ELECTION COVERAGE

Through rigorous reporting, commentary, and a live video show in partnership with NowThis News,
THE APPEAL has covered congressional races, statehouse races, city council and county commission
elections, prosecutor and sheriff races, and more in the 2020 election cycle. Up and down the ballot,
we’ve focused our coverage on the candidates who are running on the issues that matter most for
everyday people: a strong safety net, a safe community, a sustainable planet, and a democracy where
every person’s voice and vote matters.

Here’s our guide to what’s on the ballot tomorrow:

„ U.S. House of Representative Races
„ State Legislative Races
„ Statewide Races
„ City and County Races
„ Ballot Measures
„ More Election Resources and Coverage:
ƒ Explore Criminal Justice on the 2020 Ballot
ƒ Your Guide to 30 Sheriff and Prosecutor Elections That Could Challenge Mass Incarceration
ƒ These Twelve Elections That Could Curb ICE’s Powers.

Photo: iStockPhoto

1
U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVE RACES
In 2018, Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Ayanna Pressley, and Rashida Tlaib—“The Squad”—
was asked why she would challenge a sitting collectively showed the establishment that a newly
Congressman from her own party. She replied: energized movement of everyday people was not
“I’m not running from the left. I’m running from the going to settle for their inaction any longer. These
bottom. I’m running in fierce advocacy of working are the candidates mostly likely to grow the power
class Americans.” Ocasio-Cortez, along with other of working and vulnerable people:
2018 Freshman Congresswoman Ilhan Omar,

JAMAAL BOWMAN, is the Democratic nominee to represent New York’s 16th Congressional
District. He’s a former middle school principal running on the Green New Deal, Medicare
for All, expanding social housing, creating non-police first responders, and more.

From The Appeal:

Interview: Jamaal Bowman Wants Democrats To Be The “Party of Dismantling Mass
Incarceration.” Fresh off of his win in a New York congressional district, Jamaal Bowman
talks about defunding the NYPD and shrinking the criminal legal system.
Reported: Tenant Organizers Are Running To Keep New Yorkers In Their Homes. After
defeating long-time incumbents in Democratic primaries, progressive candidates, including
Jamaal Bowman, are championing cancelling rent and banning evictions.
Reported: 3 Transformational Candidates That The Working Families Party Is Excited
About. Maurice Mitchell, the WFP’s national director, tells The Appeal about candidates in
New York, Washington D.C, and New Mexico that the Party is excited about.
Live Show: Building Grassroots Power in Congress. A new generation of politicians is using
grassroots power to win elections. But what happens when they get to DC? Rep. Rashida
Tlaib joins Jamaal Bowman and Cori Bush on The Briefing to discuss.
Commentary: We Can’t Let Our Children Go Hungry. Since the pandemic began, vital
programs that enable children to receive free meals, such as the National School Lunch
Program, haven’t been reaching the families in need of support, Bowman explains.

CORI BUSH is a nurse, organizer and the Democratic nominee for Missouri’s 1st
Congressional District. She supports the Green New Deal, housing and Medicare for all,
Universal Basic Income, public banking, and a $15 minimum wage.

From The Appeal:

Reported: Cori Bush Wants To Make Sure That Someone Is ‘Fighting for the Regular
Person’ in Washington. If she wins her bid for office in November, Bush will become the
first Black woman elected to represent Missouri in Congress.
Live Show: Building Grassroots Power in Congress. A new generation of politicians is using
grassroots power to win elections. But what happens when they get to DC? Rep. Rashida
Tlaib joins Jamaal Bowman and Cori Bush on The Briefing to discuss.

2
BETH DOGLIO is running for Congress in Washington’s 10th District. She is a Washington
state legislator, former organizer and founder of an environmental advocacy organization.
Doglio supports a Green New Deal, Medicare for All, housing as a first priority, raising the
minimum wage, and ending mass incarceration

From The Appeal:

Live Show: Beth Doglio: Running For Congress. Organizer and Washington congressional
candidate Beth Doglio joins The Briefing to discuss the Green New Deal and the role
activists can play in Congress.

KARA EASTMAN, a non-profit executive and social worker by training, is running for
Congress in Nebraska’s 2nd district. She supports raising the minimum wage and
affordable housing.

From The Appeal:

Reported: Kara Eastman Looks To Represent Nebraska In Congress With An Eye On
Improving Healthcare. The Second District candidate, who has been endorsed by more
than 50 Black leaders in Omaha, also wants to make investments in Black and Latinx
neighborhoods.
Live Show: Kara Eastman: Running For Congress. Nebraska congressional candidate Kara
Eastman joins The Briefing to discuss how she shaped her pitch to voters on the campaign
trail.

GEORGETTE GÓMEZ, President of the San Diego City Council, is running for Congress
in California’s 53rd district. Gómez helped to implement the city’s Climate Action Plan
that calls for 100% renewable energy by 2035. She supports canceling student debt and
demilitarizing the police.

From The Appeal:

Live Show: Georgette Gómez: Running for Congress. Georgette Gómez joins The Briefing to
discuss her bid to represent California’s 53rd congressional district in Washington.

JON HOADLEY is running for Congress in Michigan’s 6th district. He supports rent
cancellation, Medicare for All, the Green New Deal, rural broadband, and ending
gerrymandering.

From The Appeal:

Live Show: Jon Hoadley: Running for Congress. Jon Hoadley joins The Briefing to discuss
his challenge to Republican Fred Upton for a congressional seat in Michigan.
Reported: Armed Michigan Protesters Fueled Jon Hoadley’s Commitment To Run For
Congress. If he wins his bid to represent the state’s Sixth District, Hoadley says he would
reallocate police funding, improve health care, and invest in rural communities.

3
MONDAIRE JONES is running for Congress in New York’s 17th District. He supports
expanding the Court, Medicare for All, Green New Deal, universal childcare, expanding the
court, ending mandatory minimum sentences, and abolishing the federal death penalty.

