2026 Catholic Voter Guide

California

Where the candidates stand on the issues Pope Leo XIV has raised, in their own words and votes. Every position links to its source.

Election Day · Tuesday, Nov. 3
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Every active voter is mailed a ballot; mailed ballots must be postmarked on or before Nov. 3. Same-day registration is available through Election Day at county offices and vote centers; polls are open 7 a.m.–8 p.m. Official source ↗

How to use this guide. For each race, open an issue to see what Pope Leo XIV has taught and what each candidate has said or done, side by side. Where a candidate has served in office, we add their recorded votes on the same key bills for everyone in that chamber, linked to the official roll call. We summarize; we do not score or endorse. Candidates are listed alphabetically. Where we could not find a public position, we say so. Click any bracketed source to read it yourself. New to Catholic voting principles? Start with our national guide to Faithful Citizenship.
California · 2026

U.S. House, District 13

Top-two general. 23, 2026, via 270toWin). District redrawn under Prop 50 (2025).

Download printable PDF ↓
Adam Gray
Democrat · Incumbent
U.S. Representative since 2025; former California Assemblymember.
Campaign website ↗
Kevin Lincoln
Republican · Challenger
Former Stockton mayor and Marine veteran who served on the Marine One detail.
Campaign website ↗
War & PeaceIran, Gaza, Ukraine, war powers›
Pope Leo XIVLeo invited citizens of every country involved in the war with Iran to contact their leaders and members of Congress “to work for peace and to reject war and violence.”Remarks at Castel Gandolfo, Apr. 7, 2026 (Vatican News via The Good Newsroom)
Adam Gray
Voted for Iran war powers resolutions, saying Congress must declare war and the president needs “a clear strategy”; voted for the Ukraine Support Act (2026).
[1] Gray campaign: Issues[2] Roll call 85 (2026): Iran war powers resolution[3] Roll call 207 (2026): Ukraine Support Act
Voting record
Kevin Lincoln
No public position found.
AI & the Dignity of WorkAI rules, unions, workers displaced by automation›
Pope Leo XIV“No one can be reduced to productivity, to cognitive performance, or to mere data.”Magnifica Humanitas presentation, May 25, 2026
Adam Gray
Voted for the Faster Labor Contracts Act (2026) and for restoring federal employees’ collective bargaining rights (2025).
[1] Roll call 216 (2026): Faster Labor Contracts Act[2] Roll call 332 (2025): Protect America’s Workforce Act
Voting record
Kevin Lincoln
Supports the President’s AI Action Plan for removing “burdensome regulations” and building domestic AI infrastructure; backs the CLARITY and GENIUS digital-asset bills.
[1] Lincoln campaign: Issues
The Poor & the Safety NetMedicaid, SNAP, health care, wages›
Pope Leo XIVThe preferential choice for the poor is “a source of extraordinary renewal both for the Church and for society.”Dilexi Te, Oct. 4, 2025
Adam Gray
