Initial results show Bera, Tucker leading CA 3rd Congressional District
A new face is expected to represent California’s 3rd Congressional District in Washington, D.C., as sitting Rep. Kevin Kiley, who identifies as an independent, campaigns in the 6th District.
As of 8:35 p.m., the two frontrunners were 6th District U.S. Rep. Ami Bera, D-Elk Grove, and Republican Robb Tucker with about 35% and 32% of the vote, respectively. The top two vote-getters will go head-to-head in the November general election. Primary results will be certified by July 10.
The 3rd District looks different in this election because of Proposition 50. It now includes parts of Sacramento, Folsom, Rancho Cordova, Auburn, Truckee and South Lake Tahoe, and no longer includes Republican strongholds like Roseville and Lincoln, potentially giving Democrats an edge this year.
Before redistricting, the 3rd District stretched from Death Valley to Chester and included Placer County, parts of Sacramento County and much of the Sierra Nevada.
Who are the candidates?
Eight candidates hope to fill the seat, which covers urban, suburban and rural areas.
Democratic candidates include Nevada County Supervisor Heidi Hall, Bera, Army veteran Chris Bennett, and radio personality Lyndon “Pacey” Cervantes. Republican candidates are Tucker, Realtor Christine Bish and community advocate Laura Koscki. Retired software programmer Chris Richardson is running as a Green Party candidate.
Bera was a practicing physician and served as chief medical officer for Sacramento County before joining Congress in 2013, where healthcare accessibility has been one of his top priorities.
Hall, a Grass Valley resident, has been a Nevada County supervisor since 2017 and wants to end tax loopholes for billionaires and promote housing growth. She also wants to enshrine abortion rights at the federal level.
Bennett is a Sacramento County resident who has a master’s in business administration. His campaign website states he quit his tech-sector job to run for office. His top priorities include affordable housing and food accessibility.
Cervantes is a radio personality who wants to turn utilities, like PG&E, into community-owned organizations. He wants to lower healthcare costs and tax the wealthy.
Koscki is a community activist from the Sierra Nevadas who at a recent forum said President Donald Trump is “the best president ever.” She supports unions and the outdoors.
Bish is a Realtor who advocates for school vouchers that would allow public dollars go to private schools. She also supports the right to work, which would prohibit mandates that workers join unions.
Tucker has been a Nevada County supervisor since early 2025. He was born and raised in Nevada County. His campaign website discusses public safety, economic development and agriculture initiatives.
Richardson is a third-party candidate who wants to reevaluate the student loans system, implement Medicare for all and change elections to mailed ballots.