From The Appeal:

Reported: From Criminal Justice Reform To Protecting The Democracy, Mondaire Jones
Wants To Bring ‘Big Structural Changes’ To Congress. Jones, who is running in New York’s
17th District, says fighting systemic racism and hyperpartisanship are top priorities.
Live Show: Mondaire Jones: Running for Congress. New York congressional candidate
Mondaire Jones joins The Briefing to discuss Supreme Court expansion, police reform, and
the state’s surging progressive politics.
TERESA LEGER FERNANDEZ is running for Congress in New Mexico’s 3rd District. She
supports the Green New Deal, Medicare for All, and a pathway to citizenship for
undocumented people.

From The Appeal:

Reported: In Her First Run For Office, Teresa Leger Fernandez Wants To ‘Protect What
We Love’ About New Mexico. Leger Fernandez, whose district includes Navajo Nation and
several Pueblo reservations, wants to pass universal healthcare and improve infrastructure
in tribal and rural communities.
Live Show: Candidates Forum For New Mexico’s 3rd District. Democratic candidates for
New Mexico’s 3rd congressional district will join to discuss what they’d do in office to help
the district—and the country—through the COVID-19 pandemic.

MARIE NEWMAN is running for Congress in Illinois’ 3rd District. She supports Medicare for
All, universal childcare, the Green New Deal, cancellation of student debt, ending cash
bail, and a $15 federal minimum wage.

From The Appeal:

Live Show: Marie Newman: Running for Congress. Illinois congressional candidate Marie
Newman joins The Briefing for a 1:1 conversation on why she’s running for office, and
what’s first on the agenda when she gets there.
Reported: For Illinois Democrat Marie Newman, Progressive Is ‘practical’. Newman, who
is running for a U.S. House seat, wants Medicare for all, green jobs, and a pathway to
citizenship for undocumented immigrants.

4
JULIE OLIVER is running for Congress in Texas’ 25th District. She supports Medicare for All,
the Green New Deal, ending mandatory minimum sentencing and cash bail, and housing
for all.

From The Appeal:

Live Show: Julie Oliver: Running for Congress. Texas congressional hopeful Julie Oliver
joins The Briefing today to discuss her tight race to represent the state’s 25th District in
Washington.
Reported: How Julie Oliver’s Personal Experiences With Healthcare And Housing Have
Influenced Her Run For Congress. ‘Our Congress should be reflective of the people here,
and it’s not,’ the Texas resident said.

MIKE SIEGEL is running for Congress in the 10th District of Texas. He supports the Green
New Deal, Medicare for All, housing for all, and ending cash bail.

From The Appeal:

Live Show: Mike Siegel: Running for Congress. Today on The Briefing, Mike Siegel joins to
discuss his bid to flip Texas’s 10th congressional district this fall.

CANDACE VALENZUELA is running for Congress in the 24th District of Texas. She supports
expanding the role of non-police first responders, investing in affordable housing,
expanding Medicaid, and a $15
minimum wage.

From The Appeal:

Reported: Candace Valenzuela Is Running To Give All People A Chance At The American
Dream. If she’s successful in her bid to represent Texas’s 24th Congressional District,
Valenzuela will flip the district to blue and become the first Black and Latinx member of
Congress.

5
STATE LEGISLATIVE RACES
SPOTLIGHT ON ARIZONA
From The Appeal:
Reported: Democrats Could Break the Republican race: Coral Evans is running for the Arizona House’s
Trifecta in Arizona. The party needs to win two state 6th District. Earlier this year, Evans, who is the mayor
House seats and three state Senate seats in next of Flagstaff, openly defied Governor Doug Ducey’s
month’s election to flip the chambers. Here are the order to keep public spaces open when she closed
candidates running in hotly contested races. A key bars, schools, and restaurants.

REPRESENTATIVE SENATOR SPOTLIGHT ON MINNESOTA

RAQUEL TERÁN, MARTÍN
an organizer QUEZADA is
who fought on running for
ESTHER AGBAJE
the frontlines re-election in
is running for
against Arizona’s 29th
Minnesota
Arizona’s Legislative
House District
notorious anti-immigrant District. If the legislature flips in
59B. She would
legislation, SB 1070, is running for November, next term he’s hoping
become the
re-election in the 30th Legislative to pass much-needed policies like
state’s first
District of Arizona. Her priorities: repealing anti-immigrant SB1070,
Nigerian American legislator.
paid family leave, repeal the increased teacher pay, and ending
Agbaje supports ending the
state’s pre-Roe abortion ban, and ICE partnerships.
incarceration crisis, providing
increasing ballot access through
affordable housing for all,
automatic and same-day voter
registration. From The Appeal: achieving 100% renewable energy,
and Medicare For All.
Reported: As Arizona Politics
Shift, Martín Quezada Hopes
From The Appeal: This Term Is His Most Significant. From The Appeal:
Live Show: Raquel Terán: Running Quezada has supported
Reported: Esther Agbaje Wants To
for State Representative. Arizona progressive policies since starting
Solve ‘the Million Dollar Question’
state Rep. Raquel Terán joins The out in the state legislature in
Of Racial Disparities Across
Briefing to discuss how activism 2012. He’s now running for his
Minnesota. If she wins at the
makes her a better politician, and final term, which could be his
ballot box in November, Agbaje
what she plans to do with another most important, given the state’s
would become the state’s first
term in office. changing power dynamics.
Nigerian American state legislator.
Reported: What Raquel Terán Live Show: Esther Agbaje: Running
Wants to Accomplish if Democrats
for State Representative. On
Take the Arizona State Legislature
The Briefing, Esther Agbaje joins
The state representative wants
to discuss her bid to represent
to pass paid family leave, repeal
her Minneapolis district in the
Arizona’s pre-Roe vs. Wade
Minnesota state House this fall.
abortion ban, and increase access
to the ballot through automatic
voter registration and same-day
registration.

