Jay Obernolte has represented California in the U.S. House since 2021. Chair of the House Subcommittee on Research and Technology.
A video game developer and businessman, Obernolte served in the California State Assembly from 2014 to 2020 and was mayor of Big Bear Lake.
Obernolte earned a bachelor’s degree from the California Institute of Technology in 1992, a master’s degree from the UCLA Samueli School of Engineering in 1997, and a doctorate in public administration from California Baptist University in 2020. Before serving in the California State Assembly, Obernolte worked in video game development and served on the Big Bear Lake City Council and as the city’s mayor. Obernolte served in the Assembly from 2014 to 2020 and entered the U.S. House in 2021.Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Official portrait, 2025 / Office of the Clerk, U.S. House
2026 CA U.S. House district 23 general election · 2026-11-03 · No sourced statements are available for this campaign yet.
| DATE | MEASURE | VOTE | REP MAJORITY | RESULT |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SEP 16 | S. 2403Retire through Ownership Act | YEA | YEA 191–14 | Passed 401–142/3 NEEDED |
| SEP 16 | H.R. 9497Water Resources Development Act of 2026 | YEA | YEA 202–9 | Passed 415–92/3 NEEDED |
| SEP 16 | H.R. 9340Ratepayer Protection Act | YEA | YEA 210–0 | Passed 417–32/3 NEEDED |
| SEP 16 | H.J.Res. 213Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, o… | YEA | YEA 210–1 | Passed 214–208 |
| SEP 16 | H.R. 10326PROOF Act | YEA | YEA 210–1 | Passed 217–207 |
| SEP 16 | H.R. 9576National Fraud Enforcement Division Act of 2026 | YEA | YEA 212–0 | Passed 352–72 |
| SEP 16 | H.R. 5334Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 | YEA | YEA 203–7 | Passed 262–159 |
| SEP 15 | H.Con.Res. 93Directing the President, pursuant to section 5(c) of the War Powers Resolution, to remove… | NAY | NAY 203–7 | Passed 220–204 |
| SEP 15 | H.J.Res. 210Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, o… | YEA | YEA 212–1 | Passed 216–211 |
| SEP 15 | H.R. 9500Tax Relief for Fraud Victims Act | YEA | YEA 195–17 | Passed 408–172/3 NEEDED |
| SEP 15 | H.R. 2140Diesel Emissions Reduction Act of 2025 | YEA | YEA 130–79 | Passed 343–792/3 NEEDED |
| SEP 15 | H.R. 4646Whistleblower Protection Act of 2025 | YEA | YEA 210–0 | Passed 424–02/3 NEEDED |
| SEP 15 | H.R. 8278Fostering the Use of Technology to Uphold Regulatory Effectiveness in Supervision Act | YEA | YEA 203–7 | Passed 417–72/3 NEEDED |
| SEP 15 | H.R. 2978GUARD Act | YEA | YEA 203–7 | Passed 414–72/3 NEEDED |
| SEP 14 | H.R. 3276Local Communities & Bird Habitat Stewardship Act of 2026 | YEA | YEA 138–60 | Passed 345–602/3 NEEDED |
| SEP 14 | H.R. 4219National Wildlife Refuge System Invasive Species Strike Team Act of 2025 | YEA | YEA 165–33 | Passed 371–332/3 NEEDED |
| SEP 03 | H.R. 4795Protect Economic and Academic Freedom Act of 2026 | NOT VOTING | YEA 203–2 | Passed 237–169 |
| SEP 02 | H.R. 1501Protecting Domestic Mining Act of 2025 | NOT VOTING | YEA 210–0 | Passed 218–201 |
| SEP 02 | H.J.Res. 1Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to require that the Supre… | NOT VOTING | YEA 211–0 | Failed 212–2062/3 NEEDED |
| SEP 01 | H.R. 9436Northeast Lobsterman Protection Act of 2026 | NOT VOTING | YEA 209–2 | Passed 219–196 |
| SEP 01 | H.R. 6500Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2027 | NOT VOTING | YEA 193–19 | Passed 370–482/3 NEEDED |
| AUG 31 | S. 32LACA | NOT VOTING | YEA 186–10 | Passed 378–102/3 NEEDED |
| AUG 31 | S. 307Prison Staff Safety Enhancement Act | NOT VOTING | YEA 187–8 | Passed 376–82/3 NEEDED |
| JUL 23 | H.R. 8884Removing Barriers to Work for Disabled Americans Act | YEA | YEA 212–0 | Passed 232–188 |
| JUL 23 | H.Con.Res. 89Directing the President, pursuant to section 5(c) of the War Powers Resolution, to remove… | NAY | NAY 207–4 | Passed 214–208 |
2026 CA U.S. House district 23 general election · 2026-11-03 · No sourced statements are available for this campaign yet.
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SINCE DEC 2021 $36K through AIPAC PAC
Earmarked gifts are part of Individuals above. AIPAC PAC filings through Aug 31.
MOST RATEDObernolte argues Congress has been working on AI safeguards and says recent incidents could accelerate a federal regulatory framework.
Obernolte co-introduced a bill proposing about $10 billion to commercialize fusion technology.
Obernolte says Congress must move faster on AI rules while targeting real risks without stifling innovation.
Obernolte has worked with Democrats on AI policy and supports a regulatory approach he describes as light-touch.
Representative Jay Obernolte said he would push for AI legislation when the House returns and called for congressional action before year’s end.
MOST RATEDObernolte introduced a bipartisan draft proposing a federal framework for AI and a three-year preemption of state AI laws.
Obernolte praised the White House AI accord while continuing to support the FRONTIER Act.
The editorial board endorses Obernolte, praising some of his policy positions while criticizing his record on war powers and tariffs.
Obernolte says House GOP leaders rejected his proposal for a special committee to develop AI legislation.
Obernolte defended the draft’s approach to AI development and argued that federal policy should support displaced workers rather than prevent disruption.
MOST RATEDObernolte argues Congress has been working on AI safeguards and says recent incidents could accelerate a federal regulatory framework.
Record updated . ChamberLight is not an official government source. Reader ratings reflect public reception, not editorial judgment.
