California's 6th Congressional District election, 2026

The boundaries of this district may change as a result of California Proposition 50, which voters will decide on November 5, 2025. Click here to read more about the mid-decade redistricting effort in California and other states.

← 2024
California's 6th Congressional District
General election
Election details
Filing deadline: March 6, 2026
Primary: June 2, 2026 General: November 3, 2026
How to vote
Poll times: 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Voting in California
Race ratings
Cook Political Report: Solid Democratic DDHQ and The Hill: Pending Inside Elections: Solid Democratic Sabato's Crystal Ball: Safe Democratic
Ballotpedia analysis
U.S. Senate battlegrounds U.S. House battlegrounds Federal and state primary competitiveness Ballotpedia's Election Analysis Hub, 2026
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All U.S. House districts, including the 6th Congressional District of California, are holding elections in 2026. The general election is November 3, 2026. To learn more about other elections on the ballot, click here.

Candidates and election results

Note: The following list includes official candidates only. Ballotpedia defines official candidates as people who:

• Register with a federal or state campaign finance agency before the candidate filing deadline
• Appear on candidate lists released by government election agencies

Note: At this time, Ballotpedia is combining all declared candidates for this election into one list under a general election heading. As primary election dates are published, this information will be updated to separate general election candidates from primary candidates as appropriate.

General election

The general election will occur on November 3, 2026.

General election for U.S. House California District 6

The following candidates are running in the general election for U.S. House California District 6 on November 3, 2026.

		Candidate
		Ami Bera (D)
		Chris Bennett (D)
	Submit photo	Kindra Pring (D)
		Christine Bish (R)
		Craig DeLuz (R)
		Raymond Riehle (R)

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined.
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
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Candidate profiles

This section includes candidate profiles that may be created in one of two ways: either the candidate completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey, or Ballotpedia staff may compile a profile based on campaign websites, advertisements, and public statements after identifying the candidate as noteworthy. For more on how we select candidates to include, click here.

Chris Bennett

Party: Democratic Party

Incumbent: No

Political Office: None

Submitted Biography:  "I'm half Puerto Rican (mom née Rodriguez), a husband of 10 years (we met on tinder), a father of two cats (Monica and Rachel), a U.S. Army Veteran, and a West Point and Berkeley Haas MBA grad. I have 10 siblings from 5 different marriages and I'm the oldest brother and 2nd oldest overall. I wanted to be an architect when I grew up, moved more than a dozen times by age 18, and only applied to one college. I played football in high school and did track & field and cross country once I realized I wasn't big enough to play offensive center anymore. I wanted kids my whole life but my wife and I have been unable to have them ourselves so our focus is to help everyone else's kids and our 10+ nephews and nieces who we adore and spoil. I've worked in nonprofit healthcare at Kaiser Permanente and Sutter Health and I've worked for profit at PwC Strategy& as a management consultant and at Papa John's making pizzas. I like fixing people's computers and phones and I'm a big fan of the hierarchy of evidence and data-driven decision-making. I'm a recovering gamer and spent way too much of my life playing RuneScape and Counter Strike. I'm trying to relearn Spanish but I already miss the Duolingo Owl. And I've been an ethical vegan for more than two years because I have a naive belief that if we treat animals better, we'll treat humans better since "animal" is how we dehumanize them."

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Key Messages

To read this candidate's full survey responses, click here.

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I'm running to bring ethics, accountability, and leadership back to Congress and the Democratic party to fight for everyone's well-being, not just corporate profits or billionaire yachts. I'm here to bring back a culture where everyone agrees genocide and preemptive strikes are bad and that corporate landlords should not be allowed to collude with one another to jack up rent prices and make people homeless. I'm here to give our seniors restful retirements where they can focus on their interests or grandchildren instead of working until they die. I'm here to fight for our kids and make sure they have a safe future to grow up in. The status quo has not been working and it's time for a change.

---

As an Army officer, I swore to defend the Constitution against all enemies. Right now, the President is violating people’s rights and bragging about it. Congress is supposed to check the power of the executive branch yet they have abdicated all responsibility. Republicans refuse to go against Trump and most Democrats serve the same wealthy donors that profit from the chaos. The result is voiceless, powerless minorities like immigrants and trans people getting scapegoated for things only the ruling class could do while our corrupt politicians help the wealthy steal from the poor and destroy the middle class. Unlike our current reps who stop at writing letters, I will do my job and use every resource to fight back for a better future.

