United States California Members of the United States House of Representatives Congressperson Josh Harder

When new boundaries for California’s 9th Congressional District were drawn up following the 2020 United States census, it meant a new representative: Josh Harder, who had previously served the old 10th District.

Harder, a Democrat in his mid 30s who lives in Tracy with his wife and young daughter, knocked off Republican Jeff Denham in his initial election to Congress in 2018 and has since fended off challenges from more progressive candidates.

Background

Harder comes from an educated background. After earning an international baccalaureate diploma through Modesto High School in 2004, he attended Stanford University, where he met his wife and earned a bachelor’s degree. He later earned an MBA and MPP from Harvard.

Prior to his time in public office, Harder worked at Bessemer Venture Partners from 2014-17 and has also taught at Modesto Junior College.

In his initial run for Congress, Harder took some criticism for being more supported by financial interests from outside his district than another Democrat who was running, Sue Zwahlen. However, a letter writer to the Modesto Bee in April 2018 defended Harder, writing, “Sue is nice, and so are my friends, but she can’t beat Jeff Denham.”

Committees

Committee on Appropriations
Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education
Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies.

Select Legislation

Two pieces of legislation that Harder has sponsored in his time in Congress have become law thus far, namely:

• H.R. 3399: Harder introduced both of his pieces of legislation that became law in 2019, with this piece becoming law before the expiration of that term of Congress. It amended the Nutria Eradication and Control Act of 2003, which provided grants to Louisiana and Maryland to control nutria, which is a type of rodent that can contaminate water and spread disease to humans. Harder’s bill added California to this program.


• H.R. 4356: Harder’s bill, also known as the Protecting Families of Fallen Service Members Act, expanded the number of people who could terminate various telecommunications service contracts when a military member received orders to deploy for at least 90 days to locations where they couldn’t get the service. The bill added certain spouses and reserve members that met different conditions according to a congressional website. While the bill was introduced in 2019, it didn’t become law until the current Congress was sworn in in January 2021.

District Boundaries and Office Locations

California’s 9th Congressional District encompasses much of San Joaquin County and parts of Stanislaus and Contra Costa counties, with cities in the district including Stockton, Tracy and Manteca. Harder keeps the following offices for constituents:

• Capitol office: Cannon House Office Building, Washington, DC 20515 | Ph: (202) 225-4540


• District office: 1776 W March Ln, Suite 360, Stockton, CA 95207 | Ph: (209) 579-5458

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