CA-05 primary: first place
Primary Election
Party selects its nominee.
Overview
Current roleEngineer
PartyDemocratic
Political ideologyProgressive Democrat
LocationCalifornia
BackgroundEngineer
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Notable personal detailsMichael Masuda is a Democratic candidate for the U.S. House in California’s 5th Congressional District in the 2026 election cycle. He has described himself as an engineer and former federal civil servant, and has also been listed on California’s primary-election candidate notice with the ballot designation “Foreign Affairs Officer.” His campaign focuses on affordability, wildfire protection, rural economic growth, and reducing the influence of big money in politics.
SourcesShowHide
Positions
Economy & Taxes
The candidate supports raising taxes on the wealthiest Americans and on capital gains, closing tax loopholes that benefit the ultra-wealthy, and simplifying the tax code while retaining targeted tax breaks/credits (for example for first-time homebuyers and fire-resistant construction). He frames these changes as fiscal reforms to address income inequality and deficits created by past tax cuts.
Healthcare
Supports protecting and expanding access to healthcare, including protecting gender-affirming care and increasing incentives and resources to expand rural healthcare access and health workforce capacity.
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Immigration & Border
Supports expanding legal pathways and streamlining paths to citizenship while opposing broad aggressive deportations of non‑criminal immigrants; favors bipartisan, common‑sense reform and limits on ICE’s anonymous tactics. Also backs stronger, targeted border security using proven approaches and new technologies to stop trafficking and smuggling.
Climate & Energy
Supports investing in rural and clean energy programs, upgrading the electrical grid, and converting forest waste into biomass/clean energy as part of forest management to reduce wildfire risk and energy costs. Emphasizes climate-driven forest management and federal investment to improve reliability and lower bills without calling for immediate fossil fuel phase-out or Green New Deal–style language.
Public Safety & Guns
Supports gun safety measures and school violence prevention, including detection systems and violence intervention programs, while emphasizing safe learning environments. Emphasizes collaboration with communities on prevention and supports law enforcement accountability in public-safety contexts.
Fundraising
Latest report: Cycle 20262026
LatestCycle 2026
Source: FEC
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