--- title: "Ruiz vs. Males: 2026 California’s 25th District race" url: "https://www.2026election.com/race/2026-house-ca-25" updated: "2026-08-01" source: "Candidates' campaign sites and Ballotpedia, quoted verbatim" publisher: "Pluribus" --- # 2026 California’s 25th District race: Raul Ruiz (D) vs. Joe Males (R) Rating: Likely D · Election: November 3, 2026 · Ballot checked: October 9, 2026 · Positions captured: August 1, 2026 Democratic incumbent Raul Ruiz faces Republican challenger Joe Males in California's 25th Congressional District in the November 3, 2026 general election, following the June 2, 2026 top-two primary. District boundaries were adjusted ahead of the election following the 2025 voter approval of Proposition 50. The race hinges on Ruiz's extensive legislative record on healthcare, veterans affairs, and environmental projects versus Males' platform centered on his background as a Marine veteran, small business owner, and local councilman focused on public safety. ## Candidates - **Raul Ruiz** (Democrat, incumbent) · [Campaign site](https://drraulruiz.com) · [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Raul_Ruiz) - **Joe Males** (Republican) · [Campaign site](https://joemalesforca.com/) · [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Joe_Males_%28California%29) ## Issues ### Economy and jobs Salience: high Ruiz relies on federal investment programs and workplace equity legislation to support jobs, while Males draws on his background as a small business owner to advocate for business growth and regulatory relief. **Raul Ruiz:** Promotes infrastructure, clean energy, and workforce equity Ruiz emphasizes supporting small businesses, investing in federal infrastructure, and expanding clean energy manufacturing in the region. He supported the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and the CHIPS and Science Act, while advocating for equal pay, paid family leave, and expanded child care access. - Voted for the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and the CHIPS and Science Act - Supported federal funding for Salton Sea revitalization and Lithium Valley clean energy development - Voted Yea on the Tax Relief for American Families and Workers Act of 2024 > “Small business is the lifeblood of the American economy, and every Californian deserves the opportunity to build a better life for their family.” > — Raul Ruiz, via [Campaign site](https://drraulruiz.com) **Joe Males:** Advocates small business deregulation and local growth Males highlights his background building a computer networking business from the ground up starting in 1996. On the Hemet City Council, he focused on driving local business growth and aims to reduce barriers for entrepreneurs. - Built and operated a computer networking services business starting in 1996 - Led initiatives on the Hemet City Council to drive local business growth - Pledges a results-driven approach to ease economic burdens on small business owners > “Joe knows firsthand the hard work and sacrifice of this journey, and he’s determined to make it easier for hardworking Americans to do the same.” > — Joe Males, via [Campaign site](https://joemalesforca.com/) ### Veterans affairs Salience: medium Ruiz highlights legislative accomplishments such as toxic burn pit healthcare legislation, whereas Males emphasizes his personal military service as a Marine Sergeant and community veteran leadership. **Raul Ruiz:** Advocates toxic exposure healthcare and benefit access Ruiz authored and passed legislation providing healthcare and expanded benefits to veterans exposed to toxic burn pits. He also established Veterans University to help former military personnel navigate federal benefits. - Authored landmark legislation extending healthcare benefits to veterans exposed to toxic burn pits - Established an annual Veterans University event to assist veterans with benefit systems - Voted for the National Defense Authorization Act for FY2024 > “I’ve led the charge on protecting our servicemembers and veterans, not just shining a light on the dangers of the use of toxic burn pits in combat, but writing and passing historic legislation providing health care access and improved benefits to all veterans exposed to toxic substances.” > — Raul Ruiz, via [Campaign site](https://drraulruiz.com) **Joe Males:** Focuses on community veteran support and leadership As a Marine Corps veteran who served overseas in the Philippines and Guam, Males has been active in local veteran organizations. He served in leadership roles with the American Legion and Elks Lodge to help veterans secure resources. - Served as a Marine Corps Sergeant with overseas deployments in the Philippines and Guam - Held leadership positions in his local American Legion post and Elks Lodge - Focuses on community-level advocacy to ensure veterans receive earned benefits > “He took on leadership roles in his local Elks Lodge and American Legion post, working to ensure veterans in the community had the resources and support they deserved.” > — Joe Males, via [Campaign site](https://joemalesforca.com/) ### Public safety and crime Salience: medium Males places public safety and law enforcement at the core of his candidacy following a personal family tragedy, whereas Ruiz's record shows votes against Republican-sponsored crime and deportation legislation. **Raul Ruiz:** Opposes certain mandatory federal enforcement measures Ruiz has voted against several Republican-led public safety and law enforcement measures in the House. Notably, he voted against H.R. 875, which sought to make driving while impaired grounds for deportation. - Voted Nay on H.R. 875 (Protect Our Communities from DUIs Act of 2025) - Voted Nay on H.R. 1526 (No Rogue Rulings Act of 2025) - Emphasizes honoring local police and first responders in district outreach **Joe Males:** Prioritizes