The Ballot Brief
2026 U.S. House

California's 36th Congressional District — 2026 Candidates

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U.S. House · CA-36
Primary: Tuesday, June 2, 2026 General: Tuesday, November 3, 2026

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2026 candidates we're tracking in CA-36

Ted W. Lieu

Ted W. Lieu

DemocraticIncumbent

Top priorities

From other published sources

  • Artificial intelligence policy as co-chair of the Democratic Commission on AI, per official House website
  • National security, cybersecurity and civil rights, per official House website
About Ted W. Lieu

Ted Lieu is a military veteran who served on active duty and then in the Air Force Reserve, retiring in 2021 with the rank of colonel, per his official House website. He represents California's 36th Congressional District and is vice chair of the House Democratic Caucus.

Houston Brignano

Republican

Top priorities

From the campaign site

  • Immigration: a fair legal immigration system with strong vetting
  • Healthcare: empower individuals and families to make their own health choices
  • Abundance | Free Market | Innovation
About Houston Brignano

Brignano is a former Marine who completed two Iraq deployments and is a South Bay resident, father of three daughters, and member of homeschool co-op and church boards in the Redondo Beach/Torrance area, per the campaign site.

About this race

California's 36th Congressional District elects one member of the U.S. House of Representatives to a two-year term. Every House seat in the country is on the ballot in 2026. The California primary is Tuesday, June 2, 2026, and the general election is Tuesday, November 3, 2026.

California primary details →  ·  California voter guide →