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Julia Brownley

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For the Vermont politician, see Julia Andrews.

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 byDavid Dreier
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
Born (1952-08-28) August 28, 1952 (age 72)
Aiken, South Carolina, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
Children2
Residence(s)Thousand Oaks, California, U.S.
EducationGeorge Washington University (BA)
American University (MBA)
Signature
WebsiteHouse website
Julia Brownley's voice
Julia Brownley speaks in support of the READ Act
Recorded October 26, 2015

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

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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)

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Brownley during her tenure in the California State Assembly

Elections

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

She was endorsed by the League of Conservation Voters.[10]

Tenure

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In 2010, Brownley authored a bill that would have banned all plastic shopping bags. It did not pass.[11][12]

Committee assignments

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Brownley served on the following California State Assembly committees:[13]

  • 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)

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Elections

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Brownley's freshman portrait

2012

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See also: 2012 United States House of Representatives elections in California § District 26

In February 2012, Brownley announced her candidacy for California's 26th congressional district.[14] 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%.[15] She was endorsed by Emily's List[16] and Planned Parenthood.[17]

2014

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See also: 2014 United States House of Representatives elections in California § District 26

Brownley was narrowly reelected over Republican state Assemblyman Jeff Gorell in the general election.[18] 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".[19][20] 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.[21]

Political positions

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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.[22] Since her election to Congress, Brownley has voted with the Democratic Party 93% of the time.[23][failed verification] On November 19, 2015, she voted for HR 4038, legislation that would effectively halt the resettlement of refugees from Syria and Iraq to the United States.[24]

Committee assignments

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For the 118th Congress:[25]

Caucus memberships

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Political positions

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Abortion

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Brownley strongly opposed the 2022 overturning of Roe v. Wade, calling the decision "unprecedented, deeply disappointing, and ideologically driven".[33]

Food and agriculture

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Brownley supports federal funding for research into 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.[34] 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 United States Department of Agriculture.[35][36]

In 2024, Brownley joined a letter to President Biden encouraging the administration to follow through with a proposal in the White House National Strategy on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health to increase plant-based food offerings across federal facilities.[37]

Israel

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Brownley voted to provide Israel with support following the 2023 Hamas attack on Israel.[38][39]

Electoral history

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2024

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United States House of Representatives elections, 2024[40][41]
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

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United States House of Representatives elections, 2022[42]
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

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United States House of Representatives elections, 2020[43]
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

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United States House of Representatives elections, 2018[44]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Julia Brownley (incumbent) 110,804 61.9%
Republican Antonio Sabato Jr. 73,416 38.1%
Total votes 184,220 100%
Democratic hold

2016

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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

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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

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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

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Brownley is divorced and has two children.[2] She is an Episcopalian.[45]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Julia Brownley Councilmember 41st Assembly District, juliabrownley.com; accessed November 15, 2014.
  2. ^ a b c "California, 26th House District". National Journal. November 1, 2012. Retrieved August 29, 2014.
  3. ^ a b "Julia Brownley (D)". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved August 29, 2014.
  4. ^ "Rep. Julia Brownley (D-Calif.)". Roll Call. Retrieved August 29, 2014.
  5. ^ a b "California House of Representatives elections, 2006". Ballotpedia. Retrieved August 29, 2014.
  6. ^ "Election 2008: Results". Los Angeles Times. November 6, 2008. Archived from the original on September 13, 2014. Retrieved September 13, 2014.
  7. ^ "November 4, 2008 General Election – Statement of Vote". California Secretary of State. Archived from the original on November 30, 2014. Retrieved August 29, 2014.
  8. ^ "November 2, 2010 General Election – Statement of Vote". California Secretary of State. Archived from the original on August 10, 2014. Retrieved August 29, 2014.
  9. ^ 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.
  10. ^ "Candidates make final push in Assembly race". Malibu Times. May 31, 2006. Archived from the original on September 13, 2014. Retrieved September 13, 2014.
  11. ^ Francis, Enjoli (September 1, 2010). "California Strikes Down Proposal to Ban Plastic Bags". ABC News. Retrieved September 10, 2014.
  12. ^ Yamamura, Kevin (January 22, 2013). "Assembly Democrat wants grocery store ban on plastic bags". Sacramento Bee. Retrieved September 10, 2014.
  13. ^ "Julia Brownley". Ballotpedia. Retrieved August 29, 2014.
  14. ^ Herdt, Timm (February 19, 2012). "Assemblywoman joins 26th Congressional District race". Ventura County Star. Retrieved February 20, 2012.
  15. ^ "California 26th District – Strickland vs. Brownley". Real Clear Politics. Retrieved August 29, 2014.
  16. ^ Merl, Jean (April 20, 2012). "Emily's List backs Julia Brownley for Congress". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved September 13, 2014.
  17. ^ "Brownley the better choice". Camarillo Acorn. October 12, 2012. Archived from the original on April 28, 2017. Retrieved September 13, 2014.
  18. ^ Modesti, Kevin (June 18, 2014). "Brownley vs. Gorell congressional race will get attention now". Los Angeles Daily News. Retrieved August 29, 2014.
  19. ^ 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.
  20. ^ "2014 HOUSE RACE RATINGS FOR SEPTEMBER 12, 2014". The Cook Political Report. September 12, 2014. Retrieved September 13, 2014.
  21. ^ "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.
  22. ^ 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.
  23. ^ "Julia Brownley (D)". The U.S. Congress Votes Database. The Washington Post. Retrieved September 10, 2014.
  24. ^ 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.
  25. ^ "Julia Brownley". Clerk of the United States House of Representatives. Retrieved April 29, 2023.
  26. ^ "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.
  27. ^ "Members". New Democrat Coalition. Archived from the original on February 8, 2018. Retrieved February 6, 2018.
  28. ^ "Members". House Baltic Caucus. Retrieved February 21, 2018.
  29. ^ "Membership". Congressional Arts Caucus. Archived from the original on January 20, 2019. Retrieved March 13, 2018.
  30. ^ "Caucus Members". Black Maternal Health Caucus. Retrieved June 23, 2025.
  31. ^ "Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute".
  32. ^ "Rare Disease Congressional Caucus". Every Life Foundation for Rare Diseases. Retrieved March 14, 2025.
  33. ^ 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.
  34. ^ "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.
  35. ^ Torrella, Kenny (August 9, 2024). "American government built the meat industry. Now can it build a better food system?". Vox. Retrieved June 24, 2025.
  36. ^ 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.
  37. ^ 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.
  38. ^ 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.
  39. ^ Washington, U. S. Capitol Room H154; p:225-7000, DC 20515-6601 (October 25, 2023). "Roll Call 528 Roll Call 528, Bill Number: H. Res. 771, 118th Congress, 1st Session". Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives. Retrieved October 30, 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  40. ^ "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.
  41. ^ "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.
  42. ^ https://elections.cdn.sos.ca.gov/sov/2022-general/sov/48-congress.pdf. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  43. ^ www.sos.ca.gov https://elections.cdn.sos.ca.gov/sov/2020-general/sov/24-us-reps.pdf. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  44. ^ "Election 2020 | California Secretary of State". www.sos.ca.gov.
  45. ^ "Religious affiliation of members of 118th Congress" (PDF). Pew Research Center. January 3, 2023.
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U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from California's 26th congressional district
2013–present 		Incumbent
U.S. order of precedence (ceremonial)
Preceded by United States representatives by seniority
102nd 		Succeeded by
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