Polling Average
60%50%40%30%20%10%0%
48%
5%
Independent
Karen Matthews
CA-23 primary: first place
$1.2K
JUN 6, 2026Primary Election
Party selects its nominee.
Overview
Current rolePhysician
PartyIndependent
Political ideologyCentrist Independent
GenderFemale
LocationCalifornia
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BackgroundPhysician
EducationLoma Linda University — M.D.
Notable personal detailsKaren Leigh Matthews is an independent (No Party Preference) candidate for the U.S. House in California’s 23rd Congressional District in the 2025–2026 cycle. She is a physician and radiologist and has served in the U.S. Navy for more than 20 years. Her professional background includes work in military health organizations, including the Defense Health Agency, and she has been affiliated with Walter Reed National Military Medical Center and the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences.
SourcesShowHide
fec.govelections.cdn.sos.ca.govmatthewsforcongress.comhealthpolicyfellows.orglinkedin.comen.wikipedia.orgopencampaign.comballotready.orgwikizero.orgquiverquant.comtheballotbook.compatch.comcontent.lavote.govuploads.rov.sbcounty.govelections.maricopa.govyahoo.comlawrencekstimes.combloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.comhaslam.utk.eduwbtv.comopenpayrolls.comgovsalaries.comwashingtonpost.comcongress.govworldwidewomensassociation.comweneedkaren.comcardiff.moderngov.co.uksmokymountainnews.comgovinfo.govreddit.comhsph.harvard.eduforwardparty.cominstagram.comivn.usballotpedia.orgocregister.comdeserttrumpet.orgfacebook.comx.comvotesmart.orgdocquery.fec.gov
Positions
LiberalConservative
Economy & Taxes
Supports policies to lower costs for working families, strengthen worker protections and raise wages, including backing the PRO Act, mandatory paid leave, and raising the federal minimum wage. Emphasizes standing up to corporate pricing abuse, supporting small businesses, and responsible government spending to make life more affordable.
Healthcare
Supports making healthcare affordable by lowering premiums and extending expired subsidies to help families afford insurance; emphasizes improving healthcare access and reducing out-of-pocket costs for residents of CA-23.
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Immigration & Border
Supports a balanced approach combining effective border security and enforcement against violent criminals with an earned path to citizenship and humane treatment of migrants. Advocates modern tools for border security while emphasizing dignity and lawful pathways for residents seeking status.
Public Safety & Guns
Supports the Second Amendment and the right of law-abiding Americans to keep and bear arms while emphasizing responsible enforcement of existing law; also supports providing training and resources to local law enforcement.
Polls
CA-23 primary: first place
Aggregation source: FiftyPlusOne
Endorsements
CA-23 primary: first place
Endorsers of Karen Matthews for CA-23 primary: first place
Forward Party
Public figure
The Forward Party endorsed Karen Matthews as part of its first slate of congressional endorsements for the 2026 election cycle.
Independent Veterans of America
Public endorsement
Independent Veterans of America endorsed Karen Matthews for California's 23rd Congressional District.
Fundraising
Latest report: Cycle 2026Total raisedCash on hand
$174.7K
$131.0K
$87.3K
$43.7K
$0
2026
LatestYear
Total raised
Cash on hand
Total spent
Burn rate
Cycle 2026
$174.7K
$0.00
$174.7K
$9.7K
Source: FEC
New updates coming soon
We're monitoring and will update when new data impacts the race.
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