California has more Congressional Districts than most states. Here is the outcome of the California U.S. House Elections in 2022. This blog focuses on Districts 31 – 40.
California’s 31st Congressional District
Wikipedia provided information about California’s 31st Congressional District:
California’s 31st congressional district is a congressional district in Los Angeles County, in the U.S. state of California. The district is located in the San Gabriel Valley.
From January 3, 2023, following the 2020 redistricting cycle, the district is currently represented by Democrat Grace Napolitano.
As of the 2020 redistricting, California’s 31st congressional district is located in Southern California. It takes up part of eastern Los Angeles County.
Los Angeles County is split between this district, the 28th district, the 34th district, and the 38th district.
The 31st and 28th are partitioned by Rio Hondo River, Garvery Ave, Highway 19, Highway 10, Eaton Wash, Temple City Blvd, Valley Blvd, Ellis Ln, Lower Azusa Rd, Grande Ave, Santa Anita Ave, Lynrose St, Flood Control Basin, Peck Rd, Randolph St, Cogswell Rd, Clark St, Durfree Ave, Santa Anita Wash, S 10th Ave, Jeffries Ave, Mayflower/Fairgreen Ave, Alta Vista/Fairgreen Ave, El Norte Ave, S 5th Ave, Valencia Way/N 5th Ave, Hillcrest Blvd, E Hillcrest Blvd, Grand Ave, E Greystone Ave, N Bradoaks Ave, Angeles National Forrest, W Fork Rd, Highway 39, Cedar Creek, Iron Fork, Glendora Mountain Rd, Morris Reservoir, W Sierra Madre Ave, N Lorraine Ave, E Foothill Blvd, E Caroll Ave, Steffen St, S Loraine Ave, AT and SF Railway, E Route 66, N Cataract Ave, San Dimas Canyon Rd, Clayton Ct, Live Oak Canyon, Rotary Dr, Highway 30, Williams Ave, Highway 210, Gary Ave, and Summer Ave.
The 31st, 35th, and 38th are partitioned by Whittier Narrows Recreation Area, N Lexington-Gallatian Rd, N Durfree Ave, E Thienes Ave, E Rush St, N Burkett Rd, Cunningham Dr, Eaglemont Dr, Oakman Dr, Arciero Dr, Grossmont Dr, Workman Mill Rd, Bunbury Dr, Fontenoy Ave, Ankerton, Whittier Woods Circle, Union Pacific Railroad, San Gabriel Freeway, N Peck Rd, Mission Mill Rd, Rose Hills Rd, Wildwood Dr, Clark Ave, San Jose Creek, Turnbull Canyon Rd, E Gale Ave, Pomona Freeway, Colima Rd, E Walnut Dr S, Fairway, E Valley Blvd, Calle Baja, La Puenta Rd, S Sentous Ave, N Nogales St, Amar Rd, Walnut City Parkland, San Bernardino Freeway, Fairplex Dr, Via Verde, Puddingstone Reservoir, McKinley Ave, N Whittle Ave, Arrow Highway, Fulton Rd, and Foothill Blvd.
The 31st district takes in the cities of El Monte, West Covina, Baldwin Park, Azusa, Monrovia, San Dimas, La Verne, Duarte, South El Monte, and the south side of Glendora.
Ballotpedia provided information about Grace Napolitano:
Grace Napolitano (Democratic Party) is a member of the U.S. House, representing California’s 31st Congressional District. She assumed office on January 3, 2023. Her current term ends on January 3, 2025.
Napolitano (Democratic Party) ran for re-election to the U.S. House to represent California’s 31st Congressional District. She won in the general election on November 8, 2022.
Napolitano represented California’s 38th Congressional District in the U.S. House from 2003 to 2013, and California’s 34th Congressional District from 1999 to 2003.
Ballotpedia provided information About Daniel Bocic Martinez:
Daniel Bocic Martinez (Republican Party) ran for re-election to the U.S. House to represent California’s 31st Congressional District. Bocic Martinez lost in the general election on November 8, 2022.
Ballotpedia provided information about Rocco Anthony De Luca:
Rocco Anthony De Luca (Democratic Party) ran for election to the U.S. House to represent California’s 31st Congressional District. He lost in the primary on June 7, 2022.
De Luca completed Ballotpedia’s Candidate Connection survey in 2022. Here are some of the questions he answered:
Who are you? Tell us about yourself.
I am just a regular hardworking guy, that is tired of government making our lives more difficult, and not easier. It should be a government of the people, not the corporations and oil companies.
Please list 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?
- Healthcare should be for everyone
- Everyone should have access to housing without having nothing left at the end of the month
- Everyone should feel safe
What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?
Housing. Housing is way too expensive. I want to help people to not just get into a home, but to own one.
Do you believe that compromise is necessary or desirable for policymaking?
It is necessary. If congress can’t agree, then they must compromise. If they don’t compromise, the American people suffer.
Ballotpedia provided information about Erskine Levi:
Erskine Levi (No party preference) ran for election to the U.S. House to represent California’s 31st Congressional District. Levi lost as a write-in in the primary on June 7, 2022.
May 10: PRESS-TELEGRAM posted an article titled: “Challenging Rep. Grace Napolitano are Democrat Rocco [sic] Anthony De Luca, a construction project manager from Azusa, and Republican Daniel Bocic Martinez, an attorney and high school teacher from Monrovia.” From the article:
The last time Rep. Grace Napolitano had a close race for Congress was in 1998 when she defeated attorney Jamie Casso in the 1998 Democratic primary election. And it remains to be seen if this year’s June 7 election will be any different.
This year’s race features Democrat Rocco Anthony De Luca, a construction project manager from Azusa, and Republican Daniel Bocic Martinez, an attorney and high school teacher from Monrovia. (Erskine Levi, a social studies teacher from Glendora, who designates no party, is trying to qualify as a write-in candidate.)…
…There are some key differences between the three candidates running for the top two spots that will be on the Nov. 8 general ballot.
The challengers in telephone interviews last week don’t necessarily blame Napolitano specifically but all seek change.
“I have nothing against Grace,” Martinez said. “The system is broken.”
DeLuca complained that “nothing is getting done in Washington.”
“You need to compromise,” he said. “You need to have bipartisanship, working with the other team. Sometimes, you need a new person who can make a difference.”
Napolitano, however, said her nearly 24 years in Congress better empower her to help the district, regardless of the divided DC politics.
“With my experience and my seniority, I’ve delivered for the district,” said pointing to the millions of dollars in projects she has brought to the district.”
One example is the $412 million that will be used to repair the Whittier Narrows Dam, she said…
…Napolitano said homelessness is a complex problem.
“It’s the drugs, mental health, and the fact that people can’t afford housing any more because prices have gone up,” she said.
Martinez called for federal tax code changes to make it easier to build homes. He also called for building 100 new shelters in each district.
De Luca said the federal government needs to make housing more affordable by offering first-time buyers, who can otherwise pay the mortgage, a loan plan with no down payment…
Daniel Bocic Martinez had “Dan Martinez for Congress” website. Here are some parts of that website:
MEET DAN: Progressive dreamer grounded in Libertarian reality, and criminal/immigration attorney, Southern California local, Daniel Martinez has spent more than a decade serving the San Gabriel Valley, and advocating for our military veterans, and removing the legal/regulatory/bureaucratic barriers that stand between them and life-saving treatments for PTSD/suicide mitigation.
IMMIGRATION REFORM
The majorities on both the left and the right can agree that the issue of immigration reform needs to be addressed. The problem then arises from the implementation of a solution, which is where the blame lies entirely at the feet of congressional leadership of both parties…
HOMELESSNESS
My district is a suburb of Los Angeles, a city whose reputation for the exponential growth of its homeless population is known the world over. The City and County of Los Angeles are far more likely to actively interfere with proposed solutions than be of assistance.
As representative, I would use the inherent subpoena power of the ofice to demand answer on where the billions of tax dollars that have been spent on the problem have disappeared, yet the problem grows worse.
Additionally, non-profit community groups and community churches need to be empowered to implement programs that attempt to address any of a set category of defined issues (homelessness, addiction, veteran suicide, education, etc.) This should include regulatory relief from abusive local zoning and ordinance rules that too often add tens of thousands in costs and an unquantifiable amount of uncertainty on when, or even if, they will be allowed to attempt their solution to the problem…
VETERAN SUPPORT
On veteran suicide, for several years I have worked actively with a community that assists veterans with PTSD/suicide mitigation and re-integration into society. Twenty-two veterans take their lives each day. This is an unacceptable failure of those who lead our country to fulfill the social contract we made with each of those young people when they put their bodies, minds, and spirit on the line for their country…
Ballotpedia provided the results of the Nonpartisan Primary for U.S. House California District 31:
- Grace Napolitano (D): 52.9% – 25,499 votes
- Daniel Bocic Martinez (R): 39.7% – 19,174 votes
- Rocco Anthony De Luca (D): 7.4% – 3,552 votes
- Erskine Levi (No party preference) (Write-in): 0.0% – 17 votes
Ballotpedia provided the results of the General Election for U.S. House California District 31:
- Grace Napolitano (D): 55.0% – 47,071 votes
- Daniel Bocic Martinez (R): 45.0% – 38,509 votes
California’s 32nd Congressional District
Wikipedia provided information about California’s 32nd Congressional District
California’s 32nd congressional district is a congressional district in the U.S. state of California based on Los Angeles County. The 32nd district takes in the city of Malibu and the Los Angeles neighborhoods of Pacific Palisades, Beverly Glen, Bel Air, Studio City, Sherman Oaks, Woodland Hills, West Hills, Canoga Park, Brentwood, North Hills as well as the south side of Granada Hills.
The district is currently represented by Democrat Brad Sherman.
The 32nd and 30th are partitioned by Lankershim Blvd, Fredonia Dr, Cahuenga Blvd W, Broadlawn Dr, Multiview Dr, Mulholand Dr, Lauren Canyon Blvd, W Sunset Blvd Ozeta Tea, and Doheny Rd
The 32nd and the 36th are N Hillcrest Rd/La Collina Dr, N Hillcrest Road/ Sierra Mar Pl, Crescent Dr, Walker Dr/Lindacrest Dr, Lago Vista Dr, N Beverly Dr, Tower Grove Dr/Tower Rd, W Sunset Blvd, Veteran Ave, Wilshire Blvd, Malcolm Ave, Glendon Ave, Santa Monica Blvd, Pontius Ave, Cotner Ave, Butler Ave, Centinela Ave, Centinela Ave/S Carmelina Ave, Montana Ave, 26th and Adelaide Dr.
Ballotpedia provided information about Brad Sherman:
Brad Sherman (Democratic Party) is a member of the U.S. House, representing California’s 32nd Congressional District. He assumed office on January 3, 2023. His current term ends on January 2025.
Sherman (Democratic Party) ran for re-election to the U.S. House to represent California’s 32nd Congressional District. He won in the general election on November 8, 2022.
Sherman represented California’s 27th Congressional District in the U.S. House from 2003 to 2013 and California’s 24th Congressional District from 1997 to 2003.
Sherman graduated from Harvard Law School with a J.D. in 1979.
Brad Sherman did not fill out Ballotpedia’s Candidate Connection survey in 2022 or 2021. Ballotpedia provided information from Brad Sherman’s 2012 campaign website:
Fixing the Economy
Excerpt: “When the recession hit, Brad Sherman made job creation his top priority. He voted for legislation that saved or crated more than 3 million jobs. As a result, construction was accelerated on transportation projects in the San Fernando Valley, like the 405-Sepulveda Pass freeway widening project.”
Standing Up to Wall Street
Excerpt: “As a CPA and tax policy expert, Brad Sherman led the effort to oppose the Bush Administration’s TARP bailouts of Wall Street. He successfully fought to prevent future bailouts. He helped author the legislation to protect consumers from credit and mortgage fraud, increase capital requirements for banks, and end conflicts of interest for bond rating agencies.”
Protecting Social Security and Medicare
Excerpt: “Top Republican leaders are proposing privatizing Social Security and Medicare, cutting benefits, and raising the retirement age to 70. Brad Sherman strongly opposes all efforts to replace Social Security with private accounts that will place retirees at the mercy of Wall Street.”
Protecting the Environment
Excerpt: “Brad Sherman has been a strong environmental leader, providing critical support for the protection and expansion of park lands in the Santa Monica Mountains. He has worked to improve the Sepulveda Basin recreation area, and to build more local playgrounds, sport fields, and bike lanes.”…
Ballotpedia provided information on Lucie Lapointe Volozky:
Lucie Lapointe Volozky (Republican Party) ran for election to the U.S. House to Represent California’s 32nd Congressional District. She lost in the general election on November 8, 2022.
Lucie Lapointe Volozky was born in Canada. Lapointe Volotzky’s career experience includes owning retail stores and working as an esthetician, in accounting, and in real estate.
Ballotpedia stated that Lucie Lapointe Volozky did not complete Ballotpedia’s 2022 Candidate Connection survey. Ballotpedia provided information from her 2022 campaign website:
IMMIGRATION
Illegal immigration brings crime, drugs, and human trafficking to our neighborhoods. We need to close the border so they can come in the right way, the legal way.
ECONOMY
We have the highest inflation in 40 years. It was caused by printing too much money, and that devalues the dollar, which gives us the higher cost of goods, foods, and health care. We need to bring back the corporation from overseas and create jobs.
HOMELESSNESS
Homelessness encourages tents on our sidewalks and pathways. We need more shelters and rehabilitation groups. Some religious groups are doing their part, but we need more.
EDUCATION
Our parental rights are under attack in our schools. The government has no business determining our children’s futures.
Parents know what’s best for educating their children. Let’s fight for School Choice.
PUBLIC SAFETY
Public Safety has been hurt by defunding the police. Criminals have been released, and more and more men and women in uniform been murdered. I say don’t defund the police, defend the police! We have to stand with our men and women in uniform to protect our cities, state, and country.
SMALL BUSINESS
In the last 40 years, we have lost so many small businesses, and one reason is the trade imbalance with China. In 1990, the census reported the imbalance was $10 billion dollars. In 2012, it was $355 billion dollars.
Let’s bring back business from China.
WOMEN’S SPORT
No transgender should participate in our women’s sport!
2ND AMENDMENT
Given the current environment with misguided justice policies which have released thousands of individuals into our neighborhoods, who are violent, mentally ill and or who are chronic offenders, the right and responsibility for my safety, my family and yes, your family depends on our commitment to protecting our 2nd Amendment Rights.
Ballotpedia provided information on Melissa Toomim:
Melissa Toomim (Republican Party) ran for election to the U.S. House to represent California’s 32nd Congressional District. Toomim lost in the primary on June 7, 2022.
Melissa Toomim’s career experience includes working as an investigative journalist.
Melissa Toomim completed Ballotpedia’s Candidate Connection survey in 2022. Here are some of the questions she answered:
Who are you? Tell us about yourself.
I am an investigative journalist who spent many years reporting on Afghanistan and Pakistan. I have an MA in International Policy Management – Nonproliferation and Terrorism. I also have a background in entertainment as a writer-producer-actress. I am currently a senior advisor with Operation Freedom Birds, which provides humanitarian relief and evacuation to America’s Afghan allies who are being hunted by the Taliban.
Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals in office?
- Rights of Parents – School Choice
- Border Sanity
- Energy Independence
What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?
I am a passionate Constitutionalist. I look forward to loudly and proudly taking the oath to defend the United States Constitution against all enemies, both foreign and domestic.
I support health freedom and have developed a proposal to lift tens of thousands of homeless former foster care kids and former prison inmates off the streets by utilizing excess office space for post-prison halfway houses with supervised living, mental healthcare and life-skills classes; and excess college dormitory space with scholarships to help foster kids obtain the education and skills necessary for them to succeed in life.
Of course, improving our nation’s foreign policy is high on my priority list. I know that, were I already serving in Congress, there would be no holocaust in Afghanistan now. I am also very active in advocating for military veterans and protecting the West Los Angeles Soldiers Home from real estate predators.
I am passionate about the economy of Los Angeles County and California by creating a business friendly environment. We need to attract manufacturing and technology industries and restore LA as the Entertainment Capitol of the World.
I am passionate to rebuild the economy of Los Angeles County and California by creating a business friendly environment. We need to attract manufacturing and technology industries and restore LA as the Entertainment Capitol of the World. LA was built on creativity, and I believe that freedom of speech is key to a vibrant entertainment industry, and strong industries are key to re-establishing small businesses and our middle class.
We have so many serious problems these days, but together we can reinvigorate our bird of paradise, Los Angeles.
Ballotpedia provided information about Shervin Aazami:
Shervin Aazami (Democratic Party) ran for election to the U.S. House to represent California’s 32nd Congressional District. He lost in the primary on June 7, 2022.
Shervin Aazami was born in Bologna, Italy. Aazami earned a bachelor’s degree in the University of California at Lost Angeles in 2013, a graduate degree from George Washington University in 2019, and a graduate degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 2020. His career experience includes working as the legislative director of the National Indian Health Board, a national indigenous healthcare nonprofit organization.
Shevrin Aazami completed Ballotpedia’s Candidate Connection survey in 2021. Here are some of the questions he answered:
Who are you? Tell us about yourself.
I am an Iranian American, an immigrant, and a public health activist that grew up here in the West San Fernando Valley (Canoga Park and Chatsworth). Born in Bologna, Italy, I am the son of two asylum seekers who fled religious persecution in Iran during the time of the 1979 Iranian Revolution. I grew up watching my mom work long hours, nights, weekends, and holidays at a department store to make ends meet for her family, while my dad took the bus to and from California State University Northridge and studied to become a family doctor. From an early age, I learned the power of responsibility from my mother and the power of service from my father.
As I grew up, I thrust himself into public service and the fight for social justice through the lens of public health. While in college I joined student groups advocating for climate justice by addressing the impact of the city’s toxic urban runoff on low-income Black and Latinx neighborhoods, and later worked for a residential treatment facility where I witnessed how our broken healthcare system criminalizes mental health and substance use issues, and fails to meet people where they are at. Before deciding to run for office in my hometown (CA-30), I worked on Capitol Hill as the legislative director for a national Indigenous healthcare non-profit fighting to ensure the federal government honors its Treaty obligations to Tribal Nations. My wife and I are expecting our first child in 2021.
Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for you time in office?
- Guarantee Housing for All as a human right
- Enact single-payer Medicare for All to ensure everyone has zero-cost comprehensive health care
- Immediately transition to 100% renewable energy economy and create millions of union jobs with a Green New Deal
What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?
As a public health professional, I see the intersectionality of our issues. It’s impossible to separate the impact of access to basic necessities like housing, education, living-wages, and clean air and water on our community health. That is why I am so passionate about enacting the structural reforms necessary to uplift and empower working people, and end corporate welfare. As a healthcare policy analyst, I have a deep understanding and passion for fixing our broken and expensive healthcare system. Healthcare comprises a fifth of our Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and costs us over $11,500 per person – yet millions of Americans remain uninsured or under-insured.
The injustices in our nation are the rotten fruits borne out from the generational impacts of institutional racism, classism, and unfettered capitalism – rotten fruits cultivated by broken leadership in Congress. Our elected leaders – both Democratic and Republican – have been financed and controlled by corporations who lobby for legislation that improves their bottom line at the direct expense of working people. Here in the San Fernando Valley, our community has directly experienced the destructive impact of corporate welfare on housing affordability, rates of poverty, and access to healthcare, to name a few. We are the wealthiest nation in the world, and there is zero reason why we cannot guarantee the basic necessities we all need to survive – especially housing and healthcare. What we lack is the political will.
Ballotpedia provided information about Aarika Rhodes:
Aarika Rhodes (Democratic Party) ran for election to the U.S. House to represent California’s 32nd Congressional District. She lost in the primary on June 7, 2022.
