Jeff
Belle
Jeff Belle is the Republican challenger for California's 52nd Congressional District in the November 2026 general election.
- sources
- 6
- positions
- 12
- endorsements
- 6
Background
Jeff Belle is the Republican challenger in California's 52nd Congressional District race for the November 3, 2026 general election. The Federal Election Commission classifies him as a challenger; he does not hold the seat. He resides in the Rolling Hills Ranch neighborhood of Chula Vista, California. 128
Belle's campaign identifies him as a Private Equity CEO, and KPBS describes him as CEO of a San Diego-based private-equity firm. A 2025 announcement from the Trueness Project describes him as founder and managing partner of Royal Belle Equity Partners. Earlier in his career he worked as a U.S. Senate legislative assistant (1986–1991) and as a circuit-rider city manager in Oklahoma (1991–1993), according to BallotReady. 121311
Belle previously held elected office as a trustee on the Contra Costa County Board of Education (Area 5) from 2014 to 2018. County board meeting records from December 2014 list him in that role. 111415
His reported educational background includes a B.S. from Oklahoma City University (1989), an associate's degree in respiratory care from BioSystems Institute (1980), and an M.P.A. from American Public University. 113
At a glance
- Party
- Republican
- Running for
- U.S. House · District 52, California
- Election
- Nov 3, 2026
- Current office
- Private Equity CEO (founder and managing partner, Royal Belle Equity Partners)
- Website
- belleforcongress.com(opens in a new tab)
Where they stand
Each position links to the page it was drawn from. Quotes are verbatim.
Timeline
- Sep 29newsKPBS publishes candidate guide detailing Belle's policy proposals for CA-52
KPBS outlined Belle's proposals: collecting signatures on Tijuana River pollution to seek Trump administration intervention, holding congressional field hearings in Imperial Beach, a faster citizenship path for longtime Mexican and Filipino immigrants without criminal records, stronger border security, a one-time small-business grant program funded by banks, more local manufacturing jobs, and incentives for a life-sciences hub in Otay Mesa.
Meet the candidates for US House of Representatives · Sep 29, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 27endorsementVoter guides report Belle has no major organizational or Republican Party endorsements
KPBS and Times of San Diego both reported that Belle had received no endorsements from major organizations, parties, or unions, and had not been endorsed by the Republican Party.
Voter guide to Nov. 3 general election in San Diego County · Sep 27, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Jun 30filingBelle's campaign fundraising remained very limited as of June 30
KPBS reported Belle had raised more than $25,000 total (over $18,000 from individuals, $7,000 in loans, no committee contributions) compared to Vargas's $568,000+. A separate FEC-based analysis put Belle's cash on hand at just $1,364.
Meet the candidates for US House of Representatives · Sep 29, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Jun 2newsJeff Belle advances through California's top-two primary with ~33% of the vote
Belle finished second in the CA-52 top-two primary, receiving approximately 33.20% of the vote versus 56.48% for incumbent Rep. Juan Vargas, qualifying him for the November 3 general election.
San Diego County voter guide for the California November general ... · Oct 2, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
Endorsements
- Carpenters Union unionListed by iVoterGuide under 'Reported by Candidate.' Specific union not identified. Not independently confirmed. ivoterguide.com
- California Charter School Association organizationListed by iVoterGuide under 'Reported by Candidate.' Not independently confirmed. ivoterguide.com
- California Parents Union organizationListed by iVoterGuide under 'Reported by Candidate.' Not independently confirmed. ivoterguide.com
- Reform California organizationListed as an endorsement on Belle's iVoterGuide profile. Not independently confirmed. ivoterguide.com
- Republican Hispanic Assembly organizationListed by iVoterGuide under 'Reported by Candidate.' Not independently confirmed. ivoterguide.com
- Pro-Life Calif organizationListed by iVoterGuide under 'Reported by Candidate.' Not independently confirmed. ivoterguide.com
Campaign finance
Totals filed with the Federal Election Commission for the 2026 election cycle.
- Raised
- $25K
- Spent
- $24K
- Cash on hand
- $1,364
As of Jun 30, 2026. Filings are periodic, so recent money may not be included yet. ↳ FEC record H6CA52163(opens in a new tab)
Sources 6
- [1] Jeff Belle for Congress — CD 52(opens in a new tab) Oct 12, 2026
- [2] Voter Guide Profile for CA U.S. Rep., Dist. 52 candidate(opens in a new tab) Oct 9, 2026
- [3] San Diego County voter guide for the California November general ...(opens in a new tab) Oct 2, 2026
- [4] Meet the candidates for US House of Representatives(opens in a new tab) Sep 29, 2026
- [5] Voter guide to Nov. 3 general election in San Diego County(opens in a new tab) Sep 27, 2026
- [6] Q&A: Meet Jeff Belle, candidate for California's 52nd Congressional ...(opens in a new tab) May 7, 2026