Stephanie Vargas

Stephanie Vargas is the Republican candidate for California's 33rd Congressional District, having placed second in the June 2026 top-two primary. A longtime San Bernardino County resident, she works in the Colton city clerk's office and describes herself as a Christian. The Republican Party of San Bernardino County has endorsed her, and she is running on cost of living, public safety and veterans services.[1][2][3][4]

Stephanie Vargas says she grew up in San Bernardino and has lived in District 33 her whole life.[3] According to her iVoterGuide profile, she earned an associate degree in business administration and management from San Bernardino Valley Community College and a certificate through UC Riverside Extension.[4] Her early work history on that profile includes service as a San Bernardino Police Department police cadet (2010-2013) and Police Explorer (2009-2012), general manager of a Menchie's in Fontana (2014-2016), and community service assistant for the City of Fontana (2016-2018).[4]

Vargas has worked for the City of Colton since 2018, according to iVoterGuide, first as an administrative assistant (2018-2021), then as deputy city clerk (2021-2023), acting city clerk (2023-2024) and chief deputy city clerk (2024-2026).[4] A voter guide describes her as a chief deputy clerk.[3] She lists membership in the International Institute of Municipal Clerks and the California Municipal Clerks Association, and board service at Springs Charter School from 2022 to 2026.[4]

This is Vargas's first run for office; iVoterGuide lists no prior political offices held or sought.[4] She placed second in the June 2, 2026 nonpartisan primary with 17.5% of the vote (20,952 votes), and the Republican Party of San Bernardino County has endorsed her.[2][4]

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