Controversial Democrat California State Sen. Scott Wiener has killed a bill designed to bar registered sex offenders from seeking public office, effectively allowing such individuals—including child predators—to remain eligible for political positions.
The legislation, AB 2753, passed unanimously in the State Assembly after Fresno Democratic Assemblymember Esmeralda Soria drafted it in response to Rene Campos, a registered sex offender who attempted to run for Fresno City Council. Campos pleaded no contest in 2018 to a misdemeanor charge involving child sexual abuse material.
The bill aimed to prohibit individuals listed in California’s three-tiered sex offender registry—Tier One offenders for up to 10 years, Tier Two for up to 20 years, and Tier Three indefinitely—from holding elected office. However, the State Senate’s Elections Committee rejected it Tuesday by a vote of 2-1-2. Democratic San Diego State Sen. Sabrina Cervantes and Republican State Sen. Steven Choi voted yes, while Wiener—chairman of the committee—voted no, with Democratic Santa Ana State Sen. Tom Umberg and El Segundo State Sen. Ben Allen abstaining.
Wiener objected to the bill’s broad scope, insisting it should apply only to Tier Three offenders. When Soria refused to accept his amendment, the measure failed. Previously, Wiener pushed for significant revisions that would exclude convicted child sex predators from the ban entirely, instead targeting only adults who assault victims over 21.
Critics condemned these changes, noting the proposed exceptions would allow pedophiles—defined as individuals engaging in sexual acts with minors under 16—to run for office without restriction. Greg Burt of the California Family Council described Wiener’s amendments as “shocking” and expressed disbelief that such exemptions could be defended legally.
The bill emerged amid heightened scrutiny following Rene Campos’s council bid and allegations against former Rep. Eric Swalwell, a candidate for governor accused of sexual misconduct. Wiener, who is the Democratic frontrunner to replace Nancy Pelosi in Congress, has faced growing backlash for his role in enabling registered sex offenders to pursue political office while advocating for protections for individuals who commit crimes against children.
