Ken Vaz

Ken Vaz earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Washington, Seattle. Vaz's career experience includes working as an engineer.[1]

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I’m Ken Vaz, a University of Washington graduate, tech worker, and entrepreneur running for Congress in Washington’s 4th District.

I was born and raised in America, and I take great pride in the country that gave me the opportunity to build my life and career. I moved to Washington to attend UW and stayed here to work in the technology industry, including at companies such as Nordstrom, Salesforce, Amazon, and Tableau. That experience taught me the importance of innovation, hard work, accountability, and practical problem-solving.

I’m running because Washington, D.C. needs more practical, results-focused leadership. Families are facing rising costs, workers are worried about the future, and too many people feel government is disconnected from their everyday lives. As a fiscally conservative, socially libertarian-leaning Republican, I believe Congress must protect constitutional rights, reduce wasteful spending, take the national deficit seriously, and help bring inflation under control.

My focus is affordability, constitutional liberty, accountable government, reliable infrastructure, fiscal responsibility, and putting Americans first.

I am a first-time candidate, but I believe that is part of what makes this campaign important. We need leaders who understand the modern economy, respect individual freedom, and bring a common-sense, problem-solving mindset to Congress.

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?

I’m running to make life more affordable for Washington families. Congress must lower taxes, reduce wasteful spending, take the national deficit seriously, and help bring inflation under control. Families, workers, farmers, and small businesses are being squeezed by higher costs for groceries, housing, energy, health care, and transportation. I will focus on practical policies that lower costs, strengthen local industries, and help people get ahead.I’m running to protect constitutional liberty and hold government accountable. That includes defending the Second Amendment, free speech, privacy, due process, and the Fourth Amendment. I oppose warrantless searches of Americans’ communications, government spying without proper oversight, and federal agencies entering private spaces without lawful warrants. Government should be limited, transparent, and respectful of the people it serves. We can have strong borders, public safety, and national security while still protecting constitutional rights and preventing government overreach.I’m a first-time candidate, UW graduate, tech worker, and entrepreneur who understands the modern economy. I’m running to bring a practical, problem-solving mindset to Congress instead of more politics as usual. My focus is reliable infrastructure, innovation, fiscal responsibility, American workers, and putting Americans first. I want Washington communities to thrive and believe Congress needs leaders who are grounded, independent-minded, and focused on results.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I am personally passionate about affordability, constitutional liberty, responsible technology policy, and protecting Washington’s natural resources.

As a fiscal conservative, I care about reducing wasteful spending, lowering the deficit, and bringing down costs for families, workers, farmers, and small businesses. I also care about protecting free speech, the Second Amendment, privacy, due process, and the Fourth Amendment against warrantless searches and government overreach.

Because of my technology background, I care about AI, data privacy, cybersecurity, and data centers’ impact on local communities. Innovation should create jobs and opportunity, but should not raise energy costs, strain water resources, or harm the environment.

Campaign websiteVaz's campaign website stated the following:01 Economy and AffordabilityFight inflation by reducing deficits, cutting wasteful spending, and tightening federal budgeting.Lower taxes on working- and middle-class Americans.End the carried interest loophole that lets Wall Street executives pay lower tax rates on income earned managing other people's money. No special treatment.Restrict large-scale foreign and private equity investment that distorts local housing markets and drives up prices for American families.Support federal incentives for local governments to increase housing supply and reduce unnecessary barriers to construction.Support restoring and expanding the SALT deduction to help homeowners offset state and local tax burdens.Oppose policies that raise energy costs or make commuting more expensive.02 Infrastructure and TransportationReduce traffic congestion and commuting costs with targeted transportation investments.Improve reliability for roads, bridges, ports, transit, and water systems.Support strategic transportation projects, including transit where it improves mobility and is fiscally responsible.Bring federal infrastructure dollars back to Washington communities with clear accountability.03 Jobs and TechnologyProtect American workers in technology and skilled industries.Support startups, innovation, and new business formation across Washington.Ensure AI innovation benefits workers and expands opportunity, not just replaces jobs without a plan.Expand retraining and workforce development so experienced workers and new graduates can compete.Reform H-1B and OPT programs to prevent wage suppression and prioritize American workers.04 Agriculture and WaterModernize and streamline seasonal farmworker visa programs, such as H-2A, so farms have a reliable and legal workforce.Protect Columbia Basin water priorities and agricultural water rights.Invest in irrigation, drought resilience, and water infrastructure.Reduce unnecessary regulatory burdens on farmers and growers.Support reliable hydro and nuclear power to keep farm and food production costs down.Protect export markets for Washington apples, wheat, cherries, and other farm products.05 Government SpendingAudit and cut waste, fraud, and abuse in federal programs, and require accountability for how federal funds are used by states and local governments.Increase oversight in defense spending to ensure taxpayer dollars are used effectively.Require clear objectives for foreign aid, ensuring it aligns with American interests.Prioritize American taxpayers first.06 Immigration and Worker FairnessSecure the border and end incentives for illegal immigration.Restrict taxpayer-funded benefits to U.S. citizens and lawful residents only.Close tax loopholes that reward companies for bypassing American talent.07 HealthcareExpand access to affordable healthcare for American citizens.Increase transparency and competition in healthcare markets.Increase price transparency so patients know costs before receiving care.Prevent coverage gaps for working Americans and families between jobs.08 Social Security and RetirementProtect Social Security benefits for U.S. citizens wherever they choose to retire.Prioritize the program for people who live and build their lives in the United States.Limit certain payments to non-citizens who are permanently residing abroad.09 Foreign PolicyOppose endless wars and foreign aid without clear objectives or accountability.Support peace through diplomacy and economic leverage.Require allies to contribute more to their own defense.Focus U.S. resources on domestic priorities.10 Social Issues and Individual LibertySupport abortion exceptions in cases of rape, incest, fatal fetal abnormalities, and when the life of the mother is at risk.Protect individual freedoms and constitutional rights.Promote personal responsibility and local decision-making.— Ken Vaz's campaign website (July 22, 2026)Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.