Tom McClintock

Tom McClintock
Born	Thomas Miller McClintock II 10 7, 1956
Birthplace	Westchester County, New York, U.S.
Nationality	American
Occupation	Politician
Known for	U.S. Representative for California's 5th congressional district
Education	University of California, Los Angeles (BA)
Children	2
Awards	Club for Growth Lifetime Rating: 95%
Website	[mcclintock.house.gov Official site]

Thomas Miller McClintock II (born July 10, 1956) is an American politician who has served as the U.S. Representative for California's 5th congressional district since 2009. A member of the Republican Party, McClintock has built one of the longer legislative careers in modern California politics, spanning more than four decades of continuous public service. His congressional district extends from the Sacramento suburbs to the outer suburbs of Fresno and includes Yosemite National Park. Prior to his election to Congress, he served two stints in the California State Assembly—from 1982 to 1992 and from 1996 to 2000—and represented the 19th district in the California State Senate from 2000 to 2008. McClintock gained statewide attention when he ran for Governor of California in the 2003 recall election and later for Lieutenant Governor of California in 2006, though he was unsuccessful in both bids. Known for his fiscal conservatism and adherence to free-market principles, McClintock has been a consistent voice for limited government throughout his legislative career.

Early Life

Thomas Miller McClintock II was born on July 10, 1956, in Westchester County, New York. He later relocated to California, where he would spend the entirety of his political career. Details about his upbringing and family background in Westchester County remain limited in publicly available records, but his move to California positioned him in a state that would become the stage for his extensive involvement in conservative politics.

McClintock developed an interest in politics and governance from a relatively young age. By the time he was in his mid-twenties, he had already begun pursuing elected office in California, a trajectory that would define his professional life for the ensuing decades.

Education

McClintock attended the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree. His time at UCLA coincided with a period of significant political engagement on California campuses, and McClintock emerged from the university prepared to enter public service. He began his first campaign for the California State Assembly shortly after completing his education.

Career

California State Assembly (1982–1992)

McClintock was first elected to the California State Assembly in 1982, representing the 36th district. He succeeded Chuck Imbrecht in the seat and served continuously for a full decade, until 1992. During this first tenure in the Assembly, McClintock established himself as a staunch fiscal conservative, frequently opposing tax increases and advocating for reductions in state government spending. His consistent conservative voting record made him a prominent figure within the Republican caucus in Sacramento.

McClintock's first Assembly tenure ended in 1992, when he was succeeded by William J. Knight. Term limits and redistricting were factors in the transitions of many California legislators during this period.

Interlude and Return to the Assembly (1996–2000)

After a four-year hiatus from elected office, McClintock returned to the California State Assembly in 1996, this time representing the 38th district. He succeeded Paula Boland in the seat. During this second Assembly tenure, McClintock continued to advance conservative fiscal policies and became one of the more vocal Republican members of the legislature on issues of taxation and government regulation. He served in this capacity until 2000, when he was succeeded by Keith Richman.

California State Senate (2000–2008)

In 2000, McClintock transitioned from the Assembly to the California State Senate, where he represented the 19th district. He succeeded Cathie Wright in the seat and began an eight-year tenure that would raise his profile significantly in state politics. As a state senator, McClintock continued to build a reputation as one of the most conservative members of the California Legislature, frequently opposing budget proposals he viewed as fiscally irresponsible and speaking out against what he characterized as excessive government regulation.

His time in the State Senate coincided with a turbulent period in California governance, including the energy crisis, significant budget deficits, and the unprecedented recall of Governor Gray Davis in 2003. McClintock's consistent ideological stance during these crises earned him both admirers among conservative voters and critics who viewed his unwillingness to compromise as obstructionist. He served in the State Senate until 2008, when he was succeeded by Tony Strickland.

2003 Gubernatorial Recall Election

McClintock entered the 2003 California gubernatorial recall election, one of the most unusual elections in American political history, in which voters simultaneously decided whether to recall Governor Gray Davis and, if so, who should replace him. The recall attracted 135 candidates, but the race quickly narrowed to a contest among Arnold Schwarzenegger, Cruz Bustamante, and McClintock as the three leading contenders.

McClintock ran as the conservative alternative to Schwarzenegger, who was perceived as a more moderate Republican. Despite pressure from some Republican leaders to withdraw from the race to avoid splitting the Republican vote, McClintock remained in the contest, arguing that he was the most qualified candidate based on his legislative experience and conservative credentials.

In the October 7, 2003, recall election, Schwarzenegger won decisively. McClintock finished third in the replacement ballot, behind Schwarzenegger and Bustamante. Despite the loss, the race elevated McClintock's statewide name recognition and solidified his standing among conservative Republican voters in California.

2006 Lieutenant Governor Race

Following his third-place finish in the recall election, McClintock sought statewide office again in 2006, running for Lieutenant Governor of California. The race was part of a broader election cycle that proved difficult for California Republicans. McClintock was unsuccessful in his bid, losing in the general election. The defeat marked his second consecutive loss in a statewide race, though he continued to maintain a strong following among California's conservative base.

Election to Congress (2008)

In 2008, McClintock ran for the U.S. House of Representatives in California's 4th congressional district, seeking to succeed retiring Republican incumbent John Doolittle. The district, which covered a large swath of northeastern California including parts of the Sierra Nevada, was considered a safe Republican seat. However, McClintock's candidacy was not without controversy, as he did not reside within the district's boundaries at the time of his campaign—a point raised by opponents and media commentators alike.