Introduced a bill to reverse the 2025 law’s Medicaid cuts and permanently extend enhanced ACA credits; voted against the 2025 reconciliation law and for the three-year ACA credit extension (2026).
[1] Gray campaign: Issues[2] Roll call 190 (2025): H.R. 1 final passage[3] Roll call 11 (2026): H.R. 1834, ACA tax credit extension
Voting record
Kevin Lincoln
Pledges to cut wasteful federal spending and lower taxes to help Valley families with grocery, gas and rent costs.
[1] Lincoln campaign: Issues
Life of the UnbornAbortion, IVF, assisted suicide›
Pope Leo XIVAbortion “cuts short a growing life and refuses to welcome the gift of life.”Address to the Diplomatic Corps, Jan. 9, 2026
Adam Gray
Voted against the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act (Jan. 2025) and against a 2026 bill letting states use TANF funds for pregnancy centers.
[1] Roll call 27 (2025): Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act[2] Roll call 37 (2026): H.R. 6945, pregnancy centers
Voting record
Kevin Lincoln
No public position found.
The Death PenaltyCapital punishment›
Pope Leo XIVSomeone who opposes abortion but favors the death penalty “is not really pro-life.”AP via PBS NewsHour, Sept. 30, 2025
Adam Gray
No public position found.
Kevin Lincoln
No public position found.
Immigrants & RefugeesDeportations, enforcement, asylum, citizenship›
Pope Leo XIV“Defending human life also includes welcoming, protecting and assisting immigrants.”Letter on the 250th Anniversary of the United States, June 25, 2026
Adam Gray
Cosponsored the DIGNITY Act and American Dream and Promise Act (paths to legal status) and voted against the 2026 DHS funding bill, calling it “a blank check” without ICE accountability; voted for the Laken Riley Act (2025).
[1] Gray campaign: Issues[2] Roll call 87 (2026): DHS appropriations[3] Roll call 23 (2025): Laken Riley Act
Voting record
Kevin Lincoln
Says he “will always fight to secure the border, enforce our immigration laws, and restore law–and-order.”
[1] Lincoln campaign: Issues
Religious Liberty & EducationConscience, school choice, Catholic schools and charities›
Pope Leo XIVReligious freedom is “the right of every person to worship according to conscience.”Letter on the 250th Anniversary of the United States, June 25, 2026
Adam Gray
Voted against the 2025 reconciliation law, which created a federal tax credit for donations to K–12 scholarship-granting organizations.
[1] Roll call 190 (2025): H.R. 1 final passage[2] Public Law 119-21 text (2025 reconciliation law)
Voting record
Kevin Lincoln
No public position found.
Care for CreationClimate, energy, environment›
Pope Leo XIV“We cannot love God, whom we cannot see, while despising his creatures.”AP, Oct. 1, 2025
Adam Gray
Voted against repealing Inflation Reduction Act home-electrification rebates (2026) and against overturning California’s Advanced Clean Cars II waiver (2025).
[1] Roll call 78 (2026): Homeowner Energy Freedom Act[2] Roll call 114 (2025): disapproval of California clean-car waiver
Voting record
Kevin Lincoln
No public position found.
California · 2026