Aarika Rhodes was born in Las Vegas, Nevada. Rhodes earned a bachelor’s degree and graduate degree from California State University at Northridge in 2011 and 2015, respectively. Her career experience includes working as an elementary school teacher.
Aarika Rhodes completed Ballotpedia’s Candidate Connection survey in 2021. Here are some of the questions she answered:
Who are you? Tell us about yourself
Aarika has devoted her life to children and education. In 2013, Aarika received the Teacher of the Year Award from the Los Angeles Clippers for her achievement in constructing an effective science curriculum. She has also been published in the Journal for Multicultural Education for an article she co-authored with Dr. Shartriya Collier and Betty Burston entitled: Teaching STEM as a Second Language: Utilizing SLA to Develop Equitable Learning for All Students.
In 2018, Aarika was invited to the Better Together Teachers’ Summit at California State University Northridge to speak to dozens of educators about helping every child access curriculum by creating individual connections with each student. Aarika has taught students from diverse backgrounds in public and private schools. She understands the importance of closing the disparity in academic performance between groups of students.
Aarika attended public schools her entire life and was often the only student of color in the classroom. But she used it as motivation to be an honor roll student and break stereotypes. This is how she learned to stand against injustice and inequality and acquired her work ethic. She brought her capacity for hard work and her commitment to equality into the classroom as a teacher. Aarika went on to study at California State University Northridge where she earned a B.A. in Liberal Studies with an emphasis on Science and an M.Ed in Curriculum and Instruction.
Please list below 3 messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?
- The Economy
- Education Reform
- Social Justice and Equality
What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?
The jobs of today require collaborative workers who can create innovative solutions to problems. The old model of education, based on memorization and rote learning, is outdated. As a teacher, I am passionate about creating an educational system that prepares every child for success in a 21st century economy.
While at school, kids should have the opportunity to participate in real-world experiences and leave the classroom inspired every day. Our current educational system is filled with disparities that prevent every child from receiving the quality education they deserve.
The COVID-19 Pandemic has made these educational inequalities even more glaring. Our struggling and underserved students have fallen even further behind during online instruction. Many of our most vulnerable students have been struggling to learn online without a stable internet connection or a reliable computer. This is an injustice. We need to meet this moment with robust, innovative legislation to rebuild our educational system.
Ballotpedia provided information about Raji Rab:
Raji Rab (Democratic Party) is running for election to the U.S. Senate to represent California. He declared his candidacy for the general election scheduled on November 5, 2024.
Raji Rab’s career experience includes working as an aviator, an educator, and an entrepreneur.
Ballotpedia provided information about Jason Potell:
Jason Potell (Democratic Party) ran for election to the U.S. House to represent California’s 32nd Congressional District. He lost in the primary on June 7, 2022.
Jason Potell earned a masters degree in economics from Johns Hopkins University. Potell’s career experience includes founding a performing arts business.
May 26: DailyNews posted an article titled: “Election 2022: San Fernando Vally Rep. Brad Sherman gets midterm challenge from Democrats and Republicans” From the article:
Rep. Brad Sherman, D-Sherman Oaks, is getting an election fight from several challengers from both sides of the political spectrum this year.
The congressman, first elected in 1997, is up against four Democratic and two Republican opponents for a seat representing the newly formed 32nd Congressional District in the June 7 primary election…
…Sherman’s Democratic opponents are Shervin Aazami, a non-profit legislative director, Jason Potell, a consultant/community organizer; Raji Rab, an aviator, educator and entrepreneur; and Aarika Samone Rhodes, a teacher.
Republican opponents are business owner Lucie Lapointe Volotzky and Melissa Toomim, a writer…
…Sherman, whose campaign war chest as of March 31 was $1,780,000, is endorsed by political notables like California Gov. Gavin Newsom, the California Democratic Party and Planned Parenthood.
But his eager challengers believe it’s time for him to be replaced.
Volotzky is among them, hoping to defeat the odds and unseat Sherman in a highly Democratic district and against a longtime incumbent.
She believes that besides addressing obvious growing homelessness and resolving issues related to the SolCalGas leak in Aliso Canyon, food and gas prices are top priorities to tackle.
She wants to see accountable regulations in the public sector because of their “abuse of power and poor performance continues unabated.”
Volozky immigrated from Canada in 1984, got married and started a business at a local flea market, which grew into a multi-store company. She believes small business is under attack and bureaucracy has grown tenfold. Her campaign receipts as of March 31 total $14,500…
…”I’m hoping voters see that it is time for a change,” Volotzky said. “Same party, same people have not even produced status quo, but a deterioration of our communities and the quality of life for the people of our great state.”
…An opening line on Aazami’s campaign website reflects he is not bashful about his challenge from Sherman’s left.
“For too long, our seat in Congress has been occupied by a corporate, Wall Street Democrat who refuses to fight for economic justice and racial equity,” it reads, accompanied by a slew of local progressive grassroots organization endorsements.
“As a former legislative director working on Capitol Hill, I (ushered through) more bills in two years as an advocate than the incumbent has in 26 years as a legislator,” said Aazami, a Democrat. “These include cancelling copays and deductibles for veteran populations, securing long-term funding for community health centers and delivering over $10 billion to frontline communities for COVID-19 response, maternal health, and drug overdose prevention.”
Aazami has not held an elected position but touts his grasp of the legislative process…
He said he has a progressive vision, which includes single-payer Medicare for all, the Green New Deal, universal childcare benefits and the elimination of medical and student loan debt…
…Sherman stands by his record.
While in Congress, he supports strong environmental standards, federal aid to education, healthcare reform and the protection of Society [sic] Security and Medicare. And he supports policies to expand U.S. exports, prevent the proliferation of nuclear weapons and promote “a just” U.S. foreign policy.
“These national issues are so intense,” Sherman said. “I don’t have to tell you politics is intense, partisanship is intense but everything form the Ukraine, January 6, to tax proposals, the national issues are certainly on people’s minds.”
Sherman is mindful that this year’s midterms could be a referendum on President Joe Biden and his policies, a prospect that doesn’t bode well for Democrats across the country in danger of losing their slim majorities in Congress.
Sherman said that tension is showing up in his race, too.
“Our polling showed it was a two-way race early and it continues to be, and my record best epitomizes what the district wants, but people are saying this is going to be a good Republican year,” he said. “Those people who don’t like what (President Joe) Biden is doing, that helps Volotzky.”
Rab, a Democrat and entrepreneur, has never held elected office, but he hasn’t shied away from trying to get there.
When he ran for L.A. City Council three years ago, he told The Daily News his life’s passion is to understand and tackle “bread and butter” issues facing the San Fernando Valley.
That has fueled his challenges against Sherman in 2016, 2018, and 2020. And it’s fueling him now, when he cites homelessness, the Aliso Canyon gas leaks, Santa Susana Field Lab contamination cleanup, and increased cost of gas and groceries as pressing issues facing district voters…
…Democratic candidate Rhodes says her fight is to support the unhoused, fix public education, bolster small businesses and reform the criminal justice system. She supports Medicare for All, the Green New Deal and a Universal basic income.
She hasn’t held an elected position and is a first-time congressional candidate. Her campaign receipts as of March 31 were $269,000.
“I didn’t decide to run for Congress just to replace the current incumbent Brad Sherman,” said Las Vegas-born Rhodes, who graduated from Cal State Northridge with a graduate degree. “I’m running to make a difference in our economy and to work hard to pass meaningful legislation that will solve the increases in homelessness, improve our education system and fix our foster care system.”
Potell, a Democrat and a consultant and community organizer with a Master’s degree in economics, was born and raised in the district and comes form a Mexican Catholic and European Jewish family.
His campaign receipts as of March 31 was $50,600 of which he personally donated $33,700.
Potell is focused on immigration, refugees and border security along with homelessness, jobs, the economy, climate change, the Green New Deal, water supplies, innovation, and cryptocurrency…
…Melissa Toomim, a writer and Republican candidate had $22,000 in campaign receipts as of March 31. Her platform includes securing the southern border to stem the tide of illegal immigration and trafficking, and she wants industry jobs returned. She also supports Israel.
But, she adds, her policies are anchored by a devotion to the First Amendment, which she says “political correctness” and “cancel culture” are eroding…
Ballotpedia provided the results of the Nonpartisan primary for U.S. House California District 32:
- Brad Sherman (D): 54.3% – 55,011 votes
- Lucie Lapointe Volozky (R): 21.1% – 21,247 votes
- Melissa Toomim (R): 9.5% – 9,668 votes
- Shervin Aazami (D): 7.2% – 7,304 votes
- Aarika Rhodes (D): 4.3% – 4,376 votes
- Raji Rab (D): 1.8% – 1,859 votes
- Jason Potell (D): 1.8% – 1,788 votes
November 11: Daily Sundial posted an article titled: “Brad Sherman wins reelection to U.S. House” From the article:
Democratic incumbent Rep. Brad Sherman won the election for California’s 32nd Congressional District against Republican opponent Lucie Lapointe Volotsky, according to the Associated Press. The race was called at 9:09 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 8.
Sherman currently represents California’s 30th Congressional District, but his district will change to the 32nd District next year based on redistricting as a result of the 2020 census.
Sherman will now represent sections of Northridge, Canoga Park, Reseda, North Hills, Chatsworth, Encino, Sherman Oaks, Studio City, Tarzana, Topanga, West Hills, Winnetka, Woodland Hills, Bel Air, Bell Canyon, Malibu, Pacific Palisades, Beverly Glen and Brentwood according to his website…
…Sherman has historically voted for firearm legislation, including an assault weapons ban that passed the House of Representatives this summer. He has also repeatedly sponsored climate change legislation during his time in office, including the Green New Deal.
The Congressman has been a vocal supporter of the Armenian people, including on his government website. He has advocated for economic assistance to Armenia as a result of their conflict with Azerbaijan, while pushing for suspension of U.S. military aid to Azerbaijan, according to a Time magazine article from Oct. 3.
Sherman will begin representing the 32nd District on Jan. 3, 2023. This will be his 14th term in the House.
Ballotpedia provided the results for the General Election for U.S. House California District 32:
- Brad Sherman (D): 64.8% – 87,260 votes
- Lucie Lapointe Volotzky (R): 35.2% – 47,450 votes
California’s 33rd Congressional District
Wikipedia provided information about California’s 33rd Congressional District
California’s 33rd congressional district is a congressional district in the U.S. state of California. The district is currently represented by Democrat Pete Aguilar.
California’s 33rd congressional district is a congressional district in the U.S. state of California. The district is currently represented by Democrat Pete Aguilar.
As of the 2020 redistricting, California’s 33rd congressional district is located in Southern California. The 33rd, 23rd and 28th districts are partitioned by Carnelian St, Highway 30, Amethyst Ave, Highland Ave, Foothill Freeway, Day Creek Blvd, Vintage Dr, Saddle Tree Pl, Creek Channel, Wardman Bullock Rd, Dawnridge Dr, Summit Ave, 14509 Saddlepeak Dr – 14560 Labrador Ave, Ontario Freeway, Union Pacific Railroad, Highway 15, Highway 215, W Meyers Rd, Ohio Ave, Pine Ave, Bailey act, Highway 206, Devils Canyon Rd, Cloudland Truck Trail, Cloudland Cutoff, Hill Dr, W 54th St, E Hill Dr, Bonita Vista Dr, Sterling Ave, Argyle Ave, E Marshall Blvd, Rockford Ave, Lynwood Dr La Praix St, Orchid Dr, Denair Ave, Highland Ave, S Wabash Ave, E Citrus Ave, N Church St, Southern California Regional Rail A, Tennessee St, Highway 10, California St, E Washington St, and S Barton Rd.
The 33rd and 35th districts are partitioned by San Bernardino Rd, Orangewood Dr, Estacia St, Lion St, Highway 66, Helms Ave, Hampshire St, Archibald Ave, N Maple Ave, Randall Ave, Alder Ave, Union Pacific Railroad, Clover Ave, Tamarind Ave, Jurupa Ave, 11th St, and Locust Ave.
The 33rd district takes in San Bernardino, northern Redlands, Bloomington, Highland, Colton, Grand Terrace, Rialto and central Rancho Cucamonga, as well as the census-designated places Bloomington and Muscoy.
Ballotpedia provided information about Pete Aguilar:
Pete Aguilar (Democratic Party) is a member of the U.S. House, representing California’s 33rd Congressional District. He assumed office on January 3, 2023. His current term ends on January 2025.
Aguilar (Democratic Party) ran for re-election to the U.S. House to represent California’s 33rd Congressional District. He won in the general election on November 8, 2022.
Aguilar was first elected to the seat in 2014, where he defeated Republican Paul Chabot in the general election by a vote of 51.7 percent to 48.3 percent.
In his 2016 re-election, Aguilar defeated Republican Paul Chabot in the general election. California’s 31st Congressional District was rated as safely Democratic in 2016.
Aguilar also ran in 2012 but was defeated in the blanket primary.
Aguilar first entered public service in 2001 as Deputy Director and then Interim Director for the Inland Empire Regional Office of the Governor. He was appointed to Redlands City Council in 2006 and won election the next year. Aguilar previously served as the Mayor of Redlands.
Ballotpedia provided information from Pete Aguilar’s 2014 campaign website:
- Building An Economy That’s Strong And Fair: “With one in 10 people in the Inland Empire unable to find work, and many families earning less than they need to afford the basics, strengthening our economy and creating jobs is my top priority. We can do that by building an economy that’s fair to middle-class families and small businesses.”
- Improving Public Education: “As a product of public schools and the father of two young boys I know that quality education is vital to our future. In recent years, funding for early childhood education has been slashed, class sizes have ballooned and our teachers face greater challenges than ever. We must improve our public education system at all levels so that every child has the opportunity to succeed.”
- A Sound Approach To Energy And The Environment: “As Mayor of Redlands, I’ve fought for more sustainable development and programs to reduce the effects of climate change. I led efforts to encourage greater energy efficiency and conservation, including green buildings and climate-friendly purchasing, and strongly support a new passenger rail line to help reduce heavy traffic and pollution.”
- Protecting Our Seniors: “Medicare and Social Security are vital to the health and welfare of older Americans in San Bernardino County and throughout our nation. I will fight tooth and nail to protect and strengthen these programs in Congress.”
- Fixing Our Immigration System: “We need comprehensive immigration reform that makes sense for workers, businesses, and families, including a path to citizenship for those who play by the rules and live up to American ideals. This will strengthen our economy and expand our tax base. Notably, the Congressional Budget Office reports that passing immigration reform would cut the federal deficit by $200 billion over the next 10 years.”
Ballotpedia provided information about John Mark Porter:
John Mark Porter (Republican Party) ran for reelection to the U.S. House to represent California’s 33rd Congressional District. Porter lost in the general election on November 8, 2022.
John Mark Porter did not complete Ballotpedia’s 2022 Candidate Connection survey. Porter’s campaign 2022 website stated the following:
People, freedom, and capitalism, drive our economy. The government is often a powerful actor – so much that it can easily become an impediment to prosperity and individual independence. Governments should remove economic barriers and excessive subsidies that inhibit growth. Inflation will self-correct if the government does not act to make it worse; we created this problem with excessive trillions of dollars of spending and prolonged inhibitions of markets. Our government should be expected to be able to balance a budget, but we have developed an unhealthy expectation of deficits and acceptance of an ever-accumulating national debt.
Violent crime and lawlessness are degrading communities around the country, especially in our big cities. We have the laws already on the books, but are they being properly enforced? We need to give law enforcement the support and resources they need to deter and prevent crime, ensure prosecutors are not neglecting their duty to punish all criminals, and reduce the possibility of chronic repeat offenses by keeping people behind bars who deserve it.
We cannot allow illegal immigration to continue, it degrades sovereignty, creates vulnerability and undermines unity. America has always benefitted from our incredible mix of cultures, ideas, and backgrounds. We should continue to welcome new immigrants from around the world who share our values and commit to contribute to our great American experiment. We can also have a robust foreign worker program with eventual repatriation and protections from exploitation. However, coming to the United States unlawfully as an adult should be disqualification to ever becoming a citizen.
Americans should not be burdened with mask mandates, vaccine mandates, or further shut-downs at this point. The federal and local governments have shown to be incapable of “shutting down” COVID-19. Beyond making vaccines, testing, and treatments available, government intrusion into how we live our lives with this virus should be curtailed. Most of us have moved on from a quarantine mentality to gather, travel, and get back to work; our government should reflect and respect that.
Children should have the opportunity to go to a good school regardless of income level. Parents want a say as to where and when their children are taught. The market for charter schools has increased steadily over the years which suggests an appetite for school choice and the possibility of a robust consumer-driven educational system. I am interested in learning more about these innovative ideas.
Ballotpedia provided information about Rex Gutierrez:
Rex Gutierrez (Republican Party) ran for election to the U.S. House to represent California’s 33rd Congressional District. Guiterrez lost in the primary on June 7, 2022.
Rex Gutierrez was born in Biloxi, Mississippi. Gutierrez’s career experience includes working as an investment executive with PaineWebber.
Rex Gutierrez did not complete Ballotpedia’s 2022 Candidate Connection survey. Ballotpedia provided information from Rex Gutierrez’s 2022 campaign website:
THE ISSUES…..
- THE MONEY YOU GAINED FROM STIMULUS CHECKS IS BEING WIPED OUT BY SKYROCKETING PRICES! GASOLINE, FOOD, CARS…. EVERYTHING IS GOING UP. WE MUST FIGHT INFLATION WITH SOUND ECONOMIC POLICIES.
- KEEP OUR NEIGHBORHOODS SAFE AND HOME VALUES HIGH BY MAINTAINING AND INCREASING FUNDING FOR POLICE.
- STOP FOCUSING ON THE COLOR OF A PERSON’S SKIN – INSTEAD FOCUS ON THE CONTENT OF A PERSON’S CHARACTER.
- STOP THIS INSANE DIVIDING OF AMERICA INTO GROUPS: RACES, COLORS, NATIONALITIES, GENDERS, RICH, POOR. WE ARE ONE PEOPLE – ALL AMERICANS. A HOUSE DIVIDED AGAINST ITSELF CANNOT STAND!6
- SAN BERNARDINO IS A DISCRASE! ERADICATE HOMELESSNESS, CRIME AND DRUGS. FOCUS ON DRUG ADDICTION TREATMENT AND MENTAL HEALTH TREATMENT. THE HOMELESS NEED TREATMENT IN SHELTERS, NOT ON THE STREETS!
- SECURE OUR BORDERS. SAY ‘NO’ TO THE CARTELS, DRUG PUSHERS AND HUMAN TRAFFICKERS.
- REWARD PEOPLE WHO WORK AND CONTRIBUTE, NOT ONLY THOSE WHO TAKE.
- SAVE A LOST GENERATION OF YOUNG MEN WHO NEED TO TAKE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF FATHERHOOD SERIOUSLY AND BECOME ACCOUNTABLE FOR THEIR ACTIONS, OR LACK THEREOF
- PEACE THROUGH STRENGTH
- CUT TAXES, REGULATIONS, AND EXCESSIVE SPENDING
- SUPPORT SMALL, FAMILY BUSINESSES – THE BACKBONE OF OUR ECONOMY.
- EXPAND (AND EXPLODE) ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES FOR ALL!
I DO NOT BELEIVE IN DEFUNDING THE POLICE
I believe in keeping the 10 Commandments and the Golden Rile. I believe in non-violent protest. You can’t destroy other people’s property by looting, plundering and setting another’s property on fire. We need morality and common decency. MURDER RATES ARE JUMPING HIGHER! When bad actors are looting and robbing all over our cities, the police cannot respond to our calls. With fewer police and longer response times, we need our 2nd Amendment right to bear arms to protect our families and our property. I do NOT support defunding the police. We need MORE police. Want to keep your home values high? then KEEP YOUR COMMUNITY SAFE! I do NOT believe in gun control. When our right to bear arms is taken away, only the criminals will have access to guns.
