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-23 race go here.
Candidates are listed alphabetically by last name. Click a name below to jump directly to that candidate’s profile and questionnaire responses.
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.
Pete Aguilar is a Democratic congressman representing California’s 33rd Congressional District and currently serves as chair of the House Democratic Caucus. A former mayor of Redlands, Aguilar was first elected to Congress in 2014 and has focused on issues including infrastructure, public safety, economic development and veterans services during his time in office.
Visit campaign websiteI’m Pete Aguilar, the current representative for California’s 33rd Congressional District representing San Bernardino County, and I serve as the Chair of the House Democratic Caucus. I am proud to have been born and raised right here in the Inland Empire and I am currently raising two sons with my wife Alisha in Redlands. My family has called the IE home for four generations. My parents taught me the value of hard work at an early age, and I started my first job at 12 years old, bussing tables in the San Bernardino County Courthouse cafeteria. In college, I found my passion for public service and was honored to serve on the Redlands City Council and as the mayor of Redlands before I was elected to Congress.
The high cost of living is the biggest issue facing our community right now. Hardworking families are struggling to afford the high cost of groceries, healthcare and housing under the Republican leadership in Washington. As a Member of Congress, I have worked hard to bring home millions of dollars in federal investments to expand access to affordable housing, to repair our crumbling bridges and roads, and to improve community safety. Just this past week, I helped pass a bipartisan bill to lower housing costs. When Democrats take back control of the House in November, I’ll work to pass legislation to lower healthcare costs, bring down food costs, support small businesses, and make life more affordable so people can thrive here in the Inland Empire.
I have a proven record of delivering for the Inland Empire and have spent my career working with anyone to get things done. I serve on the Appropriations Committee and have consistently delivered federal funding to improve life in our region. I also serve in a leadership role within the House Democratic Caucus, serving as the No. 3 House Democrat and the highest-ranking Californian and the highest-ranking Latino in Congress. I take these responsibilities incredibly seriously and by holding these key roles, I am uniquely positioned to fight for our unique needs and deliver for Redlands and the entire San Bernardino County.
Antonis P. Christodoulou is a law school graduate and Democratic Socialist candidate running for California’s 33rd Congressional District. Raised in Rancho Cucamonga, Christodoulou says his campaign focuses on working-class issues including housing affordability, healthcare costs and corporate influence in politics. According to his campaign materials, he supports stronger antitrust enforcement and policies aimed at reducing the cost of living for working families.
Visit campaign websiteI am a 27-year-old progressive raised by a single mother in Rancho Cucamonga. I am running because my entire adult life, I have heard both parties say we can’t afford healthcare, education, or housing. Then, those same people do not hesitate to fund endless war and corporate subsidies, resulting in billionaires and corporations getting a seat at the table while we lose ours. We need representatives who will fight for working-class families and refuse to accept AIPAC and corporate PAC money. In law school, I studied monopolies and learned how our federal government can fight corporate greed. As the youngest Congressman, enforce antitrust to bring down the cost of groceries, housing, and utilities. Also, unlike the current representative, I will vote to divert our tax dollars from bombing schools and hospitals overseas to build schools and hospitals in our district. A better world is possible.
Our biggest issue is affordability. Workers fear getting into an accident and drowning in medical debt. Our youth are watching a crumbling job market as student loans increase and prices for necessities skyrocket. Our country is facing economic ruin as our elected officials provide tax breaks to the wealthy. As a Congressman, I will pressure our federal agencies to enforce anti-consumer and labor laws against companies that commit wage theft. Utilizing antitrust laws to fight companies that seem to make record profits, all while they lay off thousands and force those that remain to do more work for the same pay. It is time that we reject the status quo and demand more from our elected representatives.
I Will Never Accept Money from AIPAC or Corporate PACs. The current representative has accepted $680,000 from AIPAC in 2025 and 2026 alone, totaling $1.4 million dollars in 5 years. Then, in January, he voted to send $3.8 billion dollars to Israel, the same week that Redlands’ school district was voting to lay off 138 school staff and convert them to gig workers. If he is willing to forget about the city, where he was mayor 12 years ago, what else will he forget about? Additionally, I will focus on diverting 10% of Pentagon spending to funding healthcare, education, and housing. In which the current representative decided to vote against in 2021, siding with republicans instead of progressives. (Roll Call 284 | Bill Number: H. R. 4350). Finally, I will fight for universal healthcare, banning private equity from owning our housing supply, and supporting union labor.
Editor’s note: Redlands Unified School District budget and staffing decisions are made locally by the school board and district administration, not by members of Congress.
