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Lola D Smallwood-Cuevas

Senator, State Senate

Running in 2026: State Senate District 28 (June 2) “State Senator” · State Senate District 28 (November 3) “State Senator”

In the Legislature

Senate District 28 D · 3,677 floor votes this session, 2% not voting

Committees they vote in: Business, Professions and Economic Development · Labor, Public Employment and Retirement · Governmental Organization · Health · Budget and Fiscal Review

Bills they lead: 61 (33 became law) — AB 2599, AB 770, AB 801, ACR 116, ACR 134, ACR 214, ACR 30, ACR 7, ACR 90, SB 1012, SB 1030, SB 1073 …

Bills their donors lobbied on

Bills they voted on (latest floor vote) that were lobbied by employers that gave to their campaign, reported spending on them, or paid at their request: the largest first. A lobbying report names the bill, not the side the employer took.

BillTheir voteEmployers that lobbied on it, and what they gave
AB 1485
Property tax: documentary transfer tax: exemptions: Native American tribes.		Aye
2025-09-11		Viejas Band of Kumeyaay Indians ($11,800 campaign); SCOTTS VALLEY BAND OF POMO INDIANS ($2,500 campaign); AGUA CALIENTE BAND OF CAHUILLA INDIANS ($2,000 campaign); Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation ($2,000 campaign)
AB 52
Farmer equity: advisory committees.		Aye
2026-08-20		Viejas Band of Kumeyaay Indians ($11,800 campaign); MORONGO BAND OF MISSION INDIANS ($2,500 campaign); AGUA CALIENTE BAND OF CAHUILLA INDIANS ($2,000 campaign); Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation ($2,000 campaign)
AB 831
Gambling: operation of a contest or sweepstakes.		Aye
2025-09-08		CALIFORNIA COMMERCE CLUB ($4,500 campaign); SCOTTS VALLEY BAND OF POMO INDIANS ($2,500 campaign); MORONGO BAND OF MISSION INDIANS ($2,500 campaign); HOLLYWOOD PARK CASINO COMPANY, LLC ($2,000 campaign) and 3 more
SB 86
California Alternative Energy and Advanced Transportation Financing Authority Act: sales and use tax exclusion.		Aye
2025-09-09		CALIFORNIA STATE PIPE TRADES COUNCIL ($10,000 campaign); CALIFORNIA STATE ASSOCIATION OF ELECTRICAL WORKERS ($2,700 campaign); CALPINE CORPORATION ($2,500 campaign); LOS ANGELES COUNTY BUSINESS FEDERATION (BIZFED) ($147 gifts)
AB 527
California Environmental Quality Act: geothermal exploratory projects: geothermal field development projects: enhanced geothermal system wells.		Aye
2025-09-09		CALIFORNIA STATE PIPE TRADES COUNCIL ($10,000 campaign); CALIFORNIA STATE ASSOCIATION OF ELECTRICAL WORKERS ($2,700 campaign); CALPINE CORPORATION ($2,500 campaign)
SB 222
Residential heat pump water heater or heat pump HVAC systems.		Aye
