Julia Andrews Brownley (born August 28, 1952) is an American businesswoman and politician who has been the United States representative for California's 26th congressional district since 2013. A Democrat, she served in the California State Assembly from 2006 to 2012. Before her political career, she worked in marketing and sales.

Early life, education, and career

Brownley grew up in Virginia, and attended Fairfax Hall, a girls' boarding school in Waynesboro, for four years. Brownley received a bachelor's degree in political science from Mount Vernon College for Women of George Washington University in 1975 and a master's degree in business administration from American University in 1979. Brownley served on the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District Board of Education from 1994 to 2006. During her time on the school board, she served three terms as president.

California State Assembly (2007–2013)

Elections

In 2006, Brownley ran for the California State Assembly in California's 41st Assembly district. She won a five-way Democratic primary with 35% of the vote and the general election with 62% of the vote. In 2008, she was reelected with 66% of the vote. In 2010, she was reelected to a third term with 59% of the vote. Brownley was term-limited in 2012, having served the maximum of three terms in the Assembly permitted under California law. She was endorsed by the League of Conservation Voters.

Tenure

In 2010, Brownley authored a bill that would have banned all plastic shopping bags. It did not pass.

Committee assignments

Brownley served on the following California State Assembly committees:

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

Elections

2012

In February 2012, Brownley announced her candidacy for California's 26th congressional district. The district had previously been the 24th district, represented by 13-term Republican Elton Gallegly. In the general election, Brownley defeated Republican state Senator Tony Strickland, 53%-47%. She was endorsed by Emily's List and Planned Parenthood.

2014

Brownley was narrowly reelected over Republican state Assemblyman Jeff Gorell in the general election. She is a member of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee's Frontline Program, which is designed to help protect vulnerable Democratic incumbents. After Republican candidates garnered over 50% of the vote in the June blanket primary, the Cook Political Report changed the rating of the race from "Leans Democratic" to "Toss-up". The race did become close, making for closer scrutiny of the results. Initial results showed Brownley winning 51% to 49%, with about 4,000 votes separating the candidates.

Political positions

Brownley supports the DREAM Act, the Affordable Care Act, and same-sex marriage. She has advocated increased insurance company regulation, job training funds, toxic cleanup, and increased public education funding. Since her election to Congress, Brownley has voted with the Democratic Party 93% of the time. On November 19, 2015, she voted for HR 4038, legislation that would effectively halt the resettlement of refugees from Syria and Iraq to the United States. As of November 2022, Brownley had voted in line with President Joe Biden's stated position 100% of the time according to FiveThirty Eight. This gives her a Biden Plus/Minus score of +1.7 with higher support for Biden than would be expected given the makeup of her district.

Committee assignments

For the 118th Congress:

Caucus memberships

Political positions

Abortion

Brownley strongly opposed the 2022 overturning of Roe v. Wade, calling the decision "unprecedented, deeply disappointing, and ideologically driven".

Israel

Brownley voted to provide Israel with support following 2023 Hamas attack on Israel.

Electoral history

2022

2020

2018

2016

2014

2012

Personal life

Brownley is divorced and has two children. She is an Episcopalian.