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Evan Low
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Evan Low (born June 5, 1983) is an American politician who served in the California State Assembly from 2014 to 2024.[1] A member of the Democratic Party, he represented the 26th Assembly district, which encompasses parts of Silicon Valley, including Cupertino, Sunnyvale, Santa Clara and portions of northern and western San Jose. He was a member of the California Legislative LGBT Caucus (and served as chair from 2017 to 2018 and 2021 to 2022), and served as Chair of the California Asian American & Pacific Islander Legislative Caucus.

Key Information

Prior to his election in the Assembly in 2014, Low served as Mayor and City Councilmember in Campbell, California. On January 15, 2020, Low was named national co-chair of Andrew Yang's presidential campaign.[2] He was a candidate in the 2024 election to succeed Anna Eshoo as the U.S. representative from California's 16th congressional district, losing to Sam Liccardo in the general election.

Early life

[edit]
Low (left) attends a pride parade in 2006.

Low was born in San Jose, California, on June 5, 1983, to Chinese American optometrist Arthur Low. Low grew up in San Jose and attended Leland High School. In 2003, Low moved to neighboring Campbell.[3][4][5]

Low earned an associate's degree from De Anza College in Cupertino, and a bachelor's degree in political science from San Jose State University.[4][5]

Campbell City Council

[edit]

In 2004, Low unsuccessfully ran for a seat on the City Council, but he ran again in 2006 and won in his second attempt. Low worked as a senior district representative for California's former 28th State Assembly district Assemblymember Paul Fong.[3][4]

When his colleagues selected him to become Campbell mayor in 2009, Low became the youngest openly gay, Asian American mayor in the nation.[6]

In 2013, his colleagues on the Campbell City Council selected him to serve as mayor for a second time.[7] His term on the council expired in 2014.

California Assembly

[edit]

In 2014, Assembly Speaker Toni Atkins appointed Low as Assistant Majority Whip.[8] Low was kept in the same leadership role by Atkins's successor, Speaker Anthony Rendon, in 2016.[9]

Low chaired the California Assembly Business and Professions Committee from March 2016 until November 2021, when he was removed without explanation by Speaker Anthony Rendon. Low was replaced by Marc Berman.[10][11]

Low is a co-founder and co-chair of the California Legislative Tech Caucus.[12] There are 24 members of the Tech Caucus.[13]

In 2014, Low supported SCA 5, an initiative that would have asked voters to consider eliminating California Proposition 209's ban on the use of race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin in recruitment, admissions, and retention programs at California's public universities and colleges.[14] Proposition 209 also effectively banned affirmative action in the public contracting and employment. Low supported a similar effort to repeal Prop 209 in its entirety with ACA 5 and Proposition 16 in 2020.[15] In 2023, Low also supported ACA 7, a narrower effort "that would allow state agencies to consider race if academic research shows evidence those race-based programs could work."[16][17]

In 2016, Low introduced AB 1887 that would ban all California state-funded travel to states that enacted laws to discriminate against individuals based upon sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression, that was supported by U.S. House of Representatives Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi.[12] The California state-funded travel ban was replaced in 2023 with an advertising campaign.[18]

In 2016, New York Magazine identified Low as a potential United States presidential candidate in 2024 along with nine other young Democrats who, like Obama, have unusual ambition.[19]

In the 2017–2018 session, The Sacramento Bee identified Low as California's most prolific lawmaker, where he had the most bills signed by any member of the state legislature by Governor Jerry Brown.[20] He has also been credited with driving the future of Uber and Lyft in the California State Legislature.[21]

In 2019, Low introduced AB-57, which would allow candidates with birth names in character-based languages—such as Chinese, Japanese, and Korean—to use those names in voter requested translated ballots. Previously, candidates such as Fiona Ma have had transliterated versions of their name (e.g. Fei O Na Ma) appear on translated ballots. The bill also required candidates without character based birth names to phonetically translate their names on translated ballots, unless they prove that they are known under a different name within the target community. AB-57 was signed into law by Governor Gavin Newsom in July 2019 and went into effect in 2020.[22]

In 2023 in SB 815, language added by Low in AB 2098, was removed from California Law due to concerns it was unconstitutional being tested in Court. Judge William B. Shubb prevented any doctors from being punished during the one year the "anti-misinformation" language was on the books.[23]

In 2023, Low announced that he would be running for Congress in California's 16th congressional district,[24] help by Representative Anna Eshoo, who announced that she would be retiring after the 2024 election.

2024 U.S. House of Representatives election

[edit]
See also: 2024 California's 16th congressional district election

In December 2023, Low announced his intention to run for California's 16th congressional district, which was held by retiring incumbent Anna Eshoo.[25] After the primary in March 2024, Low and Santa Clara County supervisor Joe Simitian repeatedly traded the second-place position multiple times during the vote count.[26] By April 3, 2024, both Low and Simitian tied with 30,249 votes each and were expected to advance to the general election under a stipulation by California elections code regarding a second-place tie in primary elections.[26] Both campaigns released statements indicating that they intended to compete in the general election.[27]

However, after a poll believed to be conducted on behalf of supporters of first-placed Sam Liccardo testing two-way match-ups was fielded,[28] two residents of the district, including former Liccardo campaign finance director and current donor Jonathan Padilla, requested a recount; Liccardo himself was ineligible to do so because he does not live in the district.[29] Liccardo's campaign denied responsibility, though they agreed the recount was necessary, saying "every vote should be counted."[30]

At the conclusion of the recount, Simitian was ultimately eliminated and Low advanced to the general election by a 5-vote margin.[31]

In October 2024, good-government group Defend the Vote[32] filed an FEC complaint against Low,[33] alleging that he had spent nearly $600,000[34] from his state campaign account on ads that were distributed across the congressional district. Defend the Vote argued that the move violated federal campaign finance laws,[35] as state campaigns can accept higher individual contributions than federal campaigns, and can receive political action committee and corporation donations directly.