6
Live Show: How Primary CEDRICK Reported: Athena Hollins Takes
Challenges are Shaking up FRAZIER, a labor On Public Safety, Housing, and
Minnesota. Across the country, attorney, and Affordable Child Care in Her
incumbent Democrats are losing former public Run for the Minnesota House.
primary elections to challengers defender, is When it comes to public safety,
from the left. Today on The running for Hollins doesn’t want to stop with
Briefing, three challengers discuss Minnesota State reallocating police funding. She’d
their work for progressive causes, Representative in District 45A. He like her state to track both proven
and how they fit into the party supports single-payer healthcare, and alleged instances of police
going forward. a $15 minimum wage, eliminating misconduct.
cash bail, 100% clean energy, and
housing as a human right.

OMAR FATEH
is running for From The Appeal:
SPOTLIGHT ON TEXAS
Minnesota Live Show: How Primary For the first time in 18 years,
State Senate’s Challenges Are Shaking Up Democrats have the opportunity
62nd District. Minnesota Politics. Insurgent to flip the Texas House. With a
He supports Democratic candidates for office total of 34 competitive races,
universal join The Briefing to discuss what Democrats must flip at least 21
childcare, a $15 minimum wage, this movement means for the in order to win. Of 22 competitive
and a robust eviction ban. state’s future. races polled earlier this month,
Democrats hold a “comfortable
From The Appeal: lead” in 21 of the races. For a
deeper dive into these critical
Reported: Omar Fateh is Running ATHENA HOLLINS races, see Our Future On the
to Bring a ‘Working-Class Agenda’ is running for
Ballot #6.
to Minnesota’s State Senate. The Minnesota
current Democratic state Senator, House District
Jeff Hayden, lacks the progressive 66B. She
vision Minnesotans seek, Fateh supports zero- BRANDY
says. fare public CHAMBERS
transportation, Medicare for All, is running for
Live Show: How Primary
and paid family leave. Texas House
Challenges are Shaking up
Democratic Politics. Across the in District 112.
She supports
country, incumbent Democrats From The Appeal:
are losing primary elections to 100% renewable
challengers from the left. Today Live Show: Athena Hollins: energy by 2030, independent
Running for State Representative. redistricting, medicaid expansion,
on The Briefing, three challengers
Minnesota state House candidate a statewide database for police
discuss their work for progressive
Athena Hollins joins The Briefing misconduct.
causes, and how they fit into the
to discuss why she decided
party going forward.
to challenge an incumbent
Democrat, and what she plans to From The Appeal:
do if elected this fall. Live Show: Brandy Chambers:
Live Show: How Primaries Are Running for State Representative.
Shaking Up Minnesota Politics. Jail deaths and ICE cooperation
Insurgent Democratic candidates have defined the first term
for office join The Briefing to of Tarrant County Sheriff Bill
discuss what this movement Waybourn, who faces a tough
means for the state’s future. challenge in next month’s
election.

7
Reported: Democratic Candidate CELINA Reported: Lorenzo Sanchez
Brandy Chambers Wants To MONTOYA is Wants to Provide Healthcare to
Help Turn The Texas House Blue running for Uninsured Texans. Sanchez is
If Chambers can unseat the Texas State running for one of the state House
Republican incumbent in her Representative seats that Democrats are hoping
district, she said she’ll prioritize in District 121. to flip.
expanding Medicaid, improving She supports
public education funding, and ending partisan gerrymandering,
lowering property taxes. reforming the cash bail system, FROM AROUND THE
investing in green jobs, and
implementing a living wage. COUNTRY
REP. VIKKI
GOODWIN is From The Appeal: JACKIE FIELDER
running is running to
Live Show: Celina Montoya: represent the
for Texas House Running for State Representative.
in District 47. 11th District in
Celina Montoya joins The Briefing
The small the California
to discuss her bid to flip a seat in
business Senate. She
the Texas state House this fall.
owner is running for re-election supports a
on fair redistricting, Medicaid Reported: Texas House Candidate “California Homes for All” plan as
expansion, and a Climate Change Celina Montoya Is Running To someone who has experienced
Commission. Her opponent, a Expand Medicaid And Fund Public homelessness herself. She’s
police union vice president, is Education. She is running for a running on a Green New Deal
running a Willie Horton style historically Republican-controlled that reaches carbon neutrality
campaign to unseat her. seat, and if she wins, it could help by 2030, a $20 minimum wage,
turn the state House blue. reallocation of police funding
to social services, and zero fare
From The Appeal: transportation.
Live Show: Vikki Goodwin: Running LORENZO
for State Representative. Texas
SANCHEZ is From The Appeal:
state Rep. Vikki Goodwin joins
running for Live Show: Jackie Fielder: Running
The Briefing this afternoon to
Texas House in for State Senate. California state
discuss her re-election campaign
District 67, is a Senate candidate Jackie Fielder
and her agenda for second term.
first-generation joins The Briefing to discuss her
Reported: A Police Union Vice Mexican- first-time bid for elected office
President Hopes Fear Of The American and a small business and what she plans to do if
Defund Movement Will Propel Him owner. He supports a $15 elected this fall.
To The Texas House. Republicans minimum wage and universal
could lose their grip on the state health care.
House this November, and their
control over the 2021 redistricting
process hangs in the balance. From The Appeal:
Justin Berry and Texas Governor Live Show: Lorenzo Sanchez:
Greg Abbott, who endorsed him, Running for State Representative.
are hoping to win an important Today, Lorenzo Sanchez joins The
seat back from the Democrats by Briefing to discuss his bid to flip a
Photo: Pexels/Pixabay

scaring voters. Dallas-area purple district in the

Texas state House.

