California legislature, Close the Gap California, Gender parity

History Made! Californians have elected a 50 percent women legislature!

Close the Gap California: For the first time, a majority of California legislators are women!!

PARITY IN CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE!!!

California will be the first Top Five global economy to reach this landmark. We truly couldn’t have done it without you–our community of supporters. THANK YOU!

What People Are Saying About This Historic Moment – quote compilation >>

Meet the CTG Recruits who Closed the Gap in ’26

Victories by progressive women newcomers fueled this incredible achievement, including NINE trailblazing Close the Gap Class of 2026 Members, six of whom flipped their districts!

  • Dr. Amy Slavensky (AD 07) – Dem Flip!
  • Annalisa Perea (AD 31) – the first LGBTQ+ legislator in the Central Valley!
  • Dr. Ida Obeso-Martinez (AD 36) – Dem Flip + the first Latina elected to represent the district!
  • Deborah Klein Lopez (AD 42) – superstar succeeding an outgoing woman!
  • Leila Namvar (AD 47) – Dem Flip + the first Muslim and first Iranian American to represent the district!
  • Clarissa Cervantes (AD 58) – Dem Flip!
  • Jessie Lopez (AD 68) – the first woman and first Latina elected to represent the district!
  • Dr. Paula Swift (AD 70) – Dem Flip + the first Black legislator to represent Orange County!
  • Mara Elliott (SD 40) – Dem Flip + the first Latina and Democrat to represent many communities in the district!

The nine newly-elected CTG Recruits will join 24 incumbent CTG Legislators for a total of 33 (!!). Nearly two-thirds of all Democratic women and more than a quarter of ALL Legislators who will serve next session were recruited by Close the Gap!

We’ll have more to unpack as results are finalized–join us November 19 for a virtual post-election recap for a deeper dive!

Our founding goal is achieved, but we’re not closing up shop–we’re expanding our proven targeted recruiting strategy nationally and down ballot.

Support targeted recruitment today to keep the wins coming in California & beyond in 2028

We got here together!!!

Susannah Delano is executive director of Close the Gap California, an organization focused on recruiting and preparing progressive women to run for the Legislature.

Join us for the full breakdown!
Close the Gap Post-Election Briefing

Post-Election Briefing via Zoom
Thursday, November 19
12pm PT / 3pm ET
Register today for Zoom link

We’ll unpack how progressive women brought us to parity in California and how breaking supermajorities and increasing women’s representation is going in Ohio and Florida, where our new national pilot program is set to recruit women for 2028.