Political Party:
Democrat
Ballot Designation:
Business Owner/Assemblymember
Law Enforcement Contributions:
Background:
Assemblymember Lowenthal was first elected to the State Assembly in 2022, previously being a small business owner in Orange County.
Since joining the Assembly, he has had a quite strong voting record on justice reform issues, earning an “A” on our Legislative Scorecard in 2023, 2024, and 2025. Furthermore, last session he authored AB 812, a good bill co-sponsored by Initiate Justice which created resentencing opportunities for incarcerated people in fire camps.
Public Safety Platform:
Assemblymember Lowenthal’s public safety‑related work focuses more on community safety, youth protection, and privacy than on traditional policing or sentencing policy. He has authored or co‑authored measures addressing online safety for children, including bills that would hold social media platforms accountable for harms to minors through negligence, and he has prioritized preventing child abuse and exploitation in the digital environment.
His broader approach to safety also includes support for policies that address homelessness and social services, reflecting a legislative profile that links public safety to prevention, privacy protection, and community‑based support rather than to expanding punitive criminal‑justice measures.
Due to his strong voting record and leadership on bills to support incarcerated firefighters, IJ Action recommends voters re-elect Assemblymember Lowenthal.
Website:
Political Party:
Democrat
Ballot Designation:
Policy Analyst
Law Enforcement Contributions:
Candidate has not raised any campaign funds as of 4/16/26
Background:
Essex is a longtime community organizer and civil rights advocate who spent 18 years in civil service with the City of Los Angeles.
After leaving city government, she moved into the hospitality industry as an operations coordinator for a multi‑property hotel chain, before transitioning into local and national politics. She has been active in Democratic Party and grassroots organizations.
Public Safety Platform:
Essex approaches public safety as deeply connected to public health and community well‑being. She supports requiring CPR and first‑aid training in public‑health education, expanding neighborhood‑based mental‑wellness centers, and strengthening access to mental‑health and harm‑reduction services.
Her broader platform ties safer communities to criminal‑justice reform, economic justice, and policies that support Black and marginalized residents rather than relying primarily on policing or incarceration.
Website:
