Jackie
Elward
Jackie Elward, Rohnert Park councilmember and educator, runs as Democrat for California Assembly District 12
- sources
- 14
- positions
- 11
- endorsements
- 22
Background
Jackie Elward is a Democrat running for the California State Assembly in District 12, currently serving as a Rohnert Park City Councilmember representing District 4, with her council term set to expire in December 2028. 111 Born and raised in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, she lives in Sonoma County and works as an instructional assistant at Lincoln Elementary School in Santa Rosa. 1
Elward was first elected to the Rohnert Park City Council in 2020 and served as vice mayor in 2020–2021 and mayor in 2021–2022. 212 Before entering elected office, she worked as an educator at Santa Rosa French Immersion School and served as a site representative for California School Employees Association Local 75, organizing fellow educators. 1
She holds a bachelor's degree in sociology from Chico State University and a Bachelor of Science in criminal justice from Central State University. 1 Elward is running to succeed Assemblymember Damon Connolly in the November 3, 2026 general election; she is not the incumbent Assemblymember. 810
At a glance
- Party
- Democratic
- Running for
- State Assembly · District 12, California
- Election
- Nov 3, 2026
- Current office
- Rohnert Park City Councilmember, District 4
- Website
- jackie4assembly.com(opens in a new tab)
Where they stand
Each position links to the page it was drawn from. Quotes are verbatim.
Timeline
- Oct 1newsElward raises concerns about AI job displacement, calls for regulation
Politico reported that Elward expressed concern about possible AI-related job displacement, saying 'We need to protect the jobs,' and called for regulation of the technology sector.
The trouble with tech PACs · Oct 1, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 30endorsementUNITE HERE Local 2 endorses Jackie Elward for Assembly District 12
UNITE HERE Local 2 listed Elward as its endorsed candidate for Assembly District 12 in its November 2026 election endorsements.
November 2026 Election Endorsements – UNITE HERE 2 · Sep 30, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 26debateElward and Lucan appear together at candidate forum at San Rafael High School
Elward and Lucan participated in a joint candidate forum at San Rafael High School, organized by the Pt. San Pedro Road Coalition and Federation of San Rafael Neighborhoods. A full video recording was posted by the organizers.
Candidate Forum Highlights & Full Video Recording – Pt. San Pedro ... · Sep 26, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 20newsMarin IJ profiles Elward-Lucan AD-12 race as final stretch begins
The Marin Independent Journal reported on the two Democrats—Rohnert Park councilmember Jackie Elward and Marin County Supervisor Eric Lucan—competing for the open AD-12 seat, with the general election set for November 3.
Elward, Lucan face off for Assembly District 12 | Election 2026 · Sep 20, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 20endorsementIncumbent Damon Connolly endorses Jackie Elward in AD-12 race
The Marin Independent Journal reported that outgoing Assemblymember Damon Connolly, who is running for state Senate, endorsed Elward in the Assembly District 12 general election.
Elward, Lucan face off for Assembly District 12 | Election 2026 · Sep 20, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 19endorsement350 Bay Area Action endorses Jackie Elward for Assembly District 12
350 Bay Area Action endorsed Elward, citing her local climate record and outlining priorities including directing climate-bond investments to the North Bay, making major polluters responsible for disaster cleanup costs, supporting local power generation and storage, and investing in EV infrastructure.
California Assembly District 12:Jackie Elward | 350 Bay Area Action · Sep 19, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Jun 1filingJune 2026 primary: Lucan finishes first (~28.3%), Elward second (~22.6%); both advance to November
In the June top-two primary for California Assembly District 12, Eric Lucan finished first with about 28.3% and Jackie Elward finished second with about 22.6%. Both Democrats advanced to the November 3 general election for the open seat being vacated by Damon Connolly.
Elward, Lucan face off for Assembly District 12 | Election 2026 · Sep 20, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
Endorsements
- California Environmental Voters organizationListed on Elward's campaign endorsement page; no date given. jackie4assembly.com
- Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond officialListed on Elward's campaign endorsement page; no date given. jackie4assembly.com
- Bay Area Reporter newspaperListed on Elward's campaign endorsement page; no date or linked editorial provided. jackie4assembly.com
- Sonoma County Supervisor Lynda Hopkins officialListed on Elward's campaign endorsement page; no date given. jackie4assembly.com
- Sierra Club organizationListed on Elward's campaign endorsement page; no date given. jackie4assembly.com
- Assemblymember Cecilia Aguiar-Curry officialListed on Elward's campaign endorsement page; no date given. jackie4assembly.com
- Sonoma County District Attorney Carla Rodriguez officialListed on Elward's campaign endorsement page; no date given. jackie4assembly.com
- State Senator Lola Smallwood-Cuevas officialListed on Elward's campaign endorsement page; no date given. jackie4assembly.com
- Treasurer Fiona Ma officialListed on Elward's campaign endorsement page; no date given. jackie4assembly.com
- Initiate Justice Action organizationVoted to endorse Elward; no date stated on the organization's page. ijaction.org
- California Legislative Progressive Caucus organizationListed on Elward's campaign endorsement page; no date given. jackie4assembly.com
- Attorney General Rob Bonta officialListed on Elward's campaign endorsement page; no date given. jackie4assembly.com
- Controller Malia Cohen officialListed on Elward's campaign endorsement page; no date given. jackie4assembly.com
- Working Families Party organizationListed on Elward's campaign endorsement page; no date given. jackie4assembly.com
- California Legislative Black Caucus organizationListed on Elward's campaign endorsement page; no date given. jackie4assembly.com
- Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria organizationIdentified as an Elward supporter by KQED's 2026 voter guide, updated October 7, 2026. kqed.org · Oct 7, 2026
- Consumer Attorneys of California organizationListed Elward in its 2026 Assembly endorsements; page updated October 7, 2026. caoc.org · Oct 7, 2026
- Clean Water Action organizationListed Elward in its 2026 California Assembly endorsements; page updated October 3, 2026. cleanwater.org · Oct 3, 2026
- California Young Democrats organizationIdentified as an endorser by U.S. Rep. Mike Thompson in Marin Independent Journal report; also listed on campaign page. marinij.com · Aug 13, 2026
- U.S. Rep. Mike Thompson officialReported by Marin Independent Journal; Thompson noted he had joined 21 labor unions and the California Young Democrats in endorsing Elward. marinij.com · Aug 13, 2026
- 21 Labor Unions (including California Federation of Labor Unions, California Teachers Association, California Federation of Teachers, SEIU California, California Nurses Association, North Bay Labor Council, Teamsters Joint Council 7, Operating Engineers Local 3) unionThompson referenced 21 labor unions endorsing Elward; specific unions also listed on campaign endorsement page without individual dates. marinij.com · Aug 13, 2026
- Assemblymember Damon Connolly officialEndorsed Elward to succeed him in Assembly District 12; reported by Marin Independent Journal. marinij.com · Aug 13, 2026
Sources 14
- [1] Endorsements - Jackie Elward for State Assembly(opens in a new tab) Oct 9, 2026
- [2] Meet Jackie Elward, Candidate For CA State Assembly(opens in a new tab) Oct 8, 2026
- [3] 2026 Political Endorsements - Consumer Attorneys of California(opens in a new tab) Oct 7, 2026
- [4] Priorities(opens in a new tab) Oct 4, 2026
- [5] Be a Clean Water Voter: 2026 California Endorsements(opens in a new tab) Oct 3, 2026
- [6] The trouble with tech PACs(opens in a new tab) Oct 1, 2026
- [7] November 2026 Election Endorsements – UNITE HERE 2(opens in a new tab) Sep 30, 2026
- [8] 2026 California Voter Guide for State Assembly District 12(opens in a new tab) Sep 28, 2026
- [9] Candidate Forum Highlights & Full Video Recording – Pt. San Pedro ...(opens in a new tab) Sep 26, 2026
- [10] Elward, Lucan face off for Assembly District 12 | Election 2026(opens in a new tab) Sep 20, 2026
- [11] California Assembly District 12:Jackie Elward | 350 Bay Area Action(opens in a new tab) Sep 19, 2026
- [12] Connolly endorses Elward in race for North Bay Assembly seat(opens in a new tab) Aug 13, 2026
- [13] Assembly District 12(opens in a new tab) May 26, 2026
- [14] Rohnert Park permanently prevents construction of all new gas stations - Stand.earth(opens in a new tab) Mar 23, 2022