2026-08-25		CALIFORNIA STATE PIPE TRADES COUNCIL ($10,000 campaign); CALIFORNIA STATE ASSOCIATION OF ELECTRICAL WORKERS ($2,700 campaign); Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation ($2,000 campaign); LOS ANGELES COUNTY BUSINESS FEDERATION (BIZFED) ($147 gifts) and 1 more
AB 1751
Missing Middle Townhome Ownership Act.		Aye
2026-08-26		CALIFORNIA STATE PIPE TRADES COUNCIL ($10,000 campaign); CALIFORNIA STATE ASSOCIATION OF ELECTRICAL WORKERS ($2,700 campaign); Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation ($2,000 campaign)
SB 607
Golden Gate Bridge, Highway and Transportation District: contributions and loans.		Aye
2026-08-17		CALIFORNIA STATE PIPE TRADES COUNCIL ($10,000 campaign); CALIFORNIA STATE ASSOCIATION OF ELECTRICAL WORKERS ($2,700 campaign); UNITE HERE LOCAL 11 ($1,500 campaign); California Environmental Voters ($106 gifts)
AB 1707
Electricians: certification application, examination, and renewal.		Aye
2026-08-27		CALIFORNIA STATE PIPE TRADES COUNCIL ($10,000 campaign); CALIFORNIA STATE ASSOCIATION OF ELECTRICAL WORKERS ($2,700 campaign); ZENITH INSURANCE COMPANY ($1,500 campaign)
AB 1903
Construction defects.		Aye
2026-08-31		CALIFORNIA STATE PIPE TRADES COUNCIL ($10,000 campaign); CALIFORNIA STATE ASSOCIATION OF ELECTRICAL WORKERS ($2,700 campaign); ZURICH AMERICAN INSURANCE COMPANY ($1,500 campaign)
SB 1326
California Environmental Quality Act: tribal cultural resources: mitigation measures.		Aye
2026-05-22		Viejas Band of Kumeyaay Indians ($11,800 campaign); Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation ($2,000 campaign)
AB 306
California Building Standards Commission: appeals: code interpretations.		Aye
2026-08-26		CALIFORNIA STATE PIPE TRADES COUNCIL ($10,000 campaign); CALIFORNIA STATE ASSOCIATION OF ELECTRICAL WORKERS ($2,700 campaign); LOS ANGELES COUNTY BUSINESS FEDERATION (BIZFED) ($147 gifts); California Environmental Voters ($106 gifts)
AB 2418
Local building permits: nonresidential private permitting review.		Aye
2026-08-19		CALIFORNIA STATE PIPE TRADES COUNCIL ($10,000 campaign); CALIFORNIA STATE ASSOCIATION OF ELECTRICAL WORKERS ($2,700 campaign); LOS ANGELES COUNTY BUSINESS FEDERATION (BIZFED) ($147 gifts)
SB 597
Labor-related liabilities: direct contractor and subcontractor.		Aye
2025-09-09		CALIFORNIA STATE PIPE TRADES COUNCIL ($10,000 campaign); CALIFORNIA STATE ASSOCIATION OF ELECTRICAL WORKERS ($2,700 campaign); REYES HOLDINGS L.L.C. ($90 gifts)
SB 787
Energy: equitable clean energy supply chains and industrial policy in California.		Aye
2025-09-13		CALIFORNIA STATE PIPE TRADES COUNCIL ($10,000 campaign); CALIFORNIA STATE ASSOCIATION OF ELECTRICAL WORKERS ($2,700 campaign); Port of Long Beach ($45 gifts)
ACR 28
Women in Construction Week.		Aye
2025-04-03		CALIFORNIA STATE PIPE TRADES COUNCIL ($10,000 campaign); CALIFORNIA STATE ASSOCIATION OF ELECTRICAL WORKERS ($2,700 campaign)
