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California's 50th Congressional District election, 2020 (March 3 top-two primary)

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California's 50th Congressional District
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Top-two primary
General election
Election details
Filing deadline: December 6, 2019
Primary: March 3, 2020
General: November 3, 2020
Pre-election incumbent:
Duncan Hunter (Republican)
How to vote
Poll times: 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Voting in California
Race ratings
Cook Political Report: Lean Republican
Inside Elections: Likely Republican
Sabato's Crystal Ball: Likely Republican
Ballotpedia analysis
U.S. Senate battlegrounds
U.S. House battlegrounds
Federal and state primary competitiveness
Ballotpedia's Election Analysis Hub, 2020
See also
California's 50th Congressional District
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California elections, 2020
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U.S. House elections, 2020


Ammar Campa-Najjar (D) and Darrell Issa (R) advanced from the March 3 top-two primary after third-place finisher Carl DeMaio (R) conceded the election on March 10, 2020.[1]

Duncan Hunter, who had represented the district since 2013, resigned Jan. 13, 2020, after pleading guilty to misusing campaign funds.[2]

Media coverage and endorsements focused on three Republicans and one Democrat: Ammar Campa-Najjar (D), Carl DeMaio (R), Darrell Issa (R), and Brian Jones (R).[3][4]

Only the top two vote-getters in the primary advanced to the November 3, 2020, general election. Going into the primary, one Democrat and one Republican had advanced from the top-two in every election since the state began using top-two primaries in 2012.

Issa and DeMaio criticized one another over their immigration stances and Trump-supporting credentials ahead of California's 50th District top-two primary. A DeMaio campaign ad claimed Issa was "the only Republican to support the witch hunt against Trump" and that Issa supported amnesty for people in the country illegally. The Issa campaign released ads saying DeMaio supported amnesty, open borders, and sanctuary cities and "opposes Trump's pro-life agenda." Jones said he had a history of representing communities in the 50th District and said neither Issa nor DeMaio were district residents.[5][6][7][8]

San Diego County Supervisor Jim Desmond and Former San Diego Mayor Roger Hedgecock endorsed Demaio. U.S. House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R) and Rep. Steve Scalise (R) endorsed Issa.[9][10] The California Republican Assembly, the San Diego Police Officers Association, and the Peace Officers Research Association of California endorsed Jones.[11][10][12]

Campa-Najjar said he "introduced sweeping bipartisan legislation to end government corruption and restore power to the American people." He was endorsed by Reps. Susan Davis (D), Eric Swalwell (D), and Adam Schiff (D).[9]

Also running in the primary were Jose Cortes (Peace and Freedom Party of California), Helen Horvath (I), Lucinda Jahn (I), Henry Ota (I), and Nathan Wilkins (R). Marisa Calderon (D) suspended her campaign on January 31, 2020, citing the need to support ill family members, but her name still appeared on the ballot.[13]

In the 2018 general election, Hunter (R) defeated Campa-Najjar (D) 52% to 48%. In 2016, Hunter defeated Patrick Malloy (D) 63.5% to 36.5%. The 2017 Cook Partisan Voter Index for this district was R+11, meaning that in the previous two presidential elections, this district's results were 11 percentage points more Republican than the national average.[14] At the time of the primary, all three major race rating outlets viewed the general as Safe/Solid Republican. Click here to learn more about what was at stake in the general election.

California's 50th Congressional District is located in the southern portion of the state and includes much of San Diego County and portions of Riverside County.[15]

Click on candidate names below to view their key messages:


Campa-Najjar
Cortes
DeMaio
Issa
Jones

Candidates and election results

Nonpartisan primary election

Nonpartisan primary for U.S. House California District 50

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
Image of Ammar Campa-Najjar
Ammar Campa-Najjar (D)
 
36.5
 
74,121
✔
Image of Darrell Issa
Darrell Issa (R)
 
23.1
 
47,036
Image of Carl DeMaio
Carl DeMaio (R)
 
19.9
 
40,347
Image of Brian Jones
Brian Jones (R)
 
10.6
 
21,495
Image of Marisa Calderon
Marisa Calderon (D) (Unofficially withdrew) Candidate Connection
 
5.7
 
11,557
Silhouette Placeholder Image.png
Submit photo
Nathan Wilkins (R)
 
2.1
 
4,276
Image of Jose Cortes
Jose Cortes (Peace and Freedom Party of California) Candidate Connection
 
0.9
 
1,821
Image of Helen Horvath
Helen Horvath (Independent) Candidate Connection
 
0.6
 
1,249
Silhouette Placeholder Image.png
Submit photo
Henry Ota (Independent)
 
0.4
 
908
Image of Lucinda Jahn
Lucinda Jahn (Independent) Candidate Connection
 
0.2
 
410

Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 203,220
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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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Note: Calderon suspended her campaign on January 31, 2020, but her name still appeared on the ballot.[13]

Candidate profiles

See also: Editorial approach to writing about key campaign messages

This section includes candidate profiles created in one of two ways. Either the candidate completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey or Ballotpedia staff created a profile after identifying the candidate as noteworthy.[16] Ballotpedia staff compiled profiles based on campaign websites, advertisements, and public statements.

Ammar Campa-Najjar

Image of Ammar Campa-Najjar

WebsiteFacebookTwitter

Party: Democratic Party

Incumbent: No

Political Office: None

Biography:  Campa-Najjar worked on Barack Obama's presidential re-election campaign, in the Executive Office of the President, at the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, and at the U.S. Department of Labor. He also founded ACN Strategies. Campa-Najjar graduated from San Diego State University.


Key Messages

The following key messages were curated by Ballotpedia staff. For more on how we identify key messages, click here.

Campa-Najjar's campaign website stated, "I’ll fight for real ethics and campaign finance reform – and I won’t take a dime of corporate PAC money."

Campa-Najjar said, "While extremists in Washington vote to take healthcare away from us, undermine Social Security and Medicare, and attack women’s rights, I’ll stand up for our families and work with members of both parties for common sense solutions."

Campa-Najjar's campaign website stated, "We need to make it easier for immigrant families to come to our country legally, improve our ports of entry to ease the flow of commerce, and modernize border security to combat human and drug trafficking more effectively."

Show sources

Sources: Ammar Campa-Najjar's 2020 campaign website, "Issues," accessed January 30, 2020; Ammar Campa-Najjar's 2020 campaign website, "Meet Ammar," accessed January 30, 2020

This information was current as of the candidate's run for U.S. House California District 50 in 2020.

Jose Cortes

Image of Jose Cortes

FacebookTwitter

Party: Peace and Freedom Party of California

Incumbent: No

Political Office: None

Submitted Biography:  "Jose was born and raised in the 50th. His father, an immigrant from Colombia, graduated from El Cajon High and his mother has been a teacher in the district for years at the same school where his sister now works. As he studied history in college, he began to think critically about U.S. foreign policy because of its destabilizing and destructive effects overseas, as well as the costs of settler-colonialism on this continent. He was working at a local charter school when the murder of Alfred Olango by the El Cajon PD and subsequent lack of accountability compelled him to take to the streets with other people from the neighborhood to demand justice and an end to police violence. Since then, he has become an organizer with the A.N.S.W.E.R. Coalition (Act Now to Stop War and End Racism) as well as the San Diego PSL (Party for Socialism and Liberation). He has been endorsed by the California Peace and Freedom Party, the socialist electoral party founded by veteran revolutionaries from the civil rights movement and anti-war protests of the 1960s. His professional experience includes work in the education and nonprofit sectors where he fought to close corporate tax loopholes to increase school and community funding, canvassed for affordable housing and advocated for protections to help renters and homeowners. Jose works a 40+ hr/week temp job and is running for office on evenings and weekends to represent workers- he is the true people's candidate. A better world is possible!"

Key Messages

To read this candidate's full survey responses, click here.

Housing, healthcare, education, and a job should be a Constitutional right.

The working class people of the United States want peace; end the wars and occupations, close U.S. military bases overseas, and bring the troops home!

The two-party system is failing; we need real alternatives to the corrupt corporate-backed parties.

This information was current as of the candidate's run for U.S. House California District 50 in 2020.

Carl DeMaio

Image of Carl DeMaio

WebsiteFacebookTwitterYouTube

Party: Republican Party

Incumbent: No

Political Office: 

San Diego City Council (2008-2012)

Biography:  DeMaio founded the Performance Institute and the American Strategic Management Institute. He sold both companies in 2007 and began hosting a talk radio show. He also founded Reform California, a grassroots political group. DeMaio received a bachelor's degree from Georgetown University.


Key Messages

The following key messages were curated by Ballotpedia staff. For more on how we identify key messages, click here.

DeMaio said, "Powerful interests want open borders no matter what the financial cost or security risk to our country." His campaign website stated, "We can end illegal immigration, which poses not only a significant financial cost on citizens, but creates a significant security risk for all Americans."

DeMaio said he would focus on reforming Congress "by forcing them to live under the same laws as the rest of us – no special exemptions."

DeMaio said Issa was "the only Republican to support the witch hunt against Trump" and compared Issa to Mitt Romney, the only Republican senator who voted to convict the president on the abuse of power article of impeachment.

Show sources

Sources: Carl DeMaio's 2020 campaign website, "Reform agenda," accessed January 30, 2020YouTube, "Darrell Issa, Mitt Romney: Lying to You, Betraying President Trump," accessed February 20, 2020; Carl DeMaio's 2020 campaign website, "Agenda," accessed January 30, 2020

This information was current as of the candidate's run for U.S. House California District 50 in 2020.

Darrell Issa

Image of Darrell Issa

WebsiteFacebookTwitter

Party: Republican Party

Incumbent: No

Political Office: 

U.S House of Representatives (2001-2019)

Biography:  Before his first election to Congress, Issa served in the U.S. Army and attained the rank of captain. He founded Directed Electronics Inc., and he helped organize several political efforts, including the campaign to recall former California Gov. Gray Davis. Issa received a bachelor's degree from Siena Heights University.


Key Messages

The following key messages were curated by Ballotpedia staff. For more on how we identify key messages, click here.

Issa stated, "My position on the border is simple: We must build the wall. We can’t keep our country safe if we don’t secure the border."

Issa highlighted his previous congressional experience, stating, "I’ve proven my ability to stand up to extremists. My work resulted in Eric Holder being held in contempt of Congress, Hillary Clinton being held accountable for the deaths of American diplomats and servicemen in Benghazi, and Barack Obama being held accountable for presiding over the Lois Lerner scandal."

Issa said DeMaio did not support President Donald Trump. An Issa campaign ad said DeMaio supported amnesty, open borders, and sanctuary cities. Another ad said DeMaio "opposes Trump's pro-life agenda."

Show sources

Sources: Darrell Issa's 2020 campaign website, "Issues," accessed January 30, 2020YouTube, "Issa 30TV Ellie's Ad YouTube," accessed February 20, 2020YouTube, "Issa 30TV Sanctuary YouTube," accessed February 20, 2020; Darrell Issa's 2020 campaign website, "About," accessed January 30, 2020

This information was current as of the candidate's run for U.S. House California District 50 in 2020.

Brian Jones

Image of Brian Jones

WebsiteFacebookTwitterYouTube

Party: Republican Party

Incumbent: No

Political Office: 

California State Senate (Assumed office: 2018), California State Assembly (2010-2016), Santee City Council (2002-2010)

Biography:  Before serving in the California state Senate, Jones spent six years in the California state assembly and eight years on the Santee City Council. He received a bachelor's degree from San Diego State University in business administration.


Key Messages

The following key messages were curated by Ballotpedia staff. For more on how we identify key messages, click here.

Jones said he had a history of representing communities in the 50th District. He also said, "I live in the district. Darrell and Carl do not live in the district," arguing that his residency set him apart from DeMaio and Issa.

Jones stated, "My 100% Pro-Life voting record demonstrates my commitment to defending life at every stage. I fought legislation requiring public universities to provide the abortion pill at student health clinics, and I stood up against efforts that put women’s lives at risk by expanding access to unsafe abortion practices."

Jones' campaign website stated, "A strong country has strong borders, pure and simple. We should build the wall. No one needs to tell us in Southern California about whether border security works."

Show sources

Sources: Brian Jones's 2020 campaign website, "Issues," accessed January 21, 2020KUSI News, "Senator Brian Jones on Rep. Hunter’s guilty plea and 50th district race," accessed January 31, 2020; Brian Jones's 2020 campaign website, "About Brian," accessed January 21, 2020

This information was current as of the candidate's run for U.S. House California District 50 in 2020.


Endorsements

This section lists endorsements issued in this election. If you are aware of endorsements that should be included, please email us.


Top-two primary endorsements
Endorsement Democratic Party Campa-Najjar Republican Party DeMaio Republican Party Issa Republican Party Jones
Newspapers and editorials
The San Diego Union-Tribune[17] ✔ ✔
The Community Paper[18]
Elected officials
U.S. Sen. Tim Scott (R)[10] ✔
U.S. House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R)[10] ✔
U.S. House Minority Whip Steve Scalise (R)[10] ✔
Rep. Susan Davis (D)[9] ✔
Rep. Scott Peters (D)[9] ✔
Rep. Juan Vargas (D)[9] ✔
Rep. Mike Levin (D)[9] ✔
Rep. Jared Huffman (D)[9] ✔
Rep. Barbara Lee (D)[9] ✔
Rep. Eric Swalwell (D)[9] ✔
Rep. Katie Hill (D)[9] ✔
Rep. Tony Cardenas (D)[9] ✔
Rep. Katie Porter (D)[9] ✔
Rep. Adam Schiff (D)[9] ✔
Rep. Ken Calvert (R)[10] ✔
Rep. Devin Nunes (R)[10] ✔
Rep. Tom McClintock (R)[10] ✔
Rep. Paul Cook (R)[10] ✔
Rep. Doug LaMalfa (R)[10] ✔
Rep. Mark Meadows (R)[10] ✔
Rep. Jim Jordan (R)[10] ✔
California State Senate Republican Leader Shannon Grove (R)[12] ✔
California State Assemblyman Randy Voepel (R)[12] ✔
California State Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez-Fletcher (D)[9] ✔
California State Controller Betty Yee (D)[9] ✔
San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer[10] ✔
Temecula Mayor Mike Naggar[10] ✔
El Cajon Mayor Bill Wells[10] ✔
San Marcos Mayor Rebecca Jones[12] ✔
La Mesa Mayor Mark Arapostathis[12] ✔
Santee Mayor John Minto[12] ✔
Escondido Mayor Paul McNamara[9] ✔
Lemon Grove Mayor Raquel Vasquez[9] ✔
San Diego County Supervisor Jim Desmond[11] ✔
San Diego County Supervisor Dianne Jacob[10] ✔
San Diego County Board Supervisor Nathan Fletcher[9] ✔
Riverside County Supervisor Kevin Jeffries[12] ✔
San Diego Councilwoman Georgette Gomez
Temecula Councilman Matt Rahn[10] ✔
Santee Councilwoman Laura Koval[12] ✔
Santee Councilman Ronn Hall[12] ✔
Santee Councilman Rob McNelis[12] ✔
El Cajon Councilman Steve Goble[12] ✔
El Cajon Councilman Phil Ortiz[12] ✔
El Cajon Councilman Gary Kendrick[12] ✔
Poway Councilwoman Caylin Frank[12] ✔
Lemon Grove Councilman Jerry Jones[12] ✔
La Mesa Councilman Bill Baber[12] ✔
La Mesa Councilwoman Kristen Allesio[9] ✔
La Mesa Councilmember Colin Parent[9] ✔
San Marcos Councilmember Randy Walton[9] ✔
San Marcos Councilwoman Maria Nuñez[9] ✔
Escondido Councilwoman Consuelo Martinez[9] ✔
Lakeside Water District President Steve Johnson[12] ✔
Lakeside Water District Director Frank Hilliker[12] ✔
Padre Dam Municipal Water District Director Bill Pommering[12] ✔
Lakeside Fire Protection District Director Mark Baker[12] ✔
Grossmont Healthcare District Director Virginia Hall[12] ✔
Grossmont Healthcare District Director Michael Emerson[12] ✔
Grossmont Healthcare District Director Randy Lenac[12] ✔
Grossmont Healthcare District Director Bob Ayres[12] ✔
Alpine Fire Protection District Board Member Barry Willis[12] ✔
Helix Water District Board Member Kathleen Coates-Hedberg[12] ✔
Otay Water District Board Member Mark Robak[12] ✔
Helix Water District Board Member DeAna Verbeke[12] ✔
Padre Dam Municipal Water District Board Member Augie Caires[12] ✔
San Dieguito Union High School District Vice President Mo Muir[12] ✔
Lakeside Union School District Board Member Andrew Hayes[12] ✔
Grossmont Union High School District Board Member Rob Shield[12] ✔
Alpine Union School District Board Member Eric Wray[12] ✔
Cajon Valley Union School District Board Member Jim Miller[12] ✔
Cajon Valley Union School District Board Member Jo Alegria[12] ✔
Individuals
Former U.S. Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich[10] ✔
Former California Governor Pete Wilson[10] ✔
Former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee[10] ✔
Faith and Freedom Coalition Chairman Ralph Reed[10] ✔
Former California state Senator Jeff Stone[12] ✔
Former California state Senator Joel Anderson[12] ✔
Former San Diego Mayor Roger Hedgecock[19] ✔
Former Escondido Mayor Sam Abed[10] ✔
Former Encinitas Deputy Mayor Mark Muir[12] ✔
Former San Diego Councilman Jim Madaffer[12] ✔
Former La Mesa Councilman Dave Allan[12] ✔
Former Secretary of the Navy John Dalton[9] ✔
Former Master Sgt. SEAL Larry Wilske[10] ✔
Bestselling Author Ken Blanchard[12] ✔
Concerned Women of America Founder Beverly LaHaye[12] ✔
Foothills Christian Church Administrative Pastor Kevin Miller[12] ✔
Skyline-Seven Church Pastor Jeremy McGarity[12] ✔
Lifeline Church of Temecula Valley Pastor Harold Forbis[12] ✔
Pastor Bob Phillippi[12] ✔
Meridian Baptist Church Pastor Rolland Slade[12] ✔
Calvary Chapel of Santee Senior Pastor Gary Lawton[12] ✔
Salt & Light Council President Dran Reese[12] ✔
Sonrise Community Church Senior Pastor Mike Emery[12] ✔
Sonrise Community Church Founding Pastor Tony Foglio[12] ✔
Santee Business Owner and Community Leader Dustin Trotter[12] ✔
Organizations
Democracy for America[9] ✔
California League of Conservation Voters[9] ✔
End Citizens United[9] ✔
California Donor Roundtable[9] ✔
Equality California[9] ✔
The Sierra Club[9] ✔
Riverside GOP[10] ✔
Riverside Sheriff's Association[10] ✔
California Republican Assembly[12] ✔
Deputy Sheriffs' Association of San Diego County[12] ✔
San Diego Police Officers Association[12] ✔
El Cajon Police Officers Association[12] ✔
Peace Officers Research Association of California[12] ✔
San Diego Off-Road Coalition[12] ✔
UA Local 230[9] ✔
Laborers' International Union of North America Local 89[9] ✔
Service Employees International Union[9] ✔
California State Association of Letter Carriers[9] ✔
International Longshore and Warehouse Union[9] ✔
San Marcos Democratic Club[9] ✔
Escondido Democratic Club[9] ✔
Escondido Young Democrats[9] ✔
Fallbrook Democratic Club[9] ✔
Temecula Valley Democratic Club[9] ✔
East County Democratic Club[9] ✔
U-City Democratic Club[9] ✔
San Diego Women’s Democratic Club[9] ✔
San Diego County Young Democrats[9] ✔
Martin Luther King Jr. Democratic Club[9] ✔
Veterans Democratic Club of San Diego[9] ✔
San Diego Progressive Democratic Club[9] ✔


