Race · November 3, 2026

U.S. House · California's 43rd 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.

Maxine Waters
Democratic · Incumbent
Currently represents California's 43rd District in the U.S. House.
Cristian Morales
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.
Maxine WatersCristian Morales
Party on the ballotDemocratic1Republican1,3
StatusIncumbent4Challenger
Raised$1,107,267 through October 14, 20265$14,995 through October 14, 20266
Cash on hand$104,6715$5396

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.

Cristian Morales — 14 issues
  • Vouchers and education savings accounts
    His campaign website's platform says he supports school choice and public, charter, private and vocational education options.7
  • Stock trading by members of Congress
    Ban members themselves from trading individual stocks
    His campaign website's platform calls for banning members of Congress from trading individual stocks.7
  • Nuclear power
    His campaign website's platform supports an all-of-the-above energy strategy and calls for expanding nuclear energy.7
  • Selling or transferring federal lands
    His campaign website's platform calls for making federal land available for housing where appropriate.7
  • Who decides on military action
    His campaign website's platform says Congress should take its constitutional responsibility seriously before committing American troops to prolonged conflicts.7
  • Health insurance system
    His campaign website's platform calls for more affordable health care choices and competition, price transparency and protection for patients with pre-existing conditions, without putting Washington in control of every health care decision.7
  • Help for first-time homebuyers
    His campaign website's platform calls for expanding opportunities for first-time homebuyers.7
  • Zoning and new housing
    His campaign website's platform calls for increasing the housing supply by reducing permitting and regulatory barriers and reforming environmental and zoning rules that delay construction.7
  • Legal immigration levels
    His campaign website's platform says he supports legal immigration and streamlining lawful immigration processes, giving priority to immigrants who follow the law and contribute.7
  • Legal status for immigrants here without permission, including Dreamers
    His campaign website's platform says he would protect Dreamers while making sure reforms do not encourage future illegal immigration.7
  • Social Security benefit levels
    His campaign website's platform says he would protect Social Security and Medicare for current and future retirees and protect the benefits Americans have earned.7
  • Federal spending levels
    His campaign website's platform says he opposes wasteful federal spending that drives inflation and would make government live within its means.7
  • Data privacy
    His campaign website's platform says he would protect Americans' privacy and personal data.7
  • Rules for artificial intelligence
    Set rules for specific risks and uses, such as deepfakes, hiring decisions and safety disclosures
    His campaign website's platform calls for criminalizing AI-generated child sexual abuse material, protecting workers and intellectual property from unlawful AI use, and barring government use of AI for unconstitutional surveillance or censorship, with safeguards that do not stifle innovation.7

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