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Headshot of Ash Kalra

Ash Kalra

Democrat, State Assembly
District 25, San Jose
Time in office:
  • Assembly: 2016-present

Bio

Ash Kalra, 52, was the first Indian American to be elected to the Assembly when he assumed office in 2016. Previously he was on the San Jose City Council. He was a deputy public defender for Santa Clara County. He’s been a law professor at Lincoln Law School of San Jose. He has a degree from UC Santa Barbara and a law degree from Georgetown University. As former chair of the progressive caucus, he advocated for single-payer healthcare and the rights of those who’ve faced systematic racism in the justice system.

Ideology

Left

Moderate

Right

Bill Activity

0

Of 73 bills:
20 Passed
10 Failed
43 Pending

For this session year, this legislator initiated 73 bills: 20 passed, 10 failed, and 43 are currently pending.

Money Tracker

In the last session, this legislator received 70.0% less than their colleagues and at least $310,384.0 from the 'Labor' donor group, which represented 69.73% of their contributions.

Financials

This feature tracks three sources of money intended to help a candidate win election: 1-Money given directly to a candidate’s committee, 2-Money given to an Independent Expenditure Committee, 3-Money given to a political party. (NOTE: Senators are elected every four years. Twenty of the 40 Senators are on the ballot in even-numbered years, so Senators may do little or no fundraising in the first two-year session of their Senate term).

Election

This display shows money given directly to the incumbent’s campaign committee (NOTE: The industry categories for donors come from Open Secrets, a nonpartisan research organization for campaign finance. Some contributions are “uncoded,” meaning they have not been assigned to an industry sector. As a result, the total for each sector is also an estimate).

Communications & Electronics

$4.9K

Construction

$1.0K

Finance, Insurance & Real Estate

$9.8K

General Business

$1.5K

Government Agencies/Education/Other

$18.6K

Health

$2.5K

Ideology/Single Issue

$39.5K

Labor

$310.4K

Lawyers & Lobbyists

$10.1K

Transportation

$1.5K

Uncoded

$44.3K

Unitemized Contributions

$1.1K

Candidate Donations

Individuals, corporations, organizations and committees are limited to a maximum donation to candidates of $5,500 for the primary and for the general elections.

Total
$445.1K

61.0% lower than the average legislators

Party Committees

This is independent expenditure money spent by political parties for advertising, grassroots mobilization or other activities targeting this candidate. Separately, political parties can give an unlimited amount of money directly to a candidate's campaign committee. Digital Democracy tallies that money under "candidate donations".

Total
$153.0

97.0% lower than the average legislators

Independent Expenditures

Money from Independent Expenditure Committees (IEC) for advertising or grassroots activity to help a candidate win office is unlimited, but it cannot be spent in coordination with the candidate or the candidate's campaign.

Total
$943.0

100.0% lower than the average legislators

Grand Total for Elections

$446.2K

70.0% lower than the average legislators

This is a total of the money to help this legislator win office including direct donations to the candidate, money from Independent Expenditure Committees and money from political parties.


Influence

There are three categories of donations to legislators after they are elected that encourage a working relationship between the donor and the legislator. The three categories are: 1-Gifts, 2-Travel, 3-Behests.

Giver
Value
Date
Description
CA Democratic Party$60.99Aug 24, 2021lunch
CA Tribal Business Alliance$53.22Jul 14, 2021food, beverages and entertainment
Rendon for Assembly 2020$24.64Jan 28, 2021Photo book pictures of Organizational session & swearing in
Asm. Reyes$7.5Mar 4, 2021mask
View All Transactions

Personal Gifts

Legislators are not allowed to accept gifts of more than $10 per month from registered lobbyists. Gifts from any other single source are limited to $590 in a calendar year.

Gift Received Rating
#65/120

This legislator is ranked 65th highest for the amount of personal gifts received.

Policy

Bills Authored by Ash Kalra

AB 2441
School safety: mandatory notifications.

Committee: Assembly Standing Committee on Education

In Progress
School safety: mandatory notifications.Committee: Assembly Standing Committee on Education
AB 459
Peace officers: Attorney General: reports.

Committee: Assembly Standing Committee on Health

In Progress
Peace officers: Attorney General: reports.Committee: Assembly Standing Committee on Health
ACR 216
California Hindu American Awareness and Appreciation Month.

Committee: Assembly Standing Committee on Rules

In Progress
California Hindu American Awareness and Appreciation Month.Committee: Assembly Standing Committee on Rules
ACR 169
California Law Revision Commission: studies.

Committee: Assembly Standing Committee on Judiciary

Passed
California Law Revision Commission: studies.Committee: Assembly Standing Committee on Judiciary
View All Bills

Committees

Most of the policy work in the state Capitol is done in “Standing” committees. Legislators also work on budget subcommittees. There are also “Special” and “Select” committees with a more narrow topic focus. And there are “Joint” committees with members from the Senate and Assembly.

Hearings

Featured Comments

Below are links to the video and transcript of recent, substantive comments by this legislator in committee hearings or floor sessions.

Preview image for AB 244134MIN
Jul 3, 2024

AB 2441

School safety: mandatory notifications.

Preview image for AB 26024MIN
Jul 2, 2024

AB 2602

Contracts against public policy: personal or professional services: digital replicas.

Preview image for AB 23477MIN
Jul 2, 2024

AB 2347

Summary proceedings for obtaining possession of real property: procedural requirements.

Preview image for AB 45910MIN
Jul 2, 2024

AB 459

Peace officers: Attorney General: reports.

Preview image for ACR 21120MIN
Jul 2, 2024

ACR 211

Cricket.

Preview image for AB 199319MIN
Jul 1, 2024

AB 1993

Residential care facilities for the elderly: maximum number of residents.

Preview image for AB 22882MIN
Jun 27, 2024

AB 2288

Labor Code Private Attorneys General Act of 2004.

Preview image for AB 22885MIN
Jun 26, 2024

AB 2288

Labor Code Private Attorneys General Act of 2004.

Preview image for AB 26826MIN
Jun 26, 2024

AB 2682

Santa Clara Valley Open-Space Authority.

Preview image for AB 31224MIN
Jun 26, 2024

AB 3122

Streamlined housing approvals: objective planning standards and subdivision applications.

Preview image for AB 250912MIN
Jun 25, 2024

AB 2509

Integrated pest management: invasive species: definitions.

Preview image for AB 158113MIN
Jun 25, 2024

AB 1581

The Restoration Management Permit Act.

View All Hearings

District

View of map with yellow overlay for Assembly District 25 boundaries.
District 25 is a Safe Democratic District
Democratic Party candidate has a very high likelihood of winning in an election

Previous Election:

Ash Kalra (Incumbent)
70%
WON
Ted Stroll
30%

Party Registration

Census Data

Median age0102030

Median age