Timeline

  • February 21, 2020: Six candidates, including Campa-Najjar, DeMaio, Issa, and Jones, participated in a a debate hosted by the Greater San Diego Association of Realtors and the San Diego MLS.
  • February 14, 2020:
    • Six candidates, including Campa-Najjar, DeMaio, Issa, and Jones, participated in a debate hosted by the Greater San Diego Association of Realtors.
    • The San Diego Union-Tribune's editorial board endorsed Campa-Najjar and Jones in the primary.[17]
  • February 10, 2020: Campa-Najjar released his first television ad titled, "Son of East County."
  • February 7, 2020: Campa-Najjar, DeMaio, Issa, and Jones attended a forum hosted by the Valley Center Business Association.
  • February 7, 2020: Campa-Najjar, DeMaio, Issa, and Jones attended a forum hosted by the Valley Center Business Association.
  • January 30, 2020: Issa released a campaign ad titled, "Wall."
  • January 22, 2020: DeMaio released a negative ad against Issa titled, "Darrell Issa: Just Another Snake Oil Salesman."
  • December 6, 2019: The filing deadline passed for District 50 candidates. Ten candidates filed to run in the top-two primary.

Campaign themes

See also: Campaign themes

The following campaign themes and policy positions were listed on the candidates' campaign websites in January 2020, if available.

Democratic Party Marisa Calderon

“

Our community and country are at a crossroads. Housing costs are increasingly unaffordable, making it difficult to find an affordable place to rent, and even more difficult to save enough to purchase a home. The partisan rhetoric on immigration reform focuses ever more on divisive politics with no end in sight for the millions of undocumented immigrants who have been working and contributing to their community for a decade or more.

I’m running because it’s time for a Congress that reflects the changing electorate, that has representatives who are ready with solutions to create affordable housing, solve our immigration crisis, and create opportunities for all Americans to achieve their American Dream. We need more affordable housing, immigration reform that doesn’t put children in cages, healthcare that doesn’t bankrupt families, and communities that are free of gun violence.

I will bring unique expertise to Congress as a leading national advocate for housing and immigration reform – and an underrepresented perspective through my Mexican immigrant heritage. I’m not a career candidate or a wealthy political insider. I’m running to bring my experience working effectively “outside the system” on behalf of working families to Congress.

THE ISSUES

Affordable Housing

At a time when housing affordability has reached crisis levels in Southern California, no candidate is better equipped to turn her extensive professional expertise into increased opportunities for San Diego’s working families.

Immigration

Both of Marisa's grandfathers lived their American Dream when they immigrated to California from Mexico as part of the Bracero farm-labor program. And as a business professional and thought leader, Marisa has traveled the country addressing the moral and economic imperatives for immigration reform. That's why in Congress she'll fight to protect our DREAMers, fix our broken immigration system, and help every hardworking family achieve their American Dream.

Economic Opportunity

As a business leader and mother, Marisa is focused on pocketbook issues. In addition to allowing for an economy that employs more workers and raises wages, Marisa is passionate about allowing families to prosper, which includes ensuring their Social Security and Medicare are protected, and that they never go bankrupt due to healthcare costs.

Healthcare

Marisa understands how rising costs of prescription drugs, deductibles, and surprise medical bills are putting the squeeze on working families. Our leaders need to act — and that is what Marisa will do in Congress. She is committed to expanding affordable, accessible healthcare to all of Southern California's working families, and will work to lower costs for those with insurance, and expand affordable insurance to Californians without coverage.

Protecting Our Environment

Marisa’s community organizing experience includes working with groups such as the Wilderness Society, the Sierra Club, and the California Wilderness Coalition to pass an important revision to the California Desert Protection Act.

Servicemembers & Veterans

Marisa’s parents both served lifelong careers in the Air Force, raising Marisa to appreciate the value of hard work and service from an early age. With a sister and niece currently in the service, Marisa maintains strong ties to the region’s military and veteran communities and understands the distinct issues facing servicemembers and their families. [20]

”
—Marisa Calderon's 2020 campaign website[21]


Democratic Party Ammar Campa-Najjar

“

PRE-SCHOOL, CHILDCARE AND EARLY EDUCATION

The single most impactful investment we can make to strengthen our middle-class economy and way of life is in our children. As a child, my mother couldn't afford childcare but thankfully my grandmother was able to watch over me. During my service in the US Department of Labor, we promoted affordable, high-quality childcare for working mothers and single parents. We also supported expanded family leave because a parent should never have to choose between their job and newborn child. Studies show that 85 percent of brain development occurs within the first three years of a child’s life. That's why I support investing in proven programs such as prenatal and developmental screenings and post-natal family nurse visits. We should invest in universal preschool, so that every child has a head start to succeed in kindergarten. Investing in our children should be an end in itself, but it also has a broader community impact: students who participate in early education programs end up relying less on government assistance, have fewer altercations with the criminal justice system, are high academic achievers, and go on to lead successful careers.

With the common core curriculum standards in place now, kindergarten classrooms are more like the first-grade classrooms of the past. Children are expected to be reading by the end of their kindergarten year. This gives preschool educated children a huge advantage in the classroom over their non-preschool educated peers. The likelihood of being school ready is 9 percentage points higher for children attending preschool.

From a family perspective, universal preschool provides a lifeline for struggling families who often rely on both parents to work extra jobs solely for the purpose of paying for childcare. Providing quality preschool education to children ages 3-5 can eliminate the need for expensive private childcare and put that money back into the pockets of American moms and dads.

How do we invest in our children without raising taxes on middle-class families? First, By asking individuals who are worth more than $50 million to pay 2 cents for every dollar exceeding $50 million and 3 cents for every dollar exceeding $1 billion toward funding childhood development programs. This plan would only impact the 75,000 wealthiest families in America and raise $2.75 trillion dollars over the next 10 years.

Second, I would eliminate the excessive tax loopholes for multinational corporations that have doubled over the past 40 years. Under President Ronald Reagan, tax loopholes were at $800 billion and now they're at $1.6 trillion.

Thirdly, I would tax stock trades. This would raise and estimated $800 billion over the next decade.

Lastly, I would cut down on the excessive fraud waste and abuse that exists in our federal government by streamlining and modernizing our government through the use of technology.

JOBS AND INFRASTRUCTURE Among District 50’s top challenges are economic growth and income inequality. Instead of excessive government spending on corporate subsidies and tax cuts that aren’t reinvested in American workers, Congress should invest in millions of American workers to help working families punch their ticket to the middle class.

The unemployment rate of CA50 is 8 percent, over double the rate of San Diego county. 1 in 3 children in El Cajon are in poverty, and over 6,000 children go to bed hungry each night. I’ve seen firsthand how lives and families are hurt when we put special interests ahead of the American worker. I know that our rural and suburban communities need a seat at the table when it comes to new workforce programs. As congressman, I will be your voice. I will do everything I can to bring quality job opportunities to California’s 50th.

FEDERAL APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM

There are 7 million job vacancies in America, including 360,000 in manufacturing, 200,000 in construction and millions more in advanced manufacturing, construction, renewable energy, healthcare, education, financial services/business, hospitality, telecommunication, IT/cyber security, transportation and other high growth sectors. We can fill these vacancies by investing in childcare and innovative programs like “Registered Apprenticeships” — an earn-while-you-learn program that connects job seekers with employers who are in search of skilled workers.

While working at the US Department of Labor, I found that the average registered apprentice earns $70,000 a year — double the median individual income in America. Apprenticeships have employed half-a-million workers who are ready to learn and earn on their first day on the job. That gives apprentices the financial freedom to pursue either higher education or higher positions in their industries.

Do the math: 7 million job vacancies x $70k salaries [equals] $490 billion added to our nation’s economy each year. That’s more consumer spending in local businesses, and billions of dollars in tax revenue to preserve Medicare and social security. All without raising any taxes.

How do we pay for it? Employers are willing to pay good money for skilled workers. For every $1 employers invest in apprenticeships, they average a $1.47 return on investment in productivity, front line innovation, and reduced error, time, and waste.

All we need to do is promote vocational training through community colleges, trade school, and unions.

By investing billions into this program instead of other vanity projects like a wall we don’t need, we can give every American the dignity of a good paying job that would end welfare as we know it.

OTHER JOB TRAINING

If elected, I'll work with unions and colleges on legislation that brings job training programs to our district in traditional sectors, as well as in high growth-sectors including advanced manufacturing, construction, renewable energy, healthcare, education, financial services/business, hospitality, telecommunication, IT/cyber security, transportation and other high growth sectors. Federal investment must also target communities with the highest unemployment rates and increase training for low-paying industries such as home health care, hospital care, child care, cleaning and other service work.

UNIONS AND FAIR WAGES

I will continue to support collective bargaining and a seat at the table for America’s unions that play such a vital role in protecting the American worker. I support prevailing wages for all government contracts, as well as grants, small business tax breaks and other investments to pull more workers out of poverty. I support gender equity in wages and access to paid sick leave for all workers.

TRADE

I opposed the Trans-Pacific Partnership and support adjustments to NAFTA that redress its deficiencies for workers in both developed and developing countries. I pledge to support trade agreements that advance domestic manufacturing and enforce equitable labor and environmental protections. I will also work to expand federal investment in training and services for workers displaced by unfair trade agreements, such as the Trade Adjustment Assistance program that I helped to further while working at the US Department of Labor.

INFRASTRUCTURE I commit to work to bring federal infrastructure projects to our district and region. We must modernize our utility pathways and grid lines to increase their efficiency and reduce hazards as average temperatures continue to rise. Improving our mass transit, airports, roads, bridges and tunnels will not only create good jobs, it will also facilitate and enhance both commerce and workers’ access to employment.

DEFEND AND STRENGTHEN PUBLIC EDUCATION

There are two facts about our education system you need to know up-front. First, 94% of teachers paying for supplies out of their own pocket while making 11% less than other similarly educated professionals. Teachers help raise our children 9 hours a day, we need to pay them their value.

Also, 80% of students attend our public schools. We need to make sure our Nation's public learning institutions are properly funded.

I’m a product of the public school system. I have attended Eastlake High school, Southwestern College, Grossmont College and San Diego State University. I found my lifelong mentors attending public schools. There are so many bright students out there waiting to be discovered. That's why I’ll prioritize investing in high-quality education that sets our children up for social success, financial independence and meaningful careers.

Below are my education proposals from cradle to career.

PRE-SCHOOL, CHILDCARE AND EARLY EDUCATION

The single most impactful investment we can make to strengthen our middle-class economy and way of life is in our children. As a child, my mother couldn't afford childcare but thankfully my grandmother was able to watch over me. During my service in the US Department of Labor, we promoted affordable, high-quality childcare for working mothers and single parents. We also supported expanded family leave because a parent should never have to choose between their job and newborn child. Studies show that 85 percent of brain development occurs within the first three years of a child’s life. That's why I support investing in proven programs such as prenatal and developmental screenings and post-natal family nurse visits. We should invest in universal preschool, so that every child has a head start to succeed in kindergarten. Investing in our children should be an end in itself, but it also has a broader community impact: students who participate in early education programs end up relying less on government assistance, have fewer altercations with the criminal justice system, are high academic achievers, and go on to lead successful careers.

With the common core curriculum standards in place now, kindergarten classrooms are more like the first-grade classrooms of the past. Children are expected to be reading by the end of their kindergarten year. This gives preschool educated children a huge advantage in the classroom over their non-preschool educated peers. The likelihood of being school ready is 9 percentage points higher for children attending preschool.

From a family perspective, universal preschool provides a lifeline for struggling families who often rely on both parents to work extra jobs solely for the purpose of paying for childcare. Providing quality preschool education to children ages 3-5 can eliminate the need for expensive private childcare and put that money back into the pockets of American moms and dads. How do we invest in our children without raising taxes on middle-class families? First, By asking individuals who are worth more than $50 million to pay 2 cents for every dollar exceeding $50 million and 3 cents for every dollar exceeding $1 billion toward funding childhood development programs. This plan would only impact the 75,000 wealthiest families in America and raise $2.75 trillion dollars over the next 10 years.

Second, I would eliminate the excessive tax loopholes for multinational corporations that have doubled over the past 40 years. Under President Ronald Reagan, tax loopholes were at $800 billion and now they're at $1.6 trillion.

Thirdly, I would tax stock trades. This would raise and estimated $800 billion over the next decade.

Lastly, I would cut down on the excessive fraud waste and abuse that exists in our federal government by streamlining and modernizing our government through the use of technology.

STRONG PUBLIC SCHOOLS

I believe public funds should go to public education, especially when over 80% of students attend public schools. I also believe parents should be allowed to explore other choices to meet their children’s unique needs and talents. For example, many parents in our district homeschool their children entirely out of their own pocket. And even though they pay taxes, no public funding goes toward their children’s education.

With respect to charter schools in California, the original intent was to improve student learning while encouraging the use of different and innovative teaching methods and creating new professional opportunities for educators. It was important that charter schools were developed at the local site level and with the full participation of all “stakeholders,” including educators, school board members, parents, guardians and other members of the community. These “laboratories of innovation” were meant to try new pedagogical approaches on a small scale.

Unfortunately, as charter schools expanded in California many departed from this original vision. Increasingly, charter schools are operated by large charter management organizations (CMOs). This means important decisions are frequently made without sufficient oversight and far from the school communities they are meant to serve.

Now, there is a movement to change this and return to the original vision. Charter school educators, parents, students and community members are standing up to make sure charter schools are accountable to our communities.

A moratorium on expanding large-scale charter schools should be instituted until:

  • Charter schools are subject to the same transparency and accountability standards as public schools.
  • public funds are not diverted to charter schools at the expense of the public school system.
  • Charter schools cease expelling students that public schools have a duty to educate.
  • Charter schools cease to perpetuate de facto segregation of the highest-performing children from those whose aspirations may be high but whose talents are not yet as obvious.

Once elected, I will protect public schools. It’s crucial to the success of our future generations that parents are deeply involved in their children’s education and the schools they attend but placing this heavy burden solely on parental shoulders is a mistake for our nation which all but guarantees inequity in educational opportunities. The idea that only children with devoted parents with educations themselves and ample family time would succeed is unpatriotic.

AMERICA’S COMMUNITY COLLEGE PROMISE PROGRAM

During my time at the Department of Labor, I worked on promoting tuition-free community college. Inspired by President Obama’s America’s College Promise plan to make two years of community college free for responsible students, America’s Promise grants are designed to accelerate the development and expansion of regional workforce partnerships committed to providing a pipeline of skilled workers in specific sectors.

As a result, in communities all across America, a new promise is being made. High School students that reach their full potential and meet clear objectives are able to attend two year community college programs free of charge. These programs are popular and already setting new standards of excellence in the communities they serve.

Take for example the city of San Marcos, here in our district. San Marcos instituted the “Palomar Promise” program in the fall of 2017 in conjunction with Palomar College. Eligible San Marcos High School students can receive two years of college courses towards their Associate’s Degree, tuition-free. Similar statewide programs have been a major success. The “Tennessee Promise,” has been successful in every way imagined - better student retention, higher overall college enrollment, higher full-time college enrollment and better success rates in general.

Community Colleges and trade schools are the backbone of our higher education system. If elected, I would go to Washington D.C. with the purpose of advocating to secure more funding for our district’s community colleges.

