2026 race · follow the money
California U.S. House District 32
9 filings report $6.4M raised, and outside groups reported $1.8M in independent spending for or against them. Compare where each campaign's money came from and who spent to help or hurt it.
The count.
Checking the election sources…
Side by side.
Raised excludes transfers between a candidate's own committees. Shares are of that total. Filings appear in order of money raised; this includes primary candidates who are no longer running.
| Candidate | Raised | Individuals | PACs | Own money | Spent | Cash | Outside for | Outside against |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brad ShermanDemocrat · Filed as incumbent | $2.9M | 53% | 30% | 0% | $4.1M | $2.7M | $974K | $401K |
| Jake LevineDemocrat · Filed as challenger | $2.8M | 70% | 0.7% | 29% | $2.8M | $600 | $401K | — |
| Jake RakovDemocrat · Filed as challenger | $584K | 14% | 0.4% | 86% | $584K | $0 | — | — |
| Larry ThompsonRepublican · Filed as challenger | $66K | 16% | 0% | 84% | $59K | $7,146 | — | — |
| Dory BenamiDemocrat · Filed as challenger | $58K | 62% | 0% | 38% | $52K | $5,437 | — | — |
| Christopher AhujaDemocrat · Filed as challenger | $48K | 100% | 0% | 0% | $19K | $12K | — | — |
| Marena LinDemocrat · Filed as challenger | $39K | 65% | 0% | 29% | $39K | $0 | — | — |
| Josh SautterDemocrat · Filed as challenger | $31K | 100% | 0% | 0% | $371 | $25K | — | — |
| Anna WildingDemocrat · Filed as challenger | $14K | 14% | 0.7% | 85% | $13K | $774 | — | — |
Who spent from outside.
The largest independent spenders in this race, summed from each candidate's five largest spenders on each side.
- VALLEY-WESTSIDE UNITED PAC$940K for Brad Sherman
- NEW ERA LEADERSHIP$401K against Brad Sherman · $401K for Jake Levine
- NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE$34K for Brad Sherman
- SIERRA CLUB INDEPENDENT ACTION$10 for Brad Sherman
Each campaign.
Sitting member of Congress · Brad Sherman
In the U.S. House (CA-32) since 1997 · current term ends Jan 3, 2027
- Recorded yea or nay on 24 of the 24 key House floor votes captured in Hugin's snapshot
- 2 committees: Financial Services, Foreign Affairs · 5 subcommittees
- 176 committees reported contributions to them this cycle · 4 committees reported outside spending for or against them
Linked to this filing by its exact FEC candidate ID (H6CA24113) in the congress-legislators roster of Oct 21, 2026. Votes are one key floor vote per bill on bills named in contractor lobbying reports (Oct 29, 2026); committee seats are the roster as of Oct 24, 2026; money counts are FEC reports for 2026 as of Oct 24, 2026. These are what Hugin's snapshots captured, not complete records, and none of them is a score or evidence of motive.
- Raised
- $2.9M
- Spent
- $4.1M
- Cash on hand
- $2.7M
- Debts
- $5,380
- Individuals 53% $1.5M
- PACs & other committees 30% $859K
- Other receipts 17% $474K
Campaign totals through Oct 14, 2026. Excludes $48K moved between the candidate's own committees.
Outside groups: $974K supporting · $401K opposing
Biggest spenders supporting
Biggest spenders opposing
- NEW ERA LEADERSHIP $401K
Largest direct PAC contributions
Where the money went $3.7M in itemized spending
These itemized payments cover $3.7M of the $4.1M the campaign reported spending through Oct 14, 2026. The FEC has not yet itemized the rest in its bulk file, which runs to Jun 30, 2026.
- Advertising & outreach 73% $2.7M
- Consultants & strategy 6% $212K
- Fundraising & processing fees 9% $342K
- Polling, research & data 4% $154K
- Travel, meals & events 0.1% $4,436
- Office, technology & overhead 2% $79K
- Legal & compliance 2% $88K
- Other or unclassified 3% $106K
Largest payees
- JACOBSON & ZILBER STRATEGIES LLC $1.6M
- NM MARKETING $732K
- TKO PUBLIC AFFAIRS $186K
- THE FROST GROUP LLC $122K
- STONES' PHONES $113K
Paid to individuals: $151K, such as staff, contractors and reimbursements. People who were paid are not named here.
