Lauren Babb Tomlinson

Lauren Babb Tomlinson (Democratic Party) ran for election to the U.S. House to represent California's 6th Congressional District. She lost in the primary on June 2, 2026.

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

Lauren Babb Tomlinson is a seasoned public affairs leader, former union organizer, and working mom running for Congress to deliver results for families being squeezed by rising costs. As Chief Public Affairs Officer for Planned Parenthood Mar Monte, the nation’s largest Planned Parenthood affiliate, she has led major policy, advocacy, and healthcare access efforts across California and Nevada: fighting back against federal cuts, expanding care in rural communities, and protecting reproductive rights during some of the most challenging years in recent history.

Appointed by Governor Gavin Newsom to chair the California Commission on the Status of Women and Girls, Lauren created the state’s first Women’s Economic Recovery Grant Program during COVID-19 and has been a statewide leader in advancing economic security, gender equity, and protections for survivors of domestic abuse.

Lauren’s commitment to her community is rooted in her lived experience raising a young child in an increasingly unaffordable economy. She understands what families are up against and has spent her career fighting to protect the programs they rely on.

Lauren is running for Congress because families deserve more than the status quo. She will fight to make life more affordable, expand access to quality healthcare, raise wages, and protect our fundamental freedoms.

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?

Lowering Costs: We need to ease the everyday costs that families face: from healthcare and housing to food and education. Lauren will prevent price gouging on groceries and essential goods. She'll expand programs to help first-time homebuyers and strengthen renter protections. She also supports student loan debt relief. She’ll work to create jobs and drive economic growth, helping families get ahead.Access to Healthcare: Everyone deserves access to affordable, high-quality care. Health care works best when everyone is covered and no one has to choose between seeing a doctor and paying rent. When we have Health Care for All, we cut waste, prevent expensive emergencies, and use our collective buying power to bring down prices.

Lauren will work to lower prescription drug costs, protect and expand Medicare, and restore funding for programs that serve vulnerable families—paid for by taxes on corporations. She’ll also fight to restore funding for Planned Parenthood and protect reproductive freedom. Lauren will work towards universal healthcare as a north star.Strengthening Our Care Economy: As a working mom, Lauren understands how vital affordable childcare and eldercare are for families. She’ll champion a national paid Family and Medical Leave program, expand the Child Tax Credit, and invest in universal childcare, Head Start, and Pre-K. Lauren will also work to raise pay and improve conditions for care workers and ensure seniors have access to quality home care services.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Families like ours deserve affordable health care, quality child care, and good-paying jobs so we can meet our basic needs with dignity. For me, it’s simple: as a mom, my family always comes first—and in Congress, I will fight for your family the same way. I will stand up to special interests, take on Republican attacks, and do whatever it takes to make sure working families come before profits and politics.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

Planned Parenthood Action Fund, EMILYs List, Elect Democratic Women, Vote Mama PAC, Congressional Black Caucus PAC, Leaders We Deserve, Voter Protection Project, Courage California, California High School Democrats, Higher Heights for America PAC, Black Women Organized for Political Action, Black Women for Wellness Action Project, Women Democrats of Sacramento County, JFK Democratic Club of Sacramento County