Ammar Campa-Najjar is a public servant, Navy Reserve officer, and former Obama administration official running for Congress in California’s 48th District. A first-generation American with a deeply personal story rooted in service and opportunity, Ammar has built his career around expanding economic opportunity and bringing people together across communities.
He served in the U.S. Department of Labor under President Obama, where he worked on workforce development and job training initiatives designed to help Americans access good-paying jobs in a changing economy. His experience in federal service shaped a pragmatic, results-oriented approach focused on economic mobility and working families.
Ammar also serves as a Navy Reserve officer, continuing a commitment to service and leadership. His background reflects discipline, accountability, and a belief in putting country before politics.
In 2020, Ammar ran a competitive, district-wide campaign against then-incumbent Darrell Issa, building strong name recognition and a broad coalition across the region. That experience gives him a unique advantage in CA-48—he understands the district, the electorate, and what it takes to compete in a challenging general election.
Now running in an open-seat race reshaped by redistricting, Ammar enters as the leading Democrat in a fragmented field, with consistent polling strength and a growing coalition that includes labor, national leaders, and local support. In a district that requires both primary viability and general-election credibility, he is positioned to advance through the top-two primary and run a serious campaign in November.
Key Issue Stances & Priorities
Lowering Costs & Expanding Opportunity — Ammar is focused on lowering costs for families and expanding access to good-paying jobs through workforce development and economic investment.
Supporting Working Families & Labor — With strong labor support, he emphasizes protecting workers’ rights, wages, and economic security.
Healthcare Access & Affordability — He supports expanding access to affordable healthcare and lowering prescription drug costs.
Veterans & Military Families — As a Navy Reserve officer, Ammar is committed to supporting veterans and ensuring they receive the care and benefits they’ve earned.
Pragmatic, Coalition-Based Leadership — Ammar has built his campaign around bringing together diverse communities, focusing on practical solutions over ideological division.
Why Ammar Campa-Najjar
- Polling leader in a fragmented top-two primary
- Only Democrat clearly on track to advance to November
- Proven district-wide campaign experience
- Broad coalition: labor + national + consolidating local support
- Credible general-election profile in a competitive, light-blue district
This is a ‘where were you?’ moment in the life of our country. Our children will ask us one day where were you when people were fighting for their lives, livelihoods, healthcare, reproductive freedom, and constitutional rights? I want to be able to say, ‘I was fighting for your future — and we won.’