In wake of the expenditures, an attorney for Liccardo sent cease and desist letters[34] to five TV stations that broadcast the ads. The Mercury News Editorial Board reaffirmed their endorsement of Liccardo,[36] criticizing Low for “putting political self-interest ahead of campaign integrity.”

Post-legislative career

[edit]

In March 2025, Low was elected as the president of the LGBTQ+ Victory Fund and Leadership Institute, succeeding Annise Parker.[37]

In March 2025, the California Fair Political Practices Commission fined Low $106,000 for campaign finance violations after he admitted trying to conceal payments to actor Alec Baldwin to appear at his campaign rallies, which Low had previously claimed had happened on Baldwin's "own accord." Low had utilized a nonprofit he operated (The Foundation for California’s Technology and Innovation Economy) to pay Baldwin, and messages between organizers proved that he had attempted to hide the payments. Low was also criticized by the agency for failing to keep track of campaign transactions, missing the deadline to disclose nonprofit finances, and illegally shutting down his campaign account before reimbursing his nonprofit.[38]

Electoral history

[edit]

California State Assembly

[edit]
2014 California State Assembly 28th district election[39][40]
Primary election
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Evan Low 30,807 39.7
Republican Chuck Page 20,895 26.9
Democratic Barry Chang 19,156 24.7
Republican Michael Hunsweck 6,732 8.7
Total votes 77,590 100.0
General election
Democratic Evan Low 71,239 59.4
Republican Chuck Page 48,645 40.6
Total votes 119,884 100.0
Democratic hold
2016 California State Assembly 28th district election[41][42]
Primary election
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Evan Low (incumbent) 83,038 71.5
Republican Nicholas Sclavos 33,154 28.5
Total votes 116,192 100.0
General election
Democratic Evan Low (incumbent) 136,547 70.0
Republican Nicholas Sclavos 58,641 30.0
Total votes 195,188 100.0
Democratic hold
2018 California State Assembly 28th district election[43][44]
Primary election
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Evan Low (incumbent) 77,011 70.8
Republican Michael L. Snyder 31,776 29.2
Total votes 108,787 100.0
General election
Democratic Evan Low (incumbent) 130,815 71.1
Republican Michael L. Snyder 53,195 28.9
Total votes 184,010 100.0
Democratic hold
2020 California State Assembly 28th district election[45][46]
Primary election
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Evan Low (incumbent) 96,976 71.1
Republican Carlos Rafael Cruz 32,136 23.5
No party preference Sam Ross 7,350 5.4
Total votes 136,462 100.0
General election
Democratic Evan Low (incumbent) 166,733 71.6
Republican Carlos Rafael Cruz 65,976 28.4
Total votes 232,709 100.0
Democratic hold

After redistricting added Campbell to Assemblymember Marc Berman's district, Low announced he would run in the new 26th district spanning Sunnyvale, Cupertino, and Santa Clara.[47]

2022 California State Assembly 26th district election[48][49]
Primary election
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Evan Low (incumbent) 45,916 66.9
Republican Tim Gorsulowsky 16,289 23.7
Democratic Long Jiao 6,434 9.4
Total votes 68,639 100.0
General election
Democratic Evan Low (incumbent) 81,595 74.0
Republican Tim Gorsulowsky 28,616 26.0
Total votes 136,462 100.0
Democratic hold

U.S. House of Representatives

[edit]
2024 California's 16th congressional district election (final recount primary results on May 1, 2024)[50][51][52]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Sam Liccardo 38,492 21.1
Democratic Evan Low 30,261 16.6
Democratic Joe Simitian 30,256 16.6
Republican Peter Ohtaki 23,283 12.8
Democratic Peter Dixon 14,677 8.1
Democratic Rishi Kumar 12,383 6.8
Republican Karl Ryan 11,563 6.3
Democratic Julie Lythcott-Haims 11,386 6.2
Democratic Ahmed Mostafa 5,814 3.2
Democratic Greg Tanaka 2,421 1.3
Democratic Joby Bernstein 1,652 0.9
Total votes 182,188 100.0
General election
Democratic Sam Liccardo 179,583 58.2
Democratic Evan Low 128,893 41.8
Total votes 308,476 100.0
Democratic hold

Honors

[edit]

San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom issued a proclamation naming June 5, 2006, "Evan Low Day" in the City and County of San Francisco.[6][53][54]

Assemblymember Low has been named "Legislator of the Year" by the Internet Association, TechNet, The Computing Technology Industry Association, California Faculty Association, Cellular Telecommunications Industry Association, California District Attorneys Association and Faculty Association of California Community Colleges.[55][56][57]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Evan Low

