Tyler Vandenberg

Tyler Vandenberg earned a bachelor's degree from American University in 2016 and a graduate degree from Harvard Kennedy School in 2026. His career experience includes working as an advocate. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 2018 to 2025.[1]

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

Tyler Vandenberg is a Marine Corps veteran, Jeopardy! Champion, and proud Great Society Democrat. He entered the race to oust his Republican Congressman on July 4, 2025, running to defend the Constitution, Build a Better Future, and protect the California he loves. During his time in the Marine Corps, Tyler served as far away as Hawaii and Germany, upholding the oath every officer takes to the Constitution and faithfully serving our country. Horrified at the abuses of the Constitution and the rule of law under the Trump Administration, Tyler decided to continue his service in a new way, entering politics to defend those very principles. Tyler is committed to the values of the Great Society in building a better tomorrow: establishing Medicare for All, building homes every generation can afford, investing in a Green New Grid, fully funding our education, and protecting our Social Security. As a proud Californian, Tyler believes in protecting the things that make the Golden State special: our public lands and outdoor spaces, our great diversity, our strong public education sector, and our environment, among others. A life of service, ready to serve again: Tyler Vandenberg is proud to fight for California's 6th District.

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?

1) Holding Corruption Accountable. The Trump Administration is by far the most corrupt in American history; Congress must act to hold the Administration accountable using its full powers of impeachment, investigation, subpoena, and arrest. Defending our democracy, punishing crimes committed in office, and standing up for the Constitution - these steps are mandatory. Sending a Democrat to Washington to represent our district is now more important than ever, but it is not enough. Sending the right Democrat to fight back against authoritarianism is essential. Tyler is ready to push back against Trump and all his cronies for their abuses of power, and he won't let up until he gets results.2) Rebuilding Our Great Society. Battling the GOP's crimes and corruption is critical, but while we are fighting those abuses we must also deliver positive change for regular Americans. Tyler's vision of that positive future includes: Medicare for All, Homes for Every Generation, a Green New Grid, Faster Trains and Better Roads, Investing in Public Education, and Protecting Social Security. As a Great Society Democrat, Tyler knows that the government can do big, good things for everyone again; he is committed to rebuilding that promise for future generations.3) Securing a Safe America. Tyler believes America should be a safe place for everyone: for our immigrant neighbors; for our LGBTQ+ communities; for people of all faiths and creeds and backgrounds; for women to have the right to vote and right to privacy in their healthcare; and for every working person. Achieving this safer future will require breaking up ICE and prosecuting its abuses, using the federal government to crack down on white supremacists, and protecting the civil rights and voting rights of all Americans. The U.S. government must be a tool to protect Americans and their rights; Tyler stands ready to restore that commitment.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I am passionate about standing up for our veterans, securing healthcare for all, and ensuring America protects its people from climate change and a shifting world. In Congress, I will ensure that the VA is fully funded and safe from privatization. I will fight for single-payer healthcare so no American goes bankrupt or cannot receive care in our system. I will work to protect our allies and friends around the world. I will reverse DOGE's illegal cuts and restore accountability in DC. And I will invest in the tools to protect Americans from climate change, including fire prevention and response, flood control projects, solar power plants and transmission lines to lower energy costs, and sustainable transportation options for all.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

My political role models are Abraham Lincoln, Lyndon B. Johnson, and Barack Obama. Lincoln's moral leadership in the nation's greatest hour of crisis brought about a new birth of freedom, galvanizing the promise of America which comes down to us even today, as the home of freedom for peoples of all creeds and backgrounds. LBJ's Great Society carried that promise to new heights, securing Civil Rights and Voting Rights for all, building Medicare and Medicaid, investing in new metro systems, establishing the National Endowment for the Arts, funding our education systems, and so much more. The Great Society expanded the New Deal into the modern era, proving that government can do positive things which benefit everyone. I am proud to carry on that tradition. And Barack Obama was the inspirational figure of my teenage years: a voice of both moral vision and great political skill, navigating the country through a time of increasing partisan fractiousness while securing such victories as the Affordable Care Act along the way. The political vision of these leaders helped shape the best parts of our country as we know it today; I am proud to continue their work.

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

Courage, integrity, and a commitment to service. At this moment, a representative must be willing to stand up to serious threats against themselves and their careers to do the right thing. Courage is required to protect the country and our democracy; I have been personally committed to defending our Constitution from my very first day in the Marine Corps. Integrity to refuse corporate PAC contributions and D.C. special interest groups is critical: I believe representatives should fight for their constituents, not the groups who can write the biggest checks. And a commitment to service is rarer than ever: at a time when corruption runs rampant in Washington, representatives should always remember they are public servants, entrusted to stand up for their communities rather than corporations or well-funded special interests.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

Responsiveness to constituents and willingness to use the full powers of Congress. This election cycle will determine whether American democracy survives Trump's attacks; any Congressman currently running for election must be ready to use every tool to hand in the fight against authoritarianism. Hearings and speeches will not be enough; consequences for corruption and crimes are required, and Congress must bring them to bear. At the same time, we must also deliver on an agenda that makes our communities safer and more affordable for everyone. Showing up to hear from constituents, actually engaging through town halls, keeping an open door at the local Congressional office - these are the bare minimum and are not being met by too many current Representatives. The people of the California 6th can trust that I am always fighting to make their lives better, to protect their democracy, and that I am always available to advocate for them.

What legacy would you like to leave?

I would like to leave a legacy of having made America a better place for its people. I would like to have helped in building the world's best system of healthcare for everyone; I would like to rebuild the institution of homeownership for every generation. I would like to have done my part to combat climate change and make America a green and renewable country. I would like to protect our public lands and parks for future generations. And I would like to have lent my hand to passing new generations of Civil Rights, Voting Rights, and Equal Rights Amendments to protect every single American.

What do you perceive to be the United States' greatest challenges as a nation over the next decade?

The combined challenge of our fraying democracy, our warming climate, and our challenges from foreign adversaries. Without defending our democracy, the American way of life will be in mortal danger. Without combating climate change, life around the globe - and particularly for our children and grandchildren - will be poorer, harder, and far more dangerous. And if America loses its ability to compete due to corruption and shortsightedness, we will lose our ability to choose our own future.

Do you believe that compromise is necessary or desirable for policymaking?

Right now, no compromise is possible with the GOP. The most important aspect to compromise is mutual respect. Republicans, at present, do not respect their Democratic counterparts as equals, and so refuse to deal in good faith. If compromise is ever to be possible again, the Democratic Party must first show resolve and strength. For that, we must be ready to fight and to impose consequences on those who have abused the public's trust.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

Wellstone Progressive Democrats, Take BAC Congress, Citizens' Impeachment, Sacramento County Young Democrats, American River Democrats, Sacramento State College Democrats. Tyler is an End Citizens United Unrig Washington candidate. Tyler is also cross-endorsed with Neva Parker, Democrat, California Assembly District 5.