Payments dated Jan 2, 2025 to Jun 30, 2026, as itemized by the principal campaign committee in FEC reports (492 entries). Every payment on FEC.gov ↗
Grouped by each campaign's own description of the payment, so the groups are approximate. Payments of $200 or less to one payee need not be itemized, detail filed only as memo entries counts under other or unclassified, and spending by the candidate's other committees or by outside groups is not included. A payment is not evidence of a favor or wrongdoing.
- Raised
- $2.8M
- Spent
- $2.8M
- Cash on hand
- $600
- Individuals 70% $1.9M
- PACs & other committees 0.7% $19K
- Candidate's own money & loans 29% $804K
- Other receipts <0.1% $100
Campaign totals through Jul 31, 2026.
Outside groups: $401K supporting · $0 opposing
Biggest spenders supporting
- NEW ERA LEADERSHIP $401K
Largest direct PAC contributions
- PAF $5,000
- JANE FONDA CLIMATE PAC $5,000
- LEAGUE OF CONSERVATION VOTERS ACTION FUND $4,900
Where the money went $2.2M in itemized spending
These itemized payments cover $2.2M of the $2.8M the campaign reported spending through Jul 31, 2026. The FEC has not yet itemized the rest in its bulk file, which runs to Jul 30, 2026.
- Advertising & outreach 55% $1.2M
- Consultants & strategy 21% $473K
- Fundraising & processing fees 14% $311K
- Polling, research & data 3% $77K
- Travel, meals & events 2% $40K
- Office, technology & overhead 1% $25K
- Legal & compliance 3% $70K
- Contributions, transfers & refunds 0.1% $2,040
- Other or unclassified 0.3% $6,352
Largest payees
- APOLLO MESSAGING AND MEDIA $354K
- APOLLO MESSAGING $170K
- THE MELLINGER GROUP, LLC $71K
- GREAT JOB INC $63K
- KINETIC STRATEGIES LLC $52K
Paid to individuals: $941K, such as staff, contractors and reimbursements. People who were paid are not named here.
Payments dated Aug 5, 2025 to Jul 30, 2026, as itemized by the principal campaign committee in FEC reports (574 entries). Every payment on FEC.gov ↗
Grouped by each campaign's own description of the payment, so the groups are approximate. Payments of $200 or less to one payee need not be itemized, detail filed only as memo entries counts under other or unclassified, and spending by the candidate's other committees or by outside groups is not included. A payment is not evidence of a favor or wrongdoing.
- Raised
- $584K
- Spent
- $584K
- Cash on hand
- $0
- Individuals 14% $81K
- PACs & other committees 0.4% $2,500
- Candidate's own money & loans 86% $500K
Campaign totals through Sep 30, 2025.
No independent expenditures for or against this filing are itemized in the bulk file.
Where the money went $217K in itemized spending
These itemized payments cover $217K of the $584K the campaign reported spending through Sep 30, 2025. The FEC has not yet itemized the rest in its bulk file, which runs to Sep 26, 2025.
- Advertising & outreach 42% $90K
- Consultants & strategy 9% $20K
- Fundraising & processing fees 1% $3,053
- Polling, research & data 13% $28K
- Travel, meals & events 2% $3,162
- Office, technology & overhead 19% $41K
- Legal & compliance 15% $32K
Largest payees
- AUTHENTIC CAMPAIGNS $49K
- PUTNAM PARTNERS, LLC $44K
- NGP VAN $40K
- MBA CONSULTING GROUP $32K
- NESBITT & PARRINELLO, INC. $25K
Paid to individuals: $6,652, such as staff, contractors and reimbursements. People who were paid are not named here.
