California 5th District
Tom McClintock (R) 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
Tom McClintock
Republican · holds this seat today
A-Liberty Score A-On the liberty side in 112 of 126 votes and bills.
Raised $1,254,442 since January 2025: 84% from people, 16% from PACs and other committees. The filing at FEC.gov
Michael Masuda
Democrat · engineer and former State Department officer
FLiberty Score F51 out of 100 across 4 principles. Graded on what Masuda has said and done, because I have no votes in Congress to count for Masuda.
Raised $581,621 since January 2025: 94% from people, 4% from PACs and other committees, 2% transfers and other income. The filing at FEC.gov
Higher on Liberty Score: Tom McClintock. Tom McClintock: A-, 90 out of 100 from recorded votes. Michael Masuda: F, 51 out of 100 from words and actions, with no votes in Congress to count.
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.
Michael Masuda, on the record
I have no votes in Congress to count for Masuda, so the grade above comes from this list: what Masuda 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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Said the administration and the defense secretary directed unauthorized hostilities in Iran in breach of the War Powers Resolution, and backed the effort to hold the secretary accountable.
“for months, the current administration and Secretary Hegseth have bypassed this requirement, directing unauthorized military hostilities in Iran in direct violation of the War Powers Resolution”
- By the test I use for votes
- Against liberty
the tyranny test counts backing war powers limits aimed at stopping action against Iran as against.
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Called for a halt to US lethal military aid to Israel until a path to lasting peace and a Palestinian state is secured.
“I support a halt to U.S. lethal military aid to Israel until a clear path to a lasting peace and a sovereign, viable Palestinian state is secured.”
- By the test I use for votes
- Against liberty
the free nations test counts conditioning or cutting off weapons to Israel as against.
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Described the war in Gaza as an ongoing genocide in his own statement.
“The catastrophic pain, suffering, and destruction in Gaza must be called by its name: an ongoing genocide and a humanitarian crisis.”
- By the test I use for votes
- Against liberty
the free nations test counts calling Israel's war genocide as against.
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Said Israel has a right to defend itself from Hamas.
“Israel has a right to defend itself from Hamas brutality.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
the free nations test counts backing Israel's right to defend itself as with.
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Listed reinforcing NATO and Indo-Pacific partnerships among his foreign policy priorities.
“reinforce NATO and Indo-Pacific partnerships”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
the free nations test counts backing NATO as with.
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Listed opposing unpredictable tariffs that raise costs among his trade priorities.
“oppose unpredictable tariffs that raise costs and hurt farmers”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
the free markets test counts opposing broad tariffs as with.
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Set out his immigration approach as securing the border and enforcing the law.
“My approach is simple: secure the border, enforce the law, and fix the system so it is orderly, timely, and works for our economy.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
the borders test counts securing the border and enforcing the law as with.
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 5th District
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