Jay Obernolte

Obernolte was born in Chicago, Illinois, and raised in Fresno, California.{{Cite web|title=JoinCalifornia - Jay Obernolte|url=http://www.joincalifornia.com/candidate/14111|access-date=July 14, 2020|website=www.joincalifornia.com}}[https://www.sacbee.com/news/politics-government/capitol-alert/article20530206.html Get to know a freshman: Jay Obernolte] He graduated as valedictorian of Edison/Computech High School in 1988. In 1992, he obtained his Bachelor of Science degree in engineering and applied science from the California Institute of Technology and in 1997, he received his Master of Science in artificial intelligence from the University of California, Los Angeles.{{cite web|title=Mayor Jay P. Obernolte – Biography|url=http://www.citybigbearlake.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=302%3Ajay-p-obernolte-biography&catid=45&Itemid=57|publisher=City of Big Bear Lake|access-date=April 13, 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140415120336/http://www.citybigbearlake.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=302%3Ajay-p-obernolte-biography&catid=45&Itemid=57|archive-date=April 15, 2014}} In 2020, he was awarded a Doctorate in Public Administration from the California Baptist University with a dissertation on "Managing Budgetary Conflict Between the Executive and Legislative Branches of Government".{{Cite web|title=Congressman Jay Obernolte - Heather & I officially donned our doctoral hoods yesterday for our COVID-delayed graduation ceremony. I earned my Doctorate in Public Administration last year with a dissertation on Managing Budgetary Conflict Between the Executive and Legislative Branches of Government. I also had the best "study buddy" on campus. Congratulations to graduates across CA's universities this year! {{!}} Facebook|url=https://www.facebook.com/315002418709177/photos/a.324303174445768/1639430559599683/|access-date=October 6, 2021|website=www.facebook.com|language=en}}

In 1990, Obernolte launched FarSight Studios, an independent developer and publisher of family-friendly video games. The company originally produced games for the Nintendo Entertainment System, and as of 2023 develops for PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, Oculus, Windows, macOS, iOS and Android.{{cite web |title=FarSight Studios - Welcome |url=http://farsightstudios.com/|website=FarSightStudios.com |access-date=23 September 2022}} Notable games the studio has developed include Color a Dinosaur, Game Party, Hotel for Dogs, The Pinball Arcade, and the Sega Genesis version of Action 52.{{cite web |title=1993 - Action 52 - FarSight Studios |url=http://farsightstudios.com/portfolio/1993-action-52/ |website=FarSightStudios.com |access-date=23 September 2022}}{{cite web|title=Game Companies: Farsight Studios|url=https://www.gamefaqs.com/company/78302-farsight-studios|website=Game Faqs|access-date=January 9, 2018}} FarSight Studios claims Sony, Microsoft, Google, and Apple among its clients and employs 25 workers.{{cite news|last=Johnson|first=Shea|title=Big Bear mayor joins crowded race|url=http://www.vvdailypress.com/articles/bear-44979-big-joins.html|access-date=May 14, 2014|newspaper=Daily Press|date=February 11, 2014}}

In 2005, Obernolte was elected to the Big Bear City Airport Board, where he served for five years. He then served as president of the board for three years and as vice president for one year.{{cite news|last1=Johnson|first1=Shea|title=Top two in primary seek to succeed Donnelly in state Assembly |url=http://www.vvdailypress.com/article/20141022/NEWS/141029930|access-date=October 27, 2014|publisher=Daily Press|date=October 22, 2014}}{{cite news|last1=Bowers|first1=Judy|title=Campaign trail keeps candidates busy|url=http://www.bigbeargrizzly.net/elections/news/article_0346679c-4389-11e4-9a2a-5b275f87c3d9.html|access-date=October 27, 2014|publisher=Big Bear Grizzly}}

In 2010, Obernolte was elected to Big Bear City Council, where he served as mayor. He also served on the Big Bear Lake Fire Protection Board, as director of the Mojave Desert and on the Mountain Integrated Waste JPA Board, the Mountain Area Regional Transit Authority Board, and the League of California Cities Desert-Mountain Division.{{cite news|title=JAYObernolte|url=http://www.bigbearlake.net/ETNews/Obernolte-for-State-Assembly-|access-date=May 19, 2014|newspaper=Big Bear Lake}}

Obernolte served as state assemblyman for California's 33rd State Assembly district, which encompasses a wide expanse of the High Desert (areas of the Mojave Desert), from the eastern fringes of the Los Angeles metropolitan area to the Nevada and Arizona borders, from 2014 to 2020. He was elected to Congress in 2020 to replace retiring Paul Cook as representative for California's 8th congressional district, which includes Mono County, Inyo County, and the majority of land mass in San Bernardino County.

