voted against changing school start times, a statewide sanctuary policy, and recognizing non-binary as a legal gender. On June 1, 2017, he voted against a bill to create a single-payer health plan for the state of California. On July 20, 2017, Anderson introduced Resolution SJR-10, a resolution condemning the persecution of Falun Gong taking place in the People's Republic of China to the Committee of Rules. It unanimously passed a vote of the Judiciary Committee on August 29. On August 30, members of the senate received a letter on the stationary of the Chinese Consulate of San Francisco urging the California senators not to support SJR-10, "so as not to sabotage the friendship and sustainable development between California and China." The letter goes further, pointing out the strong economic ties between China and California, such as the high volume of tourism, trade, and overseas students studying in California. The following day, September 1, the resolution was voted on and sent back to the rules committee, blocking it from being voted on in the Senate. In August 2018, Anderson was accused of physically and verbally harassing Stephanie Roberson at a fund raising event for the California Nurses Association. Roberson, the association’s Government Relations Director, complained to the Senate Rules Committee that an intoxicated Joel Anderson repeatedly threatened to "bitch slap" her. The threats were witnessed by several people and Anderson was escorted off the premises by restaurant staff. In September 2018 he was officially reprimanded by the California Nurses Association for sexually harassing a lobbyist. 2018 California State Board of Equalization election On February 1, 2018, Anderson announced that he will be a candidate for the California Board of Equalization, district 4. In a major surprise, he was narrowly defeated by former San Diego City Councilman Mike Schaefer. San Diego County Board of Supervisors (2021–present) On February 26, 2020, Anderson announced his candidacy for the San Diego County Board of Supervisors and campaigned as a Trump Republican. In the March 3 primary, Anderson finished first place with 35.5% of the vote. Anderson received an endorsement from the San Diego Gun Owners PAC, the same organization that successfully sued to overturn the assault rifle ban (currently under appeal). In the November general election, he defeated fellow Republican Poway Mayor Steve Vaus by a margin of 282 votes, or less than 0.1 percent of votes cast. Personal life Anderson and his wife, Kate,