October 2026 Newsletter

Boo! Happy October, San Diego. As we welcome fall, I wanted to share a few quick updates with you all from both our Sacramento and District offices!

I'm proud to share that 10 bills from my 2026 legislative package were signed into law by Governor Gavin Newsom! These legislative victories represent months of hard work, collaboration, and advocacy to deliver meaningful solutions for San Diegans and communities across California.

From strengthening housing stability and protecting consumers to supporting local journalism and our veterans, these new laws reflect my commitment to making California a more affordable, equitable, and sustainable place to call home.

Among this year's biggest victories was AB 2222, the Community NEWS Act, a historic investment in local journalism that will help newsrooms retain and hire reporters, ensuring Californians continue to have access to reliable, independent news.

However, not every legislative effort made it across the finish line. AB 2564, my Surveillance Pricing Act, unfortunately did not make it through the Legislature this year. This bill would have protected consumers from corporations using their personal data to secretly charge them higher prices. While I'm disappointed by this outcome, our fight for consumer privacy, transparency, and affordability is far from over. We plan to bring this legislation back next year and continue fighting to put Californians ahead of corporate profits.

While the legislative session has come to a close, our work is far from over!

To learn more about our legislative accomplishments, please head over to our website to check out the full list of bills signed into law by Governor Newsom!

Civics Contest

In an effort to promote civic engagement, I am thrilled to launch my fourth annual civics contest for fourth, eighth, eleventh, and twelfth grade students in Assembly District 78! Fourth graders are invited to participate in the contest by picking one or more California State Symbols to feature in an art piece. Eighth graders are encouraged to highlight an issue they see in our community, and how they would solve it. Eleventh and twelfth graders can participate in the contest by nominating someone who lives in the 78^th district for a Community Hero recognition. We will be accepting submissions between December 14 and 18, 2026. There are great prizes lined up, like an Apple laptop, a gaming console, and a behind-the-scenes tour of the San Diego Zoo! 

Click here for instructions and more information. I look forward to reading and reviewing the submissions we receive from the talented youth of AD 78!

Gilly’s Golden State Trivia Night

Thank you to everyone who came out to my inaugural Golden State Trivia night at Gilly’s House of Cocktails on El Cajon Blvd. It was a packed house as I was proud to welcome members of our community to learn more about the wonderful state we live in! I can’t wait to hold more trivia nights in the future, and the best way to stay up to date and make sure you don’t miss out is to follow me on my social media pages!

Great River Clean-Up

Before the winter storms hit San Diego, please join me in attending the San Diego River Foundation’s Great River Clean-Up event on November 7 at 9 AM with support from local environmental enthusiast, Morgan Hoffman. All the supplies to conduct the cleanup will be provided to you, so come out and support us in protecting our waterways, native animal habitats, and public spaces.

El Niño Preparation

I hope everyone stayed cool during the most recent heat wave that hit our region. As the temperature and seasons change we must now look ahead and prepare for the upcoming El Niño season. Ready California has a great guide on what to do before, during and after a storm so everyone can be prepared.

Top Left: Hosting my inaugural Golden State Trivia Night at Gilly’s House of Cocktails.

Top Right: I recognized Gloria Cruz Cárdenas as the AD 78 Latino during the Balboa Park International Cottages Latino Lawn Program.

Bottom Left: My office connected with the community at the annual Adams Avenue Street Fair.

Bottom Right: Read to kindergarten students during Juarez Elementary’s Read-A-Thon.

Midway Rising Week with Chris Ward

Newsom signs bill to subsidize local news, citing Trump’s attacks on the press

California governor signs bill blocking tee time brokers at municipal golf courses

As always, I want to thank you for your support. I'm grateful to be your representative and work on these issues and more. One of the best ways to stay informed is to follow my social media accounts on Facebook, BlueSky, Threads, and Instagram where you can know in real time what developments are happening or what I'm working on every day.

And if you need assistance, please know that my district office staff is available and ready to serve or answer any questions you may have. Feel free to reach out to the contact information at the end of this email, and a staff member will connect with you as soon as possible. I wish you, your family, and your neighbors all the best.

Sincerely,

Christopher M. Ward
Assemblymember, 78th District