Tom Herman is a pastor, educator and former small business owner running as a Republican candidate in California’s 33rd Congressional District. According to his campaign website, Herman previously served as an associate pastor in the Inland Empire and is campaigning on issues including government accountability, public safety, border security and economic opportunity. Tom did not complete a CFR News questionnaire.
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Ernest does not have a campaign website and did not complete a CFR News questionnaire.
Ling Ling Shi is an author, poet and founder of the Wells ARK network, an online platform focused on faith, arts and community initiatives. According to her campaign website, Shi previously ran for U.S. Senate in California and is campaigning for Congress on themes of spiritual renewal, economic reform and national unity. She is running with no party preference in California’s 33rd Congressional District. Ling Ling did not complete a CFR News questionnaire.
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Stephanie M. Vargas is a chief deputy clerk and Republican candidate running for California’s 33rd Congressional District. According to her campaign website, Vargas previously worked in local government and is campaigning on issues including public safety, economic opportunity, veterans services and government accountability.
Visit campaign websiteHello! My name is Stephanie M. Vargas, and I am running for Congress because I believe that District 33 is worth fighting for! I grew up in San Bernardino and have lived in District 33 my whole life, and I have decided that I am not going to do what so many others have done before ... run away to another state in order to escape the high cost of living, public safety issues and leaders who completely lack common sense. No, I will not run — I will fight. Will you join me?
The greatest issue facing District 33 is the high cost of living. The reason everything is so expensive — from groceries to the cost to build a new home — has to do with energy costs. To lower gas prices quickly, I will use common-sense strategies like demanding emergency EPA waivers to bypass California's "fancy" gas mandates, which will give people the freedom to purchase more affordable gasoline from other U.S.-based sellers. Beyond the pump, I will also fight for permitting reform and grid modernization to eliminate the red tape that drives up utility bills.
Unlike other candidates in this race, I am not fighting for a seat or for a title — what I am fighting for is a future that is worthy of the next generation. I am fighting so that our children, and their children, can grow up here in District 33 and be proud to call this place their home. I believe that regardless of political background, we can agree that it is time for a more affordable California, especially in District 33. A vote for Stephanie Vargas is a vote for a brighter, safer and more prosperous future.
Eugene Weems is a business owner, community advocate and founder of the nonprofit organization Vibrant Green for Vibrant Peace, which works with at-risk youth, homeless individuals and families in need throughout the Inland Empire. According to his campaign website, Weems has focused on issues including public safety, affordable housing and healthcare access. He is running as a Republican challenger in California’s 33rd Congressional District.
Visit campaign websiteMy name is Eugene Weems, and I’m running for Congress because I believe the people of California’s 33rd District deserve a representative who understands struggle, believes in redemption and is willing to fight for everyday families. My life has not been traditional politics. I’ve experienced hardship, setbacks and challenges that many people understand all too well. Those experiences shaped me into someone who believes deeply in second chances, service and rebuilding. I often say: “Drive, determination and persistence do not recognize failure.” My campaign is about restoring hope, creating opportunity, improving public safety, lowering the cost of living, expanding healthcare access and giving working families a leader they can trust. I want the Inland Empire to know this: No matter your background, party or where you come from, we all want opportunity, stability and a better future for our families. This is bigger than politics. This is about us.
The biggest issue facing District 33 right now is the growing pressure on working families caused by the rising cost of living, public safety concerns, homelessness and lack of economic opportunity. Many working-class people are struggling to afford housing, groceries, healthcare and basic necessities. Seniors worry about fixed incomes, while young people search for opportunity and stability. Families want safer neighborhoods and a future they can believe in. As congressman, I will focus on lowering costs for working families and seniors, expanding affordable healthcare access, supporting job creation and small businesses, investing in mental health and homelessness solutions, strengthening public safety and bringing more federal resources into underserved communities. We do not need more empty promises. We need leadership that is present, accountable and willing to fight for the people.
What sets me apart is that my campaign is built on lived experience, community service and real-world understanding — not political ambition. Most politicians talk about struggling communities. I’ve lived in them. I’ve worked in them. And I’ve spent years helping people in them. I know what it means to rebuild your life from the bottom up. I know what it feels like to be counted out and overlooked. That gives me a different perspective on leadership and accountability. I’m not backed by political machines or career insiders. I’m backed by people. As a world champion kickboxer, author, community activist and CEO of VG4VP, I’ve learned discipline, resilience and how to bring people together from different backgrounds. This campaign is not about Democrat versus Republican. It’s about people versus problems. I believe District 33 is ready for a new kind of leadership: independent-minded, community-driven and focused on results.
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