Rep. Sam Liccardo, a Democrat who has represented California’s 16th Congressional District since January 2025, faces Republican Peter Sundin Soule in the Nov. 3, 2026, general election, according to Ballotpedia.
The district includes Palo Alto. Liccardo’s campaign website highlights three priorities: “Making housing more affordable. Reducing our cost of living. Protecting our rights and democracy.”
The Palo Alto Ledger candidate questionnaire was sent to Sam Liccardo’s campaign. No response was received as of Oct. 12, 2026. The policy positions below are drawn from his public campaign website and public records.
Candidate information
- Party: Democratic
- Office sought: U.S. House of Representatives, California’s 16th Congressional District
- Family: Married to Jessica Garcia-Kohl, a nonprofit leader focused on child health, education and leadership development, according to his congressional biography.
- Education: Bachelor’s degree from Georgetown University, a law degree from Harvard Law School and a master’s degree in public policy from Harvard University, according to Ballotpedia.
Experience and public service
Before entering elected office, Liccardo worked as a federal prosecutor in the Southern District of California and prosecuted sexual assault and child exploitation cases in the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office, according to his congressional biography.
He served on the San Jose City Council from 2007 to 2015 and as mayor from 2015 through 2022, according to Ballotpedia. His campaign biography also describes teaching housing and local government policy at Stanford University, Stanford Law School and San Jose State University.
In Congress, Liccardo serves on the House Committee on Financial Services. He also chairs the New Democrat Coalition’s Innovation and Technology Working Group.
On the issues
The following positions draw on Liccardo’s published policy book, “Let’s Get It Done”, and his current campaign materials.
Housing: Liccardo’s policy book proposes quick-build housing communities, more flexible federal housing vouchers and investments in homelessness prevention, addiction treatment and mental health services.
It also proposes tax incentives to convert underused commercial buildings into housing, financing for backyard homes and changes to the capital gains tax exclusion to encourage home sales. His current campaign website highlights his RESIDE Act, which seeks to support conversions of vacant office buildings into housing.
Environment and energy: His policy book supports a carbon dividend—a system that would return revenue from fees on fossil fuel companies to taxpayers—restrictions on drilling and fracking, and eliminating oil and gas subsidies.
Liccardo also proposes financing to help homeowners install energy-efficient equipment and make improvements that reduce disaster risks. His campaign website highlights wildfire prevention, climate resilience and efforts to reduce wildfire-related insurance costs.
Government reform: In his policy book, Liccardo advocates a constitutional amendment to overturn Citizens United and immediate disclosure of super PAC contributions.
His campaign website also highlights legislation intended to prevent elected officials from profiting from cryptocurrency schemes and other financial conflicts of interest.
Health care: His policy book proposes greater transparency and competition in prescription drug pricing, reduced administrative costs and expanded access to primary care physicians.
His current campaign website also highlights a proposal to extend Affordable Care Act premium tax credits to reduce health insurance costs.
Education and workforce: Liccardo’s policy book proposes a federal teacher tax credit, increased special education funding and expanded tutoring.
For adult workers, he supports access to affordable degree programs, shorter training programs and credentials that demonstrate job skills. His campaign website also describes proposals to connect employers, community colleges and universities to prepare workers for industries affected by artificial intelligence.
Endorsements
Ballotpedia lists endorsements for Liccardo’s 2026 campaign from the California Democratic Party, California Environmental Voters, California Young Democrats and Equality California.
