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Candidates › CA-37 race › 2025–2026
Samantha Mota
D Democratic nominee for U.S. House, CA-37
Has not served in Congress
- On the ballot
- On the general election ballotNov 3, 2026 · California US House 37
- Where to vote
- Find your polling place (opens in a new tab) · More ways to vote
- Top priorities
- ACTIVIST, ADVOCATE, AND ORGANIZER
- Universal Healthcare
- Families
- Housing for All
- Democracy Reform
- Money
- $12.6K raised, $12.3K spent, $328 cash on hand (through Oct 14, 2026). Where it comes from
- Who gives
- 70% of individual money from donors at $200 or less
11 priorities from motaforcongress.com, in the order they are listed there. Every heading and the text under it is copied exactly, as one passage for each page it is from, and links to that place on the page; hover a source to see which passage it opens.
Many of us are denied a basic standard of living. We live paycheck to paycheck, can barely afford housing, food, and other necessities to thrive. It's not just us as individuals, but us as communities and neighborhoods that aren't able to meet their basic and essential needs sustainably.
We have a right to a life that uplifts and empowers all.
There are programs and fund to ensure and promise the American people a guaranteed stable income. As well as a future where our communities and neighborhoods can prosper. That is why I will work to:
- Support Raise the Wage Act
- Champion the Social Security Expansion Bill
- Expand the Earned Income Tax Credit
- Raise Corporate Tax Rates
- Co-sponsor New Producer Economic Security Act
source ↗ (opens the page at this passage) · motaforcongress.com/issues/expand-social-security
Heading as listed on motaforcongress.com ↗ (opens motaforcongress.com at this heading)
Our communities and neighborhoods have remained underrepresented, underserved, and neglected by leaders who haven't advised for the enhancements of our neighborhoods: lack of quality infrastructure, transportation, and community focused programs that serve their constituents.
Our communities, neighborhoods, and we as a people deserve better.
As your congresswoman, I will be a voice for the needs and issues within communities to improve the well-being and quality of life for all. More importantly, I'll advocate for direct federal funding for community-based projects, initiatives, and programs to enhance community development and resilience. Some funds would be utilized for:
- Expand Community Project Funding and Congressionally Directed Spending
- Increase funding for Disaster Recovery and Special Initiatives
- Improve Investments in Local Economies
- Modernize Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and Indian CDBG (ICDBG) programs
- Revamp the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA)
- Support the Sarah Debbink Langenkemp Active Transportation Safety Act
- Strengthen PROTECT Program
source ↗ (opens the page at this passage) · motaforcongress.com/issues/issue-1
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The legal framework for immigration hasn't changed since 1990. Prejudice has has instilled fear, created fragmented families, and harmed local communities.
But, fear no more. ↗ (opens motaforcongress.com/issues/immigration-reform at this heading)
In order to provide protections for vulnerable individuals and their families, and to allow undocumented persons to integrate as full participants in American Life and Society, I will champion for:
- Dismantle ICE and end for-profit detention
- Adopt policies that address causes of migration
- Amendment of immigration detention system
- Evaluate and Revise enforcement strategies
- Ensure humane treatment
- Prioritize community-based alternatives (ATDS)
- Promote access to asylum and due process
source ↗ (opens the page at this passage) · motaforcongress.com/issues/immigration-reform
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Due to politics and the influence of the insurance industry, pharmaceutical companies and powerful interests, the U.S. remains THE ONLY major industrialized country without a National Health Insurance (NHI) system. Our current system is heavily flawed, subsidized, and constantly threatened by folks who don't believe healthcare is a right. If that isn't enough, the U.S. spends more money on health care than any other nation.
It's beyond time to address the issue and improve this system that has received major setbacks.
As your congresswomen, I will rekindle reform to re-energize efforts in the health care system that have yet to be achieved. Our current Representatives lack a comprehensive and strong governmental presence that define health care, sets standards, and ensure equity. To renew the efforts of universal health care, we will fight for:
- Medicare for All
- Affordable and Equitable Coverage
- All-Inclusive: Dental, vision, preventative and mental care
- Comprehensive benefits
- Drug Price Negotiation
- Subsidize medical and nursing school tuition to assist underserved areas
- Repeal Medicaid and ACA Subsidy cuts
source ↗ (opens the page at this passage) · motaforcongress.com/issues/universal-healthcare
The U.S. provides 12 weeks of unpaid job-protected leave to qualifying workers. However, less than 2/3 of the workforce are eligible due to strict eligibility requirements. The U.S. is part of a handful of countries without a national Paid Family Leave (PFL) policy.
