Julia Brownley

Julia Brownley
Official portrait, 2025
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from California's 26th district
Incumbent
Assumed office
January 3, 2013
Preceded byElton Gallegly (redistricted)
Member of the California State Assembly
from the 41st district
In office
December 4, 2006 – November 30, 2012
Preceded byFran Pavley
Succeeded byChris Holden
Personal details
BornJulia Andrews Brownley
(1952-08-28) August 28, 1952
Aiken, South Carolina, U.S.
PartyDemocratic
Children2
EducationGeorge Washington University (BA)
American University (MBA)
Signature
WebsiteHouse website
Campaign website

Julia Andrews Brownley (born August 28, 1952) is an American businesswoman and politician who has been the United States representative for California's 26th congressional district since 2013. A Democrat, she served in the California State Assembly from 2006 to 2012.[1] Before her political career, she worked in marketing and sales.[2]

Early life, education, and career

Brownley grew up in Virginia, and attended Fairfax Hall, a girls' boarding school in Waynesboro, for four years. Brownley received a bachelor's degree in political science from Mount Vernon College for Women of George Washington University in 1975 and a master's degree in business administration from American University in 1979.[2][3]

Brownley served on the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District Board of Education from 1994 to 2006. During her time on the school board, she served three terms as president.[4]

California State Assembly (2007–2013)

Brownley during her tenure in the California State Assembly

Elections

In 2006, Brownley ran for the California State Assembly in California's 41st Assembly district which included Santa Monica.[5][3] She won a five-way Democratic primary with 35% of the vote[6] and the general election with 62% of the vote.[6][7] In 2008, she was reelected with 66% of the vote.[8] In 2010, she was reelected to a third term with 59% of the vote.[9] Brownley was term-limited in 2012, having served the maximum of three terms in the Assembly permitted under California law.[10]

She was endorsed by the League of Conservation Voters.[11]

Tenure

In 2010, Brownley authored a bill that would have banned all plastic shopping bags. It did not pass.[12][13]

Committee assignments

Brownley served on the following California State Assembly committees:[14]

  • Aging and Long-Term Care Committee
  • Education Committee (chair)
  • Higher Education Committee
  • Judiciary Committee
  • Legislative Budget Committee
  • Natural Resources Joint Legislative Budget Committee
  • Select Committee on Community Colleges

U.S. House of Representatives (2013–present)

Elections

Brownley's freshman portrait

2012

In February 2012, Brownley announced her candidacy for California's 26th congressional district.[15] The district had previously been the 24th district, represented by 13-term Republican Elton Gallegly. In the general election, Brownley defeated Republican state senator Tony Strickland, 53%–47%.[16] She was endorsed by Emily's List[17] and Planned Parenthood.[18]

2014

Brownley was narrowly reelected over Republican state assemblyman Jeff Gorell in the general election.[19] She is a member of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee's Frontline Program, which is designed to help protect vulnerable Democratic incumbents. After Republican candidates garnered over 50% of the vote in the June blanket primary, the Cook Political Report changed the rating of the race from "Leans Democratic" to "Toss-up".[20][21] The race did become close, making for closer scrutiny of the results. Initial results showed Brownley winning 51% to 49%, with about 4,000 votes separating the candidates.[22]

2026

On January 8, 2026, Brownley announced she would not seek reelection and would retire from the House of Representatives in 2027.[23] She did not cite a reason for her retirement, but said “Serving our community and our country has been the honor of my lifetime. Every step of this journey has been shaped by the people I represent, by their resilience, their determination, and their belief that government can and should work for the common good,” in a statement to the Los Angeles Times.[24]

Political positions

Brownley supports the DREAM Act, the Affordable Care Act, and same-sex marriage. She has advocated increased insurance company regulation, job training funds, toxic cleanup, and increased public education funding.[25] Since her election to Congress, Brownley has voted with the Democratic Party 93% of the time.[26] On November 19, 2015, she voted for HR 4038, American SAFE Act of 2015, legislation that would effectively halt the resettlement of refugees from Syria and Iraq to the United States.[27][28]

Committee assignments

For the 119th Congress:[29]

Caucus memberships

Political positions

Abortion

Brownley strongly opposed the 2022 overturning of Roe v. Wade, calling the decision "unprecedented, deeply disappointing, and ideologically driven".[52]

Food and agriculture

Brownley supports federal funding for alternative proteins, including plant-based and cultivated meat. In 2021, Brownley and Representative Jim McGovern led a letter by 46 members of Congress requesting $200 million for alternative proteins research in an upcoming budget reconciliation package.[53] In 2023, Brownley authored the Producing Real Opportunities for Technology and Entrepreneurs Investing in Nutrition (PROTEIN) Act, which would have established alternative protein job training programs and research centers at universities and the Department of Agriculture.[54][55]

