David Binder Research
5%4%3%2%1%0%
Democrat
Matt Ortega
Democratic candidate for U.S. House in California
CA-14 special election winner
$286.5K
AUG 19, 2026
Candidate standings
Live market pricing for the leading candidates in this election.
Live Odds
Current prediction-market probability for the candidate, updated as market prices change.
Matt Ortega is trading at 0% to win the CA-14 special election winner on prediction markets.
Candidate Overview
Key details about the candidate’s background, party, office sought and current campaign.
Current roleDigital strategist
PartyDemocratic
Political ideologyProgressive Democrat
GenderMale
LocationCalifornia
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BackgroundDigital strategist
EducationUniversity of Arizona — B.A., Political Science (minor: History), 2006
Notable personal detailsMatt Ortega is a Democratic candidate for U.S. House in California’s 14th Congressional District. He is a digital and communications professional who has worked in Democratic politics, including roles with the Democratic consulting firm New Partners and the 2016 Hillary Clinton campaign. Ortega is a small business owner and union member who lives in San Leandro with his wife and two sons.
SourcesShowHide
mattortega.comfec.govp2016.orgobserver.comthecandidate.comthemidtermproject.orgballotready.orgca14election.orgebar.comfollowthecrypto.orgen.wikipedia.orgkqed.orgrobinhood.comdocquery.fec.govarxiv.orgcongress.govmtc.ca.govamericanpromise.netortega.asmdc.orgmattboehnke.src.wastateleg.orgmattmarshall.houserepublicans.wa.govvelazquez.house.govstandwithcrypto.orgcontent.govdelivery.comsenatedems.coassembly.ny.govwww2.elpasotexas.govfinance.senate.govsenate.ca.govclerk.assembly.ca.govbluevoterguide.orgmercurynews.comeastbayinsiders.substack.compleasantonweekly.comdanvillesanramon.comindependentnews.comsfchronicle.comfacebook.comeastbaytimes.cominstagram.comasatapower.orgvotesmart.orgjustfacts.votesmart.orgnews.ballotpedia.orgdeveloper.ballotpedia.orgmurray.senate.govhumanrightscommission.house.govstatic.votesmart.orgdisclosures-clerk.house.gov
Political Positions
LiberalConservative
Economy & Taxes
Supports taxing billionaires and raising revenues from wealthy Americans, expanding Social Security funding by removing the payroll tax cap, and backing large new social investments (Green New Deal, Medicare for All, universal child care, student-debt cancellation, and a $20 minimum wage). These proposals indicate advocacy for significant redistribution and expanded government spending funded in part by higher taxes on the wealthy.
Healthcare
Supports Medicare for All and expansion of access to healthcare, including measures to reduce costs, protect abortion access, and strengthen care for marginalized communities.
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Immigration & Border
Supports immigrants and frames immigration positively; emphasizes immigrant contributions to communities and family ties. Campaign materials include pro-immigrant messaging and biographical references to immigrant family members.
Abortion & Reproductive Rights
The candidate supports establishing a national statutory right to abortion access, codifying protections for medication abortion and shielding FDA decisions, and opposes fetal personhood and criminalization of travel or those who assist in obtaining abortions. The campaign platform states abortion is healthcare and that decisions about family formation should not be made by legislators or judges.
Climate & Energy
Supports the Green New Deal and large federal investments in renewable energy, clean manufacturing, and retrofits; advocates national high-speed rail as a climate imperative and calls for a transition away from fossil fuels. The campaign declines corporate PAC and fossil-fuel money and endorses policy measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and create clean-energy jobs.
Latest News
AINews Summary
Last updatedSep 2, 2026
Matt Ortega is in the news because he is one of the candidates in California’s 14th Congressional District special election to fill the remainder of Eric Swalwell’s term. The race is moving through the special primary process, with the top candidates advancing unless someone wins outright, and an August 18 runoff is possible. Recent coverage has focused on the crowded field, vote-counting, and which candidates are leading, but Ortega’s specific standing is not clear from the summaries provided.
mattortega.com+48
Articles
SRSanta Rosa Press Democrat3 months ago
Special election for former US Rep. Eric Swalwell’s seat draws a crowded field in California
Neutral
SSSpokane Spokesman-Review5 months ago
Gov. Gavin Newsom calls special election to fill Eric Swalwell’s seat
Neutral
PNPBS News3 months ago
Live Results: California special primary election to replace Eric Swalwell
Neutral
TMThe Mercury News3 months ago
Polls open today for special election to replace Swalwell
Neutral
Latest Polls
Recent polling results and the candidate's current average in the race.
Aggregation source: FiftyPlusOne
Campaign Fundraising
Latest report: Cycle 2026Campaign finance totals from the latest available reporting period.
Total raisedCash on hand
$38.4K
$28.8K
$19.2K
$9.6K
$0
2026
LatestYear
Total raised
Cash on hand
Total spent
Burn rate
Cycle 2026
$38.4K
$0.00
$38.4K
$2.1K
Source: FEC
New updates coming soon
We're monitoring and will update when new data impacts the race.
- Endorsements