Josh Harder

Josh Harder
Born	Joshua Keck Harder 1 8, 1986
Birthplace	Turlock, California, U.S.
Nationality	American
Occupation	Politician
Known for	U.S. Representative for California's 9th congressional district
Education	Stanford University (BA) Harvard University (MBA, MPP)
Children	2
Website	[[harder.house.gov harder.house.gov] Official site]

Joshua Keck Harder (born August 1, 1986) is an American politician serving as the U.S. Representative for California's 9th congressional district since 2023. A member of the Democratic Party, Harder previously represented California's 10th congressional district from 2019 to 2023. He first won election to Congress in 2018 by defeating four-term Republican incumbent Jeff Denham, flipping a seat that had long been considered a stronghold for Republicans in California's Central Valley. Born and raised in Turlock, California, Harder attended Stanford University and Harvard University before returning to the Central Valley, where he worked as a venture capitalist and lecturer. Following the 2020 redistricting cycle, he won election in the newly drawn 9th congressional district, which encompasses much of San Joaquin County and includes the cities of Stockton, Tracy, Lodi, and Manteca. In Congress, Harder has focused on issues related to water infrastructure, agriculture, transportation, and flood control in the Central Valley.

Early Life

Joshua Keck Harder was born on August 1, 1986, in Turlock, California, a city in Stanislaus County in the heart of the Central Valley. He grew up in the Turlock area, a region known for its agricultural economy and moderate-to-conservative political leanings. The Central Valley, one of the most productive farming regions in the world, shaped Harder's understanding of the water, infrastructure, and economic issues that would later become central to his political career.

Harder's upbringing in a smaller Central Valley community informed his later campaign messaging about the economic challenges facing the region, including access to healthcare, the cost of living, and the need for infrastructure investment. During his early years in Turlock, Harder became familiar with the concerns of farming communities and working-class families that make up much of the district's population.

Education

Harder attended Stanford University, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree. He subsequently enrolled at Harvard University, where he pursued dual graduate degrees, earning both a Master of Business Administration (MBA) and a Master of Public Policy (MPP). The combination of a business degree and a public policy degree reflected Harder's interest in both private-sector innovation and governmental problem-solving.

After completing his graduate education at Harvard, Harder returned to the Central Valley rather than pursuing opportunities in major coastal metropolitan areas. He worked as a venture capitalist, investing in technology and business startups, and also served as a lecturer, sharing his expertise in business and policy with students. His decision to return to his home region became a prominent element of his political biography when he later launched his campaign for Congress.

Career

Entry into Politics and 2018 Campaign

Harder entered the political arena in 2017, announcing his candidacy for California's 10th congressional district, then held by four-term Republican incumbent Jeff Denham. The 10th district, which at the time covered much of Stanislaus County and parts of San Joaquin County, had been represented by Republicans for years, but shifting demographics and the political climate during the Trump presidency made it an increasingly competitive seat. The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) identified the district as part of a broader battlefield expansion for the 2018 midterm elections.

Harder, then 31 years old, positioned himself as a pragmatic, centrist Democrat focused on local issues. He emphasized healthcare, water policy, and economic development as central planks of his platform. His professional background as a venture capitalist distinguished him from many other candidates in the crowded Democratic primary field. Media outlets noted the unusual nature of the race, with CNN describing it as featuring "a beekeeper and a venture capitalist" among the candidates vying for the seat.

During the primary, Harder faced multiple Democratic and Republican challengers under California's top-two primary system, in which the two candidates receiving the most votes regardless of party advance to the general election. The Baltimore Sun reported that Denham had drawn significant Democratic opposition following his votes on healthcare legislation. Harder advanced from the June 2018 primary to face Denham in the November general election.

The general election campaign drew national attention and significant outside spending. Bloomberg News reported that California's farm country was testing the GOP's appeal amid an anti-Trump mood among voters, with the 10th district serving as one of several key battlegrounds. The Modesto Bee provided extensive coverage of the race, highlighting the contrasts between Harder's platform and Denham's record.

2018 Election Victory

On November 6, 2018, Harder defeated Denham in the general election, contributing to the larger Democratic wave that saw the party reclaim a majority in the U.S. House of Representatives. The race was one of the closest watched in the country, and the final result was not immediately known on election night. Denham officially conceded to Harder on November 14, 2018. Recode reported on the significance of Harder's victory, noting that the former venture capitalist had won a congressional seat in a district that had long favored Republicans. The Associated Press also reported on the outcome as part of the broader story of Democratic gains in California.

