Julia Brownley (D-Calif.), a seven-term congresswoman representing California’s 26th Congressional District, announced on January 8, 2026, that she will not seek re-election, adding to a significant wave of House retirements ahead of the 2026 midterms.
Brownley, 73, has served the district—which encompasses most of Ventura County and portions of Los Angeles County, including cities such as Oxnard, Thousand Oaks, Simi Valley, Camarillo, and Agoura Hills—since 2013. In a statement released from her office, she reflected warmly on her tenure without citing a specific reason for stepping aside.
“Serving our community and our country has been the honor of my lifetime,” Brownley said. “Every step of this journey has been shaped by the people I represent, by their resilience, their determination, and their belief that government can and should work for the common good.”
She highlighted key accomplishments during her time in Congress, including expanding access to affordable health care, strengthening support for veterans and military families, protecting natural resources, confronting the climate crisis, and advocating for working families. Brownley also emphasized her office’s constituent services, which have helped thousands navigate federal bureaucracy and recovered millions in earned benefits.
Brownley expressed continued optimism about America’s future. “The American experiment has endured not because it is perfect, but because generations of Americans continue to believe in it and work to make it more just, more equal, and more reflective of those it serves,” she said. She added that she was “particularly pleased” to leave the House with Hakeem Jeffries positioned as a potential Speaker, expressing confidence in his leadership if Democrats regain control of the chamber.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries praised Brownley’s record. “Congresswoman Julia Brownley is a principled public servant and an incredible advocate for the communities that she so ably represents in Ventura and Los Angeles counties,” Jeffries stated. He specifically lauded her work on behalf of veterans, noting her leadership in passing the Female Veterans Suicide Prevention Act and the Deborah Sampson Act.
Brownley’s district, already strongly Democratic, became even more favorable to her party following the passage of Proposition 50 in 2025. The measure authorized the state legislature to draw new congressional maps in response to Republican-led redistricting efforts elsewhere, resulting in what analysts described as a Democratic-friendly adjustment that bolstered safe seats for the party.
Her retirement marks the second California House Democrat to announce plans to step down this cycle and contributes to a broader trend of turnover in the House. As of early 2026, more than three dozen members—now approaching 50—have announced they will not seek re-election, reflecting frustrations with the institution and the intense political climate.
Shortly after Brownley’s announcement, California Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin (D-Thousand Oaks) signaled strong interest in the seat, telling reporters, “I am the most obvious person to run for that seat.” Irwin, who has served in the Assembly since 2014 and previously on the Thousand Oaks City Council, received Brownley’s endorsement and advanced as the leading candidate in the June primary.
The 26th District has been a reliable Democratic hold since Brownley flipped it from Republican control in 2012. With its solid blue leanings—further reinforced by recent map changes—Democrats are heavily favored to retain the seat in November, though a competitive primary and general election dynamics will shape the transition.
Brownley, a former businesswoman and state legislator who chaired the Assembly’s Education Committee before coming to Congress, built a reputation as a progressive voice focused on health care, education, environmental protection, and veterans’ issues. At 73, her departure aligns with a generational shift occurring across both parties in the House.
She pledged to remain active for the remainder of her term. “With another year remaining in my term, I will continue working every day to deliver results for our region,” Brownley said, vowing to advance legislation that improves lives and defends the values of her constituents.
As the 2026 midterms approach, Brownley’s exit underscores the significant turnover expected in Congress, with implications for committee assignments, legislative priorities, and the balance of power in a narrowly divided House.
