State Senate: 7th District

State Senate, District 7

Why does this race matter? 

The winner of this hotly contested race will replace termed-out state Sen. Nancy Skinner, whose progressive record on criminal justice and the environment made her a local favorite in this deeply progressive East Bay district. Housing development, public safety, and climate change are key issues for local voters. 

What does a state senator do? 

State senators represent communities at the California Legislature in Sacramento. The 40 members of the state Senate write and vote on state bills, serve on policy committees and vote on the annual state budget. The top two finishers in this primary election, regardless of party, will face off in the November election. The winner will serve a four-year term. 

Key Candidates

Key Supporters

For Arreguín

  • State Building and Construction Trades Council of California, AFL-CIO
  • YIMBY Action
  • California Young Democrats
  • Buffy Wicks, state Assembly member 
  • Yesenia Sanchez, sheriff, Alameda County

For Kalb 

  • California Environmental Voters
  • California Legislative Jewish Caucus
  • International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 595
  • Sheng Thao, mayor, Oakland
  • Tessa Rudnick, mayor pro tem, El Cerrito

For Lybarger

  • California Labor Federation, AFL-CIO
  • American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees, Local 3299 
  • Alliance of Californians for Community Empowerment (ACCE) Action
  • California Legislative LGBTQ Caucus
  • California Federation of Teachers

For Beckles

  • California Conference Board Amalgamated Transit Union
  • East Bay Democratic Socialists of America
  • Richmond Progressive Alliance
  • Pamela Price, district attorney, Alameda County
  • California Democratic Renters Council

For Swanson

  • California Legislative Black Caucus 
  • Peace Officers Research Association of California PAC
  • Jim Levine, CEO, Montezuma Wetlands LLC
  • California Association of Highway Patrolmen PAC
  • Oakland African American Chamber of Commerce

Additional Candidates

More Alameda County Key Races

Measure B

Should Alameda County adopt the state’s recall rules?

Supervisor, District 4

A progressive outsider, Jennifer Esteen, challenges a six-term incumbent, Nate Miley.

Supervisor, District 5

Eight-term supervisor Keith Carson’s abrupt retirement has opened up a supervisor seat that includes Berkeley and Emeryville.

U.S. House of Representatives, District 12

Barbara Lee’s bid for the U.S. Senate leaves her House seat open for the first time in 26 years, drawing a slew of candidates to replace her

More Contra Costa County Key Races

Supervisor, District 5

For the first time since 2000, the seat to represent eastern Contra Costa County on the board will be wide open.

State Assembly, District 15

Three main candidates are competing for an open seat currently held by longtime Assemblymember Tim Grayson, who is running for state Senate.

State Senate: 7th District 6 February,2024npiper

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