Marisa Wood
Marisa Wood (Democratic Party) ran in a special election to the U.S. House to represent California's 20th Congressional District. She lost in the special primary on March 19, 2024.
Wood also ran for election to the U.S. House to represent California's 20th Congressional District. She lost in the primary on March 5, 2024.
Biography
Marisa Wood was born in Danville, California. Wood's career experience includes working as a public school English teacher.[1]
Elections
2024
Regular
See also: California's 20th Congressional District election, 2024
California's 20th Congressional District election, 2024 (March 5 top-two primary)
General election
General election for U.S. House California District 20
Incumbent Vince Fong defeated Mike Boudreaux (Unofficially withdrew) in the general election for U.S. House California District 20 on November 5, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Vince Fong (R) | 65.1 | 187,862 | |
| Mike Boudreaux (R) (Unofficially withdrew) | 34.9 | 100,926 | ||
| Total votes: 288,788 | ||||
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Nonpartisan primary election
Nonpartisan primary for U.S. House California District 20
The following candidates ran in the primary for U.S. House California District 20 on March 5, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Vince Fong (R) | 41.9 | 66,160 | |
| ✔ | Mike Boudreaux (R) | 24.0 | 37,883 | |
| Marisa Wood (D) | 21.2 | 33,509 | ||
| Kyle Kirkland (R) | 4.1 | 6,429 | ||
| Andy Morales (D) | 2.8 | 4,381 | ||
| Stan Ellis (R) | 2.1 | 3,252 | ||
| David Giglio (R) (Unofficially withdrew) | 1.4 | 2,224 | ||
| Ben Dewell (No party preference) | 1.0 | 1,509 | ||
| Matt Stoll (R) | 0.7 | 1,131 | ||
| Kelly Kulikoff (R) | 0.5 | 724 | ||
| T.J. Esposito (No party preference) | 0.3 | 541 | ||
| James Cardoza (No party preference) (Write-in) | 0.0 | 9 | ||
| Total votes: 157,752 | ||||
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Matthew Piatt (R)
- Nathaniel Bruce (R)
- Johnathon Burrows (D)
Endorsements
Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Wood in this election.
Special
See also: California's 20th Congressional District special election, 2024
General election
Special general election for U.S. House California District 20
Vince Fong defeated Mike Boudreaux in the special general election for U.S. House California District 20 on May 21, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Vince Fong (R) | 60.6 | 50,643 | |
| Mike Boudreaux (R) | 39.4 | 32,952 | ||
| Total votes: 83,595 | ||||
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Nonpartisan primary election
Special nonpartisan primary for U.S. House California District 20
The following candidates ran in the special primary for U.S. House California District 20 on March 19, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Vince Fong (R) | 42.3 | 51,194 | |
| ✔ | Mike Boudreaux (R) | 25.8 | 31,202 | |
| Marisa Wood (D) | 22.6 | 27,337 | ||
| Kyle Kirkland (R) | 4.9 | 5,941 | ||
| Harmesh Kumar (D) | 2.4 | 2,885 | ||
| Ben Dewell (No party preference) | 0.9 | 1,074 | ||
| David Fluhart (No party preference) | 0.7 | 878 | ||
| James Cardoza (No party preference) | 0.2 | 298 | ||
| Anna Zoë Cohen (R) | 0.2 | 289 | ||
| Total votes: 121,098 | ||||
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Endorsements
Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Wood in this election.
2022
See also: California's 20th Congressional District election, 2022
General election
General election for U.S. House California District 20
Incumbent Kevin McCarthy defeated Marisa Wood in the general election for U.S. House California District 20 on November 8, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Kevin McCarthy (R) | 67.2 | 153,847 | |
| Marisa Wood (D) | 32.8 | 74,934 | ||
| Total votes: 228,781 | ||||
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Nonpartisan primary election
Nonpartisan primary for U.S. House California District 20
Incumbent Kevin McCarthy and Marisa Wood defeated Ben Dewell, James Davis, and James Macauley in the primary for U.S. House California District 20 on June 7, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Kevin McCarthy (R) | 61.3 | 85,748 | |
| ✔ | Marisa Wood (D) | 24.0 | 33,511 | |
| Ben Dewell (D) | 6.3 | 8,757 | ||
| James Davis (R) | 4.6 | 6,382 | ||
| James Macauley (R) | 3.9 | 5,488 | ||
| Total votes: 139,886 | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
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Campaign themes
2024
Regular
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Marisa Wood did not complete Ballotpedia's 2024 Candidate Connection survey.
