Skip to content
elect.link
Latest
Allupdates
R Republican · Incumbent · U.S. House 23, California · Nov 3, 2026

Jay
Obernolte

Republican incumbent Jay Obernolte represents California's 23rd Congressional District and is a software developer and former state assemblyman.

Researched checked 6 d ago
sources
18
positions
12
endorsements
7
electjay.com ↗(opens in a new tab) X(opens in a new tab)
Opponent Tessa Lynn Hodge D Compare race →

Background

Jay Obernolte is the Republican U.S. Representative for California's 23rd Congressional District, having served in Congress since January 3, 2021. The district was numbered the 8th during his first term and became the 23rd beginning in 2023. 1210

Before his congressional career, Obernolte served on the Big Bear Lake City Council from 2010 to 2014, including as mayor from 2012 to 2014, and in the California State Assembly from 2014 to 2020. He also served on the Big Bear airport board from 2005 to 2010. 12

Obernolte is a software developer and entrepreneur who founded FarSight Studios, a software-development company, in 1990, and is described by his House biography as a video-game developer and business owner. 211 He earned a B.S. from the California Institute of Technology in 1992, an M.S. in artificial intelligence from UCLA in 1997, and a doctorate in public administration from California Baptist University in 2020. 12

Obernolte lives in Big Bear Lake, California, and his campaign states he has lived in California's 23rd District for more than 25 years. He is the incumbent candidate in the November 3, 2026 general election for California's 23rd Congressional District. 211

At a glance

Party
Republican · Incumbent
Running for
U.S. House · District 23, California
Election
Nov 3, 2026
Current office
U.S. Representative for California's 23rd Congressional District
Website
electjay.com(opens in a new tab)

Where they stand

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

Voting record

How Jay Obernolte voted in Congress: 118th Congress (2023–24) and 119th Congress (2025–26), Jan 3, 2023 to Sep 16, 2026. From the official House and Senate roll call records.

roll call votes
1,909
missed
1.5%
with their party’s majority
91%

Recent key votes

  • Sep 16, 2026 · House · S2403 · Economy & jobs
    Retire through Ownership Act
    On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass · Passed
    Official roll call ↗(opens in a new tab)
    Yes
  • Sep 16, 2026 · House · HR9497 · Climate & energy
    Water Resources Development Act
    On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended · Passed
    Official roll call ↗(opens in a new tab)
    Yes
  • Sep 16, 2026 · House · HR9340 · Climate & energy
    Ratepayer Protection Act
    On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended · Passed
    Official roll call ↗(opens in a new tab)
    Yes
  • Sep 16, 2026 · House · HJRES213 · Climate & energy
    Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule issued by the Environmental Protection Agency relating to the “California State Nonroad Engine Pollution Control Standards; Commercial Harbor Craft Regulations; Notice of Decision”
    On Passage · Passed
    Official roll call ↗(opens in a new tab)
    Yes
  • Sep 16, 2026 · House · HR10326 · Crime & public safety
    PROOF Act
    On Passage · Passed
    Official roll call ↗(opens in a new tab)
    Yes
  • Sep 16, 2026 · House · HR9576 · Crime & public safety
    National Fraud Enforcement Division Act
    On Passage · Passed
    Official roll call ↗(opens in a new tab)
    Yes
  • Sep 15, 2026 · House · HJRES210 · Climate & energy
    Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Environmental Protection Agency relating to “California State Nonroad Engine Pollution Control Standards; Ocean-Going Vessels At-Berth; Notice of Decision”
    On Passage · Passed
    Official roll call ↗(opens in a new tab)
    Yes
  • Sep 15, 2026 · House · HR9500 · Taxes & budget
    Tax Relief for Fraud Victims Act
    On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended · Passed
    Official roll call ↗(opens in a new tab)
    Yes

Key votes are final decisions on bills and joint resolutions, and top nominations. Software sorts each into an issue from its official title, so check the roll call. All 1,909 votes →

Timeline

  1. Oct 5
    news
    San Bernardino County begins delivering general-election ballots; CA-23 race on ballot

    A High Desert voter guide reported that San Bernardino County began delivering general-election ballots to voters on October 5, 2026. The CA-23 contest lists Obernolte and Democrat Tessa Lynn Hodge.

    High Desert voter guide: Key San Bernardino County races in 2026 · Oct 7, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  2. Oct 5
    news
    Obernolte discusses FRONTIER Act AI legislation in CBS Los Angeles interview

    Obernolte stated on X that he discussed his AI legislation with CBS Los Angeles, describing it as establishing guardrails for advanced AI models 'without stifling American innovation.'

    Rep. Jay Obernolte · Oct 5, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  3. Oct 1
    news
    Obernolte and Trahan issue joint statement on White House AI accord

    Obernolte and Rep. Trahan issued a joint statement regarding a White House accord signed by AI companies. Obernolte's office identified both legislators as authors of the FRONTIER Act in the release.

    Obernolte, Trahan Statement on White House AI Accord · Oct 1, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  4. Sep 26
    endorsement
    Press-Enterprise editorial board endorses Obernolte for CA-23 congressional seat

    The Press-Enterprise editorial board endorsed Obernolte, citing his incumbency and local ties. It noted differences between Obernolte and challenger Tessa Lynn Hodge on AI, tariffs, immigration, and war powers.

    Endorsement: Jay Obernolte for the 23rd congressional district · Sep 26, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  5. Sep 25
    endorsement
    U.S. Chamber of Commerce endorses Obernolte for reelection in CA-23

    The U.S. Chamber of Commerce endorsed Jay Obernolte's reelection, citing support for candidates who back policies promoting innovation, economic growth, and opportunity.

