Catherine Stefani

• Office: State Assemblymember, District 19
• Election Date: June 2, 2026
• Candidate: Catherine Stefani
• Due Date: April 2, 2026
• Printable Version

Thank you for seeking GrowSF's endorsement for the June 2, 2026 primary election! GrowSF believes in a growing, vibrant, healthy, safe, and prosperous city via common sense solutions and effective government.

As a candidate for state office, your day-to-day responsibilities in office will affect not just San Francisco, but California as a whole. As a representative of the people of California and of San Francisco, the policies you bring to Sacramento should reflect the best of what we have to offer.

The GrowSF endorsement committee will review all completed questionnaires and seek consensus on which candidates best align with our vision for San Francisco and have the expertise to enact meaningful policy changes.

We ask that you please complete this questionnaire by April 2, 2026 so we have enough time to adequately review and discuss your answers.

• Your Policy Goals
• Your Leadership
• The Issues
• Personal
• Thank you

Your Policy Goals

We'd like to get some details about your high-level goals and how you intend to use your elected office to achieve them.

What policies do you hope to change or preserve by running for State Assemblymember, District 19? Please be specific, and list them in order of priority.

My top priorities are public safety, the cost of living, and healthcare access.

First, I will continue advancing policies that strengthen public safety. In my first year, I saw my public safety bills signed into law, such as Wyland's law and another bill to crackdown on the proliferation of illegal license plate covers. This year, my legislative package is once again focused on public safety. This includes bills to prevent gun violence, address domestic violence, improve restitution outcomes for victims of crimes, and ensuring law enforcement and prosecutors have the tools they need to keep communities safe.

Second, I am focused on lowering the cost of living, particularly by increasing housing supply, streamlining development processes, and supporting policies that help working families and long time residents remain in the neighborhoods they call home.

Third, I will continue fighting to protect and expand access to healthcare. I am working on several bills this year to expand access to care and ensure costs are never an obstacle. My specific goals include ensuring affordability, strengthening our healthcare workforce, and protecting access to reproductive and preventative care.

Why those policies?

These priorities are directly informed by the people I represent. When I first ran for this office in 2024, I knocked on thousands of doors, meeting with residents, and listening to concerns across the district. At the end of 2025, my office also conducted a district-wide survey to better understand what issues were most top of mind.

Across all of those conversations, the same themes consistently emerged: people want to feel safe in their neighborhoods, they are struggling with the high cost of living, and they want reliable access to healthcare.

My legislative package this year, which includes 23 bills, reflects those priorities. It is grounded not in abstract ideals, but in the real concerns and lived experiences of my constituents.

Explain why your #1 goal is your #1 goal.

Public safety has always been my top priority. I began my career as a prosecutor, where I saw firsthand the impact that crime has on individuals, families, and entire communities.

I have long believed that public safety is the most fundamental responsibility of government. Without it, it's difficult to make progress on any other issue. It's also what I continue to hear most often from constituents. Whether I am in San Francisco or San Mateo County, people want to know that their neighborhoods are safe and that there is accountability when crimes occur.

My legislative work reflects that focus. This year, my bill package addresses a wide range of public safety issues, including domestic violence prevention, gun violence prevention, vertical prosecution for vulnerable victims, restitution in diversion cases, cracking down on illegal sideshows, addressing human trafficking in state procurement systems, and strengthening protective orders.

In my first year in the Assembly, I was proud to already deliver results in this area. I passed Wyland's Law to ensure protective orders are properly transmitted and enforced, and I authored legislation banning obstructed license plates, which were being increasingly used to evade law enforcement. I intend to continue building on that progress.

How will you build the coalition and political capital to enact your #1 goal? What obstacles will you face, and how will you overcome them? Will the power of the office of State Assemblymember, District 19 be enough to achieve this goal?

Building coalitions is essential to getting legislation passed, and it's something I have already demonstrated in my first year in the Assembly.

I work closely with my legislative colleagues, including committee chairs, as well as with local leaders, law enforcement, advocates, and community organizations. I approach the legislative process with a collaborative mindset and a willingness to engage in thoughtful negotiation. When compromise is necessary, I am open to it, but I remain focused on ensuring that the core purpose and effectiveness of my legislation is preserved.

Public safety is an issue that cuts across jurisdictions and political perspectives. By building broad-based support and maintaining strong working relationships, I have been able to move meaningful legislation forward, and I am prepared to continue doing so.

