Who Is Running in California Congressional District 23rd in 2026?
Last updated: March 4, 2026
Jay Obernolte
(Incumbent)Economy
HighJay Obernolte voted for bills like the Homeowner Energy Freedom Act and the Don't Mess With My Home Appliances Act in 2026. He also supported the Securing America's Critical Minerals Supply Act to reduce reliance on foreign critical minerals for economic competitiveness. Obernolte works to eliminate wasteful spending, cut red tape for small businesses, and lower taxes to encourage job growth, having introduced a balanced budget amendment. He opposes California's vehicle emission standards waiver due to concerns about consumer costs and interstate commerce.
Immigration
HighRepresentative Jay Obernolte supports immigration enforcement, as demonstrated by his visits to the California City Immigration Processing Center and the Adelanto ICE Processing Facility. Following his visit to Adelanto, he affirmed that the facility treats detainees humanely, providing access to medical care and legal representation. He emphasized that the center assists ICE in carrying out its mission to enforce immigration laws.
Healthcare
HighJay Obernolte advocates for a personalized, patient-centered healthcare system, emphasizing fiscally responsible policies and opposing a "one-size-fits-all" federal approach. He supports leveraging telehealth and artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance access and reduce costs. He voted for H.R. 6703, the Lower Health Care Premiums for All Americans Act, and co-sponsored H.R. 6197, the Health Tech Investment Act, which aims to establish a reimbursement pathway for AI-enabled medical devices to improve Medicare patient outcomes.
Democratic Candidate
No Democratic candidate has been confirmed for this race yet. Check back after the primary.
| Issue | Jay Obernolte |
|---|---|
| Economy | Jay Obernolte voted for bills like the Homeowner Energy Freedom Act and the Don't Mess With My Home Appliances Act in 2026. He also supported the Securing America's Critical Minerals Supply Act to reduce reliance on foreign critical minerals for economic competitiveness. Obernolte works to eliminate wasteful spending, cut red tape for small businesses, and lower taxes to encourage job growth, having introduced a balanced budget amendment. He opposes California's vehicle emission standards waiver due to concerns about consumer costs and interstate commerce. High |
| Immigration | Representative Jay Obernolte supports immigration enforcement, as demonstrated by his visits to the California City Immigration Processing Center and the Adelanto ICE Processing Facility. Following his visit to Adelanto, he affirmed that the facility treats detainees humanely, providing access to medical care and legal representation. He emphasized that the center assists ICE in carrying out its mission to enforce immigration laws. High |
| Healthcare | Jay Obernolte advocates for a personalized, patient-centered healthcare system, emphasizing fiscally responsible policies and opposing a "one-size-fits-all" federal approach. He supports leveraging telehealth and artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance access and reduce costs. He voted for H.R. 6703, the Lower Health Care Premiums for All Americans Act, and co-sponsored H.R. 6197, the Health Tech Investment Act, which aims to establish a reimbursement pathway for AI-enabled medical devices to improve Medicare patient outcomes. High |
| Climate & Energy | Jay Obernolte voted against environmental protections and climate initiatives in 2025 and 2026, receiving a 3% score from the League of Conservation Voters in 2025 and a 6% lifetime score. He supported overturning California's electric vehicle mandates and introduced an amendment to prevent an EPA waiver for the California Air Resources Board's In-Use Locomotive Regulation. Obernolte also introduced legislation to reduce U.S. reliance on foreign critical minerals and sponsored bills to increase domestic energy potential, onshore and offshore lease sales, and streamline drilling permits. Medium |
| Abortion & Reproductive Rights | Research pending more substantial sources. Low |
| Foreign Policy | Jay Obernolte advocates for American leadership in Artificial Intelligence (AI) development, citing its importance for national security and sustained economic growth against competitors like the Chinese Communist Party. He emphasizes creating a federal framework for AI that protects against AI-enabled cyberattacks and disinformation, while also fostering innovation and avoiding preemption of state child safety actions. He co-chairs the Bipartisan House AI Task Force and introduced the CREATE AI Act to establish the National AI Research Resource. High |
| Education | Research pending more substantial sources. Low |
| Gun Policy | Research pending more substantial sources. Low |
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