Bob
Smith
Retired Navy commander and engineer challenging incumbent Rep. Salud Carbajal for California's 24th Congressional District seat
- sources
- 8
- positions
- 12
- endorsements
- 8
Background
Bob Smith is a retired U.S. Navy commander running as the Republican-ballot candidate in the November 2026 general election for California's 24th Congressional District, challenging incumbent Rep. Salud Carbajal. He served more than 26 years in the Navy, rising from enlisted service to commander and working on defense systems and acquisition programs; he retired in 2024 and was named U.S. Navy Engineer of the Year in 2023. [6, 11, 21]
Smith holds a B.S. in Engineering Technology from Old Dominion University and an M.S. in Systems Engineering from the Naval Postgraduate School. He lives in Carpinteria, California, where he has resided for more than a decade, and was originally from the Philadelphia area. [6, 11] He has no prior elected office. 6
After advancing from the June 2026 primary, Smith announced in September 2026 that he had changed his personal voter registration to No Party Preference, stating he would caucus as an independent if elected; he remains listed as Republican on the general election ballot because the primary had already concluded. The Forward Party also endorsed his candidacy. [1, 4, 10] As of October 2026, he works as a senior systems engineer for a defense contractor. 21
At a glance
- Party
- Republican
- Running for
- U.S. House · District 24, California
- Election
- Nov 3, 2026
- Current office
- Senior Systems Engineer (defense contractor); U.S. House candidate for California's 24th Congressional District
- Website
- bobsmithforcongress.com(opens in a new tab)
Where they stand
Each position links to the page it was drawn from. Quotes are verbatim.
Timeline
- Oct 6newsSmith outlines immigration positions in Tribune interview, supports DACA resolution and ag visa reform
In an interview with The Tribune, Smith said immigration reform was important to Central Coast residents. He supported border security and removal of criminals and national-security threats, while also backing a resolution for DACA recipients and changes to agricultural-worker visa programs, calling for a humane solution that respects the rule of law.
Fact Check: Where do SLO County congressional candidates stand on immigration? · Oct 6, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 19newsSmith announces DACA legislation proposal and No Party Preference switch draws wider attention
Noozhawk reported on Smith's registration change and his stated intent to introduce legislation on his first day in Congress to give DACA recipients a defined legal pathway forward. The Forward Party endorsement was also noted in this report.
Congressional Candidate Bob Smith Changes Registration to No Party Preference · Sep 19, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 18newsBob Smith changes voter registration to No Party Preference, plans to serve as independent
Smith changed his voter registration from Republican to No Party Preference, stating he would enter Congress as an independent if elected. He said this was not a change in his positions. Because the California ballot was already set, he will still appear as a Republican on the November 3 ballot.
24th Congressional District Candidate Changes Political ... · Sep 18, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 3endorsementForward Party endorses Bob Smith for CA-24
The Forward Party endorsed Smith, as reported by Noozhawk on September 19. The endorsement date was noted as September 3.
Congressional Candidate Bob Smith Changes Registration to No Party Preference · Sep 19, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Aug 27filingCalifornia certifies Smith on November ballot as Republican 'Defense Systems Engineer'
California's certified candidate list, dated August 27, listed Smith as a Republican with the ballot designation 'Defense Systems Engineer' for the November 3 general election.
Bob Smith · Sep 24, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Jun 2filingBob Smith places second in CA-24 top-two primary with 35.9% of votes
Smith received 75,085 votes (35.9%) in the June 2 top-two primary, finishing behind incumbent Salud Carbajal, and advanced to the November 3 general election.
Bob Smith · Sep 24, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
Endorsements
- Rep. Tom McClintock officialListed by iVoterGuide among Smith's endorsements. ivoterguide.com
- Brooks Firestone otherFormer elected official; listed by iVoterGuide among Smith's endorsements as reported by the candidate. ivoterguide.com
- Santa Barbara County Republican Party organizationListed by iVoterGuide among Smith's endorsements; reported by candidate. ivoterguide.com
- San Luis Obispo County GOP organizationListed by iVoterGuide among Smith's endorsements; reported by candidate. ivoterguide.com
- Ventura County Republican Party organizationListed by iVoterGuide among Smith's endorsements; reported by candidate. ivoterguide.com
- California Republican Party organizationListed by iVoterGuide among Smith's endorsements; reported by candidate. ivoterguide.com
- California Rifle and Pistol Association PAC (CRPA PAC) organizationListed by iVoterGuide among Smith's endorsements. ivoterguide.com
- Forward Party organizationThe Forward Party announced its endorsement of Bob Smith in a press release endorsing U.S. House candidates in California and South Carolina. forwardparty.com · Sep 3, 2026
Campaign finance
Totals filed with the Federal Election Commission for the 2026 election cycle.
- Raised
- $203K
- Spent
- $156K
- Cash on hand
- $47K
As of Jun 30, 2026. Filings are periodic, so recent money may not be included yet. ↳ FEC record H6CA24345(opens in a new tab)
Sources 8
- [1] Common sense for CD-24. - Bob Smith for Congress(opens in a new tab) Oct 11, 2026
- [2] Bob Smith(opens in a new tab) Oct 9, 2026
- [3] Fact Check: Where do SLO County congressional candidates stand on immigration?(opens in a new tab) Oct 6, 2026
- [4] Bob Smith(opens in a new tab) Sep 24, 2026
- [5] Congressional Candidate Bob Smith Changes Registration to No Party Preference(opens in a new tab) Sep 19, 2026
- [6] 24th Congressional District Candidate Changes Political ...(opens in a new tab) Sep 18, 2026
- [7] Forward Party Endorses U.S. House Candidates in CA and ...(opens in a new tab) Sep 3, 2026
- [8] Meet the candidates for the 24th Congressional District(opens in a new tab) May 11, 2026