MAKING UNIVERSITIES AFFORDABLE

Universities are laboratories of innovation and forward thinking, no community is complete without one. We are fortunate to have California State University San Marcos in our district.

I believe we should restore America’s basic bargain: If you take responsibility, America will give you opportunity. We cannot spend money we don't have and leave the next generation with soul crushing national and personal debt. But we can provide the opportunity of debt-free college for those who need it, if they’re willing to take responsibility and earn it through merit. In America, it’s your decisions rather than your conditions that should determine your future. We should reward students who are working hard in school, but whose families lack the financial means to support their higher education. For debt-free college to work, students and the wealthiest among us must fulfill their responsibilities to each other. This means asking America’s wealthiest families — those who pay zero in taxes by holding offshore accounts — to pay their fair share to the very country that made their success possible.

With the idea of opportunity for all and responsibility from all in mind, here are a few ways we can make debt-free college a responsible reality:

  • Eliminate $17 billion wealthy tax loophole called "Stepped-Up Basis.” By cutting this loophole that is skewed toward the wealthy, we could put every qualified student in community college for free, cut the cost of 4 year college in half, and reduce the deficit by $11 billion dollars.
  • Promote alternatives to 4 year college. Let's start off with the honest truth: College isn't for everyone. Very often, students go straight to college without having the desire to. I believe we should expand choices for recent high school students through trade school, partnering with Grossmont, Palomar and Cuyamaca community colleges to provide high quality apprenticeship earn-and-learn job training (also referred to as "college without the debt") that pays an average of $70,000 a year, and other career pathways.

By diversifying career pathways, we save time and money for individuals who later on find out that college wasn’t their preference, we eliminate so-called “free-riders,” and free up funding for students who plan on completing their university education. If we can expose our youth to different pathways of higher learning, we’ll be able to reduce wasteful spending and make college more affordable for those truly seek it.

  • Move federal funding that is no longer being spent on workers and personnel (due to automation) toward debt-free college.

As automation begins to displace workers throughout entire industries, including our federal government, I would urge my colleagues in Congress to restructure our federal budget to make unprecedented investments in free college and on-the-job apprenticeship training so people can continue to work and retire with dignity. For example, as evidenced by an agency of the United States Department of Defense responsible for the development of emerging technologies for use by the military known as DARPA, military personnel will soon be replaced by automation at an alarming rate.

While we will always need and honor our men and women in uniform, the automation of our military will decrease the number of vacancies in many military occupations. As a result, recent high school graduates who once opted to join the military because they couldn’t afford college will no longer have that option. It will become imperative to re-appropriate some of our defense spending as it pertains to recruiting, training, housing, feeding and deploying military personnel toward debt-free college for students who would’ve otherwise joined the military had vacancies been available.

The military will still need engineers and coders to design these automated elements of our military, so we must invest in education and automated military workforce training to meet these demands. This same scenario will apply to various agencies and departments within the federal government.

Once elected, I will explore every item in our federal spending that presents the same challenges and opportunities in order to make debt-free college possible without raising middle class taxes.

COLLEGE STUDENT LOAN DEBT

Student debt has become a 1.3 trillion dollar problem. Student debt has crippled an entire generation of Americans. If this issue goes unresolved, today’s generation of Americans may be the first to be left off worse than their parents.

Our nation was founded upon the values of equality for all Americans. Education as a public good has sustained our country through periods of prosperity and growth as well as periods of recession. But saddling our young people with debt that takes a lifetime to pay off is unfair and a contract no one should be forced to sign.

I believe we should forgive student debt for those who devote time out of college toward public service of their choice. Like the GI Bill, we should institute a Civilian Bill, where service, hard work, and responsibility is rewarded through debt free education.

OTHER EDUCATION PRIORITIES

  • Fully Fund the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). When Congress passed IDEA, they promised to cover 40% of the extra cost of special education. In other words, they would pay for nearly half of the additional cost required to educate students with disabilities (when compared to the cost per student without disabilities). Unfortunately, Congress has never come close to fulfilling that promise. The number of students with disabilities served under IDEA has increased by 25 percent in the past two decades. Yet, the IDEA state grant program was only funded at around $12 billion in 2017. The federal government is only covering 14.6% of the additional cost.
  • Support High Quality Teachers. We need to attract, not attack teachers as the current Administration has. I'm a proud supporter of teacher unions, and am proud to have their support. The only way to guarantee a good education for our children is to make sure our teachers have the security and dignity of a good-paying job. The best way to attract quality educators for our children is by providing teachers with quality pay and a good retirement plan.

Shortages of teachers caused by district instability, difficult working conditions and low pay have enabled thousands of teachers with just five weeks of summer training (and sometimes as few as 30 hours) to enter the classrooms of primarily poor children during the past 10 years. All children need teachers who have who have extensive training in classroom management and developing and delivering curriculum.

  • Equitable School Finance. Poverty and school finance do matter in schools, especially for immigrant students. Equitably funded schools ensure, as the U.S. Department of Education has said, that a “child’s critical opportunities are not a function of his or her ZIP code.”
  • Local Accountability. Top-down accountability policies inspired by George W. Bush’s No Child Left Behind law did not deliver on their goal to make all students academically proficient by 2014. Why? Because we need an accountability system that doesn’t stigmatize schools for students who score poorly on only one measure of success—high-stakes tests.
  • Arts and Other Extracurricular. National polls of parents show that one of the top three priorities for schools is funding for arts and other extracurricular activities. The past two decades of testing and accountability policies have caused a neglect of these programs.
  • Class size. Research solidly supports claims that smaller class sizes provide student success benefits for children. Additionally, parents I have spoken with are less likely to seek other school choices when their children’s class size remains 24 students or less.
  • Ending the School to Prison Pipeline. Schools in the United States are sending droves of young black and brown students into the school-to-prison pipeline via harsh discipline policies. Educators must utilize innovative and restorative disciplinary approaches to stem this trend.
  • After school and summer programs. I'm a big believer in after school programs, summer learning programs, and summer jobs programs for at-risk youth which I worked on with the White House. California now serves over half a million children in low income communities each day through after school programs. These programs are closing the opportunity gap, that's why we should extend them throughout the year, by investing in summer programs.
  • STEAM and Workforce Development programs. I was the lead on Public Affairs for the Employment and Training Administration for the US Department of Labor where we worked closely with school, agencies, companies and organizations to make sure we were retraining and retooling our workforce for the jobs of today. I believe we need an education renaissance and that means investing in Science, Tech, Engineering, the Arts, and Math (STEAM). For more on my comprehensive jobs program, please visit my jobs platform.

JOBS AND SMALL BUSINESS

As a business owner myself and a former executive director for a nation chamber of commerce, I understand the burdens small businesses face. That’s why one my top small business priorities is to eliminate the barrier entrepreneurs face trying to afford healthcare for themselves and employers.

One major barrier entrepreneurs face when trying to start and scale their small business is the cost of healthcare for themselves and employees. Click here to read my Healthcare Reform platform.

I’ll work to provide small businesses access to credit, capital and contracts to compete against big business.

By providing more tax cuts, federal and supply chain contracts with major companies, we can help small businesses flourish in CA50. Small businesses create 2/3 new American jobs, helping small businesses thrive is the best way to stimulate local economies throughout our district.

INVESTING IN SMALL BUSINESS

Small businesses are the lifeblood of our American economy and way of life, creating two-thirds of all new jobs. To keep the economy roaring and jobs growing, we have to invest in actual job creators.

In congress, I’ll help local businesses gain more access to credit, capital, and compete for contracts both through the SBA and industry supply chains.

ENDING CORPORATE WELFARE

We can create a 21st century economy that works for everyone. But first, we need to end the most burdensome and expensive welfare program in the United States: Corporate welfare.

Today, hundreds of billions of middle class taxpayer dollars are going to big corporations, like unaccountable pharmaceutical companies that jack-up prices for live-saving prescription drugs. Middle class taxes are being spent by big corporations to ship jobs abroad, replace American workers with automation, and provide an advantage over small local business owners struggling to compete in a global economy.

Rather than these massive corporate giveaways, I’ll push to provide tax breaks and invest in small businesses to create more jobs, spur homegrown innovation, and increase local consumer confidence that allows economic activity to circulate throughout our district.

CA50’S UNIQUE BUSINESS ADVANTAGES

District 50 has a unique advantage to attract businesses — both big and small — to our rural and suburban areas alike. Research shows IT companies are saving costs by relocating to rural areas with lower costs of living and higher employee retention. When elected, I will work with high tech companies such as Space X to bring high paying jobs in the manufacturing sector to our district.

The 50th is also home to 14 reservations, all of which are tax exempt. Rather than watch good jobs go to Nevada, Arizona and Texas due to more business friendly tax codes, the 50th should compete and bring jobs to our skilled middle class and to our most impoverished rural and Native American neighbors. In my discussions with tribal leaders, the idea of attracting industry to their lands to create more jobs for their population and surrounding communities is welcomed. CA50 is open for business!

NATIONAL DEBT

When individual Americans live beyond their means, they go bankrupt. When our government spends more than it raises in tax revenue, we pass on the debt to the next generation to pay.

The current administration has contributed over $2 trillion to our national debt, but both parties are guilty for the $22 trillion national debt that my generation will be burdened with. Ultimately, my generation will have to pay off this debt, either by losing our earned benefits like Social Security and Medicare, or by digging a deeper hole for the next generation by borrowing more from foreign lenders, financial institutions and corrupt companies to fund our government.

This is reckless and unsustainable. To fix this, we need to make large long-term spending cuts and short term investments in economic growth to pay down our national debt. That’s why I’ll vote to:‍

  • Eliminate the government fraud, waste and abuse by cutting bureaucracy, modernizing and streamlining government agencies, and eliminate tax subsidies for corporations outsourcing jobs abroad.
  • Make sure billionaires and multi-national companies like Amazon that pay zero in taxes pay their fair share to the very country that made their success possible.
  • Repeal the costly $2 trillion tax plan that has mainly (84%) benefited the top 1%, added $1 trillion to our national debt, and unfairly eliminated state and local tax deductions (SALT) for working families who rely on annual tax refunds to get by.
  • Scaling back the $1.6 trillion in tax loopholes to the $800 billion that existed under Reagan. We can do so by eliminating incentives for US companies that outsource jobs overseas while rewarding those who bring jobs back to our shores.
  • Use tax revenue freed up by cracking down on unemployment fraud, cutting government waste, and relocating some of existing welfare programs to invest in trade school and vocational training to fill 7 million job vacancies with skilled workers. Adding 7 million workers into our economy will provide billions more in tax revenue to help pay down our national debt.

UNIVERSAL HEALTHCARE

Healthcare isn’t a political issue, but a matter of life and death. Most of us will enter and leave this world through the hands of healthcare professionals.

Regardless of whether you're Republican, Independent, or Democrat: I don’t care about your personal politics, I care about your personal health.

‍As congressman, my top priority will be to encourage competition, patient choice, and innovation to lower healthcare costs and improve the quality of service for every family and small business owner in my district.

I once asked a single mother from my district what keeps her up at night. Her answer: “I’m an illness away from losing my home.” Nobody should ever have to choose between paying their mortgage and their medical bills. I believe healthcare is a right, not a privilege for a few.

The U.S. is the only developed nation on earth that doesn’t ensure all of its citizens have access to healthcare. With 18% of our economy going to healthcare every year, the U.S. pays twice as much — $3.5 trillion dollars — as any other country. On top of that, our healthcare results are abysmal, un-American, and unpatriotic.

I’m running because for damn sake, if you’re sick you should be able to see a doctor. If you need medicine, you should be able to afford what your doctor prescribes you.No more half steps, no more splitting pills. We need to fully solve healthcare in America once and for all.

In congress, I’ll stand up to pharmaceutical companies, rein in the high cost of healthcare and prescription drugs, and protect people with pre-existing conditions and allow children to stay on their parents healthcare plan.

PROTECT PRE-EXISTING CONDITIONS Before the Affordable Care Act (ACA), insurance companies denied patients with pre-existing conditions. One tragic case was a woman who was denied coverage because she was a victim of domestic violence, which was considered a pre-existing condition. 30 million uninsured Americans have received access to healthcare through the Affordable Care Act (ACA), including 46,000 residents of CA50. While it has serious flaws, it has advanced our nation closer to the universal coverage offered by other industrialized countries.

Preventative healthcare for women must remain covered, including mammograms, to screenings for cervical cancer, prenatal care, and other services.

Congress must improve on the ACA, not undermine it and tear it down with nothing to replace it. We need to break through political gridlock in Washington and get on with the people’s business.

PROTECT THE FOLLOWING ACA PROVISIONS:

  • Lower drug costs
  • Pre-existing conditions coverage
  • Kids remain on parent's plan
  • Lower Medicare costs
  • Free annual checkups
  • Free mammograms
  • More coverage for opioid addiction
  • Full dental and vision coverage

But even with these fixes, ACA still costs too much for many Americans. Medical costs continue to rise, making ACA coverage unaffordable and inaccessible for tens of millions of Americans.

TRICARE, the military’s healthcare program, and Medicare have both proven to provide more affordable care than the private insurance system does. We should learn from these successful models and expand them for everyone.

EXPANDING MEDICARE

Medicare today: Medicare is health care that seniors have earned after a lifetime of paying taxes. It’s a popular program, and most seniors polled are satisfied with their benefits. But for many seniors, Medicare alone doesn’t cover all medical expenses and many purchase Medicare Advantage or other supplemental private insurance to cover what their Medicare policy does not.

What I am against: First, let me clearly state that I am against forcing every American into government-run healthcare. Patients should be able to have access to private doctors, practitioners and hospitals.

I do not believe in enacting Medicare for All over night, and believe the following programs should not be messed with: TRICARE for active military members, the VA Veterans health care program and programs for Native Americans (IHS).

What I support: A four year plan that allows people and employers to buy-into Medicare early in four phases. In the first year, people over the age of 50 would become eligible to buy-in to Medicare. In the second year, the buy-in option would be lowered to 45, followed by 35 in the third year, and in the final year all taxpayers would be eligible to buy-in to Medicare as their primary insurance plan, thereby eliminating the costs of private insurance premiums, co-payments, and deductibles.

What about private insurance? Like seniors who have the choice to purchase Medicare advantage and supplemental insurance, I believe people should have the choice to purchase supplemental private healthcare insurance if they have the desire and means to do so.

End result: This plan would positively impact all consumers, force the free market to adapt, and sustain Medicare for seniors over the age of 65.

What changes? Right now, a part of your paycheck each month goes to fund your future Medicare benefits upon retirement. My plan would simply give Americans access to Medicare now. In exchange for paying more into Medicare, we’d eliminate expensive premiums, co-payments and deductibles of private insurance. The net result would be less costly coverage.

According to Physicians for a National Health Program, 95 percent of all households would save money under such a program. Patients would no longer face financial barriers to care such as co-pays and deductibles, and would regain free choice of doctor and hospital, and doctors would regain autonomy over patient care.

CHILDREN’S HEALTH INSURANCE PROGRAM (CHIP)

Sick children and pregnant women should always have quality healthcare. I would vote for permanent authorization of the CHIP program on its merits.

MEDICINAL CANNABIS

Many wounded veterans, cancer patients, and recovering opioid addicts have successfully incorporated medicinal cannabis into their treatment. In fact, studies have shown that medicinal cannabis can help heal the human brain after years of opioid abuse by reconnecting synapses and neural networks. If elected, I will support de-scheduling cannabis and fund research to examine it as a natural alternative to often lethal prescription drugs such as opioids, depressants, and amphetamines.

TO KEEP OUR MILITARY STRONG AND RESILIENT, AMMAR PLEDGES HE WILL:

America must always be protected, its values and citizens defended. We must uphold human rights globally and remain a vigilant force against terrorism. To do this we must enable and ensure our military is strong, resilient, properly funded and fully supported.

I believe that our military should prioritize the use of force whenever our national security is at stake. The world has become increasingly dangerous and complex. We should use all the tools of American power, beginning with diplomacy and economic development, to confront global threats and always ensure war is the last resort.

As your representative, I will fight for the equal rights of all brave Americans serving our country in uniform. I will continue to defend the repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell and am fully committed to ensuring fair and equal treatment of all active duty members and veterans. I stand by the many Flag Officers and Senior Executive Service officials who advise us that we should ensure opportunities for all qualified members of the military to compete for jobs on a level playing field. No exceptions.

Additionally, I am committed to further addressing the issue of sexual assault in the military. We must increase our efforts to investigate and prosecute cases. We must stand by victims of sexual assault and provide the necessary treatment for physical, emotional and psychological trauma, as well as career ramifications. We must continue to improve our military culture and ensure all workplaces are safe and inclusive.

  • Strengthen and sustain the all-volunteer force, including the reserve and National Guard
  • Support smart compensation and benefits reform
  • Expand accessible healthcare and assistance to military families
  • Sustain a strong and diverse military by fighting for equal rights for all brave Americans willing to serve our country in uniform
  • Defend the repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell
  • Welcome women to compete for all levels of military service
  • Combat sexual assault and harassment in the armed services
  • Allow transgender Americans to serve openly in the military

PROPERTY RIGHTS

I vow to protect the property rights of individuals — whether it’s their private home, workplace or other property. The biggest investment most of us will ever make is in our private property; it’s the legacy we leave behind for our children. For most of us, our property is where we grow and protect our wealth and often the only thing we have left to pass on to our loved ones when our time is up.

