California House District 8 2026: the ads, and who's paying for them
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John Garamendi (Democrat) and Rudy Recile (Republican) are the nominees for California's 8th congressional district in the November 3, 2026 general election. John Garamendi is the incumbent. By their latest FEC reports, John Garamendi's campaign had raised $583,000 (through October 14, 2026) and Rudy Recile's campaign $20,000 (through September 30, 2026). Outside groups have reported $10 for John Garamendi and $0 against.
John Garamendi (DEM, incumbent), Rudy Recile (REP).
3 others filed with the FEC; any ads they ran are below. 0 ads analyzed, 0 with at least one technique in the copy.
Newest first. The paid-for-by line is the advertiser's own filing.
Also on every California ballot: 14 statewide ballot measures → The ballot wording and the official arguments, read for rhetorical techniques.
How to vote in California
From California's official election office. Each line links to the official page it came from.
Checked October 8, 2026. Rules can change; confirm with the official site before you go.
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Money in this race
From FEC filings for 2025–26. Outside spending is money a group spends on its own about a candidate — TV and online ads, mail, canvassing. It is not a donation to the campaign, and the candidate does not control it. Supporting means it was spent to help that candidate win; Opposing means it was spent to defeat them, usually on attack ads. Groups report it within 24 or 48 hours as the election nears. Raised is the campaign's own fundraising, as of its latest quarterly report. Largest donors come from each outside spender's own FEC receipts, with each donor's share of its itemized receipts; donors under $100,000 are not named. People are shown with the employer and occupation they reported. A donor that is itself a political committee is shown with its own largest donors. Companies and nonprofits don't report their funders to the FEC, so the trail ends there, and the page says so.
John Garamendi (DEM, incumbent)
- Raised
- $583K through 2026-10-14
individuals $169K · PACs $414K · cash on hand $1.2M
- Outside spending
- $10 supporting Garamendi · latest reported 2026-03-19
- Largest outside spenders
- SIERRA CLUB INDEPENDENT ACTION
— $10 supporting Garamendi
- Bundled through PACs
- $3,250 through 2 PACs · FEC bulk data of 2026-11-01
COUNCIL FOR A LIVABLE WORLD CANDIDATE FUND
— $2,750 from 3 gifts
Lobbyist/registrant PAC
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE
— $500 from 1 gift
Lobbyist/registrant PAC
101 PACs gave directly — alphabetical; the legal limit is $5,000 per election
- AAR CORP. PAC $5,000
- AECOM PAC $1,000
- AIR LINE PILOTS ASSOCIATION PAC $10K
- AIRBUS AMERICAS, INC. POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE $1,000
- AKIN GUMP STRAUSS HAUER & FELD, LLP $750
- ALLIED PILOTS ASSOCIATION POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE $10K
- AMALGAMATED SUGAR COMPANY POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE $1,000
- AMALGAMATED TRANSIT UNION-COPE $5,000
- AMENTUM SERVICES, INC. PAC $1,000
- AMERICAN ASSOCIATION FOR JUSTICE POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE (AAJ PAC) $7,500
- AMERICAN CRYSTAL SUGAR PAC $10K
- AMERICAN FEDERATION OF STATE COUNTY & MUNICIPAL EMPLOYEES P E O P L E $5,000
- AMERICAN FEDERATION OF TEACHERS, AFL-CIO COMMITTEE ON POLITICAL EDUCATION $5,000
- AMERICAN MARITIME OFFICERS VOLUNTARY POLITICAL ACTION FUND $7,000
- AMERICAN PILOTS' ASSOCIATION POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE $2,500
- AMERICAN SOYBEAN ASSOCIATION PAC (SOYPAC) $1,000
- AMERICAN SUGAR CANE LEAGUE PAC $3,000
- AMERICAN VETERINARY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE $2,000
- AMERICAN WATERWAYS OPERATORS PAC $5,500
- ARCHER DANIELS MIDLAND COMPANY-ADM PAC $1,000
- ASSOCIATED GENERAL CONTRACTORS OF AMERICA PAC $2,000
- ASSOCIATION OF PROFESSIONAL FLIGHT ATTENDANTS (APFA) $2,000
