Peter Verbica

Peter Verbica is the Republican nominee for California's 19th District, a Santa Cruz County financial planner and author who advanced from the 2026 top-two primary. He previously reached the 2022 general election for the California Board of Equalization, District 2. He says his campaign focuses on affordability, water infrastructure and immigration reform.[1][2]

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][3]

Researched from the cited sources on 2026-10-21.