In January 2016, Obernolte was elected to serve on the California Legislative Technology and Innovation Caucus, which is co-chaired by Assembly members Ian Calderon and Evan Low.{{cite news|last1=Cassling|first1=Steve|title=Assemblymember Jay Obernolte Picked to be Part of Historic Tech Caucus|url=http://kbhr933.com/current-news/assemblymember-jay-obernolte-picked-part-historic-tech-caucus/|access-date=June 9, 2016|publisher=KBHR933|date=January 27, 2016}} He also sat on the following committees: Arts, Entertainment, Sports, Tourism, and Internet Media as vice chair; Budget as vice chair; Appropriations; Budget Subcommittee 6 on Budget Process, Oversight and Program Evaluation; Budget Subcommittee 6 on Budget Process, Oversight and Program Evaluation; Utilities and Commerce; Joint Committee on Arts; and Joint Legislative Budget.{{cite web|title=COMMITTEES|url=https://ad33.asmrc.org/committee-membership|website=California State Assembly|access-date=January 14, 2017}}{{cite news|title=Assemblyman Obernolte blasts legislative shell game|url=http://www.vvdailypress.com/article/20160429/NEWS/160429684|access-date=September 19, 2016|publisher=Daily Press|date=April 29, 2016}}

In 2016, Obernolte expressed concern over Frontier Communications's acquisition of Verizon's voice, video, data, and FiOS network, saying that the takeover "negatively affected" his constituents through poor landline telephone service.{{cite news|last1=Johnson|first1=Shea|title=Ahead of hearing, Obernolte seeks local input on Frontier takeover|url=http://www.vvdailypress.com/article/20160512/NEWS/160519907|access-date=June 9, 2016|publisher=Daily Press|date=May 12, 2016}}

In 2016, Obernolte introduced Assembly Bill 2341, which would provide San Bernardino and other rural counties with additional judges to resolve backlogged court systems.{{cite news|title=Obernolte bill addresses judge shortage|url=http://www.lucernevalleyleader.com/obernolte-bill-addresses-judge-shortage|access-date=June 9, 2016|publisher=Lucerne Valley Leader|date=May 31, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160807225844/http://www.lucernevalleyleader.com/obernolte-bill-addresses-judge-shortage|archive-date=August 7, 2016|url-status=dead}} The bill would have shifted seats from Santa Clara and Alameda counties to the rural counties including San Bernardino, but died in the Senate Appropriations Committee without a hearing.{{cite news|last1=Macduff|first1=Cassie|title=Cassie MacDuff: Another attempt to address Inland judge shortage goes down in flames|url=http://www.pe.com/articles/counties-810461-bill-obernolte.html|access-date=August 23, 2016|publisher=Press Enterprise|date=August 12, 2016}}{{cite news|title=EDITORIAL: I.E. needs more judges|url=http://www.pe.com/articles/judges-810903-inland-empire.html|access-date=August 23, 2016|publisher=Press Enterprise|date=August 17, 2016}}

In 2017, Obernolte opposed Xavier Becerra's nomination as California Attorney General.{{cite news|title=Obernolte opposes Becerra as AG|url=http://www.vvdailypress.com/news/20170113/obernolte-opposes-becerra-as-ag|access-date=January 14, 2017|publisher=Daily Press|date=January 13, 2017}}

Obernolte said that Governor Jerry Brown's $179.45 billion budget proposal was "responsible", but expressed a preference for fixing existing programs over creating new ones. He also stated an interest in funding job skills training, improving the state's Denti-Cal program, repairing infrastructure, and working on the housing crisis. Obernolte pushed for lawmakers to limit long-term funding commitments and said the budget proposal did nothing to address the "state's out-of-control pension debts and retiree health care liabilities."{{cite news|last1=Johnson|first1=Shea|title=On proposed budget, Republicans urge long-term caution|url=http://www.vvdailypress.com/news/20170110/on-proposed-budget-republicans-urge-long-term-caution|access-date=January 14, 2017|publisher=Daily Press|date=January 10, 2017}}

Obernolte co-authored Assembly Bill 1103, which would have allowed California bicyclists to roll through stop signs if it was safe to do so (the "Idaho stop").{{cite news|last1=Koseff|first1=Alexei|title=Rolling bicycle stop bill pulled in California|url=http://www.sacbee.com/news/politics-government/capitol-alert/article149397139.html|access-date=May 11, 2017|publisher=The Sacramento Bee|date=May 8, 2017}}{{cite news|last1=Downing|first1=Shane|title=Flat Tire: 'California Roll' Bill Stalls In Assembly Committee Until 2018|url=http://hoodline.com/2017/05/flat-tire-california-roll-bill-stalls-in-assembly-committee-until-2018|access-date=May 11, 2017|publisher=Hoodline|date=May 10, 2017}} The bill died in committee.{{cite web|url=http://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=201720180AB1103|title=An act to amend Section 21200 of 21200 of, and to add and repeal Section 21200.1 of, the Vehicle Code, relating to bicycles.|publisher=California Office of Legislative Counsel|date=February 17, 2017|access-date=December 3, 2020 }}

Obernolte authored Assembly Bill 1642, which would extend the deadlines to either pay the fire tax, which is a state fire prevention fee, or file a petition for redetermination from 30 days to 60 days.{{cite news|last1=Casting|first1=Steve|title=Senator Morrell and Assemblyman Obernolte to Hold Fire Tax Town Halls in Lake Arrowhead and Big Bear|url=http://kbhr933.com/current-news/senator-morrell-assemblyman-obernolte-hold-fire-tax-town-halls-lake-arrowhead-big-bear/|access-date=June 9, 2016|publisher=KBHR933|date=April 13, 2016}} In July 2017, the fire fee was suspended as part of Assembly Bill 398.{{cite news|last1=Johnson|first1=Shea|title=Obernolte lauds fire fee suspension, but not deal that made it happen|url=http://www.vvdailypress.com/news/20170726/obernolte-lauds-fire-fee-suspension-but-not-deal-that-made-it-happen|access-date=August 18, 2017|publisher=VV Daily Press|date=July 26, 2017}} Obernolte opposed raising fire insurance costs, which is calculated by factors in the risk of wildfire, fuels, slope and road access for emergency vehicles.{{cite news|last1=Fron|first1=Heidi|title=Obernolte Fights Fire Insurance Increases|url=http://www.mountain-news.com/news/article_f7c5660c-284c-11e6-9367-5320e7ec1a9f.html|access-date=June 9, 2016|publisher=Mountain-News|date=June 6, 2016}}

