Democratic incumbent Ted Lieu and six challengers are running for California’s 36th congressional district, which encompasses UCLA and parts of West Los Angeles.

Voters will choose the top two candidates for District 36 during the June 2 California primary election. The top two candidates will then move on to the November general election – regardless of political party affiliation.

Lieu has represented in Congress for more than a decade. Marc Cevasco, who has been Lieu’s chief of staff and campaign manager throughout his tenure, said the campaign’s goal is getting Democrats from other districts into office rather than solely focusing on Lieu’s re-election.

“Ted’s main focus in this election cycle is Democrats taking back the House (of Representatives),” Cevasco said. “He believes it’s a really important check on the President that Democrats control the House next term, so it’s less about phone banking in Santa Monica.”

There are seven total candidates on the ballot for the District 36 primary. The race includes four Democrats, two Republicans and one candidate with no party preference.

Marianne Shamma, a nursing student at California State University, Northridge, is a Democrat running for Lieu’s seat. Shamma said she believes what Lieu says and what he does do not match up, which damages his credibility.

“He says a lot of cool stuff that everybody agrees with that we want to put into policy, but he does not follow through,” she said.

Shamma said, if elected, she would focus on government accountability and human rights protections.

Democrat Rustin Knudtson said he believes Lieu’s background as a mainstream Democrat makes him problematic. Democrat Frederick Reardon and unaffiliated candidate Claire Anderson said they are different from Lieu because they are not career politicians.

“I’m not running as a career politician,” Anderson said. “I’m running as someone who spent years listening to people who feel increasingly unheard.”

Anderson, a Santa Monica business owner, said she wants to address the homelessness crisis and affordability issues.

Reardon said in a written statement that his top priority in Congress would be addressing foreign conflicts.

Knudtson, who described himself as a Democratic socialist, has critiqued Lieu for receiving financial support from the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, a pro-Israel lobbying organization.

Republicans Melissa Toomim – Lieu’s opposition in the 2024 general election – and Houston Brignano did not respond to requests for an interview or comment.

Adam Peddie, the external vice president for Bruin Democrats, said he understands the Democratic candidates’ decisions to run against Lieu if they are frustrated with his performance in Congress. However, he added that he believes Lieu’s leadership experience makes him a strong candidate.

Candidates in this race should push for affordability, a key issue for young voters, Peddie added. Cevasco said Lieu’s platform includes affordability, as well as caring for the environment, supporting women’s bodily autonomy and voting rights.

“He’s been a strong advocate for a lot of very important issues – when it comes to, especially, AI, Veterans Affairs, the environment,” said Peddie, a third-year history student.

Anderson said she believes affordability is a key issue, and Shamma said there is an ongoing war against the working class.

“The homelessness issue has gone on forever. Affordability has gone on forever,” Anderson said. “It seems like we have problems that aren’t getting fixed, even though we throw a lot of money at them. And there may be good intentions, but good intentions aren’t enough.”

Cevasco said UCLA students are impacted by unaffordable housing, college debt and expensive healthcare, which he believes Lieu would address.

“If you want to send somebody to Washington who is going to be relentlessly working for you, Ted Lieu is your guy,” he said. “I would challenge anybody to find a harder-working member of Congress.”

Shamma said she would fight for loan forgiveness and free education to combat affordability issues faced by college students.

Peddie said UCLA students should read about the candidates’ platforms as they decide how to cast their vote. He added that voters should research the organizations and politicians that have endorsed the candidates.

“I always thought the most important little tab on their websites was always the policies,” Peddie said. “I’ve grown to now believe that a lot more it’s the endorsements. Somebody can talk the talk, but a lot of the elected officials across the country will know whether or not you’re going to walk the walk.”