Tessa
Lynn Hodge
Democratic challenger Tessa Lynn Hodge, a licensed clinical social worker, is running for California's 23rd Congressional District in 2026.
- sources
- 13
- positions
- 10
- endorsements
- 24
Background
Tessa Lynn Hodge is a licensed clinical social worker and Democratic candidate running in California's 23rd Congressional District in the November 2026 general election. She is a lifelong resident of the High Desert region and lists Victorville, California as her home. 346
Hodge earned bachelor's and master's degrees in social work from California State University, San Bernardino. Her professional career has included work with children in foster care, school-based mental health services, and San Bernardino County policy. She owns a private practice and has also worked for SAC Health. 315
Hodge has no prior elected office. The FEC identifies her as a challenger in the CA-23 race, where she faces incumbent Republican Jay Obernolte. She advanced from the June 2026 primary as the Democratic-preference candidate. 1119
Her campaign focuses on her background as a social worker and community advocate in the district she describes as her lifelong home. 34
At a glance
- Party
- Democratic
- Running for
- U.S. House · District 23, California
- Election
- Nov 3, 2026
- Current office
- Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Congressional Candidate (CA-23)
- Website
- tessaforca.com(opens in a new tab)
Where they stand
Each position links to the page it was drawn from. Quotes are verbatim.
Timeline
- Oct 6endorsementBlack Voters Guide election slate lists Hodge for CA-23
The Black American Political Association of California's voter slate for the November 3, 2026 general election listed Tessa Lynn Hodge for CA-23. This is a voter-guide selection, not a government ballot certification.
WAG's Black Voters Guide Election Slate for November 3, 2026 · Oct 6, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 6endorsementLA Progressive voter guide lists Hodge for CA-23
The LA Progressive voter guide listed Tessa Lynn Hodge as their selection for California's 23rd congressional district ahead of the November 3, 2026 general election.
LA Progressive Voter Guide November 2026 · Oct 6, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 5newsHodge details policy positions and background in CA-23 candidate questionnaire
In a Southern California News Group questionnaire, Hodge described herself as a licensed clinical social worker and first-time candidate. She stated support for universal health care modeled on Australia's system, opposition to Flock surveillance cameras, opposition to offshore oil drilling, skepticism of large AI data centers, and support for a pathway to legal status for long-term residents. She also noted an endorsement from National Security Leaders for America.
Tessa Lynn Hodge, CA-23 candidate, 2026 election questionnaire · Oct 5, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 1endorsementCenter Action Fund lists Tessa Lynn Hodge as a 2026 general-election endorsee for CA-23
The Center Action Fund's 2026 midterm general endorsements page listed Tessa Lynn Hodge for California's 23rd congressional district.
2026 Midterm General Endorsements - Center Action Fund · Oct 1, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 26endorsementSouthern California News Group endorses Obernolte over Hodge in CA-23
The Southern California News Group editorial board endorsed incumbent Republican Jay Obernolte, describing Tessa Lynn Hodge as his Democratic challenger. The board did not endorse Hodge.
Endorsement: Jay Obernolte for the 23rd congressional district · Sep 26, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Jun 2newsTessa Lynn Hodge advances to CA-23 general election with 21% of primary vote
Hodge received 21% of the primary vote, advancing to the general election against incumbent Republican Jay Obernolte, who received 57%. These figures were reported by the Southern California News Group editorial board, not an official results page.