That’s why I will stand with CA50 families against greedy government bullies trying to tread on personal land for political purposes, like building a wall where private American-owned property happens to exist.

Big government calls it “eminent domain.” I won’t mince words, I’ll tell Washington “don’t tread on me.”

DEFEND THE AMERICAN DREAM

Congress has failed to fix our broken immigration system for decades. We need to make it easier for immigrant families to come to our country legally, improve our ports of entry to ease the flow of commerce, and modernize border security to combat human and drug trafficking more effectively.

From fair wages to security, the fate of America's citizens and aspiring citizens are inextricably bound. Like all our communities, immigrants and refugees are overwhelmingly good-natured and well-intentioned people. And like all communities, they share our security concerns. In fact, as people fleeing persecution and crime in their countries of origin, refugees and immigrants come to the United States seeking security. That is why securing our country is important for both citizens and aspiring citizens.

As the son of an immigrant parent, I will always fight for the right of good people to experience the American dream.

I will recognize the balance we need to strike between securing our borders and welcoming the huddled masses who yearn to breathe free.

And I will support sensible immigration reform that lifts rather than depresses wages, protects all communities and creates a viable pathway to citizenship, rather than forcing people to permanently live in the shadows of the law.

BORDER SECURITY

I agree with Congressman Scott Peters stance on smart border security.

“When I first came to Congress in 2013, I asked the president of the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce in San Diego — who also happens to be the city’s Republican former Mayor and Police Chief — what’s the number one thing the federal government could do to promote job growth in our region. He said we needed to make a federal investment in critical infrastructure at our border with Mexico.

But this former Police Chief wasn’t asking for a wall.

He was asking for a gateway — a bridge, and improved customs facilities at the San Ysidro Port of Entry because long delays at the vehicle crossing were costing our region billions of dollars in economic activity and 60,000 jobs per year.

Working together, San Diego’s Congressional delegation, Republicans and Democrats, secured the additional $442-million in federal investment to modernize the San Ysidro Port of Entry. It is the busiest land border crossing in the Western Hemisphere, where commercial trade between San Diego and Tijuana is valued at $2.1 million per day.

Our nation’s investments in Ports of Entry support a thriving international economy. They also provide critical border security. Customs agents inspect, weigh and x-ray vehicles and bags. They make sure travelers have proper identification and valid visas — that they are properly vetted and screened before entering the United States.

215,000 tons of hard drugs were intercepted at ports of entry from 2012 to 2016. Agents at our ports everyday arrest criminals, seize narcotics and guns and deny admission to people they identify as a threat to national security.

That’s what real border security looks like, and I can tell you that San Diegans want that border security. But we do not want a wall.

In the last Congress, my colleagues Pete Aguilar of California, a Democrat, and Will Hurd of Texas, a Republican, proposed legislation with wide bipartisan support that included border security measures we could all agree on.

It would have directed Homeland Security to perform a mile-by-mile assessment of our entire southern border to determine the most practical and effective way to secure it, and to offer Congress a strategy for each section of the border.

It might be state-of-the-art technologies to detect tunnels because even in places where we have a fence, as we do in San Diego, it’s easy to dig tunnels underneath.

It might be sensors and radar to spot moving people and objects in any weather or time of day.

It might be cameras mounted on drones to surveil places where the terrain is tough to monitor.

Or, it might be, a physical barrier, such as a levee or fence if that makes sense in some places. But if Homeland Security wanted to recommend something as expensive as a wall in a particular place, they’d have to justify the extra expense against other less costly tools."

COMPREHENSIVE IMMIGRATION REFORM

As congressman, I would urge the House to introduce a modified version of the Senate’s 2013 bipartisan comprehensive immigration bill known as the Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act. The bill is more commonly known as the “Gang of Eight Bill,” and passed in the Senate 68-32 but was never introduced in the House.

While a comprehensive solution would be ideal, I would push for legislation that meets our immediate immigration needs. For example, I’d support a bill called the Uniting and Securing America (USA) Act. This bill, introduced by Republican Congressman Hurd and Democratic Congressman Aguilar, presents a bipartisan, workable DACA-border security solution. If elected, I’d urge my colleagues to break Washington gridlock and bring this bill to a vote.

DREAM ACT

Congress should prioritize a clean DREAM Act to protect America’s promising youth, the so-called 800,000 Dreamers. They’re our nation’s doctors, scientists, teachers, and serve in our military. These young people are our children's classmates, our next door neighbors, our colleagues and families. They’re Americans in every way, except on paper.

According to a study from the Center for American Progress, America would lose $433.4 billion over the next 10 years without Dreamers. The fate and future of these Dreamers and America’s economy are inextricably bound.

As congressman, I’ll do right by the American people, these aspiring Americans, and our economy. I’ll vote for a clean DREAM Act.

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION

“I’m committed to advancing environmental proposals that would create new jobs, rebuild our infrastructure, assist farmers, curb wildfires that have engulfed our communities, protect our military bases along the coasts, prioritize climate change as a top national security threat, and preserve our open spaces and natural heritage that is central to the character of CA-50.” - Ammar Campa-Najjar

Call me biased, but from Jamul to Temecula, CA50 has some of the most beautiful environmental landscapes the world over.

A friend of mine put it best:

"Now more than ever, it is important that we protect our natural habitats from desecration and pollution. Keeping our forests, drinking water, and skies pure is of vital importance. There is something entirely pristine about nature. When surrounded by wilderness, there is something especially pure and cleansing about the air you breathe and the sights you see."

Preserving that purity is important. This is not just because our environment is sacred, but also because pollution in our environment inevitably contaminates us and our bodies. When we drink polluted water, live near toxic sites, or inhale dirty, smog-filled air we contaminate our bodies with chemical impurities and pathogens.

Air pollution in many cities makes the once crisp, pure blue sky a foul gray. Chemical particles end up everywhere - in our food, on our skin, and inside our lungs. Dirty, polluted air enters our bodies and becomes a part of us. When we do not recycle, it leads to mountains of trash, reeking across our natural landscapes.

Billions of tons of garbage have to be put into landfills; many of which possess toxic chemicals which seep into our water supply, making even filtered water contaminated. Deforestation turns once pristine wilderness into barren, depleted fields.

We can take action now to protect our environment so that it is pure once again. Recycling, choosing to use energy efficient appliances and improving our public transportation can make a big difference. Reducing pollution can help us preserve what is pure and beautiful about the places we live. It should be everyone's goal to cleanse the environment, so our children and our children's children can experience the uncontaminated purity and value of nature.

WHAT WE CAN DO TODAY

  • Let’s make historic investments in private endeavors to transition to 100% renewable energy — that includes generating, storing, and transmitting.
  • End fossil fuel subsidies and use part of the funds to help workers who rely on these traditional industries to transition into jobs that double their pay instead of halving their lifespan.
  • Expedited transfer of high-level radioactive waste at San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station (SONGS) to temporary, surface storage at Arizona's Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station.
  • Promote legislation for Community Choice Energy.
  • Repurposing of Department of Energy research from half measures like carbon capture, clean coal, hydrogen, and natural gas toward real renewables.
  • Permanent moratorium on offshore drilling in federal waters.

CLIMATE

We’re borrowing this world from generations yet unborn. We need to re-enter the Paris Agreement and lead the charge on leaving a habitable and healthy world for those who follow.

  • Adopting of a clean cap-and-trade program that eliminates the enabling of reckless practices from the fossil fuel industry.
  • Research-based fire policy and zoning that reduces the vulnerability of communities to wildfire and reduces the skyrocketing human and financial cost of fires and firefighting in the West. Things like selective living, biochar, and other preventative and restorative measures should be explored.

WATER

  • Reform and renegotiation of water rights in the West.
  • Full funding of the US-Mexico Border Water Infrastructure Program (BWIP) in order to eliminate the discharge of raw sewage into the Tijuana River and ultimately onto San Diego's beaches.
  • Investment in our crumbling storm water and wastewater management system. Urban runoff is the single biggest threat to San Diego's water quality and storm water capture offers opportunities to ease the perennial scarcity of water in the region.
  • Permanent mandatory and market-based water conservation measures to reduce our water dependence and make San Diego more drought-resilient.
  • Incentives for drought-tolerant landscaping to reduce suburban water-consumption.

SMART GROWTH

  • Public investment in mass transit to reduce carbon emissions, facilitate smart urban development, and provide enduring, well-paying jobs for American workers.
  • Legislation and regulation that accelerates the development of high-density, transit-oriented, mixed use urban infill with on-site permanently affordable units. We will not hit our carbon targets, or preserve San Diego's habitat or our status as the nation's most bio-diverse county, without smart urban development.

END WASHINGTON CORRUPTION

Ammar has introduced sweeping bipartisan legislation to end government corruption and restore power to the American people. The package ranges from a constitutional amendment to prohibit corporate donations, public financing for campaigns, abolishing the electoral college, a lobbying ban, withholding pay from Congress members who don’t do their jobs, to preventing Members of Congress from serving on influential committees if they’ve recently failed to pass an FBI background check or facing criminal investigation.

Here are the bills and legislative actions behind Ammar's proposal:

CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM

  • STOP BIG MONEY: Support Congressman Jerry McNerney’s proposed amendment to the U.S. Constitution that would drastically change the way political campaigns are financed. H.J. Res 73 would restrict campaign contributions and eliminate Political Action Committees (PACs) and dark money that strongly influence the outcome of our elections. Funding for a candidate or ballot measure would be limited to the use of a public financing system or donations given directly to the campaign by individual citizens. (Click here to read the bill).
  • REWARD GRASSROOTS-FUNDED CAMPAIGNS: Support Congressman John Sarbanes H.R. 1 bill in its entirety, especially its proposal to introduce voluntary public financing for campaigns, matching small donations at a 6:1 ratio. The 6:1 ratio matching system would impact donations up to $200 to congressional and presidential candidates who reject high-dollar contributions. Fines incurred from corporations who broke the law would be used to fund the system. (Click here to read the bill).


ENDING CORRUPT CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

  • LIFETIME LOBBYING BAN: Support Congressman Trey Hollingsworth legislation which stipulates that no one shall be issued a federal lobbyist registration who has ever been elected a member of the United States House of Representatives or the United States Senate. Former Members of Congress shall not be allowed to leverage their proximity to power for personal economic gain. (Click here to read the bill).
  • BAN INSIDER TRADING: Banning Members of Congress, Cabinet secretaries, federal judges, White House staff, senior congressional staff, and other officials from owning or trading individual stocks while in office. (Click here to read the bill).
  • ENDING CORPORATE/AGENCY CONFLICT OF INTEREST: Closing the revolving door between industries and the agencies responsible for conducting oversight on them (i.e. big pharma and the FDA division that approves new opioid drugs receives 75% of its funding from the industry.). Changing the rulemaking process of federal agencies to severely restrict the ability of corporations or industries to delay or influence rulemaking. Restrict studies funded by groups with conflict-of-interest problems being considered in the rulemaking process, unless they go under a lengthy peer review.

REFORMING CONGRESS

  • NO BUDGET, NO PAY: Members of Congress shall not receive pay during government shutdowns. Wealthier members will receive a heavier, more punitive financial penalty. Upon re-opening the government, members will not receive retroactive pay for the time the government was closed, while hardworking men and women were furloughed from the employment they count on to survive. (Inspired by Senator Rick Scott 2019 bill).
  • NO PENSION FOR CRIMINALLY CONVICTED MEMBERS: Any current or former member of the United States House of Representatives (i.e. Congressman Duncan D. Hunter) or the United States Senate who is convinced of a federal crime shall forfeit his or her pension. Hard-earned American taxpayer dollars shall not go into the pockets of politicians who have engaged in unethical and criminal behavior.
  • END THE 72% SUBSIDY ON HEALTHCARE COSTS FOR MEMBERS OF CONGRESS: Healthcare subsidized by the Federal Government will no longer be included as part of the compensation package for Members of Congress. Each Member of Congress will be subject to the same healthcare options provided to the American people through their legislation, as opposed to the current system in which the federal government subsidizes 72% of the costs for Members of Congress.
  • PROTECTING THE INTEGRITY OF CONGRESSIONAL COMMITTEES: No Member of Congress shall be allowed to serve on a Congressional Committee until he or she has passed a thorough FBI background check. Inspired by the new House Republican Rules established in 2018 following Congressman Duncan D. Hunter indictment, if a member of the House and Senate is indicted for a felony for which a sentence of two or more years imprisonment may be imposed, that member must submit his or her resignation from any such committees to the House promptly. Additionally, if a candidate or Member of Congress recently failed an FBI background check, he or she shall be disqualified from being appointed to any committee assignments until the person in question can pass an FBI background check. This measure would prevent compromised Members of Congress from being blackmailed or bribed into divulging sensitive information that may threaten national security. (Click here to read the bill).
  • READ THE BILL ACT: Support Senator Rand Paul’s resolution requiring Members of Congress to read each bill before voting to pass them into law. (Click here to read the bill).
  • END THE FILIBUSTER IN THE SENATE

PROTECTING FAITH COMMUNITIES

“Do not be daunted by the enormity of the world's grief. Do justly, now. Love mercy, now. Walk humbly now. You are not obligated to complete the work, but neither are you free to abandon it” — Talmud

“Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends” John 15:13

“There is no compulsion in faith... Unto you your religion, and unto me my religion” — Quran

In 2019, in our own backyard we witnessed more than an act of terror at the Chabad synagogue in Poway. We witnessed what is now becoming a chilling pattern of bloody attacks on places of worship across our community, country and the world. Over the span of a week, San Diego County lost a Lakeside resident killed in Sri Lanka during the Easter Sunday attacks on Christian churches. A mosque in Escondido was burned, and then the fatal shooting at the Poway synagogue by the same assailant. A sixty year old mother, wife and friend, Lori Kaye, sacrificed her own life to save the life of her rabbi in the latest deadly attack.

This rising tide of hate against people of all faiths and in places of worship must be stopped in its tracks — and stopped now. Today. Our country was founded in the noble notion that people are free to worship and is one that respects people of all faiths and creeds. America has always valued the sanctity of religion and the sanctuary of places of worship and the right of every American to practice their faith or not, and to do so in safety and peace.

But this ugly new pattern of attacks in our country that has emerged over the last few years is cause for reflection and deep concern for every person and every community across San Diego, the state, and our nation. Even with our deep partisan and cultural divides, we must come together to agree that places of worship should in every circumstance, be safe havens from hate and violence.

If we are to ensure that we can protect communities of faith, then we need to protect the very places where communities practice their faith. That means we need strong leadership — right now — to offer solutions and take innovative and bold legislative action.

That is why I am outlining a bill I will work to pass as one of my first acts in Congress. It’s called The Safety for American Communities of Faith through Education (SAFE) Act.

The SAFE Act will protect communities of faith through four key legislative initiatives.

REQUIRE TECH COMPANIES TO DISABLE FOREIGN AND DOMESTIC TERRORISTS FROM USING SOCIAL MEDIA TO RADICALIZE AND RECRUIT ONLINE

We have seen the role that social media has played in recent attacks on communities of faith — Christian, Jewish, Muslim, and others —over the last several months. The legislation will work collaboratively with tech companies to prevent the propagation of terrorism and hate-based violence online.

For example, former Youtube engineer Guillaume Chaslot worked on the sites recommendation algorithm and found that the videos being recommended were often times more intense, extreme, inflammatory, and promoted conspiracy theories. These are the unintended consequences of algorithms that draw viewers to click and spend more time on a site, which serves the business interests of search engines but also poses a threat to public safety if left unchecked.

FUND MENTAL HEALTH INVESTMENT IN DISEASES OF DESPAIR, INCLUDING PUTTING MORE COUNSELORS IN SCHOOLS.

Many of the perpetrators of these heinous acts suffer from previously identified debilitating mental illnesses that in many cases should have required acute care. Treating these individuals could have prevented them from committing these acts.

CREATE A CURRICULUM FOR RELIGIOUS STUDIES AND COUNTER-EXTREMISM IN EARLY EDUCATION.

In order to teach understanding of our multi-faith culture, the legislation would direct the Department of Education to work with local school districts to develop a curriculum that our schools could use to teach the principles of religious pluralism upon which our country is founded.

HIGHER PENALTIES AND MANDATORY SENTENCES FOR COMMITTING TERRORIST ACTS OF VIOLENCE AGAINST PLACES OF WORSHIP.

Finally, we must amend 18 U.S. Code 247, the Damage to Religious Property and Obstruction of Persons in the Free Exercise of their Religious Beliefs Act, to substantially increase fines, and stiffen criminal penalties for acts of violence in places of worship.

I was born and raised in the East County. My mother and I worshiped for decades at a Christian church. To help make ends meet, I swept the floors for years at that same church. One of the many reasons I love America is because the Bill of Rights in its very first clause, guarantees the freedom of religion to all of us. I will stand up to anyone who violates that clause and I will continue to work to bring people together, unified in our uniquely American resolve, to protect communities of faith — Christian, Jew, Muslim, and people of all faiths to exercise their right to worship in freedom, safety and peace.

These are just some of the uncontroversial bipartisan measures that Congress and the President can act on now to save lives as we debate more contentious pieces of legislation.[20]

”
—Ammar Campa-Najjar's 2020 campaign website[6]


Republican Party Carl DeMaio

“

Secure the Border Initiative

Congressional Candidate Carl DeMaio received the endorsement of leading border security advocates who cited their support for DeMaio’s 5-point Border Security Initiative.

