Jackie Elward

Jackie Elward was born in Kikwit, Democratic Republic of Congo. She earned bachelor's degrees from Chico State University in 2022 and Central State University in 2023. Her career experience includes working as an educator.[1]

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I am a City Councilmember, educator, labor organizer, and first-generation immigrant from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. I first lived in Marin County before settling in Rohnert Park to raise my family with my husband, John.

In 2020, I became the first Black woman elected to the City Council, defeating a six-term incumbent, and later served as Mayor.

As a site representative for CSEA Local 75, I stood up for coworkers and helped unionize our school. I am a proud union member running for State Assembly to fight for working people, affordable housing, and the public services our communities rely on.

On the City Council, I prioritized reforms that improve people's lives. I built supportive housing, launched a non police mental health crisis team, and transitioned the city to 100% renewable power. I serve on the board of Sonoma Clean Power, led regional efforts on clean energy and homelessness, and repaired relationships with Sonoma State University and the Graton Rancheria.

In 2024, I ran for State Senate despite $1.4 million in attacks from oil and real estate interests. We built a coalition across six counties and proved a people-powered campaign can stand up to big special interests. Now I am running for Assembly to bring community-rooted leadership to Sacramento.

Growing up in a war-torn country where democracy was compromised shaped how I lead. With the Trump Administration attacking our neighbors, California must be a beacon of hope, and the North Bay can lead.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

As a labor organizer and mother, I will stand up for working families. To stand up for working families, I will advocate for higher living wages and better benefits, affordable homes that working-class individuals and young people can actually afford, and support efforts across the state to empower working people. I will support housing-first policies that help the unhoused access supportive, permanent housing. Governor Newsom’s Project Homekey is a great start, converting hotels and other accommodations into housing for the homeless, and I will champion an expansion of the services it provides. I will also support deeper investment in care systems that connect people with trauma, addiction, and mental health specialists.As an environmentalist, I will take the threat of climate change seriously. I will work to invest in preparation and defense against wildfires and rising sea levels, and I will support bold goals to move the state to net-zero emissions and a carbon-free future as quickly as possible. We must focus on frontline communities, particularly low-income neighborhoods and communities of color, and invest in ways to keep them housed and protected from impacts of climate change. Agriculture is core to our economy and identity. I was a leader in the campaign to pass Measure B in Rohnert Park, which established an urban growth boundary to prevent sprawl and protect open space and farmland. We must push back on efforts to pave over agricultural land.As an educator, I know the importance of investing in our children’s future. I will work to ensure that every public school in our state is properly funded, and I will support policies to close the racial and economic gaps in school quality. With the Trump Administration’s attacks on the Department of Education and college affordability, our state lawmakers must double down to ensure that all students have access to mental health resources, strong academics, and safe learning environments. Education does not stop at high school. As more students enroll at UC and CSU campuses, we must keep those institutions affordable and accessible. These schools were created to serve California families, and I will fight to keep that promise alive.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Housing affordability, climate action, education, healthcare, labor rights, and protecting our most vulnerable communities, including immigrants. These aren’t just policy areas to me, they’re personal. As an educator, union member, and mom of three, I know what it’s like to navigate systems that aren’t working for working families. That’s why I helped lead efforts to build supportive housing, transition our city to 100% renewable power, and launch a mental health crisis response team in Rohnert Park. I want to bring that same urgency and focus to Sacramento.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

My mother and grandmother, because they were two strong single mothers who not only raised their own children but also cared deeply for others. My grandmother worked as a midwife, supporting women and orphans in the community, and she made it her mission to help relatives get an education. Their strength, generosity, and determination to lift others up have been lifelong examples to me.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

Accessibility, humility, and integrity. A good elected official should lead by listening and remain grounded in the needs of their constituents. I believe deeply in transparency, showing up, and following through.

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

I listen. I build coalitions. I don’t back down from a fight. I bring lived experience as an immigrant and educator, along with a strong record of local governance and regional collaboration. I’m not here to climb a ladder. I’m here to serve.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

To represent the people of the district, craft legislation that responds to real challenges, and deliver results. It’s also about being available, accountable, and collaborative. Our job is to lead with urgency and empathy, not bureaucracy.

What legacy would you like to leave?

