Josh HarderIncumbent
Candidate for U.S. Representative, Congressional District 9
Josh Harder is a Democrat. He is the incumbent in California's 9th Congressional District. He has held the seat since January 2023. He held California's 10th District from 2019 to 2023. Harder was born and raised in the Central Valley area, near Turlock, California. He attended Modesto public schools. He studied political science at Stanford University. He earned his bachelor's degree in 2008. He also studied at Harvard University. In 2014, he earned an MBA there. He earned a Master's in Public Policy too. Before Congress, he was a venture capital investor. He was a vice president at Bessemer Venture Partners. He taught as a course instructor at Modesto Junior College. In the current Congress, he serves on the House Appropriations Committee. His subcommittees there include Labor-HHS-Education. They also include Interior-Environment. He is running for re-election on November 3, 2026. He seeks a full term. Home: Turlock/Central Valley, California, in CA-9. Occupation: U.S. House member, the incumbent. His prior career was in venture capital and teaching. Prior office: incumbent since January 2023 for CA-9. He held CA-10 from 2019 to 2023.
On the issues
- Economy & Jobs
Supports strengthening labor organizing protections and opposes tariffs he says raise costs for working families, while promoting Central Valley job growth in ag-tech, IT, and clean energy.
Source → - Taxes & Cost of Living
Opposes tariffs as a driver of inflation and household costs, and has called for repealing gas taxes to reduce family expenses.
Source → - Health & Health Care
Supports capping insulin costs, lowering prescription drug prices, and expanding health care access/provider availability in the Central Valley; opposes cuts to Medicaid.
Source → - Immigration & Border
Supports a path to citizenship for Dreamers and comprehensive immigration reform, paired with increased border security technology.
Source → - Reproductive & Social Issues
Supports federal abortion rights protections and has voted against restrictions on abortion access and Planned Parenthood funding.
Source → - Education & Schools
Supports increased mental health funding in schools, trade/skills training alongside college pathways, and has backed relief for defrauded student loan borrowers.
Source → - Public Safety & Policing
Supports expanding federal background checks for gun sales and increased funding for gun violence research and safe storage requirements.
Source → - Criminal Justice & Courts
Supports increased funding for law enforcement task forces targeting methamphetamine and fentanyl trafficking.
Source → - Environment, Energy & Climate
Describes climate change as an existential threat and has authored bipartisan agricultural-environmental legislation (the FARM Act) balancing farming and environmental interests.
Source → - Veterans' Affairs
Has authored legislation extending health care benefits to Vietnam-era veterans exposed to Agent Orange and emphasizes ensuring veterans receive earned benefits.
Source → - Government, Elections & Democracy
Supports campaign finance reform limiting corporate influence, including a bill to ban corporate PAC contributions to members of Congress and opposing congressional pay raises.
Source →
Profiles are compiled from the candidate’s own statements and public records. We never tell you how to vote.