Buffy WicksIncumbent
Candidate for Assembly District 14
Buffy Wicks is the Democratic incumbent in the California State Assembly. She was first elected in 2018, to represent the 15th Assembly District. After lines were redrawn in 2021, she has represented the 14th Assembly District instead. That district covers Berkeley, Oakland, Piedmont, Richmond, San Pablo, and El Cerrito. She has held it since 2022. She chairs the Assembly Appropriations Committee, a post she took in January 2024. She previously chaired the Assembly Committee on Housing and Community Development. Before she joined the Legislature, Wicks worked as a campaign organizer for Democrats. She was an early staffer on Barack Obama's 2008 campaign. She served as Deputy Director of the White House Office of Public Engagement. She managed the early months of Rahm Emanuel's 2011 campaign for Chicago mayor. She served as executive director of the super PAC Priorities USA Action in 2014 and 2015. In 2016, she was California's State Director for Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign. She holds a B.A., in Political Science and History, from the University of Washington. She earned it in 1999. She grew up in Foresthill, California. Wicks is now running to keep the Assembly seat she has held since 2022. Born August 10, 1977. Home: Oakland, California. Her district also includes Berkeley, Piedmont, Richmond, San Pablo, and El Cerrito. Occupation: she is a California State Assemblymember, and she is the incumbent. Prior office: she is the incumbent. She was first elected in 2018, to Assembly District 15. She has held Assembly District 14 since 2022.
On the issues
- Economy & Jobs
Supports strengthening workers' rights and fair wages as part of a broader progressive economic agenda.
Source → - Taxes & Cost of Living
Has suggested reviewing corporate tax loopholes related to Proposition 13 as a way to fund increased education spending.
Source → - Housing & Homelessness
A leading pro-housing-construction legislator; has authored major state housing-streamlining legislation (including AB 2011, which allows housing on commercially zoned land) and CEQA-exemption legislation for urban infill housing, chairs the Assembly Housing Committee, and lists affordable housing and homelessness as top campaign priorities.
Source → - Criminal Justice & Courts
Favors prioritizing drug treatment over punitive prison sentences.
Source → - Health & Health Care
Supports single-payer/"Medicare for All"-style health coverage and backs a Medi-Cal public option.
Source → - Reproductive & Social Issues
Strongly supports abortion rights and reproductive choice, and authored legislation (AB 2223) intended to protect people from criminal prosecution related to miscarriage, stillbirth, or abortion.
Source → - Education & Schools
Advocates for increased K-12 funding, addressing teacher shortages, and more accessible community colleges and universities.
Source → - Family & Social Services
Has publicly advocated for parental accommodations and paid family leave in the legislative workplace, and lists support for working families and child online-safety protections among campaign priorities.
Source →
Profiles are compiled from the candidate’s own statements and public records. We never tell you how to vote.