Will the power of the office of State Assemblymember, District 19 be enough to achieve the other goals?

No single office can fully solve the challenges we face on affordability or healthcare, but the Assembly does play a critical role in shaping policy and allocating resources that can drive meaningful change.

In my first year, I was able to pass legislation that will improve access to midwifery care, something we know improves outcomes during labor, and to ensure nonprofit hospitals can stay open and protect patients from losing access to care. A large part of this work also involves advocacy through the budget process. These experiences have demonstrated that this role can produce real outcomes.

Moving forward, I will continue using the tools of the office, whether it be legislation, budget advocacy, or partnerships, to advance policies that reduce costs, expand housing, and improve access to care. Progress requires coordination across levels of government, and I am committed to being an effective partner in that work.

What is an "out there" change that you would make to state or local government policy, if you could? For the purpose of this question, you are not constrained to the office of State Assemblymember, District 19.

If I could make a broader structural change, I would significantly increase early and sustained investment in domestic violence prevention and survivor support.

Too often, we intervene only after situations have escalated. Investing in prevention, early intervention, and comprehensive services for survivors leads to far better outcomes for individuals and families and also reduces long-term societal costs. This is something that we know is always worth the investment, yet we consistently fail to allocate the dollars sufficiently and legislate in a way to meet the need.

At the same time, I believe we cannot simply overlook those who commit abuse, and that in the long term there must be meaningful accountability measures and interventions to break cycles of violence. A more proactive, fully resourced system would ultimately make our communities safer and more stable.

Your Leadership

We'd like to learn more about your leadership style and plan to execute effectively once you assume office.

Why are you running for State Assemblymember, District 19?

I'm running for re-election to continue the fight for a safer and more affordable California.

When I was sworn into the Assembly, I made a commitment to deliver real results. In my first year, I followed through on that promise.

Seven of my bills were signed into law, each focused on strengthening public safety, expanding access to healthcare, and addressing the cost of living. I authored Wyland's Law to close a gap in our gun violence prevention system, passed legislation to prevent families from losing health insurance during divorce, banned illegal license plate obstructors, and ensured that crime victims receive restitution payments first.

I also advanced policies to address our maternal healthcare workforce shortage, supported nonprofit hospitals, and helped lay the groundwork for California's offshore wind future.

Beyond legislation, my office responded to thousands of constituent requests and secured more than $1.2 million in benefits for local families and seniors.

In the coming term, I will continue working to combat the fentanyl crisis, expand access to affordable housing, prevent homelessness, and protect reproductive rights and access to care. I am ready to keep delivering results for the people of San Francisco and San Mateo County.

In your own words, what are the core constitutional and statutory responsibilities of the State Assemblymember, District 19?

The core responsibility of a State Assemblymember is to represent the people of their district: listening to their concerns, advocating for their needs, and simply delivering results.

That includes drafting and passing legislation, working to shape the state budget, and providing oversight of the executive branch to ensure accountability and effective implementation of the laws we've passed.

As someone who spent years working for legislators, I know very well that it also means delivering strong constituent services, helping individuals navigate state agencies, and ensuring that government is as responsive and accessible as possible for everyone in my district.

What makes you uniquely qualified for this position?

I bring nearly a decade of experience in elected office and more than 20 years of public service. As a lawyer and former prosecutor, I have a strong foundation in the law and a deep understanding of the justice system.

I also have a long history of serving the people of San Francisco and, over the past 3 years, I have built meaningful relationships across San Mateo County, which gives me a clear understanding of the issues facing my district.

Most importantly, I have demonstrated my ability to deliver results locally and in Sacramento. In my first year alone, I passed seven bills that were signed into law by the Governor, the second most bills signed by a lgeislator in my class, and an indication of both my effectiveness and my ability to build the relationships necessary to get things done.

What three measurable outcomes should Californians use to evaluate your success after your first two years in office?

First, my effectiveness in passing meaningful legislation, particularly in the areas of public safety, affordability, and healthcare, should be a key measure of success.

Second, the level and quality of constituent services my office provides, including direct assistance to residents and benefits secured, should continue to be a priority. Last year, we helped secure over $1.2 million in benefits owed to my constituents.

