Political Party:

Democrat

Ballot Designation:

 Business Owner / Mother

Law Enforcement Contributions:

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

Background:

Rhodesia Ransom is currently a Congressional District Director, and was elected to Tracy City Council in 2016. She served on the City Planning Commission from 2009 to 2016, and is a board member for the San Joaquin Partnership, an organization working to attract and expand businesses in the region. 

Public Safety Platform:

According to Ransom’s campaign website, she supports addressing root causes of violence but also giving resources to law enforcement, stating: “Community members should feel comfortable contacting public safety agencies when necessary and police officers should have the resources necessary to keep our communities safe…Prior to working in elected and appointed offices, I partnered with local nonprofits, public safety agencies, and faith groups to keep our youths safe and off the streets. As a Tracy City Councilwoman, I worked to help social workers and community leaders address the root causes of crime within the city. And I helped get hundreds of thousands of dollars to combat gang violence and provide more mental healthcare and mentoring. I’ve worked to ensure that police officers, firefighters, and sheriff’s deputies have enough resources and staffing to keep our communities safe.”

Ransom has the endorsement of progressive legislators such as Senator Smallwood-Cuevas and Assemblymember McKinnor and several labor and justice-oriented groups. However, she also has the endorsement of law enforcement representatives such as the CA Correctional Peace Officers Association, the Peace Officers Research Association, San Joaquin County Sheriff Pat Withrow, Alameda County Sheriff Yesenia Sanchez, and the San Joaquin County Deputy Sheriffs Association.

While in alignment on some issues, Ransom’s endorsements from law enforcement call to question her commitment to serious criminal justice reforms. But given the extremist views of her opponent, IJ Action recommends AD 13 voters support Ransom as the harm reduction candidate.

Website:

https://voteransom.com/

Political Party:

Republican

Ballot Designation:

 Nonprofit Director

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

Background:

 Mendez is an anti-vaccine activist and cofounder of Freedom Angels, a non-profit that opposes any legislation expanding vaccine access and requirements for K-12 students.

Public Safety Platform:

On her campaign website, Mendez states: “Sacramento’s soft-on-crime policies have emboldened criminals. These so-called criminal reforms cater to the rights of criminals and hurt law-abiding citizens. Prop 47, the law that has escalated property crimes and theft, must be overturned.” Furthermore, her non-profit strongly supported SB 14, passed in 2023, which expanded the state’s Three Strikes Law for the first time in over 20 years.

Website:

https://denise4assembly13.com/