Despite the residency concerns, McClintock won the general election, benefiting from his strong name recognition among Republican voters in the region and his long record in the state legislature. He took office on January 3, 2009, succeeding Doolittle.

U.S. House of Representatives (2009–present)

McClintock has served continuously in the U.S. House of Representatives since January 2009. He initially represented California's 4th congressional district, and following redistricting after the 2020 census, he began representing the redesignated 5th congressional district starting in 2023. The district encompasses a vast area stretching from the Sacramento suburbs to the outer suburbs of Fresno and includes Yosemite National Park.

Throughout his congressional tenure, McClintock has maintained a firmly conservative voting record, particularly on fiscal and economic matters. He has been a consistent advocate for reduced government spending, lower taxes, and deregulation. His positions have earned him high ratings from conservative organizations, including a lifetime score of 95% from the Club for Growth, which endorsed his re-election campaign for the 2026 cycle.

Legislative Activities

In Congress, McClintock has been active on issues relating to natural resources, land management, and economic policy, consistent with the needs and character of his largely rural district. He has taken particular interest in water policy, forest management, and federal land use—issues of direct relevance to the communities in the Sierra Nevada foothills and the Central Valley that he represents.

In December 2025, McClintock's legislation H.R. 2302, the Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians Land Transfer Act of 2025, passed the House of Representatives unanimously. The bill addressed land transfer matters for the Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians within his district.

In November 2025, McClintock delivered remarks on the House floor in support of H.R. 3109, the REFINER Act, legislation aimed at addressing issues in the petroleum refining sector.

In May 2025, McClintock voted in favor of H.R. 1, the reconciliation legislation referred to as the "one Big Beautiful Bill Act," which passed the House of Representatives. In a statement following the vote, McClintock expressed support for the measure's provisions.

Ideology and Political Philosophy

McClintock has consistently articulated a political philosophy rooted in limited government, individual liberty, and free-market economics. In a December 2025 op-ed published in the Washington Examiner, he discussed what he characterized as the contrast between freedom and socialism and their respective impacts on government. This position is consistent with his decades-long advocacy for fiscal conservatism, which has remained a defining characteristic of his political identity across his time in the Assembly, Senate, and Congress.

2026 Re-election Campaign

As of early 2026, McClintock is seeking re-election in California's 5th congressional district. He received the endorsement of the Club for Growth PAC in February 2026, with the organization citing his 95% lifetime rating. However, the re-election campaign has drawn attention due to reports that fellow Republican Congressman Kevin Kiley was considering running for the 5th district seat, raising the prospect of a contested Republican primary.

On the Democratic side, Michael Masuda, a former U.S. Department of State employee, secured the California Democratic Party's endorsement for the 5th district race, defeating longtime candidate Mike Barkley for the party nod.

In addition to his own re-election efforts, McClintock has been active in endorsing other candidates. In February 2026, he endorsed a challenger over Republican Assembly leader Heath Flora for a California State Assembly seat within his congressional district.

Personal Life

McClintock resides in the Sacramento area and represents a district that covers a large portion of California's interior. He has two children. While he was born in Westchester County, New York, he has spent the entirety of his political career in California.

The question of McClintock's residency has surfaced periodically throughout his career. During his initial 2008 congressional campaign, media outlets noted that he did not reside within the boundaries of the 4th congressional district he sought to represent, though the U.S. Constitution does not require House members to live within their districts. He has since established his residence within the area he represents.

Recognition

McClintock's conservative voting record has earned him recognition from several fiscally conservative organizations. The Club for Growth, one of the most prominent fiscal conservative advocacy groups in the United States, has given McClintock a lifetime rating of 95% and endorsed his 2026 re-election campaign, describing him as a reliable advocate for limited government and free-market policies.

The Republican Liberty Caucus has also recognized McClintock's election results and legislative record over the course of his career.

McClintock's third-place finish in the 2003 gubernatorial recall election, despite running against the celebrity candidacy of Arnold Schwarzenegger, was noted by political observers as a significant showing for a state legislator running on policy credentials rather than name recognition. His refusal to withdraw from that race, despite significant pressure from Republican Party leaders, became one of the defining moments of his political career and established his reputation for ideological consistency over party pragmatism.

Legacy

Tom McClintock's political career, spanning more than four decades of elected service in California, represents one of the more durable conservative careers in a state that has trended increasingly toward the Democratic Party during his time in office. First elected to the California State Assembly in 1982 at the age of 26, and still serving in the U.S. House of Representatives as of 2026, McClintock has maintained a consistent ideological position throughout a period of significant political change in California.

His career trajectory—from the Assembly to the State Senate, through two unsuccessful statewide campaigns, and ultimately to Congress—illustrates both the opportunities and limitations facing conservative politicians in California. While his fiscal conservatism prevented him from winning statewide office in an increasingly progressive state, it has sustained his electoral viability in the more conservative inland and foothill regions that comprise his congressional district.

McClintock's legislative focus on natural resources, water policy, and federal land management reflects the priorities of the rural and suburban communities he has represented in Congress. His bipartisan accomplishment on the Miwok land transfer legislation, which passed the House unanimously in 2025, demonstrates his ability to advance district-specific legislation even in a polarized political environment.

His continued service into the 2026 election cycle, facing potential challenges from both within and outside his party, underscores the evolving political dynamics of California's interior districts and the broader question of how long-serving incumbents maintain their positions in an era of increasing political competition.