Rick Chavez Zbur, the Democratic incumbent in California's 51st Assembly District, is running for re-election in the Nov. 3, 2026, general election. He faces one opponent. Colin D. Hernandez, also a Democrat, is the challenger.
The Assembly is the lower chamber of the California Legislature, where members serve two-year terms and vote on state laws and the budget. Zbur has represented District 51 since 2022 and serves as chair of the Assembly Democratic Caucus. On his campaign website, Zbur said he is focused on housing affordability, homelessness, environmental protection and public safety.
Candidate information
- Party: Democratic
- Office sought: California State Assembly, District 51
- Education: Bachelor's degree in history, Yale University (1979); law degree, Harvard University (1983)
- Residence background: Zbur grew up in a rural farming community in the Rio Grande Valley in New Mexico, according to his official Assembly biography. He was the first person in his rural community to attend an Ivy League university and moved to Los Angeles in 1985.
Experience and public service
- Assemblymember, California State Assembly District 51 (2022–present)
- Democratic Caucus chair, California State Assembly (2023–present)
- Executive director, Equality California (2014–2021)
- Partner, Latham & Watkins (1985–2014)
- Board member and president, California League of Conservation Voters, now California Environmental Voters
- Co-founder, Children Affected by AIDS Foundation
- Congressional candidate, U.S. House of Representatives, California's 38th Congressional District (1996)
On the issues
The following positions are drawn from Zbur's responses on his campaign website and via BallotReady questionnaires. All statements reflect the candidate's own claims.
Housing and homelessness
Zbur said housing policies "are broken, ineffective and have reached crisis proportions." He said he supports building more affordable housing near transit and work hubs while protecting the character and livability of existing neighborhoods. He said he would fight to expand rent subsidies, develop transition shelters with wraparound services and convert vacant buildings into housing.
Zbur said he has a plan to create a California Housing Corps. The program would deploy recent college graduates to homeless encampments to earn trust and help unhoused residents obtain social and mental health services and find pathways to permanent housing and employment.
Environment and energy
Zbur, a former environmental attorney and former president of California Environmental Voters, said climate change demands urgent action. He said he supports investment in clean energy, water conservation, renewable technologies and environmental education. He said he would protect the coastline from dumping, drilling and pollution.
Public safety and criminal justice
Zbur said he supports reforms to reduce police violence, increase gun safety and employ professionals who can offer mental health and addiction services. He said he has advocated for expanding background checks, extending waiting periods, banning high-capacity magazines and restricting concealed carry permits.
As executive director of Equality California, Zbur said he worked to reform criminal justice laws to reduce discriminatory sentencing and reform California's HIV criminal laws.
Workers and wages
Zbur said he supports worker protections, safe working environments and the preservation of union jobs and small businesses. He said he would fight for equal pay for women, expanded paid family and sick leave and increased access to affordable child care.
Civil rights
Zbur said he would work to pass legislation protecting communities from hate-motivated violence. He cited rising antisemitic, anti-Asian and anti-LGBTQ hate crimes.
Endorsements
Zbur has received endorsements from several organizations, according to BallotReady. They include:
- California Democratic Party
- California Teachers' Association
- California Labor Federation
- California Professional Firefighters
- AFSCME California
- Los Angeles County Federation of Labor
- Los Angeles County Democrats
- YIMBY Action
- American Nurses Association of California
Candidate positions were drawn from BallotReady questionnaire responses and the candidate's campaign website. The Santa Monica Wave did not interview the candidate for this profile.
