--- title: "Cisneros vs. Ching: 2026 California’s 31st District race" url: "https://www.2026election.com/race/2026-house-ca-31" updated: "2026-08-01" source: "Candidates' campaign sites and Ballotpedia, quoted verbatim" publisher: "Pluribus" --- # 2026 California’s 31st District race: Gil Cisneros (D) vs. Eric Ching (R) Rating: Safe D · Election: November 3, 2026 · Ballot checked: October 9, 2026 · Positions captured: August 1, 2026 The 2026 general election for California's 31st Congressional District features Democratic incumbent Gil Cisneros running against Republican challenger Eric Ching, a former Walnut mayor and entrepreneur. In the June 2 top-two primary, Cisneros led the candidate field with 56.6% of the vote while Ching advanced with 26.9%. The matchup hinges on fundamental contrasts between Cisneros's progressive legislative voting record on reproductive freedom, gun control, and economic safety nets, and Ching's platform focused on border security, crime deterrence, parental rights, and regulatory relief. ## Candidates - **Gil Cisneros** (Democrat, incumbent) · [Campaign site](https://www.gilonthehill.com) · [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Gil_Cisneros) - **Eric Ching** (Republican) · [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Eric_Ching) ## Issues ### Economy and cost of living Salience: high Cisneros seeks federal intervention to raise wages and lower costs through tax credits and drug price negotiation, whereas Ching prioritizes deregulation, cutting government waste, and protecting businesses. **Gil Cisneros:** Supports living wage and middle-class tax relief Cisneros focuses on reducing the cost of living for working families by raising the minimum wage, lowering prescription drug prices, and expanding middle-class tax credits. He advocates for investments in clean energy manufacturing and affordable housing, while opposing tax breaks for corporations that offshore jobs. - Proposes raising the national minimum wage to $15 per hour and requiring equal pay for women. - Supports direct government negotiation of prescription drug prices to lower healthcare costs. - Advocates expanding tax credits for working families while eliminating special exemptions for corporations and high earners. > “Too many families in the 31st District can’t keep up with the increased costs of housing, groceries, gas, and the overall cost of living while seeing their incomes remain flat.” > — Gil Cisneros, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Gil_Cisneros) **Eric Ching:** Supports deregulation and fiscal restraint Ching emphasizes fostering economic growth by removing burdensome regulations and protecting U.S. businesses from unfair competition. Drawing on his municipal experience, he advocates for fiscal responsibility, cutting government waste, and maintaining low tax burdens. - Advocates removing burdensome regulations to create a steady environment for business growth. - Pledges to cut government fraud, waste, and abuse and return resources to local communities. - Commits to using votes on revenue bills to ensure taxpayers are not overburdened. > “I will support the removal of burdensome regulations while promoting legislation to aid and protect U.S.-based businesses and workers from unfair practices within the United States of America and foreign entities.” > — Eric Ching, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Eric_Ching) ### Reproductive rights Salience: high Cisneros actively advocates for expanding federal protections for abortion and contraception, while Ching pledges to protect the unborn. **Gil Cisneros:** Supports federal abortion rights and healthcare access Cisneros is a staunch defender of reproductive rights who believes healthcare decisions should remain between a woman and her doctor. His record includes enacting reproductive healthcare access for military personnel and earning a 100% rating from Planned Parenthood. - Enacted Department of Defense reproductive healthcare policies ensuring active military personnel can access services regardless of state bans. - Supports full repeal of the Helms Amendment and opposes the Hyde Amendment. - Pledges to protect access to birth control, emergency contraception, and fertility treatments. > “Gil believes that decisions about a woman’s reproductive health should stay between a woman and her doctor.” > — Gil Cisneros, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Gil_Cisneros) **Eric Ching:** Opposes abortion and supports fetal protections Ching aligns with conservative positions on protecting the unborn as part of his broader platform grounded in his Christian faith and constitutional defense. - Identifies protecting the unborn as a core goal for his congressional campaign. > “As your congressman, I will improve the economy, secure the border, protect our unborn, advocate for education, and defend our constitution.” > — Eric Ching, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Eric_Ching) ### Border security and immigration Salience: high Cisneros voted against strict Republican border enforcement bills in favor of citizenship pathways for