Jesse Gabriel

Jesse Gabriel is an American lawyer and politician currently serving as a member of the California State Assembly, representing the 46th district. A member of the Democratic Party, Gabriel has been active in legislative matters, focusing on various policy areas, including public safety, food safety, and constitutional rights. He holds significant leadership roles, including Chair of the Assembly Budget Committee and Chair of the California Legislative Jewish Caucus.

Early life and career

Jesse Gabriel was born on September 25, 1981, in Berkeley, California. He was raised in Oak Park, California, and is of Jewish heritage. Gabriel pursued higher education at the University of California, Berkeley, where he earned a bachelor's degree in political science in 2004. During his time at Berkeley, he was actively involved in student government, serving as the president of the Associated Students of the University of California for the 2002–03 academic year.

Following his undergraduate studies, Gabriel attended Harvard Law School, where he graduated with honors. His achievements at Harvard included receiving the Dean's Award for Community Leadership, an accolade given by Elena Kagan, who was the Dean at the time and later became an Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court.

Gabriel's professional career began in public service when he served as counsel to U.S. Senator Evan Bayh from 2008 to 2010. After his tenure in the Senate, he worked as a constitutional rights and general litigation attorney at Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher in Los Angeles. In this role, he was involved in various litigation and public policy matters, representing clients in significant cases, including victims of domestic abuse and Holocaust survivors. Notably, he filed lawsuits against the Trump Administration on behalf of young undocumented immigrants known as Dreamers, who were protected under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. His legal work earned him recognition, including the California Lawyer Attorney of the Year award from The Daily Journal in 2018.

In addition to his legal career, Gabriel has been engaged in community service. He served on the board of the Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles and the League of Conservation Voters. He was also appointed by Los Angeles County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky to the Los Angeles County Commission on Local Governmental Services, reflecting his commitment to local governance and community issues.

Legislative service

Gabriel entered the California State Assembly following the resignation of Matt Dababneh, who left office amid allegations of sexual harassment. Gabriel announced his candidacy for the special election to fill the vacancy in California's 45th Assembly district and won the election on June 5, 2018, securing a substantial majority of the vote. He was sworn into office shortly thereafter. Gabriel successfully ran for reelection in November 2018, defeating his opponent with a significant margin.

Upon taking office, Gabriel quickly established himself within the Assembly leadership, being appointed as Assistant Majority Whip. He was also elected as Vice Chair of the California Legislative Jewish Caucus, demonstrating his active involvement in legislative matters and his commitment to representing the interests of his constituents.

During his time in the Assembly, Gabriel has authored numerous pieces of legislation. In his first full term, he successfully passed nine bills that were signed into law by Governor Gavin Newsom. These included initiatives aimed at expanding legal services for low-income Californians and establishing a Nonprofit Security Grant Program to enhance the safety of organizations at risk of violent attacks or hate crimes.

Policy focus and district

Gabriel's legislative focus encompasses a wide range of issues, reflecting the diverse needs of his constituents in the western San Fernando Valley. He has been particularly active in areas related to constitutional rights, public safety, and food safety.

In the realm of constitutional rights, Gabriel played a significant role as a principal co-author of a constitutional amendment aimed at protecting reproductive freedom in California. He also co-authored an amendment to safeguard marriage equality, highlighting his commitment to civil rights and social justice.

Gabriel has been a strong advocate for public safety, co-founding a legislative working group dedicated to gun control. This group has engaged with various stakeholders, including gun control advocates, to discuss and promote new safety measures. In 2023, he authored the Gun Violence Prevention and School Safety Act, a groundbreaking piece of legislation that imposes taxes on gun industry profits to fund initiatives aimed at preventing gun violence and enhancing school safety. This legislation garnered support from a coalition of over 100 gun safety organizations, although it faced opposition from gun rights groups.

In addition to his work on gun safety, Gabriel has addressed food safety issues through several legislative efforts. In 2023, he introduced the California Food Safety Act, which bans certain harmful substances from foods sold in the state. This bipartisan measure received widespread attention and was signed into law by Governor Newsom. Following this, he introduced the California School Food Safety Act in 2024, which prohibits public schools from serving foods containing specific synthetic dyes linked to negative behavioral effects in children.

Gabriel's commitment to public health and safety continued with the introduction of the Real Food, Healthy Kids Act in 2025, which aims to define ultra-processed food and phase out its sale in schools. His legislative initiatives reflect a proactive approach to addressing health concerns and promoting the well-being of children in California.

Overall, Jesse Gabriel's career in the California State Assembly is characterized by a focus on legislative leadership and a commitment to addressing pressing issues within his district and the state at large. His background in law and public service informs his approach to governance, as he continues to work on behalf of his constituents in the 46th Assembly district.