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia

Evan Low (born June 5, 1983) is an American politician and nonprofit leader affiliated with the Democratic Party, who served as a member of the California State Assembly representing Silicon Valley districts from 2014 to 2024. Earlier in his career, Low was elected to the Campbell City Council in 2006 and became the city's mayor, marking him as the first openly gay Asian American to hold that office. In 2025, following an unsuccessful bid for the U.S. House of Representatives in California's 16th congressional district, he assumed the role of President and CEO of the LGBTQ+ Victory Fund, a political action committee focused on electing LGBTQ+ candidates. Low's legislative tenure emphasized technology and privacy issues, reflecting his district's prominence in the tech industry, and included service as Chair of the California Legislative LGBTQ Caucus and Assistant Speaker Pro Tempore. He authored bills advancing data privacy protections and supported measures on affordable housing and mental health services amid Silicon Valley's growth challenges. However, his career has been marked by significant controversies over campaign finance practices, culminating in a $106,000 fine from California's Fair Political Practices Commission in 2025 for failing to report behested payments and expenses, including over $227,000 disbursed to actor Alec Baldwin for event appearances funneled through a nonprofit. Multiple Federal Election Commission complaints were also filed against his 2024 congressional campaign, alleging improper use of funds and unreported contributions. These incidents highlight ongoing scrutiny of his adherence to electoral regulations despite his prominence in Democratic and LGBTQ+ advocacy circles.

Early life and education

Upbringing and family background

Evan Low was born on June 5, 1983, and raised in the region of the Bay Area, . As a fourth-generation Chinese-American, his family exemplifies generational upward mobility from working-class roots, with his grandparents employed as cannery workers whose blue-collar labor supported family stability, homeownership, and college education for their children. Low's father operated an practice in Almaden Valley, while his mother served as an outspoken community advocate, fostering in him an early emphasis on and . This family environment, amid the economic and social transformations of during his childhood, shaped his perspective on opportunity and community involvement, though Low has noted persistent perceptions of him as a "perpetual foreigner" despite deep roots.

Academic and early professional experience

Low attended , a community college in , before transferring to . He earned a degree in from in 2003. At these institutions, Low took courses in Asian American Studies and leadership development as part of the California community college and state university systems. Prior to entering elected office, Low worked as Director of Government and Public Affairs for the Volunteer Center of , a focused on community volunteering and in the region. This role involved advocating for and partnerships to expand volunteerism, aligning with his subsequent entry into local politics in 2006.

Local political career

Service on Campbell City Council

Evan Low was first elected to the Campbell City Council on November 7, 2006, at age 23, becoming the first Asian American, the first openly gay person, and one of the youngest members in the city's history. He secured one of three open seats, defeating incumbents and other candidates in a field emphasizing local economic vitality and community representation. Low was reelected in 2010, extending his service through 2014 when he pursued a state assembly seat. During his council tenure, he prioritized fiscal responsibility, including negotiating reforms that positioned Campbell as the first city in Santa Clara County to adopt such measures, aimed at curbing long-term liabilities amid economic pressures. In December 2009, the council appointed Low as , marking him as the youngest openly gay Asian American in the United States at that time; he held the position again starting December 2012. As and councilmember, Low advocated for job creation, housing affordability, environmental protections, and civil rights, reflecting Campbell's context of tech-driven growth and demographic diversity. His emphasized , though specific outcomes were constrained by the council's small size and consensus-driven decisions.

Mayoral tenure and local initiatives

Evan Low was selected by the Campbell City Council to serve as in December 2009, assuming office in early 2010 at the age of 26 and becoming the youngest openly gay and youngest Asian American in U.S. history at the time. In Campbell's council-manager system, the mayor position rotates annually among council members, and Low was reselected for a second one-year term in December 2012. During his tenure, the city navigated post-recession economic pressures, including budget constraints and regional competition for development in . Low emphasized transparency and public engagement by spearheading the live web-streaming and archiving of city council meetings, enabling residents—particularly working parents and those with scheduling conflicts—to access proceedings online at any time. This initiative leveraged emerging technologies like and texting to broaden participation, yielding increased resident feedback on local issues. He also prioritized diversity in , appointing a record number of diverse individuals to city boards and commissions, contributing to Campbell's most varied city council composition to date. In State of the City addresses, Low outlined progress on infrastructure projects, community outreach programs, and the city's General Plan update to guide long-term land use and development. These efforts addressed local priorities such as economic stabilization and inter-municipal coordination on Silicon Valley-wide challenges, including housing affordability and public services amid growth pressures. Low's youth informed a tech-forward approach, though specific quantifiable outcomes like budget savings or project completions from these initiatives remain documented primarily in local government summaries rather than independent audits.

State legislative career

Elections to the California Assembly

Evan Low was elected to represent California's 28th State Assembly district in the November 4, 2014, general election, defeating Republican Chuck Page with 71,239 votes (59.4 percent) to Page's 48,645 votes (40.6 percent). The district, encompassing parts of Santa Clara County including Campbell and portions of San Jose, was considered safely Democratic, and Low advanced from the primary where he received the most votes among candidates including Democrat Sally Lieber. Low secured reelection on November 8, 2016, again in District 28, against Republican Nicholas Sclavos, garnering 131,550 votes (70.1 percent) to Sclavos's 56,207 votes (29.9 percent). He faced no primary opposition that year under California's top-two system. In the 2018 for the same district, Low won with 73.6 percent of the vote against Republican Peter Coe, reflecting the district's strong Democratic lean. The 2020 election saw Low reelected in District 28 with 166,733 votes (71.6 percent) over Republican challenger Carlos Rafael Estremera (previously listed as Cruz in some reports), who received 66,248 votes (28.4 percent). Following based on the , Low ran in the newly drawn 26th district in 2022, winning the June primary with 66.9 percent and advancing to the general where he defeated Republican Johnny Hill with 64.2 percent of the vote, ensuring his final term ended in 2024 due to term limits. Across these contests, Low consistently benefited from high Democratic turnout in suburbs and faced limited Republican opposition in a district with a Democratic registration advantage exceeding 20 percentage points.

