CA-17 primary: first place
$13.6K
JUN 6, 2026Primary Election
Party selects its nominee.
Overview
Current roleComputer industry professional
PartyIndependent
Political ideologyLibertarian
GenderMale
LocationCalifornia
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BackgroundComputer industry professional
EducationMassachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) — degree in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
Notable personal detailsJoe Dehn is a Libertarian Party candidate for the U.S. House in California’s 17th Congressional District in the June 2, 2026 primary. He is a resident of Sunnyvale, California, and previously worked in the computer industry. He graduated from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology with a degree in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science. He has long been active in Libertarian Party politics and is also a square dance caller and instructor.
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Positions
Economy & Taxes
Supports significant tax reductions and elimination of many taxes, opposes any tax increases or new taxes, and calls for lowering federal spending to enable tax cuts. Advocates flattening income-tax rates and rolling back tariffs and other taxes as part of a market-oriented, small-government approach.
Healthcare
Supports removing government involvement in health care, opposing single-payer/Medicare-for-All, and moving insurance and health services to a deregulated private-market model. Proposes decoupling employer-provided insurance via tax changes, repealing laws that restrict cross-state or international drug purchases, eliminating certificates of need, and preserving targeted government aid for vulnerable populations while keeping insurance private.
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Immigration & Border
Supports greatly expanded legal immigration pathways and protection for long-term residents, including eliminating caps on H‑1B visas and allowing residents of five years without serious crimes to become citizens; favors privatizing refugee and asylum resettlement and dismantling government enforcement programs that target undocumented immigrants.
Climate & Energy
Joe Dehn criticizes aggressive climate regulations in California and emphasizes reducing government regulation and intervention, favoring market-driven approaches. His campaign materials express skepticism about state climate policy impacts on innovation and call for smaller federal government and fewer regulations that he views as burdensome to businesses.
Public Safety & Guns
Opposes local and municipal gun-control measures that add fees or insurance requirements and calls for ending the “war on guns,” arguing for reduced government restrictions on firearm ownership while supporting individual self-defense rights.
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We're monitoring and will update when new data impacts the race.
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