DREAMers, whereas Ching prioritizes border enforcement to curb illegal entry. **Gil Cisneros:** Supports comprehensive immigration reform and DACA Cisneros advocates for humane immigration reform that includes pathways to citizenship for DREAMers and Temporary Protective Status recipients. While in Congress and the Department of Defense, he expanded citizenship pathways for non-citizen service members upon completing basic training. - Voted Nay on the SAVE Act (H.R. 22), the Laken Riley Act (S. 5), and the DUI deportation bill (H.R. 875) in 2025. - Supports legal protections and citizenship pathways through the DREAM Act and TPS expansions. - Streamlined citizenship processes for non-citizens serving honorably in the military. > “Gil fought to protect President Obama’s Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), which has allowed thousands of young people who were brought to the United States as undocumented children by their parents to be part of the American dream.” > — Gil Cisneros, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Gil_Cisneros) **Eric Ching:** Supports strict border security and enforcement Ching views border security as central to national sovereignty and public safety. He advocates for securing land and coastal borders against illegal movement of people, weapons, and drugs while supporting legal trade and tourism. - Advocates securing over 7,000 miles of U.S. land and coastal borders against contraband and illegal entry. - Supports strict enforcement of immigration laws to protect local communities from crime. > “I will promote legal trade and tourism while supporting ways to best secure our border from the illegal movement of weapons, drugs, contraband, and people.” > — Eric Ching, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Eric_Ching) ### Public safety and crime Salience: high Ching emphasizes tough deterrence and criminal justice enforcement backed by law enforcement unions, while Cisneros focuses on gun violence prevention and public health approaches. **Gil Cisneros:** Supports gun safety laws and public health approaches Cisneros approaches community safety primarily through gun violence prevention, mental health resources, and supporting crime victims. He voted against conservative criminal enforcement mandates in 2025. - Voted Nay on the Laken Riley Act (S. 5) and the DUI deportation bill (H.R. 875). - Promotes research funding to treat gun violence as a public health crisis. - Supports legislation to assist victims of crime and sexual assault. > “Gil believes we should treat gun violence as the deadly public health crisis it is.” > — Gil Cisneros, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Gil_Cisneros) **Eric Ching:** Supports tough-on-crime laws and law enforcement Ching champions a tough-on-crime agenda centered on deterrence, proper justice, and criminal restitution to victims. Endorsed by police associations, he advocates holding neglectful officials accountable and expanding mental health treatment centers for homeless individuals struggling with substance abuse. - Endorsed by the Association for LA Deputy Sheriffs (ALADS). - Supports mandatory criminal restitution to victims and society. - Advocates policies holding government officials accountable who selectively fail to enforce laws. > “We must protect our homes, schools, businesses, and neighborhoods from criminals by ways of deterrence.” > — Eric Ching, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Eric_Ching) ### Education and parental rights Salience: medium Cisneros champions increased public school funding and inclusive student protections, whereas Ching advocates for school choice, parental rights, and removing identity-based entrance policies. **Gil Cisneros:** Supports public education spending and inclusion Cisneros emphasizes strengthening public schools, expanding per-pupil funding, implementing universal pre-K, and reforming higher education affordability. He opposes restrictions on transgender students in school athletics. - Voted Nay on the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act (H.R. 28) in 2025. - Implemented universal pre-K across Department of Defense elementary schools worldwide. - Advocates higher K-12 per-pupil spending, Pell Grant expansions, and student loan reform. > “Gil is committed to ensuring that all students have access to the educational opportunities they deserve, regardless of their background or where they come from.” > — Gil Cisneros, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Gil_Cisneros) **Eric Ching:** Supports school choice and parental rights Ching advocates for school choice, allowing parents to select the best schools for their children. He strongly opposes identity-based entrance policies or racially divisive materials in public school curricula, urging a focus on S.T.E.M. education. - Supports empowering parents through school choice programs. - Opposes identity-based entrance policies and divisive curriculum topics. - Urges schools to prioritize S.T.E.M. subjects and practical skills over political indoctrination. > “I support school choice, and I will empower parents to