Committee assignments and leadership roles

Low served as Assistant Majority Whip in the during the 2015–2016 legislative session, assisting in coordinating Democratic floor operations and strategy. In the 2017–2018 session, Low chaired the Assembly Committee on Elections and Redistricting, overseeing legislation on , precinct management, and ballot measures, while also serving as a member of the Committees on Business and Professions, Communications and Conveyance, Governmental Organization, and Higher Education. His role as Elections Committee chair involved analyzing bills such as AB 939, which addressed polling place voter roster postings, and AB 855 on regulations. Low continued chairing the Elections and Committee in subsequent sessions, including introducing constitutional amendments on in 2017, and later served as chair of the Business and Professions Committee until his removal by Assembly Speaker on November 18, 2021, without public explanation. He also co-chaired the Assembly Caucus, focusing on long-term policy issues like technology and innovation.

Key legislative achievements

During his tenure in the from 2014 to 2024, Evan Low authored AB 953, the Racial and Identity Profiling Act of 2015, which requires peace officers to collect and report demographic data—including perceived race, ethnicity, gender, and sexual orientation—on all stops, searches, and arrests to detect patterns of profiling and promote accountability. The law established the Racial and Identity Profiling Advisory Board to analyze the data and issue annual reports, with the 2023 report covering over 4.7 million stops. Low also authored AB 2504 in 2018, mandating that the Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training develop and implement a course on and for peace officer recruits, with optional for active officers to address interactions with LGBTQ+ communities and reduce bias-related incidents. The bill, signed into law effective January 1, 2019, aimed to improve cultural competency amid higher reported rates of hate crimes against LGBTQ+ individuals. As chair of the California Legislative LGBTQ Caucus from 2020, Low advanced resolutions designating and establishing California's Suicide Prevention Week, focusing on mental health resources for vulnerable populations including LGBTQ+ youth. These measures built on his broader advocacy for equity in policing and community safety, though critics noted potential administrative burdens on without corresponding reductions in overall stop volumes.

Policy positions and voting record

Evan Low has generally aligned with progressive policy priorities during his tenure in the California State Assembly, supporting expansions in protections, environmental regulations, and social welfare programs while advocating for targeted reforms in and housing affordability. His voting record reflects strong Democratic discipline, with high scores from left-leaning advocacy groups such as a 94% environmental rating in 2020 from California Environmental Voters and ACLU scores reaching 100% in 2021 and 2022, though he has occasionally missed votes on contentious issues like racially biased police searches (AB 93, did not vote). On technology and privacy, Low chaired the Assembly Committee on Privacy and Consumer Protection and co-chaired the Legislative Caucus, emphasizing balanced to protect consumers without stifling . He voted yes on AB 1008 (August 31, 2024), which extends privacy laws to systems, and AB 1836 (August 31, 2024), establishing civil liabilities for unauthorized use of deceased persons' likenesses in digital contexts. Low has advocated for AI oversight alongside development, stating a commitment to fostering tech growth in . In , Low's lifetime score stands at 92% from California Environmental Voters, including yes votes on AB 841 for clean cars and healthy schools, AB 995 for toxic substances control reform, and AB 3030 establishing a 30x30 land and goal. However, he accepted contributions from oil interests despite these positions and did not vote on AB 345 for oil and gas buffer zones or SB 54 for reduction. He supports zero-emission vehicles and a 40% emissions cut by 2030 with worker transition programs. Regarding and public safety, Low's record includes support for reforms such as yes votes on AB 1266 to end debtor's prisons, AB 793 to stop reverse demands in policing, and ACA 8 (Proposition 6) to end in prisons, contributing to his elevated ACLU ratings in later years. He did not vote on AB 93 to curb racially biased police searches or AB 1034, the Freedom from Surveillance Act. Low has pledged to back alongside "smart solutions" for reducing , including "common sense" gun safety measures like universal background checks and waiting periods to keep firearms from perpetrators. Low has prioritized housing affordability, voting yes on AB 3300 and SB 423 to advance related initiatives, and endorsing a $25,000 for first-time homebuyers as proposed by . On homelessness, he describes it as an urgent crisis requiring compassionate action, including and legislation. In labor and , he supported AB 2499 (September 28, 2024) expanding paid and has backed universal health coverage expansions, drug price reductions, and AB 414 for related reforms. He co-authored Proposition 1 (passed 2022) to enshrine rights in the state constitution and supports reproductive freedom without a national ban.