Payments dated Apr 7, 2025 to Sep 26, 2025, as itemized by the principal campaign committee in FEC reports (53 entries). Every payment on FEC.gov ↗
Grouped by each campaign's own description of the payment, so the groups are approximate. Payments of $200 or less to one payee need not be itemized, detail filed only as memo entries counts under other or unclassified, and spending by the candidate's other committees or by outside groups is not included. A payment is not evidence of a favor or wrongdoing.
- Raised
- $66K
- Spent
- $59K
- Cash on hand
- $7,146
- Debts
- $38K
- Individuals 16% $10K
- Candidate's own money & loans 84% $56K
Campaign totals through Oct 14, 2026.
No independent expenditures for or against this filing are itemized in the bulk file.
Where the money went $52K in itemized spending
These itemized payments cover $52K of the $59K the campaign reported spending through Oct 14, 2026. The FEC has not yet itemized the rest in its bulk file, which runs to Sep 29, 2026.
- Advertising & outreach 3% $1,605
- Fundraising & processing fees 0.3% $162
- Polling, research & data 0.6% $305
- Travel, meals & events 3% $1,536
- Office, technology & overhead 3% $1,382
- Legal & compliance 12% $6,226
- Contributions, transfers & refunds 0.3% $160
- Other or unclassified 78% $40K
Largest payees
- AMERICAN EXPRESS $28K
- ROBERT WATKINS & COMPANY, P.A. $4,486
- ANEDOT $162
Paid to individuals: $19K, such as staff, contractors and reimbursements. People who were paid are not named here.
Payments dated Jan 13, 2025 to Sep 29, 2026, as itemized by the principal campaign committee in FEC reports (93 entries). Every payment on FEC.gov ↗
Grouped by each campaign's own description of the payment, so the groups are approximate. Payments of $200 or less to one payee need not be itemized, detail filed only as memo entries counts under other or unclassified, and spending by the candidate's other committees or by outside groups is not included. A payment is not evidence of a favor or wrongdoing.
- Raised
- $58K
- Spent
- $52K
- Cash on hand
- $5,437
- Debts
- $20K
- Individuals 62% $36K
- Candidate's own money & loans 38% $22K
- Other receipts 0.2% $102
Campaign totals through Sep 30, 2026.
No independent expenditures for or against this filing are itemized in the bulk file.
Where the money went $51K in itemized spending
- Advertising & outreach 40% $20K
- Consultants & strategy 18% $9,000
- Fundraising & processing fees 2% $1,109
- Polling, research & data 4% $2,123
- Legal & compliance 19% $9,846
- Other or unclassified 17% $8,591
Largest payees
- BATIE & ASSOCIATES, LLC $9,000
- RAMP BUSINESS CORPORATION $8,591
- SUNRISE POLITICAL SOLUTIONS, INC $6,946
- POLA AI, INC $5,000
- JARED SCLAR & ASSOCIATES $4,558
Paid to individuals: $3,535, such as staff, contractors and reimbursements. People who were paid are not named here.
Payments dated Oct 8, 2025 to Sep 28, 2026, as itemized by the principal campaign committee in FEC reports (105 entries). Every payment on FEC.gov ↗
Grouped by each campaign's own description of the payment, so the groups are approximate. Payments of $200 or less to one payee need not be itemized, detail filed only as memo entries counts under other or unclassified, and spending by the candidate's other committees or by outside groups is not included. A payment is not evidence of a favor or wrongdoing.
- Raised
- $48K
- Spent
- $19K
- Cash on hand
- $12K
- Debts
- $2,838
- Individuals 100% $48K
Campaign totals through Jul 20, 2026.
No independent expenditures for or against this filing are itemized in the bulk file.
Where the money went $19K in itemized spending
- Consultants & strategy 19% $3,580
- Fundraising & processing fees 0.9% $170
- Office, technology & overhead 35% $6,706
- Other or unclassified 45% $8,637
Largest payees
- NWF STRATEGIES $8,178
- NWF STRATEGIES NWF STRATE $2,828
- POLITICAL DATA I PDI INVOIC ST-O4Q2W2E1V5L7 $2,046
- TRAIL BLAZER CAMPAIGN SERVICES INC. $903
- CHASE $627
Paid to individuals: $3,346, such as staff, contractors and reimbursements. People who were paid are not named here.
