[ad_1]
Several incumbents and challengers announce plans to run in 2026 after Proposition 50 changes district boundaries.
SACRAMENTO, Calif — With the passage of Proposition 50, multiple candidates are launching campaigns in California’s newly drawn congressional districts ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.
Democratic Congressman Ami Bera’s decision to challenge incumbent Republican Congressman Kevin Kiley in District 3 has already drawn attention, but other contenders are also making moves following the state’s redistricting.
Dr. Richard Pan, a Democrat and former state legislator, announced plans to run for Congress in District 6, a seat currently held by Rep. Bera.
“There are too many families struggling with lack of affordability, with being able to feed themselves, put a roof over their heads, and this administration is not addressing any of those issues,” Pan said.
Pan initially launched his campaign in District 3 but shifted his focus after Proposition 50 reshaped the congressional map. He said the new 6th District represents the community where his family and business are based.
“This is a district where I raised my family, we run our business, and I want to be sure that the people in this district are well represented,” Pan said. “I did that in the state legislature and I’m looking forward to doing that in Congress.”
Republican Congressman Tom McClintock expressed disappointment in the election results and the effects of Proposition 50, saying the measure unfairly reduces Republican representation.
“Prop 50 effectively disenfranchises millions of California voters who cast their votes for Republicans,” McClintock said. “Even though Republican candidates got 40% of the vote in the last election, they’re likely to receive only about 8% of the congressional seats in this state. That is the opposite of democracy.”
Despite his criticism, McClintock said he remains committed to representing District 5, noting that most of its population remains unchanged by the redistricting.
“The 5th District that I represent is largely unchanged by this plan, about 80% of the population is the same, so of course I’ll seek to continue to represent it in Congress,” he said.
In District 7, Sacramento City Councilmember Mai Vang, a Democrat, called Proposition 50 a “huge win for working families.”
“What we’re seeing is that voters are choosing new leadership up and down the ballot,” Vang said. “That means they’re really done with the old politics that have failed working families, and they’re ready for change.”
Vang is running for the seat currently held by Democratic Congresswoman Doris Matsui. She acknowledged the challenge of unseating an incumbent but said she intends to stay focused on her campaign.
“Politicians that are backed by corporate PACs, backed by billionaires — we’re seeing that they are starting to eye new congressional seats,” she said. “We’ve been in this fight since the very beginning, and we are still running for Congressional District 7.”
Democratic Congresswoman Doris Matsui also announced plans to run in District 7, saying she’s “all in.”
“I’m running for re-election in California’s 7th Congressional District because our community deserves leaders who show up, listen, and deliver real results. I’m fighting like hell every single day to protect this community. And I’m ready to keep doing it,” she said in a statement.
Other incumbents have also confirmed plans for reelection. Democratic Congressman John Garamendi is seeking another term in District 8, which he currently represents. A spokesperson for Democratic Congressman Josh Harder said he will seek reelection in District 9, which underwent significant changes under the new map.
The campaigns of Senator Angelique Ashby and Senator Mike McGuire did not respond to multiple requests for comment.
WATCH MORE ON ABC10 | California Republicans sue Newsom over Prop 50 redistricting maps
ABC10: Watch, Download, Read
[ad_2]