Tulchin Research
10%8%6%4%2%0%
8%
Democrat
Brandon Riker
CA-48 primary: first place
$4.6K
JUN 6, 2026Primary Election
Party selects its nominee.
Overview
Current roleSmall business owner
PartyDemocratic
Political ideologyProgressive Democrat
LocationCalifornia
BackgroundSmall business owner
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Notable personal detailsBrandon Riker is a Democratic candidate for the U.S. House in California's 48th Congressional District (2026 cycle). He is a small business owner and entrepreneur who has described himself as a trained economist and has worked in senior management and strategic planning roles at investment firms. He previously ran for lieutenant governor of Vermont in 2016.
SourcesShowHide
fec.govelections.cdn.sos.ca.govrikerforcongress.comen.wikipedia.orgvtdigger.orgoppintell.comkpbs.orgintegrityindex.uskesq.comindigenousnetwork.orgwhoboughtmyrep.comvoiceofsandiego.orgnbcpalmsprings.comindianvoices.netcrpa.orggivegreen.comnrcc.orgquiverquant.comdocquery.fec.govopencampaign.comcadem.orgstandwithcrypto.orgidyllwildtowncrier.comsecure.actblue.compolitics1.comalmanacnews.comgo.nationaljournal.comreddit.comcalmatters.orgadvocate.comtimesofsandiego.comfox5sandiego.comebar.compolitico.comnytimes.comlatimes.cominewsource.orginstagram.combluevoterguide.orgcbs8.comsandiegouniontribune.comballotpedia.orgballotready.orgdisclosures-clerk.house.govhistory.house.govjudiciary.house.govscience.house.govvotesmart.orgdeveloper.ballotpedia.org
Positions
LiberalConservative
Economy & Taxes
Supports making the first $50,000 of income tax-free, eliminating the Social Security payroll tax income cap, updating capital gains taxation and closing loopholes used by wealthy taxpayers, and expanding investments in social programs and healthcare subsidies.
Healthcare
Supports strengthening and expanding the Affordable Care Act’s subsidies to improve affordability and access to healthcare; emphasizes expanding government programs to reduce healthcare costs for working families.
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Abortion & Reproductive Rights
The candidate supports codifying reproductive freedom into federal law and protecting access to abortion, contraception, and fertility care (including IVF), along with safeguards for medical privacy and personal health data. He positions reproductive freedom as a fundamental right to be protected at the federal level.
Climate & Energy
Supports re-entering the Paris Agreement and investing in new technologies to meet climate commitments, and favors clean-energy investment and related infrastructure as part of economic opportunity and job creation.
News
AINews Summary
Last updatedJul 10, 2026
Brandon Riker is running in California’s 48th Congressional District, where the June primary is drawing heavy attention after redistricting made the seat a key House battleground. Recent coverage says he is among the leading Democratic contenders competing with Marni von Wilpert and Ammar Campa-Najjar for one of the top-two spots, while Republican Jim Desmond is widely expected to advance. Earlier reporting also highlighted Riker as a Democratic small business owner from Palm Springs who answered a candidate questionnaire on issues including taxes, immigration, climate, and voting rights.
fec.gov+48
Articles
WEWashington Examiner1 month ago
California primary races to watch as 61 candidates seek governor's mansion
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SASanta Ana Orange County Register2 months ago
Brandon Riker, CA-48 candidate, 2026 primary election questionnaire
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SDSan Diego Union-Tribune1 month ago
In a high-stakes race for Congress, Democrats vie to take on a well-known Republican in North County
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LALos Angeles Times2 months ago
California Congressional District 48 election voter guide
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Polls
Aggregation source: FiftyPlusOne
Fundraising
Latest report: Cycle 2026Total raisedCash on hand
$2.1M
$1.6M
$1.1M
$526.1K
$0
2026
LatestYear
Total raised
Cash on hand
Total spent
Burn rate
Cycle 2026
$2.1M
$154.3K
$2.0M
$114.7K
Source: FEC
New updates coming soon
We're monitoring and will update when new data impacts the race.
- Endorsements