Jackie Elward
Candidate for Assembly District 12
Jackie Elward is a member of the Rohnert Park City Council. She was first elected in 2020. She was the first Black woman to serve on that council. She has also served as Mayor of Rohnert Park. She was born in Kikwit, Democratic Republic of Congo. She immigrated to the United States as a child. She settled in the North Bay. Elward holds an associate degree from Santa Rosa Junior College. She holds a bachelor's degree in sociology from California State University, Chico, and a bachelor's degree in criminal justice from Central State University. She works as an educator and instructional assistant in local schools. She has served as a site representative for CSEA Local 75. There, she was involved in a unionization effort at her school. Elward also serves on the boards of Sonoma Clean Power. She serves on the local Continuum of Care homeless-services body. She is running for California State Assembly District 12 in the 2026 general election. Home: Rohnert Park, California. Occupation: educator and instructional assistant. She is also a Rohnert Park City Council member. Prior office: Rohnert Park City Council member, elected 2020. She was the first Black woman elected to the council. She is a former Mayor of Rohnert Park. She has no prior state legislative office.
On the issues
- Economy & Jobs
Supports a living wage, stronger workplace safety protections, and is described as pro-labor, having organized workers at her own school.
Source → - Housing & Homelessness
Supports housing-first policies, converting underutilized structures and hotels into housing (Project Homekey), ADU expansion, affordable workforce housing, and a proposed statewide affordable housing bond.
Source → - Public Safety & Policing
Supports common-sense gun safety laws, community policing, and non-police mental-health crisis response teams rather than a purely enforcement-based approach.
Source → - Health & Health Care
Supports moving toward a universal single-payer health care system and backs funding for reproductive health clinics such as Planned Parenthood; also emphasizes investment in mental health and addiction/trauma services.
Source → - Reproductive & Social Issues
Describes herself as pro-choice and a supporter of reproductive rights, and states she will work to protect LGBTQ+ community members and immigrants.
Source → - Education & Schools
As a self-described lifelong educator, supports robust state investment in public K-12 schools, closing racial and economic achievement gaps, and expanding free community college access; also focused on funding issues at Sonoma State University.
Source → - Environment, Energy & Climate
Supports expanding renewable energy and rooftop solar, EV charging infrastructure, net-zero emissions goals, and stronger wildfire prevention/home-hardening measures, citing her record on renewable power and gas station restrictions in Rohnert Park.
Source →
Profiles are compiled from the candidate’s own statements and public records. We never tell you how to vote.