use their ability to decide which schools are best for their kids.” > — Eric Ching, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Eric_Ching) ### Gun policy Salience: medium Cisneros supports banning assault weapons and expanding background checks, while Ching pledges to defend Second Amendment gun ownership rights. **Gil Cisneros:** Supports strict gun control regulations As a Navy veteran, Cisneros argues military-style assault weapons have no place on public streets. He advocates for comprehensive federal gun safety measures, universal background checks, and mandatory safe storage regulations. - Co-sponsored and voted for the Bipartisan Background Checks Act (H.R. 8) in the 116th Congress. - Supports reinstituting a federal assault weapons ban and restricting high-capacity magazines. - Earned an 'F' rating from the NRA, which he publicly embraces. > “Gil is a staunch supporter of bringing back an assault weapons ban to protect the safety and well-being of our communities, particularly our school children.” > — Gil Cisneros, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Gil_Cisneros) **Eric Ching:** Supports Second Amendment rights Ching pledges to support and defend constitutional rights, explicitly including the right of citizens to keep and bear arms. - Pledges to defend constitutional Second Amendment protections against federal restrictions. > “I will support our rights to keep and bear arms.” > — Eric Ching, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Eric_Ching) ### Government integrity and ethics Salience: medium Cisneros focuses his reform platform on overturning Citizens United and rejecting corporate PAC money, while Ching emphasizes elected official term limits and compensation caps. **Gil Cisneros:** Supports campaign finance reform and transparency Cisneros campaigns heavily on anti-corruption reform, refusing donations from corporate PACs, Big Pharma, oil companies, and gun manufacturers. He supports overturning Citizens United and increasing dark-money disclosure. - Co-sponsored H.R. 1 (For the People Act) and voted Yea on the Epstein Files Transparency Act (H.R. 4405) in 2025. - Refuses campaign contributions from corporate special interests, Big Oil, Big Pharma, and gun manufacturers. - Supports a constitutional amendment to overturn Citizens United. > “Gil is fed up with corporate special interest money in our politics and will crack down on corruption in politics.” > — Gil Cisneros, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Gil_Cisneros) **Eric Ching:** Supports term limits and official transparency Ching emphasizes institutional integrity, government transparency, reasonable official compensation, and constitutional limits. He has signed term limit pledges for federal and state officials. - Signed the U.S. Term Limits candidate pledge. - Advocates capping compensation for government officials at reasonable levels. - Supports legislative transparency to ensure government operates strictly within constitutional boundaries. > “I will support laws which promote the highest transparency, integrity, and honesty in our government.” > — Eric Ching, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Eric_Ching) ### Healthcare and mental health Salience: medium Cisneros advocates for structural health system changes including a Medicare public option, whereas Ching focuses narrowly on mental health and substance abuse treatment centers. **Gil Cisneros:** Supports ACA expansion and public healthcare option Cisneros considers healthcare a fundamental right, advocating to protect and build upon the Affordable Care Act. Having managed the Defense Health System at the Pentagon, he supports creating a public Medicare buy-in option and empowering Medicare to negotiate drug prices. - Supports creating a public option allowing Americans to buy into Medicare. - Advocates direct federal price negotiations for prescription drugs across all federal health programs. - Pledges to defend ACA coverage protections against repeal efforts. > “Gil knows that healthcare is a fundamental right, not a privilege, and he will fight to expand coverage and reduce healthcare costs for all, working towards a public option that provides Americans with more choices and better care.” > — Gil Cisneros, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Gil_Cisneros) **Eric Ching:** Supports targeted mental health and addiction treatment Ching approaches health policy with a focus on mental health advocacy, particularly supporting treatment centers for individuals struggling with substance abuse and homelessness. - Advocates federal support for specialized treatment centers addressing substance abuse and mental illness. - Focuses on rehabilitation to help unhoused individuals return to stable lives. > “I will support legislation to encourage various treatment centers to help victims with substance abuse and to make sure that they are cared for properly to return back to their lives.” > — Eric Ching, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Eric_Ching) ### Veterans and national security Salience: medium Cisneros leverages his Navy and Pentagon