Biography
Jackie Elward is a Democratic candidate for California State Assembly District 12 in the November 3, 2026 general election, where she faces fellow Democrat Eric Lucan in a race with no incumbent.[1][2] In a Ballotpedia survey, she described herself as a city councilmember, educator, labor organizer and first-generation immigrant from the Democratic Republic of the Congo.[3]
Elward was born in Kikwit, Democratic Republic of Congo, and earned bachelor's degrees from Chico State University in 2022 and Central State University in 2023, according to Ballotpedia.[2] Her career experience includes working as an educator.[2]
In the survey, Elward said she lived first in Marin County before settling in Rohnert Park, and that in 2020 she became the first Black woman elected to the City Council there, defeating a six-term incumbent, and later served as mayor.[3] She said she is a site representative for CSEA Local 75 and serves on the board of Sonoma Clean Power.[3] Elward also said she ran for California State Senate in 2024.[3]
She said she is running to fight for working people, affordable housing and public services, and described her priorities as higher living wages, affordable homes and housing-first policies for people who are unhoused.[3]
- 1.California State Assembly elections, 2026 · Ballotpedia Reference
- 2.Jackie Elward · Ballotpedia Reference
- 3.Jackie Elward - Candidate Connection survey · Ballotpedia Candidate's own words
Researched from the cited sources on 2026-10-21. Not yet independently fact-checked.
California Assembly District 12
Jackie Elward is on the Nov 3, 2026 ballot for California Assembly District 12 as D. Not researched in depth — candidate list only.