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Our system works great if you’re a billionaire or corrupt politician but it’s broken for everyone else. It’s time we get money out of politics and make the government work for all of us. That means public funding of elections, ending legalized bribery, banning members of Congress from abusing their positions of trust to insider trade on individual stocks like Nancy Pelosi or Tommy Tuberville, banning lobbying from foreign governments, and overturning the idea that money is speech which has been a complete disaster for our democracy. Whoever has the most money should not get the biggest say. It’s time we hold our politicians to the highest standard and make them work for all of us, not wealthy private interests, or foreign governments.

Christine Bish

Party: Republican Party

Incumbent: No

Political Office: None

Submitted Biography:  "My name is Christine Bish. I chose Sacramento County as the place to raise my family, build my business, and put down roots. As a mother and a small business owner in real estate, I understand the struggles families face every day. Rising costs are squeezing household budgets, crime is making our neighborhoods less safe, and too many of our schools are failing to prepare children for real careers and opportunities. I am running for Congress because Washington has forgotten who it serves. My own family has lived the consequences of failed policies. I lost my daughter to fentanyl, and I will never stop fighting to secure the border and protect other families from this crisis. My priorities are clear. I will work to restore safety in our communities, strengthen the economy for working families and small businesses, hold government accountable when it breaks the public trust, and give parents a stronger voice in their children’s education. I believe elected officials should be servants, not rulers, and that Sacramento deserves a representative who will fight for a safer, stronger future for everyone—Republicans, Democrats, and independents alike."

---

Key Messages

To read this candidate's full survey responses, click here.

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Public service, not politics. I am not running to be a ruler or a career politician. I am running to serve the people of Sacramento County, to listen, and to fight for the issues that matter most to our families.

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Rebuilding our local economy. Sacramento has been hit hard by business closures, layoffs, and the loss of major employers like Intel. When jobs disappear, families struggle, and our community loses stability. I will work to bring back opportunity, support small businesses, and create the conditions for new industries to thrive here at home.

---

Community Safety Families in Sacramento deserve to feel safe in their homes, schools, and neighborhoods. Right now, too many people feel like prisoners in their own communities because of rising crime, open drug use, and the spread of homelessness. We cannot have strong schools, thriving businesses, or healthy families without safety as the foundation. I will fight to get control of crime, stop the flow of fentanyl and dangerous drugs, and support solutions that restore public order. Every family should have the freedom to work, learn, and live in a community where they feel secure.

Voting information

See also: Voting in California

Ballotpedia will publish the dates and deadlines related to this election as they are made available.

Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey responses

Ballotpedia asks all federal, state, and local candidates to complete a survey and share what motivates them on political and personal levels. The section below shows responses from candidates in this race who completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

Survey responses from candidates in this race

Click on a candidate's name to visit their Ballotpedia page.

Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

Expand all | Collapse all

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

Chris Bennett (D)

I'm running to bring ethics, accountability, and leadership back to Congress and the Democratic party to fight for everyone's well-being, not just corporate profits or billionaire yachts.

I'm here to bring back a culture where everyone agrees genocide and preemptive strikes are bad and that corporate landlords should not be allowed to collude with one another to jack up rent prices and make people homeless.

I'm here to give our seniors restful retirements where they can focus on their interests or grandchildren instead of working until they die.

I'm here to fight for our kids and make sure they have a safe future to grow up in.

The status quo has not been working and it's time for a change.

As an Army officer, I swore to defend the Constitution against all enemies. Right now, the President is violating people’s rights and bragging about it.

Congress is supposed to check the power of the executive branch yet they have abdicated all responsibility. Republicans refuse to go against Trump and most Democrats serve the same wealthy donors that profit from the chaos.

The result is voiceless, powerless minorities like immigrants and trans people getting scapegoated for things only the ruling class could do while our corrupt politicians help the wealthy steal from the poor and destroy the middle class.

Unlike our current reps who stop at writing letters, I will do my job and use every resource to fight back for a better future.

Our system works great if you’re a billionaire or corrupt politician but it’s broken for everyone else. It’s time we get money out of politics and make the government work for all of us.

That means public funding of elections, ending legalized bribery, banning members of Congress from abusing their positions of trust to insider trade on individual stocks like Nancy Pelosi or Tommy Tuberville, banning lobbying from foreign governments, and overturning the idea that money is speech which has been a complete disaster for our democracy.

Whoever has the most money should not get the biggest say.

It’s time we hold our politicians to the highest standard and make them work for all of us, not wealthy private interests, or foreign governments.

