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D Democratic · Incumbent · U.S. House 42, California · Nov 3, 2026

Robert
Garcia

Incumbent Democratic U.S. Representative for California's 42nd District, seeking reelection in 2026

Researched checked 6 d ago
sources
11
positions
12
endorsements
30
robertgarcia.com ↗(opens in a new tab) X(opens in a new tab)Bluesky(opens in a new tab)Facebook(opens in a new tab)
Opponent Brian Burley R Compare race →

Background

Robert Garcia is the Democratic U.S. Representative for California's 42nd Congressional District, first elected in 2022 and currently serving his second term. He was born in Peru and raised in Southern California after immigrating as a young child, and he has been based in Long Beach throughout his political career.14

Before his congressional service, Garcia held several elected offices in Long Beach: City Council member (2009–2014), vice mayor (2012–2014), and mayor (2014–2022). Prior to elected office, he worked as a lecturer, communications director at Long Beach City College, newspaper publisher, adjunct faculty member at the University of Southern California, and staff member for a Long Beach councilmember.14

Garcia holds a B.A. in communications from California State University, Long Beach (2002), an M.A. from the University of Southern California (2005), and an Ed.D. in higher education from California State University, Long Beach (2010).413

Garcia is seeking reelection in the November 2026 general election for California's 42nd District. He has been identified as the incumbent candidate in the 2026 race by the Orange County Register.10

At a glance

Party
Democratic · Incumbent
Running for
U.S. House · District 42, California
Election
Nov 3, 2026
Current office
U.S. Representative for California's 42nd Congressional District
Website
robertgarcia.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 Robert Garcia 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
5.1%
with their party’s majority
97%

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)
    No
  • Sep 16, 2026 · House · HR10326 · Crime & public safety
    PROOF Act
    On Passage · Passed
    Official roll call ↗(opens in a new tab)
    No
  • 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)
    No
  • 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 11
    poll
    Hill/DDHQ forecast gives Garcia 99% chance of winning CA-42

    The Hill and Decision Desk HQ election model gave Garcia a 99% chance of winning the November 3 general election against Republican Brian Burley. This is an election forecast model, not a survey of voter preferences.

    Who will win California 42? | The Hill and DDHQ · Oct 11, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  2. Oct 5
    news
    Garcia answers OC Register questionnaire: affordability top issue, housing, Medicare for All, deepfakes

    In responses published by the Orange County Register, Garcia identified affordability as the district's most pressing issue and advocated streamlining housing regulation and ending tariffs on building materials. He also discussed Medicare for All, immigration, data-center regulation, offshore drilling, and said an outright ban on deepfakes was 'likely unconstitutional' but that safeguards were important.

    Robert Garcia, CA-42 candidate, 2026 election questionnaire · Oct 5, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  3. Oct 1
    endorsement
    Southern California News Group endorses Garcia on its general-election endorsement list

    The Southern California News Group's general-election endorsement list named Robert Garcia for California's 42nd Congressional District. This is an editorial endorsement, not an endorsement by election officials.

    Southern California News Group endorsements for the Nov. 3, 2026 general election · Oct 1, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  4. Sep 30
    poll
    No public polling available for CA-42 race, Washington Blade reports

    A Washington Blade report on LGBTQ candidates running for House and Senate noted there was no public polling of the CA-42 race between Garcia and Burley.

    Meet the LGBTQ candidates running for U.S. House, Senate · Sep 30, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  5. Sep 17
    endorsement
    Orange County Register editorial board endorses Garcia for re-election in CA-42

    The OC Register editorial board endorsed Garcia, citing his oversight role and criticizing his opponent's campaign. Garcia was quoted saying his focus would be 'all in on accountability,' and the board noted his opposition to Trump administration tariffs and immigration enforcement policies.

    Endorsement: Re-elect Robert Garcia in the 42nd congressional ... · Sep 17, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  6. Jun 30
    filing
    Garcia Q2 fundraising: $2.6M raised, $1.65M spent, $1.38M cash on hand

    Based on the July quarterly report covering through June 30, Garcia had raised $2,615,120, spent $1,646,081, and held $1,381,467 cash on hand. These are reported campaign-finance figures.

    Who will win California 42? | The Hill and DDHQ · Oct 11, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  7. Jun 2
    news
    Garcia and Burley advance to general election after CA-42 primary

    Robert Garcia received 56.47% (114,942 votes) and Brian Burley received 20.60% (41,919 votes) in the primary, with two other Republicans also in the results. Both advanced to the November 3 general election.

