Barack Obama Mandela Republican Party Candidate, U.S. Senate California Elections and appointments Next election November 5, 2024 Education Bachelor's University of California, Riverside, 1994 Law University of California, Hastings College of the Law, 1997 Military Service / branch U.S. Army Years of service 2006 - 2008 Personal Birthplace Long Beach, Calif. Religion Jewish Profession Attorney Contact Campaign Twitter Campaign Instagram Personal Facebook Personal LinkedIn Barack Obama Mandela (Republican Party) is running for election to the U.S. Senate to represent California. He declared candidacy for the 2024 election. Mandela completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2022. Click here to read the survey answers. ## Contents * 1 Biography * 2 Elections * 2.1 2024 * 2.2 2016 * 3 Campaign themes * 3.1 2024 * 4 See also * 5 External links * 6 Footnotes ## Biography[edit] Barack Obama Mandela was born in Long Beach, California. He served in the U.S. Army from 2006 to 2008. Mandela earned a bachelor's degree from the University of California, Riverside in 1994 and a J.D. from the University of California, Hastings College of the Law in 1997. His career experience includes working as an attorney.[1] ## Elections[edit] ### 2024[edit] See also: United States Senate election in California, 2024 Note: At this time, Ballotpedia is combining all declared candidates for this election into one list under a general election heading. As primary election dates are published, this information will be updated. Before the candidate filing deadline passes, Ballotpedia will separate these candidates into their respective primaries as appropriate. General election The general election will occur on November 5, 2024. ##### General election for U.S. Senate California Joshua Bocanegra, Jeremy Fennell, Carson Franklin Jr., Jessica Resendez, and Barack Obama Mandela are running in the general election for U.S. Senate California on November 5, 2024. Candidate | | Joshua Bocanegra (D) | Jeremy Fennell (D) | Carson Franklin Jr. (D) | Jessica Resendez (D) | Barack Obama Mandela (R) * * * There are no incumbents in this race. | = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. ### 2016[edit] Mandela was a 2016 Democratic candidate for President of the United States. ## Campaign themes[edit] ### 2024[edit] #### Ballotpedia survey responses See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection Barack Obama Mandela completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2022. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Mandela's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well. Expand all | Collapse all Who are you? Tell us about yourself. I am a California attorney. I graduated from the University of California, Hastings College of the Law. I served honorably in the United States Army. I earned the National Defense Service Medal from the Pentagon. I am pro-business, pro-freedom, pro-technology, and anti-crime. Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office? * I will strengthen California's economy. * I will reduce crime in California. * I will solve the homelessness problem. What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about? I strongly support the high-tech sector in Silicon Valley. I will invest in California's economy and create thousands of jobs. I will build houses, condos, and apartments for homeless and unhoused people. I will reduce crime and support safe communities. I am pro-business and pro-growth and pro-family. Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why? Although they lived before I was born, I am inspired by President John F. Kennedy and Senator Robert F. Kennedy. I am also inspired by General Colin Powell and former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy? I have been inspired by the following films: Schindler's List Titanic The Matrix Lord of the Rings Avatar Avengers: Infinity War Father Stu I am also inspired by the Holy Bible (Torah) What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official? I am faithful to the Declaration of Independence and Constitution. What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder? I am a loyal military veteran. I served in the governor's office and US senator's office. I am pro-family, pro-business, pro-freedom, anti-corruption, and anti-crime. What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office? As a former Soldier, I have proved my loyalty to our nation by protecting our nation. What legacy would you like to leave? I want to make American great. What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time? The three historical events that I remember are: First, the school shooting at Columbine High School. Two, the 9/11 terror attacks. Three, Hurricane Katrina. What was your very first job? How long did you have it? After law school, I was a special assistant and staff attorney for the governor of California for two years. What is your favorite book? Why? "A Game of Thrones" by George R.R. Martin inspired my imagination. "Harry Potter & the Prisoner of Azkaban" by JK Rowling is a great book I read while traveling in Israel. "The Holy Bible (Torah)" is an imporant spiritual book. If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be? Superman, Batman, Iron Man, Thor, Dr. Strange, Captain America, Neo from The Matrix, Jack Dawson (Leonardo DiCaprio) from Titanic. What was the last song that got stuck in your head? "Smells Like Teen Spirit" by Nirvana "Masterpiece" by