Jacqui Irwin
CA-26 primary: first place
$2.2K
JUN 6, 2026Primary Election
Party selects its nominee.
Overview
Current roleState Representative
PartyDemocratic
Political ideologyModerate Democrat
Age64 years old (Jan 3, 1962)
GenderFemale
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LocationCalifornia
BackgroundCalifornia State Assemblymember
EducationUniversity of California, San Diego (B.S., systems engineering)
Notable personal detailsJacqui Irwin (born Jacqueline Van Egmond) is a Democratic politician serving in the California State Assembly, first elected in 2014 and representing the 42nd Assembly District after previously representing the 44th. Before the Legislature, she worked as a systems engineer and served on the Thousand Oaks City Council, including as mayor. In 2026 she filed to run for U.S. House in California’s 26th Congressional District.
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Positions
Economy & Taxes
Jacqui Irwin has supported tax measures aimed at middle-class relief and targeted business tax credits (e.g., reinstating NOL and R&D credits and backing the Middle Class Tax Refund) while also exercising caution about new taxes on high earners (holding a proposed wealth tax) and opposing certain utility fee increases. Her record shows a mix of consumer- and small-business-focused tax relief alongside resistance to broad new taxes on wealth or business that could affect state competitiveness.
Healthcare
Supports strengthening and protecting public healthcare programs (Medicare, Medicaid/Medi-Cal) and advancing access to behavioral and hospice care through state legislation and oversight. Has sponsored bills addressing hospice fraud, mental health crisis care, and measures calling for protection of Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid rather than privatization.
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Immigration & Border
Supports protecting immigrant rights and access to legal resources, has criticized local ICE raids and deportations as harmful to community safety, and has backed state-level measures that aid and protect immigrant communities. Focus is on humanitarian protections and legal assistance while operating within public-safety frameworks.
Abortion & Reproductive Rights
Supports protecting and expanding access to abortion and reproductive health care in California, including measures to protect medication abortion and patients’ reproductive health data. Has a legislative record of voting for and supporting bills that safeguard reproductive freedom and was scored positively by Reproductive Freedom for All California.
Climate & Energy
Supports extending and strengthening California’s emissions trading (cap-and-trade/cap-and-invest) program, advancing clean transportation (electric vehicle charging infrastructure), and legislation to help farmers adopt climate-smart practices. Holds leadership roles on state climate policy committees and sponsors bills to accelerate clean energy interconnection and grid improvements.
Public Safety & Guns
Supports gun violence prevention measures including expansion and stronger use of Gun Violence Restraining Orders (red flag laws) and has authored state legislation to extend their duration and use; frames policy as preventing access to firearms for dangerous individuals while pursuing community safety.
News
Jacqui Irwin is leading the race for California's 26th Congressional District, with nearly complete primary counting showing her ahead and set to face Republican Sam Gallucci in November under the state's top-two system. Earlier returns had her in first place as well, and the district is an open seat because incumbent Democrat Julia Brownley is retiring. The race has drawn attention as a competitive Ventura County-area House contest with nine candidates in the primary.
Here's who's advancing to November election from primary
Irwin, Gallucci lead in 26th Congressional District primary
California Congressional District 26 primary election voter guide
Meet the 9 candidates in 26th Congressional District race
Endorsements
Endorsers of Jacqui Irwin for CA-26 primary: first place
League of Conservation Voters Action Fund
Political organization
League of Conservation Voters Action Fund endorsed Jacqui Irwin in her campaign for California's 26th Congressional District.
Gavin Newsom
Public figure
Gov. Gavin Newsom endorsed Jacqui Irwin for California's 26th Congressional District.
314 Action Fund
Political organization
314 Action Fund endorsed Jacqui Irwin for California's 26th Congressional District.
Julia Brownley
Public figure
Rep. Julia Brownley endorsed Jacqui Irwin for Congress after announcing her retirement.
Fundraising
Latest report: Cycle 20262026
LatestCycle 2026
Source: FEC
New updates coming soon
We're monitoring and will update when new data impacts the race.
- Polls