California 43rd District
Maxine Waters (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
Maxine Waters
Democrat · holds this seat today
FLiberty Score FOn the liberty side in 30 of 119 votes and bills.
Raised $1,107,267 since January 2025: 49% from PACs and other committees, 40% from people, 11% transfers and other income. The filing at FEC.gov
Cristian Morales
Republican · manufacturing executive, ran for governor in 2022
ALiberty Score A100 out of 100 across 6 principles. Graded on what Morales has said and done, because I have no votes in Congress to count for Morales.
Raised $14,995 since January 2025: 85% transfers and other income, 15% from people. The filing at FEC.gov
Higher on Liberty Score: Cristian Morales. Cristian Morales: A, 100 out of 100 from words and actions, with no votes in Congress to count. Maxine Waters: F, 22 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.
Cristian Morales, on the record
I have no votes in Congress to count for Morales, so the grade above comes from this list: what Morales 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 platform supports Israel's right to exist and to defend itself.
“Support Israel’s right to exist and defend itself while pursuing lasting regional peace.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Backing Israel's right to defend itself is with liberty on free nations.
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Asked on a voter-guide questionnaire whether the relationship with Israel matters, he called Israel the closest ally in the Middle East.
“Yes, because they are our closest ally in the middle-east.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Treating Israel as an ally is with liberty on free nations.
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On a voter-guide questionnaire he picked the foreign-policy view that the United States should intervene whenever freedom is threatened.
“The United States should intervene whenever freedom is threatened.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Choosing active engagement over staying out rejects isolationism, with liberty on free nations.
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His platform commits to protecting free speech and preventing government censorship.
“Protect free speech and prevent government censorship.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Opposing government censorship is the 'with' side of the free speech measure.
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His platform calls for reducing regulations that raise energy prices.
“Reduce unnecessary regulations that increase energy prices.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Less regulation is with liberty on free markets.
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His platform wants healthcare access strengthened without Washington controlling every healthcare decision.
“Strengthen healthcare access without putting Washington in control of every healthcare decision.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Opposing government control of health care follows the 'no government-run health care for all' rule.
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His platform rejects government policies that divide Americans by race, ethnicity or political beliefs.
“Reject government policies that divide Americans by race, ethnicity, or political beliefs.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Rejecting race-based government policy follows the 'no DEI mandates, no race quotas' rule.
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His platform calls for maintaining the strongest military in the world.
“Maintain the strongest military in the world.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Calling for the strongest military follows the 'funds and equips the armed forces' rule.
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His platform commits to securing the border and enforcing immigration laws.
“Secure the border and enforce immigration laws.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Securing the border and enforcing the law is the with side of the border measure.
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His platform says it would protect Dreamers while trying to avoid encouraging future illegal immigration.
“Protect DREAMERS while ensuring reforms do not encourage future illegal immigration.”
- By the test I use for votes
- Not clear either way
The line names no path to citizenship, so it does not settle the amnesty rule either way.
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 43rd District
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