A stronger, more equitable North Bay. I want to leave behind more affordable homes, better schools, cleaner air, and a more inclusive political culture. And I want to have helped open the door for future leaders who’ve been told they don’t belong.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

I was 11 years old when Nelson Mandela was released from prison in 1990. Even though I was growing up in Kinshasa, I remember the celebrations, the hope, and the sense of justice that came with his freedom. It was a powerful moment that resonated far beyond South Africa. Watching Mandela walk free and later become president shaped how I understand leadership, resilience, and the global fight for human dignity. That moment has always stayed with me.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

My first job in the United States was helping with the daycare program at my church in San Rafael. It was a small but meaningful start, caring for children in a community that had welcomed me as a new immigrant. That experience deepened my passion for education and public service. It led directly to my current role as an instructional assistant and school aide, and eventually to organizing for workers’ rights in our schools. I’ve been in the classroom ever since.

What is your favorite book? Why?

“Mon bel oranger” is a book I read as a child, translated into French from the original Portuguese. It tells the story of a young boy navigating hardship, loneliness, and discovery, and it taught me early on about resilience, self-worth, and the power of compassion. That book stayed with me because it showed how even in pain, there is growth, and even in isolation, we can find strength.

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

Adjusting to life in the U.S. as an immigrant and woman of color. Early on, I was told to stay home and raise my kids instead of speaking out. I kept going because I knew representation mattered.

What do you believe is the ideal relationship between the governor and state legislature?

Respectful but independent. The legislature must represent the people, not just carry out the governor’s agenda. Productive collaboration depends on mutual accountability. When the Governor is pursuing policies that uplift North Bay families, I will amplify and celebrate their work and look for ways the legislature can help do more. If they don’t, I won’t be afraid to call it out.

What do you perceive to be your state's greatest challenges over the next decade?

Cost of living. Climate change. Displacement. Inequality. We need urgent, scalable solutions on housing, healthcare, and environmental justice. We also need to protect democracy and restore public trust.

Do you believe that it’s beneficial for state legislators to have previous experience in government or politics?

Experience is important, but it’s not everything. What matters more is whether someone understands and responds to the real needs of their community. I bring both public experience and lived experience.

Do you believe it’s beneficial to build relationships with other legislators? Please explain your answer.

Yes. Relationships help get things done. I’ve worked in coalition at the local and regional level, and I plan to do the same in Sacramento. Progress takes teamwork.

Is there a particular legislator, past or present, whom you want to model yourself after?

Congresswoman Lynn Woolsey. She broke barriers in Congress as one of the first working class mothers ever elected, and she never let go of her progressive values, even when it was unpopular. She fought for peace, labor rights, and working families, and she always stood her ground with grace and courage. I admire how she led with her convictions, stayed close to her district, and proved that compassion and strength go hand in hand. Her example reminds me that it's possible to lead with both heart and backbone.

Are you interested in running for a different political office (for example, the U.S. Congress or governor) in the future?

No. I’m focused on this race and this job. My commitment is to the people of Assembly District 12.

Should the legislature oversee or grant the use of emergency powers?

Yes, with strong checks and transparency. Emergency powers should never be a blank check. The legislature must maintain oversight and uphold democratic principles.

What is the first bill you would introduce if elected?

The North Bay Wildfire Resilience and Equity Act. It would create a state-funded program focused on helping working families prepare for wildfires through grants, retrofits, and infrastructure investments tied to strong labor standards.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

Congressmember Mike Thompson

Former Congressmember Lynn Woolsey

State Assemblymember Tina McKinnor

State Senator Lola Smallwood-Cuevas

Former State Senator Steven Bradford

Former State Senator Josh Newman

California State Treasurer Fiona Ma

Sonoma County District Attorney Carla Rodriguez

Sonoma County Superintendent of Schools Amie Carter

Cotati Mayor Ben Ford

Cotati Vice Mayor Sylvia Lemus

Petaluma Councilmember Brian Barnacle

Petaluma Councilmember Frank Quint

Former Petaluma Mayor Teresa Barrett

Rohnert Park Mayor Gerald Giudice

Rohnert Park Vice Mayor Emily Sanborn

Tamalpais Union School District Board Trustee Ida Times-Green

Sonoma State University Young Democrats

Sheet Metal Workers Local 104

Teamsters Local 665

What committees interest you?

Housing, Education, Labor and Employment, Natural Resources, Utilities and Energy, and Health. I’m also interested in committees addressing racial equity and public safety reform.

