Equality California Congratulates Clarissa Cervantes on Election Victory in Assembly District 58

RIVERSIDE, Calif. - Equality California, the nation's largest statewide LGBTQ+ civil rights organization, congratulates Clarissa Cervantes on her victory in California's 58th Assembly District. Cervantes, an out LGBTQ+ candidate, defeated notoriously anti-LGBTQ+ incumbent Leticia Castillo in a rematch of their 2024 contest which was decided by less than 600 votes.

"The voters of Riverside have elected a true champion for equality to the Assembly in Clarissa Cervantes," said Executive Director Tony Hoang. "During her tenure as a member of the Riverside City Council, Clarissa has fought to empower working families, stood up to greedy developers, and secured millions for affordable healthcare and public safety. Her lived experience as a queer Latina, a mother, and a businesswoman has informed her vision as a community leader, and will no doubt inspire her work in Sacramento.

This victory is particularly meaningful as it means one of the Assembly's most vocal anti-LGBTQ+ members will lose her seat. Leticia Castillo has earned a 0% on our State Legislative Scorecard, and has championed legislation that would roll back the rights of transgender youth. During her unremarkable two years in the Assembly, only one of the 22 bills Castillo introduced passed - proof that she was more focused on attacking LGBTQ+ kids than advancing legislation that would make a difference in the lives of Inland Empire residents. We are pleased to see this seatwarmer replaced by someone who will actually work on behalf of their constituents."

Upon her swearing-in, Cervantes will become a member of the Legislative LGBTQ Caucus chaired by her sister and fellow state lawmaker, Senator Sabrina Cervantes (SD-31).

Equality California Political Action Committee has contributed $50,000 to an independent expenditure effort led by the LGBT Caucus Leadership Fund supporting Cervantes and opposing Castillo. Equality California co-hosted a Community Day of Action in Riverside with the State Legislative LGBTQ+ Caucus, Working Families Party, SEIU, AFSCME, and UDW.

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