Sandra
Van Scotter
Democrat Sandra Van Scotter challenges Republican incumbent Vince Fong for California's 20th Congressional District seat in 2026.
- sources
- 7
- positions
- 11
- endorsements
- 14
Background
Sandra Van Scotter is a Democrat running for U.S. Representative in California's 20th Congressional District in the November 3, 2026 general election, challenging Republican incumbent Vince Fong, who has served in Congress since May 2024. 12614
Van Scotter was originally from Chicago, Illinois, and moved to Ridgecrest, California in 2014. She earned a Certificate in Respiratory Care from Waubonsee Community College in Sugar Grove, Illinois in 1996, and worked as a respiratory therapist—including in inpatient hospital care, cardiac testing, and sleep labs—from 1995 to 2021. 16
Since 2023, she has worked as a Direct Support Professional serving adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Kern County. In 2022, she was appointed to a Regional Center advisory committee. She registered as a Democrat in 2025, having previously held no party preference in California since 2014. 16
Van Scotter has not previously held elected office. Her campaign focuses on issues affecting CA-20 residents, and she is seeking to unseat the incumbent in a district centered on Clovis and parts of the Central Valley and eastern California. 2314
At a glance
- Party
- Democratic
- Running for
- U.S. House · District 20, California
- Election
- Nov 3, 2026
- Current office
- Direct Support Professional (Kern County)
- Website
- electsandravanscotter.com(opens in a new tab)
Where they stand
Each position links to the page it was drawn from. Quotes are verbatim.
Timeline
- Oct 3newsFresno Bee profiles Van Scotter's campaign, highlighting criticism of Fong's constituent engagement
The Fresno Bee reported that Van Scotter was criticizing the incumbent's lack of engagement, including not holding town halls or responding to constituents. She said the district had been treated 'like it doesn't matter' and that she did not believe the outcome was already decided. Her platform includes Medicare for All, disability and veterans' rights, immigration reform, and stabilizing safety-net services.
Incumbent Fong faces challenger for 20th District seat representing Clovis in Congress · Oct 3, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 2endorsementCampaign endorsement page lists California Democratic Party and local Democratic organizations as supporters
Van Scotter's campaign endorsement page, updated weekly, lists the California Democratic Party, Kern and Tulare County Democratic organizations, Muslim American Caucus-PAC, and Progressive Voter Network among her endorsers. Individual endorsement dates are not provided.
Endorsements | Sandra Van Scotter For CD20 · Oct 2, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Aug 27filingCalifornia certifies Van Scotter as Democratic candidate for CD-20 general election
California's certified candidate list named Van Scotter as the Democratic candidate for the 20th Congressional District with the ballot designation 'Disability Community Advocate,' confirming her place in the November 3 general election against incumbent Vince Fong.
- Jul 24newsVan Scotter publishes campaign rebuttal titled 'Is This What You Were Trying to Say, Rep Fong?'
Van Scotter's campaign published a rebuttal post directed at Representative Vince Fong. The full context of the exchange is not established in available sources.
Rebuttal - Sandra Van Scotter · Oct 2, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Jun 30filingFEC fundraising data through June 30 shows Van Scotter with ~$17,000 raised, no cash on hand
Race profile data based on FEC filings through June 30 shows Van Scotter's committee raised approximately $17,000 and spent approximately $17,000, leaving no cash on hand. Incumbent Fong reported approximately $1.8 million raised and $454,000 cash on hand for the same period.
California's 20th Congressional District 2026: Van Scotter vs. Fong | ChamberLight · Sep 28, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Jun 2newsVan Scotter finishes second in CA-20 top-two primary with 28.8% of the vote
In the June 2 top-two primary, Sandra Van Scotter received 48,611 votes (28.8%), finishing second behind Republican incumbent Vince Fong who received 115,035 votes (68.2%). Both advanced to the general election.
Endorsements
- Dr. Chris Cruz-Boone, Bakersfield City School District school board trustee, Area 3 officialNamed on campaign endorsements page; described as an educator and community leader. No endorsement date given. electsandravanscotter.com
- Three Rivers Democratic Club organizationListed on Van Scotter's campaign endorsements page; no individual endorsement date given. electsandravanscotter.com
- Clovis Democratic Club organizationListed on Van Scotter's campaign endorsements page; no individual endorsement date given. electsandravanscotter.com
- Tulare County Stonewall Democrats organizationListed on Van Scotter's campaign endorsements page; no individual endorsement date given. electsandravanscotter.com
- Kern County Democrats organizationListed on Van Scotter's campaign endorsements page; no individual endorsement date given. electsandravanscotter.com
- Tulare County Democrats organizationListed on Van Scotter's campaign endorsements page; no individual endorsement date given. electsandravanscotter.com
- Kern County Young Democrats organizationListed on Van Scotter's campaign endorsements page; no individual endorsement date given. electsandravanscotter.com
- Muslim American Caucus-PAC (MAC-PAC) organizationListed on campaign endorsements page and confirmed by Courage California voter guide; no endorsement date given. electsandravanscotter.com
- Kings County Democrats organizationListed on Van Scotter's campaign endorsements page; no individual endorsement date given. electsandravanscotter.com
- Progressive Voter Network organizationListed on campaign endorsements page and confirmed by Courage California voter guide; no endorsement date given. electsandravanscotter.com
- San Joaquin Valley Democratic Club organizationListed on Van Scotter's campaign endorsements page; no individual endorsement date given. electsandravanscotter.com
- Francisco Ramirez Jr., former mayor of Hanford officialNamed on campaign endorsements page; no endorsement date given. electsandravanscotter.com
- Tehachapi Mountain Democratic Club organizationListed on Van Scotter's campaign endorsements page; no individual endorsement date given. electsandravanscotter.com
- California Democratic Party (CADEM) officialAnnounced endorsement for Congressional District 20 following certification of the June 2 primary. cadem.org · Jul 14, 2026
Campaign finance
Totals filed with the Federal Election Commission for the 2026 election cycle.
- Raised
- $17K
- Spent
- $17K
- Cash on hand
- -$2,017
As of Jun 30, 2026. Filings are periodic, so recent money may not be included yet. ↳ FEC record H6CA20228(opens in a new tab)
Sources 7
- [1] Sandra Van Scotter - Candidate Profile - Voter Guide(opens in a new tab) Oct 9, 2026
- [2] Incumbent Fong faces challenger for 20th District seat representing Clovis in Congress(opens in a new tab) Oct 3, 2026
- [3] Endorsements | Sandra Van Scotter For CD20(opens in a new tab) Oct 2, 2026
- [4] Issues | Sandra Van Scotter For CD20(opens in a new tab) Oct 2, 2026
- [5] Rebuttal - Sandra Van Scotter(opens in a new tab) Oct 2, 2026
- [6] California's 20th Congressional District 2026: Van Scotter vs. Fong | ChamberLight(opens in a new tab) Sep 28, 2026
- [7] California Democratic Party Announces Endorsements for Statewide ...(opens in a new tab) Jul 14, 2026