Endorsement: Jay Obernolte for the 23rd congressional district · Sep 26, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
Endorsements
- Students First Political Action organizationListed on Hodge's campaign endorsement page. tessaforca.com
- Southern California Armenian Democrats organizationListed on Hodge's campaign endorsement page. tessaforca.com
- California Assemblymember Dr. Corey Jackson officialListed on Hodge's campaign endorsement page. tessaforca.com
- DNC member Joe Salas officialListed on Hodge's campaign endorsement page. tessaforca.com
- California Assemblymember John Harabedian officialListed on Hodge's campaign endorsement page. tessaforca.com
- National Security Leaders for America organizationListed by the campaign, described as representing nearly 1,600 retired generals, admirals, and other national security leaders. tessaforca.com
- Moreno Valley Mayor Ulises Cabrera officialListed on Hodge's campaign endorsement page. tessaforca.com
- California Young Democrats organizationListed Hodge for Congressional District 23 on its endorsements page, covering both the primary and general election. cayoungdems.net
- San Bernardino County Young Democrats organizationListed on Hodge's campaign endorsement page. tessaforca.com
- Big Bear Lake Mayor Randall Putz officialListed on Hodge's campaign endorsement page. tessaforca.com
- Teamsters Local 1932 unionListed on Hodge's campaign endorsement page with no date given. tessaforca.com
- Democratic Club of Big Bear Valley organizationListed on Hodge's campaign endorsement page. tessaforca.com
- Lancaster City Councilmember Cedric White officialListed on Hodge's campaign endorsement page. White's statement: "As Councilmember for the City of Lancaster, I strongly support Tessa Lynn Hodge for Congress!" tessaforca.com
- UFCW Local 1167 unionListed on Hodge's campaign endorsement page with no date given. tessaforca.com
- Democrats of the Morongo Basin organizationListed on Hodge's campaign endorsement page. tessaforca.com
- U.S. Representative Pete Aguilar officialListed on Hodge's campaign endorsement page. tessaforca.com
- Riverside City Councilmember Clarissa Cervantes officialListed on Hodge's campaign endorsement page. tessaforca.com
- Redlands Area Democratic Club organizationListed on Hodge's campaign endorsement page. tessaforca.com
- California Senator Tom Umberg officialListed on Hodge's campaign endorsement page. tessaforca.com
- San Juan Capistrano City Councilmember Sergio Farias officialListed on Hodge's campaign endorsement page. tessaforca.com
- California School Employees Association (CSEA) unionIncluded Hodge in its endorsements for the November general election; page last updated September 21, 2026. csea.com · Sep 21, 2026
- Equality California organizationAnnounced endorsement of Hodge on August 27, 2026. eqca.org · Aug 27, 2026
- California Democratic Party organizationNamed Hodge for CA-23 in the party's 2026 general-election endorsement list (PDF). cadem.org · Aug 26, 2026
- Track AIPAC organizationPosted "We proudly endorse @Tessaforca in #CA23!" on May 28, 2026. x.com · May 28, 2026
Campaign finance
Totals filed with the Federal Election Commission for the 2026 election cycle.
- Raised
- $79K
- Spent
- $69K
- Cash on hand
- $10K
As of Jun 30, 2026. Filings are periodic, so recent money may not be included yet. ↳ FEC record H6CA23230(opens in a new tab)
Sources 13
- [1] LA Progressive Voter Guide November 2026(opens in a new tab) Oct 6, 2026
- [2] WAG's Black Voters Guide Election Slate for November 3, 2026(opens in a new tab) Oct 6, 2026
- [3] Tessa Lynn Hodge, CA-23 candidate, 2026 election questionnaire(opens in a new tab) Oct 5, 2026
- [4] Endorsements - California Young Democrats(opens in a new tab) Oct 3, 2026
- [5] 2026 Midterm General Endorsements - Center Action Fund(opens in a new tab) Oct 1, 2026
- [6] Endorsement: Jay Obernolte for the 23rd congressional district(opens in a new tab) Sep 26, 2026
- [7] Voter Guide - California School Employees Association(opens in a new tab) Sep 21, 2026
- [8] August 27, 2026 at 1:56 pm(opens in a new tab) Aug 27, 2026
- [9] [PDF] 2026 General Election Endorsements & Ballot Measure Positions(opens in a new tab) Aug 26, 2026
- [10] Endorsements(opens in a new tab) Jun 30, 2026
- [11] Tessa Lynn Hodge | BallotReady(opens in a new tab) Jun 2, 2026
- [12] AIPAC Tracker(opens in a new tab) May 28, 2026
- [13] Tessa Lynn Hodge, CA-23 candidate, 2026 primary ...(opens in a new tab) May 5, 2026