Harder's victory was notable for several reasons. He was one of several young Democrats who flipped traditionally Republican districts in California during the 2018 midterms. His win was part of a broader trend that saw Democrats capture several GOP-held seats in the state, significantly expanding the party's House majority.

Service in the U.S. House of Representatives

Harder was sworn into office on January 3, 2019, as the representative for California's 10th congressional district. He succeeded Jeff Denham, who had held the seat since 2011.

In Congress, Harder has focused on a range of issues relevant to his Central Valley constituency. Water policy, agricultural support, infrastructure development, and flood control have been among his primary legislative priorities. His district, situated in one of the most agriculturally productive regions in the United States, faces persistent challenges related to water allocation, drought, and flood risk, making these issues central to his work.

Following the 2020 redistricting, which redrew California's congressional map based on the 2020 census, Harder transitioned to representing the newly drawn California's 9th congressional district. The new 9th district covers the majority of San Joaquin County and includes the cities of Stockton, Tracy, Lodi, and Manteca. Harder won election in the redrawn district and has continued to represent it since January 2023.

Legislative Priorities and Recent Activity

Harder has been active on several fronts during his service in Congress. His legislative agenda has centered on infrastructure investment, water management, flood control, and energy policy.

In February 2025, Harder announced bipartisan legislation related to permitting reform. The legislation, described as the FREEDOM Act, was intended to deliver faster environmental review processes, new permit protections, and enforcement mechanisms aimed at accelerating American energy development. The bipartisan nature of the bill reflected Harder's approach of working across party lines on issues with broad economic implications.

On infrastructure, Harder has been a proponent of investments in the Central Valley's transportation and shipping networks. In February 2026, he participated in a regional infrastructure roundtable at the Port of Stockton, where he announced economic growth priorities for the region. He also secured $250,000 in new federal funding for the San Joaquin Council of Governments (SJCOG) to support planning and design of the I-205 Managed Lanes project, a transportation initiative aimed at addressing congestion along the Interstate 205 corridor.

Water policy has remained a defining issue for Harder throughout his tenure. In February 2026, he joined fellow California Democratic Congressman John Garamendi in calling on the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to reject permits for a proposed Delta Tunnel project. Harder described the project, which carried an estimated cost of $20 billion, as a "boondoggle," arguing that the real price tag for taxpayers could reach as high as $100 billion. The Delta Tunnel is a long-debated proposal to convey water beneath the Sacramento–San Joaquin River Delta, and opponents like Harder argue it would divert water away from the Central Valley and the Delta ecosystem at enormous expense.

Flood control has been another area of focus. In June 2025, Harder demanded the restoration of federal funding for flood protection projects managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, opposing proposed cuts that he argued would put Central Valley communities at risk. The Central Valley, much of which sits in a floodplain, is particularly vulnerable to flooding during heavy rain seasons, making federal flood-control infrastructure a high-priority concern for the district.

On immigration, Harder toured an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility in Stockton in early 2026 as part of a congressional oversight visit. According to KTVU, Harder reported that questions about use-of-force policies and other operational matters went unanswered during the tour.

Ahead of the 2026 State of the Union address, Harder announced that Reverend Nelson Rabell-González would serve as his guest for the address to Congress.

Electoral History

Harder was first elected in 2018, defeating Republican incumbent Jeff Denham in California's 10th congressional district. He was subsequently reelected in 2020 in the same district. Following redistricting after the 2020 census, Harder ran in and won election to the newly configured 9th congressional district, which he has represented since January 2023. His campaign filings are maintained by the Federal Election Commission.

Personal Life

Harder was born and raised in Turlock, California, and has maintained ties to the Central Valley throughout his career. After completing his education at Stanford University and Harvard University, he returned to the region rather than relocating to a major metropolitan area. He has two children.

Harder has emphasized his Central Valley roots as a defining element of his public identity, frequently noting his decision to return to the region after completing his graduate education. His official congressional website and campaign materials highlight his connection to the agricultural communities that form the backbone of his district.

Recognition

Harder's 2018 victory over Jeff Denham was covered extensively by national media outlets, including CNN, Bloomberg News, The New York Times, The Mercury News, and Recode, as part of a broader narrative about Democratic gains in traditionally Republican areas during the 2018 midterm elections. His race was identified by the DCCC as one of the key competitive contests in their strategy to retake the House majority.

His work on water policy, infrastructure, and flood control in the Central Valley has received regional media attention, particularly from outlets such as the Modesto Bee, the Turlock Journal, and the Tracy Press, which cover the communities within his district.