Caroline MenjivarIncumbent
Candidate for State Senate District 20
Caroline Menjivar is the incumbent Democratic member of the California State Senate. She represents District 20. That district covers Burbank and the San Fernando Valley. She was first elected in November 2022. She took office in December 2022. Her current term ends in December 2026. She is running for re-election in 2026. Menjivar was born in Los Angeles, in Woodland Hills. Her parents were Salvadoran immigrants. She was raised in the San Fernando Valley communities she now represents. She currently lives in Panorama City. She attended Reseda High School. She earned a B.A. in Sociology. That degree is from California State University, Northridge. She also earned a Master of Social Welfare, from UCLA. She served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 2009 to 2016. She was a radio operator. She was also a Communications Platoon Sergeant. Before entering politics, she held several jobs. She worked as an emergency medical technician. She worked as a domestic violence therapist. She was a fellow on the Los Angeles Mayor's Gender Equity Team. She was a field deputy for a Los Angeles city councilmember. She also worked as a field deputy for the mayor's office. Most recently, she was a nonprofit program director. She worked at Meet Each Need with Dignity, known as MEND, in Pacoima. In the Senate she has served on budget subcommittees. Those subcommittees cover health and human services. Her official Senate website highlights recent legislative work. This includes SB 1007. That bill is described as addressing 'fair and affordable HOAs.' It also includes a bill expanding health plan coverage. That coverage is for infertility and fertility services. That bill took effect in 2026. Home: Panorama City, California. Occupation: California State Senator, and the incumbent. She was previously a nonprofit program director, an EMT, and a social worker. Prior office: She has been the incumbent since December 2022. She was first elected in November 2022.
On the issues
- Economy & Jobs
Supports policies aimed at ensuring jobs pay wages sufficient to support a family.
Source → - Housing & Homelessness
Supports 'pathways to housing' and homelessness services generally, but in 2025 voted against SB 79, a bill to permit denser apartment construction near major transit hubs statewide, citing concern that new housing near transit lines in her district would not be utilized by working-class residents.
Source → - Health & Health Care
Supports expanding health coverage, including authoring/backing legislation that expanded health plan coverage for infertility and fertility services in California.
Source → - Education & Schools
Supports quality public education as a general priority.
Source → - Family & Social Services
Supports affordable childcare and mental health/supportive services for vulnerable populations, including veterans and people experiencing homelessness.
Source → - Environment, Energy & Climate
Supports environmental protections generally, including clean air, clean water, and efficient public transit.
Source →
Profiles are compiled from the candidate’s own statements and public records. We never tell you how to vote.