Dave Cortese – Senate District 15

Incumbent - Grade A

IJ Action Recommended: Yes

Political Party - Democrat

Ballot Designation

State Senator

Law Enforcement Contributions

  • California Correctional Peace Officers Association (CCPOA PAC)
  • SCC Probation Peace Officers Union Local 1587 PAC
  • California Association of Highway Patrolmen

Background

Senator Cortese was first elected to the State Senate in 2020. He previously served on the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors for 12 years, and prior to that as Council Member and Vice Mayor for the City of San Jose. He is also the son of former Santa Clara County Supervisor and California Assemblymember Dominic Cortese.

Public Safety Platform

This session, Senator Cortese earned an A on IJ Action’s scorecard. He has been a consistent vote for important criminal justice bills over his tenure, including voting for SB 1282, which died on the Senate floor, but would have authorized court-ordered diversion in any felony case. Senator Cortese also led SB 94, another IJ Action supported bill which would allow for recall and resentencing for people sentenced to LWOP or a death penalty who have served at least 20 years. For all these reasons, IJ Action recommends that SD 15 voters re-elect Senator Cortese.

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