What are your views on financial transparency and government accountability?

We need to make state and local budgets more accessible and comprehensible. I support participatory budgeting, equity-focused reporting requirements, and stronger enforcement of transparency laws. I also believe in demystifying government finance for residents through proactive public engagement.

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I am a City Councilwoman, educator, labor organizer, first-generation immigrant from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and a mother.

As a site representative for the CSEA, I have risked my own employment to lead the unionization effort at my school. I am running for State Senate to be a champion for labor rights, unions, and all working people who want to be able to afford to live here and raise a family.

As a Councilwoman and former Mayor of Rohnert Park, I have found ways to bring my community together around affordable housing, solutions to help the unhoused, and investments in transportation, sustainable agriculture, and our clean energy future. I have served as a Director of Sonoma Clean Power and Continuum of Care, which is responsible for homeless services in the county. I have made it my mission to be a conduit for change, both as an elected official and as an active member of my community.

As a first-generation immigrant, I have an appreciation for this community that welcomed me, and I strive to govern with the same compassion that I was afforded when I made Rohnert Park my new home. My experience growing up in a war-torn and unstable environment has given me the perspective to know that California’s challenges are fixable. When elected, I will make history as the first California state legislator born in Africa.

I believe in the promise of our state, its beauty, and its people. It is time we bring new ideas and people-first politics to Sacramento.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

As a labor organizer, and mother, I will stand up for working families. To stand up for working families, I will advocate for a higher living wage and better benefits, affordable homes that working-class individuals and young people can actually afford, and will be an ally of unions and unionization efforts across the state.

I will support housing first policies that help the unhoused access supportive permanent housing. Governor Newsom’s Project Homekey is a great start, converting hotels and other accommodations into housing for the homeless, and I will champion an expansion of the services it provides. I will also support investment in services connecting populations who need it with trauma, addiction, and mental health specialists,As an environmentalist, I will take the threat of climate change seriously. I will work to invest in preparation and defense against wildfires and rising sea levels, support goals to move the state to net zero emissions and a carbon-free future as quickly as possible. We must first look at front-line communities, particularly low-income and communities of color, and invest in tangible ways to keep these communities housed and protected from the detrimental effects of climate change.

Agriculture is core to our economy. I was a leader in the campaign to pass Measure B in Rohnert Park, establishing an urban limit to prevent sprawl and protect open space and agriculture. We must continue to prevent sprawl from removing agricultural land.As an educator, I know the importance of investing in our children’s future, and I will make sure that every school in our state is properly funded. I want to work to end the racial and socioeconomic gaps in school quality and provide more opportunities for students of color across the state. Education does not stop at high school. As more people enroll at University of California schools, we must also find ways to keep them affordable and accessible. These institutions were created so that every student had access to a good and affordable college education, and we must make sure that that promise does not get lost as tuition increases and admission rates for California students decrease.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

For me, politics is serious. It is not about rewarding the rich and powerful. It is about helping people and proactively stewarding our planet. I’m running now to continue doing the work I’ve been doing - keeping families housed and fighting for those who have been left behind on an even greater scale.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

Locally, I look up to State Senator Mike McGuire. He has been a passionate force for members of our community in Sonoma County and the North Bay. Not only does he show up for the community, but he consistently has A ratings with environmental, progressive, and labor groups.

When in office I aspire to have the same type of passion and drive for our community in District 3 and will fight to reverse the D and F ratings our District has held for the past decade.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

CA Labor Federation

AFSCME CA

SEIU CA

CA Women's List

CA Environmental Voters

Consumer Attorneys of CA

Working Families Party

Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria

Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis

U.S. Congressman Jared Huffman

Former U.S. Congresswoman Lynn Woolsey

State Senator Lola Smallwood-Cuevas

State Senator Maria Elena Durazo

State Senator Josh Newman

State Senator Steven Bradford

State Assemblymember Damon Connolly

State Assemblymember Liz Ortega

State Assemblymember Tina McKinnor

State Assemblymember Corey Jackson

State Assemblymember Ash Kalra

Sonoma County Supervisor Chris Coursey

Yolo County Supervisor Jim Provenza

Suisun City Mayor Pro Tem Princess Washington

Sonoma Mayor Sandra Lowe

What committees interest you?

Education, Environmental Quality & Labor, Public Employment and Retirement