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)
Anaheim Police Association PAC
Huntington Beach Police Officers Association PAC
California Statewide Law Enforcement Association PAC
California Association of Highway Patrolmen PAC

Background:

 Assemblymember Papan was first elected to the State Assembly in 2022, after serving as Vice Mayor and as Council Member for the City of San Mateo.

Public Safety Platform:

Assemblymember Papan prioritizes gun violence and hate crime prevention on her campaign website, naming that she will work with law enforcement to prosecute such crimes. This appears to line up with her voting record in the legislature, where she has supported certain justice reform measures, but failed to vote on AB 1310 (which would retroactively give judges more discretion to lessen or remove gun enhancements) and AB 93 (which would have prohibited warrantless searches by police). She also voted for AB 1990 to authorize physical custody for shoplifting, and AB 1960 to create new enhancements for property damage.

Papan significantly improved her grade on IJ Action’s Scorecard this year, from a “C” in 2023 to an “A” in 2024. She is however endorsed by the California Statewide Law Enforcement Agency and has received campaign contributions from law enforcement. However, given the extreme right-wing views of her opponent, IJ Action recommends her in this race.

Website:

https://www.dianepapan.com/

Political Party:

Republican

Ballot Designation:

 Small Business Owner

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

Background:

Gilham is a Marine Corps Veteran and perennial candidate who has run in every election since 2012.

Public Safety Platform:

Gilham’s public safety platform announces strong support for law enforcement, and in particular believes that the best way to counteract the “defund the police” movement is to dissolve all city police departments and “fold them into the Sheriff’s Department and to control all law enforcement under the current elected sheriff’s authority.”

Website:

https://sa21.org/