Sacramento, California, USA: Indian American Congressman Ami Bera (D-CA) has officially launched his campaign for re-election in California’s newly redrawn 3rd congressional district, reaffirming his commitment to representing the Greater Sacramento region. The announcement, made on November 5, marks Bera’s bid to continue his over-decade-long tenure in Congress as part of the Democratic Party’s strategy to reclaim the House majority in 2026.
Bera begins his campaign with a strong financial foundation—nearly $2 million in campaign funds—which underscores his early support among voters and donors.
“The road to a Democratic House majority runs directly through California,” Bera said in a statement. “I’m stepping forward in CA-03 to help secure that majority and to keep working for the hardworking families of the Sacramento area.”
His campaign follows the recent approval of Proposition 50, a redistricting initiative championed by Governor Gavin Newsom, which permits the mid-decade revision of congressional boundaries. This adjustment is anticipated to favour Democrats in several suburban and exurban areas across the state ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.
Under the updated district lines, Bera’s constituency now carries a D+6 partisan advantage, encompassing a larger segment of Sacramento County along with portions of Placer and El Dorado Counties. Approximately 60 per cent of the new district overlaps with the area Bera has previously represented, providing him with a solid and familiar voter base.
Bera’s expected Republican opponent, Representative Kevin Kiley, who currently represents the seat under the old boundaries, has confirmed his intent to remain in the race despite the district’s leftward shift.
The Bera campaign has emphasised that this re-election effort is part of a broader Democratic push to win back control of the House.
“With nearly $2 million on hand, a proven record of service, and a clear path to victory, we’re ready to help Democrats regain the House majority and restore balance in Washington,” Bera said.
A physician and longtime Sacramento resident, Bera was first elected to Congress in 2012 after defeating a nine-term Republican incumbent. Since then, he has consistently won re-election—in 2014, 2016, and 2018—often outperforming other Democratic candidates on the ballot. In 2024, he secured 2.4 percentage points more votes than Vice President Kamala Harris within CA-06, reflecting his appeal among independent and suburban voters.
Currently, Bera serves as Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on East Asia and the Pacific, a senior member of the House Intelligence Committee, and part of the New Democrat Coalition, a centrist group in Congress. Before entering politics, he worked for over two decades as a medical doctor, Sacramento County’s Chief Medical Officer, and a professor and dean of admissions at the University of California, Davis, School of Medicine.
During his congressional career, Bera’s office has helped more than 34,000 residents and recovered over $22 million in federal benefits and taxpayer funds for local communities.
