California 16th District
Sam Liccardo (D) holds this seat and is running again. 2 candidates were on the ballot on November 3, 2026.
Who should win this race, and why?Say what you think. Other readers can answer you.Discuss
Sam Liccardo
Democrat · holds this seat today
FLiberty Score FOn the liberty side in 12 of 43 votes and bills.
Raised $3,873,150 since January 2025: 42% from people, 35% transfers and other income, 23% from PACs and other committees. The filing at FEC.gov
Peter Soulé
Republican · family steel business executive, former san jose civil service commissioner
No gradeNo grade yetI have no votes in Congress to count for Soulé, and what Soulé has said and done settles only 3 of my principles. I went through it on October 24. A grade needs 4.
Voting in California: how to register, vote early or vote by mail. Election Day was November 3.
Side by side
A solid letter is a grade from recorded votes on that principle. An outlined letter is on the same scale, for a candidate with no votes: it comes from what that candidate has said and done, and every source is listed below.
Peter Soulé, on the record
I have no votes in Congress to count for Soulé, so the grade above comes from this list: what Soulé has said and done on my principles. Each line has its source, and each is marked with the same test I use for votes.
-
His issues page calls for stopping China from buying American farmland near military bases.
“Restricting Red China from buying American farmland near our military bases.”
- By the test I use for votes
- Not clear either way
It is wary of Beijing but says nothing on Taiwan, Ukraine or NATO, so it does not settle the free nations test.
-
His campaign site criticises a California law that he describes as making it illegal to expose the waste of taxpayer money.
“The response of Gov Newsom and our state legislators is to pass the Nick Shirley Act making it illegal to expose wasting of taxpayer dollars!”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Opposing a law that, in his words, makes exposing government waste a crime is on the with side of the free_speech measure.
-
His campaign site calls for raising the federal capital gains exemption on the sale of a primary home.
“Reduce the Federal capital gains tax for Californians that sell their primary residence.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
A named tax cut is with liberty on free markets.
-
His issues page calls for removing restrictions on oil drilling and refinery building in California.
“Make energy more affordable by removing restrictions on drilling for oil and building refineries in California.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Less regulation is with liberty on free markets.
-
His campaign site faults his opponent for voting against a House resolution condemning socialism.
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Saying no to socialism is with liberty on free markets.
-
His issues page proposes banning large financial institutions from buying single-family homes.
“Banning large financial institutions from buying single-family homes”
- By the test I use for votes
- Not clear either way
A purchase ban is a new rule on the market but not a tax, price control or socialism, so it does not settle the free markets test.
-
His issues page calls for withholding federal money from cities whose sanctuary policies block deportation of criminals here illegally.
“Withholding Federal dollars going to cities who enforce sanctuary city policies that prevent the deportation of criminals who are here illegally.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Opposing sanctuary policies and backing deportation are with liberty on borders.
-
His campaign site lists deporting criminals who are here illegally as a public safety step.
“Deportation of criminals who are here illegally.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Deporting those who break the law is with liberty on borders.
Who is on the ballot: the state election offices, as listed on Wikipedia on November 3, 2026, checked against the candidate file of the Federal Election Commission. See a name that is wrong or missing? Say so in the discussion.
Who should win this race, and why?
Say it where other readers can answer you. Opinions, videos and corrections about this race are all in one place.
Discussion
California 16th District
Opinions, videos, corrections and bug reports about this race, all in one place. What readers post is their words, not mine. My answers carry the Host tag.
Leave out anything private about anyone. The rules, what your account keeps, and what readers have changed so far
Know this race better than I do?
Argue it with the hosts on a call. The community meets every day, and members help decide what goes on these pages.