Incumbent
CA-16 primary: first place
$13.5K
JUN 6, 2026Primary Election
Party selects its nominee.
Overview
Current roleU.S. Representative
PartyDemocratic
Political ideologyModerate Democrat
Age56 years old (Apr 16, 1970)
GenderMale
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LocationCalifornia
BackgroundAttorney
EducationGeorgetown University (B.A.)
Notable personal detailsSamuel Theodore Liccardo is an American attorney and politician who has served as the U.S. representative for California's 16th congressional district since January 3, 2025. He previously served as the 65th mayor of San Jose (2015–2023) and represented District 3 on the San Jose City Council (2007–2014). Liccardo studied government at Georgetown University and earned graduate degrees at Harvard Kennedy School and Harvard Law School. Before elected office, he worked as a criminal prosecutor in the Santa Clara County District Attorney's Office.
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Positions
Economy & Taxes
Supports reversing major elements of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act that advantaged very high‑income individuals, advocates reforming corporate/individual tax loopholes and using tax policy to fund targeted investments (for example, R&D and housing conversion credits). Has also supported targeted tax incentives at the local level to spur housing development and negotiated municipal pension and budget measures to reduce long‑term public costs.
Healthcare
Supports preserving and expanding Affordable Care Act coverage through legislation that extends enhanced ACA premium tax credits and targets insurer practices to lower costs. Advocates bipartisan, government-led interventions to keep marketplace coverage affordable while implementing reforms to curb waste and fraud in programs like Medicare Advantage. Emphasizes investments in mental health and community treatment as part of broader health policy priorities.
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Immigration & Border
Supports expanded legal immigration pathways including measures for Dreamers and workforce visas, defends sanctuary-style local policies and reassurance to immigrant communities, while accepting limited enforcement cooperation for serious or violent offenders and supporting targeted funding for border security.
Abortion & Reproductive Rights
Supports protecting and expanding abortion and reproductive rights at the federal level, including backing legislation to codify abortion access and protect contraception and insurance coverage. As mayor, he led San José funding for Planned Parenthood and has pledged to continue defending and expanding reproductive freedom.
Climate & Energy
Supports aggressive municipal and federal clean‑energy measures, implementation of Community Choice Energy and renewable energy programs, and policies to accelerate the transition from fossil fuels to carbon‑free electricity while backing climate investments and climate resilience efforts.
Public Safety & Guns
Sam Liccardo has promoted stronger local gun-safety measures including a first-in-the-nation proposal for mandatory firearm liability insurance, ordinances to prohibit ghost guns, requirements for video recording of gun purchases, and other rules to curb straw purchases and gun violence. He has repeatedly called for expanding local and state regulation to reduce firearm harms while continuing to work with law enforcement on implementation.
Fundraising
Latest report: Cycle 20262024
2026
LatestCycle 2024
Cycle 2026
Source: FEC
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We're monitoring and will update when new data impacts the race.
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