Thank U, next

To protect the civil justice system, it matters who you elect to the State Legislature

2026 September

With the Uber battle completed for the year, the message this trial lawyer community sent was clear: We stand together in the face of any threat that attacks access to our civil justice system. If corporate actors look to cut people’s ability to get to our courts, we will fight with a targeted strategy and we will get the funds needed to execute and win. So, to all those who gave their time and their funds to the battle, thank you – but now it’s onto the next.

Positions

Unflattering pictures. Intense public scrutiny. Deceptive stories. I am not talking about Ariana Grande, I am talking about the corporate-funded attack ads our CAOC-endorsed candidates face. Those who decide to back consumers over corporate interests face an onslaught of spending against them, through deceptive ads designed to mislead voters.

Communicating with California voters has always been an expensive undertaking, but to say there was record spending in the 2026 primary election is putting it mildly. Corporate groups are starting to wake up to what we’ve known for the past 15 years: It matters who you elect to the California State Legislature. They understand that if corporate-friendly Democrats are elected, the laws are more likely to favor protecting their business interests than any accountability for wrongdoing. In just one primary Assembly race this June, there was over $9.5 million in outside spending.

This cycle, two newly created PACs, California Leads and Grow California, spent a combined $23 million dollars just from January 1 to June 30. While they may sound nice, they are another example of deceptive dark money that is becoming more and more common. Grow California is not an agricultural PAC that supports farmers – it is a PAC launched by crypto bros Christian Larsen and Timothy Draper, and the only things it is working to grow are their bank accounts. Grow California spent $15,880,720 from January to June slamming progressives and proselytizing corporate democrats. California Leads is not a PAC to help establish young leaders, or a PAC to help California lead the way in fighting climate change – it is a PAC funded by Google and Meta to make sure they don’t have to face new laws to hold them accountable, and they spent $8,842,687.55 in the same time period. 

Yes, and?

While the amount of spending is at a record level, these fights are not new. CAOC and CAALA have prepared for a decade, building the infrastructure to make sure those who are running in an unprecedented election cycle have the resources they need to communicate with their target voters. Each endorsed candidate has created a pathway to getting the votes needed to win – their “win number.” From strong biographies to proven community results, they will be spending the next several months knocking on doors and calling voters, organizing their communities and partners, and making sure they have enough money in the bank to pull off their strategy. We know voters are tired of empty promises, and because each of our candidates has the reputation and the drive to take on this fight, we can do our part and make sure they have what it takes in the bank to win. It’s time to send the next message, and that starts with each of us choosing to stand up and help these true justice champions serve as the next decade of lawmakers. 

Break free

Despite the record levels of spending, four of our endorsed candidates in the Los Angeles area broke through the noise and into the top two for the general election:

Senate District 24: John Erickson is a West Hollywood City Councilmember who has a deep track record of making his community a better place to live. John has the true heart of a consumer champion. Let your friends and family in West Hollywood, Santa Monica, Malibu, and Agoura Hills know that John is the best choice for LA!

Senate District 26: Sarah Hernandez is an environmental and housing attorney, and constitutional law professor, who also serves on the LACCD Board of Trustees. Sarah worked in Los Angeles City Hall, where she led community revitalization efforts. Tell the fam in West LA, Koreatown, Silver Lake and Eagle Rock to vote for Sarah Hernandez to ensure we have the experience and the values LA needs represented in the State Capitol. 

Assembly District 42: Deborah Klein Lopez is an Agoura Hills City Councilmember and former mayor who served as immediate past chair of the board of Clean Power Alliance, the largest 100% renewable energy provider in the nation and a public alternative to Southern California Edison. Let your IG followers in Bel Air, Calabasas, Thousand Oaks, Lynn Ranch, and Simi Valley know Deborah will do the best job for LA!

Assembly District 66: Paul Seo is an attorney, Army veteran, Deputy Attorney General and Mayor of Rancho Palos Verdes. Paul has dedicated his career to protecting the underdog, lifting up others and improving his community. Paul earned his law degree from Loyola Law School while interning for then-Congressman Adam Schiff. Create a Whatsapp group with your crew from El Segundo, Manhattan Beach, Torrance, Rolling Hills, and Rancho Palos Verdes and let them know Paul is who we need to fight for LA in Sacramento!

Seven rings

When your phone rings this election cycle and it is a leader of CAALA or CAOC calling and asking for your financial support of our program, think about the message it sends when we show up and say yes. Ask what else you can do to help, and spread the word to make sure the next decade of laws don’t shut the courthouse doors to those who depend on them for justice.