Dawn Junea Addis (born July 12, 1972) is an American educator, activist, and politician serving as a member of the California State Assembly for the 30th district. Elected in November 2022, she assumed office on December 5, 2022. She is Vice Chair of the California Legislative Jewish Caucus.

Education

Addis earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in art education and Spanish and a Master of Science in special education from San Francisco State University.

Career

Addis worked as an educator in the San Luis Coastal Unified School District 20 years. In 2016, she founded the San Luis Obispo chapter of the Women's March. She served as a member of the Morro Bay City Council from 2019 to 2022 and as mayor pro tempore from 2019 to 2021.

In 2020, Addis ran for the California State Assembly against incumbent Republican Jordan Cunningham in a district that included all of San Luis Obispo County as well as the voters in northern Santa Barbara County. Although Addis was well-funded and ran a strong campaign, Cunningham won by 55% to 45%.

In 2022, because census-driven redistricting removed northern Santa Barbara County - a traditional conservative bastion - from the district and refocused the constituency to include parts of Monterey and Santa Cruz counties, Cunningham decided to retire. Addis was then elected to the California State Assembly in November 2022. She was reelected in 2024, and is a member of the Rules Committee.

Electoral history

Morro Bay City Council

2018 Morro Bay City Council election
CandidateVotes%
Dawn Addis3,06230.4
Jeff Heller2,20221.9
Betty Winholtz2,16321.5
Jan Goldman1,79417.8
Jesse Barron8448.4
Total votes10,065100.0

California State Assembly

2020 California State Assembly 35th district election
Primary election
PartyCandidateVotes%
RepublicanJordan Cunningham (incumbent)85,02956.8
DemocraticDawn Addis64,54843.2
Total votes149,577100.0
General election
RepublicanJordan Cunningham (incumbent)126,57955.1
DemocraticDawn Addis103,20644.9
Total votes229,785100.0
Republican hold
2022 California State Assembly 30th district election
Primary election
PartyCandidateVotes%
DemocraticDawn Addis54,92440.8
RepublicanVicki Nohrden49,28736.6
DemocraticJon Wizard14,09010.5
DemocraticZoë G. Carter11,5848.6
DemocraticJohn R. Drake4,6953.5
Total votes134,580100.0
General election
DemocraticDawn Addis115,77060.0
RepublicanVicki Nohrden77,07940.0
Total votes192,849100.0
Democratic gain from Republican
2024 California State Assembly 30th district election
Primary election
PartyCandidateVotes%
DemocraticDawn Addis (incumbent)88,09062.9
RepublicanDalila Epperson52,03637.1
Total votes140,126100.0
General election
DemocraticDawn Addis (incumbent)148,75862.4
RepublicanDalila Epperson89,57037.6
Total votes238,328100.0
Democratic hold

External links