2026 Election Guide
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Data verified across fec, house_gov, govtrack on Jun 12, 2026. 4 independent checks all confirmed.

California's 51st Congressional District — 2026

house race
Cook Political Report ↗Solid D
Cook PVID+13

Candidates(6)

★

Sara Jacobs

DemocratIncumbent

U.S. Representative, CA-51 (since 3 January 2023; previously represented CA-53, CA-51 from 3 January 2021)

Sara Jacobs ( Democratic Party ) is a member of the U.S. House , representing California's 51st Congressional District . She assumed office on January 3, 2023. Her current term ends on January 3, 2027. Jacobs ( Democratic Party ) is running for re-election to the U.S. House to represent California's 51st Congressional District . She is on the ballot in the general election on November 3, 2026 . She advanced from the primary on June 2, 2026 . Sara Jacobs was born in San Diego, California , in 1989. Jacobs earned a bachelor's degree in political science and a master's degree in international affairs from Columbia University in 2011 and 2012, respectively. Her career experience includes working as a policy advisor with Hillary Clinton's 2016 presidential campaign , in policy positions with the U.S. State Department , UNICEF, and the United Nations, and as the CEO of Project Connect. Jacobs founded San Diego for Every Child: The Coalition to End Child Poverty and served as the CEO of Project Connect. [1] [2] [3] Jacobs was assigned to the following committees: Jacobs was assigned to the following committees: Jacobs was assigned to the following committees:

Key Positions

  • Healthcare: Supports — Jacobs voted to reinstate enhanced Affordable Care Act subsidies, supporting expanded healthcare access.[voting_record]
  • Foreign Policy: Mixed — Jacobs supported Ukraine aid and voted to remove U.S. forces from hostilities with Iran, but voted against the FY26 NDAA and FISA extension. She also led bipartisan legislation for transparency in foreign aid spending and opposed cuts to USAID.[voting_record]
  • Democracy & Voting: Opposes — Jacobs voted against the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act, opposing legislation that would require proof of citizenship to register to vote.[voting_record]
  • Economy & Taxes: Opposes — Jacobs voted against multiple appropriations bills and the Republican budget resolution, consistently opposing GOP fiscal legislation.[voting_record]
  • Immigration: Opposes — Jacobs voted against the Secure America Act, against DHS appropriations bills, and against the SAVE Act requiring proof of citizenship to vote, indicating opposition to restrictive immigration enforcement measures.[voting_record]

+2 more positions on record

Recent Votes

  • ✗
    H.R. 9238: To amend the FISA Amendments Act of 2008 to extend the authorities of title VII of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978, and for other purposes.June 11, 2026
  • ✗
    S. 2: Secure America ActJune 9, 2026
  • ✓
    H.R. 2913: Ukraine Support ActJune 4, 2026
  • ✗
    H.R. 8646: Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agency Appropriations Act, 2027June 4, 2026
  • ✓
    H.R. 8469: Making appropriations for military construction, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2027, and for other purposes.May 15, 2026
  • ✓
    H.Con.Res. 75: Directing the President, pursuant to section 5(c) of the War Powers Resolution, to remove the United States Armed Forces from hostilities against the Islamic Republic of Iran.May 14, 2026
  • ✓
    S. 4465: A bill to amend the FISA Amendments Act of 2008 to extend the authorities of title VII of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978, and for other purposes.April 30, 2026
  • ✗
    H.R. 7567: Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026April 30, 2026
  • ✗
    S.Con.Res. 33: A concurrent resolution setting forth the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2026 and setting forth the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2027 through 2035.April 29, 2026
  • ✓
    H.Con.Res. 40: Directing the President, pursuant to section 5(c) of the War Powers Resolution, to remove United States Armed Forces from hostilities with Iran.April 16, 2026

Recent Activity

  • Lawler, Jacobs Lead Bipartisan Bill to Increase Transparency to Congress on Foreign Aid Spending - Congressman Mike Lawler (.gov) — Lawler, Jacobs Lead Bipartisan Bill to Increase Transparency to Congress on Foreign Aid Spending Congressman Mike Lawler (.gov)
    February 25, 2026
  • Press Release: Rep. Sara Jacobs Leads Moment of Silence for Victims of Islamic Center Shooting in San Diego - Quiver Quantitative — Press Release: Rep. Sara Jacobs Leads Moment of Silence for Victims of Islamic Center Shooting in San Diego Quiver Quantitative
    May 20, 2026
  • DWC Members Reps Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, Sara Jacobs Lead a Group of Democratic Members of Congress in Denouncing the Trump Administration’s Actions Towards USAID - Democratic Women's Caucus (.gov) — DWC Members Reps Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, Sara Jacobs Lead a Group of Democratic Members of Congress in Denouncing the Trump Administration’s Actions Towards USAID Democratic Women's Caucus (.gov)
    February 19, 2025

Endorsements

  • Democratic Party of Californiaparty_committee(D)
  • California Federation of Labor Unions, AFL-CIOunion(D)
  • California Teachers Associationorganization
  • National Union of Healthcare Workersunion(D)
  • California Young Democratsorganization(D)
  • Equality Californiapolitician
  • New Deal Dems (Sway voting group by Hunter Dunn)organization
  • San Diego County Democratic Partyparty_committee(D)
  • Democratic Party of Californiaparty_committee(D)
  • California Federation of Labor Unions, AFL-CIOunion(D)
  • California Teachers Associationorganization
  • National Union of Healthcare Workersunion(D)
  • California Young Democratsorganization(D)
  • Equality Californiapolitician
  • New Deal Dems (Sway voting group by Hunter Dunn)organization
  • San Diego County Democratic Partyparty_committee(D)
  • Democratic Party of Californiaparty_committee(D)
  • California Federation of Labor Unions, AFL-CIOunion(D)
  • California Teachers Associationorganization
  • National Union of Healthcare Workersunion(D)
  • California Young Democratsorganization(D)
  • Equality Californiapolitician
  • New Deal Dems (Sway voting group by Hunter Dunn)organization
  • San Diego County Democratic Partyparty_committee(D)

