SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Diya TV) — Indian American Congressman Ami Bera (D-CA) has announced his bid for reelection in California’s newly redrawn 3rd Congressional District, positioning himself as a key player in Democrats’ effort to retake the U.S. House majority in 2026. Bera, who has represented Sacramento County for more than a decade, enters the race with nearly $2 million in campaign funds, signaling strong early support and solid organizational strength.
Bera’s announcement comes after voters approved Proposition 50, a measure championed by Governor Gavin Newsom that allows mid-decade redistricting. The change reshapes several congressional boundaries across California, potentially giving Democrats a structural edge in key suburban and exurban districts before the 2026 midterm elections.
Under the new map, California’s 3rd District (CA-03) now carries a D+6 partisan lean and includes a larger portion of Sacramento County, along with parts of Placer and El Dorado counties. Nonpartisan estimates show Vice President Kamala Harris carried the new district by about 10 percentage points in 2024. About 60 percent of the redrawn district overlaps with areas Bera has represented before, giving him a strong base of local support and name recognition.
“The path to a Democratic House majority runs through California,” Bera said in a statement. “I’m stepping up in CA-03 to help deliver that majority and to keep fighting for the hardworking families who call the greater Sacramento region home.”
Bera, a physician and longtime Sacramento resident, was first elected to Congress in 2012, defeating a nine-term Republican incumbent in one of California’s most closely watched races. He has since won multiple competitive re-elections—in 2014, 2016, and 2018—each time expanding his margin of victory. In the 2024 elections, Bera outperformed Vice President Harris by 2.4 percentage points in CA-06, showing his crossover appeal among independent and suburban voters. His campaign points to this record as proof that he can win in swing districts critical to controlling the House.
“Our campaign is built to win tough races,” Bera said. “With nearly $2 million in the bank, a strong record of service, and a clear path to victory, we’re ready to take back the House majority and place a much-needed check on Donald Trump’s power.”
Bera is expected to face Republican Rep. Kevin Kiley, who currently represents CA-03 under the old map. Kiley has said he plans to stay in the race despite the district’s shift toward Democrats. The matchup could become one of the most-watched House races in California, as both parties pour resources into the newly competitive seat. Political analysts say the D+6 lean gives Bera a favorable starting point, but the race remains competitive due to shifting suburban demographics and high voter turnout expectations.
In Congress, 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 a member of the New Democrat Coalition, a centrist group focused on economic growth and innovation. He has built a reputation as a pragmatic leader focused on health care access, economic growth, and bipartisan problem-solving.
Before his time in Congress, Bera worked for more than two decades in medicine, serving as Sacramento County’s Chief Medical Officer and as a Clinical Professor and Dean of Admissions at the University of California, Davis, School of Medicine. Over his years in office, his congressional team reports helping more than 34,000 residents and returning over $22 million to Sacramento County taxpayers through casework and federal benefits.
Bera’s campaign is emphasizing early fundraising, voter outreach, and grassroots organization to secure victory next November. His deep ties to the Sacramento region and proven record of winning tough races could make him a cornerstone of the Democratic strategy to reclaim the House majority. Dr. Bera, who has lived in Sacramento County for nearly 30 years, says he remains committed to representing the values and needs of the greater Sacramento region.
“As a doctor and public servant, my focus has always been helping families thrive,” Bera said. “That’s what this campaign is about — fighting for affordable health care, good jobs, and a stronger future for California.”
With redistricting reshaping California’s political landscape, Bera’s re-election campaign in CA-03 could play a pivotal role in determining which party controls the House of Representatives after 2026.