8
FATIMA IQBAL-ZUBAIR, a high ZOHRAN KWAME MAMDANI is MARCELA MITAYNES, running for
school teacher in Watts, is running for New York State New York’s 51st Assembly District,
running for California Assembly Assembly to represent the 36th is a housing organizer who was
District 64. She supports District. He ran on statewide rent evicted from her childhood
expanding non-police emergency control, decriminalizing sex work, rent-stabilized home and helped
first responders, tuition-free making utilities agencies public, pass the Housing Stability and
college, and Medicare for All. banning ICE from hospitals and Tenant Protection Act last year.
courthouses, and passing the New She’s running to fully fund public
York Health Act. housing, divest completely from
From The Appeal: fossil fuels through a New York
Reported: This California Teacher Green New Deal, abolish medical
Wants Environmental Justice.
From The Appeal: debt, and decriminalize sex work.
Fatima Iqbal-Zubair, who seeks Live Show: How Primary
to represent South Central Los Challengers Are Shaking Up
Angeles in the State Assembly, Democratic Politics. Across the
From The Appeal:
wants ‘clean air, clean water, and country, incumbent Democrats Reported: Tenant Organizers Are
clean food’ for her constituents. are losing primary elections to Running To Keep New Yorkers In
challengers from the left. Today Their Homes. After defeating long-
Live Show: Fatima Iqbal-Zubair:
on The Briefing, three challengers time incumbents in Democratic
Running for State Representative.
discuss their work for progressive primaries, progressive candidates
Educator Fatima Iqbal-Zubair
causes, and how they fit into the are championing cancelling rent
joins The Briefing to discuss her
party going forward. and banning evictions.
campaign for California state
Assembly. Reported: Tenant Organizers Are
Running To Keep New Yorkers In
Their Homes. After defeating long-
time incumbents in Democratic
primaries, progressive candidates
are championing cancelling rent
and banning evictions.

9
PHARA SOUFFRANT FORREST, FRANCESCA HONG is running for REP. SARA INNAMORATO
a nurse and president of her Wisconsin State Assembly in represents the 21st District
building’s tenants’ association, district 76. She supports a Green in the Pennsylvania House of
is running for New York State New Deal, a $15 minimum wage, Representatives. She introduced
Assembly in the 57th District. and unrigging Wisconsin’s election a bill in August that would put
She supports Medicare For All, laws and gerrymandered districts. a moratorium on reporting
a Green New Deal, enacting a delinquent payments to credit
statewide $15 minimum wage, agencies during the pandemic.
ending cash bail and solitary From The Appeal:
confinement, and restoring the Live Show: Francesca Hong:
right to vote for all New Yorkers. Running for State House.
From The Appeal:
Francesca Hong joins The Briefing Reported: Sara Innamorato Is
to discuss her bid for a Wisconsin Fighting To Reduce The Harms
From The Appeal: state Assembly seat. Of Covid-19’s Economic Crush.
Reported: Tenant Organizers Are Reported: Francesca Hong Wants The state representative wants
Running To Keep New Yorkers In to bar landlords in Pennsylvania
‘Wisconsin To Work Better For
Their Homes. After defeating long- from reporting missed or late rent
More People’. The chef and
time incumbents in Democratic payments to credit agencies.
restaurant owner is running for
primaries, progressive candidates
State Assembly in part to fight for
are championing cancelling rent
a $15 minimum wage and other
and banning evictions.
pro-worker reforms from within
the halls of government.

10
TIARA MACK is running for the TARRA SIMMONS, running for the MAUREE TURNER, whose mom
6th District in Rhode Island’s Washington House’s 23rd District, worked three jobs and father
Senate. In her primary, she beat would be the first person in the was incarcerated, is running for
an anti-choice, anti-LGBTQ 15- Washington legislature to have House District 88 in Oklahoma.
year incumbent, Harold Metts, previously been convicted of a Turner is the regional field
by 20 points. She, along with a felony. She’s fighting for universal director for Campaign for Smart
slate of 23 other Rhode Island healthcare, ending homelessness, Justice, an ACLU criminal justice
progressives ran on a platform and stopping the school-to-prison reform initiative to combat mass
that included a $15 minimum pipeline. incarceration. She supports a
wage, a Green New Deal, and a living wage, expanded access to
cap on rent raises. healthcare, and overhauling the
From The Appeal: criminal justice system.
Live Show: Tarra Simmons:
From The Appeal: Running for State Representative.
Live Show: Tiara Mack: Running On The Briefing, Tarra Simmons
From The Appeal:
for State Senator. Tiara Mack joins to discuss how her Live Show: How Primary
joins The Briefing to discuss her experience as a formerly Challenges are Shaking up
grassroots bid to become first incarcerated person informs Democratic Politics. Across the
Black LGBTQ state senator in her activism—and prompted her country, incumbent Democrats
Rhode Island’s history. to run for state legislature in are losing primary elections to
Washington. challengers from the left. Today
on The Briefing, three challengers
Reported: Tarra Simmons,
discuss their work for progressive
Candidate for Washington
causes, and how they fit into the
Legislature Is Fighting to Give
party going forward.
People a First Chance. The
attorney, who is a person formerly Reported: Oklahoma And Oregon
convicted of a felony, has Deliver Two Measures Of Relief
attracted support and praise from For People Facing Poverty.
people around the country. Oklahoma’s elections on Tuesday
also saw Mauree Turner, a
community organizer who works
at the ACLU of Oklahoma, unseat
Photo: Element/UNSPLASH

an incumbent state lawmaker in a

Democratic primary in Oklahoma
City on a platform focused on
advancing both criminal justice
reform and public health.

11
STATEWIDE RACES

Reported: When Electricity Shutoffs In A Pandemic Reported: Democrats Could Flip the Ohio and
Become An Election Issue. Affordable utilities and Michigan Supreme Courts. Shifting control of the
climate policy are on the line in Georgia’s Public states’ highest courts next month will prove critical
Service Commission elections. Nine other states are on a number of major issues, including redistricting
voting on similar agencies. in 2021.

ANNA TOVAR is running for RAPH GRAYBILL is the Democratic

Arizona Corporate Commission, candidate for Attorney General of
sometimes called the state’s fourth Montana. He’s running to unrig our
branch of government. As a young democracy, protect people from
public school teacher, her battle drug companies and insurance
with cancer (caused by a rare companies and protect public
environmental toxin) propelled lands and resources.
her to run for higher office. She supports ending the
legacy of corruption at the Corporate Commission
and ushering in policies that spur the use of From The Appeal:
renewable energies. Reported: Raph Graybill Is Running to Be a Better
Attorney General for Montana. Graybill’s experience
with suing the state’s current AG, Tim Fox, to protect
From The Appeal: a land easement program “really pushed me over the
Live Show: Anna Tovar: Running for Corporation edge,” he told The Appeal.
Commissioner. Anna Tovar, running for Corporation
Commissioner in Arizona, joins The Briefing to
discuss the office’s critical role in the state’s
energy future. SEN. SHEMIA FAGAN, a State
Senator and civil rights lawyer,
is running for Oregon Secretary
of State, a position that
oversees state land boards,
audits, elections, serves as the
Lieutenant Governor, and will

12
redraw legislative boundaries if the legislature
fails to do so. She supports expanding voting
access, automatic DMV registration, and prepaid
ballot postage.