RACISM HAS NO PLACE IN AMERICA
Racism is wrong. But I do NOT believe America is a racist nation. We have come a long, long way in the fight for equality and fair opportunity for all. There are still racist people out there. Too bad! Don’t give them the underserved credit. Unfortunately, there will always be stupid people. But they are few. That’s not your problem. Be the best person you can be. Martin Luther King asked us to judge others by the CONTENT OF THEIR CHARACTER, NOT THE COLOR OF THEIR SKIN. I am SICK of identity politics and this silly obsession with race and color. I am colorblind. I don’t care about color. Don’t let the politicians divide us.
MEDICARE FOR ALL?
Giving Medicare to every human in our country isn’t feasible, and will destroy Medicare for those who need it most – those over 65 and the disabled.
NATIONAL DEFENSE
I believe in PEACE THROUGH STRENGTH. When you are King of the hill, your enemies are less likely to threaten you. It’s easier to defend the hill when you sit atop of it.
(NOTE: skipping ahead a little bit)
THE SANCTITY OF LIFE – WE CAN DO BETTER!
“For can a woman forget her suckling child? That she should not have compassion on the son of her womb?” The unborn child is entitled to sanctuary while vulnerable in the womb of its mother. Violence against the unborn is a terrible tragedy. Too many pregnancies are the result of bad decisions by two people. They are not the fault of the child. Inconvenience is a poor excuse to kill an unborn child. We need tougher policies that would require men to take financial responsibility for the pregnancies they cause, and policies that support young women to bring these little ones into the word. I believe in freedom, but not the freedom to take human life…
Ballotpedia provided information about Ernest Richter:
Ernest Richter (Republican Party) ran for election to the U.S. House to represent California’s 33rd Congressional District. Richter lost in the primary on June 7, 2022.
May 2022: Los Angeles Times (via Yahoo! News) posted an article titled: “How the mayor of a small Inland Empire town because one of Congress’s most powerful Democrats”. From the article:
Rep. Pete Aguilar felt the threat rising.
As the House prepared to continue to confirm Joe Biden as the nation’s president on January 6, 2021, and put an end to Donald Trump’s false claim that the election was rigged, Agular had a great view of the doors Capitol security would barricade to ward off the rioting insurrectionists.
Just before he left the chamber floor and fled for safety with the rest of the House leadership, Aguilar scratched a little red notebook he had picked up on a trip to Peru something that many members and congressional staff felt that day.
“I’m a little scared.”
The Yucaipa native already was a rising star in the Democratic Party and climbing up the leadership ranks. That infamous day supercharged his assent, first with an appointment to the House committee formed to investigate the attack on the Capitol and then with his election as chair of the House Democratic Caucus. Aguilar is now the third-highest-ranking Democrat in the House of Representatives.
How the former Redlands mayor became Congress’ highest-ranking Latino stems from why then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi chose him for the Jan. 6 committee, which lead one of the highest-profile inquiries since the Watergate scandal took down President Nixon. Friends and foes alike note his tranquil demeanor, openness to differing viewpoints, and reputation for offering counsel of colleagues expressing complaints, concerns and compliments.
Partially because of his demeanor and the decidedly moderate part of the state he represents, Aguilar is far from an ideological warrior ducking it out over culture-war issues. Instead, he’s part of a House coalition known for its pro-business bend and recently was the highest ranking Democrat to join Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Bakersfield) for a meeting with Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley…
…Along with House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) and Minority Whip Katherine Clark (D-Mass.), Aguilar is part of a newer, younger vanguard of Democratic leaders who replaced septuagenarian and octogenarian counterparts…
Ballotpedia posted the results of the Nonpartisan primary for U.S. House California District 33:
- Pete Aguilar (D): 59.9% – 40,484 votes
- John Mark Porter (R): 17.6% – 11,899 votes
- Rex Gutierrez (R): 15.3% – 10,360 votes
- Ernest Richter (R): 7.1% – 4,795 votes
Ballotpedia posted the results of the General election for U.S. House California District 33:
- Pete Aguilar (D): 57.7% – 30,949 votes
- John Mark Porter (R): 42.3% – 22,695 votes
November 30: NBCNews posted an article titled: “Pete Aguilar, No. 3 Democrat in the House, makes history as he aims to keep the party ‘united'” From the article:
Rep. Pete Aguilar, a California Democrat, is taking on the highest-level job ever held by a Latino in the House, the party’s No. 3 position, with a promise that his party will take back the majority in 2024.
Aguilar was elected by his colleagues Wednesday to serve in the next Congress as chair of the House Democratic Caucus, a role bumped up to No. 3 position in the House leadership, from No. 4. Aguilar, 43, has been serving as caucus vice chair…
…Aguilar’s job will be to help steer the House Democrats, now in the minority, as they try to push their legislative promises, keeping members united on issues, conveying the party message and working to take back the majority in 2024. Messaging is an issue that Democrats were seen to struggle with in recent elections.
“We are going to do everything we can to stay united, to lower the cost of prescription drugs for Americans, lower everyday costs at the pump. Those are the things the House Democratic Caucus is going to stand for, as well as implementing the legislation we’ve already passed, bipartisan infrastructure bill to create good paying jobs in our communities,” he said.
Aguilar said if they can do that and stay united and focused, “we’re not going to be in the minority long. The path is in front of use for the majority in 2024.”…
California’s 34th Congressional District
Wikipedia provided information about California’s 34th Congressional District:
California’s 34th congressional district is a U.S. congressional district in California. Located in Los Angeles County, the district is represented by Democrat Jimmy Gomez. Its previous U.S. representative, Democrat Xavier Becerra of Los Angeles, resigned January 24, 2017, to become the attorney general of California. Representative Gomez won a special election on June 6, 2017, beating fellow Democrat Robert Lee Ann to replace Becerra. He was later sworn in as the district’s U.S. representative on July 11, 2017.
The district is almost entirely within the City of Los Angeles and includes the following neighborhoods in Central, East, and Northeast Los Angeles: Boyle Heights, Chinatown, City Terrace, Cypress Park, Downtown Los Angeles, Eagle Rock, El Sereno, Garvanza, Glassell Park, Highland Park, Koreatown, Little Bangladesh, Little Tokyo, Lincoln Heights, Montecito Heights, Monterey Hills, Mount Washington, and Westlake.
As of the 2020 redistricting, California’s 34th congressional district is located in Southern California. The district is entirely within the city of Los Angeles.
Los Angeles County is split between this district, the 28th district, the 30th district, the 37th district, and the 42nd district. The 34th and 28th are partitioned by Colorado Blvd, Lantana Dr, Church St, Adelaide Pl, Highway 110, N Huntington Dr, S Winchester Ave, Valley Blvd, Laguna Channel, Highway 710, I-10 Express Ln, Rollins Dr, Floral Dr, E Colonia, Belvedere Park, Highway 60, S Atlantic Blvd, and Pomona road.
The 34th, 37th, and 30th are partitioned by S Alameda St, Harbor Freeway, Highway 10, S Normandie Ave, W Pico Blvd, Crenshaw Blvd, Wilshire Blvd, S Van Ness Ave, S Wilton Pl, N Wilton Pl, Beverly Blvd, N Western Melrose Ave, Hollywood Freeway, Douglas St, Lilac Ter, N Boylston St, Academy Rd, Pasadena Freeway, Highway 5, Duvall St, Black Ave, Fernleaf St, Crystal St, Blake Ave, Meadowvale Ave, Glendale Freeway, Roswell St, Delay Dr, Fletcher Dr, Southern Pacific Railroad, S Glendale Ave, Vista Superba Dr, Verdugo Rd, Plumas St, Carr Park, Harvey Dr, and Eagle Rock Hillside Park.
The 34th, 38th and 42nd are partitioned by S Gerhart Ave, Simmons Ave, Dewar Ave, W Beverly Blvd, Repetto Ave, Allston St, S Concourse Ave, Ferguson Dr, Simmons Ave/S Gerhart Ave, Highway 72, Goodrich Blvd, Telegraph Rd, S Marianna Ave, Noakes St, S Bonnie Beach Pl, Union Pacific Railroad, S Indiana St, Union Pacific Railroad, Holabird Ave, S Grande Vista Ave, AT & SF Railway, Harriet St, and E 25 St. The 34th district takes in the Los Angeles neighborhoods of Boyle Heights, Lincoln Heights, Naud Junction, El Sereno, Highland Park, Glasswell Park, Mount Washington, Eagle Rock, and Garvanza, as well as the census-designated place East Los Angeles.
Ballotpedia provided information on Jimmy Gomez
Jimmy Gomez (Democratic Party) is a member of the U.S. House, representing California’s 34th Congressional District. He assumed office on July 11, 2017. His current term ends on January 3, 2025.
Gomez (Democratic Party) ran for re-election to the U.S. House to represent California’s 34th Congressional District. He won the election on November 8, 2022.
Gomez was first elected to the seat in 2017. The election replaced Xavier Becerra (D), who was appointed as California’s attorney general. Gomez won re-election to the seat in 2018, defeating Green Party candidate Kenneth Mejia in the general election by a vote of 72.5 percent to 27.5 percent.
Gomez represented District 51 in the California State Assembly from 2012 to 2017. He served as State Assembly Majority Whip from 2013 to 2014.
Gomez earned his B.A. in political science from University California, Los Angeles and his master’s degree in public policy from Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government.
Gomez is the political director for United Nurses Associations of California.
Jimmy Gomez did not complete Ballotpedia’s 2022 Candidate Connection survey. He did complete Ballotpedia’s 2020 Candidate Connection survey. Here are some of the questions he answered:
Who are you? Tell us about yourself.
I am the son of two hard-working immigrants from Mexico and am so proud of my parents and the challenges they overcame to give their children a better life. Their example guides me every day as a member of the United States Congress. As a working-class progressive, I am helping lead a new generation of Democrats, fighting for and delivering change. That’s why I have stood up to Trump to protect all who are threatened by his agenda of fear and division. It is why I fight for affordable health care for everyone and have worked to help those who have become sick or lost their jobs because of COVID-19. I owe it to my family and community.
I am a co-sponsor of the Green New Deal, Medicare for All, the Rent Relief Act, the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act, and the American Dream and Promise Act. In Congress, I have been leading efforts to expose corruption in the Trump Administration, and to eliminate police abuse. That’s why I have been endorsed by Vice President Joe Biden, the Sierra Club, Planned Parenthood, the Congressional Progressive Caucus, End Citizens United, and most recently, Bernie Sanders’ Our Revolution.
I am the son of two hardworking immigrants from Mexico and am proud of my parents and the challenges they overcame to give their children a better life. Their example guides me every day as a member of the United States Congress.
As a working-class progressive, I am helping to lead a new generation of Democrats, fighting for and delivering change.
That’s why I have stood up to Trump to protect all who are threatened by his agenda of fear and division. It is why I fight for affordable health care for everyone and have worked to help those who have become sick or lost their jobs because of COVID-19. I owe it to my family and community.
Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?
- Healthcare / Medicare for All: I have been a cosponsor of the Medicare for All Act since I got elected in 2017, and am a founding member of the Medicare for All Caucus. I grew up without health insurance and know first-hand the burden a family experiences when they don’t have access to quality affordable healthcare. I don’t want anyone to go through what my family went through. That’s why I am fighting with Senator Bernie Sanders and the Progressive Caucus to make Medicare for All a reality. I am the only candidate endorsed by the United Nurses Associations of California and the National Union of Healthcare Workers.
- Combatting Climate Change & the Green New Deal: I believe that climate change poses an existential threat to humanity and that bold legislative actions are required to reverse the environmental, health, and economic damage caused by global warming. I am a cosponsor of the Green New Deal with Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. Additionally, in Congress, I helped secure over $300 million to clean up a polluted river in California and sponsored the Climate Solutions Act of 2019 to reduce green gas emissions and transition to a 100 percent renewable energy future by 2035. I am an environmental champion and received the Green Leadership Award for “bold environmental leadership” from Green California, and I am endorsed by the Sierra Club.
- Ending Police Brutality & Criminal Justice Reform: I believe ending police brutality and criminal justice reform must be a top priority for Congress. I am a cosponsor of the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act (H.R. 7120). This bill will hold police officers and departments accountable, increase transparency, make structural changes to our justice system, ban chokeholds and eliminate qualified immunity. As a member of the Civil Rights and Civil Liberties Subcommittee, I am leading efforts to investigate and expose aggressive policing tactics committed by “cliques” of affiliated deputies within the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department. I am endorsed by Representative Karen Bass, Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus.
What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?
Immigration Reform: As a son of immigrants, I know that immigration and diversity contributes to the fabric of this country and makes us better. That’s why I have fought against Trump’s anti-immigrant agenda, including efforts to ban immigrants based on religion, splitting up families to deport parents of U.S. citizens and separating families at the border.
In Congress, I was only 1 of 19 Democrats who voted against legislation to fund Donald Trump’s border wall, his demand for more detention beds, and increased funding for ICE. I support banning the use of private prisons by ICE and co-sponsored the Justice is Not For Sale Act by Rep Raul Grijalva to do just that. I am also fighting to allow unannounced visits by Members of Congress to ICE and Custom Border Patrol Facilities to provide greater oversight and accountability.
I will always stand up and fight for all of us by protecting immigrants through the passage of the Dream and Promise Act, implementing comprehensive immigration reform that keeps families together, and bringing undocumented persons out of the shadows with a path to citizenship. I am the only candidate endorsed by the United Farm Workers of American, and Civil Rights Leader Dolores Huerta.
Ballotpedia provided information about David Kim:
David Kim (Democratic Party) ran for election to the U.S. House to represent California’s 34th Congressional District. He lost in the general election on November 8, 2022.
David Kim was born in Sierra Vista, Arizona. Kim earned a bachelor’s degree in history from the University of California at Berkeley in 2006 and a Juris Doctor from the Yeshiva University Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law in 2010. His career experience includes working as an immigration litigation attorney and a juvenile dependency attorney and founding The Hollywood Lawyer. Kim has served on the MacArthur Park Neighborhood Council and has been a member of the Los Angeles Tenants Union.
David Kim completed Ballotpedia’s Candidate Connection survey for 2022. Here are some of the questions he answered:
Who are you? Tell us about yourself.
As a son of immigrants and as a community organizer, I am an attorney who has worked in a wide range of fields, all tied to seeking justice for those less fortunate. I have served as an elected neighborhood council board member who was privileged to serve the needs of my people. I have investigated corruption, worked on labor cases, defended the most vulnerable parents in Los Angeles County from having their children removed from them in children’s court, and, in my current job as an immigration attorney, defended those whose only “crime” is wanting to be American. Through my experience working multiple jobs to make ends meet and serving as an activist, elected neighborhood council board member and legal advocate, I understand our community’s financial suffering and empathize with people experiencing hardship.
Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?
- Everyone deserves the right to live, to have housing, to have healthcare, to have a sustainable job, to have money to pay for food and basic expenses, to legally live here and work, to apply for U.S. permanent residency/ citizenship, to have responsive representation by their government leaders and to be fairly treated despite skin color, race, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, and religion.
- None of us should feel like the floor can be ripped out from under us. All of us should be able to pursue our dreams and truly live the one life we’ve been given, and be able to fully experience and live life, not just survive it. If the government is suppose to be of, for and by the people, then its priority should be to allow us, the people, to THRIVE.
- With the 2022 campaign in CA-34, we have a chance to help uplift everyone in our communities. In November 2020, our 100% people-powered grassroots campaign came close to winning with 47.1 of the total votes cast in the General Election for CA34’s congressional seat despite going up against an incumbent who raised 10x more money by pocketing more corporate PAC and special interest money than a majority of members in Congress. It’s clear that people in our district want and need transformative change, but that transformative change won’t happen if we continue re-electing the same career politicians. It’s time to put an end to the corporate influence of politics.
Ballotpedia provided information about Clifton Rio Torrado VonBuck:
Clifton Rio Torrado VonBuck (Republican Party) ran for election to the U.S. House to represent California’s 34th Congressional District. Torrado VonBuck lost in the primary on June 7, 2022.
Clifton Rio Torrado VonBuck’s career experience includes owning a business.
Ballotpedia posted results from the Nonpartisan primary for U.S. House California District 34:
- Jimmy Gomez (D): 50.7% – 45,376 votes
- David Kim (D): 39.0% – 34,921 votes
- Clifton Rio Torrado VonBuck (R): 10.2% – 9,150 votes
October 26: The Occidental posted an article titled: ‘Chosen’ documentary brings eyes to the story of David Kim, a CA-34 candidate” From the article:
“Chosen” is a documentary featuring five Korean Americans, with varied backgrounds and beliefs, who ran for U.S. Congress in 2020. Before the 2020 election, only two Korean Americans had been elected to the U.S. Congress since 1903.
“Chosen” focuses on attorney David Kim, who runs to represent California’s 34th District in the House of Representatives – CA-34 includes neighborhoods such as Eagle Rock, Highland Park, Downtown LA and Koreatown. Kim lost his race in the 2020 election, but he is currently campaigning again for the same position against the CA-34 incumbent, Jimmy Gomez.
“Chosen” screened at Oxy Arts Oct. 20 and there was also a Q&A after the screening with Kim. The director of “Chosen,” Joseph John, said Kim signifies many different tension points that are complex in nature within the Korean American community.
“Some of which include maybe intergenerational tension,” Juhn said. “Also, I think he represents the ideological tension, religious tension and, most importantly, LGBTQ tension – how people of the queer community are shunned in a very conservative evangelical Christian community.
Kim said he came out as gay to his conservative parents in February 2019, and he did not talk to his parents for 20 months after that because it became so toxic.
“It was super traumatic,” Kim said. “My mom said to me during that traumatic [time after coming out] ‘How can you do this to me? Why are you taking vengeance on us by being gay? What did I do to you?’ And I remember her saying those words and weeping so heavily because it was the end of the world for her.”
The 20 months of silence ended, Kim said, because he did not want his mom to hear that he was running for Congress from someone else..
November 2: Los Angeles Times posted an article titled: “A battle over who is the true progressive defines L.A. congressional race” From the article:
As the recording of a racist conversation between Los Angeles labor and political leaders plunged the city into a political crisis unlike any other, David Kim and Jimmy Gomez took different paths.
Gomez, an incumbent congressman, sat next to mayoral candidate Rep. Karen Bass and former Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa at a room at Los Angeles Trade-Technical College, calling for unity.
Kim, an immigration and child dependency attorney running against Gomez, stood in a crowd of protestors in front of city hall. With profanity, he decried how special interests are corrupting the city and called for continued demonstrations.
“We need a moral revolution in Los Angeles,” Kim yelled, holding a microphone. In the leaked conversation, Latino leaders mocked people in racist terms and plotted to undermine Black political power.
Whether Gomez or Kim prevails in the midterm election, California’s 34th Congressional District, which includes Koreatown, downtown L.A., Eagle Rock and Boyle Heights, will have a Democratic congressman.
What the election – a rematch of the 2020 race that Gomez won by 6% – comes down to a battle of what it means to be a progressive and what style of politics voters prefer…
…To avoid being the first incumbent Democratic congress member to lost to a same-party challenger in Southern California in 10 years, Gomez, 47, must persuade enough voters that working inside the party is still effective. To pull off a win, his rival, Kim, 38, must sell enough voters across racial lines on “co-governing” with activists.
