Mayor of Tiburon and served as the past president of her local League of Women Voters chapter. Prior to that, she worked as an environmental attorney in private practice.
Public Safety Platform:
Thier does not list her public safety policy proposals on her campaign website, focusing more on issues such as education and the environment. She is endorsed by Equality California and several labor organizations.
Website:
Political Party:
Democrat
Ballot Designation:
County Supervisor/Father
Law Enforcement Contributions:
Background:
Erica Lucan worked as a Chief Marketing Officer at a bike company, later becoming an elected official on the Novato City Council and currently on the Marin County Board of Supervisors.
Public Safety Platform:
While Lucan does not express his views on public safety policy on his campaign website, it can be inferred that he is supportive of law enforcement as he is endorsed by the Sheriffs of Marin and Sonoma Counties, as well as the Peace Officers Research Association of California (PORAC).
Website:
Political Party:
Republican
Ballot Designation:
Correctional Counselor
Law Enforcement Contributions:
None as of 4/16/26
Background:
Eryn Cervantes has worked as a Correctional Counselor with the CA Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation since 1999. Having lost loved ones to a homicide in 2005, she also became a victim’s rights advocate.
Public Safety Platform:
Per her campaign website, “Eryn is running for California State Assembly District 12 on a platform of public safety and judicial reform.” She states that she is an “advocate for evidence-based reforms, safe communities, and resources to help those transitioning from incarceration while protecting victims’ rights” and her “approach blends accountability with second chances, focusing on housing, policing, and targeted programs that reduce homelessness and crime.”
She does not have any listed endorsements.
Website:
