House of Representative Challengers (as of 1/2/2018)

*District Residency information is based on media reporting. House members are not required to live in the district they represent

  • Ted Rusk (Democrat)
    • No website
  • Stephan Cox (Independent)
    • District Residency: Unknown
    • http://www.voteforcox.com/
    • Former Republican; journalist and photographer in motorcycle industry
    • Notable views
      • Will not take any money from Political Action Committees
      • Congressional pay based on district median wage
      • Supports universal health care system like the Netherlands
      • Exempt first $100,000 of taxable income from federal income taxes for all war veterans or spouses of those killed in action
      • Oppose Iraq War and any military involvement not related to direct defense of the United States
      • Raise minimum wage and taxes on the very wealthy
      • Overturn Citizens United
      • End war on terror and war on drugs
      • “Guns are not the problem in our country; our society is.”
  • Andy Thorburn (Democrat)
    • District Residency: Villa Park, District 45 (LA Times)
    • https://www.thorburnforcongress.com/
    • Former public school teacher, founded a small business
    • Currently Director of Strategic Planning at Global Benefits Group
    • Notable views
      • End tax cuts and loopholes for wealthy
      • Make paid family and parental leave “law of the land”
      • Raise the Federal minimum wage and protect workers’ right to organize
      • Supports DACA and immigration reform that includes path to citizenship
      • Fund Planned Parenthood, repeal the Hyde Amendment, and supports equal pay for equal work
      • Full equality for LGBT Americans
      • Protect the Affordable Care Act; supports Medicare for All
      • Restore the EPA, stop mining on Federal lands, and ban offshore oil drilling
      • Overturn Citizens United
      • Free two-year community college
  • Gilbert Cisneros (Democrat)
    • District Residency:  Lives in Newport Beach (District 48); plans to relocate to Yorba Linda (Roll Call)
    • https://cisnerosforcongress.com/
    • U.S. Naval Officer, President and Co-Founder of The Gilbert and Jacki Cisneros Foundation to improve Hispanic education; Former Republican
    • Notable views
      • Raise minimum wage, cut taxes for middle class, eliminate tax breaks for special interests and big corporations that outsource
      • Supports funding for paid family leave and early childhood education
      • Supports DACA and comprehensive immigration reform
      • Stay in the Paris Climate Agreement and fully fund the National Park System
      • Will not take any PAC money from corporate special interests and overturn Citizens United
      • Protect the Affordable Care Act and bring the public option so people can buy into Medicare
      • Defend the Post 9/11 G.I. Bill
      • Increase per pupil spending for K-12, universal access to affordable higher education, and revamp student loan system
      • Reaffirm NATO alliance; maintain support for Israel and their defense; support two-state solution
      • Pro-choice and defend Planned Parenthood in Congress
  • Sam Jammal (Democrat)
    • District Residency: Fullerton, District 39 (LA Times)
    • http://sam4congress.com/
    • Civil rights lawyer, served in U.S. Dept. of Commerce under Pres. Obama
    • Worked for SolarCity and Tesla
    • Notable views
      • Invest in infrastructure, job training in clean energy and tech sectors; advocate for small businesses
      • Defend Affordable Care Act; supports Medicare for All
      • Supports 100% transition to clean energy
      • More job training for veterans
      • Supports DACA
  • Mai-Khanh Tran, M.D. (Democrat)
    • District Residency: Yorba Linda, District 39 (LA Times)
    • http://doctran2018.com
    • Pediatrician
    • Notable views
      • Help veterans transition back to civilian life
      • Healthcare is a human right
      • Pro-choice
      • Invest more in public education
      • No guns for known criminals, domestic abusers, or “anyone deemed unfit to own a firearm”; strengthen laws on automatic weapon bans and ammunition limits
      • Comprehensive immigration reform with pathway to citizenship; supports family-based immigration; supports California sanctuary state and DACA
  • Julio Castañeda (No party filed)
    • District Residency: Buena Park, District 39 or 47 (OC Register)
    • https://www.julioforcongress.com/
    • Served in US Army and US Air Force
    • Business Systems Analyst; worked on Obamacare State-Exchange website
    • Notable views
      • Lower interest rates on college loans; “college and universities should be free”
      • Invest in renewable energy technologies
      • Medicare for All
      • Housing for all veterans
  • Phil Janowicz (Democrat)
    • District Residency: Buena Park, District 39 or 47 (OC Register)
    • http://philforhouse.com
    • President and CEO of Quill and Abacus, an education consulting firm; former professor at Cal State Fullerton
    • Notable views
      • Affordable healthcare is a right
      • Climate change is real and man-made
      • Reinvest in science
      • Increase Pell grants and lower student loans
      • Raise the Federal minimum wage and index it to inflation
      • Supports federal laws guaranteeing maternity and paternity leave; equal pay for equal work; no billing discrimination based on gender in health care
      • LGBTQ individuals deserve equality under the law