SB 61
Private works of improvement: retention payments.		Aye
2025-04-24		CALIFORNIA STATE PIPE TRADES COUNCIL ($10,000 campaign); CALIFORNIA STATE ASSOCIATION OF ELECTRICAL WORKERS ($2,700 campaign)
SB 283
Energy storage systems.		Aye
2025-09-10		CALIFORNIA STATE PIPE TRADES COUNCIL ($10,000 campaign); CALIFORNIA STATE ASSOCIATION OF ELECTRICAL WORKERS ($2,700 campaign)
SB 404
Hazardous materials: metal shredding facilities.		Aye
2025-09-13		CALIFORNIA STATE PIPE TRADES COUNCIL ($10,000 campaign); CALIFORNIA STATE ASSOCIATION OF ELECTRICAL WORKERS ($2,700 campaign)
SB 355
Judgment debtor employers: Employment Development Department.		Aye
2025-09-09		CALIFORNIA STATE PIPE TRADES COUNCIL ($10,000 campaign); CALIFORNIA STATE ASSOCIATION OF ELECTRICAL WORKERS ($2,700 campaign)
SB 369
Salton Sea: restoration projects: skilled and trained workforce. 		Aye
2025-09-10		CALIFORNIA STATE PIPE TRADES COUNCIL ($10,000 campaign); CALIFORNIA STATE ASSOCIATION OF ELECTRICAL WORKERS ($2,700 campaign)
SB 545
High-speed rail: economic opportunities.		Aye
2025-06-02		CALIFORNIA STATE PIPE TRADES COUNCIL ($10,000 campaign); CALIFORNIA STATE ASSOCIATION OF ELECTRICAL WORKERS ($2,700 campaign)
SB 20
Occupational safety: high-exposure trigger tasks on artificial stone.		Aye
2025-09-09		CALIFORNIA STATE PIPE TRADES COUNCIL ($10,000 campaign); CALIFORNIA STATE ASSOCIATION OF ELECTRICAL WORKERS ($2,700 campaign)
SB 675
Imperial County Air Pollution Control District: members and duties.		Aye
2026-08-28		CALIFORNIA STATE PIPE TRADES COUNCIL ($10,000 campaign); CALIFORNIA STATE ASSOCIATION OF ELECTRICAL WORKERS ($2,700 campaign)
AB 428
Joint powers agreements: water corporations.		Aye
2025-09-03		CALIFORNIA STATE PIPE TRADES COUNCIL ($10,000 campaign); CALIFORNIA STATE ASSOCIATION OF ELECTRICAL WORKERS ($2,700 campaign)
AB 1002
Contractors: failure to pay wages: discipline. 		Aye
2025-09-04		CALIFORNIA STATE PIPE TRADES COUNCIL ($10,000 campaign); CALIFORNIA STATE ASSOCIATION OF ELECTRICAL WORKERS ($2,700 campaign)
AB 1280
Energy.		Aye
2025-09-09		CALIFORNIA STATE PIPE TRADES COUNCIL ($10,000 campaign); CALIFORNIA STATE ASSOCIATION OF ELECTRICAL WORKERS ($2,700 campaign)
AB 538
Public works: payroll records.		Aye
2025-09-10		CALIFORNIA STATE PIPE TRADES COUNCIL ($10,000 campaign); CALIFORNIA STATE ASSOCIATION OF ELECTRICAL WORKERS ($2,700 campaign)
AB 889
Prevailing wage: per diem wages.		Aye
2025-09-10		CALIFORNIA STATE PIPE TRADES COUNCIL ($10,000 campaign); CALIFORNIA STATE ASSOCIATION OF ELECTRICAL WORKERS ($2,700 campaign)
AB 531
Geothermal powerplants and projects: certification and environmental review.		Aye
2025-09-11		CALIFORNIA STATE PIPE TRADES COUNCIL ($10,000 campaign); CALIFORNIA STATE ASSOCIATION OF ELECTRICAL WORKERS ($2,700 campaign)