Last month, Kim was endorsed by Eunisses Hernandez, a community activist who has called for abolishing the police and who unseated Councilmember Gil Cedilloin June. Kim has put up billboards showing him with Hernandez…
…The district is majority Hispanic – once home to Edward R. Roybal and Xavier Becerra, two well-known Latino politicians – but has a sizable and influential Asian American and white population. About 80% of the districts homes are valued at more than $500,000 and about 20% are valued with more than $1 million.
Nearly 80% of the district’s residents are renters. Roughly 20% live in poverty…
Ballotpedia provide result of the General Election for U.S. House California District 34:
- Jimmy Gomez: (D): 51.2% – 62,049 votes
- David Kim: (D): 48.8% – 59,025 votes
November 19: ABC News posted an article titled: “Democratic U.S. Rep. Gomez triumphs in California district” From the article:
Democratic U.S. Rep. Jimmy Gomez defeated rival Democrat David Kim on Saturday in a Los Angeles district after a battle on the party’s progressive flank.
With nearly all the ballots counted, Gomez had 51.3% to 48.7% for Kim, or a margin of about 3,000 votes.
The race was a rematch from 2020 when Gomez defeated Kim, an immigration lawyer. Under California’s primary rules, only the top two finishers advance to the November election, which set up the fight between two Democrats.
The heavily Democratic 34th District is a diverse, urban mishmash of neighborhoods that cuts across income, racial and ethnic groups. It includes Downtown Los Angeles, Koreatown, and heavily Latino Boyle Heights.
Fewer than 1 in 10 voters in the district are Republicans, over 60% are Democrats and most of the remainder are independents who lean Democratic.
Earlier this week, Republicans regained overall control of the House by reaching the 218 seat threshold for a majority. The outcome in the Los Angeles district doesn’t sway the balance of control since both candidates were Democrats.
Counting is not yet finished in a handful of other undecided races.
California’s 35th Congressional District
Wikipedia provided information about California’s 35th congressional district:
California’s 35th congressional district is a U.S. congressional district in California. The district is currently represented by Democrat Norma Torres.
The district is based in the Inland Empire, including the communities of Chino, Eastvale, Fontana, Montclair, Ontario, Pomona, Rancho Cucamonga, and Upland.
As of the 2020 redistricting, California’s 35th congressional district is located in Southern California, with the Inland Empire. The district covers east Los Angeles County, southwest San Bernardino County, and a small part of riverside county.
Los Angeles County is split between this district, the 28th district, and the 31st district. They are partitioned by Highway 60, Phillips Ranch Rd, E Village Loop Rd, Quail Creek Ln, Falcon Ridge Dr, Hidden Valley Rd, Cliff Dr, Willowbrook Ln, Westbrook Ln, La Sierra Dr, Avenida Rancheros, Rancheros Navato Dr, Serra Dr, Alta Mira Pl, Rancho Laguna Dr, W Mission Blvd, W Temple Ave, Pomona Blvd, Valley Blvd, San Bernardino Freeway, Walnut City Parkland, San Bernardino Freeway, Fairplex Dr, Via Verde, Puddingstone Reservoir, McKinley Ave, N Whittle Ave, Arrow Highway, Fulton Rd, Foothill Blvd, Towne Ave, Harrison Ave, Carnegie Ave, W Arrow Highway, Mountain Ave, and E American Ave. The 35th district takes the city of Pomona.
San Bernardino County is split between this district, the 28th district, the 33rd district, and the 40th district. The 35th, 28th, and 33rd are partitioned by W 16th St, E 15th St, Grove Ave, Foothill Blvd, Vineyard Blvd, San Bernardino Rd, Orangewood Dr, Estancia St, Lion St, Highway 66, Helms Ave, Hampshire St, Archibald Ave, N Maple Ave, S Maple Ave, Randall Ave, Alder Ave, Union Pacific Railroad, Slover Ave, Tamarind Ave, Jurupa Ave, 11th St, Hazelwood Dr, Pipeline Ave, Los Serranos Blvd, Country Club Dr, Soquel Canyon Parkway, Elinvar Dr, Sapphire Rd, Onyx Rd, Slate Dr, Butterfield Ranch Rd, Pine Ave, and Chino Valley Freeway. The 35th district takes in Chino, Montclair, Ontario, and the south sides of Rancho Cucamonga, Fontana and Upland, as well as the Los Serranos neighborhood of Chino Hills.
Riverside County is split between this district and the 41st district. They are partitioned by Chino Creek, Santa Ana River, Chandler St, Archibald Ave, Schleisman Rd, Scholar Way, Citrus Way, Hamner Ave, Corona Freeway, and E Philadelphia St. The 35th district takes in the north side of Eastvale.
Ballotpedia provided information about Norma Torres
Norma Torres (Democratic Party) is a member of the U.S. House, representing California’s 35th Congressional District. She assumed office on January 3, 2015. Her current term ends on January 3, 2025.
Torres (Democratic Party) ran for re-election to the U.S. House to represent California’s 35th Congressional District. She won in the general election on November 8, 2022.
Torres defeated Christian Valente (R) in the 2018 general election by a vote of 69.4 percent to 30.6 percent.
Torres represented District 32 in the California State Senate from 2013 to 2024. She previously served in the California State Assembly from 2008 to 2013.
Legislative scorecard
Capitol Weekly, California’s major weekly periodical covering the state legislature, publishes an annual scorecard to pin down the political or ideological leanings of every member of the legislature based on how they voted on an assortment of bills in the most recent legislative session. The 2009 scores were based on 19 bills, but did not include how legislators voted on the Proposition 1A (2009). On the scorecard, “100”, is a perfect liberal score and “0” is a perfect conservative score.
On the 2009 Capitol Weekly legislative scorecard, Torres ranked as an 85.
Norma Torres did not fill out ballotpedia’s Candidate Connection survey. Ballotpedia provided the following from Norma Torres’s website:
COVID-19 Relief: Delivering Relief Throughout This Pandemic
Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, Congresswoman Torres has worked to ensure the needs of Inland Empire families are prioritized in federal stimulus packages. She championed key food assistance, rent relief, unemployment and small business assistance, and direct payment provisions in the CARES Act and American Rescue Plan. She continues to collaborate with the Biden-Harris administration to help our community recover from this once-in-a-generation public health crisis.
To date, Congresswoman Torres has secured over $3 billion in COVID-19 relief for the Inland Empire.
Health Care is a Human Right
Congresswoman Torres strongly believes that health care is a human right. The United States is one of the wealthiest countries in the world, and no one should go without affordable and comprehensive health insurance. During her tenure in Congress, she has fought to strengthen the Affordable Care Act, expand community health centers in the Inland Empire, and eliminate the barriers preventing Americans from accessing the care they deserve.
Closing the Gender Gap
When women get ahead, America thrives. As the only woman of Central American descent in Congress, Congresswoman Torres champions legislative solutions to make equal pay for equal work a reality and protect a woman’s right to her own reproductive health care. Currently, she is focused on lowering the cost of child care, empowering women in the workplace, and making our government look like those it represents.
Serving Our Nation’s Veterans
As the mother of an Air Force veteran, Congresswoman Torres’ priority in Congress is serving those who so courageously served us. From assisting our local veterans receive the benefits they’re owed to expanding their access to education and health care, she is dedicated to improving available resources for current and former servicemembers…
Ballotpedia provided information about Mike Cargile
Mike Cargile (Republican Party) ran for election to the U.S. House to represent California’s 35th Congressional District. He lost in the general election on November 8, 2022.
Mike Cargile was born in Fort Hood, Texas. Cargile served in the U.S. Army from 1990 to 1991. He earned a bachelor’s degree in business from Columbus State University in 1987. Cargill’s career experience includes working as the president of Big Event Pictures, a filmmaker, and a crossing guard. He has been a CYAA coach and a booster club parent.
Mike Cargile completed Ballotpedia’s Candidate Connection survey in 2022. Here are some of the questions he answered:
Who are you? Tell us about yourself.
I am Pro-God, Pro-Family, Pro-Jobs, Pro-Law enforcement and always America First!
As an Army veteran, businessman, filmmaker, father, and a Christian, I see great potential for the communities of our district.
But at a time when our educators have abandoned our children, our doctors have violated their oaths and our political leadership are shredding our Constitutional Rights on a daily basis, we need someone to stand against this Communist onslaught.
We need an advocate to protect our families, our jobs and our communities.
We need an advocate to protect our families, our jobs and our communities. We just want to go back to our jobs and schools without restrictions. We want our lives to return to normal!
The cost of our gas is the highest in history, our store shelves are increasingly bare, homelessness, drugs and crime plague our neighborhoods. Our children have lost precious classroom time, and many small businesses have closed because of mistaken COVID policies.
We need a representative who will support law enforcement and make our District safe and prosperous again. We need a representative who understands our problems and has solutions for them.
This district is where my wife and I have raised our kids. This is our home. We have invested our lives here. Our church family is here. I want all of us to feel safe and secure. Our God given rights are not negotiable. This is the time for choosing. Will it be freedom and opportunity or fear and hate?
Please allow me to represent our communities in Congress.
Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?
- We must have fair and transparent elections. This issue is the cornerstone of our Republic. https://www.cargileforcongres/voter-fraud
- I am “The Family Man”. Support for the nuclear family unit is the cornerstone of our society. https://www.cargileforcongress.com/family
- Jobs, jobs, jobs! The solution to our economy is, and has always been, lower taxes, less fess and fewer government regulations. https://www.cargileforcongress.com/jobs-and-economy
What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?
IMMIGRATION – We need a new plan. The Cargile Plan. Please take a moment and review it here: https://www.cargileforcongress.com/immigration
LAW ENFORCEMENT – I will always DEFEND the police and will never support DEFUNDING them! https://www.cargileforcongress.com/safety
Ballotpedia provided information about Rafael Carcamo
Rafael Carcamo (Republican Party) ran for election to the U.S. House to represent California’s 35th Congressional District. He lost in the primary on June 7, 2022.
Rafael Carcamo was born in Managua, Nicaragua. Carcamo’s career experience includes working as a family practice physician.
Rafael Carcamo completed Ballotpedia’s Candidate Connection survey in 2022.
Who are you? Tell us about yourself.
Dr. Rafael Carcamo, a life dedicated to HEALTH. Dr. Rafael Carcamo is a family physician who has practiced in Inland Empire, California, since 2001. Dr. Carcamo is governed by a comprehensive philosophy based on the fact that physical, emotional and financial well-being are fundamental principles for a healthy community. Both in his professional practice and in his civic commitment, Dr. Carcamo has had the constant company and support of his wife Cecilia, with whom he has been married for 29 years, and his daughters, Mara and Mia. His wife and daughters share Dr. Carcamo’s dream of helping his patients and fellow citizens be productive, provide for their families, and promote a free and democratic society. Dr. Carcamo is a graduate of the National Autonomous University of Nicaragua, receiving a doctorate in medicine and surgery. Upon leaving Nicaragua in 1992, Dr. Carcamo arrived in Pomona, California, where he worked and studied at the United States Medical Licensing Examinations (USMLE). After passing the three stages of the USMLE examinations, Dr. Carcamo did his residency from 1997 to 2001 at Hospital Regional de Cagua and at Hospital de la Universidad Ramón Ruiz in Puerto Rico. Dr. Carcamo returned to the Inland Empire, and began his family practice in Azusa, California. Since then he has cared for thousands of patients and their families. In addition to his Azusa practice, Dr. Carcamo opened another in Pomona which he later transferred to La Puente.
Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?
- Economic Growth and Lower Taxes: I will introduce and support legislative actions that strengthen and promote a healthy, vigorous, and sustainable economy predicated on growth, including lowering taxes for our families and small businesses.
- Standing up for parents and School Choice, returning state dollars and local power to Parents giving them the ultimate say as to where a child goes to school.
- Security: As your representative in Congress, I will seek to obtain federal funding and grants that support our local law enforcement agencies.
What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?
Creating pathways for better health that leads to more prosperity. Developing health programs that will keep our citizens and Veterans healthy and strong and lower health costs, while being respectful of the basic principles of individual freedom and democracy.
Ballotpedia provided information about Bob Erbst
Bob Erbst (Republican Party) ran for election to the U.S. House to represent California’s 35th Congressional District. Erbst lost in the primary on June 7, 2022.
Bob Erbst’s career experience includes working as a world history teacher.
Bob Erbst did not complete Ballotpedia’s Candidate Connection survey. Ballotpedia provided information from Erbst’s campaign website.
Platform
Border Security:
Bob believes America deserves a secure border which eliminates Human Trafficking and Fentanyl importation. He also supports the need for common sense immigration policy that rewards people who follow our laws, coupled with a refugee policy that safely expands our citizenry.
Energy:
Bob believes that Americans deserve policies that enrich America through good paying energy sector careers thereby assisting friendly nations in supplying energy to America and avoiding dependence on Russia and OPEC. He believes we must continue improving our Green Energy technology and continue to strive to manufacture wind and solar technology here in the USA.
Education:
Bob believes that parents deserve an education policy that stresses rigor in the classroom. He believes education is a team sport, and that schools should focus on education that meets the needs of the students and the community. He also believes we must reward, attract, and retain good teachers who are the backbone of education. Furthermore, we must respect these educators and work to eliminate the restraints that unions and school districts place upon them.
Police funding:
Bob believes that the Government’s main job is the protection of ALL its citizens. Consequently, he asserts that police need more tools and training to continue to preform the difficult tasks we demand of them.
Government:
Bob believes that the pandemic enlightened and reminded us of how governments of the past have used fear and power to eliminate the rights & freedoms of their citizens. It is his belief that to lose members of the military, firefighters, and teachers due to mandates only weakens America.
Ballotpedia provided information about Lloyd Stevens:
Lloyd Stevens (Democratic Party) ran for election to the U.S. House to represent California’s 35th Congressional District. Stevens lost in the primary on June 7, 2022.
Lloyd Stevens’ career experience includes working as a system analyst.
January 13: Newswires posted a press release titled: “U.S. CONGRESSIONAL CANDIDATE DISCOVERS NEW TECHNOLOGY TO END THE PANDEMIC” From the press release:
Mike Cargile (California District 35), has discovered within his district, a company with a solution to effectively end the pandemic around the globe.
While campaigning, Mike encountered ClearWorldUSA, a company with a unique technology (ClearCloud) to deploy, in aerosol form, a saltwater solution (HOCL) that kills the Covid virus in under a minute. This non-toxic liquid is organic, is 100x more effective than bleach, is harmless to people, and can be used against a host of other harmful virus and bacteria.
Mike Cargile believes “Our immediate focus should be on covering schools, hospitals and first responders. This should happen quickly since our National and State governments have already designated billions and billions to this end.”
get ahead of whatever is unleashed next.”
Cagile urges all Federal and State leaders to “Please, let us put aside the rancor of partisan politics and galvanize the might of US manufacturing behind a global effort to end the pandemic.”
Cargile plans to pursue a further expansion of our USMCA Agreement in this fight. “I would like to invite all of our Central American neighbors to join us in this historic effort as well. The greatest security measure we can ever have at our Southern border would be a safe, successful and self-reliant Mexico and Central America. I would love to see our USMCA Agreement become our USMCAC Agreement.”
Mike Cargile is a Congressional Candidate for California’s 35th District running against Rep. Norma Torres…
April 24: Patriots For Freedom Endorse Mike Cargile – from the post:
Today, April 24, 2022, Patriots for Freedom PAC announced its official endorsement of Mike Cargile for the 35th Congressional District.
Mike Cargile’s background in community involvement from coaching, film industry, a Ways and Means Chairman and deacon at his church. Mike has always been at the ground level to witness the rapid changes within our school system, government shifts and the over taxation it was creating.
Mike Cargile has is a husband, father and family man. Family is the most important to him. He is a devout Christian who is pro-life, law enforcement and is involved in election integrity. He has been extremely important within the grassroots movement. He actively provides podcasts that inform his community about unlawful bills, regulations and what actions are being taken to stop or remove them. Mike also joined forces to sue Gavin Newsom for his unconstitutional overreach and stripping away our freedoms and rights.
Mike’s key issues: jobs, and the economy, safe neighborhoods, lower taxes, election integrity, education, seniors and healthcare, veterans, life, 1st and 2nd Amendment, border crisis and has a resolution for immigration. Mike Cargile also signed the “Death Tax Pledge” October 5, 2020.
Patriots for Freedom is proud to endorse Mike Cargile for the 35th Congressional District in California. PFF has complete confidence in his ability to respect and work for his community to protect the rights of the unborn and born, protect full parental rights, fight against tyranny and government overreach…
Ballotpedia provided the results of the Nonpartisan Primary for U.S. House California District 35:
- Norma Torres (D): 53.7% – 33,921 votes
- Mike Cargile (R): 24.6% – 16,151 votes
- Rafael Carcamo (R): 11.3% – 7,156 votes
- Bob Erbst (R): 5.1% – 2,756 votes
June 9: SFGATE posted an article titled: Multiple QAnon candidates on verge of advancing in California primary election” From the article:
Three separate California congressional candidates who have voiced support for the long-debunked QAnon conspiracy theory are on the verge of advancing to November’s general election.
None of the primary races have been called by the Associated Press, but as of 9:30 a.m. Thursday, all three were in second place behind Democratic incumbents.
Two of the three Republican candidates – Alison Hayden and Mike Cargile – advanced in the 2020 general election as well, but lost to their Democratic opponents. The third, Omar Navarro, lost in the 2020 primary but was a general election candidate in 2016 and 2018. Hayden, Cargile and Navarro are running against the same Democratic opponents from 2020, although the districts look slightly different following the redistricting process after the 2020 census.
The good news for voters who would prefer that they not be represented by a QAnon fan is that the three districts in question are still deeply Democratic, meaning that Hayden, Navarro and Cargile are likely to get trounced again. Neither the national nor California Republican parties have endorsed any of the three, with Cargile even boasting in his Twitter bio, “Mike is the only candidate in the nation who was actually UN-ENDORSED by the Republican Party in the 2020 General Election for being TOO CONSERVATIVE!”
Cargile is running in California’s 35th District against incumbent Norma Torres. Results as of Thursday morning show Torres in first place with 55% of the vote, and Cargile in second with 22.9%. The next-closest candidate is at 11.8%…
…According to screenshots from Media Matters for America, Cargile has retweeted a popular QAnon slogan and replied “Absolutely!!!!!” to a user who wrote it is “time to get On Board” with QAnon. In the lead-up to the 2022 primary, his Twitter feed was considerably less Q-heavy, but he did baselessly allege widespread election fraud in California. Beyond QAnon and election denialism, he has other controversies.
Ballotpedia provided the results of the General Election for U.S. House California District 35:
- Norma Torres (D): 56.2% – 43,052 votes
- Mike Cargile (R): 43.8% – 33,602 votes
California’s 36th Congressional District
Wikipedia provided information about California’s 36th Congressional District:
California’s 36th congressional district is a U.S. congressional district in California. The 36th district is located primarily in the South Bay and Westside regions of Los Angeles. It takes in the cities of Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, the west side of Culver City, Hermosa Beach, Rancho Palos Verdes, Redondo Beach, Palos Verdes Estates, Rolling Hills Estates, El Segundo, Lomita, Manhattan Beach, and the west side of Torrance, as well as the Los Angeles neighborhoods of Venice, Playa del Rey, Palms, Cheviot Hills, Westwood Village, West Los Angeles, Mar Vista, Westchester, Marina Peninsula, and west side Harbor City.
The district is represented by Democrat Ted Lieu.
