October 30, 2026 - California 2026 General Election: Candidate and Ballot Measure Recommendations
Photo Credit: Sandi Cook
As California prepares for the November 3, 2026, General Election, voters have an opportunity to participate in decisions affecting leadership, housing, education, public safety, economic policy, and the future of communities throughout the state.
Community leader Sandi Cook shared a comprehensive list of election recommendations covering statewide candidates, congressional and legislative races, judicial elections, local offices, and ballot propositions. The recommendations provide a reference for voters interested in reviewing candidates and measures before Election Day.
The following guide presents the recommendations shared by Sandi Cook, organized by office and ballot measure. The positions are reproduced as provided, with Yes and No indicating the selections on the original list. Readers should also consult official election materials for full candidate information, impartial ballot analyses, and details about which contests appear on their individual ballots.
State of California
Candidate recommendations
Governor: Xavier Becerra
Lieutenant Governor: Fiona Ma
Secretary of State: Shirley N. Weber
State Controller: Malia Cohen
State Treasurer: Eleni Kounalakis
Attorney General: Rob Bonta
Insurance Commissioner: Jane Kim
State Board of Equalization, District 3: Mike Gipson
State Superintendent of Public Instruction: Richard Barrera
U.S. Representative, District 37: Sydney Kamlager-Dove
U.S. Representative, District 43: Maxine Waters
State Senator, District 28: Lola Smallwood-Cuevas
State Assembly, District 55: Isaac G. Bryan
State Assembly, District 57: Sade Elhawary
State Assembly, District 61: Tina McKinnor
California State Propositions
Recommendations on statewide ballot measures
Proposition 1 — YES: Bonds for affordable housing and veteran home loans.
Proposition 2 — YES: Increases California's rainy-day fund.
Proposition 3 — YES: Extends certain income tax rates to fund schools and health care.
Proposition 4 — YES: Ends the prohibition on public funding of election campaigns.
Proposition 5 — YES: Changes the process for recall elections.
Proposition 37 — NO: Bonds to help middle-income Californians purchase new homes.
Proposition 38 — NO: Bonds for research on the immune system.
Proposition 39 — NO: Voter identification requirements.
Proposition 40 — YES: The 2026 Billionaire Tax Act.
Proposition 41 — NO: Spending limits and audits for new special taxes.
Proposition 42 — NO: Limits new state taxes on personal property.
Proposition 43 — NO: Two-thirds vote requirements for certain local taxes.
Proposition 44 — NO: Requires 90% of health care spending by nonprofit safety-net clinics to go toward specified services.
Proposition 45 — NO: Changes environmental review procedures for certain projects.
California Supreme Court
Judicial retention recommendations
Justice Kelli M. Evans
Justice Joshua P. Groban
California Court of Appeal
Judicial retention recommendations
Second District, Division 1 — Justice Michelle C. Kim
Second District, Division 1 — Justice Gregory J. Weingart
Second District, Division 2 — Justice Anne Richardson
Second District, Division 2 — Justice Steve Goorvitch
Second District, Division 3 — Justice Rashida A. Adams
Second District, Division 3 — Justice Mark Hanasono
Second District, Division 4 — Justice Helen Zukin
Second District, Division 4 — Justice Nicholas Daum
Second District, Division 4 — Justice Audra M. Mori
Second District, Division 4 — Justice Armen Tamzarian
Second District, Division 5 — Justice Brian M. Hoffstadt
Second District, Division 6 — Justice Tari L. Cody
Second District, Division 6 — Justice Kenneth R. Yegan
Second District, Division 7 — Justice Gonzalo C. Martinez
Second District, Division 7 — Justice Natalie Stone
Second District, Division 8 — Justice John Wiley
Second District, Division 8 — Justice Matthew A. Scherb
Second District, Division 8 — Justice Victor G. Viramontes
Los Angeles County
Candidate recommendations
Superior Court Judge, Office 64: Rhonda A. Haymon
Superior Court Judge, Office 87: Anthony (A.J.) Bayne
Superior Court Judge, Office 131: Donna Tryfman
Superior Court Judge, Office 65: Justin Allen Clayton
Los Angeles County Sheriff: Robert G. Luna
Los Angeles County Measures
Measure A — YES
Measure E — YES
City of Los Angeles
Candidate recommendations
Mayor: Karen Ruth Bass
City Attorney: Marissa Roy
City Council, District 9: Jose Ugarte
City of Los Angeles Measures
Measure EE — NO
Measure PRT — YES
Measure TE — YES
Measure FD — YES
Measure LA — NO
Measure PRK — YES
Measure PL — NO
Measure SC — NO
Los Angeles Community College District
Board of Trustees recommendations
Board of Trustees, Seat 4: Darryn Harris
Board of Trustees, Seat 6: Randall Winston
Board of Trustees, Seat 2: Steven F. Veres
Preparing for the November 3 Election
California voters will be making decisions about numerous offices and policy proposals. The exact races and local measures appearing on an individual's ballot depend on their voting address and jurisdiction.
For additional information, voters can review the California Secretary of State's Official Voter Information Guide and the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk's election resources.
Official voter resources:
California Secretary of State: https://www.sos.ca.gov
California Official Voter Information Guide: https://voterguide.sos.ca.gov
Los Angeles County Elections: https://www.lavote.gov
California Voter Registration and Status: https://registertovote.ca.gov
Election Day: Tuesday, November 3, 2026.
The Cook Connection encourages civic participation, informed decision-making, and continued engagement with the issues affecting our communities.