In March 2024, Brownley joined a letter to President Biden encouraging the administration to follow through with a proposal to increase plant-based food offerings across federal facilities.[56] In August 2024, she led a letter alongside Representative Adam Schiff urging the Federal Bureau of Prisons to increase plant-based meal options for federal prisoners.[57]

Israel–Palestine

Brownley voted to provide Israel with support following the October 7 attacks.[58][59] Brownley has stated her support for Israel and Israeli sovereignty, as well as her belief in Israel's right to exist as a Jewish state.[60] In 2026, Brownley voted in favor of an amendment to halt certain U.S. funds appropriated for Israeli military operations, citing a need for a "course correction" regarding the state of affairs within the Middle East region.[60][61][62] Brownley found Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's course of action to have "deeply undermined" the right to dignity and self-determination of the Palestinian people, as well as lacking in efforts towards the advancement of regional peace and security, having rather "recklessly escalated tensions" that "left both Israelis and Palestinians less safe."[60]

Electoral history

2024

United States House of Representatives elections, 2024[63][64]
Primary election
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Julia Brownley (incumbent) 84,997 51.4
Republican Michael Koslow 55,908 33.8
Republican Bruce Boyer 17,707 10.7
Democratic Chris Anstead 6,841 4.1
Total votes 165,453 100.0
General election
Democratic Julia Brownley (incumbent) 187,393 56.1
Republican Michael Koslow 146,913 43.9
Total votes 334,306 100.0
Democratic hold

2022

United States House of Representatives elections, 2022[65]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Julia Brownley (incumbent) 134,575 54.5%
Republican Matt Jacobs 112,214 45.5%
Total votes 246,789 100%
Democratic hold

2020

United States House of Representatives elections, 2020[66]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Julia Brownley (incumbent) 208,856 60.6%
Republican Ronda Baldwin-Kennedy 135,877 39.4%
Total votes 344,733 100%
Democratic hold

2018

United States House of Representatives elections, 2018[67]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Julia Brownley (incumbent) 110,804 61.9%
Republican Antonio Sabàto Jr. 73,416 38.1%
Total votes 184,220 100%
Democratic hold

2016

United States House of Representatives elections, 2016
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Julia Brownley (incumbent) 169,248 60.4%
Republican Rafael A. Dagnesses 111,059 39.6%
Total votes 280,307 100%
Democratic hold

2014

California's 26th congressional district election, 2014
Primary election
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Julia Brownley (incumbent) 38,854 45.5%
Republican Jeff Gorell 38,021 44.5%
Republican Rafael Alberto Dagnesses 6,536 7.7%
No party preference Douglas Kmiec 1,980 2.3%
Total votes 85,391 100%
General election
Democratic Julia Brownley (incumbent) 87,176 51.3%
Republican Jeff Gorell 82,653 48.7%
Total votes 169,829 100%
Democratic hold

2012

California's 26th congressional district election, 2012
Primary election
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Tony Strickland 49,043 44.1%
Democratic Julia Brownley 29,892 26.9%
No party preference Linda Parks 20,301 18.3%
Democratic Jess Herrera 7,244 6.5%
Democratic David Cruz Thayne 2,809 2.5%
Democratic Alex Maxwell Goldberg 1,880 1.7%
Total votes 111,169 100%
General election
Democratic Julia Brownley 139,072 52.7%
Republican Tony Strickland 124,863 47.3%
Total votes 263,935 100%
Democratic gain from Republican

