California 24th District
Salud Carbajal (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
Salud Carbajal
Democrat · holds this seat today
FLiberty Score FOn the liberty side in 49 of 125 votes and bills.
Raised $1,917,271 since January 2025: 60% from people, 39% from PACs and other committees, 1% transfers and other income. The filing at FEC.gov
Bob Smith
Republican · retired navy commander, defense systems engineer, carpinteria
BLiberty Score B84 out of 100 across 4 principles. Graded on what Smith has said and done, because I have no votes in Congress to count for Smith.
Raised $346,742 since January 2025: 88% from people, 7% the candidate’s own money, 3% transfers and other income. The filing at FEC.gov
Higher on Liberty Score: Bob Smith. Bob Smith: B, 84 out of 100 from words and actions, with no votes in Congress to count. Salud Carbajal: F, 36 out of 100 from recorded votes.
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.
Bob Smith, on the record
I have no votes in Congress to count for Smith, so the grade above comes from this list: what Smith has said and done on my principles. Each line has its source, and each is marked with the same test I use for votes.
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In a statement printed by KEYT, he said Iran cannot obtain a nuclear weapon or continue advanced ballistic missile production.
“Leadership consensus from both parties has always agreed that Iran cannot obtain a nuclear weapon or continue advanced ballistic missile production.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Insisting Iran must not get a nuclear weapon is the with side of the Iran regime measure.
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In the same statement he said many Iranians support the United States in stopping the IRGC that has terrorized them.
“The United States should lead with our values, and always remember that many Iranian people are supporting the U.S. in stopping the brutal IRGC that has terrorized their lives for 47 years.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Speaking for Iranians against their rulers is the with side of the Iran people measure.
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In an op-ed he signed, he called for California to exempt military retirement pay from state income tax.
“california should follow the lead of every other state in the country and exempt military retirement pay from state income taxes.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Cutting a named tax is the with side of this measure.
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In an essay he signed, he said overregulation and energy costs drive high prices and that he will focus on reducing both.
“Affordability is largely impacted by overregulation and energy costs. I will focus on reducing both.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Less regulation is the with side of this measure.
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In an op-ed he signed, he asked where the bill is to reduce the regulatory burden that makes California housing expensive.
“where is the bill to reduce the regulatory burden that makes housing so expensive in california?”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Less regulation is the with side of this measure.
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In an essay he signed, he said he will aggressively pursue federal investment in aerospace and defense modernization for the district.
“I will use these to aggressively pursue federal investments in aerospace, defense modernization, advanced manufacturing, energy infrastructure, AI, and research partnerships.”
- By the test I use for votes
- Not clear either way
Bringing defense contracts to the district is not a stand on the size of the defence budget, so it does not settle the measure.
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His campaign site calls for peace through strength, a mission-ready force and stronger local bases.
“peace through strength and a mission ready force.”
- By the test I use for votes
- Not clear either way
He names no defence budget or funding level, so this does not settle the measure.
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In an op-ed he signed, he said sanctuary policy shields illegal labor, trafficking and child exploitation.
“in immigration, this promotes sanctuary, which shields illegal labor systems, labor trafficking, and child exploitation.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Opposing sanctuary policies is the with side of this measure.
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In an op-ed he signed, he called for repealing California's sanctuary law, SB 54.
“the good news is that we can make a change by demanding that our state senator, monique limón, push for a repeal of sb 54.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Ending sanctuary policies is the with side of this measure.
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In an op-ed he signed, he faulted his opponent for not leading a bill to protect DACA recipients and Dreamers.
“where is the bill to protect daca recipients and dreamers who grew up here, went to school here, work here, serve here, and know no other country?”
- By the test I use for votes
- Against liberty
Legal protection for people brought here illegally as children is the against side of this measure.
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His campaign site says he has drafted legislation giving Dreamers a defined legal pathway.
“Bob agrees, and has drafted legislation to bring with him on day one that gives Dreamers a defined legal pathway forward.”
- By the test I use for votes
- Against liberty
A legal pathway for people brought here illegally as children is the against side of this measure.
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His campaign site promises to secure the border, stop fentanyl and remove violent offenders.
“secure the border and stop the flow of fentanyl. remove violent offenders without apology.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Securing the border and deporting those who break the law is the with side of this measure.
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His campaign site promises legal clarity for long-term residents who work and pay taxes.
“legal clarity for long term residents who work and pay taxes here.”
- By the test I use for votes
- Not clear either way
Legal clarity names no legal status or path to citizenship, so this does not settle the measure.
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?
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Discussion
California 24th District
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