From The Appeal:

Live Show: Shemia Fagan: Running for Secretary of
State. Oregon secretary of state candidate Shemia
Fagan joins The Briefing to discuss why she decided
to jump in the race this year—and what she hopes to
accomplish if elected.

CHRYSTA CASTAÑEDA is an
engineer and lawyer running for
the Texas Railroad Commission,
the state’s primary regulatory
body for the oil and gas industry.
If elected, the commission would Reported: Civil Rights Loom Large In North
flip from Republican to Democratic Carolina’s Supreme Court Elections. The race for
control. chief justice, between a former public defender
and a former prosecutor, will shape the court’s
willingness to advance racial justice.
From The Appeal:
Live Show: Chrysta Castañeda: Running for Railroad
Commissioner. Chrysta Castañeda joins The Briefing
to discuss her run for Texas Railroad Commissioner—
and why that job is so important in the first place.
Reported: In Effort To Slow Climate Change, Texas
Democrat Seeks Seat On Oil Regulation Board.
Chrysta Castañeda wants to use the state Railroad
Commission’s powers to stop energy companies
from burning excess gas or fracking.

13
CITY AND COUNTY RACES
Mayoral, City Council and County Commissioner

SARAH From The Appeal: Carroll Fife is running for city

IANNARONE council this fall. She joins The
is running
Live Show: Deedra Abboud: Briefing to discuss her agenda
Running for Supervisor. Deedra for making the Bay Area a more
for Mayor
Abboud joins The Briefing today inclusive, affordable place.
of Portland,
to discuss her bid for Maricopa
Oregon. She Live Show: How The Housing
County Board of Supervisors and
is an urban Crisis Is A Racial Justice Failure.
her agenda for Phoenix’s future.
planner who has stood with As evictions moratoriums expire,
protestors against police violence. Live Show: Why County the fallout will exacerbate a
She supports Housing For All, a Commissions Matter. Voters national housing crisis that
Green New Deal, a guaranteed sometimes pay little attention to already disproportionately harms
basic income pilot program, and their county governments. Today Black and brown communities.
redirecting resources away from on The Briefing, we’ll discuss why Watch this episode of The Briefing
traditional law enforcement. that dynamic is changing quickly. featuring Senator Elizabeth
Warren and Carroll Fife, with host
From The Appeal: Josie Duffy Rice, as they discuss
the way forward.
Live Show: Portland Mayoral CARROLL
Forum. Mayor Ted Wheeler and FIFE, a leader Live Show: Americans Can’t Afford
candidate Sarah Iannarone joined in the Moms Rent. What’s Next? Millions of
The Appeal for a candidate forum 4 Housing Americans can’t afford to pay May
in the heated mayoral runoff movement, rent. On today’s ‘The Briefing,’
election in Portland, Oregon. is running former HUD Secretary Julian
for Oakland Castro, SF Board of Supervisors
Reported: Portland Civil Rights City Council in the 3rd District. member Hillary Ronen, & Oakland
Activists Want A Mayor Who Can She supports a housing as a organizer Carroll Fife discuss what
Stand Up To Police. Mayor Ted human right amendment to the comes next.
Wheeler’s popularity has declined California constitution, shifting
after a summer of protests against resources away from traditional
police violence. law enforcement, and blocking the
proposed coal terminal in West JANEESE LEWIS
Oakland. GEORGE is
running to
DEEDRA represent
ABBOUD, an From The Appeal: Ward 4 in the
attorney and Washington D.C.
local business
Reported: Carroll Fife Is Fighting
To Make Oakland Safer And More City Council.
owner, is She supports housing as a human
Equitable For Everyone. In her
running in right, universal childcare, keeping
run for City Council, Fife pushes
District 2 for ICE out of schools, Medicare for
back on the institutional barriers
the Maricopa County Board of All, and DC statehood.
to Black people that come from a
Supervisors. If elected, the Board
history of oppression.
of Supervisors would flip from
Republican to Democratic control. Live Show: Carroll Fife: Running
for City Council. A longtime
housing organizer in Oakland,

14
From The Appeal: From The Appeal: rent forgiveness, and taking police
misconduct settlement money
Reported: 3 Transformational Live Show: Holly Mitchell: Running out of the LAPD budget to rein in
Candidates That The Working for Supervisor. California state abuse.
Families Party Is Excited About. Senator Holly Mitchell joins The
Maurice Mitchell, the Party’s Briefing to discuss why she’s
national director, tells The Appeal running for LA County Board of From The Appeal:
about candidates in New York, Supervisors this fall. Live Show: Nithya Raman: Running
Washington D.C, and New Mexico
Live Show: Why County for City Council. LA City Council
that the WFP is excited about. candidate Nithya Raman joins The
Commissions Matter. Voters
sometimes pay little attention Briefing to discuss her agenda
to their county governments. On for housing, public safety, and a
The Briefing, we discuss why that Green New Deal for Los Angeles.
HOLLY MITCHELL
is running to dynamic is changing quickly. Live Show: How Much Should
represent the Reported: This Los Angeles We Spend On Police? As the
2nd District on County Election Could Have A pandemic upends city budgets,
the Los Angeles Big Effect On Criminal Justice many officials are re-evaluating
County Board Reform. The Board of Supervisors assumptions about how to
of Supervisors. wields enormous power over a best use taxpayer dollars. On
She is currently a senator in county government apparatus that The Briefing, Portland City
the California legislature where includes the DA’s office, probation Commissioner Jo Ann Hardesty,
she has championed criminal department, and sheriffs. Professor Melina Abdullah,
justice reform and expanded Nithya Raman, and Antonio
mental health services. She Reynoso discuss the future of law
has a detailed plan to end Los enforcement spending.
Angeles’s homelessness crisis, NITHYA RAMAN
is running
Live Show: Why City Councils
and supports Measure J, which
Matter. With gridlock reigning
would reinvest resources from to represent
in Washington, what can city
policing into community-based Los Angeles
councils do to pick up the slack?
safety programs. City Council’s
Our panel on The Briefing explains
4th District.
why local government is more
She supports
important than ever.
carbon-zero emissions by 2030,

