Four Republicans are looking to unseat Incumbent Democrat Josh Harder in the race to represent California’s 9th Congressional District.The newly redrawn district covers parts of the Eastern Bay Area and Northern San Joaquin Valley, including major cities like Stockton and Lodi.We interviewed the two leading candidates in the race. In alphabetical order:Democrat Josh Harder was first elected to Congress in 2018. He serves on the House Appropriations Committee.Republican John McBride is a small business owner and community volunteer. The summaries of their positions below are based on their full interviews with KCRA 3.On the issue of water access for farmers:Josh Harder (D):Harder pointed to the Stop the Delta Tunnel project as an example of a way to balance agricultural needs with environmental protection. “I really think by stopping projects like that and investing in recharge, groundwater recharge, and water storage, we can make sure that we are stewarding the resources that have been handed down for generations,” he said. John McBride (R): McBride thinks every community along the coast should have a desalination plant and he believes that would keep water in the Central Valley.He also thinks dredging will boost the economy of San Joaquin County.“When you realize that that extra five feet of water storage is really a big deal in the total volume, because unfortunately, here in California, you know, more than 80% of our water ends up just flowing to the ocean. And that’s not very effective for either the environment or for our agricultural economy,” he said. On the issue of crime and the role Congress should play:John McBride (R): McBride told KCRA 3 he believes local safety issues come down ultimately to the local police force, but he believes the federal government should do a better job with getting judges who will not be easy on crime. He also wants to see more financial support for local police agencies. As an example, he said federal grants could fund satellite police departments. Josh Harder (D):Harder said there are two ways Congress can play a role in addressing local safety issues. “One is we need to make sure that there’s real coordination between our law enforcement agencies and real penalties that come when you break the law.”“We need to make sure that if you break the law, you’re held accountable. And we have to make sure that we have the law enforcement resources to do that.”Secondly, Harder wants to make officer retention a larger priority. He said the federal government can help make that happen. “I have a bill in Congress that would allow retention grants for local police departments, so our strongest and most experienced officers can stay on the beat for longer and make our community safer.”On the issue of homelessness:Josh Harder (D):“We have to do two things. We have to build more housing, and we have to make sure folks can get the mental health and addiction support that they need. We can’t just do one or the other.”Harder wants to see better housing support, better eviction control, better transitional housing as well as addiction and treatment support.“I helped get the first addiction support treatment facility in Manteca off the ground. But we need facilities like that all across the county, because all too often when you need help, you’re placed on a waiting list, and that doesn’t help anybody.”John McBride (R): McBride told KCRA 3 that increasing the number of beds in mental health facilities can help get people off the streets. He also believes the military should do more to support veterans so they can avoid homelessness. “Whether it’s job training, whether it is finding … closed down military bases. What if we reopened some of those to house homeless veterans? I believe those sort of things could be done.”On the issue of pollution:John McBride (R): McBride wants to see more control of agricultural dust. He believes investments in alternative transportation options like trains or a ferry could reduce commuter traffic that he believes causes pollution. “It is an issue that, you know, needs to be addressed and focused, and maybe it takes some outside the box thinking to do that,” he said. Josh Harder (D):Harder wants to see a BART expansion to Livermore, then Altamont, to Mountain House, Tracy, and eventually Stockton and Manteca.“I believe that we shouldn’t be adding more dollars to high-speed rail in a project that isn’t actually getting off the ground. We should be expanding the regional transit that we can do at a much cheaper cost, and a much greater benefit to super communities in areas like ours.”Also, on the ballot in the 9th Congressional District:Khalid Jeffrey JafriParminder “Happy” SinghMartin “Vmann” VeprauskasYou can learn more about the candidates on their campaign websites:Josh HarderKhalid Jeffrey JafriJohn McBrideParminder “Happy” SinghMartin “Vmann” VeprauskasSee our full voter guide for the June 2 primary here. See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel
SACRAMENTO, Calif. —
Four Republicans are looking to unseat Incumbent Democrat Josh Harder in the race to represent California’s 9th Congressional District.
