Asm. Soria’s No Sex Offenders in Elected Office Bill Passes Elections Committee

AB 2753 will now head to the Assembly floor for discussion and a vote to advance the bill to the Senate.

• Brody Fernandez
• (916) 276-3390
• [email protected]

SACRAMENTO, CA - AB 2753, which prohibits registered sex offenders from running for public office, passed the Assembly Elections Committee today. 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 Nelson Esparza traveled to Sacramento on Wednesday to testify in support of the bill.

"Running for office requires direct and repeated interaction with the public: knocking on doors, attending community events, and engaging with families," Esparza said. "AB 2753 ensures that registered sex offenders are not put in a position to seek out those interactions under the guise of running for office. I want to thank Assemblywoman Soria for her work to ensure what we experienced in Fresno does not happen anywhere else in California."

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 Assembly floor for discussion and a vote to advance the bill to the Senate.

Facebook: @Assemblymember Esmeralda Soria

Instagram: @asmesmeraldasoria

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Assemblywoman Esmeralda Soria represents the 27th Assembly District, which includes communities in Fresno, Madera, and Merced counties.