Reelect Congressional Representative Ted Lieu to keep CA-36 on the right track for progress.

The Position

Congressmembers represent and advocate for the needs of their district constituents at the United States Capitol. They are responsible for creating, debating, and voting on legislation that addresses issues within their district.

The United States is divided into 435 congressional districts, each with a population of about 710,000 individuals. Each district elects a representative to the House of Representatives for a two-year term. California has 53 congressional representatives, the largest delegation in the country. There is no term limit for this position.

The District

California’s 36th Congressional District includes parts of Los Angeles County. Democrats typically hold this district. Of the registered voters in this district, 20% are Republican and 50% are Democrat, and the district’s demographic breakdown is 14% Latino, 17% Asian, and 5% Black. After the 2021 redistricting process, CA-36 is 3% more Democratic than it was during the 2020 general election cycle. The most recent election results show that CD-36 voted for Joe Biden for president in 2020 by 44 points and Gavin Newsom for governor in 2018 by 39 points.

The Race

There are eight candidates running for this seat, including Democrat Incumbent Representative Ted Lieu, Republican Joe Collins III, one Democrat, two Independents, and three Republicans. Rep. Lieu’s campaign has raised $871,000 and is not funded by police money. He has received donations from fossil fuel, corporate PAC, and real estate interests. Rep. Collins has raised $1.8 million, and is funded primarily through individual contributions. He has also received donations from corporate PAC interests. The other six candidates have raised insignificant funds, or have not recorded any fundraising with the FEC.

The Recommendation

Rep. Ted Lieu, a public servant and an Air Force veteran, was born in Taiwan, raised in Cleveland, OH, and is a longtime resident of Torrance, CA. According to campaign materials, he is running for reelection to continue to advance progressive legislation and ensure that our government represents the needs of all Americans. Rep. Lieu currently represents the 33rd District, and won his 2020 reelection for that seat against Republican James Bradley by 35 points.

Rep. Lieu’s priorities for CA-33 this year have included 49 bills about crime and law enforcement, international affairs, and economic growth. Nearly all of these remain in committee. He currently serves on two committees: Judiciary and Foreign Affairs. Rep. Lieu also serves on many congressional caucuses, including those focused on STEAM education and LGBTQIA+ equality. This year, Rep. Lieu has voted 100% of the time with Nancy Pelosi and 96% of the time with Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. He voted in favor of the INVEST in America Act, the National Defense Authorization Act for FY22, and the Preventing Crimes Against Veterans Act, while Rep. Ocasio-Cortez voted in opposition.

Prior to his election to Congress, Rep. Lieu had a long track record of public service. After earning his law degree at Georgetown University, he started his political career as a member of the Torrance City Council in 2002. He then served three terms in the State Assembly before being elected to the State Senate in 2011. Rep. Lieu served four years of active duty with the United States Air Force JAG Corps, and was a reservist before retiring in 2021. Rep. Lieu holds an undergraduate degree in computer science, and has been involved in legislation related to cybersecurity and innovation throughout his career. He has also long been involved in climate work, authoring the Global Warming Solutions Act.

Rep. Lieu is a member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, and has the endorsement of many progressive groups in the district. Based on our analysis, Rep. Lieu’s track record and policy positions demonstrate that he will be a progressive champion for the constituents of CA-36 and will govern effectively in the best interest of this diverse district. Close Window