SCHOOL BOARD

Reported: School Board Elections Reported: This School Board

Are Confronting The School-to- Election Could Ramp Up
prison Pipeline. In Prince George’s Resegregation in North Carolina.
County, Maryland, a push to Far-right candidates are fueling
remove armed police from schools backlash to Black Lives Matter
depends on the outcome of local and running for the Wake County
school board races. school board to fight racial equity
policies.

15
DISTRICT ATTORNEYS

GEORGE GASCÓN Interview: How George Gascón Commentary: The D.A. Primary In
is running Wants To Reform Los Angeles Los Angeles Narrowly Went To A
for District And Achieve “The Lowest Level Runoff. Now That The Election Is
Attorney of Los Of Intervention”. “The problem Here, The Stakes Are Even Higher.
Angeles, home is that LA County has come Much has changed in the seven
to 10 million to a place where they use the months since George Gascón
people. Gascón most expensive and the most faced off against incumbent DA
supports expanding police intrusive tools of the criminal Jackie Lacey in one of the most
accountability, ending cash justice system to deal with every important elections in the country.
bail, ending the criminalizing behavior,” Gascón said in a
Reported: Los Angeles D.A.
homelessness and poverty, and Political Report Q&A.
Candidates Spar On Police
ending the use of the death
Reported: A New Association Of Shootings, Death Penalty. DA
penalty.
Progressive D.A.s Could Overhaul Jackie Lacey and challenger
California’s Reform Movement. George Gascón laid out diverging
From The Appeal: The news comes as prosecutors visions for the top prosecutor’s
across the country rethink their office in the nation’s most
Reported: The Past, Present, and membership in professional populous county at a debate
Future of the Los Angeles District organizations that oppose a Thursday night.
Attorney’s Office. The DA’s meaningful reform agenda.
office has been home to bribery,
corruption, and more since it was Live Show: Why District Attorneys
formed 170 years ago. What could Are Forming Progressive JULIE GUNNIGLE
a progressive prosecutor do to Associations. In nearly every is running
change that? state, prosecutors’ associations for Maricopa
speak with one voice to oppose County
Reported: Los Angeles County criminal justice reforms. On
Democratic Party Endorses Attorney, which
The Briefing, meet a coalition of is the county’s
George Gascón For District California DAs who are trying to top prosecutor
Attorney. The former San change that. position. Maricopa County, which
Francisco DA got the nod over
incumbent Jackie Lacey, whose Reported: California Prison Guard encompasses Phoenix, is home
tenure advocates and activists Union Responsible For ‘bullseye’ to over four million people and is
have long criticized as lackluster. Ad Donates $1 Million To Jackie the fourth most populous county
Lacey’s Re-election Campaign. in America. She supports ending
Commentary: Jackie Lacey’s Late-stage donations to the the prosecution of marijuana
Culture of Fear. Lack of evidence cases, ending the criminalization
Los Angeles DA race increase
does not stop opponents of of abortion, and robust police
concerns about the influence
former San Francisco DA George accountability which the county
of law enforcement money on
Gascón from making the claim has never had.
politics.
that the city’s criminal justice
reforms unleashed a crime wave. Live Show: George Gascon,
Running for District Attorney. Los From The Appeal:
Reported: LA Police Union Angeles County DA candidate
Contributes $1 Million To Anti- Reported: How One Election
George Gascón joins The Briefing
george Gascón PAC. The influx Might Strike A Blow To Mass
to discuss policing, public safety,
of cash shows the police union’s Incarceration In Arizona. In
criminal justice reform, and his
determination to stop the Maricopa County, years of harsh
agenda for Los Angeles.
reform-minded district attorney charging and sentencing policies
candidate. have sent state incarceration

16
rates soaring. Now that legacy in Maricopa County have a long From The Appeal:
is in question in November’s history of killing people without
prosecutor election. facing criminal consequences. Interview: Why A Suburban Illinois
What will it take to turn that Prosecutor Candidate Is Drawing
Reported: Maricopa County’s Top Inspiration From Protests. A
dynamic around?
Prosecutor Releases Misleading candidate for prosecutor in
Attack Ad. Allister Adel paints Live Show: How Prosecutors Can DeKalb County makes the case
herself as a reformer, but her Protect Reproductive Choice. that fighting mass incarceration
record shows otherwise. What role do local prosecutors will make people safer than
have in protecting reproductive
Reported: Abortion Could Be President Trump’s “law and order”
choice? The Briefing discusses messaging.
Criminalized In Arizona If Roe
what DAs can do if the U.S.
V. Wade Gets Overturned. The
Supreme Court overturns Roe v.
state’s pre-Roe abortion ban
Wade.
includes mandatory prison time
for people who provide or obtain Live Show: Which States Will
abortions. Candidates for top Legalize Marijuana In November?.
prosecutor in Maricopa County Arizona voters will have the
differ on whether they would chance to legalize marijuana this
prosecute such cases. fall. Today on The Briefing, our
panel breaks down how the state’s
Reported: If Arizona Legalizes
reform movement took shape.
Weed, Top Prosecutors Would
Be Key To Clearing Past Live Show: Maricopa County Reported: How New Orleans
Convictions. One candidate Attorney Candidates Forum. The Activists Are Pushing D.A.
for Maricopa County attorney Appeal is hosting a live roundtable Candidates To End Mass
says she’ll make clearing past for three primary candidates for Incarceration. The retirement of a
marijuana convictions ‘universal Maricopa County Attorney. Join us notoriously harsh DA has opened
and automatic’ if elected. The for a discussion of policing, public the door for criminal justice
other has not said she would do safety, and the future of criminal reform in New Orleans.
anything to support expunging justice in Phoenix.
criminal records.
Reported: How One Race Could
Change Police Accountability In ANNA WILHELMI,
Arizona. Incumbent Maricopa running for
County Attorney Allister Adel is State’s Attorney
backed by police unions and has of DeKalb
declined to charge officers in County, is
high-profile killings. Challenger hoping to beat
Julie Gunnigle says she wants out Republican
to create an independent unit to incumbent, Rick Amato, to
Reported: In Colorado’s D.A.
review police use-of-force cases. Races, Disagreements Abound
represent a deeply politically
On Criminal Justice Reform. In
Reported: Democrats Running divided electorate that swung
four populous districts with open
For Prosecutor Want To Break Democratic by 3 points in the
prosecutor elections, debates
With Maricopa County’s Punitive 2016 presidential race. She plans
center on issues such as drug
Past. All three candidates said to maintain a “do not call” list
policy, jail capacity, and police
they would commit to reducing of police officers who have a
impunity.
the Arizona prison population if history of wrongdoing, end cash
elected, though their visions of bail, reduce criminal convictions
the role of the county attorney’s for drug possession, and end the
office diverge. practice of sentencing minors to
life sentences without parole.
Live Show: Holding Cops
Accountable in Phoenix. Police

