Who's In the Race

Rep. Mark DeSaulnier (D-CA) faces Republican Jeff Frese in the Nov. 3 general election in California's 10th District. ​

DeSaulnier has represented the district since 2015, previously serving in the California State Senate and State Assembly, where 61 of his bills became state law. In the June 2 top-two primary, he took about 60 percent of the vote.

Frese is a small-business owner and Moraga resident who earned a bachelor's degree from the State University of New York at Cortland. He advanced from the primary with about 13 percent of the vote, fellow Republican Katherine Piccinini finishing third with about 12 percent.

What They Stand For

DeSaulnier has proposed federal investment in transportation to reduce Bay Area traffic congestion and improve commutes, according to his official House website. He's also supported:

  • Protecting, strengthening, and expanding the Affordable Care Act, and a health-care system that prioritizes people over profits;
  • Immigration-system reforms while rejecting "scapegoating, fearmongering, and xenophobia"; and
  • A long record of state-level legislating, with 61 bills signed into law during his time in the California legislature.

Frese has proposed eight-year congressional term limits, according to his campaign website. He's also supported:

  • Banning members of Congress from trading stocks;
  • Making California more affordable; and
  • Securing elections and restoring accountability.

The Money Behind the Race

DeSaulnier raised about $567,000 through June 30 and had about $586,000 in the bank, according to Federal Election Commission filings.

Race Outlook: Ratings and Betting Markets

The Cook Political Report rated the race "Solid Democratic" as of Oct. 9; Sabato's Crystal Ball gave it the same rating as of Oct. 11; and Inside Elections also called it "Solid Democratic" as of Oct. 2. On Kalshi, traders gave Democrats, whose nominee is DeSaulnier, a 98.06 percent chance of winning as of Oct. 13.

DeSaulnier carried the district with about 79 percent in 2022 and about 66 percent in 2024. Democrats have dominated California's congressional delegation, winning 40 of the state's 52 U.S. House seats in 2022 and 43 in 2024. Democrat Kamala Harris carried California in the 2024 presidential election with about 58 percent of the vote.

Voters in the district must register by Monday, Oct. 19; conditional same-day registration is available at designated locations during the 14 days before Election Day, including Nov. 3 itself. Requests for a mail ballot must be submitted by Tuesday, Oct. 27, at 5:00 p.m. In-person early voting at the Contra Costa County Registrar of Voters office runs Saturday, Oct. 24, through Tuesday, Nov. 3, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Regional early-voting sites are open Friday, Oct. 30, and Monday, Nov. 2, from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., and Saturday, Oct. 31, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. On Election Day, polls are open from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

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