Third, my ability to take on leadership roles and use them to deliver results should also be evaluated. My recent appointments to the Budget Committee and as Chair of the Gun Violence Prevention Working Group position me to have a broader impact for the district.

The Issues

Next, we will cover the issues that voters tell us they care about. We hope to gain a better understanding of your policy positions, and we hope that you use this opportunity to communicate with voters.

California remains short millions of homes. What specific state-level reforms or investments would you champion to increase housing production at all income levels? Please name one regulatory barrier you would remove and one measurable target you would set.

California's housing shortage demands sustained action at the state level. I support increasing housing production at all income levels by continuing to streamline approvals, reducing unnecessary delays, and making it more feasible for developers to build.

Last year, I supported major legislation like SB 79 and key budget investments that represent meaningful progress toward addressing the housing crisis. These efforts helped modernize how and where we build housing, particularly near transit.

One regulatory barrier I would continue working to remove is the excessive delay caused by duplicative and prolonged approval processes that make it difficult to move projects forward.

As a measurable target, California must significantly increase annual housing production to meet statewide demand and begin closing the housing gap. That means setting clear benchmarks for units produced each year and holding ourselves accountable to meeting them.

CEQA is often used to block infill housing, shelters, and transit. What reforms would you support to reduce CEQA abuse while preserving environmental protections? Which types of projects should be streamlined, and how would you design those exemptions?

I support targeted CEQA reform to reduce abuse while preserving strong environmental protections. CEQA plays an important role, but it's too often used to delay or block projects that are essential to our communities.

We can strike the right balance by streamlining environmentally beneficial and community-serving projects, including new housing and transit projects, especially in urban areas where development is most needed.

Reforms should be designed to prevent misuse of CEQA as a tool for delay, while maintaining our state's rigorous environmental standards. The goal should be to build more housing and infrastructure responsibly, without unnecessary obstruction.

California must coordinate multi-level enforcement and treatment when combatting fentanyl. What state-level policies would you introduce to reduce fentanyl deaths and trafficking? How would you strengthen the ability of police, DA's, and courts to address repeat and organized offenders?

Addressing the fentanyl crisis requires a coordinated approach that must include enforcement, treatment, and prevention.

I have been actively working on this issue since my time on the Board of Supervisors, and I will continue to advance policies that strengthen both public safety and behavioral health systems. One of my bills this year focuses on strengthening Assisted Outpatient Treatment (AOT) to ensure that individuals with serious mental illness receive the support they need to thrive and avoid returning to crisis.

I have also introduced legislation on vertical prosecution for vulnerable victims, which helps ensure continuity and effectiveness in prosecuting serious crimes. In partnership with local law enforcement, including the San Francisco Police Department and District Attorney's Office, I have passed legislation to strengthen restitution laws, and am currently working on legislation to improve their tools to address organized criminal activity, such as illegal sideshows.

We must ensure that law enforcement, prosecutors, and the courts have the tools they need to hold repeat and organized offenders accountable, while also investing in treatment and recovery to prevent future harm.

SB 43 and CARE Court will increase treatment demand. How will you expand California's mental-health treatment capacity — including beds, stabilization units, and workforce — and what measurable goals would you set?

I support expanding California's mental health treatment capacity to meet the increased demand created by SB 43 and CARE Court.

This includes increasing the number of treatment beds, investing in stabilization units, and growing the behavioral health workforce. We need a system that can meet people where they are and provide timely and appropriate care.

A key goal should be reducing wait times for treatment and ensuring that individuals who qualify for care are able to access services without delay. Expanding capacity in a measurable and accountable way will be critical to the success of these reforms.

Transit agencies in the Bay Area are facing a fiscal cliff. What reforms will you support to improve transit reliability, safety, and financial sustainability?

Public transit is essential to the economic and environmental health of the Bay Area, and we must ensure it remains safe, reliable, and financially sustainable for generations to come.

Last year, I co-authored SB 63 to advance a regional transit funding measure in 2026, and I also support the local measure that will come before voters this year in San Francisco. In the short term, I also fought to secure state support, including a critical loan to help stabilize transit agencies and prevent immediate service cuts.

Moving forward, we need a comprehensive approach that includes sustainable funding, improved coordination across agencies, and continued investments in safety and reliability so that transit remains a viable option for riders across the Bay Area.

What is your plan to improve student outcomes, teacher retention, and school safety in San Francisco? Which metrics would you prioritize? Would you support governance consolidation or performance-based funding?