Christine Bish (R)

Public service, not politics. I am not running to be a ruler or a career politician. I am running to serve the people of Sacramento County, to listen, and to fight for the issues that matter most to our families.

Rebuilding our local economy. Sacramento has been hit hard by business closures, layoffs, and the loss of major employers like Intel. When jobs disappear, families struggle, and our community loses stability. I will work to bring back opportunity, support small businesses, and create the conditions for new industries to thrive here at home.

Community Safety Families in Sacramento deserve to feel safe in their homes, schools, and neighborhoods. Right now, too many people feel like prisoners in their own communities because of rising crime, open drug use, and the spread of homelessness. We cannot have strong schools, thriving businesses, or healthy families without safety as the foundation. I will fight to get control of crime, stop the flow of fentanyl and dangerous drugs, and support solutions that restore public order. Every family should have the freedom to work, learn, and live in a community where they feel secure.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Chris Bennett (D)

I care most about the well-being of all Americans - especially children - and defending our Constitutional rights like freedom of speech, freedom of religion, and the right to due process.

I believe government has three main jobs: keep people safe, guarantee a minimum standard of living, and ensure competition.

Right now, we're falling short on all fronts thanks to unscrupulous moneyed interests having too much power in politics.

My goal is to make a rising tide that lifts all boats by fighting for things that benefit all Americans like affordable housing & childcare, free higher education at public institutions, universal healthcare, livable wages, de-privatization of the military, and a stronger labor movement.

Christine Bish (R)

I am passionate about restoring safety, accountability, and opportunity to our communities. My family has felt the pain of failed policies; I lost my daughter to fentanyl, and I will not stop fighting to secure our border and stop the flow of deadly drugs. I believe strong families and safe neighborhoods are the foundation for a thriving economy and good schools. I am committed to rebuilding Sacramento’s economy by supporting small businesses, keeping jobs here, and balancing growth with protecting the farmland and resources that sustain us. Parents, not bureaucrats, should guide their children’s education.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

Christine Bish (R)

I cannot say there is one person I look up to above all others, but Margaret Thatcher made a lasting impression on me. She was an incredible woman who carried herself with both strength and grace. Her clarity of thought and her resolve in decision-making showed me what true leadership could look like. At the time of President Reagan’s shooting, she was the first woman I had seen on that kind of national stage, and the way she handled herself inspired me. It was not so much that I looked up to her as a role model, but rather that she influenced me by showing that women could lead with strength, dignity, and determination.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

Christine Bish (R)

I believe the most important qualities in an elected official are personability, empathy, and the ability to clearly communicate complex issues in a way that everyone can understand, no matter their background. Too often, we see representatives who are disconnected from everyday life and the struggles their constituents face. An effective leader must listen, relate to the people they serve, and remember what it means to be a citizen in the community. Public office is not about prestige or power; it is about service, honesty, and the responsibility to bridge the gap between government and the people it represents.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

Chris Bennett (D)

The biggest responsibilities representatives have are to actually listen to their constituents, fight tooth and nail to give them peaceful and prosperous lives, and always show up at the decisive point.

Representatives who don't show up or who refuse to talk to their constituents should be removed from office.

If they refuse to do their jobs, they should get out of the way for someone who will.

Christine Bish (R)

One of the core responsibilities of an elected official is to stay connected to the community they represent. Too often, politicians go to Washington and spend more time with lobbyists than with the families and neighborhoods they serve. A representative’s duty is to listen, to understand the challenges at home, and to carry those voices into every decision. That responsibility lasts for the entire term of office, not just during campaign season. Serving in Congress is about being accountable to the people back home every single day.

What legacy would you like to leave?

Chris Bennett (D)

I want to leave things better than I found them.

Most members of Congress throughout our history have been complicit in undemocratic behavior which has led to the erosion of the American dream.

I want to make things better for everyday people, our children, their children and so on.

It's time we hold oligarchs, profiteers, and corrupt politicians accountable.

No more funneling wealth from the poorest people into the hands of the richest.

No more draft dodging warmongers sending the poor off to die in pointless endless wars.

