Race · November 3, 2026

U.S. House · California's 19th District

2 candidates on the ballot.1

How this race is decided: Under California's top-two system, only the two candidates who received the most votes in the June 2, 2026, primary, regardless of party preference, appear on this general-election ballot.1,2

§1Candidates

Why this matters: Every candidate the state lists for this race on the November ballot, in the state's own order.

Jimmy Panetta
Democratic · Incumbent
Currently represents California's 19th District in the U.S. House.
Peter Coe Verbica
Republican · Challenger

§2Side by side

Why this matters: The same facts for every candidate, in the same order. Where we found nothing for a candidate, the cell says so — that means we didn't find it in public sources, not that it doesn't exist.

Scroll sideways on small screens. Select a name for the full page.
Jimmy PanettaPeter Coe Verbica
Party on the ballotDemocratic1,3Republican1,3
StatusIncumbent4Challenger
Raised$3,622,737 through October 14, 20265$85,541 through October 14, 20266
Cash on hand$5,467,2025$6,8216
Outside spending$748,665 for · $0 against7Not found in the public sources we checked
Wildfire prevention and forest managementHis campaign website says he has written and passed bills to invest in wildfire prevention, reforestation and more Forest Service personnel.8His 25-point federal plan proposes funding fuel reduction on federal forest land.9

Issues only one candidate has addressed

By candidate, in ballot order. We found nothing public from the other candidates in this race on these issues.

Jimmy Panetta — 5 issues
  • Abortion law
    His campaign website says he continues to fight to protect a woman's right to choose her own reproductive health care.8,10
  • Oil and gas drilling on federal land and offshore
    His campaign website says he has written and passed bills to block oil drilling off the coastline and on public lands, cut carbon emissions and invest in clean energy technology.8
  • Child care costs
    His campaign website says he is working to expand child care to support working families.8
  • Health insurance system
    His campaign website says he supports universal health care, fought efforts to repeal the Affordable Care Act and, on the Ways and Means Committee, worked on legislation to expand Medicare and lower prescription drug prices for seniors.8
  • Help for first-time homebuyers
    His campaign website says he wrote and supported legislation expanding federal tax credits to build more low- and middle-income housing and to support first-time homebuyers and renters.8,10
Peter Coe Verbica — 10 issues
  • Gig worker status
    His campaign website lists defending independent contractors among his goals, and his 25-point federal plan proposes a federal safe-harbor employment category for startups, gig workers and agricultural employees.9,11
  • Small business loans and programs
    Expand SBA loans, research awards and contracting help for small businesses
    His 25-point federal plan proposes expanding the Small Business Administration's legal and compliance help for small businesses.9
  • Vouchers and education savings accounts
    His campaign website lists school choice and merit-based education among the causes he advocates.12
  • Voter ID
    His campaign website says he supports a California voter ID initiative planned for the 2026 ballot.12
  • Electric vehicles
    His 25-point federal plan proposes expanding electric vehicle charging networks in low-income areas.9
  • Endangered species protections
    His 25-point federal plan proposes reforming Endangered Species Act rules on water use to balance competing needs.9
  • Selling or transferring federal lands
    His 25-point federal plan proposes repurposing surplus federal land for housing.9
  • Zoning and new housing
    His campaign website lists neighborhood control over housing among his goals, and his 25-point federal plan proposes tying Department of Housing and Urban Development funding to local zoning reform and faster permitting and creating federal grants for local governments that allow denser housing.9,11
  • Federal disaster aid (FEMA)
    His 25-point federal plan proposes increasing FEMA and Department of Energy grants for hardening the power grid.9
  • Business tax breaks
    Expand breaks for investment, research and hiring, such as larger research credits for small businesses
    His 25-point federal plan proposes tax incentives for bringing manufacturing back to California.9

Issue statements are drafted by AI from the public sources cited, and only cover what each candidate has said publicly.