SANTA CRUZ, CA – The field of candidates for California’s 19th Congressional District has grown, as tech entrepreneur Lars Mapstead officially announced his campaign to unseat incumbent Democratic Representative Jimmy Panetta. Mapstead, who recently sought the Libertarian Party’s presidential nomination in 2024, is now turning his focus to a regional race with deep personal roots.

Mapstead is a well-known figure in the tech world, having co-founded the successful social networking company FriendFinder. His entrepreneurial background also includes the creation of Fupa Games. Beyond his professional life, Mapstead is described as a road-racing enthusiast. He brings this profile as a businessman and former national candidate to a district that covers a significant portion of California’s Central Coast.

With strong local ties, Mapstead emphasized his connection to the community, noting that he grew up in Big Sur and currently resides in Santa Cruz. His campaign will now have to target voters across the district, which encompasses Santa Cruz County, the Monterey coast, the northern part of San Luis Obispo County, and portions of Santa Clara County.

In a social media post announcing his candidacy, Mapstead confirmed he had filed the necessary papers to begin his run. His campaign’s immediate focus is on securing a spot on the ballot for the upcoming primary. “Now I need 70 signatures to be able to be on the Primary ballot,” he wrote, reaching out to registered voters in Santa Cruz for their support. He clarified that signing the petition simply allows him to be placed on the ballot and does not obligate voters to cast their vote for him.

The race will operate under California’s non-partisan, top-two primary system. All candidates, regardless of party affiliation, will appear on the same ballot in the June 2 primary. The two candidates who receive the most votes will then advance to the general election in November, setting the stage for a potentially competitive race against the incumbent, Panetta.