David Binder Research
5%4%3%2%1%0%
Democrat
Matt Ortega
CA-14 special election winner
$142.8K
AUG 19, 2026
Candidate standings
Live market pricing for the leading candidates in this election.
Overview
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.govnowpac.orgmercurynews.comeastbayinsiders.substack.compleasantonweekly.comballotpedia.orgindependentnews.comdanvillesanramon.comcayoungdems.neteastbaytimes.comlocalcandidates.orgfacebook.cominstagram.comdeveloper.ballotpedia.orgvoterguide.ballotpedia.orglegislation.ballotpedia.orgclerk.house.govhouse.govdocs.house.gov
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.
News
AINews Summary
Last updatedJul 15, 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 now in the special primary stage, with voters choosing whether any candidate can win outright or whether the top two will move on to an August 18 runoff. Recent reports focus on the crowded field and the vote count, but they do not clearly show Ortega as a front-runner.
mattortega.com+47
Articles
SRSanta Rosa Press Democrat1 month ago
Special election for former US Rep. Eric Swalwell’s seat draws a crowded field in California
Neutral
SSSpokane Spokesman-Review3 months ago
Gov. Gavin Newsom calls special election to fill Eric Swalwell’s seat
Neutral
PNPBS News1 month ago
Live Results: California special primary election to replace Eric Swalwell
Neutral
TMThe Mercury News1 month ago
Polls open today for special election to replace Swalwell
Neutral
Polls
Aggregation source: FiftyPlusOne
Endorsements
CA-14 primary: first place
Endorsers of Matt Ortega for CA-14 primary: first place
East Bay Express
Public figure
East Bay Express endorsed Matt Ortega for Congress in California's 14th District.
Bay Area Reporter
Public figure
Bay Area Reporter recommended Matt Ortega for the June primary.
Fundraising
Latest report: Cycle 2026Total 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