Kate Sanchez

Assemblywoman Kate Sanchez is a Republican representing California's 71st Assembly District, encompassing communities in southern Orange County and southwestern Riverside County including Mission Viejo, Rancho Santa Margarita, Temecula, Murrieta, and Wildomar ^[1,2]. A working mother, businesswoman, and former nonprofit executive, Sanchez has established herself as one of the Legislature's strongest advocates for parental rights (Chapter 8), child safety, public safety, and combating human trafficking -- earning an 83% score on the 2025 California Family Alliance legislative scorecard for her consistent defense of faith, family, and freedom ^[3,6]. She has authored landmark school-safety legislation and has been a vocal champion for protecting women's sports, defending the unborn, and opposing California's high-tax, soft-on-crime policies ^[4,5].

Kate Sanchez (born November 8, 1988) was first elected to the California State Assembly in November 2022, succeeding Republican Randy Voepel in the 71st District, and was re-elected in November 2024. A Hispanic working mother whose family has lived in the 71st District for over three decades, Sanchez earned a Bachelor of Arts from Salve Regina University, a Catholic institution in Newport, Rhode Island. She worked for Congressman Ed Royce, then served as Executive Director of the California Women's Leadership Association (CWLA) and as a member of the California Policy Center ^[1,2,7].

From a California Family Council perspective, Sanchez is among the most aligned legislators in Sacramento. She received an 83% score on the 2025 California Family Alliance legislative scorecard and a 0% rating from Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California, reflecting a consistently pro-life record. She also earned a 100% score from both the California Chamber of Commerce and the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association ^[3,6].

Sanchez has been one of the Legislature's most active champions on child protection. She authored AB 1739, establishing a vertical prosecution grant program for sex trafficking cases, ensuring the same prosecutor handles all stages to spare victims from dealing with multiple prosecutors. She co-authored SB 14, increasing penalties for child sex trafficking. In 2025, she introduced legislation to end sanctuary state protections for illegal immigrants involved in sex trafficking. On broader public safety, she has called for repealing Proposition 47 and Proposition 57, fully funding law enforcement, and prohibiting homeless encampments near schools ^[2,4,5].

On education and parental rights, Sanchez authored AB 1651 (the Munoz SAFE Act), requiring schools to store epinephrine auto-injectors in accessible locations, and AB 1653, establishing heat-illness prevention guidelines for student athletes -- both signed into law. In January 2025, she introduced AB 89, which would have prohibited biological males from competing on girls' sports teams from elementary school through college. Though defeated in committee, it drew national attention and reflected her commitment to protecting girls' sports ^[4,5,8].

Her 87.8% Biblical Values Scorecard rating across 74 scored floor votes demonstrates strong alignment with CFC's worldview framework, reflecting consistent support for the sanctity of human life, parental authority in education, and religious liberty protections.

Sanchez serves as Vice Chair of the Assembly Appropriations Committee and sits on committees for Government Organization, Health, Judiciary, and Rules ^[1,2,3,6].