Controversies and ethics issues

Campaign finance investigations and fines

In April 2025, the Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) approved a $106,000 stipulated settlement against former Assemblymember Evan Low and his candidate-controlled committee, Evan Low for Assembly 2020, resolving 23 counts of violations stemming from the 2020 election cycle. The violations included three counts of failing to timely file behested payment reports under Government Code §84224, seven counts of failing to verify campaign statements under §81004, seven counts of failing to timely disclose accrued expenses under §§84211 and Regulation 18421.6, four counts of failing to disclose subvendor payments under §§84303 and 84211, one count of failing to maintain adequate campaign records under §84104, and one count of improperly terminating the committee under §84214 and Regulation 18404. Central to the case were 16 unreported or late-reported behested payments totaling $227,500, solicited by Low for third-party beneficiaries including nonprofits and events, with delays ranging from 5 to 528 days. A prominent example involved over $227,000 routed through the Foundation for ’s Technology and Innovation Economy—a nonprofit affiliated with Low—to for appearances at a event and a February 7, 2020, personal fundraiser. Low initially represented Baldwin's participation as voluntary but admitted in January 2025 to knowingly concealing the payments, agreeing to the settlement terms which required repaying half of Baldwin's fee to the nonprofit. Low satisfied the fine on July 29, 2025, using funds from his "Low for State Controller 2030" committee, which held $657,686.79 in cash on hand at the time. The FPPC investigation, initiated under case numbers 202000231 and 202300443, highlighted systemic reporting and record-keeping deficiencies rather than allegations of personal enrichment. No further federal or state probes against Low were publicly documented as of October 2025. In the March 5, 2024, for , state Assemblymember Evan Low and Santa Clara County Supervisor Joe Simitian finished in a tie for second place, each receiving 30,249 votes behind frontrunner . Under California's top-two primary system, the tie initially allowed both to advance to the general election alongside Liccardo, but a manual recount was requested to resolve the deadlock and determine a single second-place finisher. The recount, initiated on April 12, 2024, was requested by Jonathan Padilla, a former staffer to Liccardo, who claimed to be acting in Low's interest to ensure accuracy; Low's campaign disputed this, asserting Padilla had no authorization and accusing the request of being a . Low's legal team sought to halt the process, arguing that Padilla had improperly switched from a full recount to a targeted one after the filing deadline, potentially violating state election procedures. Low publicly criticized the effort as a "dirty trick" orchestrated by Liccardo's allies using "dark money" to manipulate the outcome and undermine , while his campaign reported that the uncertainty hampered fundraising. Funding for the recount, which exceeded $350,000 in costs primarily borne by participating campaigns and observers, drew further scrutiny; key contributions included $102,000 from a super PAC backed by (Neighbors for Results), $100,000 from cryptocurrency executive , and smaller amounts from other Liccardo supporters such as Nick Josefowitz and Daniel J. Warmenhoven. Low's campaign outspent opponents on recount observers, but the donor ties fueled allegations of improper coordination between Liccardo's camp and recount backers, though no formal violations were substantiated. The recount concluded on April 30, 2024, in Santa Clara County (Low +11 votes, Simitian +7) and May 1, 2024, in San Mateo County (Low +1, Simitian unchanged), giving Low a final margin of five votes and securing his advancement. It uncovered procedural irregularities in Santa Clara County, including errors from faulty thumb drives and handling that affected 19 ballots, ultimately favoring Low but highlighting vulnerabilities in vote tabulation. Simitian conceded on May 2, 2024, without further challenge. In response, Low announced plans in June 2024 for legislation to overhaul 's recount system, including requirements for immediate disclosure of contributions over $10,000 funding such requests and automatic recounts for margins under 25 votes or 0.25% of total ballots, citing the CA-16 experience as evidence of opacity and potential for abuse by outside interests. No recounts or formal election complaints were reported in Low's prior California Assembly races.

2024 congressional campaign

Primary election and recount

In the March 5, 2024, for , a contest to succeed retiring Representative , former San Jose Mayor finished first with 33,287 votes (19.5%), while state Assemblymember Evan Low and Santa Clara County Supervisor Joe Simitian tied for second with 30,249 votes each (17.7%). Under California's top-two primary system, the tie initially allowed all three Democrats to advance to the November , prompting Simitian to request a recount to resolve the second-place position. The recount, limited to Santa Clara and San Mateo counties (which comprise the bulk of the district's vote share), began on April 22, 2024, and involved manual re-examination of ballots amid allegations of tabulation errors. In Santa Clara County, officials reported Low gaining 11 votes and Simitian gaining 7 compared to the certified canvass; in San Mateo County, Low gained 1 vote with no change for Simitian. These adjustments yielded final totals of 30,261 votes for Low and 30,256 for Simitian, a margin of 5 votes, confirming Low's advancement and eliminating Simitian from the ballot; the process concluded certification on May 1, 2024. The recount cost approximately $30,000, split between the counties and partially funded by Simitian's campaign, and drew scrutiny over the rarity of such a close outcome in a federal race but affirmed the original machine counts with minor discrepancies attributable to provisional and conditional ballots. Low's campaign described the result as validation of voter intent, positioning him against Liccardo in the general election.

General election results

In the November 5, 2024, general election for , former San Jose Mayor defeated State Assemblymember Evan Low, both Democrats, under the state's top-two primary system which advanced the two highest primary vote-getters regardless of party. Liccardo captured 58.2 percent of the vote to Low's 41.8 percent, with all ballots counted and results certified by state officials in December 2024. The district, encompassing parts of Santa Clara and San Mateo counties in the area, saw a total of 308,476 votes cast.
CandidatePartyVotesPercentage
Democratic179,58358.2%
Evan LowDemocratic128,89341.8%
Total308,476100%
Liccardo led in both counties comprising the district: in Santa Clara County, he received approximately 60 percent of the vote amid higher turnout there (249,794 total votes), while in San Mateo County, his margin was wider at about 62 percent (58,682 total votes). Low conceded the race shortly after the election, acknowledging Liccardo's victory in a statement released , 2024. The outcome reflected divisions within the district's Democratic electorate, with Liccardo benefiting from stronger support in urban San Jose areas and Low drawing from his South Bay legislative base.

