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Paul Chakalian
Paul Chakalian (Democratic Party) is running for election to the U.S. House to represent California's 23rd Congressional District. He declared candidacy for the 2026 election.[source]
Chakalian completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. Click here to read the survey answers.
Biography
Paul Chakalian was born in Pasadena, California. He earned a bachelor's degree from the Evergreen State College in 2012, a graduate degree from Columbia University in 2015, and a doctoral degree from Arizona State University in 2019. His career experience includes working as a researcher for NOAA and a business owner.[1]
Elections
2026
See also: California's 23rd Congressional District election, 2026
General election
The general election will occur on November 3, 2026.
General election for U.S. House California District 23
Incumbent Jay Obernolte, Edwin Alonzo, Paul Chakalian, Alexis Claiborne, and Tessa Lynn Hodge are running in the general election for U.S. House California District 23 on November 3, 2026.
Candidate | ||
 | Jay Obernolte (R) | |
 | Edwin Alonzo (D)  | |
 | Paul Chakalian (D) | |
 | Alexis Claiborne (D) | |
 | Tessa Lynn Hodge (D) | |
| ||||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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Endorsements
Ballotpedia is gathering information about candidate endorsements. To send us an endorsement, click here.
Campaign themes
2026
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Paul Chakalian completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Chakalian's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.
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Paul comes from a family of small business owners with roots in this region for nearly two decades. His journey began early, helping at his parents' bookstore as a teenager and learning the value of hard work and community. Today, he's built a successful craft distillery that provides jobs and supports the local economy, donating between 2–5% of its revenue every year to over two dozen local community organizations.
Paul is committed to championing the needs of small businesses and working families. With a deep understanding of local economic challenges, and a PhD in environmental science, he brings a people-first perspective focused on balanced and practical solutions to improve lives and livelihoods.- If elected, Paul will work across the aisle to provide concrete improvements in our communities by reducing costs for working families, supporting businesses and schools, and ensuring access to quality healthcare and our shared natural spaces.
- Paul Believes in the Right To:
1. Pursue happiness, including security and financial independence, without government getting in the way.
2. Express yourself and speak your mind even when your opinions are unpopular or critical.
3. Practice your religion or no religion in the way that you and your family choose.
4. Access affordable healthcare, including reproductive health care.
5. Have clean and safe neighborhoods and natural spaces.
6. Love and marry whom you please regardless of race, gender, or religion.
7. Bear arms through responsible gun ownership. - Paul Promises To: 1. Fight for lower taxes and increased government efficiency. 2. Vote with my constituents, not with a party. 3. Keep big money interests and foreign influence out of government. 4. Uphold our basic rights.
2. Enhancing Social Security and Veteran services.
3. Providing Accessible Healthcare for all Americans.
2. Protecting our position as the world's reserve currency and global leader in science, culture, and International affairs.
Miguel Soto Jr., Adelanto Elementary School District Board Clerk.
Center for Forethought Equality, PAC.
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 finance summary
Note: The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may represent only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf. Satellite spending groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer. Campaign finance data from elections may be incomplete. For elections to federal offices, complete data can be found at the FEC website. Click here for more on federal campaign finance law and here for more on state campaign finance law.
See also
2026 Elections
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on August 12, 2025