U.S. House, District 21

Top-two general. 23, 2026, via 270toWin). District redrawn under Prop 50 (2025).

Download printable PDF ↓
Jim Costa
Democrat · Incumbent
U.S. Representative since 2005; former California state legislator.
Campaign website ↗
Kyle Kirkland
Republican · Challenger
Owner of Club One Casino in Fresno; former chairman of Steinway Musical Instruments.
Campaign website ↗
War & PeaceIran, Gaza, Ukraine, war powers›
Pope Leo XIVLeo invited citizens of every country involved in the war with Iran to contact their leaders and members of Congress “to work for peace and to reject war and violence.”Remarks at Castel Gandolfo, Apr. 7, 2026 (Vatican News via The Good Newsroom)
Jim Costa
Voted for a March 2026 war powers resolution to remove U.S. forces from hostilities with Iran and for the Ukraine Support Act (June 2026).
[1] Roll call 85 (2026): Iran war powers resolution[2] Roll call 207 (2026): Ukraine Support Act
Voting record
Kyle Kirkland
No public position found.
AI & the Dignity of WorkAI rules, unions, workers displaced by automation›
Pope Leo XIV“No one can be reduced to productivity, to cognitive performance, or to mere data.”Magnifica Humanitas presentation, May 25, 2026
Jim Costa
Voted for the Faster Labor Contracts Act (2026) and for restoring federal employees’ collective bargaining rights (2025).
[1] Roll call 216 (2026): Faster Labor Contracts Act[2] Roll call 332 (2025): Protect America’s Workforce Act
Voting record
Kyle Kirkland
No public position found.
The Poor & the Safety NetMedicaid, SNAP, health care, wages›
Pope Leo XIVThe preferential choice for the poor is “a source of extraordinary renewal both for the Church and for society.”Dilexi Te, Oct. 4, 2025
Jim Costa
Voted against the 2025 reconciliation law, which added Medicaid work requirements and SNAP changes, and for a three-year extension of enhanced ACA premium tax credits (Jan. 2026).
[1] Roll call 190 (2025): H.R. 1 final passage[2] Roll call 11 (2026): H.R. 1834, ACA tax credit extension[3] Public Law 119-21 text (2025 reconciliation law)
Voting record
Kyle Kirkland
Says housing, food, gas and health care costs stem from over-regulation; pledges to target government waste and fraud and believes in “hard work over handouts.”
[1] Kirkland campaign site
Life of the UnbornAbortion, IVF, assisted suicide›
Pope Leo XIVAbortion “cuts short a growing life and refuses to welcome the gift of life.”Address to the Diplomatic Corps, Jan. 9, 2026
Jim Costa
Voted against the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act (Jan. 2025) and against a 2026 bill letting states use TANF funds for pregnancy centers.
[1] Roll call 27 (2025): Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act[2] Roll call 37 (2026): H.R. 6945, pregnancy centers
Voting record
Kyle Kirkland
No public position found.
The Death PenaltyCapital punishment›
Pope Leo XIVSomeone who opposes abortion but favors the death penalty “is not really pro-life.”AP via PBS NewsHour, Sept. 30, 2025
Jim Costa
No public position found.
Kyle Kirkland
No public position found.
Immigrants & RefugeesDeportations, enforcement, asylum, citizenship›
Pope Leo XIV“Defending human life also includes welcoming, protecting and assisting immigrants.”Letter on the 250th Anniversary of the United States, June 25, 2026
Jim Costa
Voted for the Laken Riley Act requiring detention of migrants charged with theft (2025), against the 2026 DHS funding bill, and for requiring temporary protected status for Haitians (2026).
[1] Roll call 23 (2025): Laken Riley Act[2] Roll call 87 (2026): DHS appropriations[3] Roll call 120 (2026): H.R. 1689, Haiti TPS
Voting record
Kyle Kirkland
Lists “Secure Our Border” as a top priority: give law enforcement tools to stop fentanyl, trafficking and cartel violence “while respecting legal immigration.”
[1] Kirkland campaign site
Religious Liberty & EducationConscience, school choice, Catholic schools and charities›
Pope Leo XIVReligious freedom is “the right of every person to worship according to conscience.”Letter on the 250th Anniversary of the United States, June 25, 2026
Jim Costa
Voted against the 2025 reconciliation law, which created a federal tax credit for donations to K–12 scholarship-granting organizations.
[1] Roll call 190 (2025): H.R. 1 final passage[2] Public Law 119-21 text (2025 reconciliation law)
Voting record
Kyle Kirkland
No public position found.
Care for CreationClimate, energy, environment›
Pope Leo XIV“We cannot love God, whom we cannot see, while despising his creatures.”AP, Oct. 1, 2025
Jim Costa
Voted against repealing Inflation Reduction Act home-electrification rebates (2026) and against overturning California’s Advanced Clean Cars II waiver (2025).
[1] Roll call 78 (2026): Homeowner Energy Freedom Act[2] Roll call 114 (2025): disapproval of California clean-car waiver
Voting record
Kyle Kirkland
On water and agriculture, pledges to build storage, modernize delivery and end “the regulatory chokehold that hurts growers and farmworkers.”
[1] Kirkland campaign site
California · 2026

