Marjorie Mikels

This page was current at the end of the individual's last campaign covered by Ballotpedia. Please contact us with any updates.

Marjorie Mikels

Democratic Party

Elections and appointments

Last election

March 5, 2024

Education

Bachelor's

Westmont College, 1968

Law

UCLA School of Law, 1981

Personal

Birthplace

Upland, Calif.

Religion

Follower of Jesus Christ

Profession

Attorney

Contact

Campaign website

Marjorie Mikels (Democratic Party) ran for election to the U.S. House to represent California's 11th Congressional District. She lost in the primary on March 5, 2024.

Mikels completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. Click here to read the survey answers.

Biography

Marjorie Mikels was born in Upland, California. She earned a bachelor's degree from Westmont College in 1968 and a law degree from the UCLA School of Law in 1981. Her career experience includes working as an attorney as well as in social services and counseling.

Elections

2024

See also: California's 11th Congressional District election, 2024

California's 11th Congressional District election, 2024 (March 5 top-two primary)

General election

General election for U.S. House California District 11

Incumbent Nancy Pelosi defeated Bruce Lou in the general election for U.S. House California District 11 on November 5, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Nancy Pelosi (D)	81.0	274,796
		Bruce Lou (R)	19.0	64,315

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 339,111
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
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Nonpartisan primary election

Nonpartisan primary for U.S. House California District 11

The following candidates ran in the primary for U.S. House California District 11 on March 5, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Nancy Pelosi (D)	73.3	138,285
✔		Bruce Lou (R)	8.6	16,285
		Marjorie Mikels (D)	5.0	9,363
		Bianca Von Krieg (D)	4.0	7,634
		Jason Zeng (R)	3.5	6,607
	Submit photo	Jason Boyce (D)	2.3	4,325
	Submit photo	Larry Nichelson (R)	1.8	3,482
	Submit photo	Eve Del Castello (R)	1.5	2,751

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 188,732
= 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

• Elijah Lewis Blue (L)

Endorsements

Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Mikels in this election.

Campaign themes

2024

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Marjorie Mikels completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Mikels' responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

Expand all | Collapse all

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I am an attorney and peace advocate. I hold a Juris Doctor Degree from UCLA School of Law, where I excelled in Constitutional Law. I have decades of experience in fierce legal battles, serving courageous individuals and grass roots organizations, working for freedom and justice and for water and forests, to sustain Life on Planet Earth for future generations.

As a young person, I traveled overland with a backpack throughout Europe, across North Africa, and through the countries of Turkey, Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan and India. Later, as an attorney, I visited Japan, So. Korea, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Singapore. I personally ventured across China to Tibet, Lhasa, and across the Himalayas to Mt. Everest and to Nepal.

These travels gave me love for all people and their cultures and religious traditions, and deepened my understanding of the people on whose lands the United States pursued imperialistic endeavors over the past few decades.

I am running for office out of a deep commitment to turn our nation, its budget and our tax resources from War, destruction of humanity and the planet, to a World of Peace, Clean Energy, and healing shared co-existence with our brothers and sisters across the continents of Earth.

I will join with others in Congress who prioritize universal human security and environmental preservation over corporate greed, supported by military might, benefiting the few at the expense of the vast majority of humankind.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

• Transformation of Values: PEACE NOT WAR!
• Saving Life on Planet Earth: LIFE NOT DEATH! Conversion of Energy Resources
• Promote International Humanitarian Law: JUSTICE NOT GENOCIDE!

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Foreign Policy; Personal liberty and Freedom from Government Coercion; Taxation and Budgetary Decisions to turn manufacturing capabilities of the country to meet human needs, not death and destruction.

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

Jesus. Jewish Hippie from Gaza, born in Bethlehem, direct descendant of King David who said: A new commandment I give unto you, that ye LOVE ONE ANOTHER. Be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another. And he told us that those that would follow him would be like this: "For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, and was in prison and you visited me". This is the kind of person I want to emulate. And I would wish that as a people, of the United States of America, we would choose this path, rather than using our vast resources to kill and starve and deprive others on the planet of their resources for the engorgement of a few very wealthy generally white men at the top. And I wish we would put down our arms and use some of the savings of the vast billions we spend for Lockheed, et al., to create weapons of death and destructionf, to fill the needs of the children and families in our own country and the world.

Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?

Too many to mention. But I loved this book: "Waging Peace" by David Hartsough.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

Honesty, courage, diligence, perseverance, ability to listen to others, to negotiate in good faith and reach diplomatic and effective solutions. Broad background of life experience helps too., in developing understanding.

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

I am not a politician. I am a caring Grandmother, with a life of experience, and a sense of urgency about saving life on our planet.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

Showing up; doing your homework of reading and listening to all sides on issues that arise, forming coalitions as needed; making wise decisions and voting.

What legacy would you like to leave?

CEASEFIRE NOW! STOP THE KILLING! NUCLEAR PROHIBITION!