Surrounded by Christopher Harris – retired Secretary, Local 1613 National Border Patrol Council, Roger Hedgecock – co-founder of “Hold their Feet to the Fire” Tour with Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR), Rob Davis – Secure the Border SuperPAC, and Agnes Gibboney – Angel Mom, DeMaio revealed his five-point plan to secure the border and combat the growing crisis of illegal immigration.

DeMaio’s comprehensive plan includes:

  • Build the Wall – and Fully Staff It: An innovative way to fund the Border Wall and expanded staffing by directing all fees from visa applications and enforcement to the Border Patrol and bypassing Congress.
  • Close the Loopholes in the Laws: Reform immigration and asylum laws that tie the hands of our Border Patrol agents! Illegal immigrants are exploiting loopholes and abusing the system to gain entry.
  • Mandate & Enforce E-Verify: Combat illegal employment by forcing businesses to use E-Verify.
  • Cutoff Welfare and Repeal Sanctuary State Laws: Illegal immigrants should never receive taxpayer-funded benefits and no illegal immigrant criminal should be shielded from deportation.
  • End Chain Migration: Reform legal immigration by replacing chain-migration with a merit-based system of vetting and welcoming the best and brightest.

Read Carl’s Full Plan

“Powerful interests want open borders and amnesty for illegal immigrants no matter what the financial cost or security risk to our country,” said Carl DeMaio. “We cannot wait for Washington politicians to act; it is time that citizens rise up and force action to secure the border and combat illegal immigration.”

Fix Congress First Initiative

The Only Way to Drain the Swamp… Starts with Congress!

Carl DeMaio’s 10-Point Plan to Hold Congress Accountable for Living Under the Same Laws as the Rest of Us – No Special Exemptions!

Carl DeMaio is the author of the 10-point Fix Congress First Initiative that will fundamentally shake up Congress and break through the dysfunction and corruption in our political system.

First, DeMaio proposes to force Congress to live under the same laws as the rest of us — no special exemptions.

Second, DeMaio strips politicians of their lavish perks and pensions.

Third, DeMaio ends government shutdowns by imposing a strict No Budget, No Pay rule.

Fourth, DeMaio requires full transparency on all Congressional records.

Fifth, DeMaio imposes a Single Subject rule on all proposed legislation and extends the ban on earmarks.

Sixth, DeMaio proposes to send Congress home by requiring votes on legislation be conducted remotely during public Town Halls in their District.

Seventh, DeMaio proposes new campaign finance reform rules to curb special interest contributions and expands audits of campaign spending by politicians.

Eighth, DeMaio requires a Read the Bill First rule to force politicians to disclose what is in bills before they vote on them.

Ninth, DeMaio proposes elimination of the filibuster in the Senate.

Tenth, DeMaio proposes lobbying reforms and ends the revolving door in Washington by imposing a lifetime ban on Members of Congress being lobbyists.

Reform California

To Win Back Congress, We Must First Take Back California!

California represents more than one-fifth of our nation’s economy and population. If we want to address problems in our country, we must reform California. Moreover, if we want to take back the House Majority from the Left, we must make progress in California!

The Left takes its dominance in California for granted and holds 45 of the 53 Congressional seats. Take back some of those Congressional seats and the House Majority can be recaptured! That’s why all Americans should be helping the “Resistance” to take back California!

Carl DeMaio is organizing and leading the “Resistance” in California.

DeMaio has proposed a 7-point California Reform Agenda – and is recruiting grassroots activists to advance it statewide.

Stop the Tax Hikes

California has the highest taxes in the nation – and that has resulted in the highest cost-of-living. To fuel their out-of-control spending, Sacramento politicians are proposing even more tax hikes: gas tax, water tax, property tax, sales tax – it never ends.

Carl DeMaio is leading a broad-based statewide coalition to oppose the tax hikes on the 2020 ballot. In addition to opposing new tax hikes, DeMaio is fighting to rollback the unfair and unnecessary gas and car taxes that are having the biggest impact on working families.

Protect Citizens, Not Criminals

California politicians have promoted extreme measures that put the interest of criminals over the interests of law-abiding citizens – undermining the safety of our neighborhoods. Props 47 and Prop 57 have taken law enforcement’s tools away and resulted in early release of dangerous individuals from prison. The so-called Sanctuary State (SB54) and associated laws makes it a crime for local law enforcement, or a private business for that matter, to cooperate with federal law enforcement agencies to identify, detain, and process criminals.

Carl DeMaio supports the repeal of Props 47 and 57 – as well as SB54 Sanctuary State Law – before more Californians are hurt by these reckless policies.

Pension Reform

The single biggest driver of the financial crisis facing California state and local government are the unsustainable salaries and pension benefits they offer to government workers. The government pension crisis is not just a financial crisis, it is also unfair to increase the cost-of-living on working families just so funds can be diverted to make outrageous pension payouts for government workers.

Carl DeMaio proposes to reform government compensation plans so state and local government workers are paid no more, but also no less than the local labor market requires for those jobs to be done. In addition DeMaio proposes to switch to a simple 401k defined contribution retirement system for all new hires.

Cancel High Speed Rail: Fix Our Roads First!

After years of neglect, our infrastructure has fallen into disrepair. Politicians continually raid our road repair funds to cover their wasteful spending elsewhere in the budget. That’s why Carl DeMaio is proposing a Citizens’ Infrastructure Lockbox that would mandate that 100% of any gas tax collected would be spent on roads – no more diversions. Funds should also be regularly audited and overseen by independent citizen watchdog panels.

Carl DeMaio also proposes to cancel the wasteful boondoggle known as the High Speed Rail Project and put any remaining funds from this misguided project back into roads. Finally DeMaio will insist that any taxpayer-funded construction project be awarded using Fair and Open Competitive Bidding – no more backroom and discriminatory union-only deals such as Project Labor Agreements.

Address the Crisis of Homelessness

California’s homeless crisis has reached epidemic proportions – figuratively and literally. Homelessness is not an economic issue, it is a public health and social service issue as three-quarters of homeless individuals suffer from mental health and substance abuse problems. These individuals are homeless by choice.

With political cover from ACLU lawsuits, politicians have opted to coddle these troubled individuals and suspend enforcement of vagrancy, loitering, pan-handling, and other laws. Without these tools, law enforcement has no leverage to get people the help they need to change their lives.

Carl DeMaio will propose legislation requiring law enforcement be given the full right to enforce laws related to homelessness in exchange for any taxpayer-funding on these issues. In addition, DeMaio proposes a Community Service Mandate be imposed on any individual who receives public housing. Funding for homeless programs MUST be linked to accountability.

Safe and Successful Schools

Carl DeMaio is concerned that our schools are failing our children. The basics (reading, writing, and arithmetic) have been replaced by social agendas. That’s why Carl DeMaio believes all parents – not just the wealthy – should have an opportunity to make a real choice when it comes to their children’s education.

By expanding parental choice and charter schools, Carl DeMaio is encouraging competition to provide the highest quality education at all schools – public or private. Academic standards, testing systems and curriculum should be set by local educators with input from parents – without coercion from the state or federal government – to ensure those who know our children best are able to shape their education to excel in college and the workplace.

Election Integrity Reforms

California’s voter rolls are a complete mess – with ineligible, inactive and duplicate voter registrations. To restore integrity to our elections, Carl DeMaio proposes to clean up the voter rolls by conducting a comprehensive audit county-by-county. In addition, DeMaio proposes suspending California’s flawed motor-voter law immediately and replacing it with a Real Voter ID law.

In addition, DeMaio is concerned that state politicians have essentially stripped citizens of the right to use ballot initiatives and recall elections to hold politicians accountable – resulting in a loss of precious Constitutional rights. Carl DeMaio proposes to remove the ability of politicians to change the ballot title of Citizen Initiatives. In addition, DeMaio proposes to repeal recent laws that make it harder to recall politicians from office when they violate the trust of the constituents they serve.

Carl DeMaio is working with a team of election lawyers and reformers to effect these changes through litigation and legislative action.[20]

”
—Carl DeMaio's 2020 campaign website[22]


Republican Party Darrell Issa

“

BORDER AND IMMIGRATION

My position on the border is simple: We must build the wall.

We can’t keep our country safe if we don’t secure the border. For more than a decade, the Border Patrol has asked for the tools to do their job. The Border Wall is a powerful enforcement tool and a force multiplier. I visit with our Border Patrol agents frequently and they’ve shown me that a handful of agents can effectively patrol a mile of fenced border, while hundreds of agents are needed to patrol that same mile of open border.

The wall also makes it possible to apprehend criminals crossing the border, particularly drug smugglers and human traffickers.

When San Diego’s US Attorney refused to prosecute human smugglers, I fought to provide more resources for prosecution and ultimately, because of my work, the President fired and replaced the US Attorney with one who would enforce the law.

In addition to border enforcement, I believe we must focus equally on interior enforcement, removing those who have overstayed visas and entered the country on false pretenses. The rule of law must be restored before Congress can work to reform our legal immigration laws.

SANCTUARY CITIES

I applaud the Trump administration and cities and counties throughout California, including San Diego County and the City of Escondido, for standing up to Sacramento and taking legal action to fight California’s Sanctuary State law in order to keep our communities safe. I will continue working with President Trump to fight this lawlessness and hold our elected leaders accountable for enforcing the law.

IMPEACHMENT

Democrats are doing everything they can to subvert the will of voters in the 2016 election. One prominent Democrat even said, “if we don’t’ impeach the president, he’ll get re-elected.”

Adam Schiff and Nancy Pelosi have made it clear that they’ll use any excuse to remove the duly elected President of the United States from office. Impeachment should not be used as a tool for politicians to reverse the will of the American people.

We need conservatives in Washington who know how to fight fire with fire. I’ve proven my ability to stand up to extremists. My work resulted in Eric Holder being held in contempt of Congress, Hillary Clinton being held accountable for the deaths of American diplomats and servicemen in Benghazi, and Barack Obama being held accountable for presiding over the Lois Lerner scandal. I led the recall of Governor Gray Davis for many of the same failures of leadership that we’re now seeing from Gavin Newsom.

JOBS AND TRADE

I believe free trade is fair trade, but for too long, we’ve allowed our trading partners to take advantage of American workers. Our workers and businesses deserve a level playing field and the fair opportunity to compete. I supported the reduction in the corporate tax rate to make the United States competitive in the global market, to keep and create jobs in America and to encourage businesses to grow here at home.

I will join our President in standing up to China and any other nation which seeks to dump undervalued goods on our markets, manipulate their currency to cheat American workers or steal the intellectual property of American innovators.

LIFE

Every life has value and we must protect those who aren’t able to protect themselves.

As a Member of Congress, I earned a 100 percent voting record from the National Right to Life Committee – and a zero percent rating from Planned Parenthood. I voted to defund Planned Parenthood and supported numerous pro-life measures like the partial-birth abortion ban and the Pain Capable Unborn Child Act.

You don’t have to wonder whether I’ll stand for life in Congress, because I have a solid Pro-Life voting record throughout my entire career in Congress. I have never supported government funding for abortions and I never will.

SECOND AMENDMENT

“The right to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.”

The government can’t protect us by taking away our rights. The framers of the Constitution gave us the right to free speech to as the first line of defense against a tyrannical government, and gave us the right to keep and bear arms as the last line of defense.

Sadly, both the First and Second Amendments are under attack today. I will fight to prevent all infringements of our Constitutional rights.

I support safe and responsible gun ownership. I’ve never received lower than an ‘A’ rating from the NRA and I have been a proud recipient of their endorsement. I was honored to speak at the NRA’s national convention detailing my work to hold Eric Holder accountable for his Fast and Furious “gun walking” scandal, which factored in the murder of U.S. Border Patrol Agent Brian Terry. Gun Owners of America called me a ‘Second Amendment Hero.’[20]

”
—Darrell Issa's 2020 campaign website[7]


Republican Party Brian Jones

“

Traditional Values

After over 7 years in the Legislature, my 100% Pro-Life voting record demonstrates my longtime commitment to opposing abortion and defending life at every stage.

I’ve fought against funding for Planned Parenthood and the shameful legacy of its founder. I fought legislation that forces our universities to provide the abortion pill at student health clinics, and I stood up against efforts that devalue women’s lives by expanding access to unsafe abortion practices and sub-standard facilities, irrespective of the danger they pose to those lives.

I fought legislation that threatened religious colleges’ ability to fulfill their mission in accordance with their faith and the wishes of students and their parents. I opposed ACR 99 which separates people of faith from their first amendment rights of free speech and religious liberty.

I fought legislation that violated parental rights and the privacy of K-12 students by requiring public schools to allow transgender students to use the bathroom of their choice. I stood up for parental rights by opposing AB 329 (2015) which took “the responsibility to teach children about life and moral issues away from their parents and gave that authority to the state education bureaucracy and an extreme liberal agenda.”

Capitol Resource Family Impact gave me 100% ratings for my steadfast defense of life, religious freedom, and parental rights.

Fiscal Responsibility

Washington needs a dose of our district's values. For example: don’t spend more than you bring in.

Where I come from we call that common sense. Maybe those in Washington don’t care, but my neighbors and I think a $22 trillion debt is outrageous.

This was a problem before this President was sworn in. While his efforts to grow the economy will put us in a better position long term, the core of the problem persists. The mess we’re leaving to my kids, and their kids, keeps me up at night.

Of course, the first thing liberals would say is “that’s why we need to raise taxes.” Wrong. We need to get our spending under control. Our economy is strong, thanks in part to the President’s 2017 tax cuts. With an expanding economy, the federal government will have the revenue it needs so long as they prioritize.

Lessening the amount of taxes people pay in my opinion is actually a solid first step to cutting the deficit.

To paraphrase President Ronald Reagan - 'let American families keep their hard-earned dollars. They will do a better job investing than the government bureaucrats will."

The second step to reducing the nation's deficit is to reduce government spending. Sounds simple, yet it has confounded Presidents and Congresses of both parties for decades. Government spending and our deficits have skyrocketed year after year.

Those 'Continuing Resolutions' simply to keep government operating (with increased spending) but without any real spending reforms are a disservice to the American people in my opinion.

Call me old-fashioned but I will be a deficit-hawk as a member of the U.S. Congress. That's what I have done in the California Legislature which is why the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association gave me a perfect rating.

Strong Military

We live in a dangerous world where freedom is constantly threatened. Our President recognizes that reality, and I support his investments to modernize our military and maximize readiness after the dramatic cuts they’ve sustained since 2011.

I also support our President's efforts to make sure our Nation's military is focused on missions that have achievable and realistic goals and timetables. Sending the brave men and women of our military into endless faraway conflicts with no resolution in sight is costly and dangerous.

Additionally, President Trump is the first President in decades who believes other countries who benefit from U.S. military presence and protection should be asked to pay their fair share. I applaud and support this action by our President.

Border Security

A strong country has strong borders, pure and simple. We should build the wall. No one needs to tell us in Southern California about whether border security works.

I strongly support the President’s efforts to secure our border and to eliminate illegal immigration. As a State Legislator, I have consistently opposed the extension of state benefits and services to illegal immigrants, and have been an outspoken opponent of so called “Sanctuary” Laws at the State and Local level.

There have been too many recent examples in California (and other states) of the danger these 'sanctuary' laws pose:

  • Police officers and innocent citizens murdered by criminal illegal immigrants who never should have been allowed into our country.
  • Federal officials being prohibited from deporting violent criminals caught by local or state law enforcement;
  • Violence committed upon law-abiding legal immigrant families when criminal illegal immigrants terrorize and hide in their communities.

I believe the safety of Americans depends upon strengthening our borders and repealing sanctuary laws. I look forward to helping the President tackle both these challenges.

Law and Order

The Deputy Sheriffs’ Association of San Diego County endorsed me for Congress and their President, David Leonhardi called me “a good friend and leading supporter of law enforcement throughout (my) time in local office and as a member of the State Assembly and the State Senate." I support local law enforcement working with Federal immigration agencies.

El Cajon Association President Travis Howard stated that “Once we make an endorsement, we support that candidate all the way. We want the people of El Cajon to know Brian Jones is the choice of law enforcement...The highest priority for the citizens of El Cajon is public safety. Jones has done that at the local and state level and he will continue to do that at the federal level. The thin blue line stands behind Brian Jones is his campaign for congress."

I will stand with than the men and women on the frontlines of law enforcement. I pray for their safety every day and feel grateful that so many of our finest have agreed to serve our community as part of this honorable profession.

That’s why I am proud to have the support of the San Diego Police Officers Association and the El Cajon Police Officers Association.

Second Amendment

Those of us that don’t have the luxuries of armed security guards or tall walls keeping us from the dangerous predators in the real world know why the second amendment is so important. I was the California Rifle and Pistol Association's Legislator of the Year because of my track record defending that right.

I was raised with firearms and own them today for both protection and recreation.

I have a perfect voting record from Gun Rights Groups, and have tried to spread the word, and educate more of our fellow citizens by sponsoring an annual 2nd Amendment Awareness event in my district.

I am also a founding board member of San Diego County Gun Owners.

I am not interested in passing more laws to restrict the rights of law abiding gun owners, which will be ignored entirely by criminals. That just stacks the deck against us.

In Sacramento I fought against the liberal Democrat legislators who favor more rights for criminals and less rights for law-abiding Californians.

I'll carry this same fight to Washington D.C.[20]

”
—Brian Jones's 2020 campaign website[23]


Republican Party Nate Wilkins

“

MY VALUES

As a Former Navy SEAL and Congressional Candidate, I am a servant of the American public. I have sacrificed my life for people I do not know, that hate me, persecute me and try to silence me. But I will continue to serve my country! It is under the inspiration of God that I live a life of sacrificial service to the American public. All sides in Politics need to understand that our political views DO NOT make us Moral Enemies. My views are not meant to attack those that disagree with me, but to give everyone insight into my core beliefs. I expect to be persecuted for my beliefs, but I will not separate my relationship and belief in God from politics. We need candidates with strong moral beliefs!

