CA-19 primary: first place
$1.2K
JUN 6, 2026Primary Election
Party selects its nominee.
Overview
Current roleTech entrepreneur
PartyIndependent
Political ideologyLibertarian
LocationCalifornia
BackgroundTech entrepreneur
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Notable personal detailsLars Mapstead is a Libertarian candidate for the U.S. House in California’s 19th Congressional District (2026). He is a tech entrepreneur and business builder, and previously ran as a Libertarian candidate for president in the 2024 cycle. He is a Central Coast native (born in Carmel and raised in Big Sur) and has lived in Aptos and Santa Cruz County.
SourcesShowHide
Positions
Economy & Taxes
Supports eliminating the federal income tax, abolishing the IRS, and replacing income taxes with a single national retail sales tax; calls for simplifying the tax code and removing corporate loopholes. The position seeks a major tax-code overhaul and reduced role for the IRS.
Healthcare
The candidate proposes market-oriented reforms emphasizing patient choice, price transparency, and reducing federal healthcare spending. Proposals include creating healthcare debit accounts for Medicare and Medicaid recipients, launching a federal healthcare spending transparency website, and measures to lower costs without expanding government-run coverage. These positions prioritize private choice and spending reductions rather than advocating for universal or single-payer coverage.
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Immigration & Border
Supports simplifying and expanding legal immigration pathways through a streamlined three-tier system and faster legal entry. Advocates targeted border screening focused on violence, terrorism links, and health while reducing border violence by ending the federal war on drugs. Emphasis is on making legal entry easier while keeping checks for criminal or terrorist threats.
Abortion & Reproductive Rights
Supports legal access to abortion while expressing personal disagreement; opposes government bans on abortion but does not support government funding for Planned Parenthood. Positions emphasize individual choice and limited government interference on abortion access.
Climate & Energy
The candidate advocates expanding U.S. energy production and reducing energy regulations, framing energy as a strategic race with China and other nations. Policy proposals emphasize unleashing domestic energy potential, one-time investments in energy research, and lowering the cost of energy rather than pursuing aggressive emissions mandates.
Public Safety & Guns
The candidate opposes additional legal restrictions on gun ownership and answered that there should not be more restrictions on purchasing firearms; this aligns with the Libertarian Party platform affirming an individual right to keep and bear arms and opposing laws that restrict or register firearms.
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