Christine Bish (R)

The legacy I want to leave is one of strength, hard work, and determination. I want my grandchildren to remember me not just for what I accomplished, but for the values I lived by every day. Life brings struggles and challenges, but those difficulties can be a gift when we choose to meet them with courage and persistence. Our legacy is not written by the obstacles we face, but by the choices we make and the example we set for others. I hope my grandchildren and future generations in my community will carry forward the lesson that character, perseverance, and service to others are what truly endure.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

Christine Bish (R)

The first historical event I remember was the day President Ronald Reagan was shot. I was 14 years old in my high school choir class when it was announced over the loudspeaker. Half the class gasped, while the other half cheered. I was appalled that anyone could cheer such an act. That moment defined who I am today and set me on the path of becoming a Republican. It showed me the value of life, the importance of respect, and the deep reverence I hold for the office of the presidency. That experience shaped my belief that politics should never strip away our shared humanity.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

Christine Bish (R)

My first job was at eight years old, working in my father’s restaurant, Gino’s Pizza Parlor in Marysville, California. I had that job for a little over a year until our family moved. Each day, I took one bus to school and another to the restaurant, where I wiped down menus, filled salt and pepper and sugar dispensers, and crawled under tables to clean up so the servers didn’t have to. At that age, it was easy for me to fit under a table, but it also taught me responsibility and teamwork. In a family-owned business, the rule was simple: if you eat, you work. That experience instilled a work ethic I carry with me today, and throughout my childhood and adulthood, I have always worked.

What is your favorite book? Why?

Christine Bish (R)

My favorite book is Star Wars. I must have read it a dozen times growing up, along with the Han Solo series and other related books. While it is pure fiction, it fed my early craving for history, adventure, and larger-than-life stories. At the time, Star Wars was everywhere, and those books captured my imagination. They also taught me about courage, loyalty, and the battle between good and evil in a way that was entertaining but also meaningful. I suppose that makes me a fan of pop culture, but for me, those stories sparked a love of reading and inspired me to always look for the bigger picture in life.

If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be?

Christine Bish (R)

If I could be any fictional character, I would be Princess Leia. She was a freedom fighter who believed in truth and justice, and she stood by her principles even in the face of evil. She was also really good with a blaster, which may explain my passion for the Second Amendment and free speech. Like her, I believe that when a person has the courage to stand firm, that courage can inspire real change.

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

Christine Bish (R)

One of the struggles I have faced in my life has been my weight. As a child, I was chubby, and while I worked hard to overcome that by the end of high school and into college, it became more difficult after having children. Like many Americans, balancing family, career, and health has not always been easy. But I believe acknowledging challenges is important because it shows we all have areas where we strive to do better. For me, it has been about staying active, working on balance, and recognizing that health is a lifelong journey. I use this struggle as a reminder to persevere, stay disciplined, and never stop improving.

What qualities does the U.S. House of Representatives possess that makes it unique as an institution?

Christine Bish (R)

The U.S. House of Representatives is unique not only in our nation but in the world. Its strength lies in population-based representation, giving every community the ability to elect one of their own to speak for them in Washington. A representative should understand where we live, work, and raise our families, and carry those experiences into national policymaking. Each region of the country has its own identity, and the House reflects that diversity. It is truly a melting pot of voices, perspectives, and priorities that come together to shape the future of the nation.

Do you believe that it's beneficial for representatives to have previous experience in government or politics?

Christine Bish (R)

I do not believe previous government experience is necessary to serve in the House of Representatives. What matters most is real experience in business, family, and community life. A representative should reflect the nature and values of the people they serve, not just climb the next rung of a political ladder. Too often, politicians view local or state office as a stepping stone to Washington. I believe it should be the other way around: the House should be filled with voices of everyday citizens who understand the challenges of their communities and who are willing to serve, not build a career in politics.

What do you perceive to be the United States’ greatest challenges as a nation over the next decade?

Chris Bennett (D)

The destruction of our Constitutional rights like freedom of speech and due process are the most pressing issues right now as they threaten to destroy the very fabric of our society and the rule of law.

It's also deeply concerning how we're making friends with authoritarians like Putin, bombing countries illegally on behalf of foreign countries, and alienating ourselves from our allies and bullying them into "making deals".

Our foreign policy has been showing the world that we can't be trusted and every person we kill just creates more "terrorists" who want to destroy us - and for justifiable reasons.

We need to drastically reduce our spending on defense contractor profiteering and increase our investments in higher education and helping our youth like free school lunches and after school programs.

In the longer term, the impacts of climate change and unprecedented income & wealth inequality need to be addressed as well.

If we don't reorient our society to prioritize the needs of the many over the wants of the few, it's only a matter of time before we have our own French Revolution and that's something I'd like to prevent if possible.

