The 2016 election cycle was unprecedented in many ways, both on the national and state levels. With the legislative balance of power at stake and legislators now serving 12-year terms, the stakes were very high for the California Apartment Association. Through its political action committees, CAA spent over $3 million directly and indirectly on candidates who understand and support the rental housing industry. While the results of the general election in California were mixed, the overall outcome for the industry remains positive.
In the state Senate, Republicans secured one of two competitive seats. Republican Scott Wilk prevailed in Los Angeles, and although early results pointed to a victory for Republican Ling-Ling Chang in Los Angeles and Orange County, the race ultimately went to Democrat Josh Newman, giving Senate Democrats a two-thirds supermajority.
Scott Weiner
CAA-supported moderate Democrat candidates in the Senate performed very well and won all of their races. In a critical race for CAA, San Francisco Supervisor Scott Wiener defeated the more progressive Jane Kim, also on the Board of Supervisors. This race was CAA’s top priority in the election, with CAA spending over $300,000 on Wiener’s behalf. Additionally, CAA-supported moderate Democratic candidates Bill Dodd in Napa and Steve Bradford in Los Angeles were successful.
The results in the state Assembly were more mixed for the industry. Heading into the election, it was clear that Republicans would have a hard time holding on to all their seats, with many experts projecting Republicans losing up to six seats. Democrats did pick up three seats and will have a two-thirds supermajority, with 55 Democrats to 25 Republicans. Republican Assemblymen Eric Linder in Riverside and David Hadley in Los Angeles both lost their seats. Assemblywoman Young Kim in Orange County currently trails by 1,542 votes, but the outcome is still too close to call. CAA also was heavily engaged in helping other Republicans hold on to their seats throughout the state.
Tim Grayson
On the Democratic side, a number of CAA supported moderate Democrats won, helping offset some of the Republican losses. CAA-supported moderate Democrats Raul Bocanegra in Los Angeles, Marc Berman in San Mateo and Tim Grayson in Contra Costa all defeated their more progressive opponents. Unfortunately, Assemblywoman Cheryl Brown, a moderate Democrat and strong CAA ally, lost her re-election bid to a more progressive challenger from her own party. Similarly, CAA-supported moderate Democrat Madison Nguyen from San Jose was not successful.
Related content:
- Bill Dodd wins state Senate seat (Davis Enterprise, Nov. 9)