¶ How To Win Against Jay Obernolte
Jay Obernolte voted for the largest Medicaid cut in the program's 60-year history, $911 billion, in a district where 48% of residents depend on Medi-Cal, then claimed "no one is being forced off Medicaid" despite the CBO projecting 7.5 million will lose coverage. He voted for the most severe SNAP cuts in the program's history, projected to strip CalFresh benefits from 395,000 Californians, then called it a "generational opportunity".
He voted to shield Trump's tariffs from congressional oversight, initially voted against the rule, then flipped under pressure from GOP leadership and refused to explain why all while the Inland Empire lost 26,000 logistics jobs and economists projected the tariffs would cost households $1,700 per year.
His first act in Congress was to object to the 2020 election results hours after the January 6 attack, and when 200 constituents booed him off stage at a town hall in February 2025, he canceled future in-person events.
¶ HEALTH CARE: VOTED TO GUT MEDI-CAL WHILE HALF HIS DISTRICT DEPENDS ON IT
Obernolte voted for the $911 billion Medicaid cut despite 48% of his district relying on Medi-Cal. California stands to lose $30 billion per year in federal Medi-Cal funding, and up to 1.7 million Californians could become uninsured.
He voted against the Inflation Reduction Act's $35 insulin cap and Medicare drug price negotiation, dismissed ACA subsidies as "temporary bailouts" in an op-ed, and took health industry PAC money including $7,500 from Blue Shield of California.
Constituents in Republican districts said they felt "betrayed", with one saying "Some people will die without it." The California Hospital Association warned of longer ER wait times, reduced access, and higher prices.
Message: Jay Obernolte voted for the largest Medicaid cut in history while half his district depends on Medi-Cal -- then claimed no one would lose coverage.
¶ AFFORDABILITY: FLIPPED HIS TARIFF VOTE UNDER PRESSURE, THEN REFUSED TO EXPLAIN
Obernolte initially voted against blocking tariff oversight, then flipped to "yes" under pressure from leadership and refused to explain why. He later voted to keep Trump's 25% Canada tariffs in place.
The tariffs hit his district directly: 1 in 5 San Bernardino County jobs depend on logistics, and the Inland Empire lost 26,000 warehouse and transportation jobs in six months. The Inland Empire Economic Partnership CEO warned tariffs will drive up consumer prices in the region.
He voted for the most severe SNAP cuts in history, projected to strip benefits from 395,000 Californians and cut up to $5.1 billion in annual federal food assistance. Food banks warned they cannot fill the gap.
Message: Jay Obernolte flipped his tariff vote under pressure from party leadership, refused to explain why, and backed policies that cost Inland Empire families $1,700 a year.
¶ JOBS AND THE ECONOMY: VOTED AGAINST JOB-CREATING BILLS, FOR BILLS THAT HURT WORKERS
Obernolte voted against both the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the CHIPS and Science Act, two landmark bills investing in roads, broadband, semiconductors, and research jobs, despite claiming to champion technology and innovation.
He voted for the OBBBA, which the CBO found will cut income for the poorest 10% by 3.1% while increasing income for the richest 10% by 2.7%. The law delivered $1 trillion in tax cuts to the top 1% while cutting $197 billion from food assistance.
His district has a 12.5% poverty rate exceeding state and national averages, median household income that falls 34% short of what families need, and 5% of employed residents living in poverty despite working.
Message: Jay Obernolte voted against every bill that creates jobs and for a bill that cuts income for the poorest while giving $1 trillion in tax breaks to the richest.
¶ ELECTION DENIAL: OBJECTED TO THE 2020 RESULTS HOURS AFTER JANUARY 6
Obernolte's first act in Congress was to object to certifying the 2020 election results in both Arizona and Pennsylvania, just hours after the Capitol attack. The San Bernardino County Democratic Party called on him to resign.
He voted against impeaching Trump for inciting the attack, against establishing a January 6 commission, and against holding Steve Bannon in contempt. Republican Accountability gave him an "F" grade for "repeatedly failing to defend our democracy."
Message: Jay Obernolte's first act in Congress was to object to the 2020 election results -- hours after the January 6 attack on the Capitol.
¶ CONSTITUENT BACKLASH: BOOED OFF STAGE, THEN CANCELED TOWN HALLS
Over 200 constituents booed Obernolte off stage at a Yucca Valley town hall after he defended DOGE and Elon Musk. The crowd chanted "Do your job!" and "No kings!" A constituent told him, "This is a fucking food desert, and that resource is a vital resource to this community."
Obernolte then canceled future in-person events, citing "inclement weather," as GOP leaders urged lawmakers to stop holding town halls entirely.
Message: When 200 constituents confronted Jay Obernolte at a town hall, he didn't listen -- he canceled future events.
¶ AI CONFLICTS OF INTEREST: SELLING ACCESS WHILE SHAPING POLICY
Obernolte launched a paid lobbying coalition charging AI startups up to $3,500/month for access to Washington policymakers -- while leading the House's AI policy efforts.
He simultaneously owns a tech company with Sony, Microsoft, Google, and Apple as clients while chairing the House Science Committee's Research and Technology Subcommittee.
Message: Jay Obernolte is charging AI startups for access to the policymakers he leads -- while his own tech company counts Big Tech giants as clients.
¶ Issue Back-Ups
¶ Policies That Hurt Everyday People
Health Care: Voted to Gut Medi-Cal While Half His District Depends on It
Affordability: Flipped His Tariff Vote, Then Refused to Explain
Jobs and the Economy: Voted Against Every Job-Creating Bill
Election Denial: Objected to 2020 Results Hours After January 6
Constituent Backlash: Booed Off Stage, Then Canceled Town Halls
AI Conflicts of Interest: Selling Access While Shaping Policy
Tariff Vote Flip: Changed His Vote Under Pressure