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