Improving student outcomes starts with supporting and retaining strong educators. I am focused on strengthening the teacher workforce pipeline, particularly in high-cost areas like San Francisco where recruitment and retention are ongoing challenges.

This means supporting competitive compensation, professional development opportunities, and ensuring teachers have the resources they need to succeed in the classroom.

I also believe in investing in the whole child. Expanding access to mental health services, after-school programs, and family engagement initiatives is essential to supporting student success.

Key metrics should include student achievement, attendance, teacher retention rates, and overall school climate and safety.

California faces structural deficits. What are your priorities for stabilizing the state budget, and what cuts, efficiencies, or revenue changes would you consider?

As California faces structural deficits, my priority is ensuring responsible and sustainable budgeting that protects core services. Earlier this year, I was also appointed to the Budget Subcommittee on Health and am eager to play an even more active role in this year's ongoing budget negotiations.

For me, budgeting for our core services means improving efficiency in existing programs, reducing waste, and prioritizing funding for essential areas like public safety, housing, healthcare, and education.

I also believe in maintaining a disciplined approach to new spending, ensuring that any investments are effective and fiscally responsible.

The Mayor's Family Housing zoning reforms were recently enacted to allow more multi-family and "missing middle" housing in traditionally single-family Westside neighborhoods. What additional changes — procedural, regulatory, or legal — would you support to ensure these new zoning allowances actually translate into timely, feasible housing production?

I support San Francisco's family housing zoning reforms, which are an important step toward increasing housing options in a thoughtful way across our city.

However, the focus now must be on implementation. That means ensuring that projects are financially feasible, approvals are timely, and regulatory processes do not create unnecessary delays.

At the state level, I will continue to support policies that align with these goals and help translate zoning changes into actual housing production.

What is your strategy to address enrollment decline in Westside schools and ensure families can stay in SF?

Addressing enrollment decline requires making San Francisco a place where families can afford to stay and feel confident raising their children.

That starts with tackling the cost of living, particularly the high cost of housing, while also ensuring that neighborhoods are safe and that schools are well-resourced.

We must ensure that SFUSD is focused on meeting the needs of students and families, providing strong academic programs and supportive environments that encourage families to remain in the city.

Personal

Tell us a bit about yourself!

How long have you lived in California? What brought you here and what keeps you here?

I was born in San Francisco and raised in the Central Valley, and I have spent my entire life in California. For more than two decades, I have lived in San Francisco, where I have raised my two children.

California is home in every sense. What brought my family here generations ago was opportunity, and what keeps me here today is my deep connection to the neighborhoods, my family, and my commitment to public service.

What do you love most about California and/or your hometown?

I love California for the opportunities it has provided my family and for the diversity and vibrancy of its communities.

My great-grandfather immigrated from Italy in search of a better life, and through hard work, my family was able to build a future here. That story is not unique, and it's part of what makes California so special.

I also deeply value the beauty of our state and the uniqueness of San Francisco's neighborhoods. It is a place unlike any other, and I feel incredibly fortunate to call it home.

What do you dislike the most about California and/or your hometown?

I am concerned that California, and San Francisco in particular, has become a more difficult place for many people to live.

The housing crisis, the impacts of the addiction and mental health crisis, and the broader economic challenges facing families have made it harder for people to stay and thrive here.

The fact that too many residents are being left behind is deeply dissapointing to me. However, it is also why I am focused on delivering solutions that make our state more affordable and safer for everyone.

Tell us about your current involvement in the community (e.g., volunteer groups, neighborhood associations, civic and professional organizations, etc.)

While serving in the State Assembly requires significant time in Sacramento, I remain deeply engaged in my community.

I founded the San Francisco chapter of Moms Demand Action and continue to be active in gun violence prevention efforts. I have served on nonprofit boards, including the Homeless Prenatal Program, and remain involved in professional organizations such as the Italian American Bar Association.

I have also been active in organizations that support women running for office, including Emerge California and Vote Mama, and I continue to regularly participate in community and cultural events across my district. As the daughter of a Vietnam veteran, I also remain deeply engaged on veterans' issues.

Most importantly, I am a parent, and I prioritize being present and involved in my children's lives while continuing my work in public service.

Thank you

Thank you for giving us your time and answering our questionnaire. We look forward to reading your answers and considering your candidacy!