This issue hasn't been at the forefront of federal policy agenda, but it should be.
As a mother to a young daughter, I know the burden and guilt of having to return to work months afters birth, especially going through postpartum depression, separation anxiety, and mom guilt. It is about time to:
- Legislate a National Paid Family Leave (PFL) Policy
- Ensure equitable access to mothers and fathers
- Protected Pay Leave
- Provisions of Paid Leave Up to A Year
- Champion for a $5k expansion to Child Tax Credits
- Co-sponsor the Child Care Availability and Affordability Act
- Expand Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG)
- Increase funding for the Child Care Development Fund (CCDF)
- Reform the Head Start Program
source ↗ (opens the page at this passage) · motaforcongress.com/issues/expand-and-reform-family-and-medical-leave-act
Heading as listed on motaforcongress.com ↗ (opens motaforcongress.com at this heading) · “ACTIVIST, ADVOCATE, AND ORGANIZER” on motaforcongress.com ↗ (opens motaforcongress.com at this heading)
Across the US, housing shortage has caused home prices and rents to soar; this impacts students, low-income renters, and young families. Due to zoning, corporate and luxury development, private equity, etc., truly inclusive affordable housing isn't being built.
We can ELIMINATE government regulations, zoning restrictions, and red tape
Housing is a right, yet it's treated like a commodity. Congress and policymakers have the power, control, and influence to ensure barriers are broken to unlock housing production and adequate funding. As your next representative, I will support initiatives like:
- Co-sponsor Homes for All Act
- Increase Funding for HUD Public Housing Program
- Implement the Neighborhood Homes Tax Credit
- Federal Funding for Zoning Reform
- Enforce Affirmatively Further Fair Housing (AFFH)
- Expand Housing Voucher Programs
- Strengthen the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC)
- Support the Green New Deal for Public Housing Act
source ↗ (opens the page at this passage) · motaforcongress.com/issues/housing-for-all
Our most basic institutes like the Electoral college and Congress were created in the 18th century, when only adult males were able to vote, work, and participate in basic civil liberties. It was anything but democratic and still is. It remains aristocratic and hierarchical, tied together by personal influence on people of wealth and power. But, through reinvention and reform, democracy can be repaired.
Democracy must be strengthened. ↗ (opens motaforcongress.com/issues/DemocracyReform at this heading)
How? By achieving a system in which all Americans can advocate for themselves, their communities, and neighborhoods through the political process. In order to reinforce and reform the democratic system, I will:
- Support the Ban Congressional Stock Trading Act
- Co-sponsor Ranked Choice Voting Act
- Campaign Finance Reform
- Champion the For the People Act
- Impose Term Limits
- Lower Voting Age
- Overturn Citizens United
source ↗ (opens the page at this passage) · motaforcongress.com/issues/DemocracyReform
Heading as listed on motaforcongress.com/issues ↗ (opens motaforcongress.com/issues at this heading)
With rising tuition costs, student loans has become one of the largest consumer borrowing in this country. Student debt grows as more attend college because tuition costs continue to rise faster than income. And, weak job markets leave worry of lingering debt on graduates.
In other countries, higher education is free or heavily subsidized.
Yet, funding for public universities and college were pulled in the U.S. during the 2008 financial crisis. Because of this, many of us must choose between higher education and crippling debt. As your next servant, I promise to:
- Champion the College for All Act
- Tuition cap for private universities
- Limit student loan borrowing
- Partial loan forgiveness
source ↗ (opens the page at this passage) · motaforcongress.com/issues/student-loan-forgiveness-and-tuition-costs
Heading as listed on motaforcongress.com/issues ↗ (opens motaforcongress.com/issues at this heading)
To this day, federal education laws and programs continue to allow and enable discrimination against students. Education is a power reserved under the 10th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, yet federal policy and funding remain outdated compared to the advancements of States. Laws set in place need improvement to address systemic barriers to ensure all students regardless of background or socioeconomic situations have access to high-quality learning.
From early childhood to adulthood, education is a right.
