For the American politician in South Dakota, see Josh Haeder. For the American baseball player, see Josh Hader.

Josh Harder
Official portrait, c. 2019–2021
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from California
Incumbent
Assumed office
January 3, 2019
Preceded byJeff Denham
Constituency10th district (2019–2023)
9th district (2023–present)
Personal details
BornJoshua Keck Harder
(1986-08-01) August 1, 1986 (age 40)
Turlock, California, U.S.
PartyDemocratic
Spouse
Pamela Sud
​
(m. 2018)​
Children2
EducationStanford University (BA)
Harvard University (MBA, MPP)
WebsiteHouse website
Campaign website
Harder's voice
Harder supporting the recognition of the Assyrian Genocide
Recorded July 29, 2021

Joshua Keck Harder (born August 1, 1986) is an American politician who has served as the U.S. representative for California's 9th congressional district since 2023, after representing the 10th district from 2019 to 2023. A member of the Democratic Party, he was first elected in 2018 by defeating Republican incumbent Jeff Denham.[1] After the 2020 redistricting, he won reelection in the newly drawn 9th district, which covers the majority of San Joaquin County and includes Stockton, Tracy, Lodi, and Manteca.[2]

In the House, Harder serves on the Appropriations Committee and is a vice chair of the center-left New Democrat Coalition. He has repeatedly introduced legislation to block the Delta Conveyance Project and has sponsored bills on fentanyl abuse and utility rates. After his district was redrawn following Proposition 50 in 2025, Harder finished first in the June 2026 primary and faces Republican John McBride in the November 2026 general election.

Early life and education

Harder was born on August 1, 1986, in Turlock, California.[3] His great-great-grandfather settled nearby in Manteca, where he started a peach farm.[4] Harder attended Modesto High School,[5] and during that time, he interned for then state senator Jeff Denham.[6] He went on to attend Stanford University, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in 2008. He later obtained a joint Master of Business Administration and Master of Public Policy from the Harvard Business School and the John F. Kennedy School of Government.[3]

Private career

In 2014, Bessemer Venture Partners hired Harder in its New York office. He moved to San Francisco two years later and became a vice president of the company.[6][7] In 2017, Harder left Bessemer to campaign full-time. He moved back to Turlock[7][8][9] and also taught business at Modesto Junior College.[10]

U.S. House of Representatives

Elections

2018

See also: 2018 California's 10th congressional district election
California's 10th district (2013–2023), including Modesto and Tracy in the Central Valley

In May 2017, Harder announced his candidacy, joining three other Democrats to challenge Republican Jeff Denham, who had represented California's 10th congressional district since 2013 and represented the 19th district from 2011 to 2013.[11] As a result of California's top-two primary system, Denham and Harder advanced to the general election, with Denham taking 37.5% of the primary vote and Harder 16.7%.[12][13]

California's 10th district was included on the list of Republican-held seats being targeted by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee in 2018.[14] On election night and for days after the election, Denham led in the reported results.[15] On November 9, Harder pulled ahead as absentee ballots were counted.[16] Days later, news outlets projected Harder's victory,[17] and on November 14, Denham conceded.[18]

2020

See also: 2020 California's 10th congressional district election

Harder ran for reelection in 2020, finishing first in the top-two open primary with 44% of the vote. He bested Republican opponents Ted Howze and Bob Elliott. Harder and Howze advanced to the general election on November 3, which Harder won with 55.2% of the vote to Howze's 44.8%.[19] In 2020, former president Barack Obama endorsed Harder.[20]

2022

See also: 2022 California's 9th congressional district election
California's 10th district since 2023, centered on Stockton in the Central Valley

Following redistricting, Harder defeated San Joaquin County Supervisor Tom Patti, a Republican, with 56% of the vote in California's 9th congressional district.[21]

2024

See also: 2024 California's 9th congressional district election

In the 2024 general election, Harder defeated Republican Kevin Lincoln with 51.8% of the vote, or approximately 9,000 votes.[22]

