District: CA-09
Cook Political Ranking: Solid D
Performance Voter Index: D+8
Rep. Harder has been serving as the U.S. House Representative for California’s 9th congressional district since 2023. Prior to redistricting, he represented California’s 10th congressional district from 2019 to 2022. In the 2018 midterms, Harder defeated Republican incumbent, Jeff Denham, making him one of seven congressional newcomers to flip California districts from Republican to Democratic control. Prior to Congress, Harder was a teacher and venture capitalist.

California’s 9th congressional district encompasses portions of Contra Costa, San Joaquin, and Stanislaus Counties, including the cities of Lodi, Escalon, Ripon, Manteca, Tracy, Stockton, and portions of Brentwood. While redistricting changed the lines of the district slightly, the district remains Democratic-leaning. In the 2024 election, Harder defeated his Republican challenger, Kevin Lincoln II, by 3 points (9,009 votes).
During the 2024 cycle, Harder raised $5.3 million, while his opponent raised $2.2 million. Several super PACs, national party committees, politically active nonprofits, and other non-candidate groups spent more than $1.5 million together; over $1.4 million was spent opposing Harder’s candidacy. This is Rep. Harder’s second time seeking reelection in this district.