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VOTE411 Voter Guide

United States Representative, District 26

🏛️ This office is one of the 435 voting positions in the U.S. House of Representatives, representing a specific geographic district for a two-year term. Their primary duties include drafting, debating, and voting on federal legislation, serving on committees to analyze bills, overseeing the executive branch, and providing constituent services, such as helping residents navigate federal agencies.

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    Chris Espinosa
    (Dem)

  • Candidate picture

    Sam Gallucci
    (Rep)

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    Liam Andres O'Neill Hernandez
    (Dem)

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    Jacqui Irwin
    (Dem)

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    Sonia Kacker
    (Dem)

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    Michael S. Koslow
    (Rep)

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    Daniel Miller
    (Rep)

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    Sasan Samadzadeh
    (Dem)

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    William "Bill" Scott
    (Rep)

Biographical Information

If elected, what are your top 3 priorities?

What background, experience and/or education qualify you for this office? (You may use your candidate statement here if desired.)

Should immigration laws be changed? What changes would you support? Please explain why.

As a member of Congress, what policies or legislation would you support to require complete transparency for all donors to political campaigns, including members of groups who donate to Super-PACs?

The Federal Government plays a part in California water allocation and uses through a variety of projects and laws. What new programs or projects or reforms to existing programs and projects would you support to handle water shortages and water quality issues?

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Ballot Designation Businessman
Candidate's Political Party Democratic Party
1. Lowering the Cost of Living

Working families in CA-26 are being squeezed by high housing costs, healthcare bills, and everyday expenses. I will fight for Medicare for All, build affordable housing, and push for tax relief that actually benefits working people not corporations.

2. Immigration Reform, Abolishing ICE & Human Dignity

Our district sees the impact of immigration policy firsthand, especially with militarized ICE raids in our communities. I support abolishing ICE and replacing it with a system that prioritizes human rights, due process, and community safety. I will fight for a pathway to citizenship, protections for DACA recipients, and an immigration system that keeps families together not tears them apart.

3. Fighting Corruption & Returning Power to the People

I’m not taking corporate PAC money because I believe government should work for people, not donors. I will push for campaign finance reform, ban stock trading in Congress, and make sure decisions are made in the interest of the district not party leadership or special interests.
I bring a real-world, working-class perspective shaped by my education, my work, and my deep ties to this district.

I have studied political science at Oxnard College, where I’ve focused on government systems, public policy, and how decisions made in Washington directly affect local communities like ours. I have also taken business courses at Mission College, where I’ve learned about economics, operations, and how businesses grow and sustain themselves.

Beyond the classroom, my most valuable experience comes from working in my family’s small business. There, I’ve taken on leadership responsibilities that include working directly with manufacturers, coordinating supply plans, and speaking daily with vendors and customers. That hands-on experience has given me a clear, practical understanding of supply chains, pricing pressures, and the challenges small businesses face in today’s economy.

I’ve seen how inflation, rising costs, and corporate consolidation impact both business owners and working families. I’ve also learned how important it is to listen, solve problems, and make decisions that balance long-term growth with immediate needs.

In addition, my role helping care for my grandmother here in Camarillo has strengthened my understanding of the challenges seniors and families face, especially when it comes to healthcare and cost of living.

I may be new to politics, but I am not new to responsibility, leadership, or the real issues people face every day. I am running to bring that real-world experience to Congress and to represent working families with honesty, independence, and accountability.
Yes our immigration laws need major reform. The current system is outdated, overly punitive, and fails both the people seeking a better life and the communities that depend on their contributions.

First, I support creating a clear and achievable pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants who are already part of our communities, especially essential workers, long-term residents, and DACA recipients. These are people who work, pay taxes, and raise families here they deserve stability and recognition.

Second, I support abolishing ICE and replacing it with a system that prioritizes human rights, due process, and community safety. In places like CA-26, we’ve seen the impact of militarized raids that create fear and instability. Immigration enforcement should not operate like a military force targeting communities.

Third, we must modernize and streamline the legal immigration system. That means reducing backlogs, making the process more efficient, and ensuring people can apply legally without waiting years or decades.

Fourth, I support stronger labor protections for immigrant workers so they cannot be exploited. When workers are protected, it raises standards for everyone and prevents corporations from driving down wages.

Finally, we must address root causes of migration by supporting fair economic and foreign policies that reduce instability abroad.

I support these changes because immigration is not just a policy issue it’s a human issue. Our system should reflect our values: fairness, dignity, and opportunity, while also bringing order and clarity to a broken process.
I would support comprehensive campaign finance reform that guarantees full transparency for all political spending, including money flowing through Super PACs and so-called “dark money” organizations.

First, I would back legislation requiring real-time disclosure of all political donations, including the original sources of funds behind Super PACs and nonprofit groups engaged in political spending. Voters have a right to know exactly who is funding campaigns and influencing elections.

Second, I would support closing loopholes that allow shell organizations and pass-through entities to hide donor identities. Any group spending money to influence elections should be required to disclose its donors, regardless of its tax status.

