Political Party:
Democrat
Ballot Designation:
Silver Lake Neighborhood Councilmember
Law Enforcement Contributions:
None as of 4/13/26
Background:
Maebe Pudlo currently serves on the Silver Lake Neighborhood Council. She formed the Silver Lake LGBTQIA Advocates Committee, and co-founded the LGBTQ+ Alliance of Los Angeles Neighborhood Councils. Pudlo also authored and voted for the Silver Lake Neighborhood Council Ceasefire Resolution for Silver Lake for a ceasefire in Gaza, passed in 2024, and in 2025 they authored and voted for a Resolution to Declare Silver Lake a Safe Haven Neighborhood for Trans People.
In 2022, she became the first openly trans-nonbinary person to advance to a general election for a seat in the U.S. Congress.
Public Safety Platform:
Pudlo advocates on her website for transformative justice measures such as the abolition of ICE, prison reform and decriminalization of some drug offences. She writes: “I fully support banning the issuance of contracts with for-profit prisons and private detention centers in the state, as well as the phasing out of these facilities. Prison reform is necessary as it relates to racial justice, and profiteering from excessive incarceration should be a crime… Not only should we legalize them [weed and psilocybin mushrooms], we should expunge the records of those currently and previously incarcerated for weed and mushrooms… We need to abolish our current detention system and ICE… I support a Universal Basic Income for all Californians with an opt-out option for those who feel financially secure… I support a ban on assault weapons.”
Pudlo’s values most closely align with those of IJ Action, and we recommend that voters support her for SD 26.
Website:
Political Party:
Democrat
Ballot Designation:
Environmental Protection Director
Law Enforcement Contributions:
None as of 4/13/26
Background:
Sarah Rascón most recently held the position as Director of County and Regional Affairs for Mayor Karen Bass. She has served as field representative in the California State Assembly, deputy executive director for the Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority, board member of CicLAvia, and member of the East Los Angeles Area Planning Commission.
Public Safety Platform:
Rascón has no public safety platform on her website. She titles herself the ‘environmental candidate’ and champions climate resilience through “transformative nature-based solutions.” She writes: “I’ve spent my career building coalitions and turning ideas from our community members into projects that have improved community safety, climate resilience, and educational outcomes. As your State Senator, I’ll be a champion for amplifying the voices of working families and uplifting our underserved communities.”
Website:
Political Party:
Democrat
Ballot Designation:
Healthcare Advocate
Law Enforcement Contributions:
None as of 4/13/26
Background:
Wendy Carrillo is a former State Assemblymember who served in the Legislature from 2017-2024, vacating her seat to run an unsuccessful campaign for LA City Council in 2024.
While in the Assembly, Carrillo was initially a strong supporter of justice reform, co-authoring server Initiate Justice and IJ Action co-sponsored bills, including ACA 6, which ultimately restored voting rights to people on parole. She also earned an “A” on our Legislative Scorecard in 2023 and a “B” in 2024.
However, during her last year in the Legislature, she became increasingly more tough-on-crime, authoring AB 1990 – a bill strongly opposed by IJ Action and the system-impacted community overall – which failed to pass but would have allowed arrests for misdemeanor shoplifting without a warrant. The bill received strong opposition from Black and Latino leaders in particular who were strongly concerned that the bill would contribute to increased racial profiling. Despite the pushback from communities of color, then-Assemblymember Carrillo doubled down and continued to pursue the legislation.
Public Safety Platform:
Carrillo publishes no information about her platforms on her website, but mentions that she focused on “restorative justice” while serving in the State Assembly.
Website:
Political Party:
Democrat
Ballot Designation:
Civil Rights Advocate
Law Enforcement Contributions:
None as of 4/13/26
Background:
Juan Camacho presently serves as President of Equality California Institute, working to protect civil rights. He has served in various civil service roles: Working for former Senator Barbara Boxer; former Assembly Speaker Fabian Núñez; and at the Southern California Association of Governments. He also led government and community affairs at Fox Studios.
Public Safety Platform:
Camacho does not put forth a specific public safety platform, but publishes “Gun Safety” as a campaign priority. He says that guns should be kept away from “criminals,” but also aims to tackle the root causes of crime, stating: “Juan supports common-sense gun safety laws to keep dangerous weapons and ghost guns off our streets and out of the hands of criminals, domestic abusers, and people dealing with mental health crises. In addition to stronger gun safety laws, he supports a comprehensive approach to public safety that includes investments in crime prevention, mental health, and community programs that address the root causes of violence and keep families safe.
Website:
Political Party:
Democrat
Ballot Designation:
Affordable Housing Advocate
Law Enforcement Contributions:
None as of 4/13/26
Background:
Hernandez serves on the LACCD Board of Trustees, a role she was elected to in 2022, and practices law as a housing and environmental attorney. Hernandez holds an education background, starting her career as an LAUSD middle school teacher where she founded the non-profit Helping Young People Excel. She then began working in Los Angeles City Hall, where she led community revitalization efforts.
Public Safety Platform:
Hernandez publishes no specific public safety platform, but lists prevention of gun violence and protection of immigrants as top priorities, ultimately coupling carceral enforcement methods with calls for some system transform like violence prevention and a vague end to racial profiling. She states: “I will fight every day for stronger gun safety laws, increased enforcement, and real investment in violence prevention strategies that protect our children and our neighborhoods.” She also writes that if elected, she will be “championing legislation that protects our communities from racial profiling and from the terrifying, unconstitutional tactics of masked, unidentified individuals claiming federal authority.”
Website:
Political Party:
Democrat
Ballot Designation:
Retired Teacher
Law Enforcement Contributions: Candidate has not raised any campaign funds as of 4/16/26
Background:
Paul Bowers is a retired teacher. In 2024 he served on the Echo Park Neighborhood Council.
Public Safety Platform:
Bowers has no public safety platform or website. He shows concern for city infrastructure on social media platforms.
Website:
No Website
Political Party:
Republican
Ballot Designation:
Construction Project Administrator
Law Enforcement Contributions:
Candidate has not raised any campaign funds as of 4/16/26
Background:
Claudia Agraz is a self-procclaimed “citizen advocate.” Her website contains no information, but she is active on social media posting about her involvement with CAGOP, LAGOP and the Los Angeles Hispanic Republican Club.
Public Safety Platform:
Her campaign website currently says “coming soon.” However, she is listed under “people” on the Make California Gold Again website, where a campaign flyer lists public safety as a top priority.
On this website, vague yet tough-on-crime rhetoric reads: “In addition to the spike in crime that has put many innocent civilians at risk in many of our communities. Enough is enough. We must support safety policies that reflect the people’s needs. People of Los Angeles County should feel safe walking out their door without fear of their lives and peace of mind.”
In a social media post Agraz writes: “The decision to allow theft up to $950 with no penalties has had alarming ON A consequences. The absence of repercussions for such actions has created an environment where lawlessness prevails.” She is quoted in a corresponding video saying “We need to get more law and order.
Website:
Political Party:
Republican
Ballot Designation:
Pastor
Law Enforcement Contributions: None as of 4/13/26
Background:
Sam Shin is a pastor and former police officer.
Public Safety Platform:
Public Safety & Law Enforcement is a top platform for Shin. A statement from his campaign website reads: “Sam will advocate for increased funding and resources for local law enforcement agencies, ensuring officers have the training, tools, and community partnerships they need to keep neighborhoods safe. He supports community policing models that build trust and accountability between residents and the officers who serve them.”
Website:
