Juan VargasIncumbent
Candidate for U.S. Representative, Congressional District 52
Juan Vargas is the Democratic U.S. Representative for California's 52nd District. He is the incumbent. The district covers the San Diego area, near Chula Vista. He earned a degree from the University of San Diego. It covered political science. He earned a humanities degree too. That is from Fordham University. He earned a law degree from Harvard Law School. He worked as an attorney. Vargas began in politics on the San Diego City Council. He then served in the state Assembly. That ran from 2000 to 2006, District 79. He served in the state Senate too. That ran from 2010 to 2013, District 40. He won the U.S. House in 2012. He held California's 51st District from 2013 to 2023. After redistricting, he moved seats. He has held the renumbered 52nd District since 2023. He now seeks re-election. That vote is November 3, 2026. Home: Chula Vista/San Diego area, California. Occupation: U.S. Representative, incumbent; attorney by training. Prior office: incumbent since 2023, CA-52. He held CA-51 before that, from 2013 to 2023. He earlier served in the state Senate, 2010-2013. He also served in the state Assembly, 2000-2006.
On the issues
- Economy & Jobs
Supports policies for good-paying jobs and opposed the Trump administration's tariffs, arguing they raised costs for families and exceeded presidential authority.
Source → - Taxes & Cost of Living
Opposed a 2026 House Republican budget bill, criticizing it for delivering large tax breaks to wealthy individuals and corporations while cutting health programs.
Source → - Health & Health Care
Opposes Republican budget/spending proposals that he says would cut health care coverage for millions, and supports protecting Medicare.
Source → - Immigration & Border
Supports comprehensive immigration reform and describes immigrants as strengthening communities and the economy; voted against a 2026 Republican budget bill that included roughly $70 billion in additional ICE funding.
Source → - Reproductive & Social Issues
Supports abortion rights and criticized the Supreme Court's Dobbs decision overturning Roe v. Wade; also states support for LGBTQ+ equality and civil rights.
Source → - Education & Schools
States general support for expanding educational opportunities for all children.
Source → - Public Safety & Policing
Supports federal gun-safety measures, including reinstating an assault weapons ban, raising the purchase age for semi-automatic rifles to 21, and banning bump stocks, and voted for the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act.
Source → - Environment, Energy & Climate
Supports action on climate change, citing increased wildfires and flooding, and has worked on stopping cross-border sewage pollution in the Tijuana River Valley; campaign materials also mention support for solar and green power.
Source → - Foreign Policy & Defense
In March 2026, Vargas was one of only four House Democrats to vote against a war powers resolution that would have required Congressional authorization to continue U.S. military operations related to Iran; he also states general support for protecting veterans' benefits.
Source →
Profiles are compiled from the candidate’s own statements and public records. We never tell you how to vote.