Personal life

Brownley is divorced and has two children.[2] She is an Episcopalian.[68]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Julia Brownley Councilmember 41st Assembly District, juliabrownley.com; accessed November 15, 2014.
  2. 1 2 3 "California, 26th House District". National Journal. November 1, 2012. Retrieved August 29, 2014.
  3. 1 2 "Julia Brownley (D)". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved August 29, 2014.
  4. ↑ "Rep. Julia Brownley (D-Calif.)". Roll Call. Retrieved August 29, 2014.
  5. ↑ "Santa Monica to Move Ahead with Bag Ban". surfsantamonica.com. August 27, 2010. Retrieved July 14, 2025.
  6. 1 2 "California House of Representatives elections, 2006". Ballotpedia. Retrieved August 29, 2014.
  7. ↑ "Election 2008: Results". Los Angeles Times. November 6, 2008. Archived from the original on September 13, 2014. Retrieved September 13, 2014.
  8. ↑ "November 4, 2008 General Election – Statement of Vote". California Secretary of State. Archived from the original on November 30, 2014. Retrieved August 29, 2014.
  9. ↑ "November 2, 2010 General Election – Statement of Vote". California Secretary of State. Archived from the original on August 10, 2014. Retrieved August 29, 2014.
  10. ↑ Fauquher, Tom (June 13, 2011). "Torie Osborn Picks Up Key Endorsement in Bid for Malibu's State Assembly Seat". Malibu Patch. Retrieved August 29, 2014.
  11. ↑ "Candidates make final push in Assembly race". Malibu Times. May 31, 2006. Retrieved September 13, 2014.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  12. ↑ Francis, Enjoli (September 1, 2010). "California Strikes Down Proposal to Ban Plastic Bags". ABC News. Retrieved September 10, 2014.
  13. ↑ Yamamura, Kevin (January 22, 2013). "Assembly Democrat wants grocery store ban on plastic bags". Sacramento Bee. Archived from the original on January 25, 2013. Retrieved September 10, 2014.
  14. ↑ "Julia Brownley". Ballotpedia. Retrieved August 29, 2014.
  15. ↑ Herdt, Timm (February 19, 2012). "Assemblywoman joins 26th Congressional District race". Ventura County Star. Retrieved February 20, 2012.
  16. ↑ "California 26th District – Strickland vs. Brownley". Real Clear Politics. Retrieved August 29, 2014.
  17. ↑ Merl, Jean (April 20, 2012). "Emily's List backs Julia Brownley for Congress". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved September 13, 2014.
  18. ↑ "Brownley the better choice". Camarillo Acorn. October 12, 2012. Archived from the original on April 28, 2017. Retrieved September 13, 2014.
  19. ↑ Modesti, Kevin (June 18, 2014). "Brownley vs. Gorell congressional race will get attention now". Los Angeles Daily News. Retrieved August 29, 2014.
  20. ↑ Livingston, Abby (March 5, 2013). "At the Races — Roll Call's Politics Blog DCCC Announces 26 Members on Frontline Incumbent Retention Program". Roll Call. Archived from the original on September 16, 2014. Retrieved September 10, 2014.
  21. ↑ "2014 HOUSE RACE RATINGS FOR SEPTEMBER 12, 2014". The Cook Political Report. September 12, 2014. Retrieved September 13, 2014.
  22. ↑ "U.S. House of Representatives District 26 – Districtwide Results | General Election | California Secretary of State". Archived from the original on November 18, 2014. Retrieved November 15, 2014.
  23. ↑ Wendler, Jacob (January 8, 2026). "California Rep. Julia Brownley won't seek reelection". Politico. Retrieved January 10, 2026.
  24. ↑ Mehta, Seema (January 9, 2026). "Rep. Julia Brownley announces she will not seek reelection". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved July 9, 2026.
  25. ↑ Bartholomew, Dana (October 23, 2012). "Julia Brownley vs. Tony Strickland pits liberal and conservative in close race for newly drawn 26th District". Los Angeles Daily News. Retrieved August 29, 2014.
  26. ↑ "Julia Brownley (D)". The U.S. Congress Votes Database. The Washington Post. Retrieved September 10, 2014.
  27. ↑ Wire, Sarah D. (November 20, 2015). "Inside the Syrian refugee vote: California representatives explain what shaped their votes". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved April 16, 2018.
  28. ↑ "Roll Call 643 Roll Call 643, Bill Number: H. R. 4038, 114th Congress, 1st Session". Clerk.house.gov. November 19, 2015. Retrieved August 3, 2026.
  29. ↑ "Julia Brownley". Clerk of the United States House of Representatives. Retrieved April 29, 2023.
  30. ↑ "Caucus Members". Black Maternal Health Caucus. June 15, 2023. Retrieved June 23, 2025.
  31. ↑ "Congressional Blue Collar Caucus - Summary from LegiStorm". www.legistorm.com. Retrieved July 9, 2026.
  32. ↑ "California Public Higher Education Caucus - Summary from LegiStorm". www.legistorm.com. Retrieved July 9, 2026.
  33. ↑ "Compost Caucus - Summary from LegiStorm". www.legistorm.com. Retrieved July 9, 2026.
  34. ↑ "Membership". Congressional Arts Caucus. Archived from the original on January 20, 2019. Retrieved March 13, 2018.