Obernolte opposed increases in the minimum wage.{{cite news|last1=Obernolte|first1=Jay|title=Minimum wage hike treats symptom, makes problem worse: Jay Obernolte|url=http://www.sbsun.com/opinion/20160404/minimum-wage-hike-treats-symptom-makes-problem-worse-jay-obernolte|access-date=June 9, 2016|publisher=SB Sun|date=April 4, 2016}}

{{Main|2020 United States House of Representatives elections in California#District 8}}

In September 2019, after Paul Cook announced his retirement from California's 8th congressional district, Obernolte announced his candidacy.{{Cite web |last=Metz |first=Sam |title=Congressman Paul Cook to retire after end of fourth term; one of 17 Republicans who won't seek reelection |url=https://www.desertsun.com/story/news/politics/2019/09/17/california-republican-paul-cook-not-seek-reelection-congress/2215391001/ |website=Desert Sun}}{{Cite web |date=September 17, 2019 |title=California Republican Rep. Paul Cook to retire from Congress, run for county supervisor seat |url=https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2019-09-17/republican-paul-cook-retire-congress |website=Los Angeles Times}}{{Cite web |date=September 17, 2019 |title=California's Paul Cook joins parade of House Republicans retiring |url=http://www.rollcall.com/news/california-gop-rep-paul-cook-to-retire}}{{Cite web |date=February 18, 2020 |title=9 candidates seek 8th Congressional District seat that includes San Bernardino County |url=https://www.sbsun.com/9-candidates-seek-8th-congressional-district-seat-that-includes-san-bernardino-county}} The district covers most of the High Desert of San Bernardino County and Mono and Inyo counties.Ryan Hagen, [https://www.sbsun.com/2020/11/10/republican-jay-obernolte-wins-8th-congressional-district-foe-chris-bubser-concedes/ Republican Jay Obernolte wins 8th Congressional District; foe Chris Bubser concedes], San Bernardino Sun (November 10, 2021).

In February 2020, President Donald Trump endorsed Obernolte on Twitter.{{Cite web |last=Metz |first=Sam |title=President Trump endorses Jay Obernolte, snubs Tim Donnelly in race to succeed Rep. Paul Cook |url=https://www.desertsun.com/story/news/politics/elections/2020/02/12/california-congressional-seat-trump-backs-jay-obernolte-not-tim-donnelly/4742658002/ |website=Desert Sun}}{{Cite web |last=Cruz |first=Rene Ray De La |title=Trump takes to Twitter to endorse Obernolte for Congress |url=https://www.vvdailypress.com/news/20200213/trump-takes-to-twitter-to-endorse-obernolte-for-congress |website=vvdailypress.com}}

In the November 2020 election, Obernolte defeated Democratic nominee Chris Bubser with 56.1% of the vote to Bubser's 43.9%.[https://elections.cdn.sos.ca.gov/sov/2020-general/sov/24-us-reps.pdf November 3, 2020, General Election], Secretary of State of California. Obernolte was sworn in to Congress on January 3, 2021, and appointed Freshman Class Representative to the House Republican Policy Committee.{{cite web |title=Obernolte takes oath of office |url=https://bigbeargrizzly.net/news/4791/obernolte-takes-oath-of-office/ |publisher=Big Bear Grizzly}}

[[File:2020CA08primary.svg|thumb|225px|2020 California's 8th congressional district primary results by county

{{collapsible list

|title=Map legend

|{{legend|#e9afaf|Obernolte—30–40%}}

|{{legend|#afc6e9|Bubser—30–40%}}

|{{legend|#87aade|Bubser—40–50%}}

}}

]]

{{Election box open primary begin no change|title = {{ushr|California|8}}, 2020{{Cite web|url=https://elections.cdn.sos.ca.gov/sov/2020-primary/complete-sov.pdf|title=Statement of Vote Presidential Primary Election March 3, 2020|access-date=May 3, 2020|publisher=California Secretary of State Alex Padilla|archive-date=May 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200517221055/https://elections.cdn.sos.ca.gov/sov/2020-primary/complete-sov.pdf|url-status=dead}}{{cite web |title=November 3, 2020, General Election – United States Representative|url=https://elections.cdn.sos.ca.gov/sov/2020-general/sov/24-us-reps.pdf|website=California Secretary of State |access-date=December 22, 2020}}}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Republican Party (United States)

|candidate = Jay Obernolte

|votes = 50,677

|percentage = 35.0

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Democratic Party (United States)

|candidate = Christine Bubser

|votes = 41,595

|percentage = 28.7

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Republican Party (United States)

|candidate = Tim Donnelly

|votes = 30,079

|percentage = 20.7

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Democratic Party (United States)

