Context:

The California Democratic Party launched a series of Facebook ads accusing Republicans of opposing stronger laws for protecting 16- and 17-year-old sex trafficking victims, following a contentious legislative battle over a minor solicitation bill. Democratic Assemblymember Maggy Krell, who authored the bill, was compelled to remove a provision that would make it a felony to solicit older teens, leading to criticism from both parties. The Democrats' ad campaign targeted Republican lawmakers, claiming they prioritized their political party over child protection. Republican leaders, in response, accused Democrats of deceit and criticized them for stripping essential protections from the bill. Despite these political skirmishes, both parties express a desire to strengthen laws protecting minors from sex trafficking, albeit with differing approaches and accusations of manipulation and misrepresentation in the political arena.

Dive Deeper:

• The legislative conflict arose from AB 379, authored by Democratic Assemblymember Maggy Krell, intended to impose harsher penalties on those soliciting minors for sex. However, Krell was forced to remove a key provision that would make such solicitation a felony for 16- and 17-year-olds to advance the bill.

• After the exclusion of the felony provision, the Democrats launched a social media campaign against Republicans, accusing them of voting against stronger protections for older teen victims of sex trafficking. This campaign featured ads naming and shaming Republican lawmakers.

• Republican leaders, including Assemblyman James Gallagher, countered the Democratic narrative by accusing them of hypocrisy and deception, arguing that Democrats themselves removed protections for minors. Assemblyman Josh Hoover called the ads a distraction from Democrats' public safety record.

• Governor Gavin Newsom voiced support for harsher penalties for those soliciting minors, yet faced criticism from fellow Democrats for losing control over his party's legislative actions. This internal discord highlighted the complex political dynamics within the state.

• The broader context involves existing state laws that impose felony charges for soliciting minors under 15 but exclude 16- and 17-year-olds, a gap that AB 379 aimed to address. The debate reflects ongoing tensions and differing priorities between California's Democratic and Republican parties concerning public safety and child protection.