No. California congressional elections use a nonpartisan primary. This means that the top two vote-getters in the primary will go on to the general election.

In the 2022 primary, the results were:

1. Panetta (D) - 68.2%

2. Gorman (R) - 22.5%

3. Epperson (R) - 6.3%

4. Deitch (D) - 3.0%

It is impossible to imagine a scenario in which a Green would effect the primary such that two Republicans would finish in the top two.

What if: Green Gets 25% of Panetta

For fun, let’s imagine a Green was in that 2022 race and got 25% of the people who would have otherwise voted for Panetta:

1. Panetta (D) - 51.2%

2. Gorman (R) - 22.5%

3. Dougherty (G) - 17.1%

4. Epperson (R) - 6.3%

5. Deitch (D) - 3.0%

Meaning the general election is the same as before, Panetta v Gorman.

What if: Green Gets 50% of Panetta

How about if the Green gets 50% of the people who would have voted for Panetta:

1. Panetta (D) - 34.1%

2. Dougherty (G) - 34.1%

3. Gorman (R) - 22.5%

4. Epperson (R) - 6.3%

5. Deitch (D) - 3.0%

So now the general would be a race between Panetta and Dougherty. A Republican isn’t even in the general.

In this district, it’s practically impossible for a Green to be a spoiler. Just vote your conscience.

Our campaign is currently 100% volunteer run, and the design of all our materials is donated labor. But we have some key costs to cover before January 2024.

Ballot access: $1,740
Just to get Sean’s name on the ballot.

Voter guide: $17,493
The CA-19 congressional district includes four counties: Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, San Luis Obispo, and Monterey. We need to pay to be included in the voter guide for each county.

250 yard signs: $2,000

Mailers to 50,000 homes: $4,500

Total: $25,733