17
Interview: Charleston Prosecutor Reported: Cincinnati is an Reported: Wisconsin is Voting for
Candidate Wants to “Shut Off the Epicenter for the Death Penalty. its DAs, but Democracy is Not
Mass Incarceration Mindset.” In Its Prosecutor Race Could End on the Ballot. Nearly all of the
a Q&A, Ben Pogue discusses how that in November. In Hamilton state’s 71 DA elections feature
he would confront racial injustice. County, Joe Deters has sent a candidate who is running
more people to death row than unopposed. Once again, voters
Interview: Austin D.A. Candidate
any other prosecutor in Ohio. won’t have a say over changing
Wants to Stop Sweeping Issues
His challenger, Fanon Rucker, the shape of prosecution and
under the Rug of Criminal Justice.
promises to stop that practice. criminal justice.
José Garza makes the case for
why he would not prosecute Reported: Oregon’s DA Elections
low-level drug cases, and how he Mock Democracy, Again.
would hold police accountable in District attorneys keep resigning
Travis County, in a Q&A. heading into election years, and
governors keep appointing deputy
Reported: In Austin Prosecutor
prosecutors who then get to face
Primaries, Wins for the Left
voters anointed as incumbents.
and a Milestone for Drug
The pattern is in full force in
Decriminalization: a progressive
Oregon’s May 19 elections.
advocate and former public
defender, José Garza, who ran
on shrinking the criminal legal
system’s mission and on not
prosecuting low-level drug cases.

Photo: iStockPhoto

18
JUDGES
At the local level, judges play a pivotal role in slate of reform-minded judges running to transform
termining the size, scope, and impact of the criminal New Orleans’ justice system, read Our Future On
legal system on people’s lives. For a closer look at a the Ballot #5.

DERWIN transparency, opening the court’s the city’s justice system. They join
BUNTON, the books to justify every tax dollar The Briefing today to discuss what
Public Defender spent and has pledged to never their agenda looks like.
in New Orleans, assess fines or fees designed to
Reported: New Orleans Public
is running for punish poverty.
Defenders Are Mobilizing To “Flip
criminal court The Bench”. These candidates are
judge in Orleans
Parish, Louisiana. He supports
From The Appeal: highlighting the power of judges to
challenge mass incarceration.
ending cash bail, increasing Live Show: Overhauling the Court
transparency, ending mass System in New Orleans. A slate
incarceration and shrinking the of judicial candidates in New
criminal justice system. Orleans has pledged to overhaul STEVE SINGER,
the city’s justice system. They join a retired
The Briefing today to discuss what Professor of
From The Appeal: their agenda looks like. Law at Loyola
Live Show: Equal Access to Reported: New Orleans Public University who,
Justice. Public defense is rarely Defenders Are Mobilizing To “Flip in the wake
funded at the same level as The Bench”. These candidates are of Hurricane
prosecution, putting clients at a highlighting the power of judges to Katrina, led the effort to reform
built-in disadvantage. Our panel challenge mass incarceration. and rebuild the Orleans Public
discusses ways to close this Defender’s Office, is running
justice gap. for magistrate judge in Orleans
Parish. Singer supports ending
Live Show: Overhauling the Court
System in New Orleans. A slate
ANGEL HARRIS, cash bail, and he has pledged to
a former senior reject campaign contributions
of judicial candidates in New
legal counsel from the bail industry.
Orleans has pledged to overhaul
at The Justice
the city’s justice system. They join
Collaborative
The Briefing today to discuss what
and attorney
From The Appeal:
their agenda looks like.
with the NAACP Live Show: Overhauling the Court
Reported: New Orleans Public Legal Defense Fund, is running for System in New Orleans. A slate
Defenders Are Mobilizing To “Flip judge in Criminal Court Section of judicial candidates in New
The Bench”. These candidates are L. She supports overhauling the Orleans has pledged to overhaul
highlighting the power of judges to money bail system, and ending the city’s justice system. They join
challenge mass incarceration. unnecessary fines and fees that The Briefing today to discuss what
have historically criminalized low- their agenda looks like.
income people in New Orleans.
Reported: New Orleans Public
MEG GARVEY, a Defenders Are Mobilizing To “Flip
public defender, From The Appeal: The Bench”. These candidates are
is running for highlighting the power of judges to
Live Show: Overhauling the Court challenge mass incarceration.
municipal judge
System in New Orleans. A slate
in New Orleans.
of judicial candidates in New
She’s promising
Orleans has pledged to overhaul
complete