Los Angeles County is split between this district, the 32nd district, the 30th district, the 37th district, the 43rd district, and the 44th district. The 36th and 32nd are partitioned by Adelaide Dr, 602 Kingman Dr-800 Woodacres Rd, The Riviera Country Club, 26th St, Montana Ave, S Bristol Ave, Wellesley Ave/Centinela Ave, 1009 Centinela Ave/1165Centinela Ave, Highway 2, Butler Ave, Purdue Ave, Cotner Ave, Pontius Ave, Santa Monica Blvd, Glendon Ave, Malcolm Ave, Wilshire Blvd, Veteran Ave, W Sunset Blvd, Tower Rd, Franklin Canyon Reservoir, Lago Vista Dr, Monte Cielo Dr, 1280 Coldwater Canyon Dr-1210 Coldwater Canyon Dr, Greystone Park, Ridgecrest Dr, Schuyler Rd, Cherokee Ln, Loma Vista Dr, 400 N Evelyn Pl-1966 Carla Ridge, Ridgemont Dr, Crescent Dr, 410 Martin Ln-1016 N Hillcrest Rd, Sierra Mar Dr, and La Collin Dr.
The 36th, 30th and 37th are partitioned by Phyllis Ave, N Doheny Dr, N Oakhurst Dr, Burton Way, N Robertson Blvd, 8733 Clifton Way-201 S Le Doux Rd, N San Vicente Blvd, La Cienga Park, S Le Doux Rd, Gregory Way, S Robertson Blvd, Whitworth Dr, Beverly Green Dr, 1271 Beverly Green Dr-1333 Beverly Green Dr, Heath Ave, S Moreno Dr, Highway 2, Century Park W, W Pico Blvd, Patricia Ave, Lorenzo Pl, Monte Mar Dr, Beverwill Dr, Castle Heights Ave, Club Dr, McConnell Dr, National Blvd, Palms Blvd, Overland Ave, Venice Blvd, Highway 405, W Havelock Ave, S St Nicholas Ave, Ballona Creek, and Centinela Creek Channel.
The 36th, 43rd and 44th are partitioned by W Florence Ave, Arbor Vitae St, Westchester Parkway, La Tijera Blvd, W 91st St, Cum Laude Ave, W 92nd St, Waterview St, Napoleon St, Vista Del Mar, W Imperial Highway, Aviation Blvd, Del Aire Park, E Sl Segundo Blvd, S Aviation Blvd, Marine Ave, Inglewood Ave, Highway 91, Redondo Beach Blvd, Hawthorne Blvd, Sepulveda Blvd, Normandie Ave, Frampton Ave, 253rd St, 255th St, Belle Porte Ave, 256th St, 1720 256th St-1733 256th St, 1701 257th St-1733 257th St, 1734 257th St-W 262nd St, Ozone Ave, 263rd St, 26302 Alta Vista Ave-26356 Alta Vista Ave, Pineknoll Ave, Leesdale Ave, Highway 213, Palos Verde Dr N, 26613 Leesdale Ave-Navy Field, S Western Ave, Westmont Dr, Eastview Park, Mt Rose Rd/Amelia Ave, 1102 W Bloomwood Rd-1514 Caddington Dr, N Western Ave, W Summerland St, N Enrose Ave/Miraleste Dr, Miraleste Dr, and the Martin J. Bogdanovich Recreation Center and Park.
Ballotpedia provided information about Ted Lieu:
Ted Lieu (Democratic Party) is a member of the U.S. House, representing California’s 36th Congressional District. He assumed office on January 3rd, 2023. His current term ends on January 3, 2025.
Lieu (Democratic Party) ran for re-election to the U.S. House to represent California’s 36th Congressional District. He won in the general election on November 8, 2022.
Lieu won election to the seat in 2014. In the 2018 general election, Lieu defeated Kenneth Wright (R) by a vote of 70 percent to 30 percent. Lieu represented District 28 in the California State Senate from 2011 to 2014.
Lieu was also a Democratic member of the California State Assembly, representing the 53rd District from September 2005 to 2010. On February 12, 2019, he announced his candidacy for the statewide office of attorney general, the seat being vacated by Democrat Jerry Brown, who won election as governor in November 2010. He went on to lose the Democratic nomination to San Francisco District Attorney Kamala Harris on Tuesday, June 8, 2010, after placing fourth with nearly 11 percent of the vote.
Lieu was one of 75 superdelegates to the 2016 Democratic National Convention from California. Lieu supported Hillary Clinton for the Democratic nomination.
Lieu has received numerous military honors and awards, including many Legislator of the Year awards.
Legislative scorecard
Capitol Weekly, California’s major weekly periodical covering the state legislature, publishes an annual legislative scorecard to pin down the political or ideological leanings of every member of the legislature based on how they voted on an assortment of bills in the most recent legislative session. The 2009 scores were based on 19 bills, but did not include how legislators voted on Proposition 1A (2009). On the scorecard, “100” is a perfect liberal score, and “0” is a perfect conservative score.
On the 2009 Capitol Weekly legislative scorecard, Lieu ranked as an 89.
Ballotpedia provided information about Joe Collins:
Joe Collins (Republican Party) ran for election to the U.S. House to represent California’s 36th Congressional District. He lost in the general election on November 8, 2022.
Joe Collins was born in Los Angeles, California. Collins served in the U.S. Navy from 2004 to 2017. He earned a B.S. in accounting from the University of Phoenix in 2021. Collins’ career experience includes owning the government contracting company JT Acquisitions and working as an accountant and military recruiter. He has served as a certified counselor for victims of rape and sexual assault.
Joe Collins completed Ballotpedia’s Candidate Connection survey in 2022. Here are some of the questions he answered:
Who are you? Tell us about yourself.
Joe Edward Collins III is a 13 1/2-year Navy Veteran from South Central LA. He’s the CEO of a contracting and development company and also sits on the board of a private development company. He’s a licensed financial professional and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting from the University of Phoenix. He is the former host of KABC’s show New Black Republican and a current Congressional candidate for California’s 36th district.
Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?
- I will be focused on rebuilding our economy.
- I will support and enforce public safety
- I will stop this reckless government spending that has us in a recession and increasing inflation
What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?
Energy, Education, Natural Resources, and Economy
Ballotpedia provided information on Derrick Gates:
Derrick Gates (Republican Party) ran for election to the U.S. House to represent California’s 36th Congressional District. He lost in the primary on June 7, 2022.
Derrick Gates’ career experience includes working as a filmmaker and an author.
Derrick Gates did not complete Ballotpedia’s 2022 Candidate Connection survey. Ballotpedia provided information from Derrick Gates’ campaign website:
PRO-LIFE
I believe that life happens at conception and I have championed this cause for 20 years.
PROTECT THE CONSTITUTION
Today, the leftist culture is pushing to eliminate the Constitution as we know it. They call our Constitution and the Bill of Rights archaic and out of date. We must push to preserve the foundation of our Nation. It is the only way to ensure our 1st and 2nd Amendments stay at the forefront of who we are.
SCHOOL CHOICE
As a parent, we have the right to raise and educate our children the way we see fit. We need to take back our education system. We must stop dangerous curriculum like CRT from endangering our children. Our kids are being taught that minorities will always be victims and whites should feel shame for being born white. This is dangerous to our future. We are all born equal.
PUBLIC SAFETY
Crime is at an all time high. Criminals are empowered by liberal D.A.’s and support from the left. Smash and grabs, murders, rapes, riots, carjackings and assaults are skyrocketing. We must support the police and get them all back to work. We also need to protect our borders from violent crime and drug trafficking….
Ballotpedia provided information about Ariana Hakami:
Ariana Hakami (Republican Party) ran for election to the U.S. House to represent California’s 36th Congressional District. Hakami lost in the primary on June 7, 2022.
Ariana Hakami earned a bachelor’s degree from California State University at Dominguez Hills in 2010. Hakami’s career experience includes working as a financial advisor with Merrill Lynch.
Ballotpedia provided information about Claire Ragge:
Claire Ragge (Republican Party) ran for election to the U.S. House to represent California’s 36th Congressional District. Ragge lost in the primary on June 7, 2022.
Claire Ragge was born in Freeport, New York, and lives in Los Angeles, California. Ragge earned a B.A. from the University of Southern California. Her career experience includes owning The GasLite.
Claire Ragge posted information about herself on her Congressional website:
“As a small business owner for the past two decades, I have provided employment opportunities to hundreds of individuals in our district, dealt with government bureaucracy on all levels, and hosted town hall meeting where neighbors could share their views with local mayors, city council members, and other community leaders.
I have watched as our beautiful community of oceans, mountains, and wonderfully diverse cultures has been badly damaged by crime, homelessness, and political indifference. I have witnessed first-hand the eroding of the standards we hold so dear – free speech, parental involvement in schools, a thriving middle class, and the basic concept that the American dream is attainable for all. With these values in mind, I have left the Democratic Party and am now a moderate Republican.
It is clear that change is needed. Together, we can make our communities safe once again by funding police and locking up violent criminals. We can control inflation by becoming energy self-sufficient once again, and we can ensure national security by manufacturing the essential items upon which we rely with our clean environmental standards. We can create an educational system that teaches children of all colors and faiths that they can achieve the American dream. We can, and we must, take the reins. We along must fix the problems our leaders have created. Together, we can get back to basics and revive the American dream. ‘The Time is NOW!”
Please elect me to Congress. I am ready to serve.
Ballotpedia provided information about Colin Kilpatrick Obrien:
Colin Kilpatrick Obrien (Democratic Party) ran for election to the U.S. House to represent California’s 36th Congressional District. Kilpatrick Brian lost in the primary on June 7, 2022.
Colin Kilpatrick Obrien’s career experience includes working as a writer.
Ballotpedia provided information about Steve Williams:
Steve Williams (independent) ran for election to the U.S. House to represent California’s 36th Congressional District. He lost in the primary on June 7, 2022.
Steve Williams completed Ballotpedia’s Candidate Connection survey. Here are some of the questions he answered:
Who are you? Tell us about yourself.
A non-partisan progressive conservative whose mission is to disrupt Washington D.C.
Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?
- I am a Non-Partisan Progressive Conservative.
- I take a non-ideological scientific approach to politics and governance.
- I advocate for a government of the people, by the people, and for the people!
What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?
I am passionate about all areas of public policy because all areas of public policy matter.
Ballotpedia provided information about Matthew Jesuele:
Matthew Jesuele (independent) ran for election to the U.S. House to represent California’s 36th Congressional District. He lost in the primary on June 7, 2022.
Matthew Jesuele was born in New Brunswick, New Jersey. Jesuele earned a bachelor’s degree from Rutgers University in 2011. His career experience includes working as a software manager.
Matthew Jesuele completed Ballotpedia’s Candidate Connection survey in 2022. Here are some of the questions he answered:
Who are you? Tell us about yourself.
My name is Matt Jesuele and I’m running for Congress as an independent in the 36th district of California, against establishment Democrat Ted Lieu. I’m a member at the Lighthouse Church in Santa Monica, a software engineer, a proud patriot, and a humble servant of God.
The United States Constitution is probably the single greatest political document in human history. It affirms in its first three words – we the people – that the government of the United States exists to serve the American people, and not the other way around.
But a ruling elite has formed which treats the people like subjects instead of sovereigns, and which runs the country for its own pleasure and enrichment.
The freedoms guaranteed by our Constitution are infringed upon further by big government working hand-in-glove with big business.
And at the highest levels, threats, violence, bribery, blackmail, cheating and deception ensure that the biggest bully and the highest bidder have their way, while the rest of us pay the price.
This must end, and it will only end if moral and courageous people rise up and reclaim control over our government and our country. Moral leadership, more than any political solution is the only thing that can save America.
I am not motivated by fame or riches. I only care about truth and freedom. I am willing to live for them, and if necessary, to die for them.
Send me to Washington and that is precisely what I will fight for.
Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for you time in office?
- I will fight fearlessly to expose government corruption and coverups, and beat back the overreach of the intelligence agencies and national security state. I will also oppose imperialism and unnecessary foreign interventions, like our current funding of the conflict in Ukraine. We need to make sure that we take care of Americans first, and reject ridiculous proxy wars that only serve to enrich the military industrial complex.
- As a true believer in limited government, I am completely opposed to medical mandates of any kind. I believe that individuals are capable of making their own medical decisions for themselves and their families, and that they don’t need to be forced into considering their communities.
- I’m also concerned about what we’ve been seeing in the realm of education. I believe the government needs to stop inserting itself between parents and their schoolchildren, and to get out of the way so that communities can make their own decisions about how to educate their kids.
What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?
Foreign affairs, campaign finance reform, education, criminal justice (especially the War on Drugs).
Ballotpedia provided the results of the Nonpartisan primary election:
- Ted Lieu (D): 67.1% – 122,969 votes
- Joe Collins (R): 13.4% – 24,553 votes
- Derrick Gates (R): 5.6% – 10,263 votes
- Ariana Hakami (R): 5.3% – 9,760 votes
- Claire Ragge (R): 4.0% – 7,351 votes
- Colin Kilpatrick Obrian (D): 3.4% – 6,221 votes
- Steve Williams (Independent): 0.6% – 1,180 votes
- Matthew Jesuele (Independent) 0.5% – 976 votes
November 22: Ted Lieu posted a Press Release titled: “Rep Lieu Statement On Being Re-Elected To The U.S. House of Representatives” From the Press Release:
Today, Congressman Ted W. Lieu (D-Los Angeles County) issued the following statement after being re-elected to serve California’s 36th congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives for the 118th Congress.
“Today I express my sincerest gratitude to the residents of Los Angeles County who have continued to trust me as their representative in Congress. Serving my constituents in the House of Representatives is the honor of my lifetime. Each day, I am immensely proud to represent our beautiful, vibrant community and I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to carry that honor forward in the 118th Congress. I also want to thank my family for allowing me to serve.
“Democrats are laser-focused on lower costs, safer communities, and better-paying jobs. We are fiercely committed to upholding our democracy, protecting Social Security and Medicare, and creating a brighter and safer future for all Americans. Democrats have and always will put People Over Politics.
“Thankfully, the Republican agenda to criminalize women’s health, end Social Security and Medicare, and attack democracy has not been well received. I’m pleased that we are seeing support for stopping the extreme MAGA GOP following the Supreme Court’s radical decision overturning Roe v. Wade this summer. From Kentucky to Vermont and Michigan to California, voters have shown their desire to reaffirm and protect critical access to reproductive health care. I’m pleased to see voters rejecting the absurd notion that politicians should be involved in what is a deeply personal decision that should rest with the woman and her doctor.”
Ballotpedia provided the results for the General election for U.S. House California District 36:
- Ted Lieu (D): 69.8% – 194,299 votes
- Joe Collins (R): 30.2% – 84,264 votes
California’s 37th Congressional District
Wikipedia provided information about California’s 37th Congressional District:
California’s 37th congressional district is a congressional district in the U.S. State of California based in Los Angeles County. It includes many neighborhoods west and southwest of Downtown Los Angeles.
The district includes: Culver City, Inglewood, the City of Los Angeles neighborhoods of Mid City, Century City, Beverlywood, View Park-Windsor Hills, Pico-Robertson, Exposition Park, University Park, Vermont Knolls, West Adams, Leimert Park, Jefferson Park, Vermont Square, Ladera Heights, Hyde Park, Crenshaw, and Baldwin Hills.
The district is highly diverse ethnically. Approximately 40% of the district’s residents are Hispanic, while African Americans and whites make up nearly a quarter each.
The district is currently represented by Democrat Sydney Kamlager-Dove; she was elected to the seat in the 2022 midterm elections and took office on January 3, 2023.
As of the 2022 redistricting, California’s 37th congressional district is located in the South Los Angeles region.
Los Angeles County is split between this district, the 30th district, the 34th district, the 42nd district, and the 43rd district. The 37th, 30th, and 36th are partitioned by Phyllis Ave, N Doheny Dr, N Oakhurst Dr, Burton Way, N Robertson Blvd, 8733 Clifton Way-201 S Le Doux Rd, N San Vicente Blvd, La Cienga Park, S Le Doux Rd, Gregory Way, S Robertson Blvd, Whitworth Dr, Beverly Green Dr, 1271 Beverly Green Dr-1333 Beverly Green Dr, Heath Ave, S Moreno Dr, Highway 2, Century Park W, W Pico Blvd, Patricia Ave, Lorenzo Pl, Monte Mar Dr, Beverwill Dr, Castle Heights Ave, Club Dr, McConnel Dr, National Blvd, Palms Blvd, Overland Ave, Highway 405, W Havelock Ave, S St Nicholas Ave, Ballona Creek and Centinela Creek Channel.
The 37th, 34th, and 42nd, are partitioned by Crenshaw Blvd, W Pico Blvd, S Normandie Ave, Highway 10, Harbor Freeway, E 7th St, S Alameda St, S. Alameda St, E Slauson Ave, S Center Ave, Firestone Blvd-E 90 St.
The 37th and 43rd are partitioned by E 91st St, McKinley Ave, E 88th Pl, Avalon Blvd, E Manchester Ave, S Normandie Ave, W 94th Pl, S Halldale Ave, W Century Blvd, La Salle Ave/S Denker Ave, W 104th St, S Western Ave, W 108th St, S Gramercy Pl, S Van Ness Ave, W 76th St, 8th Ave, W 79th St, S Victoria Ave, W 74th St, West Blvd, W 64th St, S La Brea Ave, 6231 La Brea Ave-Flight Ave, W 64th St, 6404 S Springpark Ave-W Fairview Blvd, and W Centinela Ave.
The 37th district take the city of Culver City, and the Los Angeles neighborhoods of Jefferson Park, Hyde Park, Ladera, and the north side of Century City.
Ballotpedia posted information about Sydney Kamlager-Dove:
Sydney Kamlager-Dove (Democratic Party) is a member of the U.S. House, representing California’s 37th Congressional District. She assumed office on January 3, 2023. Her current term ends on January 3, 2025.
Kamlager (Democratic Party) ran for election to the U.S. House to represent California’s 37th Congressional District. She won in the U.S. House to represent California 37th Congressional District. She won in the general election on November 8, 2022.
Kamlager represented California State Assembly District 54 from 2018 to 2021. She won the State Assembly seat in the special primary election on April 4, 2018.
Sydney Kamlager-Dove was born in Chicago, Illinois, and has lived in View Park, California. Kamlager-Dove earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Southern California and a master’s degree in arts management and public policy from Carnegie Mellon University. Her career experience includes working as the district director for former State Senator Holly J. Mitchell and in the nonprofit, entertainment, education, and government fields. Kamlager-Dove served as the president of the Los Angeles Community College District Board of Trustees.
Ballotpedia provided information about Jan Perry:
Jan Perry was a member of the Los Angeles City Council in California, representing District 9. Perry assumed office in 2001. Perry left office in 2013.
Perry (Democratic Party) ran for election to the U.S. House to represent California’s 37th Congressional District. Perry lost in the general election on November 8, 2022.
Jan Perry’s career expertise includes working as the executive director of the infrastructure Funding Alliance and the general manager of the Economic and Workforce Development Department (EWDD).
Ballotpedia provided information on Daniel Lee:
Daniel Lee (Democratic Party) ran for election to the U.S. House to represent California’s 37th Congressional District. He lost in the primary on June 7, 2022.
California Air National Guard. He earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Southern California in 2000, a master’s degree in social welfare from the University of California at Los Angeles in 2015, and a doctorate from the University of California in 2021. Lee’s career experience includes working as a project director with the James Lawson Institute, a filmmaker, and an actor. He has served as a mayor and as a board member of Move to Amend, Backbone Campaign, Mockingbird Incubator, and Clean Power Alliance.
Daniel Lee completed Ballotpedia’s Candidate Connection survey in 2022. Here are some of the questions he answered:
Who are you? Tell us about yourself.
Daniel Lee doesn’t take money from corporate PACs, polluters, police, or insurance companies.
