Helena Pasquarella
Helena Pasquarella
CA-24 primary: first place
$303.00
JUN 6, 2026
Primary Election
Party selects its nominee.
Overview
Current roleTeacher
Political ideologyDemocratic Socialist
LocationCalifornia
BackgroundTeacher
EducationOccidental College — B.A. (Liberal Arts)
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Notable personal detailsHelena Pasquarella is a Peace and Freedom Party candidate for the U.S. House in California’s 24th Congressional District. She has worked as a K–12 teacher and caregiver and has also worked as a photojournalist. Her education includes a B.A. from Occidental College and graduate work in Latin American Studies at UC Santa Barbara, along with a Master’s in Education from Johns Hopkins University. She has also served as director of the U.S. Department of Peace based in Ojai since 2020.
SourcesShowHide
Positions
Economy & Taxes
Supports substantially higher taxes on the ultra-wealthy and fairer taxation, opposes corporate influence in policymaking, and advocates cutting Pentagon spending to redirect resources toward social needs like housing, healthcare, and education.
Healthcare
Supports universal single-payer healthcare and endorses Medicare for All as the preferred federal policy to rebuild the U.S. healthcare system and eliminate medical debt. Commits to fighting for Medicare for All as a congressional priority.
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Immigration & Border
The candidate calls for abolishing ICE and opposes current immigration enforcement practices, framing ICE as harmful and arguing for dignity and respect for immigrants. The campaign platform emphasizes welcoming immigrants and opposes expansion of enforcement.
Abortion & Reproductive Rights
Supports codifying abortion rights into federal law via the Women’s Health Protection Act and supports repealing the Hyde Amendment to allow federal funds to cover abortion care.
Climate & Energy
Supports recognizing a climate crisis and transitioning from a fossil-fuel-based economy to renewable energy, and advocates for bold climate action while linking reduced military spending to environmental protection. Positions emphasize investment in clean energy and climate-focused policy rather than defending continued fossil-fuel expansion.
Public Safety & Guns
Supports expanded background checks, bans on semi-automatic assault weapons and large-capacity magazines, prohibiting gun ownership by people convicted of domestic abuse, and allowing removal of firearms from individuals who may be a threat to themselves or others. Also supports red‑flag style measures to remove guns from dangerous individuals.
News
Helena Pasquarella is in the news as one of the candidates in California's 24th Congressional District primary. The race is moving toward the general election, with early results showing incumbent Salud Carbajal leading while the top two finishers will advance. Recent coverage has mainly focused on the candidate field and the issues in the race, including cost of living, housing, health care, and campaign reform.
New updates coming soon
We're monitoring and will update when new data impacts the race.
- Polls
- Endorsements
- Fundraising