2026

See also: 2024 California's 9th congressional district election

Lincoln initially announced a rematch against Harder in July 2025.[23] California voters approved Proposition 50, a mid-decade redistricting measure redrew the state's maps, including for the 9th district. The changes have made the district a "Solid Democratic" seat, with Democratic voter registration in the district rising from 40% to 46% and the Cook Partisan Voting Index became D+8.[24][25][26] Two days after Proposition 50's passage, Lincoln announced that hew was running against Adam Gray in the 13th district instead.[27]

In the June 2026 top-two primary, Harder finished first with 60.8% of the vote.[28] He faces Republican John McBride in November.[29]

Tenure

Harder took office on January 3, 2019, as the U.S. representative for California's 10th congressional district.[30] During the 116th Congress, he served on the Agriculture Committee and the Education and Labor Committee.[30] In November 2019, he co-introduced the Ban Corporate PACs Act with Representative Max Rose, which aimed to prohibit for-profit corporations from sponsoring, operating, or funding political action committees.[31]

After Trump supporters stormed the United States Capitol on January 6, 2021, Harder received hate mail intended for Josh Hawley, a United States senator with a similar name who objected to certifying Joe Biden's electoral college victory.[32]

In the 117th Congress, he was appointed to the Appropriations Committee while continuing to serve on the Agriculture Committee.[33] In November, Harder attended the signing of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law of 2021.[34]

In 2025, Harder was one of 46 House Democrats who joined all Republicans to vote for the Laken Riley Act.[35]

Harder has introduced several bills aimed at limiting utilities like Pacific Gas and Electric Company to one rate increase request per year.[36] He introduced a bill in 2025 that would require the California Public Utilities Commission to post all of its interactions with regulated utilities online, to try to put pressure on rate increases.[37]

Committee assignments

Harder on the Education and Labor Committee, 2019

For the 119th Congress:[38]

Caucus memberships

Political positions

Harder has been described as a moderate Democrat.[42] He supports legal abortion rights.[43]

Delta Tunnels

Harder speaks against the Delta Tunnel, 2024

In February 2023, Harder introduced the Stop the Delta Tunnels Act, a bill which would forbid the Secretary of Army from issuing a permit related to the project, effectively stopping all federal support for the Delta Conveyance Project.[44] In May 2023, Harder criticized California Governor Gavin Newsom's plan to fast-track projects, including the Delta Tunnel project, which Harder had opposed for five years, saying that that project could negatively impact the ecosystem of the Delta in the San Joaquin Valley and affect fishery and agriculture industries.[45]

Policing

Harder opposes defunding the police and has said that he wants to rebuild trust between the public and police. He voted for a police reform bill that would ban chokeholds and establish a policy for use of force that would be standard around the country.[46] In 2023, he introduced a bill to create a grant program that would allow smaller police departments to recruit and retain more officers.[47] In June 2025, Harder introduced the Safer Response Act with Republican Mike Lawler to reauthorize grants for training and technical assistance for first responders handling fentanyl overdoses.[48]

Personal life

Harder and his wife, Pamela, met as undergraduate students at Stanford University. They were married at the Meadowlark Botanical Gardens in Virginia in 2018.[49] Harder and his wife have two daughters.[50]

Electoral history

Electoral history of Josh Harder
Year Office Party Primary General Result Swing Ref.
Total % P. Total % P.
2018 U.S. House 10th Democratic 20,742 17.04% 2nd 115,945 52.25% 1st Won Gain [51]
2020 69,668 44.07% 1st 166,865 55.16% 1st Won Hold [52]
2022 9th 39,026 36.71% 1st 95,598 54.82% 1st Won Hold [53]
2024 60,978 49.75% 1st 130,183 51.79% 1st Won Hold [54]
2026 79,946 60.78% 1st TBD [55]
Source: Secretary of State of California | Statewide Election Results

