US Congress
Candidate research and notes focused on issues relevant to Israel and the Jewish community
Voter Guide Designations and Criteria – JCAN’s Perspectives
Next to each candidate’s name you will find a color box which reflects our overall assessment of their favorability related specifically to the issues relevant to our OC Jewish community. The criteria used for each ‘box’ is listed below.
Green Squares = Favorable Positions/ No Immediate Concerns noted
Examples include favorable meetings with JCAN, in which the candidate expresses support for policies that promote Jewish community safety, OR public statements supportive of Jewish community safety, including in responses to our questionnaire; AND no other items warranting red flags.
Green Squares with a Gold Ribbon = Proven Upstander for the Jewish Community
Gold ribbons have been reserved for candidates who have previously held elected office and have taken concrete measures in support of our community. This includes measures such as calendaring of Holocaust Remembrance or Jewish American Heritage Month; standing up against discussions of anti-Israel agenda items; intervening on our behalf with other state and local authorities, and/or supporting our lobbying efforts in Sacramento.
Yellow Squares = Some Cause for Concern
Assigned to candidates where we have identified issues that give us pause for concern. This may include inconsistent voting records or declining to complete our questionnaire.
Red = Red Flags are Present
Examples include:
Opposition to or abstention from legislation in support of the Jewish community (e.g., AB715).
Endorsement by CAIR, DSA, Code Pink, or other groups flagged in our index of bad actors.
Stated or demonstrated intention to use their local office to affect matters outside their jurisdiction.
Support for legislation that would harm the Jewish community (e.g., AB2159)
Public statements demonizing or delegitimizing Israel or otherwise applying double standards to Israel [As with the IHRA definition of antisemitism, ordinary criticism of Israel or Israeli policy would not be a red flag.]
Public statements vilifying candidates receiving donations from Jewish or pro-Israel groups.
Refusal to apply existing, otherwise neutral rules, such as time, place, and manner restrictions, or codes of decorum, to unlawful conduct by anti-Jewish groups.
Platforming or being platformed by known anti-Jewish figures (such as Hasan Piker, Nick Fuentes, etc.).
Calling for or endorsing violence against Jews.
White = insufficient information to make an evaluation at this stage
Candidates by District
Candidate profiles are organized by congressional district and include campaign links, email links where available, Ballotpedia references, endorsements, and submitted community notes.
Hilda Solis
Current LA Supervisor; in 2024 was one of the five Supervisors who unanimously passed a motion directing county departments to create a Jewish Community Safety Resource Guide and develop mass violence preparedness training specifically for Jewish institutions following a 300% spike in antisemitic incidents. But considering her close relationship with Teresa Montano, the head of the Liberated Ethnic Studies group, we have decided to mark her as “Some Concerns”.
DPOC 2026, DMFILA Strong Support, California Democratic Party, California Young Democrats, Latino Victory, Equality CA
Monica M. Sanchez
Not provided
DMFILA Support, Women in Leadership PAC, Orange County Young Democrats, Latinas Lead CA
Erik Lutz
Not provided
N/A
Pedro Antonio Casas
Not provided
N/A
Young Kim (i)
Member of the Congressional bipartisan taskforce to combat Antisemitism
2023 – cosponsored 10/7 bipartisan resolution in support of Israel
2024 – voted for H.R. 6090, the Antisemitism Awareness Act
2024 – voted for H.R.8034 – Israel Security Supplemental Appropriations Act
2025 – voted for HR 23, a bill that would sanction persons who assist the ICC
AIPAC, Orange County Business Council (BIZPAC), Crime Survivors PAC
Ken Calvert (i)
2023 – cosponsored 10/7 bipartisan resolution in support of Israel
2024 – Voted for H.R. 6090, the Antisemitism Awareness Act
2024 – one of only two cosponsors of H.R.8034 – Israel Security Supplemental Appropriations Act
2025 – voted for HR 23, a bill that would sanction persons who assist the ICC
AIPAC, California Republican Assembly, California Congress of Republicans, The Lincoln Club of Orange County
Lisa Ramirez
Not provided
CA Democratic Party, Congressional Hispanic Caucus, Latinas Lead CA
Esther Kim Varet
Very outspoken in support of Israel and against Hamas
National Women's Political Caucus; select Democratic representatives
Joseph Kerr
Not provided
California Teachers Association, California School Employees Association, Orange County Labor Federation
Francis Xavier Hoffman
Not provided
N/A
Claude Keissieh
Not provided
N/A
Nina Linh
Not provided
Southern CA Armenian Democrats
Linda T. Sanchez (now serving in D38)
2023 – cosponsored 10/7 bipartisan resolution in support of Israel
2024 – Voted for H.R. 6090, the Antisemitism Awareness Act
2024 – Joined call for a ceasefire in March 2024
2024 – Signed statement condemning Netanyahu’s speech in Congress
2025 – voted against HR 23, a bill that would sanction persons who assist the ICC
DPOC 2026, DMFILA Strong Support, California Democratic Party, Latinas Lead California
Shonique Williams
Not provided
N/A
Hector De la Torre
Not provided
DMFILA Strong Support, Association of Los Angeles Deputy Sheriffs (ALADS), South Gate Police Officer Association
Mitch Clemmons
Not provided
N/A
Robert Garcia (i)
2023 – cosponsored 10/7 bipartisan resolution in support of Israel
Late 2023 – Called for ceasefire
2024 – voted for HR 3034, to fund supplemental assistance to Israel
Voted against H.R. 6090, the Antisemitism Awareness Act
2025 – voted against HR 23, a bill that would sanction persons who assist the ICC
2025 – supported H.R. 3565, a bill designed to limit the transfer of certain offensive weapons to Israel, but supported funding for Iron Dome.