Third, I would push for stronger enforcement mechanisms, including increased penalties for violations and expanded authority for the Federal Election Commission to investigate and act on campaign finance abuses.

Fourth, I support legislation to overturn the effects of the Citizens United v. FEC decision, which opened the door to unlimited outside spending. Congress should pursue a constitutional amendment if necessary to ensure that democracy is not dominated by wealthy donors and special interests.

Finally, I support public financing of elections to reduce reliance on large donors altogether and give everyday people a stronger voice in our democracy.

Transparency is essential to accountability. If elected, I will fight to make sure voters not hidden donors are the ones truly in control of our elections.
Water is one of California’s most urgent challenges, and we need a balanced approach that supports communities, agriculture, and the environment.

First, I support major federal investment in water recycling, stormwater capture, and groundwater recharge so communities can build reliable local water supplies instead of relying only on imported water. These projects make us more resilient during droughts.

Second, we must modernize aging infrastructure. Repairing canals, pipelines, and storage systems will reduce water loss and improve efficiency. Investing in smart water technology will also help track and manage usage more effectively.

Third, every community deserves clean, safe drinking water. I support expanding federal funding to remove contaminants like nitrates, PFAS, and lead, especially in rural and farmworker communities that are too often overlooked.

Fourth, we need to support sustainable agriculture. That includes helping farmers adopt efficient irrigation, drought-resistant crops, and soil practices that conserve water while maintaining productivity.

Finally, we must ensure fairness and accountability in water allocation. Federal policy should prioritize communities and small farmers over large corporate users, especially during droughts.

Water policy must focus on long-term sustainability, equity, and resilience for all Californians.
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Ballot Designation Physician
Candidate's Political Party DEMOCRATIC PARTY
Endorsement List URL http://DRSONIAFORCONGRESS.COM
Campaign Twitter Handle @drsonia26
Campaign Instagram URL http://instagram.com/drsonia26usa
Campaign Facebook URL http://facebook.com/drsonia26usa/
Campaign YouTube URL
1. Lowering healthcare costs and improving access to care by bringing real-world medical experience into policymaking. 2. Supporting small businesses and local economies by reducing regulatory burdens and ensuring fair, sustainable growth. 3. Strengthening public health and community safety, including environmental protections, mental health resources, and emergency preparedness.
I am a board-certified physician and the medical director and owner of Westlake Village Urgent Care, Occupational and Family Medical Clinic, where I have cared for patients in this community for 26 years. I completed my undergraduate education at Stanford University and earned my medical degree from the University of California, Irvine School of Medicine.

Through my work, I have seen firsthand how healthcare policy, insurance systems, and economic pressures affect individuals, families, and small medical practices in real time. As both a physician and practice owner, I am responsible for delivering care, managing operations, meeting payroll, and navigating complex regulatory and insurance environments.

Our clinic also serves as a training site for nurse practitioners, physician assistants, medical assistants, and x-ray technicians, giving me experience mentoring the next generation of healthcare professionals and understanding workforce challenges. This setting represents a microcosm of the broader healthcare system—where clinical care, business realities, and policy decisions intersect every day.

My experience is grounded in solving real-world problems—treating patients, supporting a healthcare team, and sustaining a small business that serves the community. I am not a career politician—I bring practical experience, accountability, and a focus on solutions to public service.
Yes, immigration laws should be updated to reflect current realities. We need a system that is both secure and functional—one that protects our borders while also providing clear, lawful pathways for those who contribute to our economy and communities.

I support strengthening border infrastructure and staffing, improving processing efficiency to reduce backlogs, and modernizing legal immigration pathways, particularly for essential workers in healthcare, agriculture, and small businesses. We should also streamline visa and work authorization processes so employers and workers can participate in the economy legally and transparently.

At the same time, policies should be humane, keep families together, and ensure access to basic healthcare and public health protections. As a physician, I have seen how gaps in care and instability can impact both individuals and the broader community. A well-designed system should promote public safety, economic stability, and public health.
I support full transparency and accountability in political campaign funding and across government. Voters should be able to clearly see who is supporting candidates and influencing elections, including full disclosure of donors to Super PACs and affiliated organizations, with timely and accessible public reporting.

More broadly, taxpayer dollars should be traceable and subject to clear oversight. Transparency helps prevent waste, fraud, and abuse, and it builds public trust. When people can follow how money is raised and spent, it strengthens accountability and confidence in government.

Open, accessible disclosure is essential to a fair and informed democratic process.
Water is a public health and safety issue, and it must be treated as essential infrastructure. Reliable access to clean water is fundamental to the health of our communities, our food supply, and our local economy.

At the federal level, I will advocate to secure federal funding for our region to support water recycling and reuse, modernization of storage and conveyance systems, and improved groundwater management. We need to prioritize investments in projects that directly improve water reliability and resilience for our communities.

We also need to reform permitting and coordination processes so essential water projects can move forward efficiently without unnecessary delays. Protecting water quality must remain a priority, including addressing contamination and ensuring safe drinking water for all communities.

This is not optional—ensuring a safe, reliable water supply is essential to public health, economic stability, and the future of our region.
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