Political Party:
Democrat
Ballot Designation:
California State Assemblymember, Assembly District 18
Law Enforcement Contributions:
None as of 4/16/26
Background:
Assemblymember Bonta was first elected to the State Assembly in a 2021 special election. Prior to entering the Assembly, Bonta served on the Alameda School Board for several years, and also founded an Oakland-based non-profit that provides cradle-to-college services for low-income kids.
Assemblymember Bonta is a vocal supporter of justice reform policy, formerly sitting on the Public Safety Committee and generally voting to oppose harmful bills and being an outspoken opponent to recent efforts to roll back Prop 47. She was one of only two Assemblymembers on that committee who did not vote to support SB 14, a bill to expand the Three Strikes Law in 2023.
She has also been an author of many good bills. In 2023, Assemblymember Bonta was a co-author of ACA 4, an IJ Action cosponsored piece of legislation that failed to pass but would have restored voting rights to people in prison. She also authored AB 1186 to allow restorative justice options in place of restitution for youth, and AB 2709 which aimed to strengthen visitation rights, and ACA 8 which aimed to end slavery in CA prisons.
Additionally, she is one of only 4 Assemblymembers who has a perfect voting record according to our Scorecard for all three years that we have been grading the Legislature.
Public Safety Platform:
On her campaign website, Assemblymember Bonta emphasizes prevention and community care as a method of public safety, stating that in the Assembly, she has “fought for healthcare and dignified conditions for incarcerated women, fair pay for incarcerated firefighters, robust reentry programs, and funding for legal services to survivors of domestic violence and human trafficking. She supports community oversight, restorative justice, and the investments in prevention and healing that keep neighborhoods strong.”
Because of her very strong voting record and her leadership on several justice reform bills, IJ Action strongly recommends voters re-elect Assemblymember Bonta.
Website:
Political Party:
Democrat
Ballot Designation:
Housing Program Director
Law Enforcement Contributions:
Candidate has not raised any campaign funds as of 4/16/26
Background:
Andre Sandford holds over nine years of service in Child Protective Services, Foster Care, and Clinical Mental Health Management.
Public Safety Platform:
Sandford places public safety as a top campaign priority. His platform relies on police involvement and the carceral system, but also includes reform measures including transformation of prisons into rehabilitation-focused centers, goals of lower recidivism, and wider first response networks that include social workers and mental health professionals.
His platform: “Establishes prevention-focused divisions within police departments staffed by social workers, mental health professionals, and crisis specialists. Serious jail time for fentanyl sellers and mandatory in-patient treatment for users — balancing accountability with recovery. Mandates one trained police officer stationed outside every public school during school hours for rapid response and deterrence. Transforms California’s prisons into secure rehabilitation centers inspired by Norway’s successful model to reduce recidivism.”
Website:
Political Party:
Republican
Ballot Designation:
Retired Driving Instructor
Law Enforcement Contributions:
Candidate has not raised any campaign funds as of 4/16/26
Background:
Ned Nuerge is a resident of Oakland and has run for public office before, but never held a position. He is a retired driving instructor.
Public Safety Platform:
He has no published platforms, website, and little social media presence.
Website:
No Website
Political Party:
Green
Ballot Designation:
Author/Political Commentator
Law Enforcement Contributions:
Candidate has not raised any campaign funds as of 4/16/26
Background:
Goldstein is a writer and attorney who focuses on “the need for an effective, grass-roots based third-party movement and how it can be built.” He has served as a public defender and litigator for death-penalty appeals..
Public Safety Platform:
He has no official public safety platform or website..
Website:
No Website