Form 700 statements

StatementFiledWhat it lists
2025 Annual
Senator, State Senate		2026-03-021 real property, 1 income, 26 gifts, 3 travel
2024 Annual
Senator, State Senate		2025-03-031 real property, 1 income, 26 gifts, 2 travel

Findings

Context Behested payments

Of $77,558 paid at their request since 2024: 1 source ($32,058) is a registered lobbyist employer

Payments made at their request (Form 803) from sources that also appear in Cal-Access: Olson Remcho, LLP ($32,058 to Amicus Brief in State Public Defender v. Bonta; lobbyist employer).

What to check
  • Context: behested payments are legal and public; this puts two public records side by side.
  • Whether the official later acted on matters involving these sources.
  • The full Form 803 reports (available from the FPPC on request).
Rule: Behested payments from donors or lobbyist employers
“Unlike gifts and contributions, there are no limits on the amount of payments an official may behest.”FPPC, Reporting Behested Payments – Form 803 ✓ quoted from the saved copy · how this rule works

Context Lobbying

34 of their donors and benefactors lobbied on 359 bills they voted on

Employers that lobbied on bills they voted on (as their lobbying reports name the bills) and that gave $91,189 to their campaign, $554 in gifts reported by lobbying interests. Largest: Viejas Band of Kumeyaay Indians ($11,800); CALIFORNIA STATE PIPE TRADES COUNCIL ($10,000); TURO ($8,400); CALIFORNIA TEAMSTERS PUBLIC AFFAIRS COUNCIL ($5,000); CALIFORNIA COMMERCE CLUB ($4,500). They voted aye on 345 of the 359.

What to check
  • Context: lobbying a bill and funding a member are both legal and public.
  • A report names the bills an employer lobbied on, not which side it took: read the bill and the employer's position before drawing anything from a vote.
  • The bills on their page, sorted by how much these interests gave.
Rule: Bills their donors lobbied on

How this rule works

Context Travel payments · the statement

Lists $9,231.89 in travel paid by others (3 payments)

Largest: Vancouver and Victoria, Canada ($4,655.98, California Foundation on the Environment and the Economy), Portugal ($3,129.89, ideateLABS), Utah ($1,446.02, California Foundation on the Environment and the Economy). 3 of 3 are listed as gifts.

What to check
  • Who paid, and for what: speeches, conferences and nonprofit-paid travel are treated differently (Schedule E instructions).
  • Whether the paying organizations have business before the office.

Travel: California Foundation on the Environment and the Economy $4,656 p.7Travel: ideateLABS $3,130 p.7Travel: California Foundation on the Environment and the Economy $1,446 p.7

Rule: Travel paid by others
“Travel payments from third parties (not your employer).”Form 700 (2025/2026), Types of reportable interests ✓ quoted from the saved copy · how this rule works

Behested payments

What Lola D Smallwood-Cuevas reported others paying at their request (FPPC Form 803) since 2024: $77,558 in 14 payments to 11 recipients. Officials report a source that pays $5,000 or more in a year; there is no limit.

Largest recipients: Amicus Brief in State Public Defender v. Bonta $32,058 · SB 1340 Rally & Education Day $15,000 · Divine Oludimu $6,000 · Los Angeles Sentinel $5,000 · Livia Mitchell $3,000

Paid byTo, forAmount
Olson Remcho, LLP
Oakland · registered lobbyist employer · campaign donor		Amicus Brief in State Public Defender v. Bonta · Amicus brief in Office of the State Public Defender v. Bonta (Case No. S284496)
Governmental · 2024-04-30		$32,058
Southern California Black Worker Hub
Los Angeles		SB 1340 Rally & Education Day · SB 1340 Rally & Education Day
Legislative · 2024-08-13		$5,000
Los Angeles Black Worker Center
Los Angeles		SB 1340 Rally & Education Day · SB 1340 Rally & Education Day
Legislative · 2024-08-13		$5,000
Inland Empire Black Worker Center
San Bernardino		SB 1340 Rally & Education Day · SB 1340 Rally & Education Day
Legislative · 2024-08-13		$5,000
Automobile Club of Southern California
Costa Mesa		Los Angeles Sentinel · Los Angeles MLK Parade Sponsorship
Legislative · 2026-01-09		$5,000
Women in California Leadership
Sacramento		Livia Mitchell · Student Scholarship
Charitable · 2024-07-29		$3,000
Women in California Leadership
Sacramento		Penny Thompson · Student Scholarship
Charitable · 2024-07-29		$3,000
Women in California Leadership
Sacramento		Divine Oludimu · Minerva Scholarship
Charitable · 2025-08-04		$3,000
Women in California Leadership
Sacramento		Brennen Higgins-Bell · Minerva Scholarship
Charitable · 2025-08-04		$3,000
Women in California Leadership
Sacramento		Sarahi Cruz · Minerva Scholarship
Charitable · 2026-08-04		$3,000
Women in California Leadership
Sacramento		Divine Oludimu · Minerva Scholarship
Charitable · 2026-08-04		$3,000
LA County Legislative Delegation Foundation
Sacramento		Downtown Women's Center · non-profit grant
Charitable · 2024-08-13		$2,500
Women in California Leadership
Sacramento		Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights · Donation to a nonprofit organization
Charitable · 2025-11-17		$2,500
Women in California Leadership
Sacramento		Black Alliance for Just Immigration · Donation to a nonprofit organization
Charitable · 2025-11-21		$2,500

From the FPPC's Form 803 data (search and download). “Campaign donor” links to a donor who gave to two or more 2026 state candidates.