U.S. House, District 22

Top-two general. 23, 2026, via 270toWin). District redrawn under Prop 50 (2025).

Download printable PDF ↓
David Valadao
Republican · Incumbent
U.S. Representative and Kings County dairy farmer.
Campaign website ↗
Randy Villegas
Democrat · Challenger
College professor and Kern County school board trustee.
Campaign website ↗
War & PeaceIran, Gaza, Ukraine, war powers›
Pope Leo XIVLeo invited citizens of every country involved in the war with Iran to contact their leaders and members of Congress “to work for peace and to reject war and violence.”Remarks at Castel Gandolfo, Apr. 7, 2026 (Vatican News via The Good Newsroom)
David Valadao
Voted against a March 2026 war powers resolution to remove U.S. forces from hostilities with Iran and against the Ukraine Support Act (June 2026).
[1] Roll call 85 (2026): Iran war powers resolution[2] Roll call 207 (2026): Ukraine Support Act
Voting record
Randy Villegas
Says “Americans are sick of endless wars” in Iraq, Afghanistan or Palestine and wants tax dollars invested at home rather than in wars abroad.
[1] Villegas campaign: Foreign Policy
AI & the Dignity of WorkAI rules, unions, workers displaced by automation›
Pope Leo XIV“No one can be reduced to productivity, to cognitive performance, or to mere data.”Magnifica Humanitas presentation, May 25, 2026
David Valadao
Voted against the Faster Labor Contracts Act (2026) and for restoring federal employees’ collective bargaining rights (2025).
[1] Roll call 216 (2026): Faster Labor Contracts Act[2] Roll call 332 (2025): Protect America’s Workforce Act
Voting record
Randy Villegas
Supports AI safety regulation, data-privacy protections and making large AI companies pay taxes; pledges to protect workers’ job security against AI replacement.
[1] Villegas campaign: Artificial Intelligence
The Poor & the Safety NetMedicaid, SNAP, health care, wages›
Pope Leo XIVThe preferential choice for the poor is “a source of extraordinary renewal both for the Church and for society.”Dilexi Te, Oct. 4, 2025
David Valadao
Voted for the 2025 reconciliation law, which added Medicaid work requirements and SNAP changes, and for a three-year extension of enhanced ACA premium tax credits (Jan. 2026).
[1] Roll call 190 (2025): H.R. 1 final passage[2] Roll call 11 (2026): H.R. 1834, ACA tax credit extension[3] Public Law 119-21 text (2025 reconciliation law)
Voting record
Randy Villegas
Supports Medicare for All, price caps on drugs and care, raising the minimum wage, universal child care and paid family leave.
[1] Villegas campaign: Healthcare[2] Villegas campaign: Cost of living
Life of the UnbornAbortion, IVF, assisted suicide›
Pope Leo XIVAbortion “cuts short a growing life and refuses to welcome the gift of life.”Address to the Diplomatic Corps, Jan. 9, 2026
David Valadao
Voted for the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act (Jan. 2025) and for a 2026 bill letting states use TANF funds for pregnancy centers.
[1] Roll call 27 (2025): Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act[2] Roll call 37 (2026): H.R. 6945, pregnancy centers
Voting record
Randy Villegas
No public position found.
The Death PenaltyCapital punishment›
Pope Leo XIVSomeone who opposes abortion but favors the death penalty “is not really pro-life.”AP via PBS NewsHour, Sept. 30, 2025
David Valadao
No public position found.
Randy Villegas
No public position found.
Immigrants & RefugeesDeportations, enforcement, asylum, citizenship›
Pope Leo XIV“Defending human life also includes welcoming, protecting and assisting immigrants.”Letter on the 250th Anniversary of the United States, June 25, 2026
David Valadao
Campaign site backs “a reasonable and responsible pathway to citizenship” and a farm guest-worker program; voted for the Laken Riley Act (2025) and 2026 DHS funding, and against Haiti TPS (2026).
[1] Valadao campaign: Immigration[2] Roll call 23 (2025): Laken Riley Act[3] Roll call 87 (2026): DHS appropriations[4] Roll call 120 (2026): H.R. 1689, Haiti TPS
Voting record
Randy Villegas
Calls blanket detention and deportation “unconstitutional and un-American”; supports a path to citizenship and bringing home deported veterans.
[1] Villegas campaign: Immigration
Religious Liberty & EducationConscience, school choice, Catholic schools and charities›
Pope Leo XIVReligious freedom is “the right of every person to worship according to conscience.”Letter on the 250th Anniversary of the United States, June 25, 2026
David Valadao
Voted for the 2025 reconciliation law, which created a federal tax credit for donations to K–12 scholarship-granting organizations.
[1] Roll call 190 (2025): H.R. 1 final passage[2] Public Law 119-21 text (2025 reconciliation law)
Voting record
Randy Villegas
No public position found.
Care for CreationClimate, energy, environment›
Pope Leo XIV“We cannot love God, whom we cannot see, while despising his creatures.”AP, Oct. 1, 2025
David Valadao
Supports developing California’s oil, gas, solar and hydro resources; voted for repealing IRA home-electrification rebates (2026) and overturning California’s clean-car waiver (2025).
[1] Valadao campaign: Energy[2] Roll call 78 (2026): Homeowner Energy Freedom Act[3] Roll call 114 (2025): disapproval of California clean-car waiver
Voting record
Randy Villegas
Pledges to protect farmworkers from extreme heat tied to rising temperatures, hold “corporate polluters accountable,” and expand public lands.
[1] Villegas campaign: Environment
California · 2026

U.S. House, District 45

Top-two general. 23, 2026, via 270toWin). District redrawn under Prop 50 (2025).

