Lola Smallwood-Cuevas
Democratic, incumbent
State Senator, 28th District
AI wrote this from the sources listed below. A second AI checked each sentence against its source, and software checked the links and dates. A person didn’t review it, so every sentence links to its source for you to check. Updated Thursday, October 15, 2026.
Overview
Elected in 2022, Lola Smallwood-Cuevas represents California's 28th State Senate District.1 She chairs the Senate Labor, Public Employment and Retirement Committee.2 She previously worked as a labor organizer, co-founding the Los Angeles Black Worker Center and directing a UCLA Labor Center project.3
She led 2023 legislation protecting workers from retaliation for reporting wage theft and requiring advance notice for large retail store closures.2 She authored a 2026 law repealing the CalWORKs "man in the house" rule.4 She also proposed a 2026 bill to raise pay and training standards for security guards.5 She partnered with community leaders to establish the Historic South LA Black Cultural District.2 In 2026, she voted against a bill requiring more apartments near major transit stations.6
Campaign money
- Reporting period
- July 1 to September 19, 2026
- Raised
- $130,475
- Cash on hand
- $381,981
| Source | Amount | Share of money raised |
|---|---|---|
| Small gifts (under $100) | $276 | Under 1% |
| Gifts from people ($100 or more) | $11,744 | 9% |
| PACs and other committees | $54,479 | 42% |
| Businesses and other groups | $63,976 | 49% |
Large contributions reported since September 19, 2026: $37,200 in 14 gifts. See the large contribution reports.
Source: California Secretary of State filings for Lola Smallwood-Cuevas for Senate 2026
Endorsements
Sources
- Lola Smallwood-Cuevas - Ballotpedia, Ballotpedia. Viewed Wednesday, October 14, 2026.
- Biography | California Senate District 28, California State Senate District 28. Viewed Wednesday, October 14, 2026.
- About Lola Smallwood-Cuevas - Lola Smallwood-Cuevas for Senate, Lola Smallwood-Cuevas for Senate. Viewed Wednesday, October 14, 2026.
- Updated: Governor Signs Senator Smallwood-Cuevas’ 10-Bill Package that Protects, Empowers, and Uplifts California’s Working Families | California Senate District 28, California State Senate District 28. Viewed Wednesday, October 14, 2026.
- Security guard training bill boosts union role in California - CalMatters, CalMatters. Viewed Wednesday, October 14, 2026.
- California Democrats are split over state housing mandates, CalMatters. Viewed Wednesday, October 14, 2026.
- Endorsements - Lola Smallwood-Cuevas for Senate, Lola Smallwood-Cuevas for Senate 2026. Viewed Wednesday, October 14, 2026.
- 2026 General Election Endorsements & Ballot Measure Positions, California Democratic Party. Viewed Wednesday, October 14, 2026.
- November 2026 Endorsements, Housing Action Coalition. Viewed Wednesday, October 14, 2026.
- Endorsements, Sierra Club Angeles Chapter. Viewed Wednesday, October 14, 2026.
- Who We're Endorsing in California's 2026 Election, California Environmental Voters. Viewed Thursday, October 15, 2026.
- CFT Endorsements, General Election 2026 (Tuesday, November 3), California Federation of Teachers. Viewed Thursday, October 15, 2026.
- 2026 Candidate Recommendations, California Teachers Association. Viewed Thursday, October 15, 2026.
- California Working Families Party: Our 2026 Candidates, Working Families Party. Viewed Thursday, October 15, 2026.
- November 2026 General Election Endorsements, Democrats for Israel – Los Angeles. Viewed Thursday, October 15, 2026.
- The Knock LA Progressive Voter Guide for the November 2026 General Election, Knock LA (Ground Game LA). Viewed Thursday, October 15, 2026.
- November 2026 LA Progressive Voter Guide, LA Forward Action Fund. Viewed Thursday, October 15, 2026.
- 2026 Midterm Election: LA County Federation of Labor Endorsements (Official Voter Guide), Los Angeles County Federation of Labor. Viewed Thursday, October 15, 2026.
- Voter Guide, November 3, 2026, Planned Parenthood Advocacy Project Los Angeles County. Viewed Thursday, October 15, 2026.
- SEIU 721 COPE Slate, November 3, 2026 General Election, SEIU Local 721. Viewed Thursday, October 15, 2026.