Mike Cargile
Candidate for U.S. Representative, Congressional District 35
Mike Cargile is the Republican nominee. He is running for California's 35th District. His opponent is Norma Torres, the Democratic incumbent. The election is in 2026. He won about 40.4% of the June primary. Cargile has run for this seat before. He tried in 2020. He also tried in 2022 and 2024. He has never held elected office. He was born in Killeen, Texas. That is near Fort Hood. He served as an Army officer. That was from 1990 to 1991. He has a business degree. It is from Columbus State University. He moved to Southern California in 1991. He works as a filmmaker. He is president of Big Event Pictures. His campaign also cites community work. He was a school crossing guard. He also coached youth sports. As of mid-May 2026, he had raised about $4,500. This is far less than the incumbent has raised. Home: Southern California. His district is CA-35. It includes Pomona, Chino, and Chino Hills. It also includes Upland, Montclair, and Ontario. Eastvale, Rancho Cucamonga, and Fontana are included too. His exact home city is unconfirmed. Occupation: filmmaker. He leads Big Event Pictures. Prior office: none held. This is his fourth run for this seat. He also ran in 2020, 2022, and 2024.
On the issues
- Economy & Jobs
Supports lower taxes, fewer fees, and reduced business regulation to encourage job growth and stem business departures from California, and has opposed California's AB5 gig-worker classification law.
Source → - Taxes & Cost of Living
Favors reducing taxes, fees, and government spending/regulation as the primary approach to affordability and economic competitiveness.
Source → - Health & Health Care
Favors free-market, competition-based health care reform over government-run or government-mandated coverage, and does not describe health care as a government-guaranteed right.
Source → - Immigration & Border
Supports completing a border wall first, then a one-time, time-limited expedited citizenship pathway (his self-branded "Cargile Plan") for undocumented immigrants who were present in the U.S. before 2016 and meet certain criteria.
Source → - Reproductive & Social Issues
Opposes abortion, supporting "heartbeat bill"-style protections beginning at conception and opposing public funding for abortion, while calling for adoption-system reform; no public position found on LGBTQ rights or religious liberty specifically.
Source → - Education & Schools
Supports expanding school choice (charter, private, and homeschool options) and vocational training, and opposes what he describes as ideological content in public school curricula; no specific federal position found on student debt or pre-K.
Source → - Public Safety & Policing
Holds an absolutist view of the Second Amendment and opposes gun-control restrictions.
Source → - Criminal Justice & Courts
Opposes defunding police and advocates increasing funding, training, and hiring for law enforcement, including support for school resource officers; no specific position found on federal sentencing/bail reform or drug policy.
Source → - Environment, Energy & Climate
Expresses skepticism toward wind and solar mandates and electric vehicles, and promotes hydrogen fuel cells and nuclear power as preferred energy alternatives.
Source → - Government, Elections & Democracy
Considers election integrity his top priority and calls for comprehensive, transparent audits of election processes; no specific position found on campaign finance reform.
Source →
Profiles are compiled from the candidate’s own statements and public records. We never tell you how to vote.