Kevin Eisele

Kevin Eisele (Democratic Party) ran for election to the U.S. House to represent California's 2nd Congressional District. He did not appear on the ballot for the primary on June 2, 2026.

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I am running for Congress because the people of California’s 2nd District deserve a representative who understands what it means to live and work here. I am not a career politician. I am a surgical technologist at UCSF’s Mount Zion campus and a member of AFSCME Local 3299, the union representing University of California workers. Like many in our community, I balance a mortgage, retirement planning, and the everyday challenges of making ends meet.

Affordable housing is one of the issues that drives me to run. Too many families are priced out of the very communities they serve. Teachers, nurses, and service workers deserve the ability to live where they work. I also want to strengthen healthcare access. In my work in the operating room, I see firsthand the importance of care and the devastating consequences that can result when cost. Education is equally critical: we should expand community colleges, apprenticeships, and vocational training so students can build a future without being buried in debt.

I also believe our district needs balanced leadership on land use and water policy. Ranching and dairies are part of the cultural and economic fabric here, and they deserve respect. Mountain biking and recreation should be expanded rather than restricted. On dam removal, I believe environmental restoration is important, but all stakeholders — from tribal communities to farmers — must have a voice.

I want to bring working-class priorities to Congress and ensure our district has

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?

Working-Class Voice: I am a surgical technologist at UCSF’s Mount Zion campus and a proud member of AFSCME Local 3299, bringing the perspective of working people—not career politicians—to Congress.Core Priorities: My campaign focuses on economic reform, affordable housing, healthcare access, and investment in education to strengthen opportunities for families in California’s 2nd District.Accountability & Representation: I believe government should serve the people of Northern California with transparency, fairness, and a commitment to building an economy that works for everyone.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I am passionate about standing up for the working class, because I live the same challenges that so many families in our district face. Housing has become unaffordable for teachers, healthcare workers, and service workers who form the backbone of our communities. Healthcare costs leave too many people choosing between getting care and paying their bills. Education, which should be a path to opportunity, too often leaves students burdened with debt. I believe public policy must focus on these core needs—making housing affordable, ensuring healthcare is accessible, and providing education that empowers people without trapping them in lifelong loans—so that working families can build stable, hopeful lives in Northern California.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

I believe the most important characteristics for an elected official are honesty, accountability, and the ability to listen. People put their trust in those they elect, and that trust must never be taken for granted. An official should be transparent about their decisions and willing to explain not only what they support but why they support it. Accountability means being answerable to the people you represent, not to special interests or party insiders.

Another principle that matters greatly to me is independence. Too often, decisions in Washington are driven by pressure from political leadership or large donors instead of the needs of ordinary people. I believe an elected official should have the courage to make choices based on what is best for their constituents, even when it is not the easiest path politically.

I also believe empathy is essential. Policy is not just about numbers and legislation—it is about people’s lives. An effective representative should be able to put themselves in the shoes of the families they serve, understanding the struggles of paying rent, affording healthcare, or sending a child to college.

Ultimately, I believe that an elected official must be committed to upholding fairness. That means ensuring that government works for everyone, not just the wealthy and powerful. Fairness requires fighting for equal opportunity, protecting rights, and creating policies that give working families a chance to succeed.

In short, the principles that guide me are honesty, accountability, independence, empathy, and fairness—values that I believe every elected official should uphold.

What legacy would you like to leave?

I want my legacy to be that I stood up for the working class and gave ordinary people a stronger voice in Congress. I hope to be remembered as someone who made housing more affordable, healthcare more accessible, and education more fair, including no-interest federal university loans that allow students to build their future without crushing debt.

I want my legacy to show that government can work for people, not just for the wealthy and well-connected. That means defending unions and labor rights, protecting ranches and dairies, expanding recreation like mountain biking that is part of our district’s culture, and ensuring environmental policies balance restoration with the needs of local communities.

Most of all, I want to leave behind a record of honesty, accountability, and independence. If future generations can look back and say that I helped make Northern California a place where working families could live, grow, and thrive, then I will have fulfilled my purpose in public service.