Campaign criticisms and external complaints

In August 2024, former Federal Election Commission Chair Ann Ravel filed a complaint with the FEC alleging that Evan Low failed to report in-kind contributions to his congressional campaign, specifically questioning disclosures related to resources potentially transferred from his state Assembly account. The complaint highlighted discrepancies in Low's federal campaign filings, prompting scrutiny over compliance with federal election laws during the competitive Democratic primary for California's 16th congressional district. A second FEC complaint was filed on October 2, 2024, by the advocacy group Defend The Vote, accusing Low of violating federal law by using funds from his state Assembly campaign committee to support his federal congressional bid, including expenditures on polling, mailers, and staff that allegedly benefited the congressional race after Low declared his candidacy in December 2023. This filing intensified attacks from opponent and his supporters, who argued it demonstrated improper commingling of state and federal resources. On October 16, 2024, leaders from the and publicly criticized Low for the alleged campaign finance violations, urging FEC investigation and framing the issues as undermining in the race. Low's campaign denied wrongdoing in both instances, asserting that all activities complied with applicable laws and that the complaints represented politically motivated challenges from rivals in a heated primary. As of late 2025, the FEC complaints remained under review without formal findings of violation.

Post-legislative career

Role at LGBTQ+ Victory Fund and Institute

Evan Low was appointed President and of the LGBTQ+ Victory Fund and LGBTQ+ Victory Institute on March 4, 2025, succeeding the previous leadership following his departure from the . These organizations function as a federal and training institute, respectively, focused on electing and developing openly LGBTQ+ candidates for public office. Low's selection marked him as the first Asian American to lead the entities. Low's prior involvement with the Victory Fund dated to 2004, when he received his first endorsement at age 21 while running for Campbell City Council, where he became the first Asian American elected member and later the youngest openly LGBTQ+ in U.S. history. His decade in the Assembly included legislative work on marriage equality and LGBTQ+ rights, earning him "Legislator of the Year" awards and a past role on the Victory Institute's board as a Bohnett Fellow. Board chairs Joseph Falk of the Victory Fund and Howard Pulchin-Ramos of the Victory Institute cited Low's experience in expanding opportunities and reinforcing the influence of LGBTQ+ leaders in selecting him. In assuming the role, Low expressed commitment to elevating LGBTQ+ representation to levels proportional to the community's estimated 9.3% share of the U.S. , particularly amid increasing legislative challenges. He stated, "I am committed to ensuring our voices are not just included, but impossible to ignore – and represented at the highest levels of ." Under his , the organizations aim to accelerate the election of openly LGBTQ+ officials across government levels to sustain political power.

Recent developments and ongoing matters

In 2025, the Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) imposed a $106,000 fine on Low for 23 violations of state laws, including failures to report behested payments—such as directing over $500,000 raised for a nonprofit tech foundation—and unreported campaign expenses, some involving celebrity endorsements like those from actor . Low admitted to the violations in a settlement with the FPPC, which had initiated investigations into his practices dating back to his assembly tenure. Low paid the fine in 2025 using remaining campaign funds from his 2024 congressional bid, prompting scrutiny over the use of donor contributions for personal penalties rather than political purposes. No further appeals or ongoing FPPC probes into these matters were reported as of late 2025. In his new leadership role, Low publicly urged Democrats in June 2025 to prioritize "kitchen table issues" over identity-focused messaging to regain voter trust amid recent electoral setbacks, reflecting on the near-200% increase in openly LGBTQ+ elected officials since under the Victory Fund's efforts. He received recognition in Out Magazine's 2025 Out100 for advancing LGBTQ+ political power through endorsements and appointments at all government levels.

Electoral history

California State Assembly elections

Evan Low was first elected to represent California's 28th State Assembly district in 2014. In the top-two on June 3, 2014, he garnered 25,441 votes, or 58.9% of the total cast in the district, advancing alongside Republican Peter Kuo. Low defeated Kuo in the general election on November 4, 2014, securing 71,239 votes and 59.4% of the vote. Low won reelection to District 28 in 2016, defeating Republican Navaz Nishan Deshmukh in the general election on November 8, 2016, with a margin of approximately 40 percentage points. He was reelected again in 2018, receiving 130,815 votes and 71.1% in the general election on November 6, 2018. In 2020, following another top-two primary, Low won the general election on November 3, 2020, with 96,203 votes and 71.1% against Republican Carlos Cruz and others. Redistricting after the 2020 census shifted Low to the 27th Assembly district for the 2022 cycle. He won reelection there in the general election on November 8, 2022, defeating Republican Billy Gray with 68.5% of the vote. Low did not seek reelection to in 2024, instead pursuing a congressional bid.
Election YearDistrictGeneral Election Result
201428Evan Low (D): 59.4%
201628Evan Low (D): ~70%
201828Evan Low (D): 71.1%
202028Evan Low (D): 71.1%
202227Evan Low (D): 68.5%

U.S. House of Representatives election

Evan Low sought election to the in in 2024, an open seat vacated by retiring incumbent . In the March 5, 2024, top-two primary election, a voter-requested recount in Santa Clara County—certified statewide on , 2024—determined the finalists. Former San Jose Mayor led with 24,662 votes (22.3%), while Low edged out Joe Simitian for second place by five votes: Low received 19,446 votes (17.6%) and Simitian 19,441 votes (17.6%). The recount adjusted totals minimally, with Low gaining 11 net votes over Simitian in the affected county, confirming Low's advancement to the general election alongside Liccardo under California's top-two system.
CandidatePartyVotesPercentage
Democratic24,66222.3%
Evan LowDemocratic19,44617.6%
Joe SimitianDemocratic19,44117.6%
OthersVariousRemainingRemaining
Total110,662100%
In the November 5, 2024, general election, Liccardo defeated Low with 142,506 votes (53.6%) to Low's 123,085 votes (46.4%).
CandidatePartyVotesPercentage
Democratic142,50653.6%
Evan LowDemocratic123,08546.4%
Total265,591100%

Political views and legacy

Ideological alignment and critiques

Evan Low aligns with the progressive wing of the Democratic Party, as evidenced by his endorsement from the Congressional Progressive Caucus PAC and listings in progressive voter guides for his stances on LGBTQ+ protections, , and affordability. He supports reproductive freedom without restrictions, including opposition to national abortion bans and votes for state measures prohibiting abortion limitations. On , Low advocates universal background checks and assault weapon restrictions. His environmental positions emphasize clean energy transitions and , such as supporting bans on harmful chemicals like PFAS in consumer products. In healthcare, he backs and cost reductions, including dignity protections for pregnant individuals. Economically, Low favors increasing the SALT deduction cap to aid high-tax state residents and protecting Social Security benefits. Critiques of Low's ideology primarily emanate from conservative perspectives, which portray his social policies as overreaching government intervention that erodes parental authority and traditional values. For instance, conservative scorecards fault him for voting yes on SB 954, a 2024 bill mandating free distribution in high s starting in the 2025-2026 school year alongside comprehensive sexual requirements, arguing it circumvents in sensitive matters. Such positions, combined with his advocacy for expansive LGBTQ+ rights as an openly gay former and current LGBTQ+ Fund CEO, have drawn accusations from right-leaning commentators of prioritizing identity-based policies over family-centric governance. Within Democratic circles, moderates like rival have implicitly critiqued Low's progressivism as insufficiently pragmatic on issues like crime, where Low opposed tougher penalties under Proposition 36, favoring rehabilitation-oriented approaches instead. These divergences contributed to Low's primary and losses in in 2024, where voters appeared to prefer Liccardo's centrist profile.

Impact and evaluations

Evan Low's legislative impact in the California State Assembly primarily focused on LGBTQ+ rights and community-specific initiatives. As chair of the California Legislative LGBTQ Caucus from 2016 onward, he prioritized bills enhancing protections and representation for sexual minorities, including authoring Assembly Constitutional Amendment 5 (ACA 5) in 2019, which sought to repeal Proposition 8-era language banning same-sex marriage and restricting foster parenting by gay individuals, placing the measure on the 2020 ballot for voter approval. He also co-authored legislation addressing transgender youth issues and workplace discrimination, contributing to incremental expansions of state-level affirmative policies in these areas, though critics argued such measures prioritized identity-based interventions over broader empirical evidence of societal outcomes. Other notable successes included AB 2883 (2020), establishing Lunar New Year as an official holiday for University of California and California State University students, reflecting his emphasis on cultural recognition in education. Low's role as Assistant Speaker Pro Tempore from 2018 facilitated procedural influence on tech and local government bills, given his district's Silicon Valley ties, but his authorship record shows limited passage of high-impact economic or fiscal reforms, with many bills stalling in committee. Evaluations of Low's performance vary by ideological lens, with progressive and environmental groups generally rating him favorably while conservative outlets highlighted deficits. The awarded him a 75% score in 2020 for supporting four key environmental bills that reached the governor's desk, praising his alignment on climate measures like SB 54 ( Circular Economy Act). The People's Report Card gave an overall B grade (80/100) in 2024, commending votes on equity-focused issues but noting corporate influence in contributions. Conversely, the John Birch Society's Freedom Index consistently scored him low—e.g., in the 10-20% range across sessions—for opposing parental rights bills like SB 954 and supporting expansive state budgets exceeding $300 billion annually, reflecting a pattern of votes favoring regulatory growth over limited-government principles. ACLU California Action tracked supportive key votes on , such as AB 93 ending racially biased police searches. Low's tenure drew scrutiny for ethical lapses, undermining evaluations of his governance integrity. In March 2025, the Fair Political Practices Commission fined him $106,000 for 23 violations of laws, including failure to report behested payments totaling over $500,000 raised for a nonprofit tech foundation, which regulators alleged blurred lines between personal fundraising and official duties. He reimbursed the fine using campaign funds, prompting further complaints to the in October 2024 over alleged misuse of state assembly account money for his congressional bid. These incidents, alongside a contentious 2024 primary recount in , fueled perceptions of procedural opportunism, contributing to his general election loss to by 52% to 48% on November 5, 2024, signaling limited voter trust beyond core progressive bases. Supporters, including LGBTQ+ advocacy groups, praised his post-legislative role at the Victory Fund for sustaining influence, but detractors cited the scandals as evidence of systemic accountability gaps in one-party dominated institutions.

References

  1. https://www.legistorm.com/person/bio/239896/Evan_Low.html
  2. https://lgbtqcaucus.legislature.ca.gov/node/40
  3. https://evanlowforassembly.com/about
  4. https://victoryfund.org/meet-evan-low-our-new-president-ceo/
  5. https://ballotpedia.org/Evan_Low
  6. https://calmatters.org/politics/2025/03/financial-violations-alec-baldwin/
  7. https://www.ktvu.com/news/evan-low-fined-106k-campaign-reporting-violations-including-payments-alec-baldwin
  8. https://abc7news.com/post/fec-complaint-filed-evan-lows-ca-district-16-congressional-campaign-former-chair/15233487/
  9. https://calmatters.org/politics/2025/02/california-campaign-finance-violations-evan-low/
  10. https://www.mercurynews.com/2025/08/05/evan-low-paid-106000-ethics-violation-fine-with-campaign-donations/
  11. https://blogs.sjsu.edu/wsq/2019/06/06/evan-lows-american-dream/
  12. https://justfacts.votesmart.org/candidate/biography/70415/evan-low
  13. https://aapi-perspectives.jamsj.org/archive/evan-low/
  14. https://futurecaucus.org/future-caucus/state-future-caucus-network/emeritus-state-caucus-chairs/evan-low/
  15. https://www.nichibei.org/2009/12/youngest-openly-gay-asian-american-mayor-in-nation-elected-in-campbell/
  16. https://lflink.campbellca.gov/LFLINK/DocView.aspx?id=55426&dbid=0&repo=CityHall
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  18. https://patch.com/california/campbell/evan-low-is-sworn-in-as-campbell-s-55th-mayor
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  23. https://www.campbellca.gov/1165/Past-State-of-the-City
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  32. https://aelc.assembly.ca.gov/sites/aelc.assembly.ca.gov/files/AB%2520939%2520Low%2520v2.pdf
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  34. https://sd27.senate.ca.gov/news/asm-low-introduces-state-constitutional-amendment-lower-voting-age-17
  35. https://www.abc10.com/article/news/politics/evan-low-committee-chair-removal/103-00773bcf-54c6-416d-8e7f-66c0375f7890
  36. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s--6OrK0RgQ
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  40. https://lgbtqcaucus.legislature.ca.gov/node/22
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  42. https://envirovoters.org/archives/scorecard/2020/assembly/low/index.html
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  47. https://fppc.ca.gov/enforcement/EnfDivCaseResults/stipulated-agreements/2025-sdo/april-sdo/evan-low-for-assembly.html
  48. https://www.fppc.ca.gov/media/press-releases/2025-news-releases/enf-release-apr-2025.html
  49. https://www.fec.gov/data/candidate/H4CA16239/
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  51. https://www.kqed.org/news/11981809/in-extraordinary-tie-evan-low-and-joe-simitian-both-advance-in-race-for-silicon-valley-house-seat
  52. https://www.mercurynews.com/2024/04/15/assemblymember-evan-low-tried-to-halt-congressional-district-16-recount/
  53. https://www.kqed.org/news/11995771/heres-who-funded-the-controversial-recount-for-congress-in-silicon-valley
  54. https://www.mercurynews.com/2024/05/20/super-pac-funded-by-michael-bloomberg-helped-pay-for-congressional-district-16-recount/
  55. https://sanjosespotlight.com/silicon-valley-santa-clara-county-congressional-district-16-candidates-spent-thousands-to-observe-recount-evan-low-sam-liccardo-election-2024/
  56. https://vote.santaclaracounty.gov/registrar-voters-completes-recount-congressional-district-16-race-0
  57. https://smcacre.gov/elections/news/recount-completed-contest-congressional-district-16-march-5-2024-presidential
  58. https://www.calvoter.org/content/district-16-recount-reveals-one-county-was-plagued-thumb-flubs-and-other-voting-errors-%25E2%2580%2593-and
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  67. https://www.cbsnews.com/sanfrancisco/news/california-16th-congressional-district-sam-liccardo-evan-low-election-2024/
  68. https://www.mercurynews.com/2024/08/26/former-fec-chair-ann-ravel-files-election-complaint-against-evan-lows-congressional-campaign/
  69. https://sanjosespotlight.com/san-jose-congressional-candidate-hit-with-federal-complaint/
  70. https://www.mercurynews.com/2024/10/02/evan-low-hit-with-fec-complaint-accusing-him-of-illegally-using-money-from-his-state-campaign-account-for-his-congressional-bid/
  71. https://wedefendthevote.org/defend-the-vote-files-fec-complaint-against-evan-low/
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  73. https://punchbowl.news/article/election-2024/democrats-accuse-evan-low-of-violating-campaign-finance-laws-in-race-against-sam-liccardo/
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  75. https://victoryfund.org/news/lgbtq-victory-fund-and-lgbtq-victory-institute-announce-evan-low-as-new-president-and-chief-executive-officer/
  76. https://victoryfund.org/meetevan/
  77. https://www.capradio.org/articles/2025/04/11/californias-political-watchdog-agency-slaps-106k-fine-on-former-silicon-valley-state-lawmaker/
  78. https://www.politico.com/news/2025/06/24/lgbtq-leader-dems-kitchen-table-issues-not-identity-00419552
  79. https://www.out.com/out100/2025/innovators/evan-low
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  81. https://www.nytimes.com/elections/2016/results/california-state-house-district-28
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  84. https://weareprogressives.org/congressional-progressive-caucus-pac-endorses-evan-low-for-ca-16/
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  86. https://thefreedomindex.org/ca/legislator/16294/
  87. https://www.mercurynews.com/2025/03/06/evan-low-once-the-youngest-openly-gay-mayor-in-the-country-will-now-lead-two-key-lgbtq-organizations/
  88. https://www.kqed.org/news/12011368/tough-on-crime-initiative-divides-south-bay-democratic-candidates
  89. https://padailypost.com/2024/08/15/congressional-race-liccardo-and-low-differ-on-progressive-issues/
  90. https://sanjosespotlight.com/how-progressive-are-silicon-valley-congressional-district-16-candidates-evan-low-sam-liccardo-election-2024/
  91. https://calmatters.digitaldemocracy.org/people/11
  92. https://legiscan.com/CA/people/evan-low/id/16294
  93. https://www.sierraclub.org/sites/default/files/sce/sierra-club-california/PDFs/2020_ReportCard.pdf
  94. https://couragescore.org/representative/evan-low/
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