    U.S. Chamber Endorses Rep. Jay Obernolte for California's ... · Sep 25, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  6. Sep 17
    news
    Obernolte calls for urgent congressional action on AI regulation before year's end

    CNBC reported on Obernolte and Trahan's FRONTIER Act. Obernolte stated, 'The urgency of the moment requires action by Congress before the end of the year.'

    House heads home to campaign amid calls for urgent AI action · Sep 17, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  7. Sep 15
    news
    Obernolte and Trahan promote bipartisan FRONTIER Act AI safety legislation

    Obernolte and Rep. Lori Trahan (D-Mass.) continued promoting their bipartisan AI safety bill, the FRONTIER Act, which includes third-party audits of AI models and transparency requirements. Industry support for the bill was reported by Politico.

    Bipartisan House duo welcome industry support for their AI ... · Sep 15, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  8. Jun 30
    filing
    Obernolte campaign reports $1.45M raised and $1.64M cash on hand through June 30

    FEC data compiled by CivicGate show Obernolte's 2026 cycle campaign had raised $1,455,868, spent $809,486, and held $1,644,222 in cash on hand as of June 30, 2026.

    Jay Obernolte — CivicGate · Sep 23, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  9. Jun 2
    news
    Obernolte wins CA-23 primary with 57% of the vote

    Jay Obernolte received 57% of the primary vote, while Democrat Tessa Lynn Hodge received 21%, according to the Press-Enterprise. The result positioned Obernolte strongly as an incumbent heading into the general election, though his share was six points below his result two years earlier.

    Endorsement: Jay Obernolte for the 23rd congressional district · Sep 26, 2026 (opens in a new tab)

Endorsements

  • National Right to Life organization
    Listed by iVoterGuide; no date given. ivoterguide.com
  • Reform California organization
    Listed by iVoterGuide; no date given. ivoterguide.com
  • California Rifle and Pistol Association PAC organization
    Listed by iVoterGuide; no date given. ivoterguide.com
  • California Congress of Republicans organization
    Listed by iVoterGuide; no date given. ivoterguide.com
  • California Republican Party organization
    Listed by iVoterGuide; no date given. ivoterguide.com
  • Southern California News Group / Press-Enterprise editorial board newspaper
    Endorsed Obernolte for the 23rd congressional district; also listed in the Southern California News Group's published endorsement list. pressenterprise.com · Oct 9, 2026
  • U.S. Chamber of Commerce organization
    Announced endorsement on September 25, 2026, for California's 23rd District. uschamber.com · Sep 25, 2026

Past elections

General election results for federal office, from the Federal Election Commission.

YearSeatResultVotesShare
2022U.S. House CA-23 · RWon103,19761.0%
2020U.S. House CA-08 · RWon158,71156.1%

Covers the 2016 to 2022 general elections. The FEC has not yet published 2024 congressional results.

Campaign finance

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

Raised
$1.46M
Spent
$809K
Cash on hand
$1.64M

As of Jun 30, 2026. Filings are periodic, so recent money may not be included yet. ↳ FEC record H0CA08135(opens in a new tab)

Sources 18

  1. [1] Voter Guide Profile for CA U.S. Rep., Dist. 23 ... - iVoterGuide(opens in a new tab) Oct 9, 2026
  2. [2] High Desert voter guide: Key San Bernardino County races in 2026(opens in a new tab) Oct 7, 2026
  3. [3] Rep. Jay Obernolte(opens in a new tab) Oct 5, 2026
  4. [4] Issues(opens in a new tab) Oct 4, 2026
  5. [5] Obernolte, Trahan Statement on White House AI Accord(opens in a new tab) Oct 1, 2026
  6. [6] Endorsement: Jay Obernolte for the 23rd congressional district(opens in a new tab) Sep 26, 2026
  7. [7] U.S. Chamber Endorses Rep. Jay Obernolte for California's ...(opens in a new tab) Sep 25, 2026
  8. [8] Jay Obernolte — CivicGate(opens in a new tab) Sep 23, 2026
  9. [9] House heads home to campaign amid calls for urgent AI action(opens in a new tab) Sep 17, 2026
  10. [10] Bipartisan House duo welcome industry support for their AI ...(opens in a new tab) Sep 15, 2026
  11. [11] Rep. Jay Obernolte on X: "California's housing affordability crisis ...(opens in a new tab) Sep 13, 2026
  12. [12] Jay Obernolte (R) – CA-23 House 2026 | Smarter.Vote(opens in a new tab) Aug 28, 2026
  13. [13] Rep. Jay Obernolte(opens in a new tab) Nov 3, 2025
  14. [14] EXCLUSIVE TO POLITICO(opens in a new tab) Mar 30, 2025
  15. [15] Roll Call 26 Roll Call 26, Bill Number: H. R. 21, 119th Congress, 1st Session(opens in a new tab) Jan 23, 2025
  16. [16] Law & Order | Representative Jay Obernolte - House.gov(opens in a new tab) Mar 9, 2023
  17. [17] Healthcare | Representative Jay Obernolte - House.gov(opens in a new tab) Jan 3, 2021
  18. [18] Jobs & Economy(opens in a new tab) Jan 3, 2021
Are you Jay Obernolte?
Claim this page to add a statement to voters and correct your details.
Sign in to claim
elect.link

Candidate pages are assembled automatically from public web sources. Every claim links to where it came from. Nonpartisan; no endorsements. Candidates can claim their page to add a statement and corrections.