|candidate = Bob Conaway

|votes = 9,053

|percentage = 6.2

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = No party preference

|candidate = Jeff Esmus

|votes = 4,042

|percentage = 2.8

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Democratic Party (United States)

|candidate = James Ellars

|votes = 3,948

|percentage = 2.7

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Republican Party (United States)

|candidate = Jeremy Staat

|votes = 2,288

|percentage = 1.6

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Republican Party (United States)

|candidate = Jerry Laws

|votes = 2,010

|percentage = 1.4

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Republican Party (United States)

|candidate = Justin David Whitehead

|votes = 1,305

|percentage = 0.9

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = No party preference

|candidate = J. Green (write-in)

|votes = 11

|percentage = 0.0

}}

{{Election box total no change

|votes = 145,008

|percentage = 100.0

}}

{{Election box open primary general election no change}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

|party = Republican Party (United States)

|candidate = Jay Obernolte

|votes = 158,711

|percentage = 56.1

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Democratic Party (United States)

|candidate = Christine Bubser

|votes = 124,400

|percentage = 43.9

}}

{{Election box total no change

|votes = 283,111

|percentage = 100.0

}}

{{Election box hold with party link no change

| winner = Republican Party (United States)

}}

{{Election box end}}

On January 6, 2021, Obernolte voted not to count Arizona's and Pennsylvania's electoral votes in the 2020 United States presidential election, citing unilateral changes to election law made in those states by the judiciary or executive branch rather than the state legislature.{{cite web |title=Rep. Obernolte statement on electoral count |date=January 5, 2021 |url=https://obernolte.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-obernolte-statement-electoral-count |publisher=Rep. Jay Obernolte Press Release}}{{Cite web|date=January 6, 2021|title=To object or not to object? Here's where some local GOP House members stand on Electoral College vote|url=https://www.ocregister.com/2021/01/05/to-object-or-not-to-object-heres-where-some-local-gop-house-members-stand-on-electoral-college-vote|access-date=January 8, 2021|website=Orange County Register|language=en-US}}{{Cite web|url=https://clerk.house.gov/Votes/202110|title=Roll Call 10|date=January 6, 2021}} He also voted against impeaching Trump for inciting his supporters to attack the Capitol on January 6.[https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2021/01/13/us/politics/trump-second-impeachment-vote.html Trump second impeachment vote], New York Times, Weiyi Cai, Annie Daniel, Lazaro Gamio and Alicia Parlapiano, January 13, 2021. Retrieved February 5, 2021. Obernolte voted against the creation of the January 6 commission.Donna Cassata and Kevin Uhrmacher , [https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2021/05/19/jan-6-commission-vote/ How House Republicans voted on a commission to investigate the Jan. 6 Capitol riot], Washington Post (May 19, 2021).

Obernolte's first pieces of legislation to pass the House concerned the enabling of technological advancement.{{cite web|url=https://www.dailybulletin.com/2021/10/11/our-critical-infrastructure-is-vulnerable-better-cyber-security-can-fix-it/|title=Our critical infrastructure is vulnerable - better cyber security can fix it|date=October 11, 2021 | publisher=Daily Bulletin}} His Fellowship and Traineeship for Early Career AI Researchers Act and Next Generation Computing Research and Development Act were included in the bipartisan H.R. 2225, the National Science Foundation (NSF) For the Future Act,{{cite web|url=https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/2225/text|title=H.R.2225 - National Science Foundation for the Future Act|publisher=Congress.gov}} and H.R. 3593, the Department of Energy Science for the Future Act{{cite web|url=https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/3593?s=1&r=2|title=H.R.3593 - Department of Energy Science for the Future Act|publisher=Congress.gov}} respectively. His first standalone legislation, H.R. 3533, passed the House in September 2021. It establishes occupational series for federal positions in software development, software engineering, data science, and data management.{{cite web|url=https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/3533/text?r=3&s=1|title=H.R. 3533 - To establish occupational series for Federal positions in software development, software engineering, data science, and data management, and for other purposes.|publisher=Congress.gov}}

In February 2021, Obernolte voted against the resolution that stripped Marjorie Taylor Greene of her committee assignments{{cite web|url=https://clerk.house.gov/Votes/202125|title=Roll Call 25, H. Res. 72|date=February 4, 2021 |publisher=Office of the Clerk, United States House of Representatives}} for her incendiary and violent statements.{{cite web |last1=Clare Foran, Daniella Diaz and Annie Grayer |title=House votes to remove Marjorie Taylor Greene from committee assignments |url=https://www.cnn.com/2021/02/04/politics/house-vote-marjorie-taylor-greene-committee-assignments/index.html |website=CNN |date=February 4, 2021 |access-date=February 5, 2021}} In November 2021, he voted against censuring Representative Paul Gosar, who posted an edited video of himself violently attacking Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and President Biden.{{Cite web|last=Dispatch|first=The Columbus|title=Representative Jay Obernolte|url=https://data.dispatch.com/roll-call/member/obernolte-jay/O000019/|access-date=November 29, 2021|website=The Columbus Dispatch|language=en}}

In March 2021, he voted against the American Rescue Plan Act.{{cite web |last1=Bycoffe |first1=Anna Wiederkehr and Aaron |title=Does Your Member Of Congress Vote With Or Against Biden? Jay Obernoltem Republican representative for California's 8th district |url=https://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/biden-congress-votes/jay-obernolte/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210506161329/https://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/biden-congress-votes/jay-obernolte/|url-status=dead|archive-date=May 6, 2021|access-date=October 29, 2021 |language=en |date=October 22, 2021}}{{Cite web|title=Final Vote Results for Roll Call 49|url=https://clerk.house.gov/evs/2021/roll049.xml#NV|access-date=April 27, 2021|publisher=Office of the Clerk, United States House of Representatives}}

In June 2021, Obernolte voted to repeal the Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolution of 2002.

