Josh Sautter

Josh Sautter (Democratic Party) ran for election to the U.S. House to represent California's 32nd Congressional District. He lost in the primary on June 2, 2026.

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I am not a Washington insider. I am a neighbor, a husband, a father, a fighter, and a community organizer who was compelled to run because I believe public service is about showing up, listening, and being accountable to the people you represent.

I am part of a new generation of leaders challenging the entrenched political status quo with fresh ideas and real solutions. I am a twice elected member of the Encino Neighborhood Council, where I have served as President and Vice President, and I am an elected delegate to the California Democratic Party.

As a community leader in the San Fernando Valley, I helped secure $22 million for improvements to the Sepulveda Basin, organized neighborhood public safety efforts, and worked to strengthen local quality of life. During Los Angeles wildfires, I helped neighbors evacuate, stayed connected with displaced families, and supported recovery efforts so people could return home safely.

I have marched to defend civil rights and stood in solidarity with working people. I am a strong advocate for climate resilience and have organized food drives and relief efforts for families in crisis.

I believe affordability is not only housing and jobs. It is also access to public goods like parks, pools, and libraries. Families deserve free, safe places to gather and enjoy nature.

I am running to deliver real, original change, protect seniors, and defend American democracy.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

Affordability is the most important issue in California’s 32nd Congressional District, and it is my number one priority. I’m running to rebuild a middle class life by lowering the cost of groceries, housing, childcare, and healthcare, including removing Trump era tariffs that raise prices for families. Having a family should not be unaffordable.

I will crack down on corporate price gouging, bring down utility and energy costs, and cap out of pocket costs for prescriptions and care. I will fight for universal childcare, paid family leave, and better jobs with strong worker protections. Affordability also means access to vital public resources like parks, libraries, and pools.Washington has been poisoned by corruption, special interest money, and insider games that protect incumbents and block real change. We need to overhaul the rules so government works for people again. That is why I will fight to stop wealthy donors and special interests from dominating our democracy.

I support banning members of Congress and their immediate families from trading individual stocks, requiring full transparency on dark money spending, and strengthening and updating the Voting Rights Act. I will also help lead the effort to overturn Citizens United so corporations cannot drown out the voices of voters.My plan is to restore safety and security. Ordinary Americans should not fear lawless out-of-control federal enforcement, including masked agents operating without transparency or accountability. At the same time, wildfires and break-ins threaten our neighborhoods, and Republicans are gutting funding for fire prevention and proven safety net programs while increasing funding for ICE. My plan focuses on building personal and economic security for everyone. I support cutting ICE funding, banning masks during operations, requiring body cameras, and enforcing real accountability. I will restore funding for effective crime prevention, invest in after-school programs to reduce juvenile crime and violence, and protect Social Security and Medicare.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I’m personally passionate about civic engagement, neighborhood development, and community rooted public safety. I believe civic engagement is our single biggest defense against authoritarianism, because strong neighborhoods protect one another and demand accountability. What we’ve seen on the streets of Minnesota and here in Los Angeles is that ordinary people and small businesses often know what is right and wrong before institutions do. Community organizers, working alongside local leaders and law enforcement, can keep neighborhoods safe and prevent chaos from taking hold. I’m also passionate about fire prevention and climate resilience, including brush clearance and protecting parks so natural disasters do not become human catastrophes.