A former member of the House of Representatives and a Biden Defense Department official has launched a new campaign for a California House seat.

Gil Cisneros most recently served as undersecretary of defense for personnel and readiness and was in that position between August 2021 and earlier this month, when he stepped down. Now he's running to represent California's 31st Congressional District, a seat that is held by retiring Rep. Grace Napolitano (D-CA), who held the district for about 25 years.

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During his time at the Department of Defense, Cisneros often defended Biden's policies (such as placing an emphasis on diversity and inclusion efforts) on Capitol Hill, where he faced criticism from Republican lawmakers who disagreed with the belief that such initiatives were necessary for troops. Last month, Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-CO) filed four salary-slashing Holman rule amendments to the defense appropriations bill that would've slashed Cisneros and three others' salaries down to $1.

“As the son of a Vietnam war veteran, the values of serving our country and supporting others were instilled in me at a young age,” Cisneros said. “This ethos inspired me to volunteer for the Navy after college, launch an educational foundation that has empowered thousands of first-generation college students to achieve their dreams, represent Los Angeles County in Congress, and be appointed by President Biden as Undersecretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness. As I witness the continued attacks by MAGA extremists on the programs, and policies that I implemented at DOD and fought for in Congress, like access to reproductive care, environmental protections, and gun safety legislation, I know that our work is not done, which is why I am announcing my candidacy for Congress.”

His campaign website states Cisneros "ensured LGBTQ rights were protected" and that "he implemented the Pentagon’s newest policies on access to free contraceptives and on reproductive health care (abortions and assisted reproductive technology) for military personnel, which covers travel costs and time off for troops who travel out of state due to reproductive healthcare restrictions or bans in the state where they are stationed."

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Napolitano's district is solidly blue, as the Democrats have a 27-point registration advantage, though the primary field is quickly expanding. State Sens. Susan Rubio and Bob Archuleta are running, while Napolitano has already endorsed Archuleta.

Prior to his position in DOD, he served one term as a Democrat representing California's 39th District, but he lost his reelection bid to Young Kim in 2020 in a rematch of the election he won two years earlier.