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Angela McArdle

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Angela McArdle
Image of Angela McArdle
Prior offices
Libertarian Party Chair

Elections and appointments
Last election

June 5, 2018

Contact

Angela McArdle (Libertarian Party) was an officeholder of the Libertarian Party Chair. She assumed office in 2022. She left office on January 24, 2025.

McArdle (Libertarian Party) ran for election to the U.S. House to represent California's 34th Congressional District. She lost in the primary on June 5, 2018.

McArdle completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2018. Click here to read the survey answers.

McArdle was a special election candidate who sought election to the U.S. House to represent the 34th Congressional District of California in 2017.[1]

Elections

2018

See also: California's 34th Congressional District election, 2018

General election

General election for U.S. House California District 34

Incumbent Jimmy Gomez defeated Kenneth Mejia in the general election for U.S. House California District 34 on November 6, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Jimmy Gomez
Jimmy Gomez (D)
 
72.5
 
110,195
Image of Kenneth Mejia
Kenneth Mejia (G)
 
27.5
 
41,711

Total votes: 151,906
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

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Nonpartisan primary election

Nonpartisan primary for U.S. House California District 34

Incumbent Jimmy Gomez and Kenneth Mejia defeated Angela McArdle in the primary for U.S. House California District 34 on June 5, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Jimmy Gomez
Jimmy Gomez (D)
 
78.7
 
54,661
Image of Kenneth Mejia
Kenneth Mejia (G)
 
12.9
 
8,987
Image of Angela McArdle
Angela McArdle (L) Candidate Connection
 
8.4
 
5,804

Total votes: 69,452
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates


2017

See also: California's 34th Congressional District special election, 2017
U.S. House, California District 34, 2017
Party Candidate Vote % Votes
     Democratic Green check mark transparent.pngJimmy Gomez 59.2% 25,569
     Democratic Robert Lee Ahn 40.8% 17,610
Total Votes 43,179
Source: California Secretary of State

The election replaced Xavier Becerra (D), who was appointed as California's attorney general.[2] Democrats Jimmy Gomez and Robert Lee Ahn were the top two vote-getters in a primary field of 23 candidates and advanced to the general election. Gomez and Ahn competed in the runoff election on June 6, 2017, when Gomez defeated Ahn by more than 20 percent, 60.1 percent to 30.9 percent.[3] The previous two elections in the district have also featured a general election contest between two Democrats.[4][1][5]

Ahn and Gomez participated in a candidate forum on May 25, 2017, where they discussed the Trump administration, infrastructure, job creation, healthcare, and local issues. During the forum, Ahn emphasized his legal and business background and knowledge of Korean relations, while Gomez highlighted his legislative experience in the California State Assembly and endorsements from progressive organizations like the Bernie Sanders-backed Our Revolution. For an overview of the forum and the candidates' responses, click here.

In the fundraising race, Ahn outpaced Gomez, raising $353,000 between April 1 and May 17. His campaign capital was boosted by an additional $195,000 personal loan. In the same time period, Gomez raised $327,000.[6]

U.S. House, California District 34 Primary, 2017
Party Candidate Vote % Votes
     Democratic Green check mark transparent.pngJimmy Gomez 25.4% 10,728
     Democratic Green check mark transparent.pngRobert Lee Ahn 22.3% 9,415
     Democratic Maria Cabildo 10.1% 4,259
     Democratic Sara Hernandez 5.6% 2,358
     Democratic Arturo Carmona 5.2% 2,205
     Democratic Wendy Carrillo 5.2% 2,195
     Green Kenneth Mejia 4.6% 1,964
     Republican William Morrison 3.2% 1,360
     Democratic Yolie Flores 3.2% 1,368
     Democratic Alejandra Campoverdi 2.4% 1,001
     Democratic Tracy Van Houten 2.5% 1,042
     Democratic Vanessa Aramayo 2% 853
     Democratic Sandra Mendoza 1.6% 674
     Democratic Steven Mac 1.6% 663
     Democratic Raymond Meza 1.2% 509
     Independent Mark Edward Padilla 1% 427
     Libertarian Angela McArdle 0.8% 319
     Democratic Ricardo De La Fuente 0.8% 331
     Democratic Adrienne Nicole Edwards 0.4% 182
     Democratic Richard Joseph Sullivan 0.4% 155
     Democratic Armando Sotomayor 0.3% 118
     Democratic Tenaya Wallace 0.2% 103
     Democratic Melissa "Sharkie" Garza 0.2% 79
Total Votes 42,308
Source: California Secretary of State

Campaign themes

2018

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's candidate surveys
Candidate Connection

Angela McArdle participated in Ballotpedia's candidate survey on May 27, 2018. The survey questions appear in bold, and Angela McArdle's responses follow below.[7]

What would be your top three priorities, if elected?

I'll aggressively oppose all legislation that infringes upon your Constitutional rights.

Ill aggressively oppose any budget increases and fight to lower our national debt, which is in excess of 21 trillion dollars.[8][9]

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about? Why?

I'm passionate about lowering the cost of healthcare and (and living, in general) by expanding the free market and giving consumers more choices.Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; invalid names, e.g. too many[9]

Ballotpedia also asked the candidate a series of optional questions. Angela McArdle answered the following:

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow and why?

