U.S. House · California's 19th Congressional District
Peter Verbica
CandidateR
- Race
- U.S. House · California's 19th Congressional District
- Result
- Jimmy Panetta, projected winner
- Opponent
- Jimmy Panetta (D)
- Research
- Basic
Party linenone
No recorded floor votes — not a current legislator in our records.
Said vs. did1 statement · 0 votes
End California's high taxes, reform CEQA to allow for more housing
Loosen zoning rules to build more housing
Compare statements with votes ›On the ballotU.S. House · 19
2026-11-03
| Jimmy Panetta D | incumbent |
| Peter Verbica R | challenger |
Advanced from the June 2 top-two primary with 20.5% of the vote
Said vs. did
Each documented position next to the recorded floor votes we map to the same issue. Votes are compared one at a time; no overall stance is inferred from them.
End California's high taxes, reform CEQA to allow for more housing
Supports reforming California's CEQA environmental-review law to allow more housing to be built.[4]
No recorded floor vote in our key-vote set maps to this issue.
Biography
Peter Verbica, a Republican Santa Cruz County financial planner and author, lost the November 3, 2026 election for California's 19th District to Jimmy Panetta. He previously reached the 2022 general election for the California Board of Equalization, District 2.[1][2][3]
Basic profile — the most important sourced facts we found.
Verbica was born in San Jose, California. He earned a bachelor's degree from Santa Clara University in 1983, a Master of Science from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1992, and a J.D. from Santa Clara University School of Law in 1999.[1] He works as a managing director, principal and Certified Financial Planner at Silicon Private Wealth and has also been an adjunct professor of economics at San Jose State University. Monterey County Now describes him as a Santa Cruz County resident and the author of the book Hard Won Cowboy Wisdom.[1][2] His listed civic affiliations include chair of the investment committee of the San Jose Symphony Foundation and former roles with the Pine Ridge Association at Henry Coe State Park, the Los Gatos Masonic Hall Corporation, the Digital Bridges Committee and the Hakone Foundation.[1]
In 2022 Verbica ran as a Republican for California Board of Equalization, District 2. He finished second in the June primary with 28.2 percent and lost the November general election to Democrat Sally Lieber, 69.8 percent to 30.2 percent.[1] In the June 2, 2026 primary for the 19th District he finished second with 20.5 percent, behind Rep. Jimmy Panetta's 58.4 percent. He says he is a registered Republican who views himself as an independent thinker.[1][5] He said his campaign focused on affordability, water infrastructure and immigration reform.[1][2] He received 27.0% of the vote to Jimmy Panetta's 73.0%, according to unofficial results reported by NBC News.[3]
In their own words
Priorities
- Names affordability as a top priority, calling for ending high state taxes, reforming CEQA to allow more housing, and lowering DMV fees.[4]
- Prioritizes water infrastructure, saying California voters approved billions for new reservoirs 'none of which were built,' needed to fight wildfires and support agriculture.[4]
- Calls for immigration reform that helps agriculture and high-tech businesses with a 'Bracero 2.0' program providing a clear, expedited path to legal employment.[4]
Statements, quoted without a stance
- Expand immigration enforcement and deportations
“reform immigration in California which helps ag and high-tech businesses and provide a Bracero 2.0 program with a clear, expeditious path to legal employment.”[4]
In his 2026 Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey
- Faster transition away from fossil fuels
“we need pragmatic energy and environmental policies—protecting places like Monterey Bay while ensuring safe, reliable, and affordable energy.”[4]
In his 2026 Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey
- Public funding for school choice (vouchers / charters)
“Peter is a vigorous advocate for: • small government, • lower taxes, • transparency, • accountability, • immigration reform, • the sanctity of our Nation’s borders, • a strong national defense, • school choice, and • merit-based education.”[6]
On his campaign website's About page (third-person campaign text)
Campaign money$76K raised · 95% from individuals · FEC through 2026-06-30
Totals this cycle
Bars share one scale (raised = full). Cash on hand can include money carried over from earlier cycles.
Who gave
- Individuals $72K
- PACs & committees $3,500
- Own money & loans $505
Largest committee contributions
- Vitoria PAC PAC$3,500
- Verbica for Congress Candidate committee$461
Direct contributions only; outside spending is not included. Individual donors are itemized in the FEC’s receipts. All itemized receipts ↗ FEC filing ↗
Profile: /people/peter-verbica
Compare all 2 candidates side by side ›
Sources cited in this profile
- 1.Peter Verbica — Candidate Connection survey · Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey Candidate's own words
- 2.Race for the 19th · Monterey County Now News report
- 3.U.S. House · California's 19th Congressional District results 2026 · NBC News News report
- 4.Peter Verbica — Candidate Connection survey · Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey Candidate's own words
- 5.Candidates for the 19th Congressional seat share thoughts on housing, ICE and immigration ahead of election · KSBY News report
- 6.About Me · Verbica for Congress · 2026-10-19 Candidate's own words