Who's In the Race

Rep. Josh Harder (D-CA) faces Republican John McBride in the Nov. 3 general election in California's 9th District. California's Proposition 50 replaced the state's congressional maps with new district boundaries for the 2026 election. ​

Harder has represented the district since 2019, grew up in the Central Valley, and attended Stanford University and Harvard University before working in the business world and entering Congress. He took about 61 percent of the vote in the June 2 top-two primary, with McBride finishing second at about 23 percent. Three other Republicans also ran in the primary.

McBride worked as a strength and conditioning coach and says he moved to California in 1989 to become the University of the Pacific's first strength and conditioning coach.

What They Stand For

Harder is leading the fight to cut the cost of prescription drugs like insulin, according to his campaign website. He's also supported:

  • Repealing gas taxes in Washington and Sacramento,
  • Lowering housing costs,
  • Growing jobs and opportunity in the Central Valley; and
  • Protecting health care access and increasing the region's water supply, according to his official House website.

McBride has listed health care and safer communities among his campaign's priorities, according to his campaign website.

The Money Behind the Race

Federal Election Commission filings show Harder raised about $4.1 million through June 30 and had about $4.7 million in cash on hand. McBride raised about $52,000 through June 30 and had about $18,700 in the bank, with about $23,500 in debt.

Outside spending in the race totaled just about $5,655 as of Oct. 13, all of it directed at Harder: about $4,552 opposing him and about $1,103 supporting him. The largest spender was The Conservative Caucus DBA Americans for Constitutional Liberty, which spent about $4,552 opposing Harder.

Race Outlook: Ratings and Betting Markets

The Cook Political Report rated the race Solid Democratic as of Oct. 9. Sabato's Crystal Ball rated it Solid Democratic as of Oct. 11. Inside Elections rated it Solid Democratic as of Oct. 2.

Kalshi traders gave Democrats, whose nominee is Harder, a 99.19 percent chance of winning as of Oct. 13.

Harder won the district with about 55 percent in 2022 and about 52 percent in 2024. Democrats held 40 of California's 52 U.S. House seats after 2022 and 43 after 2024. Kamala Harris carried California in the 2024 presidential race with about 58 percent of the vote.

Voters in the district can register online or by mail through Monday, Oct. 19; mail ballot applications must be submitted by Tuesday, Oct. 27, according to The Record's reporting on San Joaquin County dates. Early voting is available at least 10 days before Election Day, with San Joaquin County offering in-person early voting on Saturday, Oct. 31, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., according to the San Joaquin County Registrar of Voters. Polls on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 3, are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., according to the California Secretary of State.

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