Reported by lobbying interests

What lobbyist employers, lobbyists and lobbying firms told the Secretary of State they spent on Lola D Smallwood-Cuevas since 2024: $785 across 11 items from 8 sources. Each amount is their share as the report gives it. Matched by name and office.

Reported byWhat, whenTo them
FanDuel Group, Inc
$205 in all		Food, Beverage & Entertainment at California Tribal Business Association · 2025-01-16 · report$204.84
LOS ANGELES COUNTY BUSINESS FEDERATION (BIZFED)
$147 in all		FOOD & BEVERAGE at FOX STUDIO LOT · 2025-12-10 · report$147.04
DRAFTKINGS, INC. AND ITS AFFILIATES
$135 in all		Food, Beverage & Entertainment at California Tribal Business Association · 2025-01-16 · report$135.19
California Environmental Voters
$106 in all		Meal at Frank Fat's · 2025-05-21 · report$33.74
Staffer Meal at Frank Fat's · 2025-05-21 · report$33.74
Meal at Frank Fat's · 2025-03-19 · report$20.94
Meal at Frank Fat's · 2024-01-17 · report$17.25
REYES HOLDINGS L.L.C.
$90 in all		FOOD & BEVERAGE at GOLDEN BRANDS - SACRAMENTO · 2025-01-22 · report$89.84
Port of Long Beach
$45 in all		Reception at The Climate Group North America · 2025-09-23 · report$45
FAMILY WINEMAKERS OF CALIFORNIA
$32 in all		FOOD/BEVERAGE at MIX DOWNTOWN · 2025-01-28 · report$31.65
Sempra and its Affiliates: San Diego Gas & Electric Company and Southern California Gas Company
$25 in all		Beverages at Ella in Sacramento at Ella · 2026-01-14 · report$25.49

Reports on Cal-Access may ask you to pass a security check first.

Campaign money: State Senate District 28

$974,630itemized, 571 contributions
$0from the candidate (incl. loans)

Plus $17,900 in 8 contributions reported within 24 hours since their latest full report, which ends 2026-09-19: not yet in the totals above (they'll move into them, not be added twice, when the next full report comes in).

United Nurses Association of California/Union of Health Care Professionals PAC (UNAC PAC) $5,900 2026-10-06 · AEG and Affiliated Entities $2,500 2026-09-23 · AT&T Services Inc and its Affiliates $2,500 2026-10-01 · California State Retirees PAC $2,500 2026-10-08 · Shingle Springs Band Miwok Indians $2,000 2026-10-06 · Philips North America LLC PAC $1,500 2026-09-28 · The Hartford Insurance Group, Inc. PAC $1,000 2026-09-22

Where their outside money comes from

IndividualsBusinessesTrade, professional and issue groupsLabor unionsTribal governmentsPolitical partiesOther candidates and officeholders

Compare with all state candidates →

How it was spent: $757,679

Other (described)$294,048
Contributions to others$191,650
Consultants$184,120
Literature and mailings$33,353
Legal and accounting$18,594
Fundraising events$13,462
Civic donations$9,000
Internet and email$6,575
Print ads$4,873
Filing and ballot fees$1,283

Largest payees: Marva Diaz Strategies LLC $125,986 Postage and delivery · ADB Serving LLC $125,332 Other (described) · Bankcard Center $102,741 Candidate travel and meals · California Democratic Party $85,000 Contributions to others · Sarah Kate Levy Consulting LLC $35,749 Internet and email · NM Marketing $24,929 Literature and mailings · L. Norwood & Associates $20,250 Consultants · Citizens for Accountable Leadership $20,000 Other (described)

Payments on their full reports (Form 460 Schedule E) covering 2025–2026, by the FPPC's expense codes; a consultant's payments to others (ads, mail) show under the consultant.

Top contributorsTypeTotal
ADB Serving LLC
Philadelphia		Business/other$125,332
California Professional Firefighters PAC
Sacramento		Small contributor cmte$19,600
United Domestic Workers of America Action Fund
Sacramento		Small contributor cmte$19,600
California State Council of Laborers PAC
Sacramento		Small contributor cmte$17,700
California-Nevada Conference of Operating Engineers PAC
Sacramento		Small contributor cmte$14,400
California Nurses Association PAC (CNA-PAC)
Sacramento		Small contributor cmte$13,200
California Federation of Teachers COPE
Sacramento		Small contributor cmte$11,800
California State Council of Service Employees
Sacramento		Small contributor cmte$11,800
California Teachers Association/Association for Better Citizenship
Burlingame		Small contributor cmte$11,800
Operating Engineers 3 Statewide PAC
Concord		Small contributor cmte$11,800
SEIU United Healthcare Workers West PAC
Los Angeles		Small contributor cmte$11,800
Service Employees International Union Local 1000 Candidate PAC
Sacramento		Small contributor cmte$11,800
Service Employees International Union Local 721, CTW, CLC State & Local
Los Angeles		Small contributor cmte$11,800
Viejas Band of Kumeyaay Indians
Alpine		Business/other$11,800
Al Malaikah Auditorium Co.
Los Angeles		Business/other$10,900

Committees: LOLA SMALLWOOD-CUEVAS FOR SENATE 2022, LOLA SMALLWOOD-CUEVAS FOR SENATE 2026, CALIFORNIA WORKS FOR ALL SUPPORTING PROP 50 - SMALLWOOD-CUEVAS BALLOT MEASURE COMMITTEE. From the Secretary of State's Cal-Access export; reports covering 2025–2026.

Outside spending for and against them

$1,175spent supporting them
$0spent opposing them
SpenderAmount
Los Angeles County Democratic Party ? State Candidate Committee
primary · latest report		for$1,175

Independent expenditures reported within 24 hours (Form 496), from 2025. The candidate doesn't control them.

Their donors also gave to

Their largest donors who also funded other 2026 state candidates.

DonorTo themCandidates fundedBy party
California Professional Firefighters Political Action Committee
Labor union · Sacramento		$19,60069
United Domestic Workers of America Action Fund
Labor union · Sacramento		$19,60052
California State Council of Laborers PAC
Labor union · Sacramento		$17,70048
California-Nevada Conference of Operating Engineers PAC
Labor union · Sacramento		$14,40020
California Nurses Association Political Action Committee (CNA-PAC)
Labor union · Sacramento		$13,20033
California Federation of Teachers COPE
Labor union · Sacramento		$11,80052
Viejas Band of Kumeyaay Indians
Tribal government · Alpine · registered lobbyist employer		$11,80065
CA State Council of Service Employees
Labor union · Sacramento · registered lobbyist employer		$11,80012
Service Employees International Union Local 721, CTW, CLC State & Local
Labor union · Los Angeles		$11,80020
Service Employees International Union Local 1000 Candidate PAC
Labor union · Sacramento		$11,80040
California Teachers Association/Association for Better Citizenship
Labor union · Burlingame		$11,80043
SEIU United Healthcare Workers West Political Action Committee
Labor union · Los Angeles		$11,80013
Operating Engineers 3 Statewide PAC
Labor union · Concord		$11,8006
Al Malaikah Auditorium Company
Business · Los Angeles · registered lobbyist employer		$10,90010
Standing Committee on Political Education of the California Labor Federation AFL-CIO
Labor union · Sacramento		$10,0007