Luis “Vance” Taylor, an emergency management leader and disability rights advocate, has announced his candidacy for the California State Assembly in District 7.
With more than a decade of service at the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES), Taylor has dedicated his career to ensuring that no one is left behind in times of crisis. First appointed by Governor Jerry Brown, Taylor leads Cal OES’s Executive Division efforts to identify and meet the needs of individuals with disabilities and underrepresented communities before, during, and after disasters.
Taylor, who was diagnosed with muscular dystrophy as a child and uses a power wheelchair, has turned personal adversity into a lifelong commitment to public service.
“As someone who has spent my life overcoming challenges—and helping others do the same—I know the value of grit, compassion, and good governance,” said Taylor. “I’m running for Assembly because we need leaders who focus on real solutions, not partisan battles. In emergency response, we never ask someone’s party before helping them—we just get the job done. That’s the approach I’ll bring to Sacramento.”
Throughout his career, Taylor has spearheaded bipartisan initiatives on emergency preparedness, public safety, and infrastructure resilience. His work has been recognized across the nation, and he has received the California Emergency Services Association’s Lifetime Achievement Award for his leadership and impact.
“California faces serious challenges—rising costs, increased crime, wildfires, over-regulation, and aging infrastructure,” Taylor said. “But we also have unmatched potential. We need leaders who not only understand policy but know how to deliver results that improve people’s lives.”
A lifelong Californian and Democrat, Taylor earned his bachelor’s degree from Brigham Young University and a master’s in Homeland Security from the University of Connecticut. He has advised members of Congress, guided major statewide policy initiatives, and is a trusted voice on resilience and disability rights.
“My story is proof that California can still be a place of opportunity,” Taylor said. “But opportunity shouldn’t be reserved for the lucky few—it should be something we fight to extend to everyone.”