Bob Smith
Candidate for U.S. Representative, Congressional District 24
Bob Smith is a Republican. He is the party's candidate in California's 24th Congressional District. He is challenging Rep. Salud Carbajal, a Democrat. The general election is November 3, 2026. Carbajal is the incumbent. Smith's Ballotpedia candidate profile lays out his career. It says he served 26 years in the U.S. Navy. He rose from enlisted recruit to commissioned Surface Warfare Officer. He later became an Engineering Duty Officer. He retired as a Commander after multiple combat deployments. He holds a B.S. in General Engineering Technology from Old Dominion University. He earned an M.S. in Systems Engineering at the Naval Postgraduate School. That school is in Monterey, California. He now works as a Senior Engineering Fellow. His employer is a defense contractor based in Washington, D.C. The filing period ended June 30, 2025. As of then, his campaign committee reported $29,399 in receipts. It had $13,254 cash on hand. Carbajal reported $811,728 in receipts. He had over $3.1 million cash on hand. Multiple election forecasters rate the race as 'Solid/Safe Democratic' in their outlooks. This is Smith's first run for elected office. He has not held public office before. Home: California's 24th Congressional District (the Santa Barbara/Central Coast area). No specific home city is confirmed. Occupation: Senior Engineering Fellow for a Washington, D.C.-based defense contractor. Prior office: none. He is a challenger, in his first run for elected office.
On the issues
- Economy & Jobs
Supports attracting technology-sector jobs (space industry, AI, fusion energy) to the district and stopping the outflow of tech companies to other states.
Source → - Taxes & Cost of Living
Frames housing affordability and middle-class economic stability as a top priority, citing the erosion of home equity for the middle class in California, and supports government transparency/auditing of tax dollar spending.
Source → - Environment, Energy & Climate
Supports development of fusion energy as part of a broader push to attract advanced-technology jobs; no explicit position found on emissions/climate policy, oil and gas, renewables generally, or public lands.
Source → - Foreign Policy & Defense
Advocates a 'peace through strength' approach, arguing the U.S. military has fallen behind competitors and needs renewed technological superiority to deter conflict.
Source → - Government, Elections & Democracy
Supports term limits for members of Congress, proposing four-year terms in place of the current two-year House terms, and supports greater transparency/auditing of government spending.
Source →
Profiles are compiled from the candidate’s own statements and public records. We never tell you how to vote.