    2026 United States House of Representatives elections in ... · Sep 20, 2026 (opens in a new tab)

Endorsements

  • Katie Porter official
    Listed on Garcia campaign endorsements page; no individual date provided. robertgarcia.com
  • Assemblymember Cottie Petrie-Norris official
    Listed on Garcia campaign endorsements page; no individual date provided. robertgarcia.com
  • Congressional Progressive Caucus PAC organization
    Listed on Garcia campaign endorsements page; no individual date provided. robertgarcia.com
  • Orange County Young Democrats organization
    Listed on Garcia campaign endorsements page; no individual date provided. robertgarcia.com
  • Planned Parenthood Action Fund organization
    Listed on Garcia campaign endorsements page; no individual date provided. robertgarcia.com
  • Rep. Dave Min official
    Listed on Garcia campaign endorsements page; no individual date provided. robertgarcia.com
  • Assemblymember Josh Lowenthal official
    Listed on Garcia campaign endorsements page; no individual date provided. robertgarcia.com
  • Equality PAC organization
    Listed on Garcia campaign endorsements page; no individual date provided. robertgarcia.com
  • Los Angeles County Young Democrats organization
    Listed on Garcia campaign endorsements page; no individual date provided. robertgarcia.com
  • Sierra Club organization
    Listed on Garcia campaign endorsements page; no individual date provided. robertgarcia.com
  • Rep. Derek Tran official
    Listed on Garcia campaign endorsements page; no individual date provided. robertgarcia.com
  • OC Supervisor Katrina Foley official
    Listed on Garcia campaign endorsements page; no individual date provided. robertgarcia.com
  • BOLD PAC organization
    Listed on Garcia campaign endorsements page; no individual date provided. robertgarcia.com
  • Long Beach Young Democrats organization
    Listed on Garcia campaign endorsements page; no individual date provided. robertgarcia.com
  • League of Conservation Voters Action Fund organization
    Listed on Garcia campaign endorsements page; no individual date provided. robertgarcia.com
  • Rep. Mike Levin official
    Listed on Garcia campaign endorsements page; no individual date provided. robertgarcia.com
  • OC Supervisor Vince Sarmiento official
    Listed on Garcia campaign endorsements page; no individual date provided. robertgarcia.com
  • California Democratic Party organization
    Listed on Garcia campaign endorsements page; no individual date provided. Also reflected in California Democratic Party 2026 General Election Endorsements documents. robertgarcia.com
  • Los Angeles County Federation of Labor union
    Listed on Garcia campaign endorsements page; no individual date provided. robertgarcia.com
  • Long Beach Mayor Rex Richardson official
    Listed on Garcia campaign endorsements page; no individual date provided. robertgarcia.com
  • Los Angeles County Democratic Party organization
    Listed on Garcia campaign endorsements page; no individual date provided. robertgarcia.com
  • Gov. Gavin Newsom official
    Listed on Garcia campaign endorsements page; no individual date provided. robertgarcia.com
  • Rep. Nanette Díaz Barragán official
    Listed on Garcia campaign endorsements page; no individual date provided. robertgarcia.com
  • LA County Supervisor Janice Hahn official
    Listed on Garcia campaign endorsements page; no individual date provided. robertgarcia.com
  • Democratic Party of Orange County organization
    Listed on Garcia campaign endorsements page; no individual date provided. robertgarcia.com
  • Orange County Federation of Labor union
    Listed on Garcia campaign endorsements page; no individual date provided. robertgarcia.com
  • Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis official
    Listed on Garcia campaign endorsements page; no individual date provided. robertgarcia.com
  • State Sen. Lena Gonzalez official
    Listed on Garcia campaign endorsements page; no individual date provided. robertgarcia.com
  • Orange County Register newspaper
    The OC Register editorial board endorsed Garcia for re-election in the 42nd congressional district. Editorial published September 17, 2026, updated October 1, 2026. ocregister.com · Sep 17, 2026
  • California Federation of Labor Unions, AFL-CIO union
    Listed in the California Federation of Labor Unions 2026 pre-general-election endorsement recommendations dated August 4, 2026, for CA-42. calaborfed.org · Aug 4, 2026

Past elections

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

YearSeatResultVotesShare
2022U.S. House CA-42 · DWon99,21768.4%

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
$2.62M
Spent
$1.65M
Cash on hand
$1.38M

As of Jun 30, 2026. Filings are periodic, so recent money may not be included yet. ↳ FEC record H2CA47188(opens in a new tab)

Sources 11

  1. [1] Who will win California 42? | The Hill and DDHQ(opens in a new tab) Oct 11, 2026
  2. [2] Robert Garcia, CA-42 candidate, 2026 election questionnaire(opens in a new tab) Oct 5, 2026
  3. [3] Southern California News Group endorsements for the Nov. 3, 2026 general election(opens in a new tab) Oct 1, 2026
  4. [4] Meet the LGBTQ candidates running for U.S. House, Senate(opens in a new tab) Sep 30, 2026
  5. [5] Representative Robert Garcia (D-CA-042) Score: 100%(opens in a new tab) Sep 22, 2026
  6. [6] 2026 United States House of Representatives elections in ...(opens in a new tab) Sep 20, 2026
  7. [7] Endorsement: Re-elect Robert Garcia in the 42nd congressional ...(opens in a new tab) Sep 17, 2026
  8. [8] California Federation of Labor Unions(opens in a new tab) Aug 5, 2026
  9. [9] Endorsements | Robert Garcia for Congress(opens in a new tab) May 23, 2026
  10. [10] What I'm Fighting For | Robert Garcia ...(opens in a new tab) Apr 20, 2026
  11. [11] H.R.1810 - 119th Congress (2025-2026): Safe Schools Improvement Act(opens in a new tab) Mar 3, 2025
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