Christine Bish (R)

The greatest challenge facing the United States over the next decade is education. Today, only about 30% of high school graduates are proficient in reading, and 20% in math. At the same time, we rely more heavily on foreign skilled workers through visa programs to fill critical jobs. That is not sustainable. Our future depends on whether the next generation is prepared to lead, and that begins with serious reform in education. We must return to core skills like math, reading, and history, reduce dependency on computers in early education, and ensure students can master the basics without an electronic crutch. Strong education is the foundation for America’s strength.

Do you believe that two years is the right term length for representatives?

Christine Bish (R)

Yes, two years is the correct term length for the House of Representatives. The Constitution intended the House to be closest to the people, and short terms keep that connection strong. If you are not a career politician, a two-year term helps ensure you remain rooted in your community rather than comfortable in Washington. Too often, politicians climb the ladder and forget the people they represent. Voters must also remember these are not lifetime seats. Every two years, the public has the chance to decide if their representative is still in touch with where we live, work, and raise our families—or if it is time for a new voice.

What are your thoughts on term limits?

Chris Bennett (D)

Considering the median age of Congress is ~64 and the median age of the US is ~38, I think term limits are crucial, especially considering how few of the older members of Congress seem to care about the issues affecting younger people in everyday life. It seems like almost all of the power in our Country right now is in the same hands as 20 years ago and that's probably why things don't seem to be getting better for most Americans. It's time for a change.

Christine Bish (R)

The real term limit in Congress is the ballot box every two years. I do not support legislative term limits because they create a revolving door of politicians while leaving unelected bureaucrats with permanent power and no accountability. California shows how this fails. The real solution is voter responsibility. Too often, people assume incumbents cannot be replaced, but every election is an opportunity to hold us accountable. Voters should not re-elect someone just for name recognition. If representatives fail, the public has the power to replace them.

Is there a particular representative, past or present, whom you want to model yourself after?

Chris Bennett (D)

Zohran Mamdani, AOC, Bernie Sanders, FDR, Paul Wellstone ... basically, anyone who works to improve people's lives instead of just enriching themselves or their wealthy donors.

Christine Bish (R)

There is not just one representative I want to model myself after, but several whose qualities inspire me. Doug Ose stayed grounded and connected to the people he served here in Sacramento. Vic Fazio showed passion for environmental policy and advocacy for women. Wally Herger brought dedication to his district and understood the importance of community values. Beyond California, Barbara Jordan stood out for her principled approach and strong stances on issues like immigration. My goal is to take the best of these examples and incorporate their strengths into the policies and service I bring to Washington, while never losing sight of my own priorities for Sacramento.

Both sitting representatives and candidates for office hear many personal stories from the residents of their district. Is there a story that you’ve heard that you found particularly touching, memorable, or impactful?

Christine Bish (R)

The most impactful story is my own, because it connects directly to the struggles of my community. I am a cancer survivor, and the contamination from nearby retired Air Force bases has left a lasting mark on Sacramento through cancer clusters and unsafe water. Politicians have ignored this danger for decades. Families who have called Sacramento home for generations, some for over 100 years, deserve better. This history and the people who built our community inspire me to fight for a safe and healthy future. Sacramento is where I chose to raise my family, and ensuring clean water and safe neighborhoods is deeply personal to me.

Do you believe that compromise is necessary or desirable for policymaking?

Chris Bennett (D)

In many circumstances, compromise is necessary or even desirable, yes.

However, compromise is off the table when parties are acting in bad faith, are seeking to destroy people's rights, or are trying to enrich themselves or their friends at the expense of others.

The way I like to describe it comes from a story in the bible when two women approached King Solomon claiming that a baby was theirs.

When Solomon offered to cut the baby in half and let each woman have part, he knew the real mother was the one who gave up the child and not the one who said "that sounds fair". I don't believe in splitting the baby.

But when it comes to things that have shades of gray, compromise can make sense but only if we all agree that our goal is the well-being of the American people and not the profits of billionaires or wealthy private interests.

Christine Bish (R)

Yes, compromise is both necessary and desirable in policymaking. In politics, as in business, I believe in asking for everything while knowing in advance what I can settle for. The goal is not to give up, but to come out with more progress than where we started. Good policy requires negotiation, skill, and persistence. We need to bring both sides to the table, listen to input, and find common ground that truly serves the people. Compromise does not mean abandoning principles; it means working toward solutions that can actually be enacted and make a difference in people’s lives.

