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Peter Mathews Path to Victory

The primary election for the 42nd Congressional District is an open seat. The incumbent U.S. Representative Alan Lowenthal is not seeking re-election. The top two vote getters in the primary will face off in the November general election. Peter Mathews needs to come in second in the primary to be on the ballot in the general election.

Both corporate establishment candidates Robert Garcia and Cristina Garcia have significant problems. Robert Garcia is better at representing large corporate developers as Mayor of Long Beach instead of his constituents who are struggling with gentrification and lack of affordable housing, increased homeless population, rising violent crime rates and other problems. Assemblymember Cristina Garcia was issued a strong rebuke by Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon and he stripped her of four committee assignments including as Chairperson of the Assembly Natural Resources Committee. She was required to take sexual harassment and sensitivity training. Cristina Garcia has made anti-Asian and anti-gay remarks, as well as falsely listing on her campaign literature that she had a PhD.

As a college professor, in the tradition of U.S. Senator Paul Wellstone, who believes that education should be a top priority, Peter will be able to appeal to the extensive education community in the 42nd District, which includes California State University-Long Beach with nearly 40,000 students, Long Beach City College with nearly 25,000 students, and the numerous K-12 public schools.

As the pro-Bernie Sanders’ candidate and strongest progressive, Peter Mathews has a major edge. Neither opponents Robert Garcia nor Cristina Garcia endorsed Bernie Sanders in 2016 or 2020. Peter endorsed Bernie Sanders in both 2016 and 2020. Sanders decisively beat Joe Biden in the 2020 primary covering the new 42nd District.