California 35th District
Norma Torres (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
Norma Torres
Democrat · holds this seat today
FLiberty Score FOn the liberty side in 48 of 120 votes and bills.
Raised $922,924 since January 2025: 63% from PACs and other committees, 37% from people. The filing at FEC.gov
Mike Cargile
Republican · former army officer, former film producer, small businessman
FLiberty Score F58 out of 100 across 4 principles. Graded on what Cargile has said and done, because I have no votes in Congress to count for Cargile.
Raised $9,799 since January 2025: 100% from people. The filing at FEC.gov
Higher on Liberty Score: Mike Cargile. Mike Cargile: F, 58 out of 100 from words and actions, with no votes in Congress to count. Norma Torres: F, 37 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.
Mike Cargile, on the record
I have no votes in Congress to count for Cargile, so the grade above comes from this list: what Cargile 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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His campaign site criticises his opponent for putting support for Ukraine ahead of American veterans and calls him America first, not Ukraine first.
“Norma has prioritized the needs and the support of Ukraine (at least $250 Billion) over homeless and hurting American vets.”
- By the test I use for votes
- Against liberty
Treating aid to Ukraine as money taken from Americans is the opposing aid to Ukraine side of this measure.
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His campaign site says support for Israel is conditional on its benefit to the United States.
“Mike believes that support of Israel is conditional. The tail CANNOT wag the dog. Our support MUST be based on its benefit to the United States...FIRST.”
- By the test I use for votes
- Against liberty
Making support for Israel depend on its benefit to the United States is a condition on it, against liberty on free nations.
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His candidate statement says there should be no tax on tips or Social Security and property taxes should be halved for those over 65.
“He believes there should be NO TAXES on tips or Social Security and property taxes should be cut in half for those over 65 years of age.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Cutting named taxes is the lower taxes side of this measure.
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His campaign site says he is completely against socialism and communism.
“I stand completely against Socialism/Communism. Both are a form of subjugation to governmental authority, all the while posing as egalitarian liberators.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Saying no to socialism is the with side of this measure.
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His campaign site says he opposes males in girls' sports and women's bathrooms, and DEI and CRT.
“Mike wholeheartedly stands against boys in girls' sports, men in women's bathrooms, the sexualization of our children and any forms of institutional racism like DEI and CRT.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Keeping women's sport female and opposing DEI are the with side of this measure.
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His campaign site says the United States has always run on the principles of the Bible and that abandoning them would doom it.
“The United States has always conducted itself under the Judeo-Christian principles and standards set forth in the Bible and this is precisely why we have enjoyed unparalleled peace and prosperity.”
- By the test I use for votes
- Not clear either way
Praise for Biblical standards names no religious rule to be written into law, so the words do not settle this measure.
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His campaign site says the border wall should be completed.
“Next, we complete the wall. It is our number one defense against drugs and human trafficking, and it is an essential element of our national defense.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
A wall or barrier on the border is the with side of this measure.
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His campaign site says people here illegally should be paid to leave and deported if they refuse.
“Those who refuse to self-deport will be deported forcibly and without prejudice.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Deporting those who break immigration law 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.
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Discussion
California 35th District
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