My faith in the God of the Bible and His son Jesus Christ is nothing that I will ever apologize for. My views have been formulated thru my years of walking with Christ. The only thing that will Unite America is the belief and knowledge of the Almighty Lord. In my views, you will find values that come straight from the Bible and have been formulated thru my experience. I want you to know that I am not a perfect person, however, I lean on the perfection of Jesus Christ. I will uphold Biblical principles and the God-inspired United States Constitution.

ISSUES

SANCTITY OF LIFE & HUMAN TRAFFICKING:

As the father of two wonderful children, I cannot imagine living life without the blessings of their existence. Their lives are so precious and fragile, and their innocence is so pure. I would do everything in my power to protect my family and community.

How then, do you think that I view all children? Why do we as a nation, cheapen the idea of life, with the acceptance & normalization of abortion? Why do we put up with Human Trafficking in our midst?

I CHOOSE life! I cannot support abortion at any stage in the pregnancy or under any circumstances. I do not support funding for Abortion centers.

The evil of modern-day slavery lives among us. Time to take out Human Trafficking with the righteous judgement of American Law and Order! There is no more despicable act than doing nothing about Human Trafficking in our communities. Quit turning a blind eye America!!

We must protect the sanctity of life! We must protect our little ones! They are our future!

TRADITIONAL MARRIAGE

Selfless traditional marriage creates strong families and in turn is an essential element in civil society. There are too many broken and single families, fractured for various reasons. We must create and repair policies that promote healthy traditional families. Our children deserve more than a broken and self-centered American family culture. Let’s create strong family communities once again!!

Nothing is like the foundation of marriage between a man and woman. However, once the foundation cracks, a Nation falls. The origin of marriage comes from God, in His mighty word, which made it clear what marriage meant (Gen. 2:23-25). Under almost all circumstances, an unbreakable unity between a Man and a Woman, indicative of God’s relationship between the Church and God. I cannot support any law or legislation that attacks traditional marriage.

SECOND AMENDMENT

Due to my training in the SEAL Teams, I am the only candidate with a high level of experience handling firearms under stressful and dangerous situations. I can speak from an experienced point of view, rather than a philosophical one.

The Second Amendment guaranteed that a Citizen had the power to defend themselves against harm and governmental oppression. I want to make sure that the power given to individuals in the Constitution is never diluted or dissolved.

Concealed carry permits need to be readily and freely available to those reasonably trained. With the emergence of lone wolf attacks, it is better to have any reasonably trained citizen carry a weapon to defend those who cannot or will not defend themselves.

Every second counts when fighting for your life. Although Law Enforcement's purpose to protect the community, it is our duty as individuals to protect ourselves. It is unrealistic for Law enforcement to respond immediately to a threat we may be facing. It our duty to defend ourselves.

Gun registries and background checks need proper policies in order to prevent Federal, State and Local government from overreaching their Constitutional authority. Without the proper oversight of government, government is bound to abuse citizens right to bear arms, as we have seen with the State of Virginia.

AMERICA’S SOUTHERN BORDER

We have caused a Human crisis by having an open southern border. Families and children risk themselves to cross thru brutal terrain. Coyotes smuggle little children over the border in order to become Sex Slaves. Enormous amounts of illicit drugs pour thru the southern border by way of human transport, cleverly hidden in vehicle transportation, tunnels under the Earth and thru air transport. Our nation is at risk from enemies and terrorists that see an opportunity to exploit the vulnerability in our Southern border.

Build a wall, surveil the vast deserts, enforce law and order and stop allowing sanctuary cities to house criminals. Provide adequate and humane shelter for families and individuals that await trial.

In a perfect world, all migrants are well intentioned and want a better life for themselves and families. However, that is not the real world and every Illegal immigrant has different intentions.

RESPECTING LAW ENFORCEMENT

Why don’t we look at those that serve the Domestic United States with the same level of respect as Military members? In a perfect world, aren’t service minded Law Enforcement seeking peace and stability in their communities? We must create a culture in America that respects our Law Enforcement personnel. If Law enforcement does not feel respected or supported within their states, localities or communities, how long will well intentioned personnel feel compelled to serve?

I cannot say that every Law Enforcement personnel is perfect but let’s not generalize Law Enforcement as being completely unethical. Proper oversight and ethical leadership can minimize the mistakes Law Enforcement makes and gives the communities around them the trust that law enforcement is not overreaching with their power.[20]

”
—Nate Wilkins's 2020 campaign website[24]



Grey.png Helen Horvath

“

The Equal Rights Amendment and you. ​ As you read this article, do you believe that women have equal rights to men in this date and time? Is the Constitution written in such a way that guarantees women the same rights as men?

I am sorry to say that women do not have the same rights as men in our community. The only guaranteed right women have is under the 19th Amendment - the right to vote. It has been more than 100 years since President Woodrow Wilson attempted passage of the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA); to date we have not been able to pass the ERA. The male dominated power structure in our society-those who have been in power in the 50th District and other former Congressional Representative currently in this District's primary have used religion to attempt to take women's rights away. This is done by creating legislation that attacks a woman's dignity and personal rights. Once Congress erode one human right, the others can also be taken away.

The Constitution only guarantees one right - the right to vote - under the 19th Amendment. Women have a presumed (legal) right under the 14th Amendment. Yet, our rights can be taken away at any time since the historical male dominated legislative power structure has used their positions to attempt to take away key rights that would be protected under the ERA. Without the solidification of the ERA as a federal amendment to the Constitution women's rights will be open to continued erosion.

Would you please join our campaign to rise up and support the passage of the ERA? We will continue to play legal whack-a-mole until women have equal rights under and within the Constitution. For more information about the ERA and other women's rights issues, please click this link to my East County Magazine editorial addressing women's rights, the weakening of women's political abilities to create a stronger and more equal society, along with the double standards in Society towards women.

You may not personally think you are impacted; yet, the reality is that Women's rights can be taken away until the ERA and related legislation is passed into law. Let's stop the legislative gaslighting together.

I commit, as a Congressional Representative, to ensuring the equal rights of all people and commit to the passage of the Equal Rights Amendment when the fight comes back into Congress. Join us by committing to change.

Educational Reform & Affordability

The debate between attending College or Vocational Education: The Affordability Factors ​ “Good apprentices are likely to make good citizens,” Benjamin Franklin

Let's face it; not everyone will go to college and earn a degree. There are many trade/vocational schools that will lead to apprenticeship positions on a career path to full status in a specific career field. These career fields will provide an excellent quality of life for a student as they move into vocational positions. We all know that University educations are very expensive and not a guarantee for a successful career. Students may graduate from college with a bachelor's degree and not be able to obtain meaningful employment in their field. This is a sticking point for both vocational and college educated students desiring to succeed in life.

These educational goals have led to a crisis as our nation carries over $1.6Trillion in Federal Student Loan Debt that is due to the government. There is also an estimated $119B in private student loans. This has led to a default rate that has impacted federal debt through non-repayment of student loan debt.​

Through collaboration with the Department of Education, as your Congressional Representative, I will work to create methods to address student loan costs through debt restructuring, reform payment options to tackle excess interest growth, and providing a more rapid path to debt repayment and restructuring.

PLATFORM OF ISSUES - EMPLOYMENT AND BUSINESS

In San Diego County we have over 200,000 veterans and over 3.3M county residents. In our communities we face economic growth and job equality issues. Our communities are faced with challenges of pay inequality, higher cost of living challenges, housing costs, and economic growth factors that hurt our quality of life and ability to move forward as families and a larger community. We need to reinvest in our communities instead of larger corporate subsidies and tax cuts. Congress should invest in American workers and the American family to provide a hand up not a hand out. Creating opportunities for individuals to thrive and sustain a better quality of life.

The unemployment rate in California is 4%; yet, the 3.3% unemployment rate in San Diego County provides a snapshot of the ability to obtain employment; yet, is it the right employment for you? Are you having to take jobs that are less than your skill set or having to work multiple jobs in order to afford a reasonable lifestyle for yourself and your family?

As a small business owner, I have seen the impact of financial struggles within a family and the emotional cost to the family unit. As your 50th Congressional District representative, I would focus upon creation of the right job, right pay, and right skill set in order to create and maintain employment. It is not enough to bring jobs to our communities, we must bring the right jobs that will benefit our community members through economic growth and empowerment.

Through this effort, I will continue to support small and large businesses in all areas business development. This includes creation and modification of current laws and regulations governing small business utilization within the federal government contracting arena. These efforts will include ongoing support for the Procurement Technical Assistance Centers and the Small Business Development Centers nationwide through grant development and continuation.

PLATFORM - ENVIRONMENT ​ "I believe that clean air and clean water are essential rights all Americans deserve—and they should never be sacrificed." Dr. Helen Horvath

Protecting our environment is one of the most important responsibilities we all share. The United States must be a leader in reducing our dependence on fossil fuels by investing in renewable and sustainable technologies that will power our economy for years to come. The threat of climate change is real, and San Diego is vulnerable to the effects of sea level rise and extreme weather if we do nothing to stop climate change.

California is home to treasured natural resources from the white sands of our coast to the high peaks of the Sierra Mountains to the wonders of highway 101. Californians have a proud and rich tradition of conservation going back more than a century to Teddy Roosevelt, which values clean drinking water, good air quality, and public lands and green spaces that are preserved for future generations. We are blessed to have this in our lives. Let's work together to ensure that future generations are able to enjoy our natural wonders.

Gun Reform - Gun Trafficking

The issue.

Nationally, there are approximately 500,000 weapons related crimes committed that result in approximately 11,000 homicides each year. In 9 of 10 of these crimes where the gun has been successfully traced by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the person who originally purchased the firearm is not the person who committed the crime.

Even with the current illegal movement of guns across state lines, as a nation we do not have federal laws that define gun trafficking as a crime. First responders and prosecutors often have to rely upon a mixed bag of individual state regulations to investigate and crack down on the criminal networks that make prosecutions difficult and often nearly impossible to convict. ​ The solution.

As your 50th Congressional District Representative, I will continue to be committed in stopping the illegal flow of guns into California and across the nation while providing law enforcement and prosecutors with the tools needed to crack down on the illegal gun trade and work to prevent gun violence. Beyond current laws, I will collaborate and create legislation that will further create deterrents to gun trafficking.

By creating more legal options and providing flexibility for prosecutors and judges to successfully prosecute the crimes we will be able to increase successful prosecution through the federal criminal justice system to crack down on people who are involved in all aspects of illegal gun trafficking.

Gun Reform - CLOSING THE BACKGROUND CHECK LOOP HOLES

The issue.

In the United States, only 60 percent of all gun sales happen after the seller completes a full background check on the buyer. The balance of the 40 percent of gun sales are conducted without a background check with no actual federal record of who the firearm is sold to. These federal background checks are often not required when purchasing a firearm online, at a gun show, or through a private seller. Federally licensed firearms dealers are permitted to complete a sale if the submitted background check is not completed in three business days. This loophole makes it easier for dangerous individuals to obtain firearms.

The solution.

As your 50th Congressional District Representative, I will support universal background checks for every gun sale regardless of where the sale takes place and do not believe that sellers should be able to proceed with a sale without a completed background check. Background checks are a common sense way to decrease violent gun crimes while ensuring that the firearms do not get into the hands of those who are prohibited from having them.

We have a right to bear arms; yet, we must do this sensibly to keep guns out of the hands of those who cannot pass a federal background check.

Gun Reform - National Firearms Act

The issue.

Dr. Horvath strongly opposes efforts to eliminate gun silencers from the requirements of the National Firearms Act. Under this Act, gun silencers can only be legally obtained through the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF). Silencers are not readily issued and require a complete background check process and registration of the silencer with federal law enforcement to reduce the number of crimes committed with a silencer.

Silencers are able to stop the sound of gunshots leading to less bystanders reporting gun crimes. It also impedes law enforcement's capability to rapidly respond to gun violence. If these restrictions relating to the sale of silencer is lifted, it may prove easier for those who cannot successfully pass an ATF background check under the National Firearms Act to obtain these gun accessories that mask potential gun related crimes. Lifting these restrictions will also diminish the ability of our County's law enforcement to effectively fight crime using technology tools such as ShotSpotter, a real time gunshot detection and alert system. There are over 100 cities nationwide that utilize this type of system.

The solution.

As your 50th Congressional District Representative I will support restrictions to gun silencers while increasing the use of technology and cyber terrorism techniques to reduce incidents of gun violence and death. This will support our law enforcement community to be able to create an ongoing safer living environment for our communities.

​IMMIGRATION AND BORDER SECURITY

America was built by the contributions of immigrants, and our diversity only adds to the greatness of this country. As your Congressional Representative, I will advocate for comprehensive immigration reform that treats immigrants fairly while providing them a clear path to earned citizenship. This will be accomplished through improved and strengthened immigration reform legislation.

As a marriage and family therapist, I have worked in a local federal immigration holding facility providing mental health and adjustment support to the separated minors. I have seen the immigration issue from both sides of the coin - the undocumented alien and the financial impact to the federal, state, and local government budgets in the enforcement of the current immigration policies.

The media shows us images of individuals who are detained. This creates, at times, a national crisis of conscious over immigration and those not authorized to be in the United States permanently. Yet, those unauthorized migrants create a unique set of concerns for internal border security that expands the need to address the criminal elements associated with illegal immigration. There are crimes associated with the illegals, according to the interim director of Homeland Security, that are tied to drug cartels and other criminal organizations. Examples include sale of fraudulent social security numbers, birth certificates, and military personnel who are brought into human smuggling.

It is time to strengthen our borders, create 100% accountability, visibility and transparency for all border security issues such as staffing of immigration holding facilities, implementation of new border security technology, border pollution, criminal elements, and family separation issues within the current laws. This will take a legislative change to federal regulations. As the 50th District Representative, I will accomplish this and more. We need to stop unauthorized entry in the back country and secure our borders.

Military Family Readiness

Military Families are the core to stability in the Armed Services. Spouses are often left behind during deployments to manage the family while worrying about their loved ones. Creating new programs. educational and vocational opportunities designed to increase a military family's quality of life through employment, ongoing family support, and increase military spouse employment opportunities in order to reduce unemployment and underemployment in the military community.

Military Spouse Employment

Military spouses face career challenges as they move around the globe in support of an active duty service member. As your Congressional candidate, I would propose changes to the career licensing regulations for military spouses in a wide variety of career fields to permit licensure in other states when a military spouse is transferred without having to reapply for licensure so long as the family member is in good standings in the state of license issuance.

Create and promote legislation to improve quality of life and financial status of active duty personnel and their families. This includes opportunities for military families to participate in ongoing career transition and development services beyond what is currently offered through the military's family service offices. According to the Blue Star Families 2017 annual study, military spouse unemployment and underemployment has led to a substantial unrealized tax loss of approximately $1.06B annually for the Federal government and an undetermined amount for each state tax revenues. Resolve issues surrounding Status of Forces country specific agreements and those issues during overseas deployment that will encourage appropriate employment for military spouses based upon education and experience.

Additionally, coordinate with federal agencies the ability of military family members to participate more readily in telework opportunities to permit military spouses to work from home when transferred due to military duty. This in place of being required to quit federal jobs and then get rehired once a position opens.

Military Healthcare

Continued support for military healthcare initiatives impacting military families and veterans through legislative improvements and government oversight of contract vehicles that manage healthcare.

Transition GPS/Military Career Transition

Currently, as of Fiscal Years 2017/2018, Department of Defense spent approximately $323M to transition service members into the civilian community in an effort to save $303M in unemployment costs at the end of a service member's contract. With five to seven major Fortune 100 firms working on the program as contractors, the costs continue to grow annually. In 2019, Department of the Army raised the value of the Transition GPS contract from $20M to $48M. These costs did not include additional subcontracts with firms nor promote program cost savings.

As your 50th District Congressional Representative, I will collaborate with Department of Defense to create cost savings to the program while improving services for military families relating to career transition. Based upon current research it is estimated that a cost realization of $50-$100M per year can be obtained through modifications to the program. This would create cost reductions to the government while improving services to active duty personnel, family members, and veterans. American does not have a blank check for programs and services - fiscal responsibility is required in order to reduce the national debt while providing quality services.

Let's Talk some more!!!​

Tribal Sovereignty ​​ As an Alpine, CA community member, I am available for all communities. ​ I run for office because I would like to represent both tribal and general population members. Yet, I do believe that Tribal Nations should have sovereignty with guaranteed rights and the right to self govern without fear that the sovereignty laws will change. I am concerned with the overall family and tribal issues outlined below. I am a "warrior woman"; a veteran and advocate. ​ When I read Article 1, Section 8 of the United States Constitution, I become concerned over the words used to conveny tribal sovereignty and the later relationship between the Tribes and the Bureau of Indian Affairs. If there is true sovereignty, then the complexity of the relationship between the federal government and the Tribal Nations must be examined to protect the rights of the Tribes. Legal cases have both clarified and solidified routes to sovereignty; yet, more work needs to be done. As I said, I am always here for the Tribal Nations and communities. Let's speak about this some more. ​ Other Challenges.

Tribal government and tribal members have experienced change as each year passes. Nationwide tribes face economic and environmental challenges that impact lives on the reservation and also the non-tribal communities.

