California's 16th Congressional District

California's 16th Congressional District is represented by Sam Liccardo (Democrat), who has held the seat since 2025. Liccardo has an overall VoteSee report card grade of D, voted in 99% of roll-call votes on bills this Congress, and votes with the Democratic majority 98% of the time. The district includes San Jose, Mountain View, and Palo Alto. It takes in all or part of 2 counties, and 84% of residents live in Santa Clara County. About 746,000 people live in the district, and the median household income is $175,126.

Current Representative

Sam Liccardo (Democrat) has represented California's 16th Congressional District since 2025.

VoteSee report card grade: D
Attendance in the 119th Congress: 99% of roll-call votes on bills
Votes with the Democrat majority: 98%

See Sam Liccardo's full voting record and issue positions →

2026 Election

U.S. House: California 16th District

Winner: Sam Liccardo.

Incumbent Sam Liccardo is running for re-election. 2 candidates were on the Nov 3, 2026 ballot.

California uses a top-two primary, so the two November candidates can be from the same party.

Sam Liccardo (Democratic), incumbent: raised $3.9M, $2.3M cash on hand; VoteSee report card D; 99% attendance; votes with the Democratic majority 98% of the time
Peter Soulé (Republican): raised $4K, $4K cash on hand

Polls: No public polls

See the full 2026 race →

District Demographics

Population: 746,476
Median household income: $175,126
Median age: 41
Median home value: $1,851,300
Bachelor's degree or higher: 63.3%

Source: American Community Survey 2020–2024 5-year estimates, 119th Congress boundaries.

How Liccardo Voted Recently

Yea on American Enrichment Deployment Act (Nov 9, 2026) — Passed
Yea on Nuclear REFUEL (Recycling Efficient Fuels Utilizing Expedited Licensing) Act (Nov 9, 2026) — Passed
Yea on Retire through Ownership Act (Sep 16, 2026) — Passed
Yea on Water Resources Development Act of 2026 (Sep 16, 2026) — Passed
Yea on Ratepayer Protection Act (Sep 16, 2026) — Passed

Breaks with the Democrat majority

Yea on Main Street Act (Jul 21, 2026) — Passed
No on National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2027 (Jul 15, 2026) — Failed
Nay on Sunshine Protection Act of 2025 (Jul 14, 2026) — Passed

Who Held This Seat Before

Members of Congress who previously represented California's 16th Congressional District. District lines are redrawn after each census, so earlier members may have represented a different area under this number.

Anna Eshoo — Democrat (2023–2025)
Jim Costa — Democrat (2013–2023)
Zoe Lofgren — Democrat (1995–2013)
Don Edwards — Democrat (1993–1995)
Leon Panetta — Democrat (1977–1993)
Burt Talcott — Republican (1975–1977)
Bernice Sisk — Democrat (1963–1977)
Alphonzo Bell — Republican (1961–1963)
Donald Jackson — Republican (1947–1961)
Ellis Patterson — Democrat (1945–1947)
William Rogers — Democrat (1943–1945)
Leland Ford — Republican (1939–1943)

Where the District Is

California's 16th Congressional District covers 529 square miles of land. Boundaries are for the current (119th) Congress.

Counties

Santa Clara County (part): 84% of residents
San Mateo County (part): 16% of residents

Largest communities

San Jose (part)
Mountain View
Palo Alto
Campbell
Pacifica
Los Gatos
Los Altos
Saratoga