The newly redrawn district covers parts of the Eastern Bay Area and Northern San Joaquin Valley, including major cities like Stockton and Lodi.
We interviewed the two leading candidates in the race. In alphabetical order:
Democrat Josh Harder was first elected to Congress in 2018. He serves on the House Appropriations Committee.
Republican John McBride is a small business owner and community volunteer.
The summaries of their positions below are based on their full interviews with KCRA 3.
On the issue of water access for farmers:
Josh Harder (D):
Harder pointed to the Stop the Delta Tunnel project as an example of a way to balance agricultural needs with environmental protection.
“I really think by stopping projects like that and investing in recharge, groundwater recharge, and water storage, we can make sure that we are stewarding the resources that have been handed down for generations,” he said.
John McBride (R):
McBride thinks every community along the coast should have a desalination plant and he believes that would keep water in the Central Valley.
He also thinks dredging will boost the economy of San Joaquin County.
“When you realize that that extra five feet of water storage is really a big deal in the total volume, because unfortunately, here in California, you know, more than 80% of our water ends up just flowing to the ocean. And that’s not very effective for either the environment or for our agricultural economy,” he said.
On the issue of crime and the role Congress should play:
John McBride (R):
McBride told KCRA 3 he believes local safety issues come down ultimately to the local police force, but he believes the federal government should do a better job with getting judges who will not be easy on crime.
He also wants to see more financial support for local police agencies. As an example, he said federal grants could fund satellite police departments.
Josh Harder (D):
Harder said there are two ways Congress can play a role in addressing local safety issues.
“One is we need to make sure that there’s real coordination between our law enforcement agencies and real penalties that come when you break the law.”
“We need to make sure that if you break the law, you’re held accountable. And we have to make sure that we have the law enforcement resources to do that.”
Secondly, Harder wants to make officer retention a larger priority. He said the federal government can help make that happen.
“I have a bill in Congress that would allow retention grants for local police departments, so our strongest and most experienced officers can stay on the beat for longer and make our community safer.”
On the issue of homelessness:
Josh Harder (D):
“We have to do two things. We have to build more housing, and we have to make sure folks can get the mental health and addiction support that they need. We can’t just do one or the other.”
Harder wants to see better housing support, better eviction control, better transitional housing as well as addiction and treatment support.
“I helped get the first addiction support treatment facility in Manteca off the ground. But we need facilities like that all across the county, because all too often when you need help, you’re placed on a waiting list, and that doesn’t help anybody.”
John McBride (R):
McBride told KCRA 3 that increasing the number of beds in mental health facilities can help get people off the streets.
He also believes the military should do more to support veterans so they can avoid homelessness.
“Whether it’s job training, whether it is finding … closed down military bases. What if we reopened some of those to house homeless veterans? I believe those sort of things could be done.”
On the issue of pollution:
John McBride (R):
McBride wants to see more control of agricultural dust.
He believes investments in alternative transportation options like trains or a ferry could reduce commuter traffic that he believes causes pollution.
“It is an issue that, you know, needs to be addressed and focused, and maybe it takes some outside the box thinking to do that,” he said.
Josh Harder (D):
Harder wants to see a BART expansion to Livermore, then Altamont, to Mountain House, Tracy, and eventually Stockton and Manteca.
“I believe that we shouldn’t be adding more dollars to high-speed rail in a project that isn’t actually getting off the ground. We should be expanding the regional transit that we can do at a much cheaper cost, and a much greater benefit to super communities in areas like ours.”
Also, on the ballot in the 9th Congressional District:
Khalid Jeffrey Jafri
Parminder “Happy” Singh
Martin “Vmann” Veprauskas
You can learn more about the candidates on their campaign websites:
See our full voter guide for the June 2 primary here.
See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel