Contacting your elected representatives personally is one of the most important things you can do to effect change on an issue. In these days of rapid, damaging actions by Trump and Republicans, it’s essential that elected officials hear about what matters to you. Put their numbers on speed dial -- it only takes a few minutes after hearing news to then take action! To find all of your elected representatives, click here.
Tips on Calling:
Call your own representatives. Regardless of party affiliation, it is most effective to call the elected officials that represent where you live. Elected officials track the residency of the people who contact their offices, and usually only track the opinions of those who live in their district. Call first, don’t email. You have a higher chance of talking with the right person to hear your concerns, and calling can jam the phone lines, which requires staff members’ time and will often prompt the office to respond to the issue. (Check out this New York Times article on the merits of calling versus email.) If you call and get voicemail, then follow up with an email.
Take notes on the call, and follow up: Take detailed notes so you can call back later as an issue evolves. Compare notes with friends calling on the same issue, and see if anything conflicts. Local Republican members of Congress often do not even hold regular in-person town halls to listen and respond to the concerns of their constituents! If you live in one of their districts, check here.
For information on ways to be the most effective at lobbying members of Congress, check out the Indivisible Guide.
Call Your Members of Congress
Congress includes the Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives. The Senate confirms the President’s nominees for his Cabinet and the Supreme Court. Senators Dianne Feinstein and Kamala Harris represent the whole state of California in the Senate.
Dianne Feinstein, Democrat, DC Office: (202) 224-3841, San Diego Office: (619) 231-9712 Alex Padilla, Democrat, DC Office: (202) 224-3553, San Diego Office: (619) 239-3884
There are five members of the U.S. House of Representatives whose districts fall within San Diego County. Look up your member here.
Mike Levin, Democrat, District 49: DC Office: (202) 225-3906, Oceanside: (760) 599-5000 Darrell Issa, Republican, District 50: DC Office: (202) 225-5672, San Marcos: (760) 304-7575, Juan Vargas, Democrat, District 51: DC Office: (202) 225-8045, Chula Vista: (619) 422-5963 Scott Peters, Democrat, District 52: DC Office: (202) 225-0508, San Diego: (858) 455-5550 Sara Jacobs, Democrat, District 53: DC Office: (202) 225-2040, San Diego: (619) 280-5353
Call Your State Legislator
The California State Legislature includes the California State Senate and the California State Assembly. There are four members of the California State Senate whose districts fall within San Diego County.l Look up your member here.
Patricia Bates, Republican, District 36: Sacramento Office: (916) 651-4036, Encinitas: (760) 642-0809 Brian Jones, Republican, District 38: Sacramento Office: (916) 651-4038, El Cajon: (619) 596-3136, Escondido: (760) 796-4655 Toni Atkins, Democrat, District 39: Sacramento Office: (916) 651-4039, San Diego: (619) 645-3133 Ben Hueso, Democrat, District 40: Sacramento Office: (916) 651-4040, Chula Vista: (619) 409-7690 There are seven members of the California State Assembly whose districts fall within San Diego County. Look up your member here. Randy Voepel, Republican, District 71: Sacramento Office: (916) 319-2071 , Santee: (619) 258-7737 Marie Waldron, Republican, District 75: Sacramento Office: (916) 319-2075 , Escondido: (760) 480-7570 Tasha Boerner Horvath, Democrat, District 76: Sacramento Office: (916) 319-2076 , Carlsbad: (760) 434-7605 Brian Maienschein, Democrat, District 77: Sacramento Office: (916) 319-2077, San Diego: (858) 675-0077 Christopher Ward, Democrat, District 78: Sacramento Office: (916) 319-2078 , San Diego: (619) 645-3090 Akilah Weber, District 79: Sacramento Office: (916) 319-2079 , San Diego: (619) 531-7913 Lorena Gonzalez, Democrat, District 80: Sacramento Office: (916) 319-2080 , San Diego: (619) 338-8090
Contact Your Local Officials
Calling your local officials often has as big an impact as calling Congress. For one thing, local officials have fewer calls, so you are more likely to speak to someone other than an intern – and perhaps have the chance of talking directly with your representative. In addition, calling local officials can prompt them to take action in your community that plays into national issues. For example, calling about sanctuary city legislation when immigration is a hot topic nationally may be more effective. For a complete list of elected Democrats and their office contact information, click here. To find all of your elected representatives, click here.
