Samantha
Mota
Democratic challenger Samantha Mota is running for California's 37th Congressional District in November 2026.
- sources
- 7
- positions
- 10
- endorsements
- 5
Background
Samantha Mota is a Democratic candidate running for California's 37th Congressional District in the November 2026 general election, challenging incumbent Rep. Sydney Kamlager-Dove. 13
Mota was born and raised in Los Angeles County and grew up in Santa Monica, later moving to Baldwin Hills. She attended Santa Monica College, where she studied political science, though her campaign biography does not specify a degree or graduation date. 8
Her campaign describes her as an "activist, advocate, and organizer." She has been involved in environmental advocacy through Climate Action Santa Monica and community gardening, and advocated for Santa Monica to incorporate Assembly Bill 551 into its ordinances. In January 2021 she was appointed to Santa Monica's Public Safety Reform & Oversight Commission. 8
Mota ran for Santa Monica City Council in 2022 but did not win a seat. At the time of that candidacy, the City of Santa Monica listed her occupation as "Barista and Community Volunteer." 14
At a glance
- Party
- Democratic
- Running for
- U.S. House · District 37, California
- Election
- Nov 3, 2026
- Website
- motaforcongress.com(opens in a new tab)
Where they stand
Each position links to the page it was drawn from. Quotes are verbatim.
Timeline
- Oct 11endorsementKnock LA progressive voter guide recommends Mota for CA-37
The Knock LA progressive voter guide urged voters to support Samantha Mota in the November 2026 general election. This is the guide's recommendation, not a formal candidate endorsement from an organization or officeholder.
The Knock LA Progressive Voter Guide for the November ... · Oct 11, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 5newsMota publishes detailed policy positions in SCNG candidate questionnaire
In responses published by the Southern California News Group, Mota identified cost of living as the district's top issue and proposed expanding housing and public housing, a national health-insurance system, higher federal minimum wages, expanded nutrition programs, tighter government surveillance limits, immigration reforms, a pause on new data centers pending AI legislation, and a ban on deceptive AI-generated political content.
Samantha Mota, CA-37 candidate, 2026 election ... · Oct 5, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 29newsRace summary reports no independent spending or formal endorsements for Mota
A CityHallPass race summary reported no independent expenditures for or against either candidate in the 2025–26 cycle, and found no endorsements for Mota as of that date.
U.S. House, California District 37 race 2026 - CityHallPass · Sep 29, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Aug 27filingSecretary of State's certified candidate list includes Mota for CA-37 general election
Mota was officially certified as a general-election candidate for California's 37th Congressional District on the Secretary of State's candidate list.
Samantha Mota (D) — U.S. Representative, CA-37 | 2026 profile · Sep 24, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Aug 19filingFEC fundraising snapshot shows Mota raised ~$9,934 with $1,634 cash on hand
As of the August 19 FEC reporting cutoff, Mota had raised approximately $9,934, spent $8,293, and held $1,634 cash on hand. About $6,108 came from Mota herself. No PAC or party committee contributions were reported. Incumbent Kamlager-Dove had raised approximately $1.15 million by comparison.
U.S. House, California District 37 race 2026 - CityHallPass · Sep 29, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Jul 10filingCalifornia Secretary of State publishes certified primary Statement of Vote
The Secretary of State officially certified the CA-37 primary results, confirming Mota's advancement to the general election.
Samantha Mota (D) — U.S. Representative, CA-37 | 2026 profile · Sep 24, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Jun 2newsMota places second in CA-37 top-two primary, advancing to general election
Samantha Mota received 15,019 votes (11.7%) in California's top-two primary for the 37th Congressional District, finishing second behind incumbent Sydney Kamlager-Dove (55.2%). Both advanced to the November general election.
U.S. House, California District 37 race 2026 - CityHallPass · Sep 29, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
Endorsements
- Feel the Bern San Fernando Valley organizationListed as an endorser in iVoteLA's congressional race directory. No date provided. ivotela.org
- Progressive Voter Network organizationListed as an endorser in iVoteLA's congressional race directory. No date provided. ivotela.org
- Knock LA organizationListed as an endorser in iVoteLA's congressional race directory. No date provided. Knock LA's November 2026 progressive voter guide also presents Mota's candidacy, though the available passage does not explicitly state 'endorse' or 'recommend.' ivotela.org
- California Democratic Socialists of America (CA DSA) organizationListed as an endorser in iVoteLA's congressional race directory. No date provided. ivotela.org
- DSA-LA organizationThe 2026 DSA-LA voter guide states voters 'should still vote for Samantha Mota' in the general election. Presented as a voter-guide recommendation; the page does not establish it as a separate formal endorsement by CA DSA. dsavoterguide.com · Oct 12, 2026
Campaign finance
Totals filed with the Federal Election Commission for the 2026 election cycle.
- Raised
- $11K
- Spent
- $11K
- Cash on hand
- $208
As of Sep 30, 2026. Filings are periodic, so recent money may not be included yet. ↳ FEC record H6CA37339(opens in a new tab)
Sources 7
- [1] 2026 DSA-LA Primary Election Voter Guide - Simple(opens in a new tab) Oct 12, 2026
- [2] Congress(opens in a new tab) Oct 11, 2026
- [3] The Knock LA Progressive Voter Guide for the November ...(opens in a new tab) Oct 11, 2026
- [4] Samantha Mota, CA-37 candidate, 2026 election ...(opens in a new tab) Oct 5, 2026
- [5] U.S. House, California District 37 race 2026 - CityHallPass(opens in a new tab) Sep 29, 2026
- [6] Samantha Mota (D) — U.S. Representative, CA-37 | 2026 profile(opens in a new tab) Sep 24, 2026
- [7] Samantha Mota, CA-37 candidate, 2026 primary election ...(opens in a new tab) May 5, 2026