As of October 2021, Obernolte had voted in line with Joe Biden's stated position 20% of the time.

Along with Ted Lieu, Obernolte began chairing a bipartisan taskforce on artificial intelligence in 2024.{{Cite web |date=2024-02-21 |title=House Establishes a New Bipartisan Task Force on AI |url=https://www.govtech.com/artificial-intelligence/house-establishes-a-new-bipartisan-task-force-on-ai |access-date=2024-07-01 |website=GovTech |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2024-02-20 |title=HOUSE LAUNCHES BIPARTISAN TASK FORCE ON ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE {{!}} Congressman Ted Lieu |url=http://lieu.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/house-launches-bipartisan-task-force-artificial-intelligence |access-date=2024-07-01 |website=lieu.house.gov |language=en}}

In 2025, Obernolte praised Elon Musk, amid the attempts of his "Department of Government Efficiency" to fire a substantial part of the federal workforce, for “looking at all of the waste" in the federal government.{{Cite web |date=2025-03-04 |title=DOGE firings provoke heated confrontations, shouts of 'Nazi,' at Republican town halls |url=https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2025-03-04/doge-firings-provoke-confrontations-republican-town-halls-joshua-tree |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US}}

For the 118th Congress:{{cite web |title= Jay Obernolte |url=https://clerk.house.gov/members/O000019 |publisher=Clerk of the United States House of Representatives |access-date=29 April 2023}}

• Committee on Energy and Commerce
• Subcommittee on Communications and Technology
• Subcommittee on Environment, Manufacturing, and Critical Minerals
• Subcommittee on Health
• Committee on Science, Space, and Technology
• Subcommittee on Investigations and Oversight (Chair)

• Republican Study Committee{{Cite web|date=December 6, 2017|title=Membership|url=https://rsc-banks.house.gov/about/membership|access-date=March 30, 2021|website=Republican Study Committee|language=en}}
• Republican Governance Group{{cite web |url=https://republicangovernance.com/|work=Republican Governance Group|title=Homepage of Republican Governance Group|date=December 14, 2019}}
• Congressional Western Caucus{{cite web|title= Caucus Memberships|author=|url=https://westerncaucus.house.gov/about/membership.htm|format=|publisher=Congressional Western Caucus|date=|accessdate=9 April 2025}}

Obernolte supported the overturning of Roe v. Wade and believes that because the Constitution does not mention abortion explicitly, states may outlaw it.{{cite web |last1=Obernolte |first1=Jay |title=My statement on today's Supreme Court decision below |url=https://twitter.com/JayObernolte/status/1540385449914548224/photo/1 |website=Twitter |access-date=June 26, 2022 |language=en |date=June 24, 2022}}

On July 19, 2022, Obernolte and 46 other Republican representatives voted for the Respect for Marriage Act, which would codify the right to same-sex marriage in federal law.{{cite news|url=https://thehill.com/homenews/house/3566600-these-are-the-47-house-republicans-who-voted-for-a-bill-protecting-marriage-equality/|title=These are the 47 House Republicans who voted for a bill protecting marriage equality|work=The Hill|last=Schnell|first=Mychael|date=July 19, 2022|accessdate=July 25, 2022}} He said, "As an ardent advocate for limited government, I do not feel that government should be empowered to dictate the terms of a marriage."{{cite web |url=https://www.aol.com/news/california-house-republicans-usually-step-202717780.html | title=California House Republicans, usually in step, split on same-sex marriage as November nears | date=July 29, 2022 }}

In 2022, Obernolte was one of 39 Republicans to vote for the Merger Filing Fee Modernization Act of 2022, an antitrust package that would crack down on corporations for anti-competitive behavior.{{cite web |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2022/09/29/house-passes-antitrust-bill-raising-ma-fees.html | title=House passes antitrust bill that hikes M&A fees as larger efforts targeting tech have stalled | website=CNBC | date=September 29, 2022 }}{{cite web |url=https://www.govtrack.us/congress/votes/117-2022/h460 | title=H.R. 3843: Merger Filing Fee Modernization Act of 2022 -- House Vote #460 -- Sep 29, 2022 }}

In 2023, Obernolte was among 47 Republicans to vote in favor of H.Con.Res. 21, which directed President Joe Biden to remove U.S. troops from Syria within 180 days.{{cite web |url=https://www.govtrack.us/congress/votes/118-2023/h136 | title=H.Con.Res. 21: Directing the President, pursuant to section 5(c) of … -- House Vote #136 -- Mar 8, 2023 }}{{cite web |title=House Votes Down Bill Directing Removal of Troops From Syria |url=https://www.usnews.com/news/politics/articles/2023-03-08/house-votes-down-bill-directing-removal-of-troops-from-syria |website=U.S. News & World Report |date=2023-03-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230404204512/https://www.usnews.com/news/politics/articles/2023-03-08/house-votes-down-bill-directing-removal-of-troops-from-syria |archive-date=2023-04-04 |url-status=live}}

{{see also|2014 California State Assembly election}}

On February 10, 2014, Obernolte announced his candidacy for the California State Assembly to succeed Tim Donnelly in the 33rd district.