There are a variety of businesses operation on and off tribal lands. Examples of this are business partnerships between local and national tribes, such as the Four Fires LLC created by the Forest County Potawatomi Community of Wisconsin, Oneida Tribe of Indians of Wisconsin, the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians, and Viejas Band of Kumeyaay Indians or the development of a business relationship between Sycuan Tribal government and Marriott in the management of the Grant Hotel. Business on tribal land is not just limited to hotels, casinos, and services; rather, other tribal business involves agriculture and land management for future generations. An example of this is the Pauma Tribal Farms Olive Orchards who is expanding operations by leasing non-tribal land. ​ Each tribal business is impacted by the quality and availability of products, services, water and other natural resources in all communities. The external non-tribal government costs continue to increase in pace with the California economy. Costs such as electricity, access to water, healthcare services, and basic family needs have increased over the past ten years. Tribes compete with local communities, at times, for the same resources.

Healthcare.

Indian Health Services (IHS) or the Tribal Health Plan provides care to the tribes in many cases. This brings us to the issues related to veterans.

Veterans.

Often veterans return from military service with disabilities and mental health issues as a result of war and service. These veterans are honored throughout the community. Yet who will provide healthcare for the wounded warriors? What economic impact will the veterans' healthcare have upon the cost of tribal healthcare? ​ The key is to ensure that the veteran register with the Veterans Administration (VA) prior to leaving service or as soon as possible after service. Veterans who are authorized healthcare under the VA and IHS Memorandum of Understanding signed in October 2010, the VA will provide reimbursement to the IHS or THS through a claims reimbursement process. For more information about this issue please contact the VA's Office of Government Tribal Relations. ​ Mental Health and Addiction.

The World Health Organization states that 1 in 4 people globally have mental health disorders. This number is higher within the veteran population. ​ Family is important to our communities. Mental health and addiction is not a problem limited to veterans; rather, it is a family issue throughout the tribes. Honoring those who have become sober is critical; yet, helping those with addictions in the tribes and non-tribal communities is vital to the continued success of tribal families and tribal governments. ​ Let's talk and get to know each other.

MENTAL HEALTH AND DEGENERATIVE BRAIN DISORDERS

During the 2015 fiscal year, San Diego County had an estimated 84,405 residents over the age of 55 who were living with Alzheimer’s Disease and other forms of dementia (ADOD) which are degenerative brain disorders. By the year 2030, it is estimated that 115,000 San Diegans age 55 years and older will be living with ADRD, an increase of 36% from 2015. According to the published 2018 County of San Diego Department of Health and Human Services Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementia Reports in San Diego, the following factors impact our communities in San Diego County (Source aforementioned report, page IV):

- "The East Region of the County had the greatest number (21,901) and proportion (16.7%) of residents age 55 years and older living with ADRD"

- "Similarly, East Region had the highest rate (5,832.1 per 100,000 residents) of residents discharged from the ED or hospital with any mention of ADRD."

- "North Coastal Region had the smallest population age 55 years and older living with ADRD (10,626)."

- "North Central Region had the lowest proportion (6.8%) of its 55 years and older population living with ADRD."

- "North Inland Region had the lowest rate (3,727 per 100,000 residents) of residents discharged from the ED or hospital with any mention of ADRD."

According to the County of San Diego, there are over 5,800 veterans with ADOD with over 1,500 veterans receiving treatment from the Veterans Health Administration. According to the County of San Diego, our communities along with the State of California, will become "ground zero" for the ADOD crisis by 2030. I believe, based upon my meetings with the County officials, that our communities need to be proactive in order to stem the tide of ADOD along with other degenerative brain disorders and mental health issues across the nation.

When our communities examine the economic and emotional impact of ADOD to our communities, the numbers can be daunting. As we add in related medical and legal issues of additional degenerative brain injuries such as traumatic brain injuries found in service members, veterans, children who play contact sports, and professional athletes, the picture of potential financial and community impact expands. Supporting this effort by our communities is invaluable as we work to create preventative measures that integrate healthy living with research and development for solution focused services and solutions to Alzheimer's, Mental Health and Degenerative Brain Disorders.

As your Congressional Representative for the 50th District, I will work with the community to create legislation, work with subject matter experts to create solutions through research, collaborations within the County, grant funding for further research for a cure, and improvements to the healthcare system for the aging population so that we can all live a longer and independent life.

Let's talk.

Defense Spending and National Debt: Designing Debt Reduction

As the 50th District Congressional Representative, I will work to ensure that Defense spending is held in check using innovative methods to create change within the services. Examples of this would include methods to reduce the cost of the Transition GPS (military career transition program) while improving services to service members and families; reduction in military sexual assault and harassment (currently 30,000 instances in 2018); and continued development of methods to systematically improve the Department of Defense.

​As part of this, I will work collaboratively with other Congressional offices and federal agencies to ensure that expenditures are based upon actual need not contractor promoted projects. I will participate, as the 50th District Congressional Representative, in the evaluation of key financial factors that lead to increase annual national debt.

My commitment to you is to work to reduce the national debt while improving services. Ask me how...I have a well researched plan.

Term Limits

Career Politicians have been running the federal government for generations. Examples include Stenny Hoyer who has been a Maryland Congressional Representative for 40+ years. There are others; yet, the point is that we need "fresh ideas" to run the country.

Currently, laws and regulations are written that benefit specific groups of people and/or businesses. Yet, the reality is that this has run our nation into the financial debt that we face. In 2019, we are faced with key issues as a result of this factor. Career politicians have created key issues relating to how we operate our government through Congress. We see the results of infighting and division by party lines that has, at times, stopped our progress as a nation and also increased the cost of doing government business. ​

In order to create more opportunities for Americans to participate in the change and government process, I proposes a six term limit for service for Congressional Representatives and a two term limit for Senators for a total of 12 years of service through Congress.

Women's Healthcare and Right to Choose - are we debating health or religious beliefs?

Let me begin by saying, I believe in God. My God is a forgiving God who loves me no matter what decisions I make. He guides me and fills my heart daily with joy. I don't force my Christian views upon anyone at any time. When asked, I state my beliefs and then move on. I honor an individual's right to choose their lives and what they believe in.

Let's face the facts, in our community we face larger problems than the right to choose our own destiny and live with our choices. Some San Diego County residents are barely surviving in the high cost of living that is San Diego. We worrying about employment, housing, and homelessness. Many County residents are just one paycheck away from losing their home or are considered marginally homeless by couch surfing with family and friends. Other County residents have experienced trauma and mental health issues that impede their ability to live successfully. These are critical and economic issues that impact each of us. Yet, as a community, we seem to draw the line in politics by telling women what they can and cannot do with their bodies. I value life; yet, I remember those times when women were dying from using coat hangers to complete an abortion or back room abortions that ended in the death of the mother. Are we, as a nation, moving backwards in an attempt to legislate a women's right to choose?

One of the greatest problems with the abortion debate is that the two sides are not in direct opposition; there are similarities in the debate that is crushed under legislation. The pro-life movement seeks to force their moral beliefs on others - grounded in their own religion or personal philosophy. The pro-choice movement does not use morality of abortion and women's healthcare. Rather this is left as an individual choice for every woman faced with an unwanted pregnancy. If the woman feels abortion is wrong and they want to give their child up for adoption, or keep it, it is a personal decision that is supporting and compassionate.

Pro-life people say "Abortion is wrong-no exceptions;" Pro-Choice only say "Abortion is." Making abortion illegal won't stop abortions from happening; rather, it will only stop abortions from being safe. Unsafe abortions are the leading cause of death during pregnancy and childbirth. Most unsafe abortions happen as a result of taking away a women's right to choose. I recently attended a Republican meeting while deciding if I would run for office as an independent. I have never ascribed to one specific political ideology; rather I ascribe to things that faith has led me to and through. During the Republican meeting, the Chair and others stated to the crowd in order to participate in the party, candidates and party members had to be pro-life. Yet, the reality is no one should be able to tell any woman how she cares for her body and what she does with her life. That is what legislating abortion does force individual ideologies upon a woman.

Changing laws to benefit pro-life people by denying women the right to choose doesn't solve the problem; it just takes us back in history to those unsafe abortions. Forcing women to "carry" a child in the cases of rape and incest creates a potentially lifelong experiences to relive the trauma of the sexual assault as a child, soldier, or family member. Creating the potential to relive the trauma experience again and again.

​The solution to the abortion issue whether through sexual assault or incest or by shear choice is to not take away choice; rather as a community we continue to improve access to healthcare, education and parental planning. Thus, Planned Parenthood is so much more than abortions; it is women's healthcare and family planning. The program and services provide access for low income families to obtain women's healthcare, contraception, and a safe harbor for women deciding their next steps - abortion or not. By increase women's health education, creating affordable healthcare, and developing a network of supportive and caring professionals as a society our communities will be much further than just one issue. If, as a nation, we are to maintain the separation of church and state so central to our nation's identity, we cannot have some people using a woman's right to choose as a key factor that forces their beliefs on us all.

Women should have the right to choose their own healthcare treatments, destiny and outcomes. This is especially true in the cases of incest and sexual assault. As your 50th Congressional District Representative, I will work to preserve a woman's right to choose her life, career, education, and lifestyle - choice is critical to thriving in society - exercise yours. Let's discuss this some more.

VETERANS INITIATIVES

Department of Veterans Affairs

As an active member of the San Diego County Veterans' Community and former member of the San Diego OneVA Community Advocacy Board, I have gained a unique insight into the operations of the Veterans Benefit Administration (VBA) and the Veterans Health Administration (VHA). As your 50th Congressional District Representative I will continue to examine methods to improve upon the quality of veterans disability and benefits services through examination of processes and methods to increase successful veteran benefits outcomes when applied for. ​ As a veteran I commit to ensuring that the VA is fully funded for both benefits and medical center staffing along with required new healthcare equipment. I would like to use my knowledge, expertise, and organizational development skills in Congress to improve the overall organizational system within the VA. Representing you means that I will work to be on the House Veterans Affairs Committee to provide an insider's knowledge of VA. As your Congressional Representative,. I will use my insider's knowledge of the VA to provide Congressional oversight as well as assist Veterans at home facing difficulties with healthcare access and disability claim approvals. I am committed to having highly qualified staff respond and resolve Veterans' issues within the community. ​​ As part of our support for the Veterans Health Administration, I will continue to support quality improvements to the current healthcare system under the Missions Act and work to continue to create improvements to benefit the veteran community. ​​ Department of Veterans Affairs and Tribal Governments

Veterans of Native American Tribes across the country face a unique and complex set of challenges nationwide. These include obtaining urgently needed VA vocational rehabilitation, VA healthcare and VA disability benefits earned by virtue of service in the U.S. Armed Forces. As your Congressional Representative, I will work with the National Congress of American Indians along with local tribal leaders to advocate relating to key veteran and military service factors impacting the tribal veterans and families. I will work to improve tribal veterans service officers (TVSO) training and accreditation for those TVSOs serving the veteran communities in tribal areas. ​ Military Sexual Trauma and Harassment

Each time that a recruit enlists or becomes an officer, there is a possibility of sexual assault or harassment. Not every unit or service member experiences these issues; yet, in 2018 according to the Department of Defense Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office (SAPR) there were more than 7,000 men sexually assaulted while serving and more than 23,000 women who experienced sexual assault. These were only the reported instances - the number of unreported instances of sexual assault and harassment in the military is unknown.[20]

”
—Helen Horvath's 2020 campaign website[25]


Grey.png Henry Ota

“

Campaign Issues

My goal is simple, End Homelessness in America within two years. (without raising your taxes!!)

I will have all the time I need with one term as I will not seek reelection and won’t be burdened with campaigning and wasting your or my time.

This program will parlay with plans from the current or future administration & Congress. It will focus on the Environment, Jobs, Economy, Education, Homeland Security, Immigration, Addiction and Drug reform. It’s all or nothing guys we don’t have time to play around with your kids futures.

Homelessness

On any given night in the United States, half a million people are homeless. Some of them sleep in shelters, others on the streets; roughly one-quarter are children.

About 15% are so-called chronically homeless, which means they haven’t had a permanent home in years, and often cycle through jails, hospitals and homeless shelters in search of a place to lay their heads. (at taxpayer expense)

Education

It’s hard for kids to study when their hungry and the only meal they get is from the school cafeteria.

No more under my plan.

Kids will learn to grow and cook food starting in elementary school and beyond. They will have a trade skill in Hospitality, Culinary and Farming by the time they reach the 7th grade

Feed a person for a day or show them how to eat right for life!! I lean towards the latter!

H..

The Economy

MMT

Don’t know it then learn!

https://www.cnbc.com/video/2019/03/01/stephanie-kelton-explains-modern-monetary-theory.html[20]

”
—Henry Ota's 2020 campaign website[26]


Campaign advertisements

This section shows advertisements released in this race. Ads released by campaigns and, if applicable, satellite groups are embedded or linked below. If you are aware of advertisements that should be included, please email us.

Democratic Party Ammar Campa-Najjar

"Son of East County" - Campa-Najjar campaign ad, released February 10, 2020


Republican Party Carl DeMaio

Support

"Carl DeMaio: A Proven Fighter" - DeMaio campaign ad, released February 5, 2020

Oppose

"Tape" - Issa campaign ad, released February 18, 2020
"Ellie's Ad" - Issa campaign ad, released February 13, 2020
"Corrupt DeMaio" - Issa campaign ad, released February 13, 2020
"Sanctuary" - Issa campaign ad, released February 12, 2020
"Choice" - Issa campaign ad, released February 4, 2020

Republican Party Darrell Issa

Support

"Choice" - Issa campaign ad, released February 25, 2020
"Wall" - Issa campaign ad, released January 30, 2020


Oppose

"Darrell Issa, Mitt Romney: Lying to You, Betraying President Trump" - DeMaio campaign ad, released February 14, 2020
"Darrell Issa: Just Another Snake Oil Salesman" - DeMaio campaign ad, released January 22, 2020

Satellite group ads

Opposing Issa

"Overseas" - Club for Growth ad, released February 26, 2020
"Every Time He Talks" - American Unity PAC ad, released February 20, 2020

Polls

See also: Ballotpedia's approach to covering polls
California's 50th Congressional District election, 2020: top-two primary election polls
Poll Date Democratic Party Campa-Najjar Republican Party DeMaio Republican Party Issa Republican Party Jones Republican Party Wilkins Grey.png Cortes Grey.png Horvath Grey.png Jahn Grey.png Ota Other Undecided Margin of error Sample size Sponsor
Remington Research Feb. 22-23 44% 22% 17% 13% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 1% 3% 3 1009 DeMaio campaign
SurveyUSA Feb. 20-23 35% 15% 21% 7% 3% 0% 1% 0% 0% 5% 12% 5.2 552 San Diego Union-Tribune/10News
SurveyUSA Jan. 9-12 26% 20% 21% 12% 1% 0% 1% 0% 0% 3% 15% 5.7 512 San Diego Union-Tribune/10News


Campaign finance

This section contains campaign finance figures from the Federal Election Commission covering all candidate fundraising and spending in this election.[27] It does not include information on fundraising before the current campaign cycle or on spending by satellite groups. The numbers in this section are updated as candidates file new campaign finance reports. Candidates for Congress are required to file financial reports on a quarterly basis, as well as two weeks before any primary, runoff, or general election in which they will be on the ballot and upon the termination of any campaign committees.[28] The chart below contains data from financial reports submitted to the Federal Election Commission.

Name Party Receipts* Disbursements** Cash on hand Date
Marisa Calderon Democratic Party $119,456 $119,456 $0 As of April 20, 2020
Ammar Campa-Najjar Democratic Party $6,429,131 $6,428,683 $3,438 As of December 31, 2020
Carl DeMaio Republican Party $3,410,551 $3,310,551 $0 As of December 7, 2020
Darrell Issa Republican Party $0 $0 $0 Data not available***
Brian Jones Republican Party $247,832 $246,970 $862 As of December 31, 2020
Nathan Wilkins Republican Party $4,800 $9,864 $-5,064 As of May 16, 2020
Jose Cortes Peace and Freedom Party of California $0 $0 $0 Data not available***
Helen Horvath Independent $0 $0 $0 Data not available***
Lucinda Jahn Independent $0 $0 $0 Data not available***
Henry Ota Independent $0 $0 $0 Data not available***

Source: Federal Elections Commission, "Campaign finance data," 2020. This product uses the openFEC API but is not endorsed or certified by the Federal Election Commission (FEC).

* According to the FEC, "Receipts are anything of value (money, goods, services or property) received by a political committee."
** According to the FEC, a disbursement "is a purchase, payment, distribution, loan, advance, deposit or gift of money or anything of value to influence a federal election," plus other kinds of payments not made to influence a federal election.
*** Candidate either did not report any receipts or disbursements to the FEC, or Ballotpedia did not find an FEC candidate ID.


Satellite spending

Satellite spending, commonly referred to as outside spending, describes political spending not controlled by candidates or their campaigns; that is, any political expenditures made by groups or individuals that are not directly affiliated with a candidate. This includes spending by political party committees, super PACs, trade associations, and 501(c)(4) nonprofit groups.[29][30][31]

This section lists satellite spending in this race reported by news outlets in alphabetical order. If you are aware of spending that should be included, please email us.

Debates and forums

Know of a debate or forum we're missing? Email us.

February 21 debate

Six candidates, including Campa-Najjar, DeMaio, Issa, and Jones, participated in a debate hosted by the Greater San Diego Association of Realtors and the San Diego MLS on Feb. 21.

Coverage:

February 14 debate

Six candidates, including Campa-Najjar, DeMaio, Issa, and Jones, participated in a debate hosted by the Greater San Diego Association of Realtors on Feb 14.

