California 26th District
Julia Brownley (D) is not 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.DiscussSam Gallucci
Republican · senior pastor in oxnard, former business executive
No gradeNo grade yetI have no votes in Congress to count for Gallucci, and what Gallucci has said and done settles only 2 of my principles. I went through it on October 26. A grade needs 4.
Raised $537,530 since January 2025: 54% the candidate’s own money, 44% from people, 1% from PACs and other committees. The filing at FEC.gov
Jacqui Irwin
Democrat · state assemblymember from thousand oaks, former mayor, engineer
No gradeNo grade yetI have no votes in Congress to count for Irwin, and what Irwin has said and done settles only 1 of my principles. I went through it on October 30. A grade needs 4.
Raised $1,170,990 since January 2025: 73% from people, 26% from PACs and other committees, 1% 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.
Sam Gallucci, on the record
I have no votes in Congress to count for Gallucci, so the grade above comes from this list: what Gallucci 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 enter wars only when the lives or core security interests of Americans and allies are in danger, and not fight never-ending wars.
“i believe the united states should only enter wars when the lives or core national security interests of americans and our allies are in danger.”
- By the test I use for votes
- Not clear either way
A general rule on war names no ally, no aid and no alliance, so it does not settle this measure.
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In a 2021 candidate profile for governor he said his business experience would help him lower taxes and roll back regulations that hurt job growth.
“roll back regulations that hurt job growth and cause people to leave california.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Rolling back regulation is the with side of this measure.
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He said current pollution laws are enough and that burdensome climate regulations are crushing small businesses and families with high prices.
“the reality is that burdensome climate regulations that have an almost undetectable impact on our environment and emissions are crushing small businesses and families with unsustainably high prices.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Opposing more regulation is the with side of this measure.
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Asked whether he would approve more money for the military, he said it should stay the strongest force on earth but current funding is enough.
“while our military is and should remain the strongest force on earth, i believe current funding is plenty to achieve that feat”
- By the test I use for votes
- Not clear either way
Keeping the budget where it is neither cuts it nor raises it, so it does not settle this measure.
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In a newspaper questionnaire he promised immigration reform letting long-settled migrants who work and commit no crimes stay in the country.
“the migrants who have been residing in our communities for decades, who work honestly, who don't commit crimes, who contribute economically and culturally, should be allowed to stay.”
- By the test I use for votes
- Against liberty
Letting people here illegally stay is the against side of this measure.
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In the same answer he said migrants who commit crimes should be deported and refused re-entry.
“but criminals who flaunt our laws and hurt americans should be deported and refused re-entry.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Deporting those who break the law is the with side of this measure.
Jacqui Irwin, on the record
I have no votes in Congress to count for Irwin, so the grade above comes from this list: what Irwin 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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She said the current Congress is unwilling to question the president's wars and more oversight is needed, without naming Iran or a bill.
“A president's power is not unlimited, and the current Congress is unwilling to question Trump's wars, which is why a change is needed, and more congressional oversight is essential.”
- By the test I use for votes
- Not clear either way
The words name no country, bill or vote, so by the brief they settle nothing.
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Asked about limits on young people's social media use, she said Congress should consider restrictions on social media and phone use in schools.
“Congress should consider restrictions on social media and phone use in schools.”
- By the test I use for votes
- Not clear either way
A school rule on phones is not a speech law or pressure on platforms over lawful speech, so it does not settle the measure.
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Asked in a newspaper questionnaire whether she supports stronger regulations on pollution and carbon emissions, she said yes and pointed to a law she passed using money from polluters to lower power bills.
“yes, in fact, last year i passed legislation that balances california's climate ambitions with affordability.”
- By the test I use for votes
- Against liberty
Backing stronger regulation is the against side of this measure, which favours less regulation.
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She said she would fight to restore and improve access to affordable health care for all Americans.
“i will fight to restore and improve access to quality, affordable healthcare for all americans.”
- By the test I use for votes
- Not clear either way
Better access to care does not say the government should run health care for all, so it does not settle this measure.
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Her campaign site lists reinstating the net operating loss and research and development tax credits for California businesses among her record.
“reinstating net operating loss (nols) tax credits and research and development (r&d) tax credits helping california small businesses and our local economy.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Restoring named business tax credits is a tax cut, the with side of this measure.
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She said more military money should be approved only for a demonstrated need with a clear plan.
“additional funding for the military should only be approved if it covers a demonstrated need with a clear plan for how the additional funding will protect americans and our servicemen and women.”
- By the test I use for votes
- Not clear either way
A condition on new money neither cuts nor raises the budget, so it does not settle this measure.
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She said the country needs a secure border but not masked immigration agents in communities, and called for immigration reform.
“of course, we need a secure border, but we don't need roving bands of masked agents terrorizing our communities.”
- By the test I use for votes
- Not clear either way
She backs a secure border and objects to how agents operate without opposing deportation or naming a path to citizenship, so the line does not settle this 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 26th District
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