SACRAMENTO, CA – Assemblywoman Esmeralda Soria’s legislation aimed at preventing registered sex offenders from running for any local or state public office in California has been rejected by the Senate Elections Committee today.

“I am deeply disappointed and disheartened after the Senate Elections Committee has failed to advance AB 2753, a bill that would have prohibited any registered sex offender in the State of California from running for local or state public office.” Soria said. “The bottom line is this: I was not willing to make additional amendments to this bill. I made a promise to my community that I would do everything in my power to ensure they would never have to go through something like this again. Accepting additional amendments to this bill would have jeopardized that promise.”

Currently, there exists no law or statute prohibiting registered sex offenders from running for any local or state public office in California.

“This decision from the Senate Elections Committee is a gut punch for our community in Fresno,” said Fresno City Council President Nelson Esparza. “I want to thank Assemblywoman Soria for doing everything she could to deliver a commonsense bill. This was a bill worth standing up and fighting for.” 

Editors Note: Senator Scott Wiener was the “no” vote that prevented the bill from passing committee. In May, the AB 2753 passed the Assembly Floor in a 60-0 vote.

Soria’s No Sex Offenders in Elected Office Bill Passes Assembly Floor

SACRAMENTO, CA – AB 2753, which prohibits registered sex offenders from running for public office, passed the Assembly floortoday. Assemblywoman Esmeralda Soria (D-Merced) authored this important piece of legislation after reports circulated about a registered sex offender running for city council in Fresno earlier this year.

“It’s deeply disturbing that this issue unfolded in my own backyard. The idea that a registered sex offender could run for public office in the City of Fresno is unacceptable,” Soria said. “AB 2753 will ensure that registered sex offenders are prohibited from seeking public office in California, so voters can have the confidence that those seeking to represent them, meet the basic standards of public trust and decency.”

Fresno City Council President and current Councilmember Nelson Esparza testified in support of AB 2753 when it was heard before the Assembly Elections Committee in April.

“Today’s passage of AB 2753 on the Assembly Floor is an important step forward for public safety and protecting the public’s trust in their elected representatives,” Esparza said. “I’m grateful to Assemblywoman Esmeralda Soria for her leadership in advancing this legislation and ensuring registered sex offenders don’t hold positions of trust in our government. This bill reflects our shared commitment to keeping public safety at the center of public service.”

Currently there exists no law or statute prohibiting registered sex offenders from running for any local or state public office in California.

“As a Fresno City Councilmember and new mom, nothing is more important to me than the safety and well-being of our community,” said Fresno City Councilwoman Annalissa Perea. “This legislation is a commonsense step to ensure that individuals who have committed serious offenses, especially against children, are not placed in positions of public trust and power. Our residents deserve to feel safe, and that includes having confidence in the people who seek to represent them.” 

AB 2753 will now head to the State Senate, where it will be referred to its first policy committee.