
Democratic incumbent Sam Liccardo is running to retain California's 16th congressional district seat against Republican challenger Peter Soulé in the November 3, 2026 general election.
The candidates are incumbent Sam Liccardo (Democratic Party) and challenger Peter Soulé (Republican Party).
Liccardo secured a decisive win in the June 2 open primary with nearly 70% of the vote, while Soulé finished second with 13.5%.
Maintaining this seat preserves the Democratic Party's count in the U.S. House, while a Republican win would reduce their standing in a heavily blue district.
Note: The incumbent for CA-16 is Sam Liccardo (Democrat); the mention of Kevin Kiley as an incumbent in one source refers to a different district or is an error, as Kiley is the incumbent for CA-17.
Cook Political Report rates the CA-16 district as D+26, indicating a heavy Democratic lean under Liccardo's candidacy.
cookpolitical.comLiccardo, who was elected with 58.2% of the vote in 2024, is the current incumbent representing the 16th district.
WikipediaDemocratic incumbent Sam Liccardo won the CA-16 open primary with 69.8% of the vote, advancing to the general election against Republican Peter Soulé.
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Liccardo holds a D+26 Cook Political Report rating, reflecting a 26-point Democratic advantage in the district's partisan lean.
cookpolitical.comLiccardo won the 2024 general election with 58.2% of the vote and secured 69.8% in the 2026 primary, demonstrating strong and consistent voter support.
civicapi.orgWikipediaThe district is currently represented by a Democrat who advanced to the general election as the clear frontrunner against a Republican opponent with limited primary vote share.
WikipediaAI-generated briefing. AI can make mistakes. This is not financial advice.
Peter Soulé received only 13.5% of the primary vote compared to Liccardo's 69.8%, indicating a significant deficit in Republican base support in the district.
civicapi.orgKevin Johnson, another Republican candidate, received 12.8% of the primary vote, suggesting the Republican vote was split and neither challenger gained substantial traction.
civicapi.orgThe district is rated as D+25 by 270toWin, further confirming a structural advantage for the Democratic candidate that makes a Republican upset highly improbable.
WikipediaAI-generated briefing. AI can make mistakes. This is not financial advice.