Coverage:

February 7 forum

Campa-Najjar, DeMaio, Issa, and Jones attended a forum hosted by the Valley Center Business Association on Feb. 7.

Coverage:

Primaries in California

California uses a top-two primary system, in which all candidates appear on the same ballot. The top two vote-getters, regardless of party affiliation, move on to the general election. In states that do not use a top-two system, all parties are usually able to put forward a candidate for the general election if they choose to.[34][35]

Unlike the top-two format used in some states (Louisiana and Georgia special elections for example), a general election between the top-two candidates in California occurs regardless of whether the top candidate received 50% of the vote in the first round of elections.

As of June 2025, California was one of five states to use a top-two primary system, or a variation of the top-two system. See here for more information.

For information about which offices are nominated via primary election, see this article.

What was at stake in the general election

U.S. House elections were held on November 3, 2020, and coincided with the 2020 presidential election. All 435 House districts were up for election, and the results determined control of the U.S. House in the 117th Congress.

At the time of the election, Democrats had a 232-197 advantage over Republicans. There was one Libertarian member, and there were five vacancies. Republicans needed to gain a net 21 seats to win control of the House. Democrats needed to gain seats or lose fewer than 14 net seats to keep their majority.

In the 2018 midterm election, Democrats had a net gain of 40 seats, winning a 235-200 majority in the House. Heading into the 2018 election, Republicans had a 235-193 majority with seven vacancies.

In the 25 previous House elections that coincided with a presidential election, the president's party had gained House seats in 16 elections and lost seats in nine. In years where the president's party won districts, the average gain was 18. In years where the president's party lost districts, the average loss was 27. Click here for more information on presidential partisanship and down-ballot outcomes.


General election race ratings

See also: Race rating definitions and methods

Ballotpedia provides race ratings from four outlets: The Cook Political Report, Inside Elections, Sabato's Crystal Ball, and DDHQ/The Hill. Each race rating indicates if one party is perceived to have an advantage in the race and, if so, the degree of advantage:

  • Safe and Solid ratings indicate that one party has a clear edge and the race is not competitive.
  • Likely ratings indicate that one party has a clear edge, but an upset is possible.
  • Lean ratings indicate that one party has a small edge, but the race is competitive.[36]
  • Toss-up ratings indicate that neither party has an advantage.

Race ratings are informed by a number of factors, including polling, candidate quality, and election result history in the race's district or state.[37][38][39]

Race ratings: California's 50th Congressional District election, 2020
Race trackerRace ratings
November 3, 2020October 27, 2020October 20, 2020October 13, 2020
The Cook Political ReportLean RepublicanLean RepublicanLikely RepublicanLikely Republican
Inside Elections with Nathan L. GonzalesLikely RepublicanLikely RepublicanLikely RepublicanLikely Republican
Larry J. Sabato's Crystal BallLikely RepublicanLikely RepublicanLikely RepublicanLikely Republican
Note: Ballotpedia updates external race ratings every week throughout the election season.

District analysis

See also: The Cook Political Report's Partisan Voter Index
See also: FiveThirtyEight's elasticity scores

The 2017 Cook Partisan Voter Index for this district was R+11, meaning that in the previous two presidential elections, this district's results were 11 percentage points more Republican than the national average. This made California's 50th Congressional District the 118th most Republican nationally.[40]

FiveThirtyEight's September 2018 elasticity score for states and congressional districts measured "how sensitive it is to changes in the national political environment." This district's elasticity score was 0.93. This means that for every 1 point the national political mood moved toward a party, the district was expected to move 0.93 points toward that party.[41]

Pivot Counties

See also: Pivot Counties by state

There are no Pivot Counties in California. Pivot Counties are counties that voted for Barack Obama (D) in 2008 and 2012 and for Donald Trump (R) in 2016. Altogether, the nation had 206 Pivot Counties, with most being concentrated in upper midwestern and northeastern states.

In the 2016 presidential election, Hillary Clinton (D) won California with 61.7 percent of the vote. Donald Trump (R) received 31.6 percent. In presidential elections between 1900 and 2016, California voted Republican 53.33 percent of the time and Democratic 43.33 percent of the time. In the five presidential elections between 2000 and 2016, California voted Democratic all five times. In 2016, California had 55 electoral votes, which was the most of any state. The 55 electoral votes were 10.2 percent of all 538 available electoral votes and were 20.4 percent of the 270 electoral votes needed to win the election.

Presidential results by legislative district

The following table details results of the 2012 and 2016 presidential elections by state Assembly districts in California. Click [show] to expand the table. The "Obama," "Romney," "Clinton," and "Trump" columns describe the percent of the vote each presidential candidate received in the district. The "2012 Margin" and "2016 Margin" columns describe the margin of victory between the two presidential candidates in those years. The "Party Control" column notes which party held that seat heading into the 2018 general election. Data on the results of the 2012 and 2016 presidential elections broken down by state legislative districts was compiled by Daily Kos.[42][43]

In 2012, Barack Obama (D) won 58 out of 80 state Assembly districts in California with an average margin of victory of 38.4 points. In 2016, Hillary Clinton (D) won 66 out of 80 state Assembly districts in California with an average margin of victory of 40.3 points. Clinton won 11 districts controlled by Republicans heading into the 2018 elections.
In 2012, Mitt Romney (R) won 22 out of 80 state Assembly districts in California with an average margin of victory of 12.2 points. In 2016, Donald Trump (R) won 14 out of 80 state Assembly districts in California with an average margin of victory of 13 points.


Candidate ballot access

The table below details filing requirements for 50th Congressional District candidates in California in the 2020 election cycle. For additional information on candidate ballot access requirements in California, click here.

Filing requirements, 2020
State Office Party Signatures required Signature formula Filing fee Filing fee formula Filing deadline Source
California 50th Congressional District All candidates 2,000 Fixed number $1,740.00 1% of annual salary 12/6/2019 Source

District election history

2018

See also: California's 50th Congressional District election, 2018

General election

General election for U.S. House California District 50

Incumbent Duncan Hunter defeated Ammar Campa-Najjar in the general election for U.S. House California District 50 on November 6, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
Image of Duncan Hunter
Duncan Hunter (R)
 
51.7
 
134,362
Image of Ammar Campa-Najjar
Ammar Campa-Najjar (D)
 
48.3
 
125,448

Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 259,810
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.

Nonpartisan primary election

Nonpartisan primary for U.S. House California District 50

The following candidates ran in the primary for U.S. House California District 50 on June 5, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
Image of Duncan Hunter
Duncan Hunter (R)
 
47.4
 
69,563
✔
Image of Ammar Campa-Najjar
Ammar Campa-Najjar (D)
 
17.6
 
25,799
Image of Bill Wells
Bill Wells (R)
 
12.9
 
18,951
Image of Josh Butner
Josh Butner (D)
 
12.9
 
18,944
Image of Patrick Malloy
Patrick Malloy (D)
 
5.9
 
8,607
Image of Shamus Sayed
Shamus Sayed (R)
 
2.1
 
3,079
Silhouette Placeholder Image.png
Submit photo
Richard Kahle (Independent) Candidate Connection
 
1.2
 
1,714

Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified.

Total votes: 146,657
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

2016

See also: California's 50th Congressional District elections, 2016
See also: California's 50th Congressional District election, 2016

Heading into the election, Ballotpedia rated this race as safely Republican. Incumbent Duncan Hunter (R) defeated Patrick Malloy (D) in the general election on November 8, 2016. Hunter and Malloy defeated Scott Meisterlin (R), David Secor (D), and H. Fuji Shioura (Independent) in the top-two primary on June 7, 2016.[44][45]

U.S. House, California District 50 General Election, 2016
Party Candidate Vote % Votes
     Republican Green check mark transparent.pngDuncan Hunter Incumbent 63.5% 179,937
     Democratic Patrick Malloy 36.5% 103,646
Total Votes 283,583
Source: California Secretary of State


U.S. House, California District 50 Primary, 2016
Party Candidate Vote % Votes
     Republican Green check mark transparent.pngDuncan Hunter Incumbent 56.5% 86,534
     Democratic Green check mark transparent.pngPatrick Malloy 21.8% 33,348
     Democratic David Secor 11.5% 17,590
     Republican Scott Meisterlin 6.8% 10,458
     Independent H. Fuji Shioura 3.5% 5,359
Total Votes 153,289
Source: California Secretary of State

State profile

See also: California and California elections, 2020
USA California location map.svg

Partisan data

The information in this section was current as of January 23, 2020

Presidential voting pattern

Congressional delegation

State executives

  • Democrats held 10 and Republicans held one of California's 21 state executive offices. Elections for the other offices are nonpartisan.
  • California's governor was Gavin Newsom (D).

State legislature

California Party Control: 1992-2025
Twenty years with Democratic trifectas  •  No Republican trifectas
Scroll left and right on the table below to view more years.

Year 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25
Governor R R R R R R R D D D D D R R R R R R R D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D
Senate D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D
Assembly D D D S R D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D

California quick stats
  • Became a state in 1850
  • 31st state admitted to the United States
  • As of 2018, California was the most populous state in the country.
  • Members of the California State Senate: 40
  • Members of the California State Assembly: 80
  • U.S. senators: 2
  • U.S. representatives: 53
More California coverage on Ballotpedia:


Demographic data for California
 CaliforniaU.S.
Total population:38,993,940316,515,021
Land area (sq mi):155,7793,531,905
Race and ethnicity**
White:61.8%73.6%
Black/African American:5.9%12.6%
Asian:13.7%5.1%
Native American:0.7%0.8%
Pacific Islander:0.4%0.2%
Two or more:4.5%3%
Hispanic/Latino:38.4%17.1%
Education
High school graduation rate:81.8%86.7%
College graduation rate:31.4%29.8%
Income
Median household income:$61,818$53,889
Persons below poverty level:18.2%11.3%
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, "American Community Survey" (5-year estimates 2010-2015)
Click here for more information on the 2020 census and here for more on its impact on the redistricting process in California.
**Note: Percentages for race and ethnicity may add up to more than 100 percent because respondents may report more than one race and the Hispanic/Latino ethnicity may be selected in conjunction with any race. Read more about race and ethnicity in the census here.


See also

External links

Footnotes

  1. ↑ Carl DeMaio 2020 campaign website, "Carl DeMaio Statement: THANK YOU – and The Fight Continues!" accessed March 12, 2020
  2. ↑ The Washington Post, "Rep. Duncan Hunter will resign from Congress on Jan. 13," January 7, 2020
  3. ↑ KPBS, "Four Candidates Vying For Duncan Hunter’s Vacated 50th District Seat," accessed January 31, 2020
  4. ↑ ABC 10 News San Diego, "Issa stands by ad ripped by his own party," accessed January 31, 2020
  5. ↑ KUSI News, "Senator Brian Jones on Rep. Hunter’s guilty plea and 50th district race," accessed January 31, 2020
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 Ammar Campa-Najjar's 2020 campaign website, "Issues," accessed February 21, 2020
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 Darrell Issa's 2020 campaign website, "Issues," accessed January 30, 2020
  8. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named jonessite
  9. ↑ 9.00 9.01 9.02 9.03 9.04 9.05 9.06 9.07 9.08 9.09 9.10 9.11 9.12 9.13 9.14 9.15 9.16 9.17 9.18 9.19 9.20 9.21 9.22 9.23 9.24 9.25 9.26 9.27 9.28 9.29 9.30 9.31 9.32 9.33 9.34 9.35 9.36 9.37 9.38 9.39 9.40 9.41 9.42 9.43 9.44 9.45 9.46 Ammar Campa-Najjar's 2020 campaign website, "Endorsements," accessed January 30, 2020
  10. ↑ 10.00 10.01 10.02 10.03 10.04 10.05 10.06 10.07 10.08 10.09 10.10 10.11 10.12 10.13 10.14 10.15 10.16 10.17 10.18 10.19 10.20 10.21 10.22 10.23 10.24 Darrell Issa's 2020 campaign website, "Endorsements," accessed January 31, 2020
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 DeMaio's 2020 campaign website, "News," accessed January 30, 2020
  12. ↑ 12.00 12.01 12.02 12.03 12.04 12.05 12.06 12.07 12.08 12.09 12.10 12.11 12.12 12.13 12.14 12.15 12.16 12.17 12.18 12.19 12.20 12.21 12.22 12.23 12.24 12.25 12.26 12.27 12.28 12.29 12.30 12.31 12.32 12.33 12.34 12.35 12.36 12.37 12.38 12.39 12.40 12.41 12.42 12.43 12.44 12.45 12.46 12.47 12.48 12.49 12.50 12.51 12.52 12.53 12.54 12.55 12.56 12.57 Brian Jones' 2020 campaign website, "Endorsements," accessed January 29, 2020
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 Twitter, "Marisa Calderon on January 31, 2020," accessed February 5, 2020
  14. ↑ Cook Political Report, "Introducing the 2017 Cook Political Report Partisan Voter Index," April 7, 2017
  15. ↑ United States Census Bureau, "Counties by Congressional Districts," accessed June 8, 2016
  16. ↑ Candidate Connection surveys completed before September 26, 2019, were not used to generate candidate profiles. In battleground primaries, Ballotpedia based its selection of noteworthy candidates on polling, fundraising, and noteworthy endorsements. In battleground general elections, all major party candidates and any other candidates with the potential to impact the outcome of the race were included.
  17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 The San Diego Union Tribune, "Endorsement: Ammar Campa-Najjar, Brian Jones for the 50th Congressional District," accessed February 19, 2020
  18. ↑ Facebook, "Carl DeMaio on February 22, 2020, accessed February 25, 2020
  19. ↑ Fox 5, "Newt Gingrich, Mike Huckabee endorse Darrell Issa for Congress," accessed February 17, 2020
  20. ↑ 20.0 20.1 20.2 20.3 20.4 20.5 20.6 20.7 Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
  21. ↑ Marisa Calderon's 2020 campaign website, "Priorities," accessed January 30, 2020
  22. ↑ Carl DeMaio's 2020 campaign website, "Reform agenda," accessed February 21, 2020
  23. ↑ Brian Jones's 2020 campaign website, "Issues," accessed January 21, 2020
  24. ↑ Nate Wilkins's 2020 campaign website, "Issues," accessed January 30, 2020
  25. ↑ Helen Horvath's 2020 campaign website, "Platform," accessed January 30, 2020
  26. ↑ Henry Ota's 2020 campaign website, "25 for the 25th," accessed January 30, 2020
  27. ↑ Fundraising by primary candidates can be found on the race's respective primary election page. Fundraising by general election candidates can be found on the race's general election page.
  28. ↑ Federal Election Commission, "2022 Quarterly Reports," accessed March 2, 2022
  29. ↑ OpenSecrets.org, "Outside Spending," accessed September 22, 2015
  30. ↑ OpenSecrets.org, "Total Outside Spending by Election Cycle, All Groups," accessed September 22, 2015
  31. ↑ National Review.com, "Why the Media Hate Super PACs," November 6, 2015
  32. ↑ Politico, "The state of the Super Tuesday airwaves," accessed March 3, 2020
  33. ↑ Center for Responsive Politics, "American Unity PAC," accessed March 3, 2020
  34. ↑ National Conference of State Legislatures, "State Primary Election Types," accessed August 13, 2024
  35. ↑ California Secretary of State, "Primary Elections in California," accessed August 13, 2024
  36. ↑ Inside Elections also uses Tilt ratings to indicate an even smaller advantage and greater competitiveness.
  37. ↑ Amee LaTour, "Email correspondence with Nathan Gonzalez," April 19, 2018
  38. ↑ Amee LaTour, "Email correspondence with Kyle Kondik," April 19, 2018
  39. ↑ Amee LaTour, "Email correspondence with Charlie Cook," April 22, 2018
  40. ↑ Cook Political Report, "Introducing the 2017 Cook Political Report Partisan Voter Index," April 7, 2017
  41. ↑ FiveThirtyEight, "Election Update: The Most (And Least) Elastic States And Districts," September 6, 2018
  42. ↑ Daily Kos, "Daily Kos Elections' statewide election results by congressional and legislative districts," July 9, 2013
  43. ↑ Daily Kos, "Daily Kos Elections' 2016 presidential results for congressional and legislative districts," February 6, 2017
  44. ↑ California Secretary of State, "Certified List of Candidates for Voter-Nominated Offices June 7, 2016, Presidential Primary Election," accessed April 4, 2016
  45. ↑ The New York Times, "California Primary Results," June 7, 2016
  46. ↑ U.S. Congress House Clerk, "Statistics of the Congressional Election of November 2, 2010," accessed March 28, 2013


California's current delegation to the United States Congress
Senators
Alex Padilla (D)
Adam Schiff (D)
Representatives
District 1
District 2
District 3
District 4
District 5
District 6
Ami Bera (D)
District 7
District 8
District 9
District 10
District 11
District 12
District 13
Adam Gray (D)
District 14
District 15
District 16
District 17
Ro Khanna (D)
District 18
District 19
District 20
District 21
Jim Costa (D)
District 22
District 23
District 24
District 25
Raul Ruiz (D)
District 26
District 27
District 28
Judy Chu (D)
District 29
Luz Rivas (D)
District 30
District 31
District 32
District 33
District 34
District 35
District 36
Ted Lieu (D)
District 37
District 38
District 39
District 40
Young Kim (R)
District 41
District 42
District 43
District 44
District 45
District 46
District 47
Dave Min (D)
District 48
District 49
District 50
District 51
District 52
Democratic Party (45)
Republican Party (9)


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