- BAE SYSTEMS INC. POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE (BAE SYSTEMS USA PAC) $2,000
- BALL CORPORATION POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE $10K
- BLANK ROME PAC $1,000
- BLUE DIAMOND GROWERS POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE $3,000
- BUILD POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE OF THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF HOME BUILDERS (BUILDPAC) $2,500
- CALPINE CORPORATION PAC $1,000
- CARPENTERS LEGISLATIVE IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE UNITED BROTHERHOOD OF CARPENTERS AND JOINERS $5,000
- COUNCIL FOR A LIVABLE WORLD CANDIDATE FUND $1,000
- CROWLEY MARITIME CORPORATION FEDERAL PAC $1,000
- CTIA - THE WIRELESS ASSOCIATION POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE $1,000
- CULAC THE PAC OF CREDIT UNION NATIONAL ASSOCIATION $3,000
- D.R.I.V.E. - DEMOCRAT, REPUBLICAN, INDEPENDENT VOTER EDUCATION (TEAMSTERS) $10K
- DELTA AIR LINES POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE $2,500
- DEMOCRATS WIN FUND $1,000
- DISTRICT NO. 1-PCD, MARINE ENGINEERS' BENEFICIAL ASSOC. - POLITICAL ACTION FUND (MEBA-PAF) $5,000
- EDISON INTERNATIONAL PAC $3,000
- EMPLOYEES OF RTX CORPORATION POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE $5,000
- ENGINEERS POLITICAL EDUCATION COMMITTEE (EPEC)/INTERNATIONAL UNION OF OPERATING ENGINEERS $2,500
- FAIRBANKS MORSE, LLC POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE $10K
- FLIGHTSAFETY INTERNATIONAL INC. PAC $1,000
- FLUOR CORP. $1,000
- GENERAL DYNAMICS CORPORATION POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE (GDC PAC) $6,000
- GRANITE CONSTRUCTION EMPLOYEE PAC $2,500
- GREAT LAKES DREDGE & DOCK COMPANY $1,000
- HERZOG PAC $3,000
- HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE $5,000
- HUNTINGTON INGALLS INDUSTRIES, INC. EMPLOYEES POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE (HIIPAC) $1,000
- INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF SHEET METAL, AIR, RAIL AND TRANSPORTATION WORKERS POLITICAL A $5,000
- INTERNATIONAL BROTHERHOOD OF BOILERMAKERS CAMPAIGN ASSISTANCE FUND $5,000
- INTERNATIONAL LONGSHORE AND WAREHOUSE UNION -- POLITICAL ACTION FUND $1,000
- INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION OF MASTERS, MATES & PILOTS CONTRIBUTION FUND $5,000
- INTERNATIONAL UNION OF PAINTERS AND ALLIED TRADES POLITICAL ACTION TOGETHER POLITICAL COMM $2,500
- JONES WALKER L.L.P. POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE $1,000
- K&L GATES LLP POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE (DC) $1,500
- KIRBY CORPORATION POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE $1,000
- LEIDOS INC. POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE $1,000
- LOCKHEED MARTIN CORPORATION EMPLOYEES' POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE $3,000
- MACHINISTS NON PARTISAN POLITICAL LEAGUE OF THE INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF MACHINISTS & $5,000
- MATSON, INC. FEDERAL ELECTION COMMITTEE $10K
- MINN-DAK FARMERS COOPERATIVE POLITICAL ACTION COMM $1,000
- NATIONAL ACTIVE AND RETIRED FEDERAL EMPLOYEES ASSOCIATION POLITICAL ACTION COM (NARFE-PAC) $2,500
- NATIONAL APARTMENT ASSOCIATION POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE $1,000
- NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE $5,000
- NATIONAL ATHLETIC TRAINERS' ASSOCIATION INC POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE (NATA PAC) $2,500
- NATIONAL BEER WHOLESALERS ASSN. PAC $3,500
- NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CONTRACTORS ASSOCIATION POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE (NECAPAC) $5,000
- NATIONAL MARINE MANUFACTURERS ASSOCIATION AND MARINE RETAILERS ASSOCIATION BOAT POLITICAL $1,000
- NATIONAL MULTIFAMILY HOUSING COUNCIL POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE $5,000
- NEA FUND FOR CHILDREN AND PUBLIC EDUCATION $4,000
- NORFOLK SOUTHERN CORPORATION GOOD GOVERNMENT FUND $2,000
- NORTH AMERICA'S BUILDING TRADES UNIONS POLITICAL EDUCATIONAL FUND $1,000
