Political Party:

Democrat

Ballot Designation:

 City Councilmember / Businesswoman

Law Enforcement Contributions: 

Palm Springs Police Officers Association PAC

Background:

 Holstege has served as both City Councilmember and Mayor for Palm Springs, and is a civil rights attorney by training. She has represented tenants facing eviction, low-income workers, and sexual assault survivors. Holstege has also served on the board of directors for Planned Parenthood of the Pacific Southwest and Eastern Coachella Valley (ECV) for Change. She also served on the Palm Springs Human Rights Commission and the City of Palm Springs Homelessness Task Force.

Public Safety Platform:

Holstege does not have a full public safety platform on her campaign website, but addresses the fentanyl crisis, promising to: “expand public education campaigns to warn of fentanyl’s dangers”; improve “access to Naloxone and other life-saving medicines”; and “toughen penalties against fentanyl dealers and traffickers”. 

While Holstege’s public safety policies leave room for growth, her opponent has a track record of fiercely opposing reform measures and fighting for criminalization, and thus IJ Action recommends Holstege for AD 47. 

Website:

https://www.christyholstege.com/

Incumbent – Grade F

Political Party:

Republican

Ballot Designation:

 Member of the State Assembly

Law Enforcement Contributions:

California Correctional Peace Officers Association (CCPOA PAC)
National Peace Officers and Firefighters Benefit Association Trust
Peace Officers Research Association of California (PORAC PAC)
California Association of Highway Patrolmen PAC
Riverside Sheriff’s Association Public Education Fund
San Bernardino County Sheriff’s County Employees’ Benefit Association PAC

Background:

 Assemblymember Wallis was first elected to the State Assembly in 2022. He was Chief District Advisor to former Assemblymember Chad Mayes before running for office.

Public Safety Platform:

Assemblymember Wallis has opposed all criminal justice reform bills this cycle, earning an “F” on the IJ Action Legislative Scorecard both last year and this year.

His public safety platform outlines the following: “Sacramento has let tens of thousands of dangerous felons out of prison early, lowered penalties for drugs and violent crime, and all the while ‘progressives’ try to Defund the Police. I don’t believe allowing crime is progressive or liberal. My solutions for restoring safety in our community: 1) Fight the Defund the Police crowd tooth and nail. Nothing is more dangerous than reducing the number of police on our streets while violent crime increases. 2) Stop letting violent felons out of prison early. If we need more space in prison to keep violent felons off the streets then we need to open more prisons, or stop closing the ones we are in the process of shutting down. 3) Put the victim first again: restore tough penalties for violent and property crimes so that criminals know there is a price to be paid if they want to harm you or steal your property.”

Wallis has endorsed Proposition 36, a measure that will appear on the November 2024 General Election ballot that would bring back felony charges for drug possession, create new enhancements for retail theft, and gut major components of Proposition 47. It is being led by district attorneys, police and prison associations, and big corporations like Walmart and Home Depot.

Website:

https://www.gregwallis.org/