By Joe W. Bowers Jr.

California Black Media

With ballots still being counted, Black candidates across California are turning in a strong showing in the Nov. 5 General Election.

While the results remain unofficial, the leads held by many Black candidates indicate they are likely to secure their positions in Congress, the State Senate, and the Assembly to represent the needs and priorities of Black communities across the state. Housing, healthcare, public safety, reparations, and economic reform resonated as some of the main concerns of campaigns this year

In Congress, Black representatives are on track to retain three seats. Lateefah Simon (D) District 12 (Oakland) will fill the seat held by Barbara Lee. Sydney Kamlager (D) has retained her seat representing District 37 (Los Angeles) and Maxine Waters was re-elected in District 43 (South Los Angeles).

In the California State Senate, Assemblymember Akilah Weber (D), is leading in District 39 (San Diego), while Laura Richardson (D) most likely has won in District 35 (Inglewood), replacing termed-out Senator Steven Bradford (D).

In the races for seats in the California State Assembly, nine Black candidates currently lead in their contests, including incumbents and new candidates positioned to serve: incumbent Lori Wilson (D) – District 11 (Suisun City); Rhodesia Ransom (D) — District 13 (Stockton); incumbent Mia Bonta (D) – District 18 (Oakland); incumbent Isaac Bryan (D) – District 55 (Ladera Heights); Sade Elhawary (D) – District 57 (South Los Angeles); incumbent Corey Jackson (D) – District 60 (Riverside); incumbent Tina McKinnor (D) — District 61 (Inglewood); incumbent Mike Gipson (D) – District 65 (Compton); and

LaShae Sharp-Collins (D) – District 79 (San Diego).

If these results hold, the California Legislative Black Caucus (CLBC) will maintain its 12-member caucus, with a shift from 10 Assembly members and 2 Senators to 9 Assembly members and 3 Senators. Additionally, the caucus will now include nine women and three men, compared to its previous makeup of six women and six men.

Richardson will be joining Weber and Lola Smallwood-Cuevas in the Senate while Sharp-Collins, Elhawary, and Ransom will take the place of outgoing Assemblymembers Reginald Jones-Sawyer, Kevin McCarty, and Chris Holden respectively.

Elsewhere in the state, San Francisco Mayor London Breed is lagging behind in her re-election campaign. In Alameda County, voters will likely recall District Attorney Pamela Price. In Sacramento, Kevin McCarty is at the top of that city’s mayoral contest, which might make him the city’s second Black mayor. And in Stockton, Hollywood entertainer Jason Lee is poised to win the race for Stockton City Council District 6.

These are unofficial Election Night Results, final certification is expected by Dec. 13.