leadership record to detail VA reform and alliance commitments, while Ching focuses generally on foreign economic threats. **Gil Cisneros:** Supports veteran services and international democratic alliances Drawing on his 10 years as a Navy officer and service as Under Secretary of Defense, Cisneros prioritizes VA healthcare funding, mental health outreach, and ending veteran homelessness. On foreign policy, he supports international alliances, NATO, and Ukrainian defense. - Assigned to the House Committee on Armed Services. - Advocates strong defense modernization, AI integration, and cyber capabilities. - Supports continued military and financial backing for Ukrainian democracy against Russian aggression. > “As a former United States Naval Officer Gil knows firsthand the sacrifices our men and women in uniform make to protect our freedom.” > — Gil Cisneros, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Gil_Cisneros) **Eric Ching:** Supports strong defense against foreign adversaries Ching identifies foreign relations as a passion, highlighting threats posed by foreign adversaries to the U.S. economy and national security. - Expresses interest in serving on the House Foreign Affairs Committee. - Emphasizes countering threats from foreign economic and state adversaries. > “The threats from foreign adversaries, including the U.S. economy will have an impact” > — Eric Ching, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Eric_Ching) ### Environment and climate change Salience: medium Cisneros presents an extensive clean-energy platform backed by major environmental groups, whereas Ching has no documented position on environmental policy in the provided sources. **Gil Cisneros:** Supports green infrastructure and clean energy transition Cisneros advocates aggressive action against climate change by investing in clean energy infrastructure, wind, and solar, while cracking down on gas price-gouging. He stresses a fair transition for fossil fuel workers that includes retraining and job security. - Endorsed by California Environmental Voters and Sierra Club (Angeles Chapter). - Supports national procurement standards like Buy Clean and Buy America for sustainable materials. - Refuses campaign contributions from Big Oil companies. > “Gil understands the need for urgent action to protect our communities from climate disasters and supports legislation that invests in infrastructure that supports clean energy, reduces greenhouse gas emissions, and ensures a sustainable future for our planet.” > — Gil Cisneros, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Gil_Cisneros) **Eric Ching:** No documented position in our sources ### LGBTQ+ equality Salience: medium Cisneros actively champions LGBTQ+ anti-discrimination legislation and trans military service, whereas Ching offers no documented stance on LGBTQ+ issues in the provided sources. **Gil Cisneros:** Supports federal anti-discrimination laws and trans rights Cisneros is a co-sponsor of the Equality Act and an active proponent of LGBTQ+ rights. At the Department of Defense, he expanded equity policies, removed barriers for transgender service members, and facilitated service record reviews for veterans discharged under 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell'. - Co-sponsored the Equality Act to ban discrimination in employment, housing, and public accommodations. - Issued Department of Defense policies allowing deployment of service members with HIV/AIDS and easing service access for transgender individuals. - Voted Nay on H.R. 28 regarding athletic participation restrictions. > “Gil is a fierce advocate for LGBTQ+ and trans rights, with a dedication to securing and expanding these rights.” > — Gil Cisneros, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Gil_Cisneros) **Eric Ching:** No documented position in our sources ### Animal welfare Salience: low Cisneros maintains an explicit platform on animal welfare and anti-poaching, while Ching has no documented position on the topic. **Gil Cisneros:** Supports animal protection laws and anti-poaching measures Cisneros supports legislation preventing animal cruelty, cracking down on commercial puppy mills, and eliminating non-therapeutic antibiotics in agriculture. He also supports international anti-poaching efforts. - Supports regulations restricting puppy mills and commercial breeding facilities. - Advocates restricting non-therapeutic antibiotic use in livestock. - Supports banning international wildlife trafficking to curtail terrorist financing. > “Promoting animal welfare and protecting them from abuse is a top priority for Gil.” > — Gil Cisneros, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Gil_Cisneros) **Eric Ching:** No documented position in our sources ## Polls and markets _Updated Oct 31._ - [Polymarket](https://polymarket.com/event/ca-31-house-election-winner) — CA-31 House Election Winner: Democrats 95.8%, Republicans 4.2% - [Kalshi](https://kalshi.com/events/KXHOUSERACE-CA31-26) — CA-31 House winner?: Gil Cisneros 96.0%, Eric Ching 3.5% [View this race on 2026election.com](https://www.2026election.com/race/2026-house-ca-31)