California 46th District
Lou Correa (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
Lou Correa
Democrat · holds this seat today
FLiberty Score FOn the liberty side in 47 of 118 votes and bills.
Raised $1,493,329 since January 2025: 56% from PACs and other committees, 33% from people, 11% transfers and other income. The filing at FEC.gov
David Pan
Republican · UC Irvine German professor, ran for this seat in 2024
ALiberty Score A100 out of 100 across 4 principles. Graded on what Pan has said and done, because I have no votes in Congress to count for Pan.
Raised $104,145 since January 2025: 88% from people, 9% the candidate’s own money, 2% from PACs and other committees. The filing at FEC.gov
Higher on Liberty Score: David Pan. David Pan: A, 100 out of 100 from words and actions, with no votes in Congress to count. Lou Correa: F, 34 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.
David Pan, on the record
I have no votes in Congress to count for Pan, so the grade above comes from this list: what Pan 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 his 2024 campaign kickoff speech he named Iran, Russia and China as countries hostile to liberal democracy, without naming a policy.
“from protestors who support terrorists to countries like Iran, Russia, and China, who are hostile to liberal democracy.”
- By the test I use for votes
- Not clear either way
He names Iran as hostile but no sanction, strike or deal, so the words do not settle the measure.
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In a campaign blog post he argued for free markets and warned that laws keeping prices down have unintended consequences.
“We need to support free markets. Laws that keep prices down usually have unintended consequences.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Opposing price controls is with liberty on free markets.
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In the same post he said a blanket tariff on all goods raises prices and increases inflation.
“A blanket tariff on all goods raises prices and increases inflation.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Opposing broad tariffs is with liberty on free markets.
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In a 2024 interview he said emissions should be handled with a carbon tax instead of subsidies.
“We do need to think about carbon emissions, but not in the way we do now in subsidizing companies when trying to pick and choose winners, but instead by implementing a carbon tax and allowing the market to decide winners.”
- By the test I use for votes
- Not clear either way
A new tax paired with ending subsidies pulls both ways on the measure, so it is shown and not counted.
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His campaign Issues page promises lower taxes and regulations on small businesses.
“Reducing taxes and regulations on small businesses will create jobs and renew our communities.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Lower taxes and less regulation, with small-business taxes and regulations named, is with liberty on free markets.
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In a public comment to the University of California Regents he asked them to eliminate the diversity, equity and inclusion mandates.
“I am here to ask that you consider eliminating the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion mandates at the UC campuses.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Opposing DEI mandates is with liberty on equal rights.
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In a 2024 interview he said Congress should withhold federal funds from universities that do not comply with the Supreme Court's ruling against racial preferences.
“We need to introduce legislation that withholds federal funds who aren’t compliant.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Acting against race preferences follows the 'no race quotas' side of the equal rights test.
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In a newspaper questionnaire he said the US faces long-term challenges from China, Russia and Iran and called for higher defense spending.
“we need to increase defense spending to meet them.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
the defense test treats funding a strong defence budget as with liberty; he says defence spending must rise.
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In a 2024 interview he said the border should be closed and penalties for drug dealing made more severe.
“We need to close down the border and put in more severe penalties for selling and dealing drugs.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Closing the border is the with side of the border measure.
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His campaign Issues page says the border must be secured before a consistent immigration policy can be made.
“we need to secure our border so that we can develop a consistent immigration policy.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Securing the border is the with side of the border 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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California 46th District
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