Bob Smith
R
Advanced from the June 2 top-two primary with 35.9% of the vote
Bob Smith is a retired U.S. Navy officer and combat veteran who served over 26 years in the Navy, currently a senior engineering fellow for a defense contractor, running as the Republican nominee for California's 24th District.[3]
Basic profile — the most important sourced facts we found.
Positions on the issues
- SupportsLoosen zoning rules to build more housing
Says housing affordability and homeownership have been stripped from the middle class and should be a top federal priority.[3]
In their words — priorities
- Names home ownership and housing affordability as a top priority, saying equity has been stripped from the middle class in California.[3]
- Supports a stronger U.S. military posture, saying the country must be technologically far enough ahead that 'war with the U.S. is not an option for anyone.'[3]
- Wants to attract space-industry, AI, and fusion-energy jobs to the district and stop the loss of tech companies to other states.[3]
Background
- Enlisted in the Navy in 1998, working as a technician on the AEGIS Weapon System before commissioning as an officer in 2006 through the Seaman to Admiral program; earned a B.S. from Old Dominion University and an M.S. in systems engineering from the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey.[3]
- Served as a Surface Warfare Officer through multiple combat deployments and later as an Engineering Duty Officer directing Navy weapons-development programs; received the U.S. Navy's Best Engineer of the Year award for 2023.[3]
Campaign money
Raised $203K · spent $156K · $47K cash on hand (through 2026-06-30) FEC filing ↗