The Constitution says that all bills for raising revenue must originate in the House. What role would this power play in your priorities if elected?

Christine Bish (R)

I absolutely agree with the Constitution that all bills raising revenue must originate in the House. Too often, however, Congress has surrendered this power to unelected bureaucrats who impose fees and fines without proper legislative approval. Agencies like the EPA have created backdoor revenue streams that bypass the people’s representatives. This undermines accountability and weakens trust. As a constitutionalist, I believe the authority to raise revenue must remain with the House, and I will oppose massive omnibus bills that bury taxes and policies few members have even read. Taxing the American people must be thoughtful, transparent, and considered case by case.

How should the U.S. House use its investigative powers?

Christine Bish (R)

The investigative power of the House is one of its most important constitutional responsibilities. As someone who has personally worked to expose waste, fraud, and abuse, I understand the importance of using this power responsibly. Investigations must not become political witch hunts, but they must hold both elected officials and unelected bureaucrats accountable. The House has a duty to ensure that government serves the people, not itself or special interests. Proper oversight protects our freedoms, restores trust, and reminds Washington that public service is about accountability, transparency, and responsibility to the American people.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

Christine Bish (R)

Current 2026 Endorsements (Top 10)

Ted Gaines, Board of Equalization Member and former California State Senator

Mike Morrell, former California State Senator

Yolo County Republican Party

Peter Kuo, former GOP Vice Chair

Rob Schneider, actor, writer, and comedian

Dr. Douglas Frank, nationally renowned physicist

Eric Early, attorney and former U.S. Senate candidate

Julie Hall, Massachusetts GOP and retired U.S. Air Force Colonel

Steve Frank, columnist and Republican activist

New California State

Previous 2024 Endorsements

Gun Owners of America, California Rifle and Pistol Association, National Rifle Association (favorable rating), Moms for America, California Pro-Life, Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association, California Republican Party

What committees interest you?

Chris Bennett (D)

Oversight and Government Reform

Armed Services Veterans' Affairs Homeland Security Science, Space, and Technology Intelligence Education and Workforce

Foreign Affairs

What are your views on financial transparency and government accountability?

Chris Bennett (D)

People in positions of power should be held to the highest standard and lead by example.

Anyone who is unwilling to follow the rules they themselves set or demand others to follow should be stripped of all authority and kicked to the curb.

There are so many skeletons in so many closets of our elected officials that it's almost too scary to look, but that's exactly why we must.

Members of Congress should not be allowed to trade stocks or cash in on legislation they're passing. It's a ridiculous conflict of interest and shows a complete and utter lack of respect for the American people.

It's time we end legalized bribery and stop letting our lawmakers sell us out to unscrupulous private interests.

Candidates hear many personal stories from voters. Is there a story that you’ve heard that you found particularly touching or memorable?

Christine Bish (R)

One of the most memorable experiences I have had was not just hearing a story, but being part of it. Virginia was a woman in her 80s who was legally blind and wheelchair-bound, living in a second-story apartment. She had to sit on the stairs and slide up and down to reach her home. When the apartment complex decided to evict her because she could not safely evacuate, her greatest fear was losing a place to live. I worked with the local fire department and housing officials to find a sponsor and convinced the manager to let her stay until a downstairs unit became available. It was not just her story; it was an opportunity for me to step in and make her life safer and easier.

What is an accomplishment that you are proud of?

Christine Bish (R)

An accomplishment I am proud of is breaking free from a cycle of poverty. While my father found success at times, he often destroyed it, and my mother and I were left without a home. There were times we lived in cars, relied on food stamps, or stood in line for meals. I am proud that my children never had to experience that hardship. My strength has been refusing to be trapped by those circumstances and instead building a better life for my family. Nowhere else in the world could a homeless little girl grow up to run for the United States Congress. That is both my accomplishment and the promise of America.

What role should the United States government have in the development or use of artificial intelligence?

Christine Bish (R)

Artificial Intelligence is the future, not only for the United States but for the entire world. Our government must take a role of leadership and oversight. AI is not flawless; it is a tool that must remain under human control. We need to master the technology and harness its potential without allowing it to overtake us. Just as innovation has always driven American progress, we must ensure AI serves people, not replaces them. The United States should lead in setting standards that protect jobs, safeguard privacy, and keep our nation secure while advancing technology responsibly.

What legislation would you enact related to election administration in the United States?