References

  1. ^ Michael R. Blood (November 13, 2018). "Democrat Harder ousts California GOP US Rep. Denham". Associated Press. Retrieved November 13, 2018.
  2. ^ "Josh Harder announces reelection campaign for Jerry McNerney's seat in 9th District seat". January 18, 2022.
  3. ^ a b "Harder, Josh". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Retrieved March 15, 2025.
  4. ^ "California's fall election could sway power in Congress. Here are House races to watch". Los Angeles Times. September 21, 2022. Retrieved March 15, 2025.
  5. ^ "Josh Harder — Tracy Press-Patterson Irrigator candidate questionnaire". Golden State Newspapers. Retrieved November 11, 2018.
  6. ^ a b "Internal Affairs: Central Valley Rep. Jeff Denham gets a new challenger". The Mercury News. May 5, 2017. Retrieved November 18, 2018.
  7. ^ a b "Denham calls opponent 'Bay Area Harder' — but he spends time and money at the coast, too". Modesto Bee. Retrieved November 18, 2018.
  8. ^ Merica, Dan (May 30, 2018). "A beekeeper and a venture capitalist are among candidates facing off to turn this California district blue". CNN. Retrieved October 25, 2018.
  9. ^ Palmeri, Christopher (October 9, 2018). "Can a Rural California Republican Survive the Midterms?". Bloomberg News. Retrieved November 18, 2018.
  10. ^ Stapley, Garth (November 6, 2018). "CA election results: Denham winning against Harder". The Modesto Bee. Retrieved November 10, 2018.
  11. ^ Sarah D. Wire (May 3, 2017). "Central Valley's Jeff Denham gets new 2018 challenger". Archived from the original on June 23, 2021. Retrieved November 18, 2018.
  12. ^ "Harder readies to face Denham". Turlock Journal. June 8, 2018. Retrieved October 25, 2018.
  13. ^ "California Election Results: 10th House District". New York Times. June 11, 2018. Retrieved August 10, 2018.
  14. ^ Kelly, Meredith (May 22, 2017). "Charging Forward, DCCC Announces Battlefield Expansion" (PDF). DCCC Communications Director. Letter to Interested Parties.
  15. ^ "Josh Harder is in a dead heat in his congressional race to become the only venture capitalist in the House of Representatives". Recode. Retrieved November 13, 2018.
  16. ^ Blood, Michael R. "Democrats gain ground in California US House battles". www.wmbfnews.com. AP via WMBF-TV in Myrtle Beach, SC. Archived from the original on November 13, 2018. Retrieved November 13, 2018.
  17. ^ "Democrat Harder ousts California GOP US Rep. Denham". AP NEWS. November 14, 2018. Retrieved November 14, 2018.
  18. ^ Eric Bradner. "Democrats pick up two more House seats as Denham, MacArthur concede". CNN. Retrieved November 15, 2018.
  19. ^ "California Results - US Election 2020". BBC News. Retrieved February 7, 2021.
  20. ^ Garofoli, Joe (August 3, 2020). "Barack Obama endorses eight California House candidates, state Senate hopeful". San Francisco Chronicle.
  21. ^ Mehta, Seema (November 15, 2022). "Democratic Rep. Josh Harder defeats GOP challenger in Central Valley district". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved November 16, 2022.
  22. ^ "California Ninth Congressional District Election Results". The New York Times. November 5, 2024. Retrieved February 17, 2025.
  23. ^ Altimari, Daniela (July 22, 2025). "Former California mayor is back for a rematch with Democrat Josh Harder". Roll Call. Retrieved October 2, 2026.
  24. ^ Bowers, Wes (August 19, 2025). "Taken apart at a political chop shop: Proposed map would split Lodi into three congressional districts". Lodi News-Sentinel. Retrieved October 2, 2026.
  25. ^ Taxay, Naomi (September 19, 2026). "Your guide to California's 9th Congressional District race". The Sacramento Bee. Retrieved October 2, 2026 – via Yahoo! News.
  26. ^ "2026 CPR House Race ratings". Cook Political Report. Retrieved October 2, 2026.
