Tulchin Research
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CA-48 primary: first place
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JUN 6, 2026Primary Election
Party selects its nominee.
Overview
Current roleBusinessman
PartyDemocratic
Political ideologyProgressive Democrat
GenderMale
LocationCalifornia
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BackgroundBusinessman
EducationWashington College (Class of 2010)
Notable personal detailsBrandon Riker is a Democratic candidate for the U.S. House in California’s 48th Congressional District in the 2026 election cycle. He is a businessman/entrepreneur based in Palm Springs and has run a federal campaign committee, Riker for Congress. He previously sought statewide office in Vermont as a candidate for lieutenant governor (2016).
SourcesShowHide
fec.govdocquery.fec.govrikerforcongress.comwashcoll.edulinkedin.comelections.cdn.sos.ca.govnrcc.orgadvocate.comcrpa.orgsevendaysvt.comindigenousnetwork.orgballotready.orgdailykos.comen.wikipedia.orgmountaintimes.infoindianvoices.netcadem.orgarxiv.orgohccdd.orggivegreen.comquiverquant.comopencampaign.comstandwithcrypto.orgidyllwildtowncrier.comsecure.actblue.compolitics1.comalmanacnews.comgo.nationaljournal.comreddit.comlatimes.comvotesmart.orgsfchronicle.comcbsnews.comwashingtonpost.comstatic.votesmart.orgpolitico.comcdn.ballotpedia.orgwikidata.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 updatedMay 20, 2026
Brandon Riker is in the news as a Democratic candidate in California’s 48th Congressional District, where the June primary is shaping up as a closely watched House race. Recent coverage includes his candidate questionnaire, which touched on taxes, voting rights, immigration, wildfire aid, climate policy, defense spending, and other issues. The district has become more competitive for Democrats after Darrell Issa’s retirement and a new map, making Riker part of a key battleground race.
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Articles
SASanta Ana Orange County Register14 days ago
Brandon Riker, CA-48 candidate, 2026 primary election questionnaire
Neutral
LALos Angeles Times19 days ago
California Congressional District 48 election voter guide
Neutral
SDSan Diego Union-Tribune26 days ago
Michael Smolens: Ammar Campa-Najjar has a lot of explaining to do
Neutral
Polls
Aggregation source: FiftyPlusOne
Fundraising
Latest report: Cycle 2026Total raisedCash on hand
$1.9M
$1.4M
$953.5K
$476.8K
$0
2026
LatestYear
Total raised
Cash on hand
Total spent
Burn rate
Cycle 2026
$1.9M
$1.1M
$817.2K
$54.5K
Source: FEC
New updates coming soon
We're monitoring and will update when new data impacts the race.
- Endorsements