Christine Bish (R)

As an election integrity hawk, I believe federal elections must be limited to U.S. citizens, whether natural-born or naturalized. To preserve trust, voter ID should be required. With technology like AI, the potential for fraud is greater than ever, so we must return to secure, verifiable practices. I do not support permanent mail-in voting, except for military or citizens temporarily overseas. Federal elections should use paper ballots, in person, on Election Day, as outlined in the Constitution. We have the ability to verify eligibility through existing national databases like Social Security or IRS records. Elections should not be complicated or nationalized, but integrity must always be protected.

You can ask candidates in this race to fill out the survey by clicking their names below:

• Ami Bera
• Craig DeLuz
• Raymond Riehle

Campaign finance

Name	Party	Receipts*	Disbursements**	Cash on hand	Date
Ami Bera	Democratic Party	$436,144	$371,264	$1,938,252	As of September 30, 2025
Chris Bennett	Democratic Party	$60,673	$25,744	$34,930	As of September 30, 2025
Kindra Pring	Democratic Party	$0	$0	$0	Data not available***
Christine Bish	Republican Party	$13,038	$12,371	$717	As of September 30, 2025
Craig DeLuz	Republican Party	$0	$15	$32	As of September 30, 2025
Raymond Riehle	Republican Party	$42,706	$37,331	$5,915	As of September 30, 2025
Source: Federal Elections Commission, "Campaign finance data," 2026. This product uses the openFEC API but is not endorsed or certified by the Federal Election Commission (FEC). * According to the FEC, "Receipts are anything of value (money, goods, services or property) received by a political committee." ** According to the FEC, a disbursement "is a purchase, payment, distribution, loan, advance, deposit or gift of money or anything of value to influence a federal election," plus other kinds of payments not made to influence a federal election. *** Candidate either did not report any receipts or disbursements to the FEC, or Ballotpedia did not find an FEC candidate ID.

General election race ratings

See also: Race rating definitions and methods

Ballotpedia provides race ratings from four outlets: The Cook Political Report, Inside Elections, Sabato's Crystal Ball, and DDHQ/The Hill. Each race rating indicates if one party is perceived to have an advantage in the race and, if so, the degree of advantage:

• Safe and Solid ratings indicate that one party has a clear edge and the race is not competitive.
• Likely ratings indicate that one party has a clear edge, but an upset is possible.
• Lean ratings indicate that one party has a small edge, but the race is competitive.
• Toss-up ratings indicate that neither party has an advantage.

Race ratings are informed by a number of factors, including polling, candidate quality, and election result history in the race's district or state.

Race ratings: California's 6th Congressional District election, 2026
Race tracker	Race ratings
	10/14/2025	10/7/2025	9/30/2025	9/23/2025
The Cook Political Report with Amy Walter	Solid Democratic	Solid Democratic	Solid Democratic	Solid Democratic
Decision Desk HQ and The Hill	Pending	Pending	Pending	Pending
Inside Elections with Nathan L. Gonzales	Solid Democratic	Solid Democratic	Solid Democratic	Solid Democratic
Larry J. Sabato's Crystal Ball	Safe Democratic	Safe Democratic	Safe Democratic	Safe Democratic
Note: Ballotpedia reviews external race ratings every week throughout the election season and posts weekly updates even if the media outlets have not revised their ratings during that week.

Ballot access

This section will contain information on ballot access related to this state's elections when it is available.

District history

The section below details election results for this office in elections dating back to 2020.

2024

See also: California's 6th Congressional District election, 2024

California's 6th Congressional District election, 2024 (March 5 top-two primary)

General election

General election for U.S. House California District 6

Incumbent Ami Bera defeated Christine Bish in the general election for U.S. House California District 6 on November 5, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Ami Bera (D)	57.6	165,408
		Christine Bish (R)	42.4	121,664

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 287,072
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Nonpartisan primary election

Nonpartisan primary for U.S. House California District 6

The following candidates ran in the primary for U.S. House California District 6 on March 5, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Ami Bera (D)	51.8	76,605
✔		Christine Bish (R)	20.1	29,628
		Raymond Riehle (R)	10.7	15,779
		Craig DeLuz (R)	9.7	14,361
		Adam Barajas (D)	5.9	8,711
		Chris Richardson (G)	1.8	2,661

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 147,745
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• Omba Kipuke (D)
• Bret Daniels (R)
• Marshall Martin (R)

2022

See also: California's 6th Congressional District election, 2022

General election

General election for U.S. House California District 6

Incumbent Ami Bera defeated Tamika Hamilton in the general election for U.S. House California District 6 on November 8, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Ami Bera (D)	55.9	121,058
		Tamika Hamilton (R)	44.1	95,325