If, as so many politicians have said, a budget is a statement of values what then is a donor list? A campaign’s donors should reflect the values that the campaign represents. Too often politicians speak the words of the people while doing the bidding of corporations and moneyed interests.
Daniel is a true progressive who believes in aggressively addressing Environmental Racism and the Climate Crisis with a Just Transition for workers and a Green New Deal, Medicare for All, Reproductive Justice, Diplomacy Focused Foreign Policy, Ending Qualified Immunity, Comprehensive Immigration Reform and implementing a Universal Basic Income.
Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?
- We must aggressively address the Climate Crisis while making sure that the legacy of decaying fossil fuels and fossil fuel infrastructure does not endanger the lives of family, friends, and neighbors. Addressing Climate Change should be our #1 priority. Failing to do so will make issues around housing, immigration, income inequality and other issues more difficult to deal with.
- Reproductive Justice (RJ) means the human right to control our sexuality, our gender, our work, and our reproduction. That right can only be achieved when all women and girls have the complete economic, social, and political power and resources to make healthy decisions about their bodies, our families, and our communities in all areas of our lives.
- Decades of deliberately racist immigration policies by Republicans and Democrats alike have resulted in an utterly broken system that consistently fails asylum seekers and immigrants, both documented and undocumented. We need comprehensive immigration reform NOW.
What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?
Addressing the Climate Crisis and Income Inequality are top of mind because failing to do so makes working on other issues harder and exacerbates their effect on US residents. These issues imperil democracy itself. Protecting a person’s right to choose, police reform, protecting voting rights, etc. All of these very worthy policy goals would be undermined by an unlivable world where the anemic economy prevents US residents from fully participating in democracy and generally enjoying life.
Ballotpedia provided information on Sandra Mendoza:
Sandra Mendoza (Democratic Party) ran for election to represent California’s 37th Congressional District. Mendoza lost in the primary on June 7, 2022.
Mendoza was a special election candidate who sought election to the U.S. House to represent the 34th Congressional District of California.
Mendoza was a 2016 Democratic candidate for District 53 of the California State Assembly. She ran unsuccessfully for the same seat in 2014.
Ballotpedia provided information on Chris Champion:
Chris Champion (Republican Party) ran for election to the U.S. House to represent California’s 37th Congressional District. Champion lost in the primary on June 7, 2022.
Chris Champion’s career experience includes owning a business.
Ballotpedia provided information about Baltazar Fedalizo:
Baltazar Fedalizo (Republican Party) (also known as Bong) ran for election to the U.S. House to represent California’s 37th Congressional District. Fedalizo lost in the primary on June 7, 2022.
Baltazar Fedalizo lives in Los Angeles, California. Fedalizo served in the U.S. Navy. His career experience includes working as an entrepreneur.
Ballotpedia provided information about Michael Shure:
Michael Shure (Democratic Party) ran for election to the U.S. House to represent California’s 37th Congressional District. He lost in the primary on June 7, 2022.
Michael Shure lives in Los Angeles, California. Shure’s career experience includes working as a journalist.
Michael Shure completed Ballotpedia’s Candidate Connection. Here are some of the questions he answered:
Who are you? Tell us about yourself.
Having covered major news and political events as a respected journalist, Michael Shure deeply understands the inner workings of government, the people who make it work, and what actually doesn’t work.
But this isn’t just about understanding Washington – it is about so much more than that – Michael’s passion for protecting our democracy has led him to take the unusual step of going from reporting the news to running for Congress.
After first moving to L.A. in 1992, Michael has witnessed the struggles and triumphs of the area through the years. Central Los Angeles is incredibly diverse, and his work and life here have helped him to understand the common priorities of all residents.
He has worked as a National Correspondent covering politics and everyday stories for CNN, i24, Cheddar News, Al Jazeera America, News Nation, and Al Gore’s Current TV. As a founding member of the L.A. based Young Turks, Michael became known as “Epic Politics Man” for his deep knowledge of government and politics.
Please list below 3 messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?
- Addressing the Homeless Crisis Radical action is needed in this crisis, and it is needed right now. Everyone’s quality of life is being challenged. We must immediately reverse the trends and get our unhoused brothers and sisters off the streets and into places that will provide for their and everyone’s safety, security, and stability. It will take involvement from all levels of government to finally achieve meaningful change. Mental health desperately needs to be elevated to a societal priority needing renewed attention. I will commit to tackling the other root causes of homelessness with immediate actions to ensure everyone in Los Angeles can live a life with safety and dignity.
- Protecting Democracy and Voting Rights: January 6th was the tip of the iceberg – I know this because my work has taken me across the country for years, listening to Americans about this growing crisis and telling those stories. In Congress, I will support the work of the January 6th Committee and hold accountable anyone who. threatens our democratic rights. Our democracy faces a clear and present existential threat – I can’t stress enough about how dangerous this moment is in our nation’s history. For young voters, for the elderly, for minorities, and for our newest citizens, we must fight for strong protections. In Congress, I will fight tirelessly to make sure the John Lewis Voting Rights Act becomes law.
- Establishing Affordable Housing and a Fair Cost of Living: The people of this District work hard, yet all over Los Angeles, we know that the cost of housing and living must become more affordable. Inflation is a major concern in our communities, so in Congress, I will work to bring down the cost of gas and groceries to relieve the pressure on our families. My Small Business Infrastructure bill will have measures to strengthen our local jobs market, and more jobs mean better wages for everyone. I will work with all levels of government to support the immediate construction of affordable housing and ensure that L.A’s homelessness crisis is treated as the national issue it is.
What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?
Michael Shure is a leader who knows how to listen. As a reporter, he’s heard what is important to Central L.A. and now he’s ready to take your story to Congress and fight for a better future for all of us.
Michael is committed to ending homelessness, defending our democracy and our voting rights, and ensuring District 37 has the jobs and prosperity needed for affordable housing and a fair cost of living. In Congress he will fight for a woman’s right to choose, and urgent action for climate justice.
June 7: KFI posted an article titled: “Kamlager, Perry, Culver City Mayor Seeking to Succeed Bass in Congress” From the article:
Sen. Sydney Kamlager, former Los Angeles City Councilwoman Jan Perry and Culver City Mayor Daniel W. Lee are among the five Democrats in Tuesday’s 37th Congressional District primary seeking the two spots on the general election ballot in the race to succeed Rep. Karen Bass.
Bass, D-Los Angeles, opted to run for mayor of Los Angeles instead of running for a seventh term representing the predominantly Democratic district that stretches from South Los Angeles to Culver City. She has endorsed Kamlager.
Kamlager said she is focused on “expanding voting rights,” “reproductive justice,” “health care for all,” “criminal justice reform focused on diversion, redemption and rehabilitation,” “job creation to create economic justice and opportunities for all communities” and “innovative investment in housing.”…
Kamlager said she is focused on “expanding voting rights,” “reproductive justice,” “health care for all,” “criminal justice reform focused on diversion, redemption and rehabilitation,” “job creation to create economic justice and opportunities for all communities” and “innovative investment in housing.”…
Perry pledged that, if elected, her top priorities as a congresswoman would be “preserving the environment, improving education, stopping an alarming increase in violent crime, expanding access to affordable, quality health care, and ensuring that America pursues a foreign policy that is sane, just, and maintains our strong support for our allies.”
Perry served on the Los Angeles City Council from 2001-13. She unsuccessfully ran for mayor in 2013 after being prohibited from running for re- election and the Second District seat on the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors in 2020.
Perry was general manager of the Los Angeles Economic & Workforce Development Department from 2013-2018.
Perry’s endorsements includes Rep. Maxine Waters, D-Los Angeles, and former Rep. Diane Watson, D-Los Angeles, who represented the district from 2001 -11.
Lee describes himself as “a true progressive who believes in aggressively addressing environmental racism and the climate crisis with just a transition for workers and a Green New Deal, Medicare for All, reproductive justice, diplomacy focused foreign policy, ending qualified immunity, comprehensive immigration reform and implementing a universal basic income.”
Lee became the first Black elected to the Culver City Council in 2018 and became mayor in 2021 in the rotation system among the five council members. He has a doctorate in social work from USC and a master’s degree in social welfare from UCLA…
June 8: ABC7 posted an article titled: “Election 2022: From mayor to sheriff, here are latest results in SoCal’s key local races” From the article: ABC7 posted an article titled: “Election 2022: From mayor to sheriff, here are latest results in SoCal’s key local races” From the article:
…Jan Perry served on the Los Angeles City Council for 12 years before being termed out of office. In her current campaign, the accomplishments she touts include her leadership on projects such as LA Live, the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels, and the new Police Administrative Building.
She is hoping to fill the congressional seat of Rep. Karen Bass, who is running for mayor of Los Angeles.
Perry’s opponents include state Sen. Sydney Kamlager, who last year received two-thirds of the vote in a seven-candidate field to win the special election for the then-vacant 30th Senate District seat…
Bass endorsed Kamlager, who also won the backing of other prominent House Democrats, including Rep. Adam B. Schiff of Burbank. Perry has been endorsed by Rep. Maxine Waters, a powerhouse in Black politics in Los Angeles.
Given the two district’s overwhelming Democratic tilt, neither contest is expected to be a major focus of the national parties in the general election…
Kamlager, D-Baldwin Hills, was elected to the state Senate in a 2021 special election to succeed Los Angeles County Supervisor Holly Mitchell, after serving in the Assembly since 2018. Kamlager was a member of the Los Angeles Community College District Board of Trustees from 2015-18.
Kamlager has also been endorsed by Gov. Gavin Newsom, Sen. Alex Padilla, D-California, Mitchell and fellow Supervisor Shelia Kuehl and Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Burbank.
Perry, also a Democrat, pledged that, if elected, her top priorities as a congresswoman would be “preserving the environment, improving education, stopping an alarming increase in violent crime, expanding access to affordable, quality health care, and ensuring that America pursues a foreign policy that is sane, just, and maintains our strong support for our allies.”
June 10: Los Angeles Times posted an article titled: “Garcia, Kamlager and Mahmood advance to general election in three California House races” From the article:
…Kamlager is expected to compete with former Los Angeles City Councilwoman Jan Perry, a fellow Democrat, in the fall to represent one of three California congressional districts represented by Black politicians.
The 37th Congressional District, which includes South Los Angeles, Leimert Park, Ladera Heights and part of Culver City, is an open seat because Rep. Karen Bass opted to run for mayor of Los Angeles. The district is solidly blue: Democrats have a 59-percentage-point voter registration edge over Republicans.
Ballotpedia posted the results of the Nonpartisan Primary for U.S. House California District 77:
- Sydney Kamlager (D): 43.7% – 42,638 votes
- Jan Perry (D): 18.5% – 17,993 votes
- Daniel Lee (D): 17.9% – 17,414 votes
- Sandra Mendoza (D): 8.2% – 8,017 votes
- Chris Champion (R): 5.6% – 5,469 votes
- Baltazar Fedalizo (R): 3.6% – 3,520 votes
- Michael Shure (R): 2.5% – 2,469 votes
November 5: KFI posted an article titled: “Kamlager, Perry Square Off in Race to Succeed Bass in Congress” From the article:
State Sen. Sydney Kamlager and former Los Angeles Councilwoman Jan Perry will face off Tuesday in a bid to replace Los Angeles mayoral candidate Karen Bass representing the 37th Congressional District.
Kamlager topped a field of seven candidates in the June primary to punch her ticket to Tuesday’s general election, with Perry narrowly besting Culver City Mayor Daniel W. Lee to claim the second spot.
Bass has endorsed Kamlager to represent the predominantly Democratic district that stretches from South Los Angeles to Culver City.
Kamlager said she is focused on “expanding voting rights,” “reproductive justice,” “health care for all,” “criminal justice reform” focused on diversion, redemption and rehabilitation,” “job creation to create economic justice for all communities” and “innovative investment in housing.”
November 11: Daily Trojan posted an article titled: “Kamlager wins 37th congressional district” From the article:
Sydney Kamlager won the election for the U.S. Representative of California’s 37th congressional district, which includes the area surrounding USC. The Los Angeles Times, the San Diego Union-Tribune and the New York Times called the race around noon Thursday – 40 hours after the polls in California had closed on Election Day. Kamlager defeated fellow Democrat Jan Perry in a “top two” general election by winning approximately 61.4% of the district vote, though at time of publication, only 44% of votes had been tallied…
..Kamlager’s office did not respond to the Daily Trojan’s request for comment. Her Twitter account posted in celebration Thursday, referencing the Associated Press calling the race.
“This just popped up on my feed…” the account wrote. “Looks like the Associated Press has called the race for CA’s 37th Congressional District. We have a [check mark emoji]. y’all… and are heading to Congress!”
Ballotpedia posted the results of the General Election for U.S. House California District 37:
- Sydney Kamlager (D): 64.0% – 84,338 votes
- Jan Perry (D): 36.0% – 47,542 votes
California’s 38th Congressional District
Wikipedia provided information about California’s 38th District:
California’s 38th congressional district is a congressional district in the U.S. state of California based in suburban eastern Los Angeles County and Orange County, California. The district is currently represented by Democrat Linda Sánchez.
The district covers several cities in southeastern Los Angeles and San Gabriel Valley areas including the cities of: Diamond Bar, Industry, La Habra Heights, La Mirada, Montebello, Norwalk, Pico Rivera, Santa Fe Springs, Walnut, and Whittier.
As well as the unincorporated communities of: Rowland Heights, Hacienda Heights, Los Nietos, East Whittier, North Whittier, and South Whittier.
A small portion of Pomona and the Orange County city of La Habra are also included in the district. The major cities generally reflect a Hispanic majority, while Diamond Bar and Walnut have an Asian-American majority.
As of the 2020 redistricting, California’s 38th congressional district is located in Southern California. It takes up part of Southeast Los Angeles County and the city of La Habra in Orange County.
Eaglemont Dr, Oakman Dr, Arciero Dr, Grossmont Dr, Workman Mill Rd, Bunbury Dr, Fontenoy Ave, Ankerton, Whittier Woods Circle, Union Pacific Railroad, San Gabriel Freeway, N Peck Rd, Mission Mill Rd, E Walnut Dr N, Nogales St, E Walnut City Parkland, San Bernardino Freeway, Fairplex Dr, Via Verde, Puddingstone Reservoir, McKinley Ave, N Whittle Ave, Arrow Highway, Fulton Rd, and Foothill Blvd.
The 38th, 34th, and 42nd are partitioned by Simmons Ave, W Beverly Blvd, Via Corona St, Repetto Ave, Allston St, W Northside Dr, Yates Ave, E Acco St, 6866 E Washington Blvd-2808 Vail Ave, S 14th St, AT & SF Railway, Church Rd, Telegraph Rd, Rio Hondo River, Veterans Memorial Park, Suva St, Guatemala Ave, Shady Oak Dr, Coolgrove Dr, Gallatian Rd, Samoline Ave, Paramount Blvd, Arrington Ave, Suva St, Charloma Dr, Lubet St, Highway 5, and the San Gabriel River.
The 38th district takes in the cities of Whittier, Montebello, Norwalk, Pico Rivera, Diamond Bar, La Mirada, Walnut, Santa Fe Springs, as well as the census-designated place Hacienda Heights.
Ballotpedia provided information about Linda Sánchez:
Linda Sánchez (Democratic Party) is a member of the U.S. House, representing California’s 38th Congressional District. She assumed office on January 3, 2013. Her current term ends on January 3, 2025.
Sánchez (Democratic Party) ran for re-election to the U.S. House to represent California’s 38th Congressional District. She won in the general election on November 8, 2022.
She served California’s 39th Congressional District from 2003 to 2013 and California’s 38th Congressional District from 2013 to present.
Linda is a co-founder of the Labor and Working Families Caucus and serves on the House Committee on Ways and Means. Sánchez also served on the Select Committee on Benghazi.
Sánchez was born in Orange, California as the daughter of Mexican immigrants. She earned her B.A. from the University of California, Berkeley, and her J.D. from the University of California, Los Angeles, in 1995.
Linda Sánchez did not fill out Ballotpedia’s Candidate Connection Survey. On October 5, 2022, she answered questions that The Orange County Register compiled. Here are some of the questions she answered:
The Supreme Court has agreed to take up a case that could give legislatures greater influence over federal election rules. What do you see as the role states play in elections, even federal contests, and should there be a limit to that power?
States play a critical role in protecting access to the ballot box and ensuring free and fair elections. State courts act as a nonpartisan check and balance when state legislatures attempt to exert undue power over federal elections. Without the court’s oversight, state legislatures would be free to politicize the American electoral process, even if doing so violates voters’ constitutional protections. The decision could open the door for state legislatures across the country to change eligibility requirements for federal elections and dismantle protections against partisan gerrymandering.
Do you support additional mandates to force businesses and residents to move toward cleaner energy? If so, what’s one such mandate you would support? And if not, what would be your plan to help accelerate the move to cleaner energy?
We are already witnessing the devastating effects of climate change, which is why I am fighting in Congress for policies that encourage businesses to move towards clean energy. As a senior member of the Ways and means Committee, I am fighting for a tax code that makes clean energy as affordable and accessible for working families and small businesses as it is for multinational corporations.
What is one specific piece of legislation you would introduce or support in 2023 to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions?
The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, which I am fighting to pass in the House of Representatives, would represent the single largest climate investment in our nation’s history by incentivizing electric vehicles and clean energy for working families and businesses, reducing carbon emissions, by roughly 40% by 2030. To build on this foundation, I will work to reduce local pollution by supporting the deployment of clean renewable fuels for heavy-duty vehicles and ensure the federal government has the authority to meet our international commitment to reduce our carbon emissions by 50 percent by 2030. Meeting this commitment is critical to achieving the international cooperation needed to avert the worst scenarios of climate change.
(Note: Congresswoman Linda Sánchez submitted her questionnaire on August 10. The president signed the Inflation Reduction Act on Aug. 16.)…
Ballotpedia provided information on Eric Ching:
Eric Ching (Republican Party) ran for election to the U.S. House to represent California’s 38th Congressional District. He lost in the general election on November 8, 2022.
Eric Ching was born in Taipei Taiwan. He earned a high school diploma from Alhambra High School and a bachelor’s degree from California State University, Los Angeles in 1995. His career experience includes working as an IT professional. He has been associated with the Waynu Foundation, Pastor Prayer Network, and City Blessing Church.
Eric Ching completed Ballotpedia’s Candidate Connection survey in 2022. Here are some of the questions he answered:
Who are you? Tell us about yourself.
While we may all have different political, religious, or social views, we all share a common interest to pursue a better future.
As a first-generation immigrant, successful businessman, father, and man of faith, I have a proven track record as Mayor and council member, making the City of Walnut one of the best cities to live in.
As your congressman, I will improve the economy, secure the border, protect our unborn, advocate for education, and defend our constitution. Because God and you come first.
Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about you goals for your time in office?
- You First, I serve God and I serve you. Your interests come first.
- Safety, Economy, and Education are the fundamentals to a better future, and I will ensure these keys for all.
- As a first-generation immigrant, America is my country and I want all to have their American Dream!
What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?
I am personally passionate about defending The Constitution and our civil rights.
Ballotpedia posted information about John Sarega:
John Sarega (Republican Party) ran for election to the U.S. House to represent California’s 38th Congressional District. Sarega lost in the primary on June 7, 2022.
John Sarega’s career experience includes owning a business and working as a pastor.
April 18: The Orange County Register posted an article titled: “Elections 2022: Get to Know Linda Sánchez, two more candidates in 38th District race” From the article:
Democratic Rep. Linda Sánchez is the heavy favorite to win an eleventh term in Congress this year, representing a solidly blue district that’s mostly in east Los Angeles County plus a slice of Orange County.