strict public safety and law enforcement Males entered local politics following the murder of his son, a fellow Marine, promising to fight for law enforcement and public safety. On the Hemet City Council, he led local safety and neighborhood cleanliness initiatives. - Ran for Hemet City Council following the murder of his Marine son to advocate for public safety - Spearheaded local council initiatives to improve infrastructure and keep neighborhoods safe - Endorsed by local elected officials and conservative political organizations > “Determined to take a stand for public safety and the rule of law, he ran for Hemet City Council to help ensure no other family would experience the same tragedy.” > — Joe Males, via [Campaign site](https://joemalesforca.com/) ### Healthcare Salience: high **Raul Ruiz:** Supports expanding access and lowering prescription costs As an emergency physician, Ruiz focuses on making healthcare and prescription drugs affordable while protecting coverage for pre-existing conditions. He supported the Inflation Reduction Act to lower medication costs and enacted legislation expanding MediCal coverage. - Supported the Inflation Reduction Act to lower prescription drug costs - Voted to prevent insurance companies from denying coverage for pre-existing conditions - Authored legislation expanding MediCal coverage for local families > “As an emergency physician, I understand how critically important it is for every American to have access to quality, affordable healthcare.” > — Raul Ruiz, via [Campaign site](https://drraulruiz.com) **Joe Males:** No documented position in our sources ### Medicare and Social Security Salience: medium **Raul Ruiz:** Opposes benefit cuts and age increases Ruiz pledges to protect Social Security and Medicare from benefit cuts or increases to the retirement age. He voted for the Social Security Fairness Act of 2023 to repeal benefit offsets for public servants. - Voted Yea on H.R. 82 (Social Security Fairness Act of 2023) - Pledges to oppose any proposals to raise the Social Security retirement age - Fights to protect guaranteed Medicare and Social Security benefits for seniors > “Seniors have paid for, earned, and been promised these benefits after a lifetime of hard work and I will always stand up for them by working to expand and protect these commitments while opposing any cuts or changes to the retirement age.” > — Raul Ruiz, via [Campaign site](https://drraulruiz.com) **Joe Males:** No documented position in our sources ### Environment and energy Salience: medium **Raul Ruiz:** Supports Salton Sea restoration and clean energy Ruiz focuses on regional environmental issues, securing federal funding for Salton Sea restoration and promoting Imperial Valley clean energy projects. He co-authored the Environmental Justice Act of 2017 and voted against H.R. 1 (Lower Energy Costs Act). - Secured federal funding for Salton Sea revitalization and clean air initiatives - Promoted clean energy manufacturing through Lithium Valley development - Voted Nay on H.R. 1 (Lower Energy Costs Act of 2023) > “One of the greatest crises facing this district and Southern California is the dying Salton Sea. It poses a significant threat to the families in our region and I have been working with local, regional, and federal stakeholders since my first day in Congress to secure funding and address this issue head-on.” > — Raul Ruiz, via [Campaign site](https://drraulruiz.com) **Joe Males:** No documented position in our sources ### Border security and immigration Salience: medium **Raul Ruiz:** Opposes restrictive border and enforcement bills Ruiz has consistently voted against Republican border enforcement legislation in Congress. He voted against H.R. 2 (Secure the Border Act of 2023), the Laken Riley Act, and the impeachment of DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas. - Voted Nay on H.R. 2 (Secure the Border Act of 2023) - Voted Nay on S. 5 (Laken Riley Act of 2025) - Voted Nay on H.Res. 863 (Impeaching Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas) **Joe Males:** No documented position in our sources ### Government reform and ethics Salience: low **Raul Ruiz:** Supports banning member perks and profiting Ruiz advocates for reforming congressional privileges, voting against pay raises for members of Congress. He authored legislation prohibiting members from flying first class at taxpayer expense and restricting federal officials from profiting from office. - Voted against congressional pay raises - Authored legislation prohibiting members of Congress from using taxpayer funds for first-class flights - Introduced legislation banning federal officials from using their positions for personal profit > “Members of Congress are public servants and should absolutely not receive special privileges at the expense of taxpayers.” > — Raul Ruiz, via [Campaign site](https://drraulruiz.com) **Joe Males:** No documented position in our sources ### Voting and election administration Salience: low **Raul Ruiz:** Opposes federal voter citizenship verification requirements Ruiz voted against H.R. 22 (SAVE Act), which would have required individuals to present documentary proof of citizenship when registering to vote in federal elections. - Voted Nay on H.R. 22 (Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act / SAVE Act) - Opposes federal mandates requiring documentary proof of citizenship for election registration **Joe Males:** No documented position in our sources ## Polls and markets _Updated Oct 31._ - [Polymarket](https://polymarket.com/event/ca-25-house-election-winner) — CA-25 House Election Winner: Democrats 96.8%, Republicans 3.1% - [Kalshi](https://kalshi.com/events/KXHOUSERACE-CA25-26) — CA-25 House winner?: Raul Ruiz 97.4%, Joe Males 3.9% [View this race on 2026election.com](https://www.2026election.com/race/2026-house-ca-25)