Introduction
Joshua Keck Harder (born August 1, 1986) is an American politician, educator and venture capitalist serving as the U.S. Representative for California's 10th congressional district since 2019. A member of the Democratic Party, he defeated incumbent Republican Jeff Denham in the 2018 election.
Early life and education
Harder was born in Turlock, California; he graduated from Modesto High School. He earned political science and economics undergraduate degrees from Stanford University, as well as a joint MBA/MPP from Harvard Business School and Kennedy School of Government.
Private career
In 2014, Harder was hired by Bessemer Venture Partners working in their New York office. He moved back to San Francisco, and was promoted to a vice president role in 2016.In 2017, he moved back to Turlock, and taught business at Modesto Junior College.
U.S. House of Representatives
Harder has represented California's 10th congressional district since the 2018 congressional elections.
2018 election
In May 2017, Harder announced his candidacy, joining three other Democrats to challenge Republican Jeff Denham, who had represented the 10th district since 2013 and previously represented the 19th district from 2011 to 2013. As a result of California's jungle primary system, Denham and Harder advanced to the general election ballot, with Denham finishing first with 37.5% of the primary vote, and Harder finishing second with 16.7% of the primary vote.
California's 10th district was included on the list of Republican-held seats being targeted by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee in 2018. On election night and for the days following the election, Denham held a lead in the reported results. On November 9, Harder pulled ahead in the absentee ballot tallying. Days later, news outlets projected Harder's victory, and on November 14, Denham conceded.
Committee assignments
- Committee on Agriculture
- Subcommittee on Biotechnology, Horticulture, and Research
- Subcommittee on Livestock and Foreign Agriculture
- Committee on Education and Labor
- Subcommittee on Health, Employment, Labor, and Pensions
- Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce Investment
Caucus memberships
- New Democrat Coalition
Election history
| Primary election | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
| Republican | Jeff Denham (incumbent) | 45,719 | 37.5 | |
| Democratic | Josh Harder | 20,742 | 17.0 | |
| Republican | Ted D. Howze | 17,723 | 14.6 | |
| Democratic | Michael Eggman | 12,446 | 10.2 | |
| Democratic | Virginia Madueño | 11,178 | 9.2 | |
| Democratic | Sue Zwahlen | 9,945 | 8.2 | |
| Democratic | Michael J. "Mike" Barkley | 2,904 | 2.4 | |
| Democratic | Dotty Nygard (withdrawn) | 1,100 | 0.9 | |
| Total votes | 121,757 | 100.0 | ||
| General election | ||||
| Democratic | Josh Harder | 115,945 | 52.3 | |
| Republican | Jeff Denham (incumbent) | 105,955 | 47.7 | |
| Total votes | 221,900 | 100.0 | ||
| Democratic gain from Republican | ||||
Personal life
Harder and his wife, Pamela, met as undergraduate students at Stanford University.They were married in 2018.