19
SHERIFFS RACES

ELISEO SANTANA arrests, shift some funds toward to roll back cooperation with ICE.
is running health services, and end Sheriff Advocates say they should cut
for Sheriff Bob Gualtieri’s collaboration ties completely, while the federal
of Pinellas with ICE. agency threatens retaliation.
County, Florida Live Show: Eliseo Santana: Reported: Will Texas Democrats’
to unseat Running for Sheriff. Pinellas Gains Topple a Trumpian Sheriff?
incumbent County Sheriff candidate Eliseo Jail deaths and ICE cooperation
Bob Gualtieri, Chair of Trump’s Santana joins The Briefing to have defined the first term
police commission. Santana talk about his bid to become of Tarrant County Sheriff Bill
supports ending collaboration the Florida county’s top law Waybourn, who faces a tough
with ICE, reducing arrests, and enforcement official. challenge in next month’s
shifting funds from the sheriff’s election.
department toward services Reported: Joe Apraio’s Longtime
and agencies outside of law Deputy Could Become the Next Reported: Policing and Ties
enforcement. Sheriff of Maricopa County: Jerry with Ice on the Menu in Norfolk
Sheridan, who beat Arpaio in the County’s Sheriff Race. This
Republican primary in one of the Massachusetts special election
From The Appeal: nation’s biggest counties, has could shape criminal justice
Reported: The Sheriff Candidate been complicit in many of the reform prospects in this populous
Who Is Challenging “The former sheriff’s worst misdeeds. county—and in state politics.
Poster Child For The Trump Reported: Georgia Sheriff
Administration”. Eliseo Santana, Elections Could Limit Ice’s Reach.
running for sheriff in Florida’s In Gwinnett and Cobb counties,
Pinellas County, wants to reduce sheriff candidates are promising

LOCAL AND STATE BALLOT MEASURES

Reported: Four
States Could
Legalize Marijuana
Next Month. There
are ballot measures
in Arizona, New
Jersey, South
Dakota, and
Montana that would legalize marijuana for adult use.
Arizona’s initiative would also directly address racial
justice by investing in communities harmed by drug Oregon Measure 109 - Legalization of Psilocybin.
enforcement laws. This measure would authorize the Oregon Health
Authority to create a program for licensed providers
to administer psilocybin (“mushrooms”) to those over
the age of 21.

From The Appeal:

20
Live Show: How the Mushroom approximately 55,000 people with grocery chains, would use more
Legalization Movement Took felony convictions who are still taxpayer money to incarcerate
Off. Following in the steps of the on parole. people, rather than invest in other
cannabis legalization movement, social services.
many jurisdictions are working to
decriminalize magic mushrooms,
From The Appeal:
too. On The Briefing, our panel Reported: California Voters Have
discusses how this movement An Opportunity To Chip Away
took off. At Jim Crow-era Voting Law.
Proposition 17 would allow people
with felony convictions to cast
ballots while they are on parole.
Live Show: California’s Latest
Fight to Expand Voting Rights.
A ballot measure this fall could California Proposition 21 - This
restore the voting rights of some proposition would expand
55,000 Californians on parole. and strengthen rent control
The Briefing discusses what this protections by allowing cities
could mean for the future of state to impose rent control on most
Oregon Measure 110 - Drug politics. housing more than 15 years old.
Decriminalization and Addiction
Treatment. This measure would From The Appeal:
make personal, non-commercial
possession of drugs a noncriminal
offence with a maximum fine of
$100 and fund treatment services.

From The Appeal:

Reported: Oregon Could Become
The First State To Decriminalize California Proposition 20 - This
Drugs In November. A ballot regressive proposition would
initiative could decriminalize low- create longer prison sentences Reported: In California Rent
level drug possession and fund by restricting parole for more Control Battle, Controversies
addiction treatment. offenses and increasing other low Swirl Around Funders On Both
level offenses felonies. It would Sides. Corporate backers of a
roll back previous successful group opposed to Proposition 21
criminal justice reform measures don’t match the protective image
47 and 57, approved over the it portrays. And a nonprofit that
last decade. Grocery chains like has contributed to supporters
Safeway, Costco and Ralphs, has been accused of financial
have been major funders of the improprieties.
proposition to roll back reform.
Measure J in Los Angeles - This
Measure would reinvest $100

California Proposition 17 -
From The Appeal: million of the police budget into
community programs.
Voting for Those On Parole. This Reported: California’s Proposition
proposition would not allow 20 Would Roll Back Years Of
people in prison to vote, but it Criminal Justice Reform. The
would expand voting rights to ballot initiative, supported by
police, corporations, and even big

21
From The Appeal:
Live Show: How L.A. is
ADDITIONAL ELECTION
Reimagining Public Safety. In Los
Angeles County, Measure J would
RESOURCES AND COVERAGE
move more than $100 million from
the police budget to community Resource: Explore Criminal
programs. Today on The Briefing, Justice on the 2020 Ballot. The
our panel explains how it will work. 2020 elections are upon us. Use
our interactive tool to track the
criminal justice battlegrounds:
prosecutors, sheriffs,
referendums, and more.

Proposition G in San Francisco -

This Proposition would lower the
voting age to 16.

From The Appeal:

Reported: Teens Younger Than
18 Could Soon Have The Right To
Vote In San Francisco. A measure
on the ballot next month would
allow 16- and 17-year-olds to vote,
a change that advocates say
would crucially expand the
voting pool.

Resource: Your Guide To 30 Sheriff And Prosecutor Elections That

Could Challenge Mass Incarceration. Thirty key local elections where
criminal justice reform is on the line.

Reported: These Twelve Elections

Could Curb ICE’s Powers. In many
places that have long helped
arrest and detain immigrants,
Reported: How An Education voters will decide the fate of local
Crisis Is Spurring A Seismic Shift partnerships with ICE, possibly
In Arizona Politics. Proposition dealing a series of blows to the
208, which would levy a 3.5 agency.
percent tax on Arizonans earning
more than $250,000 to hire
more teachers and increase their
salaries, is an effort by public
school advocates to push back
on efforts to defund and privatize
education.

22