Download printable PDF ↓
Derek Tran
Democrat · Incumbent
U.S. Representative since 2025; Army veteran, workers’ rights attorney and pharmacy owner.
Campaign website ↗
Chuong Vo
Republican · Challenger
Retired law enforcement officer with 28 years of service and former Cerritos mayor.
Campaign website ↗
War & PeaceIran, Gaza, Ukraine, war powers›
Pope Leo XIVLeo invited citizens of every country involved in the war with Iran to contact their leaders and members of Congress “to work for peace and to reject war and violence.”Remarks at Castel Gandolfo, Apr. 7, 2026 (Vatican News via The Good Newsroom)
Derek Tran
Voted for a March 2026 war powers resolution to remove U.S. forces from hostilities with Iran and for the Ukraine Support Act (June 2026).
[1] Roll call 85 (2026): Iran war powers resolution[2] Roll call 207 (2026): Ukraine Support Act
Voting record
Chuong Vo
Supports Israel as in U.S. “national security interests” and Taiwan’s defense, but says “We do not need boots on the ground and endless wars.”
[1] Vo campaign: Issues
AI & the Dignity of WorkAI rules, unions, workers displaced by automation›
Pope Leo XIV“No one can be reduced to productivity, to cognitive performance, or to mere data.”Magnifica Humanitas presentation, May 25, 2026
Derek Tran
Voted for the Faster Labor Contracts Act (2026) and for restoring federal employees’ collective bargaining rights (2025).
[1] Roll call 216 (2026): Faster Labor Contracts Act[2] Roll call 332 (2025): Protect America’s Workforce Act
Voting record
Chuong Vo
No public position found.
The Poor & the Safety NetMedicaid, SNAP, health care, wages›
Pope Leo XIVThe preferential choice for the poor is “a source of extraordinary renewal both for the Church and for society.”Dilexi Te, Oct. 4, 2025
Derek Tran
Voted against the 2025 reconciliation law, which added Medicaid work requirements and SNAP changes, and for a three-year extension of enhanced ACA premium tax credits (Jan. 2026).
[1] Roll call 190 (2025): H.R. 1 final passage[2] Roll call 11 (2026): H.R. 1834, ACA tax credit extension[3] Public Law 119-21 text (2025 reconciliation law)
Voting record
Chuong Vo
Pledges to protect Social Security and Medicare for current seniors, cut wasteful spending and tie homelessness funding to treatment outcomes.
[1] Vo campaign: Issues
Life of the UnbornAbortion, IVF, assisted suicide›
Pope Leo XIVAbortion “cuts short a growing life and refuses to welcome the gift of life.”Address to the Diplomatic Corps, Jan. 9, 2026
Derek Tran
Campaign says he is “100% pro-choice” and supports Planned Parenthood funding; voted against the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act (2025) and the 2026 pregnancy-center funding bill.
[1] Tran campaign site[2] Roll call 27 (2025): Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act[3] Roll call 37 (2026): H.R. 6945, pregnancy centers
Voting record
Chuong Vo
No public position found.
The Death PenaltyCapital punishment›
Pope Leo XIVSomeone who opposes abortion but favors the death penalty “is not really pro-life.”AP via PBS NewsHour, Sept. 30, 2025
Derek Tran
No public position found.
Chuong Vo
No public position found.
Immigrants & RefugeesDeportations, enforcement, asylum, citizenship›
Pope Leo XIV“Defending human life also includes welcoming, protecting and assisting immigrants.”Letter on the 250th Anniversary of the United States, June 25, 2026
Derek Tran
Voted for the Laken Riley Act requiring detention of migrants charged with theft (2025), against the 2026 DHS funding bill, and for requiring temporary protected status for Haitians (2026).
[1] Roll call 23 (2025): Laken Riley Act[2] Roll call 87 (2026): DHS appropriations[3] Roll call 120 (2026): H.R. 1689, Haiti TPS
Voting record
Chuong Vo
Supports secure borders and “faster asylum decisions,” agent training and accountability, and modernized legal immigration; says “We don’t need more racial profiling.”
[1] Vo campaign: Issues
Religious Liberty & EducationConscience, school choice, Catholic schools and charities›
Pope Leo XIVReligious freedom is “the right of every person to worship according to conscience.”Letter on the 250th Anniversary of the United States, June 25, 2026
Derek Tran
Voted against the 2025 reconciliation law, which created a federal tax credit for donations to K–12 scholarship-granting organizations.
[1] Roll call 190 (2025): H.R. 1 final passage[2] Public Law 119-21 text (2025 reconciliation law)
Voting record
Chuong Vo
No public position found.
Care for CreationClimate, energy, environment›
Pope Leo XIV“We cannot love God, whom we cannot see, while despising his creatures.”AP, Oct. 1, 2025
Derek Tran
Voted against repealing Inflation Reduction Act home-electrification rebates (2026) and against overturning California’s Advanced Clean Cars II waiver (2025).
[1] Roll call 78 (2026): Homeowner Energy Freedom Act[2] Roll call 114 (2025): disapproval of California clean-car waiver
Voting record
Chuong Vo
No public position found.
California · 2026

U.S. House, District 48

Open seat (Darrell Issa retiring). Top-two general. 23, 2026, via 270toWin). District redrawn under Prop 50 (2025).

