Incumbent
Maxine Waters
Incumbent Democratic candidate for U.S. House in California
$358.28
NOV 7, 2026
General Election
Voters choose the office holder.
Live Odds
Current prediction-market probability for the candidate, updated as market prices change.
Maxine Waters is trading at 100% to win the CA-43 House winner? on prediction markets.
Candidate Overview
Key details about the candidate’s background, party, office sought and current campaign.
Current roleU.S. Representative
PartyDemocratic
Political ideologyProgressive Democrat
Age88 years old (Aug 15, 1938)
GenderFemale
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LocationCalifornia
BackgroundU.S. Representative
EducationB.A., California State University, Los Angeles
Notable personal detailsMaxine Waters is a Democratic member of the U.S. House of Representatives, serving since January 3, 1991, and representing California’s 43rd congressional district. She previously served in the California State Assembly from 1977 to 1991 and worked as a teacher and as a Head Start volunteer coordinator. She earned a B.A. from California State University, Los Angeles, and later became the first woman and first African American to chair the House Financial Services Committee.
SourcesShowHide
Political Positions
Economy & Taxes
Supports raising taxes on wealthy corporations and high-income individuals and expanding tax credits and programs that reduce poverty (for example, extending the 2021 Child Tax Credit). Opposed the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act as providing large tax breaks to corporations and the wealthy while cutting programs for working families.
Healthcare
Supports expansion of public healthcare and universal coverage, including membership in/endorsement of Medicare-for-All efforts and advocacy for a public option and broader access to care. Has a long record of voting for Affordable Care Act measures, pushing for public insurance alternatives, and calling for ‘healthcare for everybody.’
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Immigration & Border
Supports protections for migrants and asylum seekers, opposes family separation and harsh enforcement actions, and has backed legislation and statements favoring due process and immigrant rights. Has condemned expansive deportation and administrative restrictions and advocated for humanitarian treatment and pathways for affected immigrants.
Abortion & Reproductive Rights
Maxine Waters supports broad abortion and reproductive rights, has worked to federally protect abortion access, and opposed the Supreme Court’s decision in Dobbs v. Jackson that overturned Roe v. Wade. She was a cosponsor of the Women’s Health Protection Act to codify Roe-era protections and has publicly urged continued resistance to restrictions on abortion access.
Climate & Energy
Supports Green New Deal–style measures and federal climate action, cosponsors legislation that channels large public investment into climate and clean-energy upgrades for public infrastructure, and has pushed regulators and agencies to address climate-related financial and environmental risks.
Public Safety & Guns
Supports strong gun safety measures including bans on assault-style weapons and expanded background checks, and advocates for legislative action to strengthen federal gun laws and reduce gun violence. Endorses passing gun-safety legislation and has repeatedly called for strengthening background check systems and other reforms.
Latest News
Maxine Waters is facing a competitive 2026 primary challenge in California, with reports describing a broader wave of Democratic incumbents under pressure and a younger opponent in her district. Her race has also drawn unusual outside attention, including crypto donors backing her challenger. Separately, Waters has been in the news for declining to support age limits for Congress and for criticism over a Compton school bond mailer tied to a local measure.
87-year-old Maxine Waters refuses to say 100 is too old for Congress
California's Democratic incumbents face primary challenges from political newcomers
Maxine Waters Challenger Got Two-Thirds of Donations From Crypto
Longtime Democratic leaders Maxine Waters, Brad Sherman facing new opposition in primary
Campaign Fundraising
Latest report: Cycle 2026Campaign finance totals from the latest available reporting period.
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LatestCycle 2022
Cycle 2024
Cycle 2026
Source: FEC
New updates coming soon
We're monitoring and will update when new data impacts the race.
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