--- title: "Kamlager-Dove vs. Mota: 2026 California’s 37th District race" url: "https://www.2026election.com/race/2026-house-ca-37" updated: "2026-08-01" source: "Candidates' campaign sites and Ballotpedia, quoted verbatim" publisher: "Pluribus" --- # 2026 California’s 37th District race: Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D) vs. Samantha Mota (D) Rating: Safe D · Election: November 3, 2026 · Ballot checked: October 9, 2026 · Positions captured: August 1, 2026 California's 37th Congressional District 2026 general election features an all-Democratic matchup between incumbent Representative Sydney Kamlager-Dove and challenger Samantha Mota after both advanced from the June 2 top-two primary. The district was impacted by mid-decade redistricting following California voters' approval of Proposition 50 in 2025. ## Candidates - **Sydney Kamlager-Dove** (Democrat, incumbent) · [Campaign site](https://kamlager-dove.house.gov) · [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Sydney_Kamlager-Dove) - **Samantha Mota** (Democrat) ## Issues ### Immigration & Border Security Salience: high Kamlager-Dove relies on her legislative record of opposing GOP border bills and introducing ICE oversight legislation, while Mota names immigration reform as a core motivation for her grassroots campaign. **Sydney Kamlager-Dove:** Opposes restrictive border bills, seeks ICE oversight Kamlager-Dove opposes Republican border enforcement measures and advocates for oversight and humane treatment in detention facilities. She introduced the Stop ICE's Medical Neglect Act of 2026 to create standardized medical reporting and investigation protocols in ICE detention centers. - Introduced Stop ICE's Medical Neglect Act of 2026 to establish standardized reporting and mandatory investigation of medical neglect in ICE detention facilities. - Demanded proper medical care for ICE-detained constituent Carlitos Ricardo Parias on the House floor. - Voted NAY on the SAVE Act (H.R. 22), Laken Riley Act (S. 5), Secure the Border Act (H.R. 2), and the DUI deportation bill (H.R. 875). > “Today, Rep. Sydney Kamlager-Dove (CA-37) held a press conference to announce the upcoming introduction of her Stop ICE’s Medical Neglect Act of 2026, legislation that creates a standardized system to report medical neglect in ICE detention facilities, requires each complaint to be investigated, and ensures adequate follow-up care.” > — Sydney Kamlager-Dove, via [Campaign site](https://kamlager-dove.house.gov) **Samantha Mota:** Supports immigration reform Mota identifies immigration reform as one of her core policy priorities to help rebuild trust and heal communities that feel abandoned. - Lists immigration reform among her primary public policy passions in her Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. > “The areas of public policy that I am passionate about are immigration reform, universal health care, Family Leave, and economic stability to heal the betrayal that have left our communities, neighborhoods, and nation abandoned and broken.” > — Samantha Mota, via Ballotpedia ### Healthcare Salience: high Both candidates endorse universal healthcare access, with Kamlager-Dove pointing to federal advocacy and Mota framing it as a necessity for abandoned communities. **Sydney Kamlager-Dove:** Supports universal healthcare access Kamlager-Dove supports healthcare expansion, listing 'Health care for all' among her core priorities on her campaign platform. - Lists 'Health care for all' as a key campaign focus area. - Supported funding for community healthcare and recovery projects in Los Angeles. > “WHAT SYDNEY IS FOCUSED ON: ... Health care for all” > — Sydney Kamlager-Dove, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Sydney_Kamlager-Dove) **Samantha Mota:** Supports universal healthcare Mota champions universal healthcare as a primary policy passion to address healthcare inequalities in working-class neighborhoods. - Highlights universal healthcare as a top priority in her candidate survey. > “The areas of public policy that I am passionate about are immigration reform, universal health care, Family Leave, and economic stability to heal the betrayal that have left our communities, neighborhoods, and nation abandoned and broken.” > — Samantha Mota, via Ballotpedia ### Economy & Jobs Salience: high Kamlager-Dove emphasizes federal earmarks and job creation initiatives, while Mota views economic stability through the lens of community restoration and anti-corruption. **Sydney Kamlager-Dove:** Supports economic justice and job creation Kamlager-Dove focuses on creating local job opportunities and securing federal investments for small businesses, workforce development, and infrastructure in Los Angeles. - Secured federal community funding for a Technology and Entrepreneurship Center and local revitalization projects. - Voted YEA on the GENIUS Act (S. 1582) to establish a regulatory framework for payment stablecoins. - Voted NAY on the Republican reconciliation bill (H.R. 1) and Limit, Save, Grow Act (H.R. 2811). > “These investments in our Los Angeles community create jobs with better pay, make us safer, and strengthen our communities” > — Sydney Kamlager-Dove, via [Campaign site](https://kamlager-dove.house.gov) **Samantha Mota:** Supports economic stability and community investment Mota emphasizes economic stability to heal marginalized communities and overcome political neglect. - Identifies economic stability as a essential public policy passion to restore neglected neighborhoods. > “The areas of public policy that I am passionate about are immigration reform, universal health care, Family Leave, and economic stability to heal the betrayal that have left our communities, neighborhoods, and nation abandoned and broken.” > — Samantha Mota, via Ballotpedia ### Government Reform & Voting Rights Salience: medium Kamlager-Dove focuses on voting rights expansion and Congressional oversight votes, whereas Mota presents her campaign as an anti-corruption challenge against incumbent political structures. **Sydney Kamlager-Dove:** Supports expanding voting rights and federal transparency Kamlager-Dove advocates expanding voting rights and increasing government transparency, voting for sunshine legislation and against strict voting restriction bills. - Voted NAY on the SAVE Act (H.R. 22) requiring documentary proof of citizenship to register to vote. - Voted YEA on the Epstein Files Transparency Act (H.R. 4405) requiring DOJ to publish unclassified investigative records. > “WHAT SYDNEY IS FOCUSED ON: ... Expanding voting rights” > — Sydney Kamlager-Dove, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Sydney_Kamlager-Dove) **Samantha Mota:** Supports campaign transparency and anti-corruption reform Mota centers her campaign on political accountability, seeking to increase public participation, foster trust, and eliminate corruption. - Pledges a grassroots, transparent campaign to break political barriers and increase civic trust. > “I will break barriers built by those meant to lead, not bar, and build bridges into politics to increase participation, foster trust, and reduce corruption and abuse of power.” > — Samantha Mota, via Ballotpedia ### Housing & Homelessness Salience: medium **Sydney Kamlager-Dove:** Supports federal housing and homelessness investments Kamlager-Dove prioritizes innovative housing solutions, securing federal community project funding for permanent supportive housing, youth housing, and homeless relief across CA-37. - Secured federal project funding for the Inside Safe Program, Jubilo Village Affordable Housing, Butterfly's Haven Youth Housing, and Prentice Permanent Supportive Housing. - Introduced bipartisan legislation to eliminate higher education barriers for homeless and foster youth. > “WHAT SYDNEY IS FOCUSED ON: ... Innovative investment in housing” > — Sydney Kamlager-Dove, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Sydney_Kamlager-Dove) **Samantha Mota:** No documented position in our sources ### Criminal Justice & Public Safety Salience: medium **Sydney Kamlager-Dove:** Supports diversion, rehabilitation, and bail reform Kamlager-Dove advocates criminal justice reform rooted in diversion, rehabilitation, and crime prevention, backing community-based violence intervention programs. - Supported California Proposition 25 (2020) to replace cash bail with risk assessments. - Secured community funding for anti-recidivism programs, crime reduction advocacy for transition-age youth, and community healing initiatives. > “WHAT SYDNEY IS FOCUSED ON: ... Criminal justice reform focused on diversion, redemption, and rehabilitation” > — Sydney Kamlager-Dove, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Sydney_Kamlager-Dove) **Samantha Mota:** No documented position in our sources ### Environment & Energy Salience: medium **Sydney Kamlager-Dove:** Supports Green New Deal and climate action Kamlager-Dove advocates bold climate legislation, green transit, and urban environmental resiliency projects, earning endorsements from major environmental organizations. - Endorsed a Green New Deal and immediate climate action on her platform. - Voted NAY on the Lower Energy Costs Act (H.R. 1). - Endorsed by California Environmental Voters and the Sierra Club Angeles Chapter. > “WHAT SYDNEY IS FOCUSED ON: ... A Green New Deal and immediate climate action” > — Sydney Kamlager-Dove, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Sydney_Kamlager-Dove) **Samantha Mota:** No documented position in our sources ### Education Salience: low **Sydney Kamlager-Dove:** Supports education funding and vulnerable student access Kamlager-Dove prioritizes educational investments, student support services, and removing institutional obstacles for homeless and foster youth. - Co-introduced legislation to break down higher education barriers for homeless and foster youth. - Voted NAY on the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act (H.R. 28). - Endorsed by the California Teachers Association. > “WHAT SYDNEY IS FOCUSED ON: ... Investments in education and the arts” > — Sydney Kamlager-Dove, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Sydney_Kamlager-Dove) **Samantha Mota:** No documented position in our sources ### Family Leave Salience: low **Sydney Kamlager-Dove:** No documented position in our sources **Samantha Mota:** Supports expanding Family Leave Mota highlights Family Leave as a vital policy commitment to support working families and overcome economic hardship. - Identifies Family Leave as a top policy passion in her candidate survey. > “The areas of public policy that I am passionate about are immigration reform, universal health care, Family Leave, and economic stability to heal the betrayal that have left our communities, neighborhoods, and nation abandoned and broken.” > — Samantha Mota, via Ballotpedia ### Abortion & Reproductive Rights Salience: low **Sydney Kamlager-Dove:** Supports reproductive justice and abortion access Kamlager-Dove lists reproductive justice as a core focus of her congressional service and receives backing from reproductive health groups. - Lists reproductive justice among her primary campaign themes. - Consistently scored 100% on legislative scorecards from Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California during her tenure. > “WHAT SYDNEY IS FOCUSED ON: ... Reproductive justice” > — Sydney Kamlager-Dove, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Sydney_Kamlager-Dove) **Samantha Mota:** No documented position in our sources ## Polls and markets _Updated Oct 31._ - [Polymarket](https://polymarket.com/event/ca-37-house-election-winner) — CA-37 House Election Winner: Democrats 96.4%, Republicans 2.7% - [Kalshi](https://kalshi.com/events/KXCAELECTION-2637) — CA-37 House winner?: Sydney Kamlager-Dove 98.0%, Samantha Mota 4.0% [View this race on 2026election.com](https://www.2026election.com/race/2026-house-ca-37)