Campaign website
Wood’s campaign website stated the following:
| “ |
Immigration We need to make sure we are fighting for comprehensive immigration reform; a reform that is fair and just. A focus on keeping Californians safe with secure borders is imperative. My overall reform plan will include:
Path to Legal Status: Establish a pathway to legal status, including citizenship, for long-term undocumented residents. Economy We need to make sure we are fighting for comprehensive immigration reform; a reform that is fair and just. A focus on keeping Californians safe with secure borders is imperative. My overall reform plan will include:
Affordable Housing & Homelessness lifting my district from the high levels of poverty it has been plagued by since 2005 including the skyrocketing housing costs. Affordable Housing Initiatives:
Policy Advocacy:
Innovative Housing Solutions:
Prevention and Support Programs:
Education and Employment Programs:
Monitoring and Evaluation:
Healthcare Reproductive Rights Veterans Water Seniors/Social Security Education In Congress, I will continue my job of educating but will focus on teaching politicians in Washington about the importance of investing in our students, from worker training programs and making college more affordable. From leading Restorative Practices on campus to teaching high achieving students and English learners, my vision has been clear– students come first! Today’s students are our brightest hope for the future! We must prepare them to meet that future with intelligence, integrity, and compassion. Equality, Equity, and Inclusion Environment and Clean Energy Solutions Promise to Constituents |
” |
| —Marisa Wood’s campaign website (2024)[3] | ||
Special
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Marisa Wood did not complete Ballotpedia's 2024 Candidate Connection survey.
2022
Marisa Wood did not complete Ballotpedia's 2022 Candidate Connection survey.
Campaign website
Wood's campaign website stated the following:
| “ |
FOSSIL FUEL PLEDGE I have proudly signed the pledge to not accept any donation from the Fossil Fuel Industry.
Every vote I make; every piece of legislation I advance will be grounded in this question–am I meeting the needs of the constituents who depend on me?
As an educator for over 25 years, I know the foundational value of equitable education and the positive impacts on our Central Valley families and students. Education is the great equalizer. Regardless of where a student starts, their opportunities are limitless through education. I have been inspired by my students, who are the first in their family to go to college. I have been inspired by my students living with their whole family in a small trailer but still, show up with their homework done. Their academic success is a beacon of hope for us all. In Congress, I will continue my job of educating but will focus on teaching politicians in Washington about the importance of investing in our students, from worker training programs and making college more affordable. From leading Restorative Practices on campus to teaching high achieving students and English learners, my vision has been clear– students come first! Today’s students are our brightest hope for the future! We must prepare them to meet that future with intelligence, integrity, and compassion.
As a teacher for the past 21 years in the Fairfax school district, I have seen my students and their families struggle accessing affordable quality healthcare. We must find a fiscally responsible plan that meets the diverse needs of our families who have limited access to the essential healthcare they and their families need while not sacrificing the quality of care. Individuals and families’ needs are different in terms of their healthcare to include public buy-in options that are affordable and accessible to all which would include expanding Medicare coverage to allow people to buy-in. No one should have to choose between putting food on the table, going to the doctor, or taking their medication. We see today with the COVID-19 pandemic, how the nation came together to solve one of our most pressing public health emergencies. This is proof that we can meet our healthcare needs when we put people and their healthcare first.
As your elected Congress member, I will prioritize lifting my district from the high levels of poverty it has been plagued by since 2005. The combination of skyrocketing housing costs and inflation-adjusted wages that have benefited only the highest-paid workers are crippling the hard working people of my district. The majority of the families living in poverty have at least one member working full time. As your representative, I will push for a dignified living wage for all workers. Those folks working 40, 50, 60 hours a week should be able to provide a home, healthcare, and food for their families. It is also crucial for us to create policies that will strengthen public support like tax credits, health insurance, daycare, and food assistance for struggling folks to meet their needs in the face of the rising cost of living. I will not turn my back on the needs of my constituents as they strive to better their lives in the communities that I see daily. The extraordinary small business owners who are the lifeblood of our local economy have struggled under the Pandemic. Several friends have shared with me the struggles they faced in keeping afloat, even before the pandemic. Meaningful and viable support for these businesses will be a priority.
I will adamantly defend a person’s right to safe, accessible reproductive healthcare. Ultimately, decisions about whether to choose adoption, end a pregnancy, or raise a child MUST be left to the patient, in consultation with their family, their Faith, or healthcare provider if they choose. It is essential that abortion remain a safe and legal medical procedure for a person to consider when and if they need it. This is a deeply personal decision that can not be made for someone else. Patients must have accurate medical information about their options and be supported in their decisions. Politicians should NOT be involved in the personal medical decisions of a pregnancy. The decision rests solely with the individual and not the politician.