Obernolte was endorsed by the California Republican Party,{{cite web|title=Party Endorsements|url=http://cagop.org/about/party-endorsements/|publisher=California GOP|access-date=September 30, 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140926170053/http://www.cagop.org/about/party-endorsements/|archive-date=September 26, 2014}} the San Bernardino County Republican party, the California Republican Assembly,{{cite news|last=Johnson|first=Shea|title=Candidates building up war chests|url=http://www.vvdailypress.com/articles/candidates-45887-war-statements.html|access-date=April 13, 2014|newspaper=Daily Press|date=April 1, 2014}}{{cite web|title=2014 Primary Election Endorsements|url=http://cragop.org/2014-primary-election-endorsements/|publisher=California Republican Assembly|access-date=May 15, 2014}} The Press-Enterprise,{{cite news|title=Editorial: Obernolte, Mayes and Steinorth for Assembly|url=http://www.pe.com/articles/business-698921-mayes-steinorth.html|access-date=August 18, 2014|publisher=The Press-Enterprise|date=August 15, 2014}} the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association,{{cite news|last1=Johnson|first1=Shea|title=Obernolte, Coffey make case at VVC forum|url=http://www.vvdailypress.com/article/20140918/News/140919748|access-date=September 30, 2014|publisher=Daily Press|date=September 18, 2014}} Peace Officers Research Association of California (PORAC),{{cite web|title=ENDORSED ASSEMBLY CANDIDATES BY CHAPTER|url=http://porac.org/wp-content/uploads/Assembly-Endorsement-Chart.pdf?054b1e&054b1e|publisher=PORAC|access-date=September 30, 2014}}{{dead link|date=November 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} San Bernardino County Safety Employee's Benefit Association (SEBA),{{cite web|title=SEBA endorsements|url=http://www.seba.biz/Endorsements.aspx|publisher=San Bernardino County Safety Employee's Benefit Association|access-date=September 30, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110128194411/http://www.seba.biz/Endorsements.aspx|archive-date=January 28, 2011|url-status=dead}} the California Conservative Christians,{{cite web|title=The Christian Voter Guides 2014|url=http://christiancitizens.org/the-christian-voter-guides.html|publisher=Christian Citizens|access-date=September 30, 2014}} and the Independent Voter Political Action Committee.{{cite web|title=Jay Obernolte {{!}} AD 33|url=http://www.independentpac.org/jay_obernolte|publisher=Independent Voter PAC|access-date=September 30, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006075745/http://www.independentpac.org/jay_obernolte|archive-date=October 6, 2014|url-status=dead}}

In the June primary, Obernolte finished second with 18.89% of the vote with 7,887 votes. He defeated Democrat John Coffey in the November general election with 65.9% of the vote.{{cite web|title=2014 Statewide Primary Election|url=http://www.sbcounty.gov/rov/elections/results/20140603/default.html|website=San Bernardino County Elections Office of the Registrar of Voters|access-date=June 7, 2014}}

{{Election box open primary begin no change

| title = 2014 California's 33rd State Assembly district election

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| party = California Democratic Party

| candidate = John Coffey

| votes = 9,865

| percentage = 23.1

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| party = California Republican Party

| candidate = Jay Obernolte

| votes = 8,028

| percentage = 18.8

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| party = California Republican Party

| candidate = Michelle Ambrozic

| votes = 7,566

| percentage = 17.7

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| party = California Republican Party

| candidate = Rick Roelle

| votes = 6,574

| percentage = 15.4

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| party = California Republican Party

| candidate = Art Bishop

| votes = 5,956

| percentage = 14.0

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| party = California Republican Party

| candidate = Brett Savage

| votes = 1,811

| percentage = 4.2

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| party = California Republican Party

| candidate = Scott Markovich

| votes = 975

| percentage = 2.3

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| party = California Republican Party

| candidate = Jerry J. Laws

| votes = 814

| percentage = 1.9

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| party = California Republican Party

| candidate = Robert J. "Bob" Burhle

| votes = 802

| percentage = 1.9

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| party = California Republican Party

| candidate = Robert Larivee

| votes = 299

| percentage = 0.7

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 45,690

| percentage = 100.0

}}

{{Election box open primary general election no change}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| party = California Republican Party

| candidate = Jay Obernolte

| votes = 46,144

| percentage = 65.9

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| party = California Democratic Party

| candidate = John Coffey

| votes = 23,828

| percentage = 34.1

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 69,972

| percentage = 100.0

}}

{{Election box hold with party link no change

| winner = California Republican Party

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{see also|2016 California State Assembly election}}

On January 25, 2016, Obernolte announced he would seek reelection as the representative for California's 33rd Assembly District.{{cite news|title=Obernolte announces re-election campaign|url=http://www.bigbeargrizzly.net/news/obernolte-announces-re-election-campaign/article_cbb4dd3c-c496-11e5-8b70-038d7689c9a1.html|access-date=February 10, 2016|publisher=Big Bear Grizzly}}{{cite news|last1=Hagen|first1=Ryan|last2=Emerson|first2=Sandra|title=Election 2016: Obernolte leads Markovich in the 33rd Assembly District race|url=http://www.sbsun.com/government-and-politics/20160607/election-2016-obernolte-leads-markovich-in-the-33rd-assembly-district-race|access-date=June 9, 2016|publisher=SB Sun|date=June 7, 2016}}

In the June primary, Obernolte finished first with 60.7% of the vote with 43,526 votes. He defeated Democrat Scott Markovich in the November general election with 60.6% of the vote.

