California Common Cause

California Common Cause
Basic facts
Type:	501(c)(4)
Top official:	Darius Kemp, Executive Director
Founder(s):	John W. Gardner
Year founded:	1970
Website:	Official website

California Common Cause is a 501(c)(4) political advocacy organization based in California. It is the state affiliate of Common Cause, a national 501(c)(4) focused on campaign finance and government accountability.

Background

Common Cause was founded in 1970 by John W. Gardner, a former Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare under President Lyndon Johnson (D). Its first initiatives were opposition to the Vietnam War and support for reducing the voting age from 21 to 18.

Leadership

As of July 2025, the following individuals served on the board at California Common Cause:

• Mindy Romero, Chair
• Angelica Salceda, Vice Chair
• Brian Brennan
• Gary Ferdman
• Kristin Nimmers
• Rajan Narang
• Peter Reinke
• Zabrae Valentine
• Saanvi Arora
• Bill Wong

Work and activities

Electoral activities and influence

California Proposition 11 (2008)

See also: California Proposition 11, Creation of the California Citizens Redistricting Commission Initiative (2008)

Common Cause led the support campaign for California Proposition 11 in 2008. This measure authorized the creation of the California Citizens Redistricting Commission, a 14-member commission with the responsibility of drawing the geographic boundaries of the state's 120 legislative districts and four Board of Equalization districts every 10 years. Previously, the task of setting these boundaries fell to the California State Legislature. The measure passed with 50.8% of the vote.

Notable endorsements

See also: Ballotpedia: Our approach to covering endorsements

This section displays endorsements this organization made in elections within Ballotpedia's coverage scope.

Notable ballot measure endorsements by California Common Cause

Measure	Position	Outcome
California Eliminate State Officer Recall Successor Elections Amendment (2026)  source	Support	On the ballot
California Proposition 118, Require Two-Thirds Legislative Vote and Voter Approval for Redistricting Plans Initiative (June 1990)  source	Oppose	Defeated
California Proposition 11, Creation of the California Citizens Redistricting Commission Initiative (2008)  source	Support	Approved
California Proposition 15, Biennial Lobbyist Fee and Public Campaign Funding Measure (June 2010)  source	Support	Defeated
California Proposition 20, Transfer Congressional Redistricting to Commission Initiative (2010)  source	Support	Approved
California Proposition 26, Supermajority Vote to Pass Certain New Taxes and Fees (2010)  source	Oppose	Approved
California Proposition 27, Elimination of Citizens Redistricting Commission Initiative (2010)  source	Oppose	Defeated
California Proposition 34, State Elective Office Campaign Contribution Limits Measure (2000)  source	Oppose	Approved
California Proposition 43, Constitutional Right to Have One's Vote Counted Amendment (March 2002)  source	Support	Approved
California Proposition 54, Public Display of Legislative Bills Prior to Vote (2016)  source	Support	Approved
California Proposition 59, Overturn of Citizens United Act Advisory Question (2016)  source	Support	Approved
California Proposition 89, Public Campaign Finance Program, Campaign Finance Limits, and Increased Corporate Tax Initiative (2006)  source	Support	Defeated
California Vote Requirements for Initiatives Requiring Supermajority Votes Amendment (2026)  source	Support	On the ballot

Finances

As of July 2025, financial information for the California affiliate was not available. To learn about financial information for Common Cause more broadly, click here.

See also

• What is an influencer?
• California Proposition 11, Creation of the California Citizens Redistricting Commission Initiative (2008)

External links

• California Common Cause official website
• Common Cause official website
• Common Cause on Facebook
• Common Cause on X
• Common Cause on TikTok
• Common Cause on YouTube
• Common Cause on Instagram
• Common Cause on Threads
• Common Cause on Bluesky