Political Party:
Democrat
Ballot Designation:
Public School Educator
Law Enforcement Contributions:
None as of 4/16/26
Background:
Slavensky is a longtime educator and community member with over 40 years of experience in California’s public school system, serving as a teacher, principal, and superintendent..
Public Safety Platform:
Slavensky takes a prevention and care-based approach to public safety, prioritizing mental health services, housing, and stability for people experiencing homelessness. She supports compassionate, non-punitive responses and focuses on root causes like trauma and economic insecurity rather than enforcement.
Although her platform does not explicitly address policing and prisons, she does reference social justice, stating: “My decades of work in diverse schools have shown me the ongoing need to address systemic racism, improve bias training, and ensure accountability in systems that hold power.”
Despite the vagueness of her policy platform, it is clear that having Slavensky in the Assembly would be an improvement to the tough-on-crime incumbent, and therefore IJ Action recommends her as the Harm Reduction candidate in this race.
Website:
Political Party:
Republican
Ballot Designation:
Member of the State Assembly, 7th District
Law Enforcement Contributions:
Background:
Assemblymember Hoover was elected to the Assembly in 2022 and has earned an “F” on our Legislative Scorecard every year that he has been in office. He has also authored several tough-on-crime bills, such as AB 1746 (failed – 2024) which would have created further exclusions for CDCR fire camp, and AB 271 (failed – 2025) that would have upgraded certain looting misdemeanors to felonies.
Public Safety Platform:
Assemblymember Hoover outlines a hardline, tough-on-crime public safety platform centered on expanding law enforcement and increasing penalties. He opposes what he describes as “soft-on-crime” policies, supports increasing police presence in schools, and advancing legislation to limit early release and expand incarceration. Backed by major law enforcement organizations, his approach prioritizes enforcement and punishment, with no clear investment in prevention or community-based safety strategies.
Website:
Political Party:
American Independent
Ballot Designation:
Real Estate Agent
Law Enforcement Contributions:
Candidate has not raised any campaign funds as of 4/16/26
Background:
Sanaz Motamedi has a background in environmental occupational health and currently works as a real estate agent. She is a first-time candidate, positioning herself as a community-focused leader and a new voice outside of politics.
Public Safety Platform:
She does not outline a clear or detailed public safety platform. Her campaign broadly references creating “safe neighborhoods” and supporting communities, but provides no specifics on policing, incarceration, or prevention strategies, making her approach unclear.
Website:
