Two Democrats – including an incumbent – and a Republican retired businessman are among the candidates vying to represent UCLA and its surrounding areas in the state assembly.

California Assembly District 51 encompasses Westwood, as well as Hollywood, Santa Monica and other areas in west and central LA. The assembly seat – part of the lower chamber of the California State Legislature – is one of several races on the June 2 California primary ballot, including governor, half of California’s state Senate seats and LA mayor.

The two District 51 candidates who get the most votes, regardless of political party affiliation, will move on to the November general election.

Rick Chavez Zbur, a Democrat and longtime LGBTQ+ rights advocate, is the District 51 incumbent. Zbur was first elected to the California Assembly in 2022, and he was re-elected with 75% of the vote in 2024.

Zbur said he has pushed back against President Donald Trump’s administration since Trump reentered office.

Zbur has sponsored bills related to medical data privacy, climate change preparedness, housing affordability and reproductive rights.

“The biggest challenge and thing that I’ve been working on is really protecting our communities from the ravages of the Trump administration,” Zbur said. “The Trump administration has basically gone after the state of California.”

Colin Hernandez, a Democrat and digital communications strategist, is one of Zbur’s opponents. He is endorsed by UCLA’s chapter of the Young Democratic Socialists of America.

Hernandez said he would address affordability issues by pushing for Medicare for All, expanded housing options and universal childcare in California.

“Some tangible differences would be to make it affordable to live here,” he said. “It’s not just about how we can lower the price of goods. It’s also how we can put money back in the pockets of everyday people.”

Michael Geraghty, a Republican and retired businessman, is also running for the seat. He said he would bring his background in leading companies and creating jobs to the position.

Geraghty said he would incentivize companies to stay in California through lowering taxes, and making it easier for young people to buy homes through less stringent regulations.

Geraghty said his campaign funding comes from family and friends. Hernandez said he does not take donations from corporations or super PACs – a type of political action committee – instead focusing on small-dollar donors. Zbur has accepted donations from CVS Health, Comcast and the California Dental Association PAC, along with small-dollar donors and the LGBT Caucus Leadership Fund, according to Ballotpedia.

The two other candidates for District 51 – Republican Jake Head and Dick Lucas, who did not include a party preference – did not respond to requests for comment.

Hernandez said he can relate to his fellow District 51 residents because he is part of the working class and is younger than most assembly members in California.

He added that he and his wife delayed having children because of the high cost of living.

“We need bold leaders who will fight to improve the material conditions of all Californians – and not the same business as usual politics that has caused our affordability crisis,” Hernandez said. “I want to make sure that people can see that we can vote for something instead of against something.”

Geraghty said he supports increased parental rights on how gender is taught in K-12 schools and does not believe in having “biological boys in girls sports.” He added that he believes California lawmakers have not been responsive to their constituents’ views related to these topics.

“The state legislature is, in both houses, a supermajority controlled by the Democrats,” Geraghty said. “That means that they’re pretty much free to do whatever the heck they want with impunity.”

Zbur, whose endorsements include the California Young Democrats and the California Nurses Association, said UCLA students and other young voters should not give up hope, adding that it is important for them to speak up and vote in the primary and general elections.

“Young voters are so energized and understand the harm that this administration is doing, and are standing up to that,” Zbur said.