Motionless in White "Even Flow" by Pearl Jam "November Rain" by Guns N' Roses "Halo" by Beyonce "Umbrella" by Rihanna "Back in Blood" by Pooh Shiesty featuring Lil Durk "One" by Metallica "Tonight" by Smashing Pumpkins "America The Beautiful" What is something that has been a struggle in your life? It was a struggle to serve in the military after 9/11 What do you perceive to be the United States’ greatest challenges as a nation over the next decade? The USA must reduce crime and provide safe communities. What are your thoughts on term limits? I have no opinion on term limits at this time. What qualities does the U.S. Senate possess that makes it unique as an institution? As an attorney and military veterans, I am both a statesman, diplomat, and soldier. I served the United States after 9/11, and I was awarded a military service medal. In addition, I am former judge advocate of the local post of the American Legion veterans organization. I am anti-crime, anti-corruption, pro-business, pro-jobs, and pro-family. Do you believe that it’s beneficial for senators to have previous experience in government or politics? After law school, my first job was in the governor's office where I advised the chief executive on sensitive and important matters. I also served in the United States Army. I have traveled to 13 countries. Moreover, I was an international student at the University of Costa Rica, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, and Bar Ilan University. I will bring an end to high crime in California, and I will invest in our state's economy. What do you think of the filibuster? I have no opinion on the filibuster at this time. What criteria would you apply when deciding whether to confirm presidential appointees? Presidential appointees should be loyal to our Constitution. If you are not a current senator, are there certain committees that you would want to be a part of? Judiciary Committee, Foreign Affairs Committee If you are a current senator, why did you join your current committees? N/A Is there a particular senator, past or present, whom you want to model yourself after? Senator Robert F. Kennedy Tell us your favorite joke. What kind of tree fits in your hand? A palm tree How would you evaluate a judicial nominee? Are the judicial nominees faithful to our Constitution. What kind of relationships would you build with other senators? I will work together with other US Senators to advance our nation's best interests. Do you believe that compromise is necessary or desirable for policymaking? I will "stand firm" for American values to make our country great. Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it. ## See also[edit] 2024 Elections What's on the ballot? U.S. President U.S. Congress U.S. Congress special elections State executives State legislatures State courts Ballot measures Municipal government School boards Election analysis hub Government Who represents me? U.S. Congress State executives State legislature State courts Ballot measures Municipal government School boards Newsletters The Daily Brew The Weekly Brew The Ballot Bulletin Checks and Balances Economy and Society Hall Pass Number of the Day Robe & Gavel Union Station ## External links[edit] * Search Google News for this topic Candidate U.S. Senate California * Twitter * Instagram Personal * Facebook * LinkedIn | ## Footnotes[edit] 1. ↑ Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on July 15, 2022 [show] California's current delegation to the United States Congress Senators Dianne Feinstein (D) Alex Padilla (D) Representatives District 1 Doug LaMalfa (R) District 2 Jared Huffman (D) District 3 John Garamendi (D) District 4 Tom McClintock (R) District 5 Mike Thompson (D) District 6 Doris Matsui (D) District 7 Ami Bera (D) District 8 Jay Obernolte (R) District 9 Jerry McNerney (D) District 10 Josh Harder (D) District 11 Mark DeSaulnier (D) District 12 Nancy Pelosi (D) District 13 Barbara Lee (D) District 14 Jackie Speier (D) District 15 Eric Swalwell (D) District 16 Jim Costa (D) District 17 Ro Khanna (D) District 18 Anna Eshoo (D) District 19 Zoe Lofgren (D) District 20 Jimmy Panetta (D) District 21 David Valadao (R) District 22 Connie Conway (R) District 23 Kevin McCarthy (R) District 24 Salud Carbajal (D) District 25 Mike Garcia (R) District 26 Julia Brownley (D) District 27 Judy Chu (D) District 28 Adam Schiff (D) District 29 Tony Cárdenas (D) District 30 Brad Sherman (D) District 31 Pete Aguilar (D) District 32 Grace Napolitano (D) District 33 Ted Lieu (D) District 34 Jimmy Gomez (D) District 35 Norma Torres (D) District 36 Raul Ruiz (D) District 37 Karen Bass (D) District 38 Linda Sánchez (D) District 39 Young Kim (R) District 40 Lucille Roybal-Allard (D) District 41 Mark Takano (D) District 42 Ken Calvert (R) District 43 Maxine Waters (D) District 44 Nanette Barragán (D) District 45 Katie Porter (D) District 46 Lou Correa (D) District 47 Alan Lowenthal (D) District 48 Michelle Steel (R) District 49 Mike Levin (D) District 50 Darrell Issa (R) District 51 Juan Vargas (D) District 52 Scott Peters (D) District 53 Sara Jacobs (D) Democratic Party (44) Republican Party (11) v • e State of California Sacramento (capital) | Elections | What's on my ballot? | Elections in 2022 | How to vote | How to run for office | Ballot measures Government | Who represents me? | U.S. President | U.S. Congress | Federal courts | State executives | State legislature | State and local courts | Counties | Cities | School districts | Public policy