As Redlands grows, firefighters say emergency response infrastructure is struggling to keep pace
California’s primary election will take place June 2, 2026, with voters selecting the top two candidates to advance to
California’s primary election will take place June 2, 2026, with voters selecting the top two candidates to advance to
California’s primary election will take place June 2, 2026, with voters selecting the top two candidates to advance to the November general election regardless of party affiliation.
Redlands is split between Congressional Districts 23 and 33, both of which feature crowded primary races this year.
Search your address to find out if you're in District 23 (orange) or District 33 (navy).
For information on the CA-33 race go here.
Candidates are listed alphabetically by last name.
Editor’s note: Candidates were invited to participate in a standardized questionnaire. Responses received by publication deadline are included below. Responses were lightly edited for grammar, AP style and formatting, but were not substantively changed.
★ Indicates candidates who submitted questionnaire responses.
Tessa Lynn Hodge is a social worker, businesswoman and Democratic candidate running for California’s 23rd Congressional District. According to her campaign website, Hodge has worked in behavioral health, education and community advocacy and is campaigning on issues including affordable health care, housing affordability, public education, environmental protection and workers’ rights. Tessa did not complete a CFR News questionnaire.
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Karen Leigh Matthews is a medical doctor, retired U.S. Navy veteran and an independent candidate running for California’s 23rd Congressional District. According to her campaign website, Matthews is campaigning on lowering costs for working families, expanding access to health care and veterans services, and increasing government accountability outside the traditional two-party system. Karen did not complete a CFR News questionnaire.
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Karsten Scott Nicholson is running for California’s 23rd Congressional District. According to his campaign website, Nicholson supports anti-corporate and civil liberties positions including eliminating several federal agencies, reducing taxes, legalizing marijuana federally and ending qualified immunity for police. His platform also includes opposition to abortion and transgender surgery for minors, along with claims involving government corruption and conspiracies. Karsten did not complete a CFR News questionnaire.
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Jay Obernolte is a congressman, business owner and Republican incumbent representing California’s 23rd Congressional District. First elected to Congress in 2020, Obernolte previously served in the California State Assembly and on the Big Bear Lake City Council. According to his campaign website, his priorities include economic growth, public safety, water infrastructure and technology policy. Rep. Obernolte did not complete a CFR News questionnaire.
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Eli C. Owens is a No Party Preference candidate running for California’s 23rd Congressional District. According to his campaign website, Owens is focused on issues including government reform, economic opportunity, veterans issues and reducing political division, while promoting independent leadership outside the traditional two-party system. Eli did not complete a CFR News questionnaire.
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Pat Wallis is a veteran advocate, technologist and Democratic candidate running for California’s 23rd Congressional District. According to his campaign website, Wallis previously served in the U.S. Marine Corps and has worked in technology and community advocacy. His campaign focuses on issues including healthcare access, veterans services, economic fairness and government accountability.
Visit campaign websiteI’m Pat Wallis — a veteran, husband and father who raised two kids here. I’ve spent nearly 30 years building mission-critical systems and leading complex teams: as an Army engineer officer, with the Coast Guard, as a city planner and today as founder of an innovation lab at Esri, the global leader in mapping technology. What I’ve learned is that service to country, community and family isn’t a moment. It’s a habit. Whether as a planning commissioner, a nonprofit leader helping veterans reintegrate after service, or in countless other ways, I’ve always shown up. Now I’m running for Congress in California’s 23rd District to address the cost-of-living crisis that has made saving a luxury for most families. I’m tired of watching Washington get richer while families here struggle. This district has been written off long enough, and I’ll serve it the only way I know how: day after day, year after year.
We’re living through a cost-of-living crisis generations in the making. Most households here earn about $80,000 annually, but living the American Dream costs closer to $166,000. Saving for retirement or your kids’ future has become a luxury most families can’t afford. We’re paying the price for a system that works only for the rich and powerful. In Congress, I’ll focus on closing that gap from two directions: bringing costs down and bringing wages up. That means reforms to make housing, health care, homeowners insurance, child care and college more affordable and accessible. It means expanding Social Security and Medicare — and asking high earners to continue contributing so those programs remain strong. It also means cutting red tape that keeps veterans from receiving the care they’ve earned. Families here are doing their part. Washington needs to start doing its.
Most candidates promise to fix what's broken. But that’s just part of what I do. I’ve built a career on my ability to envision what should exist rather than what’s given, and then I build it. That's been the hallmark of my career: as an Army engineer officer, a Coast Guard civil engineer, a city planner, and today running an innovation lab at the world's leading mapping technology company. I see what's wrong, imagine and plan a better version, and get impatient until someone builds the road from here to there. Usually, that person is me. Washington has plenty of people who can describe problems, but few can envision real solutions, and fewer still can deliver them. I'll bring three decades of doing exactly that to the work of representing this district. I'm not running to make a point, but to build what must come next.
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