I look up to Ron Paul, his expansive knowledge of the free market and foreign policy, and his principled approach to public service.[9]
Is there a book, essay, film, or something else that best describes your political philosophy?
My political philosophy is inspired by Ron Paul's ""Liberty Defined"" and Mises' ""Human Action"".[9]
What qualities do you possess that would make you a successful officeholder?
I believe my commitment to Constitutional law, limited government, the Non Aggression Principle, and my understanding of economic will make me an excellent public servant.[9]
What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?
I believe the core responsibilities of anyone elected to office are to protect the Constitutional rights and freedoms of the people of the United States and limit government from interfering in the personal lives of citizens.[9]
What legacy would you like to leave?
I would like to leave behind a legacy of protecting people's rights, and of lowering the national debt.[9]
What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at that time?
I remember when the Berlin wall fell. I was in elementary school at the time.[9]
What was your very first job? How long did you have it?
My first job was working at McDonald's when I was 15 years old. I worked there for 6 months.[9]
What happened on your most awkward date?
I haven't been on any awkward dates, thankfully.[9]
What is your favorite holiday? Why?
My favorite holiday is Christmas. I love giving presents and cooking.[9]
What is your favorite book? Why?
My favorite fiction book is The Silmarillion. I love fantasy literature and encyclopedic details.[9]
If you could be any fictional character, who would you be?
I don't think I'd want to be a fictional character.[9]
What is your favorite thing in your home or apartment? Why?
My favorite thing in my home is my cat.[9]
What was the last song that got stuck in your head?
The last song stuck in my head is Iron Maiden's Wasted Years.[9]
What is something that has been a struggle in your life?
I have always struggled with keeping up with my laundry pile. I hate doing laundry.[9]
Do you believe that it's beneficial for representatives to have previous experience in government or politics?
More than anything, I think it's beneficial for members of the House of Representatives to have a solid understanding of economics and a respect for the Constitution.[9]
What do you perceive to be the United States’ greatest challenges as a nation over the next decade?
I believe the greatest challenges the USA faces are lowing the national debt and course correcting interventionist foreign policy.[9]
If you are not a current representative, are there certain committees that you would want to be a part of?
Yes, I want to join the Committees on Oversight and Government Reform, and Foreign Policy.[9]
If you are a current representative, why did you join your current committees?
I am not a current representative.[9]
Do you believe that two years is the right term length for representatives?
Yes, I believe two years is a reasonable term for representatives.[9]
What are your thoughts on term limits?
I believe candidates should take term limits pledges.[9]
What process do you favor for redistricting?
I believe redistricting should be a local decision.[9]
If you are not currently a member of your party’s leadership in the U.S. House of Representatives, would you be interested in joining the leadership? If so, in what role?
Yes, I would be interested in a leadership role in my party.[9]
Is there a particular representative, past or present, whom you want to model yourself after?
I would model myself after Ron Paul.[9]
Both sitting representatives and candidates for office hear many personal stories from the residents of their district. Is there a story that you’ve heard that you found particularly touching, memorable, or impactful?
I've spoken with several veterans in my district who all regret going to war. Their stories are all heartbreaking.[9]

2017

The following issues were listed on McArdle's campaign website. For a full list of campaign themes, click here.

  • Washington & Special Interests: For years, your representatives have allowed powerful special interests to override the will of the people. Washington has continuously been bribed by wealthy organizations and put their agendas first. This produces unfair legislation that hurts the innovator, middle class, and the economy. I firmly believe that democracy shouldn’t be bought. If elected, I will always make the people my number one priority.
  • Foreign Policy: ’ll work to put an end to all wars of aggression; drastically reduce military spending; repeal The Patriot Act; cease all military actions that violate the Geneva Convention; promote free trade, and repeal the NDAA.
  • Economy: I’ll work to stimulate job growth for all Americans, provide realistic incentives for companies to keep jobs in the US, and scrutinize regulatory barriers that hinder job growth but do nothing to protect the health or wealth of the population. I”ll work to make free trade the friend of our small business communities.
  • Taxes: It is no secret that everyday Americans pay too much in federal taxes. That’s why I’m determined to cut wasteful government spending. My solution is simple. Let’s stop spending billions on unnecessary and ineffective governmental programs and wars of aggression abroad. I will vote against more American intervention in the Middle East and will not give one more cent for the NSA’s unconstitutional domestic spying programs.
  • Federal Spending: Federal spending is out of control. We don’t need to let Congress throw away more of our money. I’ll work to reduce our “war chest” budget, eliminate needless layers of bureaucracy, and hold our elected representatives accountable for voting on legislation that wastes tax payers’ money while perpetuating violent, military expansion.[9]
Angela McArdle's campaign website

Campaign finance summary


Note: The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may represent only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf. Satellite spending groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer. Campaign finance data from elections may be incomplete. For elections to federal offices, complete data can be found at the FEC website. Click here for more on federal campaign finance law and here for more on state campaign finance law.


Angela McArdle campaign contribution history
YearOfficeStatusContributionsExpenditures
2018U.S. House California District 34Lost primary$0 N/A**
Grand total$0 N/A**
Sources: OpenSecretsFederal Elections Commission ***This product uses the openFEC API but is not endorsed or certified by the Federal Election Commission (FEC).
** Data on expenditures is not available for this election cycle
Note: Totals above reflect only available data.

See also

External links

Footnotes


Senators
Representatives
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Ami Bera (D)
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Adam Gray (D)
District 14
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Ro Khanna (D)
District 18
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Jim Costa (D)
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Raul Ruiz (D)
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Judy Chu (D)
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Luz Rivas (D)
District 30
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Ted Lieu (D)
District 37
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Young Kim (R)
District 41
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Dave Min (D)
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Democratic Party (45)
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