But first, she’s facing two Republican challengers in the June 7 primary who each have some local name recognition. Walnut Mayor Eric Ching has one election in his city three times. And business owner Ion “John” Sarega has made at least three failed bids for office and remains politically active in his hometown of La Mirada, where his son sits on the City Council.
Because the two candidates with the most votes in the primary will advance to the general election, one of those challengers is likely to face Sánchez in November, when voters will decide who represents the 38th District for the next two years.
The district isn’t as Democrat-heavy as it used to be. During recent redistricting, CA-38 picked up likely GOP voters, losing Cypress and Cerritos to the south while picking up most of La Habra, Walnut, and Diamond Bar to the east. But the center of the district remains Sánchez’s hometown of Whittier, and Democrats still hold a 26 point voter registration advantage over Republicans. That, combined with the name recognition and financial strategies Sánchez brings to the table, has forecasters calling her seat safe.
Sánchez, 51, was born in Orange to parents who immigrated from Mexico. She worked as a bilingual aide as she put herself through law school at UCLA. Before she was elected to office in 2022 to represent what was then the 39th District, Sánchez’s legal practice was focused on working with organized labor. She’s now in her 10th term in Congress, having easily won re-election in 2020 against one Democratic challenger.
Sánchez was in the running to become House Democratic Caucus chair in 2018. But she withdrew her name after learning after her husband, James Sullivan, had been indicted over allegations that he and former colleagues on the Connecticut Municipal Electric Energy Cooperative had diverted more than $1 million in federal funds for pricey golfing excursions and trips to the Kentucky Derby. Sánchez was a guest on at least one of those trips, while her husband was also accused of using some of the funds to visit her…
…Sánchez filed for divorce from her husband late last year, per her staff. In December Sullivan was convicted of theft of federal funds. He’s appealing the ruling but facing up to 10 years in prison…
…Ching, 55, has managed a telecommunications business for more than 30 years. Asked to sum up his career and personal highlights, Ching said: “Christ Follower, father, public servant, victim’s advocate, entrepreneur.”
His wife died in a car accident in 2017, and Ching has been raising their teenage daughters.
He got his start in politics in 2012 when he first ran for Walnut City Council. He’s now in his 10th year on the council, including two stints as mayor of the east L.A. County city. Ching also served as president of the Chinese American Association of Walnut and regularly volunteers for local churches and nonprofits.
Ching’s CA-38 campaign is focused on border security, the right to bear arms, being tough on crime, opposing affirmative action and supporting parent choice in education. When asked how he’d measure his success in office, he pointed to his time on the Walnut City Council as an example…
During a 2018 bid for state Senate, Sarega finished in fifth place, with 9.7% of the vote.
The commercial property owner and pastor came in fifth among seven candidates for three seats on the La Mirada City Council in 2015, when he campaigned on plans to be business friendly, make meetings more accessible and improve public property. He’s also touted that he’s “not a politically correct guy,” with that brash style regularly on display at La Mirada City Council meetings.
November 8: The Orange County Register posted an article titled: “Early return shows Rep. Linda Sanchez poised for reelection in California’s 38th congressional district” From the article:
Rep. Linda Sánchez appears to be heading back to congress.
Ballot counts released late Tuesday, Nov. 8, show the 10-term Democrat from Norwalk with a significant lead over challenger Eric Ching, R-Walnut, in the race for California’s 38th congressional district. Votes counted over the next few days will alter the final outcome, but they’re unlikely to change the early result…
…State data shows the seat is deeply blue, with Democrats accounting for 48.5% of all the district’s registered voters, versus 23.5% who favor no party and slightly less, 22.1% who choose the GOP.
During her 20-year stint in Congress, Sanchez has become one of the more powerful Latinas in American politics, sitting on the House Committee on Ways and Means, which helps guide tax legislation.
Her stances on most issues match up with progressive Democrat policies. In July, she voted for the Women’s Health Protection Act of 2022, which sought to legalize abortion nationally. Previously, she has supported gun control, clean energy and expanding family leave, among other things…
Ballotpedia provided the results of the Nonpartisan primary for U.S. House California District 38:
- Linda Sánchez (D): 58.7% – 58,586 votes
- Eric Ching (R): 30.5% – 30,436 votes
- John Sarega (R): 10.8% – 10,768 votes
June 8: San Gabriel Valley Tribune posted an article titled: “2022 Election: Updated 38th District primary results show Linda Sánchez, Eric Ching in lead” From the article:
Ten-term Democratic Rep. Linda Sánchez and GOP challenger Eric Ching, who’s mayor of Walnut, predictably held onto first and second place as vote counts were updated Wednesday for the 38th District race.
Republican business owner Ion “John” Sarega trailed in third place in early results…
…Sánchez, of Whittier, is heavily favored to ultimately win an 11th term in a district where Democrats have a 26-point advantage in voter registration. She’s a member of the influential Ways and Means Committee and has been a leader on immigration reform. And she’s raised nearly $1 million this cycle with a campaign focused on issues such as reproductive rights, worker rights, and affordable healthcare.
Ching has raised just under $100,000. His campaign has focused on border security, the right to bear arms, being tough on crime and supporting parent choice in education.
Sarega hasn’t reported any fundraising and didn’t respond to requests for information about his platform.
Ballotpedia provided the results of the General Election for U.S. House California District 38:
- Linda Sánchez (D): 58.1% – 101,260 votes
- Eric Ching (R): 41.9% – 73,051 votes
California’s 39th Congressional District
Wikipedia provided information about California’s 39th Congressional District
California’s 39th congressional district is a congressional district in the U.S. State of California. The district includes parts of Riverside County, including Jurupa Valley, Riverside, Moreno Valley, and Perris. The district has been represented by Democrat Mark Takano ever since he was redistricted from the 41st congressional district in 2022.
As of the 2020 redistricting, California’s 39th congressional district was geographically shifted to the Inland Empire in Southern California. Its is within the western region of Riverside County.
Riverside County is split between this district and the 41st district. They are partitioned by the Corona Freeway, River Trails Park, Redley Substation Rd, Arlington Ave, Alhambra Ave, Golden Ave, Doheny Blvd, Bolivar St, Campbell Ave, Pierce St, Quantico Dr, Collett Ave, Buchanan St, Highway 91, 12397 Doherty Way-Magnola Ave, BNSF Railroad, N McKinley St, N Temescal St, E 16th St, S Neece St, Indiana Ave, Skyridge Dr, Filmore St, 2969 Filmore St-La Sierra Ave, Cleveland Ave, McAlister Parkway, Corsica Ave, Hermosa Dr, John F. Kennedy Dr, Wood Rd, Colt St, Dauchy Ave, Van Burn Blvd, Bobbit Ave, Chicago Ave, Krameria Ave, 16519 Sendero del Charro-Mariposa Ave, Barton St, Cole Ave, Rider St, Greenwood Ave, Kabian Park, Goetz Park, Ethanac Rd, McLaughlin Rd, Sherman Rd, Tumble Rd, Watson Rd, Escondido Expressway, Springs Rd, Moreno Valley Freeway, Quincy St, Cloud Haven Dr, Holly Ct, Reche Vista Dr, Reche Canyon Rd, and Keissel Rd.
The 39th district takes in the cities of Moreno Valley, Jurupa Valley, Perris, and Riverside, as well as thecensus-designated places Mead Valley.
Ballotpedia posted information about California’s 39th congressional District:
Mark Takano (Democratic Party) is a member of the U.S. House, representing California’s 39th Congressional District. He assumed office on January 3, 2023. His current term ends on January 2025.
Takano (Democratic Party) ran for re-election to the U.S. House to represent California’s 39th Congressional District. He won in the general election on November 8, 2022.
Takano was first elected to the seat in 2012. Takano has served on the Board of Trustees of the Riverside Community College District since 1990.
In his 2018 re-election bid, Mark Takano defeated Republican Aja Smith by a vote of 65 percent to 35 percent. From 2021 to 2018, Takano consistently captured between 56.6 and 65 percent of the vote in each general election he ran in.
As of 2019, Takano was a co-chair of the Equality Caucus, and vice chair of the Progressive Caucus and the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus.
Ballotpedia posted information about Aja Smith:
Aja Smith (Republican Party) ran for election to the U.S. House to represent California’s 39th Congressional District. She lost in the general election on November 8, 2022.
Smith was a Republican candidate for the same seat in 2018. She lost the general election on November 6, 2018.
Aja Smith served in the U.S. Air Force Reserve. Smith earned a bachelor’s degree from the California Baptist University in business administration and management in 2005.
Ballotpedia posted information about Bill Spinney:
Bill Spinney (Republican Party) ran for election to the U.S. Hoise to represent California’s 39th Congressional District. Spinney lost in the primary on June 7, 2022.
Bill Spinney lives in Jurupa Valley, California. Spinney earned a degree in electrical engineering. His career experience includes working as an engineer and business manager in the tech industry.
Ballotpedia posted information about Tony Moreno:
Tony Moreno (Republican Party) ran for election to the U.S. House to represent California’s 39th Congressional District. Moreno lost in the primary on June 7, 2022.
Ballotpedia posted information about Art Peterson:
Art Peterson (Republican Party) ran for election to the U.S. House to represent California’s 39th Congressional District. He lost in the primary on June 7, 2022.
Art Peterson was born in Glyndon, Minnesota. Peterson served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1947 to 1995. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Yale University in 1947, a graduate degree from the University of Southern California in 1948, and a PhD. from the University of Minnesota in 1962. Peterson’s career experience includes serving as the president of the Thunderbird Global School of Management. He has been affiliated with the Rotary and Kiwanis organizations.
Art Peterson filled out Ballotpedia’s Candidate Connection Survey. Here are some of the questions he answered:
Who are you? Tell us about yourself?
My extensive career of public service has been centered in higher education and in elected and appointed government office. Taught a wide variety of Political Science courses for a period of 20 years and subsequently spent a similar amount of time as a college dean and president in such institutions as Ohio Wesleyan University, Eckert College and Thunderbird: The Global School of Management. I served as an elected member of the Wisconsin and Montana State legislatures for multiple terms and accepted numerous appointments from mayors, governors ans [sic] presidents (such as the Chair of the Ohio Civil Rights Commission and The National Council on the Humanities).
I served as an enlisted man in U.S. Navy during World War II and as a combat U.S. Marine Corps Infantry Captain, during Korea after which I became an Atomic Bacteriologist, Chemical Weapons Officer. I was privileged to help hundreds of underprivileged young people in the Riverside County area who had become involved in gangs and drugs transform themselves into successful professionals in the Aviation industry. Some of these young people I personally commissioned as Marine Corps Officers.
I am very proud of my son who was named the “American Autism Parent of the year” and of my daughter who has served for 20 years as a teacher of “Special Needs” children. I have been lay-minister in my own church and worked for three years as Dean In the Buddhist University of the West in Rosemead.
Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?
- To reverse raging inflation, gas-groceries;
- To effectively manage chaotic southern border crossing;
- Understand and effectively deal with threats to our national interests from China, Russia and Iran.
What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?
Foreign policy, civil rights and economic policy.
Ballotpedia posted information about John Minnella:
John Minnella (Republican Party) ran for election to the U.S. House to represent California’s 39th Congressional District. He lost in the primary on June 7, 2022.
John Minnella was born in Hackensack, New Jersey. Minnella served in the U.S. Army from 1964 to 1970. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Fairleigh Dickinson University in 1970 and a Juris Doctor from Western State University College of Law in 1975. Minnella’s career experience includes owning JL Minnella & Associates Consultancy.
John Minnella completed Ballotpedia’s Candidate Connection survey. Here are some of the questions he answered:
Who are you? Tell us about yourself.
40+ years: significant local, federal & foreign government experience. Strong, principled, clear, consistent, honest, conservative, patriotic, and dedicated to school choice and parental education control, US Constitution, Judeo-Christian values & conservative Republican principles.
Owner: JL Minnella & Assocs. Consultancy. Past Dean: ILA Polytechnic Institute; Law Instructor: UC Irvine; LAUSD HS Civics, History, Government Teacher. 40+ years international refugee, immigration and business experience (especially Nigeria, Cambodia, Mexico/Central America, Balkans, Iran).
Persistant/indefatigable advocate for protection of local communities as President, Residents Assoc. of Greater Lake Mathews (RAGLM).
Army veteran. Commander, American Legion District 29. Member: American Legion Post 132, American Veterans United. United Mexican American Veterans Association, Association of the US Army, National Republican Lawyers Association, Bar of Attorneys of Nicaragua, International Bar Association, National Italian American Bar Association, St. James the Less Church, Knights of Columbus, St. Thomas More Society, Latin American Studies Association (past), Minority Business Council of O.C. (past V.P.) Admitted: Supreme Court of Nicaragua.
Married, father of 6, grandfather of 2. Homeowner. Spanish Fluent, rusty Italian & German.
Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?
- Reverse inflation, crime & homelessness. Unlimited government spending must be ended. Return to the economic growth & employment opportunities of the prior Administration. Support law enforcement financially & publicly. Better allocate Homeless funding efforts & programs from overpriced “housing” to mental health facilities.
- Secure our borders. Complete the border fence. Enforce current immigration laws. Provide more immigrant visas for non-priority, ordinary immigrants. Deport criminals only after they have completed their USA prison terms.
- Restore & ensure parental rights & control of the education of their children. Advocate for understanding & appreciation of Western Civilization & American system of government. Oppose advocacy of critical race in schools. Advocate for school choice/voucher systems. Support parental efforts to control child education.
What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?
1)Support our US Constitution, especially the First (free speech) & Second (right to bear arms & self-defense) Amendments. 2) Restoration of USA energy self-sufficiency by restoring energy production & drilling & ending the Democrats’ war on fossil fuel & oil & gas producers. 3) Advocacy of tribal self-sufficiency. 4) Protect senior citizens from inflation. 5) Expansion of VA Health Care (especially traumatic rehabilitation) Education & Other Benefits for Veterans, including National Guard. 6) Ensure international peace by the projection of USA power & determination. 7) Advocate for America First policies in foreign relations & affairs. 8) Advocate for emergency/priority Power Grid Protection from EMP attack. 9) Advocate for improved health care coverage & affordability including dental & mental health benefits. 10) Honor, respect & protect law enforcement & military service profession & work. Work to remove “woke” prosecutors. 11) Advocate for required Voter Photo Identification. 12) Oppose partisan use of FBI, DEA & US Justice Dept. 13) Stop political purge & “woke” purification of Armed Forces. 14) Oppose federalization of police & of voting. 15) Support presumption of innocence of accused local law enforcement officers 16) Encourage USA manufacturer of prescription drugs. 17) Support & defend border patrol officers. 18) Bar deportation of non-violent honorably discharged veterans. 19) Complete border wall & end illegal entry.
Ballotpedia posted information about Emmanuel Suarez:
Emmanuel Suarez (Republican Party) ran for election to the U.S. House to represent California’s 39th Congressional District. He lost in the primary on June 7, 2022.
Emmanuel Suarez was born in Fontana, California. Suarez earned an associate degree from Chaffey Jr. College in 2000. His career experience includes working as a pool man as a caretaker.
Emmanuel Suarez completed Ballotpedia’s Candidate Connection survey. Here are some of the questions he answered:
Who are you? Tell us about yourself.
My name is Emmanuel L Suarez. I’m a Third generation Hispanic American born in the United States. I’m blessed to be married to my wife of 27 years, who immigrated from Mexico. I have two children, 25 and 17. I have a degree from Chaffey Community College and have certificates in Electronics and computers. I worked various trades from Electronics, computers, federal service as an officer for 13yrs, ran a pool service business, and caretaker for our Autistic son. I know the hard road many Americans have to take, from the 70+ hours work week just to make a living, to leave a job for an uncertain direction, or staying put when everything seems helpless. I understand having to sleep in your car waiting for your shift or saving small amounts of change hoping it will last until the next paycheck. Through hard times it was my faith and family that carried me. Life experiences from childhood through adulthood taught me to take what you are given and fight back. I gained the determination to stand and fight for my faith, my family, my values, and my country. Freedom is not free, life can be tough, I know firsthand the greatness that boils inside the great Melting pot we call the United States of American. I am blessed for the opportunities America has offered my family. I was raised to speak up when something’s not right it’s time to say something. to learn more about me go to http://www.poolmanforcongress.com
Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?
- Overspending is overburdening our country; we are putting our kids and grandchildren in debt forever. Rather than make tough decisions, Washington insists on Taxing and spending its way out of the problems rather than refusing to fix the problem while showing little care and discipline in spending taxpayer money. Spending in the economy is best left to the private sector and businesses. Businesses are more efficient in spending than governments. They need to show profits or face the tangible outcome of bankruptcy. Wasteful spending weakens economic growth and the burden on the shoulders of hard-working Americans and small businesses in the form of higher taxes.
- Law Enforcement has been an intricate part of keeping our communities strong and safe. I support our Law Enforcement to protect our communities and reject the notion of ‘De-funding the police’. Our communities are overwhelmingly safer with police than without them. De-funding, dissolving or drastically reorganizing our police forces Have led to huge increases in crime. People and business communities are now hostages as crime has increased significantly. High crime has contributed to a considerable loss of jobs. As businesses have packed up and left, people have moved to other states. I will work so first responders have the support and tools to keep our communities safe while peacefully protecting the right to assemble.
- America was considered energy independent on his first day in office; Joe Biden canceled the Keystone XL Pipeline’s building. He stopped the drilling on energy-rich federal land; the result was a loss of tens of thousands of jobs, and Gas prices have been increasing ever since. In the wake of the Russian war with Ukraine, Democrats have credited the continued increases in fuel prices Americans have to pay to the Russian invasion. Rather than re-establish the once Keystone Project and opening up federal land again for drilling, Biden has sought to purchase oil from other countries, such as Venezuela, to was the price at the gas pump. Democrats continue their push their Green New Deal, which will only add to the federal debt.
What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?
I strive for California to become the state it was when I was a child. the hub of technological innovation, A place people enjoy, can raise a family, A place where people see opportunity to become greet [sic] rather than having to flee to other states. A place where you can buy a home without the fear of losing it to because of taxes. A place where you can find a job and make a living enjoying life rather than being able to barley [sic] just survive. I will work to stop government overreach as regulating business suffer from overregulation and crippling taxes. we need to see that Our children’s education needs are met, parents need to have school choice to ensure the future of our country secure through our children. We need to fight to ensure every American whether born or unborn rights are protected, I am against the use of as politicians say reproductive health care which is a nice way of saying murder of innocent children’s lives, American needs to protect those who cannot speak for themselves. As crime is increasing we need to ensure our 2nd amendment rights are protected, with each passing day we come closer to losing those rights. it is the 2nd amendment that helps to ensure our other rights are not taken from us.
I strive for California to become the state it was when I was a child. the hub of technological innovation, A place people enjoy, can raise a family, A place where people see opportunity to become greet [sic] rather than having to flee to other states. A place where you can buy a home without the fear of losing it to because of taxes. A place where you can find a job and make a living enjoying life rather than being able to barley [sic] just survive. I will work to stop government overreach as regulating business suffer from overregulation and crippling taxes. we need to see that Our children’s education needs are met, parents need to have school choice to ensure the future of our country secure through our children. We need to fight to ensure every American whether born or unborn rights are protected, I am against the use of as politicians say reproductive health care which is a nice way of saying murder of innocent children’s lives, American needs to protect those who cannot speak for themselves. As crime is increasing we need to ensure our 2nd amendment rights are protected, with each passing day we come closer to losing those rights. it is the 2nd amendment that helps to ensure our other rights are not taken from us.