  27. ^ Woodyard, Chris (November 7, 2025). "Congress 2026: Kevin Lincoln to take on Rep. Adam Gray in District 13 after Proposition 50 passage". Stocktonia News. Retrieved October 2, 2026.
  28. ^ "California Ninth Congressional District Primary Election Results". The New York Times. June 2, 2026. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved October 2, 2026.
  29. ^ Smalstig, Madison (June 3, 2026). "Harder advancing in 9th House District primary; McBride leads for second spot". The Sacramento Bee. Retrieved October 2, 2026.
  30. ^ a b "Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives". July 26, 2020. Archived from the original on July 26, 2020. Retrieved March 15, 2025.
  31. ^ Nilsen, Ella (November 15, 2019). "Exclusive: 2 Democrats are introducing a bill to ban corporate PACs". Vox. Retrieved March 15, 2025.
  32. ^ "California Rep. Josh Harder faces anger intended for Missouri Sen. Josh Hawley". Los Angeles Times. February 6, 2021.
  33. ^ "Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives". May 22, 2022. Archived from the original on May 22, 2022. Retrieved March 15, 2025.
  34. ^ Boak, Josh; Holland, John (November 15, 2021). "Biden signs $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill. What it means to the Modesto area". The Modesto Bee.
  35. ^ Rashid, Hafiz (January 22, 2025). "The 46 Democrats Who Voted for Republicans' Racist Immigration Bill". The New Republic. Retrieved January 31, 2025.
  36. ^ Gligich, Daniel (September 4, 2025). "Harder introduces bill to limit PG&E rate hikes to once per year". The San Joaquin Valley Sun. Retrieved October 2, 2026.
  37. ^ St. Clair, Katy (November 4, 2025). "Rep. Harder bill targets private meetings between utilities, regulators; PG&E responds". Local News Matters. Retrieved October 2, 2026.
  38. ^ "Josh Harder". Clerk of the United States House of Representatives. Retrieved March 15, 2025.
  39. ^ "Members". New Democrat Coalition. Archived from the original on February 8, 2018. Retrieved February 5, 2018.
  40. ^ "Featured Members". Problem Solvers Caucus. Archived from the original on March 18, 2021. Retrieved March 28, 2021.
  41. ^ "Members". Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus. Retrieved July 29, 2025.
  42. ^ Brassil, Gillian (November 15, 2022). "Congressman Josh Harder wins California midterm in key clinch for House Democrats". The Sacramento Bee.
  43. ^ Castleman, Terry (November 1, 2022). "On the issues: Josh Harder and Tom Patti on abortion, the economy, homelessness". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved February 17, 2025.
  44. ^ Johnson, Brittany (September 19, 2022). "Central Valley congressman introducing legislation to prevent Delta Tunnel project from gaining ground". KCRA.com. Hearst Television Inc. Retrieved June 29, 2023.
  45. ^ Hagerty, Mike. "Delta Tunnel plan touted by Newsom gets push-back from Congress member". capradio.org. NPR. Retrieved June 29, 2023.
  46. ^ "Election 2020: Everything you need to know about Congressman Josh Harder". abc10.com. October 15, 2020. Retrieved November 21, 2023.
  47. ^ "Harder Pushes For Local Law Enforcement Funding". Escalon Times. May 16, 2023. Retrieved November 21, 2023.
  48. ^ Ayoubgoulan, Adoreil (September 23, 2025). "Rep. Josh Harder 'Safer Response Act' heads to President Trump's desk for approval". FOX 40. Retrieved October 2, 2026.
  49. ^ "Pamela Sud, Joshua Harder - The New York Times". The New York Times. August 12, 2018. Retrieved November 10, 2018.
  50. ^ Brassil, Gillian (October 6, 2024). "Josh Harder vs. Kevin Lincoln in California Congress race: Candidates answer key questions". Retrieved February 17, 2025.
  51. ^ Primary election: General election:
  52. ^ Primary election: General election:
  53. ^ Primary election: General election:
  54. ^ Primary election: General election:
  55. ^ Primary election:
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