The three main contenders are Scott Weiner, Connie Chan, and Saikat Chakrabarti. Weiner is a current CA State Senator, Chan is an SF Supervisor and Chakrabarti was AOC’s chief of staff for a bit. All support progressive priorities: Medicare for All, right to choose, federal housing support, support immigrants, LGBTQ+ rights, public transit, addressing climate change, defund Israel’s Gaza actions, peaceful foreign policy, regulate AI, tax the rich, etc. Chakrabarti criticizes Weiner for not support the proposed CA “billionaires tax,” but Weiner points out that it is one time (thus not a steady funding source), for healthcare only (rather than to CA’s General Fund for all needs), has implementation issues (valuation of personal property) and may cause wealthy people to leave CA (which relies upon them for much of its income tax). These are reasonable concerns. Chakrabarti’s solution for nearly every issue is more government programs, including a federal AI lab (far more than his proposed billionaire taxes could fund). Chakrabarti has no legislative experience, during his short stint as AOC’s chief of staff he offended many other Democratic Representatives, and AOC has not endorsed him. Chan has experience as an SF Supervisor, but that is limited to city issues. Weiner not only is right on the issues, but has introduced and worked to pass bills in the CA Legislature on many of the above issues. https://www.scottwiener.com/priorities. I want a legislator who is there to pass legislation improving Americans’ lives, not to engage in performative combat. Weiner has proven he can do so, and I endorse him.

Simon is articulate, charismatic, and a principled advocate for public service. She is anti-Trump, anti-war, pro-consumer, and pro-Oakland. We may not agree on the nuances of every issue, but I respect her views and she gets my vote. Jamie Joyce has no website revealing her views and the addresses associated with her registration are in Florida.

In my view, the choice here is between Fryday and Fiona Ma. Fryday is a Navy vet, former COO of NextGen Climate, Mayor of Novato and currently CA Chief Service Officer. Citing Abundance, he wants to remove unnecessary constraints to accelerate the clean energy transition and build more housing. He proposes a CA universal service program leading to debt free college, job training or apprenticeships. His website includes specific ideas. Fiona Ma has a long history of local and state government jobs, and currently is Treasurer. While she would be fine, Fryday offers more of a break from the establishment job hopping and more creative ideas. I vote for Fryday.

As AG, Bonta has brought and won important cases against Trump administration to protect funds Congress allocated to CA, maintain CA control of its National Guard, limit immigration enforcement abuse, maintain CA environmental regulations, etc. He has defended CA gun regulation, prosecuted healthcare fraud, organized retail theft, fentanyl and human trafficking. Gates, GOP candidate, provides a litany of MAGA talking points. Per website: his "main issues: fighting crime, restoring election confidence, and empowering local governments.” Claims “When [police] are handcuffed by politicians, communities suffer,” and says under him “crime will be illegal again.” Wants to keep “boys out of girls' sports.” Gates is not who I want for AG. Bonta has my vote.