- Mark Takano (D): 57.1% – 44,067 votes
- Aja Smith (R): 12.6% – 9,741 votes
- Bill Spinny (R): 9.6% – 7,421 votes
- Tony Moreno (R): 7.2% – 5,527 votes
- Art Peterson (R): 6.6% – 5,081 votes
- John Minnella (R): 4.7% – 3,662 votes
- Emmanuel Suarez (R): 2.1% – 1,600 votes
Aja Smith posted information about herself on her Aja Smith Veteran For Congress website:
TSgt. Aja Smith (Vet) has dedicated her career to serving he country. Following in the footsteps of her family, Aja decided at a young age that she wanted to help preserve the great freedoms that our country was founded upon.
Aja grew up in Moreno Valley, California and was raised by both her mother and grandmother who worked long hours as nurses, providing for Aja and ensuring she had every opportunity that her peers had. Both of Aja’s Grandparents served in the U.S. Military. Her Grandfather was a veteran of WWII, Korea, and Vietnam. Her great uncle was a Tuskegee Airman pilot.
In 2002, Aja joined the United States Air Force Reserve. In 2007, she was deployed to Qatar and stationed at Al-Udeid Air Force Base during Operation Enduring Freedom.
The 41st district consists largely of blue-collar workers. March Air Force Base long fueled the local economy and provided jobs for local residents. After base realignment, cities like Moreno Valley were devastated economically when March became a Reserve Base. Aja Smith will fight to ensure that March Air Reserves Base does not close down and suffer the horrible economic effects. It is essential that we find employment for our veterans and continue to bring jobs back to the Inland Empire.
If elected, Aja would become the first African-American female Republican to serve in Congress from California.
Mark Takano posted his Biography on his House.gov website:
For more than twenty years, Mark Takano has worked to improve the lives of Riverside County residents, both as an elected official and as a teacher at Rialto High School.
Born and raised in Riverside, Mark’s commitment to public service began at an early age. His family roots in Riverside go back to his grandparents who, along with his parents, were removed from their respective homes and sent to Japanese American Internment camps during World War II. After the war, these two families settled in Riverside County to rebuild their lives.
Mark attended La Sierra High School in the Alvord Unified School District, and in 1979 he graduated as the school’s valedictorian. Mark attended Harvard College and received his bachelor’s degree in Government in 1983. As a student, he bussed tables to help make ends meet. During his senior year, he organized a transcontinental bicycle ride to benefit the international development agency Oxfam America.
Upon graduation, Mark returned home to Riverside and began teaching in the Rialto Unified School District in 1988. As a classroom teacher, Mark confronted the challenges in our public education system daily.
In 1990, Mark was elected to the Riverside Community College District’s Board of Trustees. At RCC, Mark worked with Republicans and Democrats to improve higher education for young people and job training opportunities for adults seeking to learn a new skill or start a new career. He was elected Board President in 1991 and helped the Board and the District gain stability and direction amid serious fiscal challenges.
In 2012, Mark became the first openly gay person of color to be elected to Congress.
Mark Takano represents the people of Riverside, Moreno Valley, Jurupa Valley and Perris in the United States House of Representatives. He serves as Ranking Member of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, and as a member of the Education and the Workforce Committee.
As former Chairman of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, Mark authored the Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act, or the Honoring of our PACT Act, comprehensive toxic exposure legislation that addresses the full scope of issues affecting toxic-exposed veterans’ access to VA care and benefits. The Honoring our PACT Act expanded VA healthcare eligibility for over 3.5 million veterans exposed to burn pits, established a presumption of service connection for over 23 respiratory illnesses and cancers, and also eliminated the requirement that veterans prove exposure to toxic substances – a requirement that has often prevented many from accessing the care and benefits they have earned and deserve.
Ballotpedia provided the results of the U.S. House California District 39:
- Mark Takano (D): 57.8% – 75,896 votes
- Aja Smith (R): 42.3% – 55,701 votes
California’s 40th Congressional District
Wikipedia provided information about California’s 40th Congressional District:
California’s 40th congressional district is a congressional district in the U.S. Sate of California, encompassing Orange, San Bernardino, and Riverside counties. The district is currently represented by Republican Young Kim. It was one of the 18 districts that voted for Joe Biden in the 2020 presidential election while being won or held by a Republican in 2022.
The district includes Yorba Linda, Anaheim Hills, Orange, Chino Hills, Tustin, Mission Viejo, Aliso Viejo, Rancho Santa Margarita, Laguna Hills, Laguna Woods, Villa Park, Lake Forest, the unincorporated communities of North Tustin and Coto de Cana, and parts of Brea and Corona.
As of the 2020 redistricting, California’s 40th congressional district is located in Southern California. It takes up the majority of northern and eastern Orange County, and parts of San Bernardino and western Riverside Counties.
Orange County is split between this district, the 38th district, the 45th district, the 46th district, the 47th district, and the 49th district. The 40th and 45th are partitioned by Orange Freeway, E Lambert Rd, Sunrise Rd, Foothill Ln, Wandering Ln, N Associated Rd, E Birch St, S Valencia Ave, La Plaza Dr, La Floresta Dr, La Crescent Dr, Highway 90, 1053 E Imperial Highway-343 Tolbert St, Vesuvius Dr, Rose Dr, Wabash Ave, 6th St, Golden Ave, Carbon Canyon Creek, E Yorba Linda Blvd, Jefferson St, 1401 Zion Ave-N Van Burn St, Buena Vista Ave, 17225 Orange Blossom Ln-1480 E Howard Pl, 17511 Pine Cir-Orchard Dr, Mariposa Ave, Lakeview Ave, E Miraloma Ave, Fee-Ana St, Sierra Madre Cir, E Orangethorpe Ave, Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad, Kensington Ave, N Kraemer Blvd, Carbon Creek, and E La Jolla St.
The 40th and 46th are partitioned by E La Palma Ave, E Jackson Ave, E Frontera St, Santa Ana River, Riverside Freeway, Costa Mesa Freeway, N Tustin St, E Meats Ave, N Orange Olive Rd, Garden Grove Freeway, 16909 Donwest-16791 E Main St, E Chestnut Ave, 16283 E Main St-717 S Lyon St, E McFadden Ave, and Warner Ave.
The 40th, 47th, and 49th are partitioned by Barranca Parkway, Jamboree Rd, Warner Ave, Harvard Ave, Myford Rd, Highway 5, Loma Ridge Nature Preserve, Bee Canyon Access Rd, Portola Parkway, Highway 133, Highway 241, Bake Parkway, San Diego Freeway, Ridge Route Dr, Moulton Parkway, Santa Maria Ave, Via Vista, Alta Vis, Santa Vittoria Dr, Avenida del Sol, Punta Alta, Galle Azul, Bahia Blanca W, Laguna Coast Wilderness Park, Highway S18, Aliso & Wood Canyons, Alicia Parkway, Pacific Park Dr, San Joaquin Hills Trans Corridor, Cabot Rd, San Diego Freeway, Via Escolar, Arroyo Trabuco Creek, Oso Parkway, Thomas F Riley Wilderness Park, and Ronald W Caspar’s Wilderness Park. The 40th takes in the cities of Tustin, Yorba Linda, Lake Forest, Laguna Woods, Laguna Hills, Mission Viejo, Rancho Santa Margarita, and eastern Orange, as well as the census-designated place North Tustin.
San Bernardino County is split between this district and the 35th district. They are partitioned by Chino Valley Freeway, Eucalyptus Ave, Peyton Dr, Highway 142, Tupelo Ave, Hazelwood Dr, Pipeline Ave, Los Serranos Blvd, Country Club Dr, Soquel Canyon Parkway, Elinvar Dr, Sapphire Rd, Onyx Rd, Copper Rd, Slate Dr, Butterfield Ranch Rd, and Pine Ave. The 40th district takes in the city of Chino Hills.
Ballotpedia posted information about Young Kim:
Young Kim (Republican Party) is a member of the U.S. House, representing California’s 40th Congressional District. She assumed office on January 3, 2023. Her current term ends on January 3, 2025.
Kim (Republican Party) is running for re-election to the U.S. House to represent California’s 40th Congressional District. She declared candidacy for the primary scheduled March 5, 2024.
Kim was a 2018 candidate for California’s 39th Congressional District in the U.S. House. Kim lost the general election on November 6, 2018, after advancing from the primary on June 5, 2018.
Kim is a former Republican member of the California State Assembly, representing District 65 from 2014 to 2016.
Young Kim was born in Incheon, South Korea, and lives in La Habra, California. Kim earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Southern California in 1985. Her career experience includes owning a business and working as the director of community relations and Asian affairs for former U.S. Representative Ed Royce and as a financial analyst.
Ballotpedia posted information about Asif Mahmood:
Asif Mahmood (Democratic Party) ran for election to the U.S. House to represent California’s 40th Congressional District. He lost in the general election.
Asif Mahmoud’s career experience includes working as a pulmonologist.
Ballotpedia posted information about Greg Raths:
Greg Raths (Republican Party) ran for election to the U.S. House to represent California’s 40th Congressional District. He lost in the primary on June 7, 2022.
Greg Raths was born in Phoenix, Arizona. Raths served in the United States Marine Corps from 1972 to 2004 and reached the rank of colonel. He earned an associate degree in political science from Saddleback College in 2009, a bachelor’s degree in business from Arizona State University in 1975, a bachelor’s degree in political science and history from California State University at Fullerton, and a master’s degree in national resource strategy from National Defense University in 1996. Raths’ career experience includes working at the president of an auto parts firm, the chief of staff of the White House Military Office from 1996 to 1999, and a liaison between the Pentagon and White House.
Greg Raths completed Ballotpedia’s Candidate Connection survey in 2022. Here are some of the questions he answered:
Who are you? Tell us about yourself.
Colonel Greg Raths USMC (RET) served our nation for 30 years in the United States Marine Corps. He is a highly decorated combat fighter pilot of Operation Desert Storm, Southern Watch & Restore Hope. He flew 75 combat missions. He was an F/A-18 Hornet Fighter Squadron Commanding Officer aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln. He also served as the Chief of Staff for the White House Military Office in the late 90s.
Colonel Raths holds multiple college degrees including a Master’s Degree from the National Defense University. He holds a BS from Arizona State University in Business and a BA Degree from California State University, Fullerton in History and Political Science.
Since retiring from the United States Marine Corps, Colonel Raths continued his service and dedication to those who have served. He served as Vice-Chairman of the Orange County Veterans Advisory Council for the Board of Supervisors for several years, and was president of the executive board for the non-profit, Patriots and Paws.
Greg flew as a commercial airline pilot for JetBlue Airways, and most recently was president of a local business in Anaheim, CA.
He was first elected to the Mission Viejo City Council in 2014, and re-elected in 2018. He was unanimously appointed as Mayor of Mission Viejo by his Council colleagues for 2019. On March 3, 2020 he won the Republican nomination for the U.S. House of Representative CA45th Congressional District but lost to Congresswoman Katie Porter in November 2020.
Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals in your time in office?
- Restore America’s Energy Independence
- Border Security
- Work to reduce the current runaway inflation
What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?
Budget, Immigration, National Security, Veterans Affairs, International Affairs
Ballotpedia posted information about Nicholas Taurus:
Nicholas Taurus (Republican Party) ran for election to the U.S. House to represent California’s 40th Congressional District. Taurus lost in the primary on June 7, 2022.
November 24, 2021: Congresswoman Young Kim posted on her official website news titled: “Congresswoman Young Kim Announces Reelection Bid in New CA-40” From the news:
Today, Congresswoman Young Kim announced she will be seeking reelection in California’s newly formed 40th Congressional District. Kim is the endorsed candidate of the Republican Party of Orange County and has also received support from the California delegation including local area colleagues Rep. Michelle Steel, Rep. Ken Calvert, former Rep. Ed Royce, and former Rep. Mimi Waters.
A prolific fundraiser, Kim ended FEC’s 3rd quarter with $2 million cash-on-hand.
“From day one, I have been committed to serving Southern California and that commitment does not change with updated district lines. The out-of-touch policies we see from Nancy Pelosi and Washington politicians are hurting our communities and I’ll continue to fight to combat inflation, lower taxes on Californians, and bolster our national security,” said Rep. Young Kim. “I look forward to continuing to represent this community in Congress and running a strong campaign to earn reelection.”
The new 40th congressional district includes much of Kim’s current district including Yorba Linda, Chino Hills, and Anaheim Hills.
“As a member of Congress, Young Kim has already established a proven track record of [sic]
fighting to improve the quality of life for all Californians by holding the administration and House Democrats accountable,” added consultant Sam Oh. “Congresswoman Kim is a dynamic and accomplished campaigner and our team is ready, prepared, and has a track record of winning difficult races. We welcome any and all challengers for what will be a spirited campaign.”
January 20: Dr. Asif Mahmood posted news on his official website titled: “Dr. Asif Mahmood Launches His Campaign To Flip CA-40 & Unseat Congresswoman Young Kim” From the news:
Dr. Mahmood: “I am running for Congress because CA-40 needs leaders who wake up every day to solve problems and actually help families in our district.”
A physician with more than two decades of experiencing serving Southern California families, Dr. Mahmood understands the challenges our families face.
Dr. Mahmood is a proven fundraiser and enters the race with endorsements from 11 members of California’s congressional delegation & 4 statewide officeholders.
ORANGE COUNTY – Dr. Asif Mahmood, a physician and philanthropist, announced today he is running for Congress today in the newly drawn CA-40.
“I became a doctor because my parents taught me that helping others is our highest calling,” said Dr. Mahmood. “For more than twenty years, I have helped patients overcome their health challenges and go on to lead richer lives. I am running for Congress because CA-40 needs leaders who wake up every day to solve problems and actually help families in our district.”
Dr. Mahmood has treated thousands of patients over the last twenty years: patients in the ER, critical care, inpatients, and as they leave the hospital. Asif has made it a rule in his practice – if a patient doesn’t have insurance, his office won’t ask for payment.
Dr. Mahmood enters the race with 12 congressional endorsements and the support of 4 California statewide office holders, as well as the endorsement of Irvine’s mayor. In 2018, he ran for insurance commissioner, raising more than $2.3 million for the race. Dr. Mahmood is in a strong position to take on Congresswoman Young Kim.
Dr. Mahmood enters the race with 12 congressional endorsements and the support of 4 California statewide office holders, as well as the endorsement of Irvine’s mayor. In 2018, he ran for insurance commissioner, raising more than $2.3 million for the race. Dr. Mahmood is in a strong position to take on Congresswoman Young Kim.
“Families in the new 40th district work hard. We put our heads together to solve problems. When our neighbors face hard times, we help each other,” said Dr. Mahmood, “But politicians like Congresswoman Young Kim aren’t lifting a finger to help families here at home. Our country has big problems, but Congresswoman Kim is fighting against common-sense solutions that have broad bipartisan support.”
Just days before the Orange County oil spill, Congresswoman Kim voted against billions in disaster aid for our communities. She has taken thousands of dollars in Big Oil contributions, and even after the spill, she isn’t doing a thing to stop drilling off our coasts. Dr. Mahmood believes in science and climate change and I will fight to end our addiction to Big Oil.
Congresswoman Kim wants to repeal the Affordable Care Act. And as the Supreme Court looks to reverse Roe V. Wade, Congressman Kim supported repealing a woman’s right to choose. In his own practice, Dr. Mahmood has seen how families struggle to afford care and knows the importance of reproductive health care. In Congress, he will fight to make healthcare more affordable and will protect a woman’s right to choose.
Congresswoman Kim voted against the bipartisan infrastructure bill to fix our roads and bridges. Dr. Mahmood will fight to improve California’s roads and bridges.
In addition to his work as a physician, Asif has been a leader in non-profit and philanthropic organizations across Southern California. He is a leader for UNICEF and volunteers at a free clinic. He also serves on the California Medical Board and on the board of the Valley Rescue Mission, the largest homeless shelter in Southern California. He is the chair of the Organization for Social Media Safety, which works to fight cyber-bullying and cyber-exploitation of Children.
April 13: The Orange County Register posted an article titled: “Elections 2022: Get to know Rep. Young Kim, three more candidates in 40th District race” From the article:
…The field of challengers for the newly drawn 40th congressional district isn’t very deep. Three candidates – Democrat Asif Mahmood, and Republicans Greg Raths and Nick Taurus – hope to beat the other two in the June 7 primary. Whoever does that will appear on the decisive November general election ballot, for an almost guaranteed face-off with incumbent GOP Rep. Young Kim.
But the small field clearly offers a wide range of backgrounds and policy ideas.
Among California’s Congress members, few got dealt a happier hand in redistricting than Kim, noted Marcia Godwin, a professor of public administration at the University of La Verne who tracks local elections. When district lines were redrawn and incumbents shuffled around, Kim, 59, went from representing a district that leans solidly blue and favored Biden by more than 10 points to campaigning in a district where Republicans have a 5-point advantage in voter registration and Biden would have scored only a narrow win.
Kim also has the backing of the national GOP and benefits of incumbency, with a relatively productive and drama-free first term underway…
…Raths, 69, – who was a fighter pilot in the Marines for 30 years and has been a Mission Viejo councilman since 2014 – garnered 45.6% of the vote in 2020 when he made it to the general election against another incumbent Democrat Rep. Katie Porter in a district that largely overlaps with the new CA-40. (Porter is running this cycle in a new costal district that includes her Irvine home.) When asked how he’d measure his success as an office holder, Raths pointed to his work in Mission Viejo, where he said they have a balanced budget, “no homeless” and high-quality amenities.
Taurus, 30, taught English in Hungary for a year after college and now works as a junk hauler. This is the Laguna Hill resident’s first run for public office. He was in the news last year for leading a group involved in a confrontation at a Porter town hall that ended with punches thrown, and again earlier this year for being escorted out of an Orange County GOP meeting. Taurus says he’d measure his success as a Congress member by his ability “to pass the most important program in my platform, a 25-year immigration moratorium.”
That’s by far the most extreme immigration proposal from the GOP candidates in the CA-40 race. However, none of the Republicans support a pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants, with both Kim and Raths also mentioning the need for more border security in their platforms.
But while Kim and oaths recognized Joe Biden as the true winner of the 2020 presidential election, Taurus said Biden did not win…
Ballotpedia posted the results of the Nonpartisan primary for U.S. House California District 40:
- Asif Mahmood (D): 40.9% – 74,607 votes
- Young Kim (R): 34.7% – 63,346 votes
- Greg Raths (R): 23.2% – 42,404 votes
- Nicholas Taurus (R): 1.2% – 2,193 votes
November 15: Business Insider posted an article titled: “Results: Republican Rep. Young Kim defeats Democrat Asif Mahmood in California’s 40th Congressional District election” From the article:
Republican Rep. Young Kim won her bid for a second term in office against Democrat Asif Mahmood in California’s 40th Congressional District.
Polls closed in the state at 8 p.m. local time, or 11 p.m. EST.
In 2020, Kim, fellow California Republican Rep. Michelle Steel, and Democratic Rep. Marilyn Strickland of Washington, made history as the first Korean American women ever elected to Congress. In a close contest, Kim defeated incumbent Democrat Gil Cisneros by just over 1 percentage point, flipping back the House seat she conceded to Cisneros in 2018.
Taking a page from the GOP playbook, Kim’s campaign focused on inflation and border security. On abortion, an issue she has consistently voted against, Kim told the Los Angeles Times she was “pro-life,” but that she respected the Supreme Court’s decision and believed abortion should be largely left to the states…
…According to OpenSecrets, Kim raised $8.4 million, spent $8 million, and had $769,000 cash on hand, as of October 19. Her challenger, Mahmood, raised about $3.3 million, spent $3.2 million, and had $147,000 left to spend, as of October 19.
Ballotpedia posted the results of the General Election for U.S. House California District 40:
- Young Kim (R): 56.8% – 161,589 votes
- Asif Mahmood (D): 43.2% – 122,733 votes