Background
Marianne Shamma earned a high school diploma from Olympic High School. Shamma attended Los Angeles City College and California State University, Northridge. Shamma's career experience includes working as a healthcare professional.[1]
- High school:
- Olympic High School
Campaign money
- Raised
- $5K
- From individuals
- $4K
- From PACs & party
- $0
- Own money
- —
FEC filings through June 30, 2026.
View on FEC.gov(opens in new tab)In their own words
Who are you? Tell us about yourself.
I am a Palestinian American, community advocate, nursing student, and lifelong resident of Los Angeles. Born in Santa Monica, California, I am the daughter of parents who immigrated to the United States in 1967 seeking safety, opportunity, and freedom from systemic oppression. Their values, service, integrity, and civic responsibility continue to guide my work. My professional journey has been shaped by resilience and accountability. I have worked at Costco for 14 years, where I developed strong skills in teamwork, reliability, and community engagement. I am currently completing my nursing education and will graduate in June 2026, followed by completion of my Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). Nursing represents my commitment to ethical care, public health, and advocacy for vulnerable populations. In addition to my professional and academic work, I am actively engaged in civic and human rights advocacy. I am particularly focused on government accountability, human rights protections, and the ethical responsibilities of democratic institutions—both domestically and internationally. I believe meaningful change requires transparency, informed public engagement, and community-centered solutions. I bring lived experience, professional discipline, and a deep commitment to justice-based service. My goal is to contribute to organizations and initiatives that prioritize equity, accountability, and the well-being of communities at every level.
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?
Marianne's candidacy was the result of months of frustration by CA-36 constituents feeling unrepresented, ignored and gaslit by their currently elected leaders. We know we can count on Marianne to be one more voice and vote within congress to push for the things that we want (healthcare for all, climate justice, affordable housing) and AGAINST things like genocide and ICE brutality. We feel these things shouldn't even be controversial, but here we are.A common theme in Marianne's life is helping and standing up for others. This is just what she does. During this campaign and when she is elected to represent her constituents, you will not see her grandstanding and using the excuse "but, Trump". If you witness Marianne, you will find her at actions supporting human rights and fighting against brutality; or in clinicals for her nursing degree so she can save people's lives. She is the candidate of our time.Incumbent Ted Lieu exercises his power in congress to benefit his big-money donors. To this day he has not spoken out against the genocide in Gaza and has funded every weapons transfer to Israel. He is a recipient of hundreds of thousands of dollars of AIPAC money. He's voted to fund ICE. He ran cover for big-money elites by allowing the Epstein Files to be sealed for decades.
What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?
Confirming the obvious, 500 Genocide Scholars published a report in Sep 2025 declaring that Israel was committing a genocide. It continues to this day. Ted Lieu and most other US Reps are complicit.
Lieu, along with most US Reps, has voted for every weapons transfer to Israel since the genocide started. They are bought by AIPAC and the Military Industrial Complex. They avoid this topic with their constituents because they know they are unable to defend the indefensible.
Marianne will represent the 80 percent of all Democratic voters who want the mass-murder to end. She will be a strong voice and another vote against all weapons transfers to Israel.
On the 2026 ballot
Links
Compiled from the candidate’s published profile as of September 30, 2026 and FEC filings.
Source(opens in new tab)