Veterans honored this country with their service, and it is absolutely appalling that they have to fight for the services they earned, such as healthcare and education. Many of our brave veterans can suffer from addiction, mental health, homelessness, and some, unfortunately, take their own life. We can and must do better. I am committed to ensuring that access to services and healthcare is not another battle they face. You will not be alone. I will stand with you and use the power of my voice in Congress to affect meaningful change in Veteran’s services.
The number of homeless youth, veterans, and Americans have been on the rise in Kern County and the country at an alarming rate over the past four years. In California, The horrors of childhood trauma and poverty, mental illness, and chronic drug abuse surely add to the likelihood that someone lives on the streets. The primary cause of the crisis is that housing is too scarce and expensive. Homeless youth who have aged out of the Foster Care system accounts for approximately ⅓ of the homeless population. I will work to ensure that affordable housing is made available through the improvements made in communities via President Biden’s Infrastructure plan. Communities of support as well as the building of affordable housing and small homes must work together to provide the homeless with the tools they need to move off the streets and toward independence. We MUST do better!
The Central Valley feeds the world! Water is pivotal to our economy and the thousands of agricultural working families that live here. Every drop of water is essential to growing the food we eat or quench our thirst. Water shortage issues extend beyond the drought in that with climate changes and the rampant devastating wildfires plaguing the state, we must build up and manage our water storage capabilities to meet the needs of individuals, farms, and businesses. A continued investment in water infrastructure to provide real solutions to the problems we see today is a must. Working with the California Water Commission to ensure that funds are efficiently and timely being devoted to funding new water storage projects as well as maintaining those storage facilities in place. The allocation and funding process must be a priority and not spend time bogged down in red tape and political bureaucracy.
Too many seniors have to skip doctors appointments, skip their medication, or even skip meals, and that is not okay with me! We made a promise to seniors that if they contributed to Social Security, they would have earned benefits that would help them when they need it most. As your Congress Woman, I will raise my voice to support seniors and their families in the time they should be enjoying their retirement. I will fight to increase support for seniors by providing more Medicare benefits and lowering prescription drug costs.
As a grandmother to two perfect grandchildren, I will do all I can to ensure they have a planet that is clean and thriving in which to grow. Climate change is real and we must meet this issue head on. I am committed to moving our Fossil Fuel dependence toward renewable energy in a manner that is thoughtful and intentional. My number one priority will be to utilize the infrastructure and skilled workforce already in place; keeping workers working while decreasing dependency on fossil fuels. We have one planet and it is our shared responsibility to take care of it and to pass a sustainable future to generations to come.
As the granddaughter of an Italian immigrant who came to America via Ellis Island, we are lucky that America became our home. I am proud of my Italian heritage and America’s extraordinary mosaic of ethnicities that make it a rich melting pot of cultures and the great country it is today. Here in the Central Valley, immigrant and migrant farmworkers are the lifeblood of the Ag Industry. My husband John has been farming for 35 years here and we know first hand how much growers depend on these hard working laborers to harvest the crops that feed us and the world! We must pass the Farmworkers Modernization Act which would grant work permits, green cards, and a path to citizenship to those employed in agriculture. Consumers, growers, and laborers would benefit from a stable workforce. We need to make sure we are fighting for comprehensive immigration reform; a reform that is fair and just. A focus on keeping Californians safe with secure borders is imperative. My overall reform plan will include strong and smart border security, citizenship for DREAMERs, and an earned path to citizenship so folks already here can come out of the shadows.
It is time for women to get equal pay for equal work. It is time that our trans, non-binary family, friends get the respect that they deserve. It is time that our friends of color live their lives without the fear of persecution. It is time that we stop hate. It is time that we ensure that everyone is part of a free and fair election; where EVERY vote is counted, valued, and honored. Leaders lead by example and passing the Voting Rights Bill and the John Lewis Voting Rights Act will ensure that our Democracy remains for the people by the people.[2] |
” |
| —Marisa Wood's campaign website (2022)[4] | ||
Campaign finance summary
Note: The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may represent only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf. Satellite spending groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer. Campaign finance data from elections may be incomplete. For elections to federal offices, complete data can be found at the FEC website. Click here for more on federal campaign finance law and here for more on state campaign finance law.
See also
2024 Elections
External links
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Candidate U.S. House California District 20 |
Personal |
Footnotes
- ↑ Marisa Wood for Congress, "Meet Marisa," accessed May 16, 2022
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ Marissa Wood, Teacher for Congress, “On the Issues,” accessed March 4, 2024
- ↑ Marisa Wood for Congress, “On the Issues,” accessed May 9, 2022