Download printable PDF ↓
Jim Desmond
Republican · Open seat
San Diego County Supervisor; Navy veteran and retired Delta Air Lines pilot.
Campaign website ↗
Marni von Wilpert
Democrat · Open seat
San Diego City Councilmember; former deputy city attorney.
Campaign website ↗
War & PeaceIran, Gaza, Ukraine, war powers›
Pope Leo XIVLeo invited citizens of every country involved in the war with Iran to contact their leaders and members of Congress “to work for peace and to reject war and violence.”Remarks at Castel Gandolfo, Apr. 7, 2026 (Vatican News via The Good Newsroom)
Jim Desmond
No public position found.
Marni von Wilpert
Opposes “Trump’s unauthorized wars” and wants to end the Iran war; supports Ukraine, NATO and a two-state solution for Israelis and Palestinians.
[1] von Wilpert campaign: Issues
AI & the Dignity of WorkAI rules, unions, workers displaced by automation›
Pope Leo XIV“No one can be reduced to productivity, to cognitive performance, or to mere data.”Magnifica Humanitas presentation, May 25, 2026
Jim Desmond
No public position found.
Marni von Wilpert
Helped write the PRO Act as House committee counsel and pledges to pass it; supports the CLARITY and GENIUS Acts for emerging-technology rules.
[1] von Wilpert campaign: Issues[2] von Wilpert campaign: About
The Poor & the Safety NetMedicaid, SNAP, health care, wages›
Pope Leo XIVThe preferential choice for the poor is “a source of extraordinary renewal both for the Church and for society.”Dilexi Te, Oct. 4, 2025
Jim Desmond
Proposes expanding and simplifying the child care tax credit so relief comes monthly, tax-free child care savings, employer child care credits, and mandatory treatment and expanded psychiatric care for homelessness.
[1] Desmond campaign: Childcare plan[2] Desmond campaign: Homelessness plan
Marni von Wilpert
Supports expanding the ACA with a public option, restoring ACA tax credits, expanding Medicare drug negotiation and opposing Social Security cuts.
[1] von Wilpert campaign: Issues
Life of the UnbornAbortion, IVF, assisted suicide›
Pope Leo XIVAbortion “cuts short a growing life and refuses to welcome the gift of life.”Address to the Diplomatic Corps, Jan. 9, 2026
Jim Desmond
No campaign statement found. See voting record below.
Record in office
Marni von Wilpert
Pledges to “codify Roe into federal law” and reverse cuts to Planned Parenthood; also backs protecting families built through assisted reproductive care.
[1] von Wilpert campaign: Issues
Record in office
The Death PenaltyCapital punishment›
Pope Leo XIVSomeone who opposes abortion but favors the death penalty “is not really pro-life.”AP via PBS NewsHour, Sept. 30, 2025
Jim Desmond
No public position found.
Marni von Wilpert
No public position found.
Immigrants & RefugeesDeportations, enforcement, asylum, citizenship›
Pope Leo XIV“Defending human life also includes welcoming, protecting and assisting immigrants.”Letter on the 250th Anniversary of the United States, June 25, 2026
Jim Desmond
Supports enforcing laws against illegal crossings, requiring asylum claims to be filed abroad, an online legal application system, and treating “every person with dignity.”
[1] Desmond campaign: Secure Border
Record in office
Marni von Wilpert
Pledges to “get ICE’s masked mobs off our streets”; supports border security and legal pathways to citizenship for long-term residents and Dreamers.
[1] von Wilpert campaign: Issues
Record in office
Religious Liberty & EducationConscience, school choice, Catholic schools and charities›
Pope Leo XIVReligious freedom is “the right of every person to worship according to conscience.”Letter on the 250th Anniversary of the United States, June 25, 2026
Jim Desmond
No public position found.
Marni von Wilpert
No public position found.
Care for CreationClimate, energy, environment›
Pope Leo XIV“We cannot love God, whom we cannot see, while despising his creatures.”AP, Oct. 1, 2025
Jim Desmond
Opposes mandates for costly energy alternatives and electric vehicles; backs consumer choice from natural gas to renewables, using fossil fuels responsibly, carbon capture and new nuclear power, saying “Balance is key.”
[1] Desmond campaign: Energy
Marni von Wilpert
Calls climate change “an urgent threat”; opposes offshore drilling on the California coast and pledges to reverse Trump-era environmental rollbacks.
[1] von Wilpert campaign: Issues
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