Humboldt County educator Colby Smart announced that he will run as an independent candidate for California’s 2nd Congressional District in 2026.
Smart is challenging Rep. Jared Huffman, D-San Rafael, who has represented the district since 2013.
“I’m running because District 2 deserves representation that puts people before politics,” said Smart in his announcement on Monday. “Northern California needs leadership grounded in service, not party lines — leadership that stands up for every voice and works for the common good.”
Smart’s candidacy follows voter approval of Proposition 50, the statewide redistricting measure that replaces the congressional maps drawn by the California Citizens Redistricting Commission with new maps expected to give Democrats an advantage.
The 2nd district currently comprises Marin, Mendocino, Trinity, Humboldt and Del Norte counties, and a large portion of Sonoma County.
Under the new map, the 2nd District will lose left-leaning areas such as Ukiah and Santa Rosa to the currently conservative-leaning 1st District, while adding more Republican strongholds, including Redding and Modoc County.
“When maps change, representation should change with them to ensure equal representation,” Smart said. “No community should ever feel ignored or taken for granted.”
Smart lives in Eureka and serves as deputy superintendent at the Humboldt County Office of Education. According to his campaign biography, he was born and raised in Lake County and moved to Humboldt County nearly 30 years ago.
His campaign priorities include rural economic development, strengthening public education, protecting natural resources, and promoting government accountability and transparency.