Raul RuizServing

Raul Ruiz

U.S. HouseDemocrat

CA-25 U.S. House

Age 53·Mexican (born in Zacatecas, Mexico; naturalized U.S. citizen)·U.S. Representative, California's 25th District (2013-present)

Why This Race Matters

Raul Ruiz is running against Ronald Huffman (R); John Kesselmark (R); Joe Males (R, Marine veteran, Hemet City Council); Eli Owens (I).

CA-25 is emerging as a 2026 bellwether for Latino voter alignment. The district has a Cook PVI of only D+3, and Harris carried it by just 2.5 points in 2024 -- a steep drop from Biden's 15-point margin in 2020. Republicans view it as "a new swing seat that President Trump helped create." As the only Latino physician in Congress and a 2025 Carnegie Great Immigrant honoree, Ruiz is a high-profile target in a majority-Latino district where farmworker and immigration issues are central.

Won 2024 reelection with 56.3% over Ian Weeks (R), but district shifted dramatically at presidential level. Multiple Republican challengers filing, including Joe Males (Marine veteran, Hemet City Council member) whose consultant called this a Trump-created swing seat. District covers Imperial County, Eastern Coachella Valley, and inland Riverside County. Former Congressional Hispanic Caucus Chair (2021-2022). First Latino to earn three graduate degrees from Harvard.

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

About

Dr. Raul Ruiz is an emergency medicine physician and U.S. Representative for California's 25th Congressional District. Born in Zacatecas, Mexico, he was raised by farmworker parents in Coachella, California. He became the first Latino to earn three graduate degrees from Harvard University. Before Congress, he founded the Coachella Valley Healthcare Initiative and served as Medical Director for J/P Haitian Relief Organization after the 2010 earthquake. As Chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (2021-2022), he championed the Farm Workforce Modernization Act.

Family & Heritage

Born in Zacatecas City, Mexico and raised in Coachella, California by farmworker parents. After his mother's death, he was adopted by his father's sister in Coachella. First in his family to attend college. Married to Monica with twin children Sky and Sage (born 2016). Currently resides in Indio, California. Honored as a 2025 Carnegie Corporation "Great Immigrant" - one of 20 distinguished naturalized citizens recognized for contributions to American democracy.

Political Career

Before Politics

Emergency medicine physician at Eisenhower Medical Center in Coachella Valley. Senior Associate Dean at UC Riverside School of Medicine. Founded pre-medical mentorship program (grew to 100+ students). Co-founded free clinic through Volunteers in Medicine. Founder and director of the Coachella Valley Healthcare Initiative (2010). Medical Director for J/P Haitian Relief Organization after 2010 Haiti earthquake. Medical consultant to Serbian and Salvadoran health ministries on emergency healthcare reform. Student body president at Coachella Valley High School.

Education

B.S. in Biology, UCLA (1994, magna cum laude); M.D., Harvard Medical School (2001); M.P.P., Harvard Kennedy School of Government (2001); M.P.H., Harvard School of Public Health (2007); Emergency Medicine Residency, University of Pittsburgh; International Emergency Medicine Fellowship, Brigham and Women's Hospital. First Latino to earn three graduate degrees from Harvard University.

Awards & Recognition

2025 Carnegie Corporation "Great Immigrant" Award; U.S. Army 82nd Airborne Commander's Award for Public Service; Ohtli Award from Government of Mexico (Congressional Hispanic Caucus)

Key Issues & Priorities

*Healthcare access and protecting Medicare/Social Security
*Farmworker rights and immigration reform (championed Farm Workforce Modernization Act)
*Child labor protections in agriculture (CARE Act)
*Veterans healthcare
*Rural healthcare access and physician shortage
*Tribal internet expansion
*Environmental health in desert communities
*ACA premium tax credit extensions

Notable Legislation

CARE Act - Children's Act for Responsible Employment

Child labor protections in agriculture

Farm Workforce Modernization Act

Health Care for Homeless Veterans Act

2026

introduced

Strengthening Medicare for Patients and Providers Act

2025

introduced

Tribal Internet Expansion Act

2025

introduced

Humanitarian Standards for Individuals in ICE and CBP Custody Act

Endorsements

Bill Clinton (2012)
United Farm Workers (UFW)
LULAC
American Psychological Association
Harvard Humanitarian Initiative

Suggest an Edit