It is important to transform learning and empower our students and teachers by:
- Co-sponsoring the IDEA Full Funding Act and Keep Our PACT Act
- Implementing Universal School Meal Programs
- Investing in School Safety
- Supporting the PREP Act
- Strengthening Title I and Career & Technical Education (CTE)
- Opposing All School Vouchers
source ↗ (opens the page at this passage) · motaforcongress.com/issues/issue-2
Heading as listed on motaforcongress.com/issues ↗ (opens motaforcongress.com/issues at this heading)
The 37th district has always been plagued by environmental injustice. It's not surprising. This marginalized district remains disproportionately exposed to hazards and lack of adequate environmental protection and benefits. Unfortunately, it has led to limited access to green space and inequitable approach to environmental decision-making processes. We cannot continue to allow our local and federal Representatives undermine our communities and neighborhoods and perpetuate discrimination through injustice: water crisis', respiratory illness, reproductive problems, etc.
I'm no stranger to advocating for environmental policies.
In Santa Monica, I advocated for the amendment of AB 551 to expand green space, increase community hubs, and to build a sustainable future for generation to come. As a matter of fact, through my activism, I helped increase the green spaces within the underrepresented neighborhood of Pico in Santa Monica before commercial and residential development engulfed public and private lands. To this day, I advocate for the environmental stewardship of public lands because it's OUR LAND. IT BELONGS TO THE PEOPLE!
Sam and Santa Monica workers and community members at the start of construction to the 19th Street community garden in the Pico Neighborhood of Santa MonicaAs your representative, I will continue to be a beacon for environmental justice through fair and meaningful involvement and to ensure the marginalized communities we grew up in receive adequate resources and representation. If elected, I will:
- Promote the Green New Deal
- Support Restoring WIFIA Eligibility Act
- Address environmental racism
- Increase green space
source ↗ (opens the page at this passage) · motaforcongress.com/issues/EnvironmentalJustice
Heading as listed on motaforcongress.com/issues ↗ (opens motaforcongress.com/issues at this heading)
Small and underserved businesses face unique challenges like financial, regulatory, and cultural barriers that need to be addressed. Changes in the economy and technology over the past decade has changed the way capital providers serve the small business community. This largely impacts members of underserved communities, tribal members, women, and people of color.
The mission: promote economic success
As your next representative, I will pass legislation that will help the small business community and economy flourish. Some objectives are:
- Pass the Credit Card Competition Act
- Break the Visa-Mastercard duopoly
- Lower fees
- Expand Small Business Tax Deduction to 23%
- Co-sponsor the PROVE IT Act
- Exempt American-owned small businesses from BOI filing
- Lower tax rate for small C-corporations
source ↗ (opens the page at this passage) · motaforcongress.com/issues/small-businesses
The United States is the only nation with over 750 military bases in 80 different countries, which has led to cruel and lethal foreign policy. In fact, since 1945 the U.S. has attempted to overthrow more than 50 foreign governments resulting in the uprooting of communities and the massacre of many. Additionally, the military bases around the world have wreaked havoc on the health and well-being of neighborhoods and communities, including children due to dumping and the burial of untreated toxic waste.
Yet, the government refuses to take accountability.
As a result, foreign policy has reprimanded our own civil liberties by eroding freedom and privacy. Because of this, I will advocate and bring forth legislation that prohibits warrantless surveillance of citizens and holds federal officials accountable for violating the law. Some of the first policies I will co-sponsor are:
- The American Privacy Restoration Act
- The Fourth Amendment Restoration Act
- Repeal the Foreign Surveillance Act (FISA)
- The Protect Liberty and End Warrantless Surveillance Act
- Rescind the Authorization for Use of Force (AUMF)
- Revoke the Logan Act
- Repeal Trump Tariffs
- Protect Our Civil Liberties Act
- End Foreign Aid + total arms embargo
- Enforce Leahy Law and Foreign Assistance Act
source ↗ (opens the page at this passage) · motaforcongress.com/issues/ForeignPolicy
Americans deserve to live in dignity and security after working nearly their entire lives. The 2026 Social Security Trustees Report shows the Social Security retirement trust fund depleted by 2032. This means policymakers can continue to do nothing and ensure benefits are reduced.
Or, they can protect the benefits workers and families have earned.
As your next member of Congress, I vouch to address the lack of the Social Security Trust Funds by:
- Championing for the Pensions for All Act
- Co-sponsoring the PROMISE Act of 2026
- Expanding the Saver's Match
source ↗ (opens the page at this passage) · motaforcongress.com/issues/retirement