Joe Dehn
Independent candidate for U.S. House in California
CA-17 primary: first place
$17.2K
JUN 6, 2026Primary Election
Party selects its nominee.
Live Odds — CA-17 primary: first place
Current prediction-market probability for the candidate, updated as market prices change.
2%chance to win
$17.2KJUN 6, 2026Candidate Overview
Key details about the candidate’s background, party, office sought and current campaign.
Current roleSquare dance caller
PartyIndependent
Political ideologyLibertarian
LocationCalifornia
BackgroundSquare dance caller
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Notable personal detailsJoseph W. Dehn III is a Libertarian candidate who ran for U.S. House in California’s 17th Congressional District in the June 2, 2026 primary election. He has been identified publicly as chair of the Santa Clara County Libertarian Party and has run previously for the same seat. He also lists himself publicly as a square dance caller.
SourcesShowHide
Political Positions
Economy & Taxes
Opposes any tax increases and will not vote for new taxes (including national sales tax, VAT, or wealth taxes). Supports broad reductions or elimination of existing taxes, flattening income tax rates by lowering higher rates, and lowering government spending to allow tax cuts. Advocates rolling back tariffs and reducing the federal role in functions that are tax-funded in favor of market/voluntary solutions.
Healthcare
Supports reducing government involvement in health care and deregulating markets to increase competition and lower costs; opposes single-payer/Medicare for All; favors private-sector insurance, removing regulations that limit supply, and allowing cross-state and international drug purchases.
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Immigration & Border
Supports broad liberalization of immigration including eliminating H‑1B caps, creating a pathway to citizenship for long‑term residents (five years without serious crimes), privatizing refugee/asylum sponsorship, dismantling ICE, and restricting government enforcement to managing dangerous entrants at the border.
Climate & Energy
The candidate argues that government should not endorse scientific theories or use taxation to fund research and favors private funding and lower taxes to allow market and private institutions to support scientific and technological development. The position emphasizes limiting government involvement in science policy and opposing government-directed climate/energy interventions.
Public Safety & Guns
Opposes gun regulation and describes current gun-control efforts as unconstitutional; supports protecting gun ownership rights. Positions emphasize reducing firearm regulation as part of broader Libertarian principles favoring fewer restrictions on personal liberties.
Latest News
Joe Dehn is not the main focus of the recent reports, and the available summaries do not describe any specific new action or announcement by him. The news items instead center on broader California election reform fights and other political races. Based on the provided information, there is not enough detail to say why Dehn is specifically in the news right now.
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We're monitoring and will update when new data impacts the race.
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