  35. ↑ "Congressional California Coastal Caucus - Summary from LegiStorm". www.legistorm.com. Retrieved July 9, 2026.
  36. ↑ "Congressional Caucus on Global Migration - Summary from LegiStorm". www.legistorm.com. Retrieved July 9, 2026.
  37. ↑ "Congressional Caucus on India and Indian-Americans - Summary from LegiStorm". www.legistorm.com. Retrieved July 9, 2026.
  38. ↑ "50+ Members Launch Bipartisan Congressional Caucus To End The Youth Vaping Epidemic". Congressman Jamie Raskin. September 19, 2019. Retrieved July 9, 2026.
  39. ↑ "Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute".
  40. ↑ "Quorum | Best-in-Class Public Affairs Software". www.quorum.us. Retrieved July 9, 2026.
  41. ↑ "House Dyslexia Caucus". Yale Dyslexia. Retrieved July 9, 2026.
  42. ↑ "About the CEC". CEC. April 4, 2025. Retrieved August 27, 2025.
  43. ↑ "Congressional Food Safety Caucus - Summary from LegiStorm". www.legistorm.com. Retrieved July 9, 2026.
  44. ↑ "Membership". Congressional Freethought Caucus. Retrieved June 2, 2026.
  45. ↑ "Congressmen Raja Krishnamoorthi And Ralph Norman Relaunch The Bipartisan Congressional Solar Caucus For The 118th Congress". United States Congressmen Raja Krishnamoorthi. May 25, 2023. Retrieved November 13, 2024.
  46. ↑ "Members". Congressional Ukraine Caucus. June 13, 2022. Retrieved October 7, 2025.
  47. ↑ "Members". House Baltic Caucus. Retrieved February 21, 2018.
  48. ↑ "Members". New Democrat Coalition. Archived from the original on February 8, 2018. Retrieved February 6, 2018.
  49. ↑ "Rare Disease Congressional Caucus". Every Life Foundation for Rare Diseases. Retrieved March 14, 2025.
  50. ↑ "Members | Reproductive Freedom Caucus". reproductivefreedom.house.gov. April 20, 2026. Retrieved July 9, 2026.
  51. ↑ "Task Forces | Reproductive Freedom Caucus". reproductivefreedom.house.gov. September 15, 2025. Retrieved July 9, 2026.
  52. ↑ Brownley, Julia (June 24, 2022). "Today, the Supreme Court of the United States took unprecedented, deeply disappointing, and ideologically driven action to overturn Roe v. Wade, the landmark decision protecting the right to safe and legal abortion". Twitter. Retrieved June 27, 2022.
  53. ↑ "Multi-member letter to Chair David Scott calling for alternative protein research funding in the reconciliation bill". The Good Food Institute. August 27, 2021. Retrieved June 24, 2025.
  54. ↑ Torrella, Kenny (August 9, 2024). "American government built the meat industry. Now can it build a better food system?". Vox. Retrieved June 24, 2025.
  55. ↑ Picon, Andres (November 12, 2024). "It's not 'real' meat, but it's causing real fights in Congress". E&E News. Politico. Retrieved June 24, 2025.
  56. ↑ Mridul, Anay (April 3, 2024). "In An Open Letter to Biden, the US Congress is Asking for More Plant-Based Food". Green Queen. Retrieved June 18, 2025.
  57. ↑ Mridul, Anay (August 27, 2024). "US House Reps Write to Bureau of Prisons to Increase Plant-Based Meals for Inmates". Green Queen. Archived from the original on September 17, 2024. Retrieved July 18, 2025.
  58. ↑ Demirjian, Karoun (October 25, 2023). "House Declares Solidarity With Israel in First Legislation Under New Speaker". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
  59. ↑ "Roll Call 528 Roll Call 528, Bill Number: H. Res. 771, 118th Congress, 1st Session". Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives. October 25, 2023. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
  60. 1 2 3 Brownley, Julia (July 15, 2026). "Brownley Statement on Massie Amendment to Foreign Aid Budget Bill". Congresswoman Julia Brownley. Retrieved July 17, 2026.
  61. ↑ "Roll Call 243 Roll Call 243, Bill Number: H. R. 8595, 119th Congress, 2nd Session". Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives. July 15, 2026. Archived from the original on July 16, 2026. Retrieved July 17, 2026.
  62. ↑ "Press Releases | Congressman Jim McGovern". U.S. Representative Jim McGovern. July 15, 2026. Retrieved July 17, 2026.
  63. ↑ "Statement of Vote" (PDF). sos.ca.gov. Sacramento: Secretary of State of California. 2024. p. 85. Archived (PDF) from the original on June 18, 2024. Retrieved January 8, 2025.
  64. ↑ "Statement of Vote" (PDF). sos.ca.gov. Sacramento: Secretary of State of California. 2024. p. 7. Archived (PDF) from the original on December 30, 2024. Retrieved January 8, 2025.
  65. ↑ "November 8, 2022, General Election; United States Representative" (PDF). Secretary of State of California.
  66. ↑ "November 3, 2020, General Election; United States Representative" (PDF). Secretary of State of California.
  67. ↑ "Election 2020 | California Secretary of State". www.sos.ca.gov.
  68. ↑ "Religious affiliation of members of 118th Congress" (PDF). Pew Research Center. January 3, 2023.
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