Incumbent
Ted Lieu
Incumbent Democratic candidate for U.S. House in California
CA-36 primary: first place
$1.3K
JUN 6, 2026Primary Election
Party selects its nominee.
Live Odds
Current prediction-market probability for the candidate, updated as market prices change.
Ted Lieu is trading at 99% to win the CA-36 primary: first place 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
Age57 years old (Mar 29, 1969)
GenderMale
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LocationCalifornia
BackgroundAttorney
EducationStanford University (B.A., 1991)
Notable personal detailsTed W. Lieu is a U.S. Representative from California, first elected to Congress in 2014 and serving since January 3, 2015. Born in Taipei, Taiwan, he earned undergraduate degrees from Stanford University and a J.D. from Georgetown University Law Center. He served on active duty in the U.S. Air Force and later in the U.S. Air Force Reserve, and previously served on the Torrance City Council and in the California State Assembly and State Senate.
SourcesShowHide
Political Positions
Economy & Taxes
Supports opposing large tax cuts for wealthy and corporations and prioritizing public investment in core priorities rather than tax breaks for the ultra-wealthy. Has publicly criticized GOP tax legislation as favoring corporations and higher-income taxpayers while cutting programs for working families and veterans. Advocates reforming tax policy to reduce burdens on working families and invest in infrastructure, education, and innovation.
Healthcare
Ted W. Lieu is a supporter of Medicare for All and has cosponsored and publicly supported legislation and actions aimed at expanding government-provided health coverage while opposing cuts to Medicare and Medicaid. He has repeatedly criticized Republican proposals that would shrink Medicaid/Medicare and has participated in House Democratic actions to protect and expand access to health care.
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Immigration & Border
Supports expanded legal pathways to permanent residence and citizenship for undocumented immigrants (including essential workers and Dreamers), and advocates for limits on aggressive immigration enforcement and protections for migrants at the border and ports of entry. Has sponsored and cosponsored legislation to create pathways to citizenship and to restrict certain enforcement practices.
Abortion & Reproductive Rights
Supports broad access to abortion and reproductive health care, describes reproductive rights as human rights, and is an active member of the Congressional Pro-Choice Caucus. Has backed legislation to protect/restore abortion rights at the federal level and has spoken publicly in defense of Roe-era protections.
Climate & Energy
Supports aggressive federal climate and clean-energy goals, including a Climate Solutions Act that sets a national renewable energy standard targeting 100% renewable electricity by 2035 and nationwide emissions-reduction targets toward net-zero by 2050. Has a record of coauthoring California’s Global Warming Solutions Act (AB 32), sponsoring national bills to boost energy efficiency and EV infrastructure, opposing offshore drilling, and pursuing accountability for fossil-fuel industry deception.
Public Safety & Guns
Supports federal gun safety measures including raising the purchase age for semiautomatic centerfire rifles, restrictions on large-capacity magazines, regulation of bump stocks and ghost guns, and other measures to expand background checks and reduce access to military-style weapons. Has voted for and spoken in favor of recent gun-violence-prevention legislation.
Latest News
Ted Lieu is in the news mainly for pressing Secretary of State Marco Rubio about Donald Trump’s health and alertness during a congressional hearing, using video clips that appeared to show Trump drowsy. Rubio rejected the criticism, while Lieu said the footage raised concerns about Trump’s fitness and cognitive abilities. Lieu is also being mentioned as one of several California Democrats backed by crypto-focused super PACs who advanced or won in recent primary races. He has also been active in broader Democratic messaging, arguing Republicans’ coalition has collapsed and that Democrats will focus on costs and health care.
Marco Rubio's Excuses For Drowsy Trump Videos Do Nothing
Crypto PACs go undefeated in June primaries as Fairshake scores bipartisan winning streak
Transcript: Rep. Ted Lieu on "Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan," May 10, 2026
'The Trump Coalition Has Completely Collapsed'
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
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