Rep. Ted W. Lieu, a Democrat who has represented California's 36th Congressional District since 2015, is running for reelection in the Nov. 3, 2026, general election.
Lieu faces Republican Houston Brignano in the general election, according to BallotReady election data.
Lieu is certified for the ballot.
Candidate information
- Party: Democratic
- Office sought: U.S. House of Representatives, California 36th Congressional District
- Birthplace: Taipei, Taiwan (1969); immigrated to the United States at age three, settling in Cleveland, Ohio
- Education: High school diploma, Saint Ignatius High School (1987); bachelor's degree in computer science, Stanford University (1991); juris doctor, Georgetown University (1994), magna cum laude. Lieu served as editor-in-chief of the law review and received four American Jurisprudence Awards, according to his congressional biography.
Experience and public service
- Military: Judge Advocate General Corps, U.S. Air Force (1995–1999); colonel, U.S. Air Force Reserve (2000–2016)
- Legal: Judicial clerk, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
- Local government: Torrance city councilmember (2002–2005); environmental quality commissioner, city of Torrance (appointed 2002)
- State legislature: California State Assembly, District 53 (2005–2010); California State Senate, District 28 (2011–2014)
- Federal office: U.S. representative, California 36th Congressional District (2015–present); vice chair of the House Democratic Caucus (elected 2023); served as an impeachment manager in 2021
Endorsements
Lieu has received endorsements from the California Democratic Party, Los Angeles County Democrats, Los Angeles County Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO, California Labor Federation, California Professional Firefighters, California School Employees Association, United Auto Workers, State Building and Construction Trades Council of California, League of Conservation Voters, VoteVets, American Israel Public Affairs Committee, Jewish Democratic Council of America, Reproductive Freedom For All, Humane Society of the United States, Los Angeles Stonewall Democrats and California Young Democrats, among others, according to BallotReady.
On the issues
Health care and affordability: Lieu has opposed reductions in federal health coverage and food assistance. He voted against H.R. 1 in July 2025, citing its effects on Medicaid, Medicare and anti-hunger programs. He said protecting those programs is particularly important for children, seniors and veterans who depend on federal assistance.
Housing and local infrastructure: Lieu has used federal community-project funding to support housing, transportation and infrastructure in the district. In May 2026, his office announced $13.77 million for 14 projects, including $250,000 for Redondo Beach’s affordable housing acquisition program, $850,000 for Los Angeles’ Sepulveda Hotel to Homes project and $841,000 for Santa Monica’s emergency dispatch communications upgrade. These awards illustrate his approach of directing federal funding toward projects implemented by local agencies.
Climate and clean energy: Lieu supports reducing carbon pollution, investing in clean energy technology and establishing stronger renewable energy standards. His congressional issue page identifies those goals as central to his environmental work and points to the Climate Solutions Act, which he introduced in 2015, as an example of his legislative approach.
Artificial intelligence: Lieu supports federal safeguards for advanced artificial intelligence. In July 2026, he introduced the bipartisan AI Kill Switch Act with Republican Rep. Nathaniel Moran. The proposal would require developers of the most powerful AI systems to maintain the ability to slow, suspend or shut them down and would give federal officials authority to order intervention when a system could cause catastrophic harm. Those requirements would depend on the proposal becoming law.
This profile uses publicly available candidate information, BallotReady election data and the candidate's congressional biography.