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 216,383
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Nonpartisan primary election

Nonpartisan primary for U.S. House California District 6

The following candidates ran in the primary for U.S. House California District 6 on June 7, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Ami Bera (D)	52.6	76,317
✔		Tamika Hamilton (R)	18.8	27,339
		Bret Daniels (R)	11.5	16,612
		Christine Bish (R)	7.9	11,421
		Mark Gorman (D)	5.2	7,528
		Karla Black (R)	2.4	3,553
		David Keith Langford (R)	1.6	2,272
		Chris Richardson (G) (Write-in)	0.0	15

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 145,057
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• Mathew Ray Jedeikin (Independent)
• Jim Scott (R)

2020

See also: California's 6th Congressional District election, 2020

General election

General election for U.S. House California District 6

Incumbent Doris Matsui defeated Christine Bish in the general election for U.S. House California District 6 on November 3, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Doris Matsui (D)	73.3	229,648
		Christine Bish (R)	26.7	83,466

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 313,114
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Nonpartisan primary election

Nonpartisan primary for U.S. House California District 6

Incumbent Doris Matsui and Christine Bish defeated Benjamin Emard and Sherwood Ellsworth Haisty Jr. in the primary for U.S. House California District 6 on March 3, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Doris Matsui (D)	70.2	119,408
✔		Christine Bish (R)	14.3	24,321
		Benjamin Emard (D)	7.8	13,253
		Sherwood Ellsworth Haisty Jr. (R)	7.7	13,137

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 170,119
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• Kie'Marr Saleh (Communist Party)
• Ronald Muwereza Lutalo Sr. (R)

District analysis

This section will contain facts and figures related to this district's elections when those are available.

See also

California	2026 primaries	2026 U.S. Congress elections
California congressional delegation Voting in California California elections: 2026 • 2025 • 2024 • 2023 • 2022 • 2021 • 2020 • 2019 • 2018	Democratic primary battlegrounds Republican primary battlegrounds U.S. Senate Democratic primaries U.S. Senate Republican primaries U.S. House Democratic primaries U.S. House Republican primaries	U.S. Congress elections U.S. Senate elections U.S. House elections Special elections Ballot access

External links

• Search Google News for this topic

Footnotes

[show]

California's current delegation to the United States Congress

Senators

Alex Padilla (D)

Adam Schiff (D)

Representatives

District 1

Doug LaMalfa (R)

District 2

Jared Huffman (D)

District 3

Kevin Kiley (R)

District 4

Mike Thompson (D)

District 5

Tom McClintock (R)

District 6

Ami Bera (D)

District 7

Doris Matsui (D)

District 8

John Garamendi (D)

District 9

Josh Harder (D)

District 10

Mark DeSaulnier (D)

District 11

Nancy Pelosi (D)

District 12

Lateefah Simon (D)

District 13

Adam Gray (D)

District 14

Eric Swalwell (D)

District 15

Kevin Mullin (D)

District 16

Sam Liccardo (D)

District 17

Ro Khanna (D)

District 18

Zoe Lofgren (D)

District 19

Jimmy Panetta (D)

District 20

Vince Fong (R)

District 21

Jim Costa (D)

District 22

David Valadao (R)

District 23

Jay Obernolte (R)

District 24

Salud Carbajal (D)

District 25

Raul Ruiz (D)

District 26

Julia Brownley (D)

District 27

George Whitesides (D)

District 28

Judy Chu (D)

District 29

Luz Rivas (D)

District 30

Laura Friedman (D)

District 31

Gil Cisneros (D)

District 32

Brad Sherman (D)

District 33

Pete Aguilar (D)

District 34

Jimmy Gomez (D)

District 35

Norma Torres (D)

District 36

Ted Lieu (D)

District 37

Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D)

District 38

Linda Sánchez (D)

District 39

Mark Takano (D)

District 40

Young Kim (R)

District 41

Ken Calvert (R)

District 42

Robert Garcia (D)

District 43

Maxine Waters (D)

District 44

Nanette Barragán (D)

District 45

Derek Tran (D)

District 46

Lou Correa (D)

District 47

Dave Min (D)

District 48

Darrell Issa (R)

District 49

Mike Levin (D)

District 50

Scott Peters (D)

District 51

Sara Jacobs (D)

District 52

Juan Vargas (D)

Democratic Party (45)

Republican Party (9)

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