Chris Duncan
Candidate for State Senate District 36
Chris Duncan is the Democratic candidate for California State Senate District 36. The election is November 3, 2026. He faces Republican incumbent Tony Strickland. Ballotpedia calls this a rematch. The two ran against each other before. Duncan was born in Oakland, California. He calls himself a third-generation Californian. He earned a bachelor's degree from Boston College in 1997. He earned a law degree in 2000. It is from the William S. Richardson School of Law, at the University of Hawaii at Manoa. He earned an LL.M. in 2002. It is from Georgetown University Law Center. Duncan spent more than 16 years as a senior attorney. He worked for U.S. Customs and Border Protection. That agency is part of the Department of Homeland Security. He worked as a federal prosecutor. He also served as a special assistant U.S. attorney. He served under both Democratic and Republican administrations. He has also owned a business. He served on the San Clemente City Council before. He was also Mayor of San Clemente. He lives in San Clemente, California. His campaign says he has kids in public schools. Home: San Clemente, California. Occupation: Attorney. He was a senior attorney and federal prosecutor for U.S. Customs and Border Protection. He is also a business owner. Prior office: Former San Clemente City Councilmember and Mayor of San Clemente. He is not the incumbent here. The incumbent is Republican Tony Strickland.
On the issues
- Economy & Jobs
Supports cutting regulatory burdens on small businesses and expanding local-hire workforce training programs.
Source → - Taxes & Cost of Living
Lists 'low taxes' as a general campaign priority, without detailed proposals on specific tax policy.
Source → - Housing & Homelessness
Cites housing and homelessness as a personal priority and supports affordable housing and smart growth, without detailed policy specifics found.
Source → - Public Safety & Policing
Supports fully funding police departments while also enacting tougher gun safety laws.
Source → - Criminal Justice & Courts
Emphasizes his record as a former federal prosecutor and pledges to 'close loopholes that let criminals walk free.'
Source → - Reproductive & Social Issues
Supports abortion access/reproductive rights and has received LGBTQ-rights-related endorsements.
Source → - Education & Schools
Supports fully funding K-12 education, reducing tuition at public universities, and directing school funds to classrooms rather than administrative bureaucracy.
Source → - Environment, Energy & Climate
Supports clean energy investment, citing his record as mayor, and has been endorsed by the Sierra Club Angeles Chapter.
Source → - Water & Natural Resources
Lists coastal protection as a campaign priority, without detailed water-supply or groundwater policy found.
Source → - Government, Elections & Democracy
Emphasizes government transparency, ethics, and accountability as core values for elected officials.
Source →
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