Charles
Hoelter
Republican challenger to Rep. Kevin Mullin in California's 15th Congressional District; retired UPS supervisor
- sources
- 10
- positions
- 9
- endorsements
- 4
Background
Charles Hoelter is a Republican candidate running for California's 15th Congressional District seat in the November 2026 general election. He is a retired UPS supervisor who worked at the company for approximately 28 years, overseeing 50 or more drivers, before retiring in January 2018. 1113
Hoelter holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Management from San Francisco State University and is described in local coverage as a first-time Republican candidate with no prior elected offices. 21117 He resides in San Mateo County, having relocated there after nearly three decades in San Francisco. 10
He faces incumbent Democratic Representative Kevin Mullin in the general election. The FEC lists Hoelter as a challenger in the race. 110 His campaign focuses on issues including economic policy and lower taxes. 9
At a glance
- Party
- Republican
- Running for
- U.S. House · District 15, California
- Election
- Nov 3, 2026
- Website
- hoelterforuscongress.com(opens in a new tab)
Where they stand
Each position links to the page it was drawn from. Quotes are verbatim.
Timeline
- Oct 12endorsementReform California declines to endorse one candidate over the other in CA-15
Reform California's October 12 voting-recommendations page listed Hoelter in the CA-15 race but clarified the organization was not endorsing one candidate over the other, qualifying its earlier listing as an endorser in Hoelter's voter-guide profile.
Reform California's Voting Group recommendations | Sway · Oct 12, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 7newsHoelter campaigning on borders, taxes, and law enforcement; no FEC reports posted
The East Bay Times reported that Hoelter was campaigning on secure borders, lower taxes, and support for law enforcement. The FEC had no campaign finance reports posted for Hoelter at the time, while opponent Kevin Mullin had over $219,000 cash on hand as of June 30. The article did not establish that Hoelter raised no money, only that no FEC records were available.
2026 election: Bay Area House races, candidates and what's at stake · Oct 7, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 27endorsementHoelter endorsements listed in voter-guide profile
An iVoterGuide profile updated by September 27, 2026 listed the California Republican Party, San Mateo County Republican Party, San Francisco Republican Party, Reform California, and San Francisco Young Republicans as endorsers of Hoelter. Individual endorsement dates were not specified.
Voter Guide Profile for CA U.S. Rep., Dist. 15 candidate - Charles ... · Sep 17, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Jun 2filingHoelter advances to November general election with 18.44% of primary vote
In the June 2, 2026 primary election, Charles Hoelter received 30,476 votes (18.44%), qualifying for the November general election alongside incumbent Kevin Mullin, who received 65.03% of the primary vote.
2026 United States House of Representatives elections in California ... · Sep 20, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - May 13newsHoelter profiled as Republican candidate in CA-15 primary field
Redwood City Pulse listed Hoelter among five candidates in CA-15's primary, describing him as a retired UPS supervisor and Republican. His stated positions included term limits, voter ID, cleaning up voter rolls, keeping transgender women out of women's sports, and creating high-school apprenticeship programs. The article noted his campaign did not provide further information by the publication deadline. The profile was updated May 20, 2026.
Regional Politics Archives · Sep 24, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
Endorsements
- San Francisco Young Republicans organizationThe group's president stated the San Francisco Young Republicans voted to endorse Hoelter for Congressional District 15. Exact date not stated on the campaign page. hoelterforuscongress.com
- San Francisco Republican Party (SFGOP) organizationListed among Hoelter's endorsements in a voter-guide profile. The campaign page heading references 'SFGOP Party,' but the accompanying text specifically describes the Young Republicans' endorsement, making the separate SFGOP endorsement less clearly documented. ivoterguide.com
- California Republican Party (CAGOP) organizationCAGOP 2026 endorsements page lists 'CD 15: Charles Hoelter.' No date stated for the endorsement itself. cagop.org
- San Mateo County Republican Party (SMGOP) organizationCampaign announced Hoelter 'officially received the endorsement' of the SMGOP as of February 13, 2026. hoelterforuscongress.com · Feb 13, 2026
Sources 10
- [1] Reform California's Voting Group recommendations | Sway(opens in a new tab) Oct 12, 2026
- [2] California — 15th District — head to head | 2026election.com(opens in a new tab) Oct 9, 2026
- [3] 2026 election: Bay Area House races, candidates and what's at stake(opens in a new tab) Oct 7, 2026
- [4] Regional Politics Archives(opens in a new tab) Sep 24, 2026
- [5] 2026 United States House of Representatives elections in California ...(opens in a new tab) Sep 20, 2026
- [6] Voter Guide Profile for CA U.S. Rep., Dist. 15 candidate - Charles ...(opens in a new tab) Sep 17, 2026
- [7] CAGOP Endorsements - California Republican Party(opens in a new tab) Apr 29, 2026
- [8] Endoresements(opens in a new tab) Apr 7, 2026
- [9] Home - Charles Hoelter(opens in a new tab) Mar 5, 2026
- [10] Stronger economy and lower taxes - Charles Hoelter(opens in a new tab) Feb 26, 2026