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

My first political recollection was when I was about 13. My brother had a button: "I like Ike." Dwight D. Eisenhower was my fourth cousin, from Abilene, Kansas, like my ancestors. At the end of his term he worked for nuclear disarmament, and in his farewell address to the American people he said: "Every gun that is made, every warship launched, every rocket fired signifies in a final sense, a theft from those who hunger and are not fed, those who are cold and are not clothed. This world in arms is not spending money alone. It is spending the sweat of its laborers, the genius of its scientists, the hopes of its children. This is not a a way of life at all in any true sense. Under the cloud of threatening war, it is humanity hanging from a cross of Iron."
The most monumental first historical awakening for me was when I was 17 and they killed our hopes and dreams when they assassinated John F. Kennedy, just a few months after he gave his famous Peace Speech. Yes, I had become aware of the Cuban Missile Crisis, and the Civil Rights movement, and of course, everyone knew about Sputnik and the moon landing. But that death of our President was a tremendous blow.

What was the last song that got stuck in your head?

"And I believe that on that day, all the children of Abraham will lay down their swords together in Jerusalem." Steve Earle, as sung by Joan Baez

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

Wars, Never-ending Wars.

What qualities does the U.S. House of Representatives possess that makes it unique as an institution?

Power of the purse and power to declare war.

Do you believe that it's beneficial for representatives to have previous experience in government or politics?

Yes.
I have never been elected to office but I helped incorporate a city where my husband served as a founding father, council member and later Mayor and then served as County Supervisor, and on regional air quality and government boards. I was steeped in local politics and government for decades and have helped many politicians in their campaigns, and service.

What do you perceive to be the United States’ greatest challenges as a nation over the next decade?

Survival. Negotiating peaceful resolution of our proxy war with Russia in Ukraine. Ending funding and escalation of genocidal war in Palestine and greater Middle East. Stopping provocation of War with China.

Turning from hegemonic imperialistic full spectrum DOMINANCE of the rest of the planet (global south) and space, to a world of peace and shared humanity and mutual problem-solving of the threats to the planet and survival of our species.

Non-Proliferation and Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons.

Do you believe that two years is the right term length for representatives?

Plenty for me.

What are your thoughts on term limits?

Yes, I am in favor of term limits. 12 years max.

Is there a particular representative, past or present, whom you want to model yourself after?

Barbara Lee

Both sitting representatives and candidates for office hear many personal stories from the residents of their district. Is there a story that you’ve heard that you found particularly touching, memorable, or impactful?

Read David Hartsough's book: "Waging Peace". Full of such stories. But also moved by the late Daniel Ellsberg and his wife, Patricia's story, and the book and Ellsberg's book: "The Doomsday Machine, Confessions of a Nuclear War Planner", published shortly before his death last year. I was recently given a copy of Adrianne Aron's book, "Human rights and Wrongs" and her true life stories are impactful.

Do you believe that compromise is necessary or desirable for policymaking?

Yes, absolutely.

The Constitution says that all bills for raising revenue must originate in the House. What role would this power play in your priorities if elected?

First Priority I'd have is halting funds and revenue to countries that are committing GENOCIDE with our tax dollars. We would use tax code to reinforce our revolution of values from global hegemony and dominance (profiting the Merchants of Death) to the needs of humanity and preservation of the earth, with Clean Energy, tax incentives for conversion, and penalties by way of forced contributions from those polluting and destroying our earth, and killing life on the planet.

How should the U.S. House use its investigative powers?

Investigate Congressional Insider Trading, and campaign and other contributions and benefits they receive from foreign governments to determine their true alliances.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

?

What committees interest you?

Judicial
Foreign relations.

What are your views on financial transparency and government accountability?

I think we should start with the Pentagon which has never passed an audit and trillions of dollars go missing and unaccounted for. Then maybe we can turn to members of Congress who routinely use insider knowledge to enhance their financial portfolios.
I do believe in financial transparency and would definitely try to get a handle on Government's expenditures and hold it accountable for its use of taxpayer dollars.

Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

Campaign website

Mikels’s campaign website stated the following:

“	Ceasefire De-Escalation of regional conflict! Save the children and Save the Earth! Release all prisoners (hostages of both Palestine and Israel), and respect sanctity of Palestinian holy sites, end the siege on Gaza and the killings and “incarceration” of Palestinans in the Westbank. Follow the Order of the International Court of Justice (ICJ). Transform Weapons Manufacturers Create technology to benefit mankind not just inflict terror to create global empire of hegemony and full spectrum dominance for the benefit of wealthy corporations– “top 1%”. Green New Deal Transformation from fossil fuel and nuclear energy to clean energy from sun, wind and waves, and reforestation. Free Political Prisoners Uphold the First Amendment and Freedom of Speech Free Julian Assange, Mumia Abu-Jamal, and Leonard Peltier! Close Guantanamo and give reparations for prisoners kept all these years without charges or trial. Stop killing Journalists! Tax the Rich Enact a wealth tax. Restore the estate tax. Increase the tax on wealthy global corporations –> The gap between the rich and the rest of us on the planet is greater than ever in history. Reduce Military Expenditures & Move the Money to People’s Needs: Housing for All Medicare for All Free Access to Education Clean Water Affordable Toxic-Free Food Free Internet Access My Body, My Choice Freedom from government intervention and decisions affecting our bodies. Bodily autonomy. Reproductive choice. Equality and Equity for all genders and sexual orientations. End Gun Violence Universal background checks. Ban assault weapons. Enact extreme risk protection laws. Championing sensible gun laws at all levels of government (federal, state, and local). Stop mass exportation of guns and weapons to foreign countries. No More Nukes Shutdown Outdated Dangerous Nuclear Power Plants and stop building nuclear power plants. Helen Caldecott states: “The reason for nuclear power is to get plutonium for weapons”. Nuclear power pollutes the water that’s dumped into the ocean, radiates the fish and causes cancers, lukemia, and genetic abnormalities. We currently have 400 nuclear reactors in the U.S. and we need to close them down. We have no safe repository for the waste which will take 1 million years to store away from the eco systems, and that’s impossible. The waste leaks into rivers causing cancer leukemia and genetic abnormalities. These are cancer factories. Currently, Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant is dumping 1.3 million tons of radioactive water into Pacific Ocean. Most of congress is illiterate concerning these issues and listens to propaganda from the weapons industry. We need to shut down nuclear weapon manufacturing immediately and dismantle those plants ASAP. We do not need a new generation of nuclear weapons that costs trillions of dollars. If America does this, Russia will follow- and then France and England. There are two international treaties: Support treaties for Non-Proliferation and Prohibition of Nuclear weapons. America has not yet signed up for them, but other countries have and we need to join them.' No War With Anyone Negotiation and Diplomacy to end conflicts in Ukraine, Africa, Palestine – Israel, Yemen, and prevent war with Iran. No pivot to China – China is not our enemy. We do not need a uni-polar world with the United States ruling everyone and everything for the benefit of a few wealthy oligarchs. We can have a multi-polar world of economic cooperation, co-existence and mutual benefit for humanity. We are but one nation there are many nations on the Earth. We are part of the United Nations (UN). That organization was started after World War II to prevent war and annihilation of humanity and the planet. Now is the time!	”
—Marjorie Mikels’s campaign website (2024)

Campaign finance summary

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

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Marjorie Mikels campaign contribution history

Year	Office	Status	Contributions	Expenditures
2024*	U.S. House California District 11	Lost primary	$10,000	$10,000
Grand total			$10,000	$10,000
Sources: OpenSecrets,  Federal Elections Commission ***This product uses the openFEC API but is not endorsed or certified by the Federal Election Commission (FEC).
* Data from this year may not be complete

See also

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Newsletters

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External links

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Candidate

U.S. House California District 11

Website

Footnotes

[show]

California's current delegation to the United States Congress

Senators

Alex Padilla (D)

Adam Schiff (D)

Representatives

District 1

Doug LaMalfa (R)

District 2

Jared Huffman (D)

District 3

Kevin Kiley (R)

District 4

Mike Thompson (D)

District 5

Tom McClintock (R)

District 6

Ami Bera (D)

District 7

Doris Matsui (D)

District 8

John Garamendi (D)

District 9

Josh Harder (D)

District 10

Mark DeSaulnier (D)

District 11

Nancy Pelosi (D)

District 12

Lateefah Simon (D)

District 13

Adam Gray (D)

District 14

Eric Swalwell (D)

District 15

Kevin Mullin (D)

District 16

Sam Liccardo (D)

District 17

Ro Khanna (D)

District 18

Zoe Lofgren (D)

District 19

Jimmy Panetta (D)

District 20

Vince Fong (R)

District 21

Jim Costa (D)

District 22

David Valadao (R)

District 23

Jay Obernolte (R)

District 24

Salud Carbajal (D)

District 25

Raul Ruiz (D)

District 26

Julia Brownley (D)

District 27

George Whitesides (D)

District 28

Judy Chu (D)

District 29

Luz Rivas (D)

District 30

Laura Friedman (D)

District 31

Gil Cisneros (D)

District 32

Brad Sherman (D)

District 33

Pete Aguilar (D)

District 34

Jimmy Gomez (D)

District 35

Norma Torres (D)

District 36

Ted Lieu (D)

District 37

Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D)

District 38

Linda Sánchez (D)

District 39

Mark Takano (D)

District 40

Young Kim (R)

District 41

Ken Calvert (R)

District 42

Robert Garcia (D)

District 43

Maxine Waters (D)

District 44

Nanette Barragán (D)

District 45

Derek Tran (D)

District 46

Lou Correa (D)

District 47

Dave Min (D)

District 48

Darrell Issa (R)

District 49

Mike Levin (D)

District 50

Scott Peters (D)

District 51

Sara Jacobs (D)

District 52

Juan Vargas (D)

Democratic Party (45)

Republican Party (9)