Incumbent – Grade A

Political Party:

Democrat

Ballot Designation:

 California State Assemblymember

Law Enforcement Contributions:

Peace Officers Research Association of California (PORAC PAC)
California Correctional Peace Officers Association (CCPOA PAC)

Background:

 Assemblymember Connolly was elected to the Assembly in 2022 after serving on the Marin County Board of Supervisors for seven years, and prior to that was on the San Rafael City Council for several years. Before entering the public sphere, he was a Supervising Deputy Attorney General with the California Department of Justice for fifteen years.

Public Safety Platform:

Assemblymember Connolly does not have a written public safety platform, but he outlines a housing-first approach to homelessness which de-emphasizes police and carceral response. Specifically, he wrote: “Additional resources are needed to address the full range of reasons people experience homelessness, including mental health and addiction support, family counseling, job training, recidivism intervention, and direct help for vulnerable youth.”

In the legislature, Assemblymember Connolly has consistently voted to oppose harmful legislation, such AB 1990, which would have authorized arrests for petty shoplifting. He has also voted to support good justice reform bills, earning an “A” on the IJ Action Legislative Scorecard both this year and last year. For all these reasons, IJ Action recommends AD12 voters re-elect Connolly.

Website:

https://www.damonconnolly.com/

Political Party:

Republican

Ballot Designation:

 Winemaker / Business Owner

Law Enforcement Contributions: None as of 8/23/24

Background:

Podshadley is a winemaker who previously ran unsuccessfully for Novato City Council.

Public Safety Platform:

Podshadley does not have a campaign website or written platform, but was endorsed by the Novato Police Officers Association when he ran for city council.

Website:

None