Nanette BarraganServing

Nanette Barragan

U.S. HouseDemocrat

CA-44 U.S. House

Age 49·Mexican-American·U.S. Representative, CA-44 (2017-present)

Why This Race Matters

Barragan holds one of the safest Democratic seats in the country (D+19 Cook PVI), winning 2024 with 71.4% of the vote. Her real power is institutional: after chairing the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (2023-2024), she was named Co-Chair of the House Democratic Steering & Policy Committee by Leader Jeffries -- the body that recommends committee chairs and shapes the Democratic agenda. She secured $3 billion in the Inflation Reduction Act for the EPA Clean Ports Program based on her Climate Smart Ports Act, including a $411 million grant for the Port of Los Angeles -- the largest single port electrification investment in U.S. history.

No declared challengers yet for 2026. California's new redistricting map, approved by voters via Proposition 50 and upheld by the Supreme Court in February 2026, may shift district boundaries. Her district includes the Port of Los Angeles, where she delivered $411M to replace diesel equipment with zero-emission technology -- directly benefiting the communities of Wilmington, San Pedro, and Harbor Gateway that suffer from some of the highest childhood asthma rates in the country.

Key dates to watch: Primary on June 2, 2026 and General Election on November 3, 2026.

About

Nanette Diaz Barragan represents California's 44th Congressional District, which includes Carson, Compton, Lynwood, North Long Beach, San Pedro, South Gate, Watts, Willowbrook, and Wilmington. Born and raised in Harbor Gateway as the youngest of 11 children of Mexican immigrants, she became the first Latina ever elected to the Hermosa Beach City Council and the first woman to represent her district in Congress. A fierce advocate for environmental justice, she secured $3 billion in the Inflation Reduction Act for the EPA Clean Ports program and authored the Climate Smart Ports Act to reduce pollution in port communities that disproportionately affects Latino and low-income families.

Family & Heritage

Youngest of 11 children raised by immigrants from Mexico. Her father worked as a local TV repairman and instilled in her a strong work ethic and love for the Los Angeles Dodgers. Her mother, who completed only third grade, cleaned homes, cared for others, and worked in factories to make ends meet. Barragan grew up understanding the challenges low-income minority families face firsthand.

Political Career

Before Politics

White House Office of Public Liaison during Clinton administration, steering outreach for African Americans; NAACP, focusing on racial health disparities and discrimination; Extern to California Supreme Court Justice Carlos Moreno (2003); Los Angeles Legal Aid Foundation, assisting low-income workers with unpaid overtime and meal break claims (2004); United States Attorney's Office extern; Latham & Watkins LLP attorney (10 years), specializing in land use and environmental law, led a three-year immigration asylum case for a Guatemalan mother and child, and provided pro bono services to Hurricane Katrina victims.

Education

B.A. in Political Science with minor in Public Policy, UCLA (2000); J.D., University of Southern California Gould School of Law (2005). At UCLA, she was a devoted member of the Debate Union which inspired her to attend law school. At USC, she served on the Interdisciplinary Law Journal.

Key Issues & Priorities

*Environmental justice and port community health
*Climate change and clean energy transition
*Healthcare access and affordability
*Immigration reform and protecting Dreamers
*Port pollution reduction and zero-emission technology
*Protecting Social Security and Medicare
*Workers' rights and raising minimum wage
*Equal pay for equal work

Notable Legislation

Climate Smart Ports Act

Creates first federal program to green nation's ports with $1 billion/year zero emissions infrastructure program

Clean Shipping Act

Sets path to eliminate greenhouse gas emissions from ocean shipping by 2050 and zero emissions at ports by 2035

Inflation Reduction Act - Clean Ports Funding

Secured $3 billion in Inflation Reduction Act for EPA Clean Ports grant program

enacted

EPA Clean Ports Program Grant

Helped secure $411 million EPA Clean Ports Program grant for Port of Los Angeles electrification

Endorsements

California Democratic Party
Emily's List
Sierra Club
League of Conservation Voters
Planned Parenthood Action Fund
California Labor Federation
Equality California
Stonewall Democratic Club
California Environmental Voters
UNAC/UHCP (United Nurses Associations of California)

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