Bob Smith
Has not stated a position on U.S. military aid to Israel or aid to Palestinians. In an iVoterGuide questionnaire for the June 2026 primary he called Israel a critical ally in a volatile region whose partnership enhances security and regional stability.
Smith, a retired Navy commander and defense systems engineer running in CA-24, has no public record on U.S. military aid, arms sales, or weapons transfers to the government of Israel, and none on U.S. aid to Palestinians. His campaign materials cite a 26-year background in Navy defense acquisition and weapons systems development without addressing foreign defense aid policy.
In an iVoterGuide questionnaire for the June 2, 2026 primary he wrote: "Israel is a critical ally in a volatile region and shares democratic values with the United States," and "Our partnership enhances security, intelligence cooperation, and regional stability." In the same survey he called violent Islamist extremism a serious threat to U.S. and global security and named Iran as a state actor enabling terrorism through proxy networks.
No statements on antisemitism or Jewish community safety were found, and no Israel-related lobbying activity or rhetoric beyond the questionnaire.
Research
U.S. military aid and weapons to Israel
- Nothing found. No stance on U.S. military aid, arms sales, or weapons transfers to the government of Israel, and none on U.S. aid to Palestinians. Sources consulted: KEYT candidacy announcement (2025-04-14), Ballotpedia CA-24 profile, iVoterGuide.
Characterization of the conflict
- 2025 [Current position; year-only date taken from the text itself; questionnaire for the June 2, 2026 primary; the profile page is undated; verified]: "Israel is a critical ally in a volatile region and shares democratic values with the United States." "Our partnership enhances security, intelligence cooperation, and regional stability." Also noted the alliance supports long-term peace and security for the region. iVoterGuide.
- Same survey [Current position]: "Violent Islamist extremism remains a serious threat to U.S. and global security, including groups like ISIS and Al-Qaeda"; named Iran as a state actor supporting terrorism through proxies. iVoterGuide.
Rhetoric and lobbying
- Nothing found beyond the questionnaire positions above.
Safety and antisemitism
- Nothing found. No statements, position papers, or campaign actions on antisemitism or Jewish community safety.
Background and identity
- Cmdr. Robert "Bob" J. Smith, USN Ret., of Carpinteria; 26-year Navy defense acquisition background; advanced from the June 2, 2026 top-two primary to face Rep. Carbajal. KEYT; Ballotpedia; disambiguation page Ballotpedia Bob Smith; county party candidate list (2025-08-22). AP primary result via kvue.com would not open; unlinked. A Local Candidates profile would not open; unlinked.
Also in this race: Salud O. Carbajal (Democrat) · All California candidates.
See the full record →But What Can You Do? tracks where 2026 candidates stand on U.S. weapons and funding for the government of Israel. Every claim on this page goes through at least two verification steps. Open the interactive card for votes, funding and contact details.