{{Election box open primary begin no change

| title = 2016 California's 33rd State Assembly district election

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| party = California Republican Party

| candidate = Jay Obernolte (incumbent)

| votes = 43,526

| percentage = 60.7

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| party = California Democratic Party

| candidate = Scott Markovich

| votes = 28,220

| percentage = 39.3

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 71,746

| percentage = 100.0

}}

{{Election box open primary general election no change}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| party = California Republican Party

| candidate = Jay Obernolte (incumbent)

| votes = 84,000

| percentage = 60.6

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| party = California Democratic Party

| candidate = Scott Markovich

| votes = 56,086

| percentage = 39.4

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 140,086

| percentage = 100.0

}}

{{Election box hold with party link no change

| winner = California Republican Party

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{see also|2018 California State Assembly election}}

{{Election box open primary begin no change

| title = 2018 California's 33rd State Assembly district election

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| party = California Republican Party

| candidate = Jay Obernolte (incumbent)

| votes = 43100

| percentage = 65.8

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| party = California Democratic Party

| candidate = Socorro Cisneros

| votes = 12566

| percentage = 19.2

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| party = California Democratic Party

| candidate = Scott Markovich

| votes = 9854

| percentage = 15.0

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 65520

| percentage = 100.0

}}

{{Election box open primary general election no change}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| party = California Republican Party

| candidate = Jay Obernolte (incumbent)

| votes = 72109

| percentage = 60.2

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| party = California Democratic Party

| candidate = Socorro Cisneros

| votes = 47603

| percentage = 39.8

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 119712

| percentage = 100.0

}}

{{Election box hold with party link no change

| winner = California Republican Party

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box open primary begin no change|title = {{ushr|California|23}}, 2022}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Republican Party (United States)

|candidate = Jay Obernolte (incumbent)

|votes = 57,988

|percentage = 60.9

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Democratic Party (United States)

|candidate = Derek Marshall

|votes = 20,776

|percentage = 21.8

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Democratic Party (United States)

|candidate = Bianca A. Gómez

|votes = 16,516

|percentage = 17.3

}}

{{Election box total no change

|votes = 95,280

|percentage = 100.0

}}

{{Election box open primary general election no change}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

|party = Republican Party (United States)

|candidate = Jay Obernolte (incumbent)

|votes = 102,733

|percentage = 61.0%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Democratic Party (United States)

|candidate = Derek Marshall

|votes = 65,655

|percentage = 39.0%

}}

{{Election box total no change

|votes = 168,388

|percentage = 100.0

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box open primary begin no change|title=California's 23rd congressional district, 2024{{Cite web |year=2024 |title=Statement of Vote |url=https://elections.cdn.sos.ca.gov/sov/2024-primary/sov/complete-sov-updated.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240618164043/https://elections.cdn.sos.ca.gov/sov/2024-primary/sov/complete-sov-updated.pdf |archive-date=June 18, 2024 |access-date=January 8, 2025 |website=sos.ca.gov |publisher=Secretary of State of California |page=84 |format=PDF |publication-place=Sacramento}}{{Cite web |year=2024 |title=Statement of Vote |url=https://elections.cdn.sos.ca.gov/sov/2024-general/sov/complete-sov.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241230021501/https://elections.cdn.sos.ca.gov/sov/2024-general/sov/complete-sov.pdf |archive-date=December 30, 2024 |access-date=January 8, 2025 |website=sos.ca.gov |publisher=Secretary of State of California |page=7 |format=PDF |publication-place=Sacramento}}}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change|party=Republican Party (United States)|candidate=Jay Obernolte (incumbent)|votes=70,208|percentage=63.4}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change|party=Democratic Party (United States)|candidate=Derek Marshall|votes=40,477|percentage=36.6}}

{{Election box total no change|votes=110,685|percentage=100.0}}

{{Election box open primary general election no change}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change|party=Republican Party (United States)|candidate=Jay Obernolte (incumbent)|votes=159,286|percentage=60.1}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change|party=Democratic Party (United States)|candidate=Derek Marshall|votes=105,563|percentage=39.9}}

{{Election box total no change|votes=264,849|percentage=100.0}}

{{Election box hold with party link no change

| winner = Republican Party (United States)

}}

{{Election box end}}

Obernolte married his wife, Heather, in 1996, and they have two sons.{{cite news|last1=Neufeld|first1=Michael|title=Jay Olbernolte Re-Elected Mayor of Big Bear Lake|url=http://rotwnews.com/2013/12/13/jay-olbernolte-re-elected-mayor-of-big-bear-lake/|access-date=October 27, 2014|publisher=ROTW News|date=December 13, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141027074318/http://rotwnews.com/2013/12/13/jay-olbernolte-re-elected-mayor-of-big-bear-lake/|archive-date=October 27, 2014|url-status=dead}}{{cite news|last1=Johnson|first1=Shea|title=Donnelly's son urges donations, votes|url=http://www.vvdailypress.com/article/20140528/News/305289991?template=printart|access-date=October 27, 2014|publisher=Daily Press}} The family has lived in Big Bear Lake since 1997.

