Who's In the Race

Rep. John Garamendi (D-CA) faces Republican Rudy Recile in the Nov. 3 general election in California's 8th District. ​

California uses a top-two primary, in which the two highest vote-getters regardless of party advance to the general election, and California Proposition 50 replaced the state's congressional maps with legislatively drawn maps starting in 2026, changing this district's boundaries.

Garamendi has represented California in the U.S. House since 2009 and previously served as California's insurance commissioner and as U.S. deputy secretary of the interior. Recile is a retired U.S. Army major who served for 26 years and has described himself as a small-business owner and former U.S. Department of Agriculture employee.

In California's top-two primary on June 2, Garamendi led the field with about 54% of the vote and Recile advanced in second place with about 28%.

What They Stand For

Garamendi has supported expanding Medicare coverage to include dental, vision, and hearing care, as well as mental-health and substance-use treatment, according to his official House website. He has also supported:

  • Greater investment in clean, renewable energy to combat climate change,
  • Congressional action to address gun violence; and
  • Legislation to increase affordable housing opportunities.

Recile has proposed improving veterans' access to benefits and reducing bureaucratic obstacles, according to his campaign website. He has also supported:

  • School choice and criticism of existing school-board control over curricula,
  • Energy independence; and
  • Accountability in government spending.

The Money Behind the Race

Through June 30, Democrat John Garamendi had raised about $489,000 and held about $1.2 million in cash on hand, while Republican Rudy Recile, through Sept. 30, had raised about $20,000, held $235 in cash and carried about $40,000 in debt. Outside groups have spent $10 supporting Garamendi, all of it from Sierra Club Independent Action.

Race Outlook: Ratings and Betting Markets

Cook Political Report rated the race Solid Democratic as of Oct. 9; Sabato's Crystal Ball rated it Solid Democratic as of Oct. 11; and Inside Elections rated it Solid Democratic as of Oct. 2. On Kalshi, traders gave Democrats, whose nominee is Garamendi, a 98.19% chance of winning as of Oct. 14.

Garamendi won this seat with about 76% of the vote in 2022 and about 74% in 2024. Democrats have dominated California's U.S. House delegation, winning 40 of the state's 52 seats in 2022 and 43 in 2024. Kamala Harris carried California in the 2024 presidential election with about 58% of the vote.

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