Payments dated Apr 11, 2025 to Jun 9, 2026, as itemized by the principal campaign committee in FEC reports (28 entries). Every payment on FEC.gov ↗
Grouped by each campaign's own description of the payment, so the groups are approximate. Payments of $200 or less to one payee need not be itemized, detail filed only as memo entries counts under other or unclassified, and spending by the candidate's other committees or by outside groups is not included. A payment is not evidence of a favor or wrongdoing.
- Raised
- $39K
- Spent
- $39K
- Cash on hand
- $0
- Individuals 65% $25K
- Candidate's own money & loans 29% $11K
- Other receipts 6% $2,500
Campaign totals through Sep 30, 2026.
No independent expenditures for or against this filing are itemized in the bulk file.
Where the money went $30K in itemized spending
These itemized payments cover $30K of the $39K the campaign reported spending through Sep 30, 2026. The FEC has not yet itemized the rest in its bulk file, which runs to Jun 30, 2026.
- Advertising & outreach 29% $8,759
- Fundraising & processing fees 0.5% $139
- Polling, research & data 0.3% $93
- Travel, meals & events 2% $496
- Legal & compliance 19% $5,890
- Other or unclassified 49% $15K
Largest payees
- POLITICAL REPORTING PLUS $5,250
- CAPITAL ONE $3,632
- WOODLAND HILLS PRINTING $988
- J SCAN CO LLC $500
- ACTBLUE $139
Paid to individuals: $20K, such as staff, contractors and reimbursements. People who were paid are not named here.
Payments dated Jan 23, 2026 to Jun 30, 2026, as itemized by the principal campaign committee in FEC reports (34 entries). Every payment on FEC.gov ↗
Grouped by each campaign's own description of the payment, so the groups are approximate. Payments of $200 or less to one payee need not be itemized, detail filed only as memo entries counts under other or unclassified, and spending by the candidate's other committees or by outside groups is not included. A payment is not evidence of a favor or wrongdoing.
- Raised
- $31K
- Spent
- $371
- Cash on hand
- $25K
- Individuals 100% $31K
Campaign totals through Mar 31, 2026.
No independent expenditures for or against this filing are itemized in the bulk file.
No itemized operating expenditures from this candidate's principal campaign committee are in the FEC bulk file yet.
- Raised
- $14K
- Spent
- $13K
- Cash on hand
- $774
- Individuals 14% $1,882
- PACs & other committees 0.7% $100
- Candidate's own money & loans 85% $12K
Campaign totals through Sep 30, 2026.
No independent expenditures for or against this filing are itemized in the bulk file.
Where the money went $13K in itemized spending
- Advertising & outreach 36% $4,604
- Travel, meals & events 64% $8,179
Paid to individuals: $13K, such as staff, contractors and reimbursements. People who were paid are not named here.
Payments dated Aug 21, 2025 to Mar 31, 2026, as itemized by the principal campaign committee in FEC reports (3 entries). Every payment on FEC.gov ↗
Grouped by each campaign's own description of the payment, so the groups are approximate. Payments of $200 or less to one payee need not be itemized, detail filed only as memo entries counts under other or unclassified, and spending by the candidate's other committees or by outside groups is not included. A payment is not evidence of a favor or wrongdoing.
Also registered for this seat, with no campaign summary or outside spending in the bulk file: Douglas Smith, David Brown, Mia Michelle Phillips, Orissa Ishii, Wyatt Karem.
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FEC bulk data read November 4, 2026. Campaign totals come from each filing's own FEC summary through its latest processed report. Outside spending is independent expenditures itemized in committee reports in the FEC bulk files, primaries included; late 24- and 48-hour reports, party coordinated spending, communication costs and groups that do not report to the FEC are not included. Outside spending is, by law, made without coordinating with the candidate, and it is not the candidate's money. A contribution or expenditure is not evidence of a vote, favor or wrongdoing.