- NUCOR CORPORATION POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE $5,000
- PACE OF CALIFORNIA SCHOOL EMPLOYEES ASSOCIATION - LOCAL, STATE, FEDERAL CANDIDATES $1,000
- PG&E CORPORATION ENERGY PAC $2,000
- PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERS IN CALIFORNIA GOVERNMENT FEDERAL PAC (PECG FED-PAC) $3,500
- SALTCHUK RESOURCES, INC. PAC $5,500
- SCIENCE APPLICATIONS INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION VOLUNTARY POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE $1,000
- SEAFARERS POLITICAL ACTIVITY DONATION-SEAFARERS IN $5,000
- SEIU COPE (SERVICE EMPLOYEES INTERNATIONAL UNION COMMITTEE ON POLITICAL EDUCATION) $2,500
- SHEET METAL & AIR CONDITIONING CONTRACTORS' NATIONAL ASSOC., INC. POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE $1,000
- SHIPBUILDERS COUNCIL OF AMERICA $2,500
- SMART TD PAC $5,000
- SOUTHERN MINNESOTA BEET SUGAR COOPERATIVE PAC $2,000
- SOUTHWEST AIRLINES PILOTS' ASSOCIATION POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE $1,000
- SQUIRE PATTON BOGGS POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE (SQUIRE PATTON BOGGS PAC) $2,000
- THE BOEING COMPANY POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE $2,000
- THE DOCTORS COMPANY FEDERAL PAC $2,000
- THE HOME DEPOT INC. POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE $2,500
- THE NATIONAL RURAL ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE ASSOCIATION ACTION COMMITTEE FOR RURAL ELECTRIFICA $3,000
- TRANSPORT WORKERS UNION POLITICAL CONTRIBUTIONS COMMITTEE $10K
- TRANSPORTATION TRADES DEPARTMENT AFL-CIO POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE (TTD/PAC) $2,000
- UBER TECHNOLOGIES, INC. SEPARATE SEGREGATED FUND $2,500
- UNITED ASSOCIATION OF JOURNEYMEN & APPRENTICES OF THE U.S. & CANADA LOCAL 447 FEDERAL PAC $5,000
- UNITED PARCEL SERVICE, INC. PAC (UPSPAC) $3,500
- UTILITY WORKERS UNION OF AMERICA COPE $1,000
- V2X, INC. POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE $1,250
- VERIZON COMMUNICATIONS, INC. POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE (VERIZON PAC) $2,000
- VISIONARY PAC $5,000
- WALMART INC. PAC FOR RESPONSIBLE GOVERNMENT $1,000
All filings at the FEC ↗
Rudy Recile (REP)
- Raised
- $20K through 2026-09-30
individuals $11K · PACs $0 · candidate's own money, incl. loans $9,275 · cash on hand $235
- Outside spending
- none reported
- Bundled through PACs
- none reported · FEC bulk data of 2026-11-01
All filings at the FEC ↗
No campaign ads analyzed for this race yet.
What this page is
- An ad is on this page because its own "Paid for by" line is a campaign in this race; or it comes from a national Senate group and ran mostly in CA; or it ran mostly in CA and names a candidate — unless its sponsor is a campaign for some other office. Ads from outside groups appear alongside the campaigns' own.
- Campaigns run one text as many separate ads. Identical text from the same sponsor is one card here, marked with its number of variants.
- A technique is a specific rhetorical move in the wording, found by our model and explained in one line. It is not a claim that the ad is false.
- Claims are checked when a reader asks: press "Check this ad's claims" on a card. Running a check and seeing its verdicts are part of Semblen Pro, because each check costs money to run; anyone can see which claims an ad makes. The ten ads with the most money behind them in each race are checked ahead of time.
- Claim verdicts say what the cited sources say. A verdict that an ad is wrong or misleading is shown only when it cites an established fact-checker or an institutional record — Congress, a federal agency, a court — and its confidence is not low; a weaker one is not shown at all. Each verdict shows what it rests on and how confident it is. If we got one wrong, press Disagree: a verdict that readers dispute and no one defends comes down.
- Video ads come from the campaigns' own YouTube channels; the transcript is analyzed. Meta ads are analyzed on their text; their video and images are not, yet.