DPOC 2026, DMFILA Strong Support, CAIR
Noah Von Blom
As a city council member in Newport Beach, stood against the request for a ceasefire resolution
Reform California; Newport Beach Police Association
Long Pham
Not provided
N/A
Larisa Vermeulen
Not provided
N/A
Brian Burley
Not provided
N/A
Derek Tran (i)
2025 – voted against HR 23, a bill that would sanction persons who assist the ICC
2026 – co-sponsored H.R. 3565, which would block arms sales to Israel and put out a public statement stating his support
DPOC 2026, CAIR, J Street, California Democratic Party, California Federation of Labor Unions, California Federation of Teachers
Chuong Vo
Active outreach to the Jewish community; has posted on campaign website: “I support Israel’s right to self-defense and targeted aid with strict oversight.”
Lincoln Club OC, California Republican Assembly, Reform California
Amy Phan West
Recognized Holocaust Remembrance Day as a member of the city council.
N/A
Chi Charlie Nguyen
Recognized Holocaust Remembrance Day as a member of the city council.
N/A
Tom Vo
Not provided
N/A
Mark Andrew Leonard
Not provided
N/A
Lou Correa (i)
2023 – cosponsored 10/7 bipartisan resolution in support of Israel
2024 – voted for H.R.8034 – Israel Security Supplemental Appropriations Act
2024 – voted for H.R. 6090, the Antisemitism Awareness Act
Stood by the Jewish community in the fight against antisemitic content in Santa Ana Unified School District
2025 – voted against HR 23, a bill that would sanction persons who assist the ICC
DPOC 2026, CA Democratic Party, Democratic Party of OC, AIPAC, California Young Democrats, Equality California, Orange County Fire Fighters, Orange County Labor Federation
Armando Perez-Serrato
Has a Free Palestine tab on his campaign page. The submitted notes state his campaign page says Israel is committing genocide against Palestinians and that Mando will vote no on sending Israel billions in tax dollars and military weapons, with language opposing Israel, AIPAC, and bombs.
N/A
David Pan
Has met with the Jewish community several times; stands with Israel.
Reform CA, OC GOP
Frank Bahena
Not provided
N/A
Christian Mendez
Not provided
N/A
Dave Min (i)
Former member of the CA State Assembly; voted in favor of state bills supporting the Jewish community, including Holocaust education and student safety.
2025 – voted against HR 23, a bill that would sanction persons who assist the ICC
2026 – co-sponsored H.R. 3565, which would block arms sales to Israel and put out a public statement publicizing his support.
DPOC 2026, Democratic Party of CA, Democratic Majority for Israel, JDCA, Irvine Democratic Club, CAIR
Jenny Rae Le Roux
Has engaged with the Jewish community on multiple occasions; strong verbal and written statements affirming support for Israel
OCGOP 2026, The OC Congress of Republicans, California Hispanic Republican Club
Michael Maxsenti
Not provided
California Republican Assembly (CRA), American Independent Party of California, Our House United PAC, Iranian American Republican Council
Derrick Michael Reid
Not provided
N/A
Jesus Patino
Not provided
N/A
Christopher Gonzales
Not provided
N/A
Bill Brough
Not provided
N/A
Eric Troutman
Not provided
N/A
Hunter Garcia Miranda
Not provided
N/A
Mike Levin (i)
2023 – cosponsored 10/7 bipartisan resolution in support of Israel
2024 – voted for H.R. 6090, the Antisemitism Awareness Act
2024 – voted for H.R.8034 – Israel Security Supplemental Appropriations Act
2025 – voted for HR 23, a bill that would sanction persons who assist the ICC
DPOC 2026, Democratic Party of CA, Democratic Majority for Israel, National Progressive Caucus, AIPAC
Armen Kurdian
Not provided
California Republican Assembly, California Women's Leadership Association
Star Parker
Not provided
N/A