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Riverside County Democratic Party Calls on Senators Padilla and Schiff to Block Bill Essayli’s Confirmation

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA – 6/9/25 – The Riverside County Democratic Party today formally called on California Senators Alex Padilla and Adam Schiff to withhold their “blue slips” and commit to denying confirmation of Bill Essayli to a full term as an U.S. Attorney for California’s Central District.

Essayli, who previously represented parts of Riverside County in the State Assembly, has consistently aligned himself with extremist movements.

“Essayli’s record is unmistakably dangerous,” said RCDP Chair Joy Silver. “From aggressively pushing anti-LGBTQ+ legislation to undermining immigrant rights through his ‘Operation Guardian Angel,’ Essayli has made it clear that his agenda serves extremist partisan interests, not justice. His recent role in prosecuting labor leader David Huerta demonstrates once again his willingness to weaponize federal authority to persecute his political enemies.

The call by the RCDP aligns with the growing “Stop Essayli” Campaign, led by a former constituent of Essayli, Norco resident Jacob Daruvala. The campaign has already seen hundreds of community members take action through the platform StopEssayli.org.

“The urgency can’t be overstated,” said Jacob Daruvala, Campaign Director. “Essayli’s abuse of power underscores that he is unfit to serve.” 

Essayli once represented the 63rd Assembly District, where his appointment as U.S. Attorney has triggered a special primary election on June 24th, and a special general election on August 26th. RCDP has endorsed local teacher Chris Shoults for the position. 

The Riverside County Democratic Party encourages all residents to join the campaign and take immediate action by visiting StopEssayli.org.

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Joy Silver
RCDP Chair
(760) 844-5577
[email protected]

Jacob Daruvala
Campaign Director
Stop Essayli
[email protected]
StopEssayli.org

Backed by Californians Who Believe in Real Justice

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1. Email Our Senators
2. Call Our Senators
3. Submit a Letter-To-The-Editor
4. Sign Our Petition
5. Chip in Cash!
6. Email Your State Legislators
7. For WFP Members -> Email the WFP Squad!

Bill Essayli is Out-of-Control. Here is a small sampling of his recent threats against our community.

Arresting Labor Leader David Huerta

Threatening criminal charges against public servants

Blocking regulators from reducing pollution in our environment (on behalf of the fossil fuel industry)

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Now is the time to fight back!

This is about public safety, civil rights, and the future of our justice system. Bilal “Bill” Essayli has attacked labor leaders, immigrant communities, LGBTQ+ families and youth, and our environment through harmful policies and rhetoric, enabled violent misconduct by law enforcement, undermined voting access and democratic norms, and used prosecutorial discretion to punish political opponents. His nomination is a test of whether we will allow federal power to be wielded as a weapon against the very people it is meant to protect.

The Movement to Block Essayli's Confirmation

We’re building momentum across California urging Senators Padilla and Schiff to take action to block Essayli’s nomination. We’re also launching a statewide postcard-writing effort, high-visibility rallies in Los Angeles and Riverside, and coordinated social media actions alongside paid digital ads targeting key constituencies. Join us and make your voice impossible to ignore.

What You Can Do

Take These Small Actions to Make a Big Impact: Act Today!

Every voice counts. Sign the petition, attend a rally, or help spread the word. Together, we can stop this nomination—and send a message that justice isn’t for sale. 

1. Email Our U.S. Senators

Email Senators Padilla and Schiff today. Urge them to block Bill Essayli’s nomination and defend Californians from partisan abuse, prosecutorial overreach, and threats to democracy.

Email Our Senators
2. Submit a Letter to the Editor (LTE)

Speak out in your local paper. Share why Essayli’s record—targeting LGBTQ+ youth, attacking voting rights—makes him unfit for federal office. Public pressure works.

Submit a Letter-To-The-Editor
3. Sign Our Petition

Add your name to the growing chorus opposing Essayli’s nomination. We must stop the weaponization of justice before it becomes a permanent feature of government.

Sign Our Petition
4. Call Our U.S. Senators

Make a quick call to demand action. Tell Padilla and Schiff: Bill Essayli endangers civil rights, targets communities, and cannot be trusted with federal power.

Let our voice be heard!

Call Our Senators
5. Donate!

We need resources to continue this effort! We’re committed to fighting this injustice and ensuring Bill Essayli does not continue to threaten our communities.  

Donate!
6. Contact Your CA Legislators

Email your State Senator and State Assemblymember encouraging them to sign-on to our effort and pushing them to demonstrate that stopping Essayli is an all-hands-on-deck issue!

Contact Your Legislators

Who Are We

We Are California

We are LGBTQ+ families, teachers, veterans, students, civil rights advocates, and everyday Californians who believe in justice that protects—not punishes. We come from every corner of the state, united by one truth: Bill Essayli’s nomination threatens the people and principles we care about. Our voices are diverse, but our message is clear—California stands for fairness, dignity, and democracy. And we will not be silent.

This isn’t about politics—it’s about protecting our communities, our rights, and the rule of law. We can’t afford to stay silent.

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Act Now for a Better World

The fight for justice needs all of us. Join the movement to block this dangerous nomination and show that Californians won’t back down when our rights are at risk.

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In 2024, only 35% of Americans expressed confidence in the nation’s judicial system and courts, marking a record low.

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When the Attorney General appoints an interim U.S. Attorney to fill a vacancy, that individual may serve for a maximum of 120 days before US Senate must confirm.

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The Trevor Project’s 2023 U.S. National Survey on the Mental Health of LGBTQ+ Young People reported that 41% of LGBTQ young people seriously considered attempting suicide in the past year,

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There are 93 U.S. Attorneys who are the chief federal law enforcement officers in their districts, with sole discretion over whether to pursue or drop federal charges—including civil rights cases, protest-related prosecutions, and political corruption.

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Welcome to Stop Essayli! We’re building a movement to defend justice, protect civil rights, and stop the abuse of prosecutorial power. Our courts must serve the people—not political agendas. Together, we can stop this dangerous nomination and stand up for democracy.

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