Washington, DC — Today, Congresswoman Julia Brownley (CA-26) announced that she will not seek re-election in 2026, reflecting on her service and expressing deep gratitude to the people of Ventura County and the Conejo Valley for the trust they have placed in her.
“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. Together, we have expanded access to affordable health care, strengthened support for veterans and their families, protected our natural resources, confronted the climate crisis, and fought for working families. We have helped thousands of constituents navigate the federal government, returned millions in earned benefits, and never lost sight of the simple truth that public service is about showing up for people when they need help the most.
“With another year remaining in my term, I will continue working every day to deliver results for our region, advance legislation that improves the lives and livelihoods of people in my district and across our country, and stand up for the values and priorities my constituents sent me here to defend.
“Despite the immense challenges we are currently facing, I remain deeply optimistic about the future of our country. The American experiment has endured not because it is perfect, but because generations of Americans continue to believe in it and work to make it more just, more equal, and more reflective of those it serves. I am profoundly grateful for the opportunity to have played a part in that work, and I know we will learn from this moment in time how to shore up our democracy to make it even stronger for the generations that will follow.”
“I am particularly pleased that I will leave the House with Hakeem Jeffries as Speaker. I am confident that he will lead Congress with integrity, with purpose, with resolve, and with a clear vision for the future. While I will not be in Congress, I will remain in the fight, fighting for a better and brighter future.”
