Tessa's Story

Lifelong commitment to our community.

The High Desert and District 23 are my home. I’ve lived here my entire life, and I’m passionate about helping our community thrive.

I am Tessa Lynn Hodge, and I’m running for Congress to represent California’s 23rd Congressional District in the 2026 election. As a born and raised lifelong resident of this district, I’m deeply connected to its values and its people. 

My roots in this district run deep. My grandfather served in the Air Force for 22 years before retiring to the High Desert and later ran a small print shop in Victorville. My grandmother worked as an RN for over 30 years with the majority of them being at St. Mary’s Medical Center in Apple Valley. The legacy of service in my family has shaped me in so many ways. I have also been shaped by the community itself and by the opportunities and challenges that this vast district offers.

I’m a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with almost a decade of experience working with vulnerable populations, from children in foster care to students in need of mental health services in our school districts. I’ve also worked in San Bernardino County incorporating state and federal legislation into county policy and guidelines for county workers. I’ve witnessed firsthand the impact of legislation and policies on real lives, and I know that now is the time to advocate for meaningful change. After years of serving my community as a social worker, I’m running for office because I believe that to create lasting change, we need to address the root causes of inequality, injustice, addiction, poor mental health and poverty at the policy level.

The current representative, Jay Obernolte, is out of touch with the needs of the 23rd District. His focus on partisan politics is a disservice to the hardworking families in our community. I’m running to be a voice for my community, to ensure that every person, regardless of their background, has the opportunity to thrive.