Julia Brownley

Julia Brownley
Born	Julia Andrews Brownley 28 8, 1952
Birthplace	Aiken, South Carolina, U.S.
Nationality	American
Occupation	Politician, businesswoman
Known for	U.S. Representative for California's 26th congressional district
Education	American University (MBA)
Children	2
Website	[[juliabrownley.house.gov juliabrownley.house.gov] Official site]

Julia Andrews Brownley (born August 28, 1952) is an American businesswoman and politician who has served as the United States representative for California's 26th congressional district since January 3, 2013. A member of the Democratic Party, Brownley previously represented the 41st district in the California State Assembly from 2006 to 2012. Before entering politics, she built a career in marketing and sales. Her congressional district encompasses much of Ventura County, including the cities of Oxnard, Ventura, Camarillo, Thousand Oaks, and Westlake Village. During her tenure in Congress, Brownley has focused on issues including veterans' affairs, environmental protection, and education. In January 2026, Brownley announced that she would not seek re-election to Congress in 2026, bringing to a close a political career spanning two decades in both Sacramento and Washington, D.C.

Early Life

Julia Andrews Brownley was born on August 28, 1952, in Aiken, South Carolina. Details about her childhood and family background in South Carolina are limited in available public records. She later relocated from the South to pursue her education and career in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area before eventually settling in California, where she would build both her professional and political careers.

Education

Brownley attended George Washington University in Washington, D.C., where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree. She subsequently pursued graduate studies at American University, also in Washington, D.C., where she obtained a Master of Business Administration (MBA). Her educational background in business administration informed her pre-political career in marketing and sales.

Career

Pre-Political Career

Before entering public service, Brownley worked in the private sector in the fields of marketing and sales. Her business background would later become a component of her political identity, particularly in campaigns where she emphasized her understanding of economic and fiscal issues.

California State Assembly (2006–2012)

Brownley entered electoral politics in 2006, when she ran for the California State Assembly to represent the 41st district. She succeeded Fran Pavley in the seat. The 41st Assembly District encompassed portions of the western San Fernando Valley and eastern Ventura County, including communities such as Agoura Hills, Calabasas, Malibu, Thousand Oaks, and Westlake Village.

Brownley won re-election to the Assembly in 2008 and 2010. During her time in the Assembly, she served from December 4, 2006, through November 30, 2012. She was succeeded in the Assembly by Chris Holden.

Among Brownley's legislative efforts in the State Assembly was a push for environmental legislation. In 2013, it was reported that during her Assembly tenure, she had advocated for a ban on plastic bags in grocery stores, reflecting her interest in environmental policy that would continue into her congressional career.

2012 Congressional Campaign

In February 2012, Brownley announced her candidacy for California's 26th congressional district, which had been redrawn following the 2010 census and redistricting process. The seat had previously been held by Republican Elton Gallegly, who chose not to seek re-election in the newly configured district.

The 2012 race for the 26th district attracted significant attention as a competitive contest. Brownley faced Republican Tony Strickland in the general election. The race was closely watched by national political observers. During the campaign, Brownley received the endorsement of EMILY's List, the national organization that supports pro-choice Democratic women candidates. Local endorsements also came in her favor, with editorial support from community publications such as The Camarillo Acorn, which described Brownley as the better choice for the district.

Brownley won the November 2012 general election, defeating Strickland to become the representative for the 26th congressional district.

U.S. House of Representatives (2013–present)

Brownley took office on January 3, 2013, representing California's 26th congressional district, which encompasses a large portion of Ventura County.

Early Terms and Re-Election Campaigns

During her early terms in Congress, Brownley was identified as a potentially vulnerable incumbent. The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) placed her on its Frontline incumbent retention program, which provides additional support to members considered to be in competitive districts.

In 2014, Brownley faced Republican challenger Jeff Gorell. The race drew attention as a competitive contest, with political observers noting it would receive significant national interest. The Cook Political Report tracked the race as part of its House race ratings. Brownley successfully defended her seat in the 2014 election and continued to win re-election in subsequent cycles.

Legislative Priorities

During her time in Congress, Brownley has focused on several key policy areas. Veterans' affairs has been a central component of her legislative work, consistent with her district's proximity to military installations and its significant veteran population.

In September 2025, Brownley introduced legislation titled Katie Meyer's Law, which aimed to ensure that students at institutions of higher education have access to mental health services and safety resources. The legislation was designed to support student mental health and campus safety.

Immigration and ICE Enforcement

In 2025 and 2026, Brownley became vocal in her criticism of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activities within her district and nationally. In July 2025, she released a statement responding to immigration enforcement activities and a large federal agent presence in Camarillo, California.

In early 2026, Brownley held a press conference outside of an ICE facility in Camarillo, where she spoke about what she described as ICE "brutality and lawlessness." On her official congressional website, Brownley stated, "I am infuriated that ICE is using taxpayer dollars to brutalize and kill Americans. No one should have to live in fear."

Government Shutdown Response

In October 2025, during a lapse in federal appropriations, Brownley organized a town hall to address constituent concerns about the impact of the government shutdown. Her office reported receiving "countless phone calls from constituents who are concerned" about the effects of the spending lapse.

Retirement Announcement

On January 8, 2026, Brownley announced that she would not seek re-election to Congress in 2026. The Westlake Village Democrat reflected on her years of service in the announcement. Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries released a statement acknowledging Brownley's retirement, praising her service in Congress. At the time of her announcement, Brownley had served seven terms in the U.S. House of Representatives, having first been elected in 2012.

Personal Life

Brownley resides in Westlake Village, California. She has two children. Additional details about her personal life have remained largely private throughout her political career.

Recognition

Upon announcing her retirement from Congress in January 2026, Brownley received acknowledgment from Democratic Party leadership. House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries issued a formal statement recognizing her contributions during her tenure in Congress.

Throughout her congressional career, Brownley's races were tracked by national political rating organizations, including the Cook Political Report and RealClearPolitics, reflecting the competitive nature of her district and the attention her campaigns received from political analysts.

Her 2012 endorsement by EMILY's List highlighted her standing among organizations that support the election of Democratic women to public office.

Legacy

Brownley's career in elected office spanned approximately two decades, beginning with her election to the California State Assembly in 2006 and concluding with her anticipated departure from the U.S. House of Representatives at the end of the 119th Congress. She was the first Democrat to represent the 26th congressional district in its post-2010 redistricting configuration, succeeding the seat of retiring Republican Elton Gallegly.

Her legislative efforts touched on environmental policy, veterans' affairs, student mental health, and immigration enforcement oversight. In the California State Assembly, she pursued environmental legislation including efforts related to plastic bag regulation. In Congress, she continued to advocate on these issues while also engaging in debates over federal immigration enforcement practices in her final years in office.

Brownley represented a district that was consistently identified as competitive by political analysts, and her ability to win re-election across seven consecutive election cycles in such a district reflected the durability of her electoral coalition in Ventura County.