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R Republican · U.S. House 36, California · Nov 3, 2026

Houston
Brignano

Republican technology executive and Marine veteran challenging Rep. Ted Lieu in California's 36th Congressional District in 2026.

Researched checked 6 d ago
sources
12
positions
7
endorsements
10
voteforhouston.com ↗(opens in a new tab) X(opens in a new tab)Other(opens in a new tab)
Opponent Ted W. Lieu D Compare race →

Background

Houston Brignano is a Republican candidate challenging incumbent Ted Lieu for California's 36th Congressional District seat in the November 3, 2026 general election. His ballot designation is "Technology Executive." 2710

Brignano describes himself as a "South Bay native, born and raised," and says he is raising his family in the South Bay. According to his campaign biography, he joined the Marine Corps after high school and completed two tours in Iraq. 3

After his military service, Brignano moved into civilian technology work and spent approximately fifteen years working at venues and arenas across the country, including a role he credits with helping transform a downtown Los Angeles parking lot into what is now LA Live. 3

No prior elected offices were identified in the sources reviewed. The California Republican Party has listed him among its endorsed candidates. 12

At a glance

Party
Republican
Running for
U.S. House · District 36, California
Election
Nov 3, 2026
Current office
Technology Executive (candidate for U.S. House, California District 36)
Website
voteforhouston.com(opens in a new tab)

Where they stand

Each position links to the page it was drawn from. Quotes are verbatim.

Timeline

  1. Oct 9
    filing
    Brignano campaign files October quarterly FEC report showing $11,621 raised cycle-to-date

    The campaign's October quarterly report (committee ID C00925842) was filed on October 9, reporting $11,621.69 raised, $9,908.01 spent, $912.39 cash on hand, and $2,274.96 in debts through September 30. No PAC or candidate contributions were reported. No outside spending for or against Brignano was identified.

    U.S. House, California District 36 race 2026 - CityHallPass · Sep 29, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  2. Sep 29
    debate
    No debates, forums, or endorsements for Brignano publicly identified as of September 29

    CityHallPass reported finding no debates or candidate forums for the CA-36 race and no endorsements for Brignano. A separate voter-guide profile lists endorsements from the California Republican Assembly, Stand For Health Freedom, Reform California, and California Young Republicans, but the dates of those endorsements were not established.

    U.S. House, California District 36 race 2026 - CityHallPass · Sep 29, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  3. Sep 25
    poll
    No public district poll found for CA-36 race as of late September

    A candidate profile reported finding no public poll of the CA-36 race by approximately September 25, 2026.

    Houston Brignano (R) — U.S. Representative, CA-36 | 2026 profile · Sep 24, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  4. Aug 27
    filing
    California Secretary of State certifies Brignano as Republican nominee for CA-36 general election

    California's Secretary of State certified the general-election candidate list, naming Brignano with the ballot designation 'Technology Executive' as the Republican candidate opposing incumbent Ted Lieu in U.S. House District 36.

    U.S. House, California District 36 race 2026 - CityHallPass · Sep 29, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  5. Jun 2
    news
    Brignano finishes second in CA-36 primary, advances to general election

    In California's seven-candidate primary for District 36, Houston Brignano received 35,851 votes (15.3%), finishing second behind incumbent Ted Lieu (60.9%) and narrowly ahead of Republican Melissa Toomim (13.1%). The top-two finishers advanced to the general election.

    U.S. House, California District 36 race 2026 - CityHallPass · Sep 29, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  6. Jun 2
    news
    Brignano campaigns on AI, automation, and affordability

    Brignano's campaign website stated goals to train young people to master AI, protect jobs from automation through smart policies and reskilling programs, and deliver practical solutions on housing costs, student debt, and stable work.

    Houston Brignano - Candidate Profile - Voter Guide · Sep 30, 2026 (opens in a new tab)

Endorsements

  • California College Republicans organization
    Listed in iVoteLA Congress voter guide; no dated primary-source announcement found. ivotela.org
  • California ProLife Council organization
    Listed in iVoteLA Congress voter guide; no dated primary-source announcement found. ivotela.org
  • California Republican Party official
    Listed in iVoteLA Congress voter guide; LA County official election-information page also lists Brignano as the Republican Party-endorsed candidate, but no separate announcement date given. lavote.gov
  • Republican Party of Los Angeles County official
    Listed in iVoteLA Congress voter guide; no dated primary-source announcement found. ivotela.org
  • Stand For Health Freedom organization
    Listed as an endorser in iVoterGuide's Brignano profile; no dated announcement found. ivoterguide.com
  • California Young Republicans organization
    Listed as an endorser in iVoterGuide's Brignano profile; no dated announcement found. ivoterguide.com
  • California Republican Assembly (CRA) organization
    Also appears on CRA's November 2026 general-election endorsement list. cragop.org · Aug 26, 2026
  • Log Cabin Republicans PAC organization
    Announced as part of the Log Cabin Republicans PAC's fourth round of endorsements. logcabin.org · Aug 4, 2026
  • California Republican Assembly (CRA) organization
    Listed in CRA's June 2026 primary endorsement announcement; also appears on its November general-election endorsement list updated August 26, 2026. cragop.org · Mar 21, 2026
  • Reform California organization
    Named in Reform California's 2026 primary endorsement announcement and voter guide. reformcalifornia.org · Mar 19, 2026

Campaign finance

Totals filed with the Federal Election Commission for the 2026 election cycle.

Raised
$12K
Spent
$9,908
Cash on hand
$912

As of Sep 30, 2026. Filings are periodic, so recent money may not be included yet. ↳ FEC record H6CA36208(opens in a new tab)

Sources 12

  1. [1] Congress(opens in a new tab) Oct 11, 2026
  2. [2] Additional Election Information(opens in a new tab) Oct 8, 2026
  3. [3] Houston Brignano - Candidate Profile - Voter Guide(opens in a new tab) Sep 30, 2026
  4. [4] U.S. House, California District 36 race 2026 - CityHallPass(opens in a new tab) Sep 29, 2026
  5. [5] Houston Brignano (R) — U.S. Representative, CA-36 | 2026 profile(opens in a new tab) Sep 24, 2026
  6. [6] Houston Brignano for Congress(opens in a new tab) Sep 14, 2026
  7. [7] Houston Brignano for Congress(opens in a new tab) Sep 14, 2026
  8. [8] Solutions(opens in a new tab) Sep 14, 2026
  9. [9] PAGES - November 2026 General Election Endorsements 08-26-26(opens in a new tab) Sep 5, 2026
  10. [10] Log Cabin Republicans PAC Announces Fourth Round of ...(opens in a new tab) Aug 4, 2026
  11. [11] California Republican Assembly June 2026 Primary Election ...(opens in a new tab) Mar 21, 2026
  12. [12] Reform California Announces Endorsements for CA 2026 ...(opens in a new tab) Mar 19, 2026
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