Obernolte holds an airline transport pilot's license. He is a certified flight instructor and has flown light aircraft since 2005. He worked with Embraer as a member on its Pilot Advisory Board during the development of the Phenom 300.{{cite web|last=George|first=Fred|title=Embraer Phenom 300|url=http://www.aviationweek.com/Article.aspx?id=/article-xml/BC_06_01_2013_p34-576081.xml|work=1 June 2013|publisher=Aviation Week|access-date=April 13, 2014}}{{cite news|last1=Velocci|first1=Tony|title=Phenom 300: One Hot Airplane|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/businessaviation/2014/10/07/phenom-300-one-hot-airplane/|access-date=October 24, 2014|work=Forbes|date=October 7, 2014}}{{cite web|title=The Racing Pilots|url=http://racingjets.com/race_pilot/Jay%20Obernolte|publisher=Racing Jets|access-date=October 27, 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141027044117/http://racingjets.com/race_pilot/Jay%20Obernolte|archive-date=October 27, 2014}}{{cite news|last1=Cox|first1=Bill|title=Twin Commander 1000: The Ultimate Turbine Commander|url=http://www.planeandpilotmag.com/aircraft/pilot-reports/twin-commander/twin-commander-1000-the-ultimate-turbine-commander.html?tmpl=component&print=1#.VE2vFUs7uao|access-date=October 27, 2014|publisher=Plane and Pilot Mag}} Obernolte volunteers as a pilot with the [https://www.veteransairlift.org Veterans Airlift Command] and the Young Eagles.{{cite web|title=Young Eagles 100+ Mission Pilots|url=http://www.youngeagles.org/volunteers/recognition/100mission.asp?start=150&end=199|publisher=Young Eagles|access-date=April 13, 2014}}

Obernolte holds a fifth-degree black belt in Pacific Unified Martial Arts and is co-owner and instructor at PUMA Karate in Big Bear Lake.{{cite book|last1=Fisher|first1=Jerry|title=No Regrets: The Life of an American Martial Artist|date=June 17, 2009|publisher=Trafford Publishing|page=294|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=PeKrNIo6R-4C&q=%22Jay+Obernolte%22&pg=PA294|access-date=October 22, 2014|isbn=9781426935541}}{{Self-published inline|certain=yes|date=January 2018}}

Obernolte is Protestant.{{cite web |title=Faith on the Hill: The religious composition of the 118th Congress |url=https://www.pewresearch.org/ |website=Pew Research Center |access-date=6 March 2023}}

{{reflist}}

{{commons category}}

• [https://obernolte.house.gov Representative Jay Obernolte] official U.S. House website
• [https://ad33.asmrc.org/ State Assembly website]
• [http://electjay.com Jay Obernolte for Congress] campaign website
• {{Ballotpedia}}
• {{C-SPAN|127883}}

{{CongLinks|votesmart=151831|fec=H0CA08135|congbio=O000019|congress=jay-obernolte/O000019}}

{{s-start}}

{{s-par|us-ca-hs}}

{{s-bef|before=Tim Donnelly}}

{{s-ttl|title=Member of the California Assembly
from the 33rd district|years=2014–2020}}

{{s-aft|after=Thurston Smith}}

|-

{{s-par|us-hs}}

{{s-bef|before=Paul Cook}}

{{s-ttl|title=Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from California's 8th congressional district|years= 2021–2023}}

{{s-aft|after=John Garamendi}}

|-

{{s-bef|before=Kevin McCarthy}}

{{s-ttl|title=Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from California's 23rd congressional district|years= 2023–present}}

{{s-inc}}

|-

{{s-new|office}}

{{s-ttl|title=Chair of the House Artificial Intelligence Task Force|years=2024–2025}}

{{s-non|reason=Position abolished}}

|-

{{s-prec|usa}}

{{s-bef|before=Troy Nehls}}

{{s-ttl|title=United States representatives by seniority|years=278th}}

{{s-aft|after=Burgess Owens}}

{{s-end}}

{{CA-FedRep}}

{{Members of the U.S. House of Representatives}}

{{USCongRep-start |congresses=117th–present United States Congresses |state=California}}

{{USCongRep/CA/117}}

{{USCongRep/CA/118}}

{{USCongRep/CA/119}}

{{USCongRep-end}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Obernolte, Jay}}

Category:1970 births

Category:American Christians

Category:Businesspeople from California

Category:California Institute of Technology alumni

Category:California Republicans

Category:Christians from California

Category:Living people

Category:Mayors of places in California

Category:Republican Party members of the California State Assembly

Category:Politicians from Fresno, California

Category:People from Big Bear Lake, California

Category:Politicians from Chicago

Category:Republican Party members of the United States House of Representatives from California

Category:University of California, Los Angeles alumni

Category:Video game developers

Category:21st-century members of the California State Legislature

Category:21st-century members of the United States House of Representatives