Elections

October 7, 2026

2026 Recreation Voter Guide

Want More and Better Champions for Cycling and Trails in Office?

The California Mountain Biking Coalition is here to help. Check out our 2026 Recreation Voter Guide below in local, regional, state, and federal legislative offices. CAMTB is here to support the cycling and trails community of California (aka YOU!). These candidates were chosen for their expressed and demonstrated commitment to supporting more and better trails in California.

To learn more about our criteria for endorsement, read our Advocacy Pillars. You can also view responses to a questionnairre sent to all legislative candidates.

Updated 10/07/26 14:22

Central California

Central Coast

California State Assembly, District 37: Gregg Hart : Assemblymember Hart captured our attention with the Assembly Bill 1212, the Scenic Bikeways and Trails Act. We were excited to see this kind of creative solution to improving bikeways and trails for all Californians, and we look forward to adviancing other recreation-releated legislation in the years to come.

California State Assembly, District 38: Steve Bennett : Assemblymember Bennett has a record as an environmental leader and a trail supporter. In this past session, he was the key player in getting increased funding and improved planning for natural surface trails. We look forward to his reelection and to working with him on natural and recreational resource-related legislation.

California State Assembly, District 30: Dawn Addis (CAMTB Questionnaire) : As an active surfer, hiker, and cyclist, Assemblymember Dawn Addis values public lands because they shape her everyday life. On the Climate Resiliency Bond Working Group, she helped secure funding for non-motorized trails and park maintenance. Today, her seat on the Assembly Budget Committee ensures state land managers stay resourced. Her work has already funded the preservation of Wild Cherry Canyon and Toro Creek Preserve, expanding multi-use trail networks near Morro Bay.

US Congress, California, District 24: Salud O. Carbajal : Congressman Carbajal champions public lands and ensures outdoor recreation has a place in them. Carbajal's office has a track record of working with mountain bikers and trail organizations to prevent trail closures and loss of access from new public land designations. His work on the Los Padres National Forest and the Fox Mountain Special Management Area to expand bike-legal paths are shining examples. Furthermore, his leadership on the 400-mile Condor National Scenic Trail secures a multi-use approach that keeps trails open to a full spectrum of trail users, including cyclists.

Portions of the Central Valley and Central and Southern Sierra

California State Senate, District 4: Jaron Brandon (CAMTB Questionnaire) : Brandon promises to be a supporter of our work, and he understands the interconnected needs of rural, foothill, and mountain communities. He has practial experience working on these issues at a county level, including fuels, fire, tourism, and economic management.

Salinas and Pajaro Valley

California State Assembly, District 29: Robert Rivas : Protecting natural resources and expanding trail access directly supports our rural economy and health. Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas leads efforts to fund local parks, outdoor access, and recreation networks, ensuring California’s open spaces remain vital drivers of community well-being.

Northern California

Del Norte, Humboldt, Trinity, and much of Sonoma Counties

California State Assembly, District 2: Chris Rogers : Assemblymember Rogers has been the author of many important bills for trails, including successful legislation to streamline the trail development process. Most recently Rogers led a State Demonstration Forests bill that prioritized recreation resources alongside natural and cultural resources. This was a progressive first in the state, and we applaud Rogers for his leadership.

Del Norte, Humboldt, Trinity, Mendocio, Lake, Marin, and much of Sonoma Counties

California State Senate, District 2: Damon Connolly (CAMTB Questionnaire) : Assemblymember Connolly has been a long time supporter of sustainable recreation including mountain biking and trails. As an avid mountainbiker himself, he was a key author of the resolution to establish June as California Mountain Bike Month. Connoly has his sights set on the State Senate, and we look forward to working with him in the district and in Sacramento to advance more and better trails across California.

El Dorado County

El Dorado Irrigation District, Division 2: Lauren Hernandez : Water shapes El Dorado County’s future—from wildfire resilience and healthy forests to public safety, recreation, and economic growth. For outdoor enthusiasts and trail stewards, protecting natural resources directly drives the outdoor economy and rural community health. Lauren brings a practical, forward-looking perspective and a genuine commitment to ensuring safe, dependable, and affordable water service for our region.

North Bay, Sacramento valley

US Congress, California, District 4: Mike Thompson : Congressman Mike Thompson is a dedicated advocate for active transportation and land conservation. As Co-Chair of the Congressional Bike Caucus, his policy leadership is driven by personal passion—from riding regularly to collecting classic Schwinns. Grounded in his district’s landscapes from Napa Valley to the Tahoe National Forest, he recently introduced the landmark America Bikes Act (H.R. 9041).

North Eastern central and coastal

US Congress, California, District 1: Mike McGuire : Protecting natural resources directly drives our outdoor economy and rural community health. Senator Mike McGuire has generated substantial funding for iconic regional projects like the Great Redwood Trail while co-authoring AB 2494 to elevate recreation alongside natural and cultural resources in state demonstration forests. He brings a forward-looking commitment to the environment, trails, and local economic resilience across Northern California.

Placer County

Auburn City Council: Kelley Davis : Davis is a long-time mountain biker, e-cargo bike commuter, and all-round trail advocate. She is very active in her local community and cares deeply about Auburn rising to meet its full potential as a thriving trail town. Her interest in local government stemmed from a desire to make Auburn more walkable and bikable and to improve access to trails for residents and visitors. She has worked hard to build relationships with multiple land management agencies and non-profits who oversee local trails and open space to advocate for funding and projects that will benefit the trail community. Kelley is passionate about recreation and encourages people of all ages to get outside.

Roseville City School District Trustee Area 2: Derek Pell : Derek Pell an active cyclist and mountain biker, and serves on the City of Roseville Transportation Commission. He promises to bring a cyclist and parent perspective to the school district.

Portions of Placer and El Dorado counties

California State Assembly, District 5: Neva Parker (CAMTB Questionnaire) : Neva gets out on trails whenever she can and her husband is a mountain biker. She appreciates people connected to the trails community.

Sacramento, Auburn, Northern Sierra

US Congress, California, District 3: Dr. Ami Bera : Congress member Ami Bera has used extensive federal legislative experience to secure funding for cycling and trails infrastructure. Working closely with congressional colleagues, he co-sponsored the Great American Outdoors Act and champions science-based forest management, integrating community conservation efforts with broad federal climate resilience initiatives.

San Francisco Bay Area

East Bay

East Bay Municipal Water District, Ward 3: Marguerite Young : Young has been a supporter of expanded mountain bike access in EBMUD East Bay properties and recently at their Camanche Reservoir recreation property. She maintains a positive working relationship with advocates.

East Bay Regional Park District, Ward 3: Rebecca Lewington : Lewington is a long time mountain biker, hiker, dog walker and supports a balance of recreation and conservation. She has been a BTCEB board member and leads their monthly Women's rides. She is opposed by a long time mountain bike opponent.

East Bay Regional Park District, Ward 5: Bruce Henry : Henry is a supporter of mountain biking, including the Wildcat Bike Trail Project, and increased funding for trails. He has been the EBRPD Park Advisory Committee (PAC) chair, and in that role has advocated for mountain bikes when the opportunity arises. He supports consideration of non-system trail adoption with proper environmental review. The incumbent has voted against the Wildcat Flow Trail twice.

East Bay Regional Park District, Ward 6: John Mercurio : Mercurio is supportive of trails in the district. He has been supportive of the Briones Pilot project and the Wildcat Bike trail project. He has a positive relationship with advocates.

East Bay Regional Park District, Ward 7: Colin Coffey : Coffey has been supportive of addressing the lack of mountain bike access in the EBRPD. He was a strong supporter of the Briones Pilot project, supports the Wildcat Bike Trail project, has been supportive of Measure WW fund reallocation toward trail projects, and has been a champion for a trail project at Contra Loma Regional Park. He maintains a positive working relationship with advocates.

North Bay

California State Assembly, District 12: Eric Lucan (CAMTB Questionnaire) : Lucan has been a supporter of bicycling both in public service (as county supervsior, city council, and parks commissioner) and the industry.

San Francisco

US Congress, California, District 11: Scott Wiener : Senator Scott Wiener expands California's active public spaces and multi-use recreational infrastructure. Dating back to his time as a city supervisor negotiating local trail access, he has consistently partnered with the outdoor community. His landmark legislation SB960 and SB288 cuts red tape to fast-track protected bike paths, urban trail networks, and vital multi-use land access.

South Bay

Midpeninsula Open Space District, Ward 1: Craig Gleason : Gleason focuses on access, preservation, and user experience as a MidPen board member. He is a mountain biker and trail work volunteer with MidPen and local trail organizations. He brings these experiences before the board, first as a member of the public and now as a member of the board

South Bay and Santa Cruz

California State Assembly, District 28: Gail Pellerin : Assemblymember Pellerin has a record of working on Addressing Environmental Impacts and Climate Change and is a supporter of funding for trails, State Parks, and improving the policies for better access. Her reelection will ensure this work continues.

Southern California

Los Angeles

California State Assembly, District 65: Ayanna Davis (CAMTB Questionnaire) : Davis views outdoor recreation as a vital investment in community health, the environment, and the economy. As a cyclist who learned to ride at age 50, she is determined to tackle the state's deferred maintenance backlog by clearing the path for strategic partnerships. Davis is fully committed to slashing administrative red tape and burdensome regulatory hurdles to systematically create sustainable, multi-use trail networks accessible to every community.

California State Senate, District 26: Sarah Rascón (CAMTB Questionnaire) : Sarah Rascón is a cyclist who has worked for an open space agency (MRCA) and in government. She understands and promises to support trail issues.

US Congress, California, District 28: Judy Chu : Congresswoman Chu considers public lands investments through the lens of healthy communities and vibrant open spaces. Her landmark San Gabriel Mountains Foothills and Rivers Protection Act safeguards active riding corridors in the Angeles National Forest. Furthermore, her successful push to expand the National Monument creates a multi-use blueprint that connects urban communities directly to regional trails and bikeways.

Orange County

California State Assembly, District 71: JJ Galvez (CAMTB Questionnaire) : As a local park district treasurer and avid mountain biker living at the edge of Cleveland National Forest, J.J. Galvez brings practical experience to public land stewardship. He is committed to securing ongoing maintenance funding, streamlining volunteer partnerships, and protecting California's trails for all.

California State Assembly, District 74: Laurie Davies : Assemblymember Davies safeguards coastal lands while pioneering safety standards for trail users. She is avid cyclist and supporter of California Mountain Biking Month. Her recent e-bike legislation is helping elevate on-trail experience and safety, while her coastal advocacy keeps beach trails secure and accessible.

San Diego

California State Senate, District 77: Tasha Boerner : Senator Boerner has been a long tyme cycling advocate and supporter of trails.

California State Assembly, District 80: David Alvarez : Assemblymember Alvarez has been supportive of bicycling access and safety issues outdoor recreation and parks at least as far back as his time as a City of San Diego council member.

San Diego and Orange Counties

California State Senate, District 38: Catherine Blakespear : Senator Blakespear has been a long time supporter of our trail stewardship needs. This includes this years bill of hers, SB1167, to reduce confusion around ebikes and emotos.

San Diego and Riverside

US Congress, California, District 48: Marni Von Wilpert : Marni von Wilpert, who represents San Diego's District 5 on the City Council, serves as the city's representative on the San Dieguito River Valley Regional Open Space JPA and the Los Peñasquitos Canyon Preserve, two regional open-space and trail systems. Her office has also pushed the developer of The Trails project in Carmel Mountain Ranch to deliver the promised neighborhood amenities on time and in full, including parks and a trail system.

Vote by November 6th!

Election Day is Tuesday, November 6th. Every Californian registered to vote has received a ballot in the mail. You can mail it or drop it off on or before election day or vote in person at a polling place or election center. You can register to vote in person on Election Day. For more information on registering to vote and polling locations, see the California state elections site.

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