California 25th District
Raul Ruiz (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
Raul Ruiz
Democrat · holds this seat today
FLiberty Score FOn the liberty side in 49 of 123 votes and bills.
Raised $2,455,631 since January 2025: 50% from PACs and other committees, 50% from people, 1% transfers and other income. The filing at FEC.gov
Joe Males
Republican · hemet city councilman, former mayor, marine veteran, business owner
No gradeNo grade yetI have no votes in Congress to count for Males, and what Males has said and done settles only 3 of my principles. I went through it on October 24. A grade needs 4.
Raised $1,114,056 since January 2025: 95% from people, 5% transfers and other income. The filing at FEC.gov
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.
Joe Males, on the record
I have no votes in Congress to count for Males, so the grade above comes from this list: what Males 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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He said the United States should go to war only when there is a serious threat to its security or when it must defend its allies.
“the united states should only engage in war when there is a serious threat to our national security or when we must defend our allies.”
- By the test I use for votes
- Not clear either way
Defending allies in general names no ally, no aid and no alliance, so it does not settle this measure.
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He said he does not support a social media ban for young people but that Congress should require algorithm transparency and make companies take responsibility for content they push, naming false information among harmful material.
“congress should require greater transparency around how algorithms work and ensure companies take responsibility for the content they push, particularly to young users.”
- By the test I use for votes
- Not clear either way
He opposes a ban but asks for platform responsibility without saying lawful speech should be removed, so it does not settle this measure.
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He said he does not support expanding federal mandates on pollution and carbon emissions and prefers market-driven solutions.
“i do not support expanding burdensome mandates on pollution and carbon emissions that often drive up costs, limit growth, and push jobs out of the country.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Opposing more regulation is the with side of this measure.
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He said he would advocate keeping federal taxes, regulations and spending under control.
“i will advocate for keeping federal taxes, regulations, and spending under control so washington is not adding to the problem.”
- By the test I use for votes
- Not clear either way
Keeping taxes under control names no tax and no cut, so it does not settle this measure.
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Asked whether he would approve more money for the military, he said he supports a strong, well-equipped military and continued investment in defence companies.
“i support a strong, well-equipped u.s. military and continued investment in american companies that support our national defense.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Funding and equipping the armed forces is the with side of this measure.
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In a newspaper questionnaire he said border security must be the foundation of any immigration policy.
“border security must be the foundation of any immigration policy.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Securing the border and enforcing the law is the with side of this measure.
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He said that in Congress he would support stronger border security and consistent enforcement of the law, and he faulted California's sanctuary state policies.
“in congress, i will support stronger border security, consistent enforcement of the law, and better coordination so communities are not caught in the middle.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Securing the border and enforcing the law is the with side of this measure.
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In the same answer he backed clear legal pathways for high-skilled workers and a functioning asylum process.
“including high-skilled workers who contribute to innovation and growth, and a functioning asylum process for those seeking refuge.”
- By the test I use for votes
- Not clear either way
Legal immigration and asylum for those who come lawfully are neither side of this measure, which is about illegal entry.
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 25th District
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