Candidate for U.S. House California District 30
Laura Friedman
Democrat Party
Supports 13 of 14 reforms
Will you endorse, prioritize, and support:
The Freedom to Vote Act, which would protect and strengthen our right to vote, help get big money out of politics so billionaires can’t buy elections, and help stop gerrymandering?
The Freedom to Vote Act, which would protect and strengthen our right to vote, help get big money out of politics so billionaires can’t buy elections, and help stop gerrymandering?
Yes
The John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, which would help stop discriminatory voting laws before they can take effect?
The John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, which would help stop discriminatory voting laws before they can take effect?
Yes
The Washington, D.C. Admission Act, which would provide statehood and a full voice in Congress to the approximately 700,000 residents of the District of Columbia?
The Washington, D.C. Admission Act, which would provide statehood and a full voice in Congress to the approximately 700,000 residents of the District of Columbia?
Yes
The Protecting Our Democracy Act, a package of accountability and transparency reforms to strengthen the rule of law and prevent presidents from abusing their power?
The Protecting Our Democracy Act, a package of accountability and transparency reforms to strengthen the rule of law and prevent presidents from abusing their power?
Yes
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Restoring voting rights of all persons after they have served their sentences in prison (although Common Cause supports voting rights for currently incarcerated individuals, at a minimum, do you support rights restoration for the previously-incarcerated)?
Restoring voting rights of all persons after they have served their sentences in prison (although Common Cause supports voting rights for currently incarcerated individuals, at a minimum, do you support rights restoration for the previously-incarcerated)?
Yes
Creating independent redistricting commissions to allow voters to choose their elected officials instead of politicians cherry-picking their voters?
Creating independent redistricting commissions to allow voters to choose their elected officials instead of politicians cherry-picking their voters?
Yes
Lowering the voting age to 16 years for federal, state, and local elections so young people can have a say in the decisions that affect them?
Lowering the voting age to 16 years for federal, state, and local elections so young people can have a say in the decisions that affect them?
No response
Creating a voluntary, small donor matching program (including those modeled off of the system in the Freedom to Vote Act) for presidential and congressional elections that enhances the power of grassroots donors and the voices of everyday Americans?
Creating a voluntary, small donor matching program (including those modeled off of the system in the Freedom to Vote Act) for presidential and congressional elections that enhances the power of grassroots donors and the voices of everyday Americans?
Yes
Strengthening disclosure requirements for campaign-related spending, including for online advertisements, by corporations and outside groups, like those reforms contained in the DISCLOSE Act?
Strengthening disclosure requirements for campaign-related spending, including for online advertisements, by corporations and outside groups, like those reforms contained in the DISCLOSE Act?
Yes
Codifying the Office of Congressional Ethics (OCE) into law so it doesn’t have to be reauthorized every two years?
Codifying the Office of Congressional Ethics (OCE) into law so it doesn’t have to be reauthorized every two years?
Yes
Amending the Constitution to overturn the Citizens United decision and other court cases that have empowered the wealthy and corporate entities to unduly influence American elections?
Amending the Constitution to overturn the Citizens United decision and other court cases that have empowered the wealthy and corporate entities to unduly influence American elections?
Yes
Passing the Supreme Court Ethics, Recusal, and Transparency Act to ensure that the Supreme Court is bound by a binding code of ethics?
Passing the Supreme Court Ethics, Recusal, and Transparency Act to ensure that the Supreme Court is bound by a binding code of ethics?
Yes
Prohibiting discriminatory algorithms including those that would suppress an individual’s right to vote as found in the Algorithmic Justice and Online Platform Transparency Act?
Prohibiting discriminatory algorithms including those that would suppress an individual’s right to vote as found in the Algorithmic Justice and Online Platform Transparency Act?
Yes
Banning the use of deceptive AI and deepfakes by political campaigns as defined in the Protect Elections from Deceptive AI Act and affirming that your campaign will not use deepfake or AI technology to depict the likeness of your opponent(s) in a deceptive manner?
Banning the use of deceptive AI and deepfakes by political campaigns as defined in the Protect Elections from Deceptive AI Act and affirming that your campaign will not use deepfake or AI technology to depict the likeness of your opponent(s) in a deceptive manner?
Yes
Additional Comments
For the past 7 years in the State Assembly, I have developed a reputation as being a legislator unafraid to tackle big and often controversial issues, while also being highly effective. From measures to increase the production of affordable housing, furthering mass transit and bike/pedestrian infrastructure, clean energy deployment, promoting single payer healthcare, to the major reform I led to rid our Capital of rampant sexual harassment and retaliation, I have demonstrated that I work effectively with a wide variety of stakeholders, even when it takes years, to pass meaningful legislation important to our state. I am not a benchwarmer. I’m not beholden to big business. I’m publicly pro-organized labor and pro-the little guy. And I’m never afraid of a fight.
As the Chair of the Legislature’s Committee on Sexual Harassment, Prevention, and Response I saw first-hand the power of people brave enough to publicly challenge the status quote and demand change. After the revelations about serious sexual harassment being committed by legislators, I was able to lead the legislature in making meaningful, robust policies that became a model around the nation. I focus every day on our climate crisis and represented our state at two of the global UN COP climate talks, which has deeply enriched my understanding of the challenges we face and informs my decisions as the Chair of the Transportation Committee, and Chair of the Legislative Environmental Caucus. In addition, I am proud to currently serve as Policy Chair of the Progressive Caucus, a group which I helped found. This active position in the caucus allows me to work every day to help move important pro-labor, pro-equity and pro-democracy policy forward in partnership with local activists and progressive labor unions.
I am deeply concerned about the direction the Republican controlled congress is taking the nation, particularly when it comes to civil rights. My mother founded the first chapter of NOW in Broward County Florida when I was a young girl, and she took me canvassing and to rallies for the ERA and abortion rights my whole childhood. The women of her generation fought for gender equality, and the right to reproductive choice. That life’s work was erased in one vote by a corrupt, activist Supreme Court. The 30th Congressional District has never been represented by a woman, and I am compelled to go to Washington to complete the work that my mother and the women of her generation started, for my ten-year-old daughter, and for all our children.
The easiest path for me would be to stay in the legislature, where I could run for 2 additional terms after ending my current term in 2024. But, I am determined to continue to fight for the people of my district, and to forward the inclusive and equitable policies that we as a nation need to address our greatest challenges. I am widely considered to be one of the most progressive members of the CA legislature, and also one of the most effective. I am running a people-powered, grassroots campaign and will win by continuing to motivate activists and volunteers.
Democracy is on the ballot in 2024.
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Additional Comments