Campaign Finance

Total Raised
$1,561,377
Total Spent
$1,368,638
Cash on Hand
$270,111
Individual: $230,691PAC: $174,000
Top donor groups
NOT EMPLOYED(723 donors)$132,712
SELF EMPLOYED(68 donors)$32,775
ATTORNEY(24 donors)$19,350
CEO(10 donors)$18,050
INVESTOR(4 donors)$11,500
CO-FOUNDER(6 donors)$10,800
MAF LLC(3 donors)$10,500
ARNOLD VENTURES(3 donors)$10,500

Per most recent FEC filing period. FEC.gov for latest figures.

Website →Ballotpedia →FEC filing →

David Engel

Democrat

David Engel ( Democratic Party ) ran for election to the U.S. House to represent California's 51st Congressional District . Engel lost in the primary on June 2, 2026 . See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection David Engel did not complete Ballotpedia's 2026 Candidate Connection survey. Campaign finance information for this candidate is not yet available from the Federal Election Commission . That information will be published here once it is available.

Recent Activity

  • California June 2026 primary election results - NBC Bay Area — California June 2026 primary election results NBC Bay Area
    June 2, 2026
  • Here are California's 2026 primary election results - VPM — Here are California's 2026 primary election results VPM
    June 2, 2026
Ballotpedia →

John-Samuel Etheridge Williams

Republican

Campaign Finance

Total Raised
$0
Total Spent
$0
Cash on Hand
$0
Individual: $0PAC: $0

Per most recent FEC filing period. FEC.gov for latest figures.

FEC filing →

Michael Bucy

Independent American Party

Campaign Finance

Total Raised
$0
Total Spent
$0
Cash on Hand
$0
Individual: $0PAC: $0

Per most recent FEC filing period. FEC.gov for latest figures.

FEC filing →

Ricardo Cabrera

Republican

Ricardo Cabrera ( Republican Party ) is running for election to the U.S. House to represent California's 51st Congressional District . Cabrera is on the ballot in the general election on November 3, 2026 . Cabrera advanced from the primary on June 2, 2026 . Cabrera completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2026. Click here to read the survey answers . Ricardo Cabrera earned a bachelor's degree from Grand Canyon University in 2024 and a graduate degree from Grand Canyon University in 2026. Cabrera's career experience includes working as a chief executive officer. [1] See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection Ricardo Cabrera completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2026. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Cabrera's responses. Expand all | Collapse all Campaign finance information for this candidate is not yet available from the Federal Election Commission . That information will be published here once it is available.

Recent Activity

  • California 51st Congressional District Primary Election Results - The New York Times — California 51st Congressional District Primary Election Results The New York Times
    June 3, 2026
  • Republican Ricardo Cabrera advances to the general election for U.S. House in California's 51st Congressional District - Caledonian Record — Republican Ricardo Cabrera advances to the general election for U.S. House in California's 51st Congressional District Caledonian Record
    June 3, 2026
  • Republican Ricardo Cabrera advances to the general election for U.S. House in California's 51st Congressional District - KING5.com — Republican Ricardo Cabrera advances to the general election for U.S. House in California's 51st Congressional District KING5.com
    June 3, 2026

Endorsements

  • Republican Party of Californiaparty_committee(R)
  • San Diego County, Calif., Republican Partyparty_committee(R)
  • Based in Malibu (Sway voting group by Based in Malibu)organization
  • Reform Californiapolitician
  • The Morning Answer with Jennifer Hornorganization
  • Republican Party of Californiaparty_committee(R)
  • San Diego County, Calif., Republican Partyparty_committee(R)
  • Based in Malibu (Sway voting group by Based in Malibu)organization
  • Reform Californiapolitician
  • The Morning Answer with Jennifer Hornorganization
  • Republican Party of Californiaparty_committee(R)
  • San Diego County, Calif., Republican Partyparty_committee(R)
  • Based in Malibu (Sway voting group by Based in Malibu)organization
  • Reform Californiapolitician
  • The Morning Answer with Jennifer Hornorganization
Website →Ballotpedia →

Stan Caplan

Democrat

Stan Caplan ( Democratic Party ) ran for election to the U.S. House to represent California's 51st Congressional District . He lost in the primary on June 2, 2026 . Caplan completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2026. Click here to read the survey answers . Stan Caplan was born in Alabama . He earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Texas. Caplan's career experience includes owning a business and working in insurance. He has been affiliated with the Lions Club. [1] [2] See also: California's 51st Congressional District election, 2024 California's 51st Congressional District election, 2024 (March 5 top-two primary)

Recent Activity

  • California 51st Congressional District Primary Election Results - The New York Times — California 51st Congressional District Primary Election Results The New York Times
    June 3, 2026
  • Primary election results for California’s Congressional Districts 49, 50, 51 and 52 - fox5sandiego.com — Primary election results for California’s Congressional Districts 49, 50, 51 and 52 fox5sandiego.com
    June 2, 2026
  • Hear our interview with Stan Caplan, candidate for 51st Congressional district - East County Magazine — Hear our interview with Stan Caplan, candidate for 51st Congressional district East County Magazine
    May 14, 2026

Campaign Finance

Total Raised
$0
Total Spent
$0
Cash on Hand
$0
Individual: $0PAC: $0

Per most recent FEC filing period. FEC.gov for latest figures.

Website →Ballotpedia →FEC filing →
Data verified across fec, house_gov, govtrack on Jun 12, 2026. 4 independent checks all confirmed.