California 33rd District
Pete Aguilar (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
Pete Aguilar
Democrat · holds this seat today
FLiberty Score FOn the liberty side in 46 of 120 votes and bills.
Raised $5,676,011 since January 2025: 44% from PACs and other committees, 40% from people, 16% transfers and other income. The filing at FEC.gov
Stephanie Vargas
Republican · chief deputy city clerk of colton
ALiberty Score A100 out of 100 across 4 principles. Graded on what Vargas has said and done, because I have no votes in Congress to count for Vargas.
Raised $721 since January 2025: 100% from people. The filing at FEC.gov
Higher on Liberty Score: Stephanie Vargas. Stephanie Vargas: A, 100 out of 100 from words and actions, with no votes in Congress to count. Pete Aguilar: F, 35 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.
Stephanie Vargas, on the record
I have no votes in Congress to count for Vargas, so the grade above comes from this list: what Vargas 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 voter guide questionnaire she called the US relationship with Israel vital and Israel a reliable ally.
“The United States' relationship with Israel is vital. Israel is a reliable ally that shares our democratic values, and our partnership strengthens regional security through intelligence and strategic cooperation.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Treating Israel as an ally is the with side of this measure.
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She chose the answer that the US should selectively help countries growing democracy and fighting tyranny, and called the Chinese Communist Party a threat to be watched.
“I believe it is wise to remain cautious about the Chinese Communist Party, as their actions raise legitimate concerns in areas like national security, cybersecurity, and global economic influence.”
- By the test I use for votes
- Not clear either way
Wariness of Beijing names no backing for Taiwan, Ukraine or NATO, so the words do not settle this measure.
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Her campaign platform backs the Kids Online Safety Act and a legal duty of care for platforms toward children.
“I will advocate for legislation like the Kids Online Safety Act that holds Big Tech accountable by establishing a 'Duty of Care' to protect our children from addictive algorithms and harmful content.”
- By the test I use for votes
- Not clear either way
A child safety duty on platforms is not by its words a demand to remove lawful speech, so it does not settle this measure.
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She answered that she disagrees with higher taxes on those who can afford more and backs a tax-free income floor with a single flat rate.
“I believe that true fairness is achieved not by targeting success with higher rates, but by establishing a tax-free income floor that protects every family's basic needs, followed by a single, uniform flat rate that treats every citizen with the exact same standard of equality.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Rejecting higher rates on top earners in favour of a flat tax is the lower taxes side of this measure.
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Her campaign platform says she will back legislation to stop costly federal rules being made by unelected officials.
“I will support legislation that stops unelected bureaucrats from passing expensive rules behind closed doors.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Less regulation is the with side of this measure.
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Her campaign platform says girls' sports should be kept for biological females.
“I am a steadfast advocate for protecting the integrity of female athletics, believing that common-sense rules must be maintained to protect girls' sports for biological females.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Keeping women's sport female is the with side of this measure.
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Her campaign platform says she opposes medical interventions that ask children to make permanent choices before maturity.
“I stand firm against any ideology or medical intervention that risks a child's future well-being, advocating instead for a foundation of protection that allows them to develop fully and naturally.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Opposing gender ideology and gender medicine for children is the with side of this measure.
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In the same questionnaire she said she does not support sanctuary cities.
“I do not support sanctuary cities that shield undocumented individuals, because they undermine the rule of law, strain local resources, and create public-safety concerns”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Opposing sanctuary policies is the with side of 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 33rd District
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