Who is running in California’s 3rd Congressional District?
The race for California’s redrawn 3rd Congressional District won’t feature incumbent Republican Rep. Kevin Kiley, but will include a sitting member of Congress vying for the now Democrat-friendly seat.
Following Proposition 50, the district encompasses all of Nevada County, much of El Dorado County and several of the Sacramento region’s eastern neighborhoods, including Arden-Arcade, Rancho Cordova and Folsom. These areas have leaned Democratic in recent elections.
Kiley announced earlier this month that he would not seek re-election in the district.
A seven-term member of Congress is looking to capitalize. Other candidates include a Marine Corps veteran, an environmental advocate and two Nevada County supervisors.
Here are the candidates in alphabetical order. Candidates have until early March to file nominating papers.
Chris Bennett (D)
Bennett, 36, is a disabled Army veteran who is committed to fight for “everyday people, not billionaires,” according to his campaign website. The oldest of 11 siblings, he attended the United States Military Academy at West Point. After finishing his active duty, Bennett worked in nonprofit healthcare and technology consulting. His priorities include universal childcare, Medicare For All and opposing sending money to support “Israel’s genocide,” according to the campaign website. He is refusing money from corporate PACs or lobbyists.
Ami Bera (D)
Bera, 60, announced minutes after Proposition 50 passed that he would run in the 3rd District — calling it a natural fit. He has represented Congressional districts that include eastern and northern Sacramento County since 2013, and currently represents the 6th District. Bera, a physician and formerly Sacramento County’s chief medical officer, has been particularly focused on foreign affairs issues and is the top Democrat on the House East Asia and Pacific subcommittee. His campaign website lists health care, national security and women’s equality among his top issues.
Christine Bish (R)
Bish, who works as a real estate professional, says her background includes involvement with community-based organizations. On her campaign website, she positions herself against the “dominant Democratic agenda” and pledges to prioritize affordable, high-quality housing.
Lyndon “Pacey” Cervantes (D)
Cervantes, 39, is a longtime radio personality who says his campaign is rooted in values — honesty, community and accountability — that built his connection with listeners. A native of Northern California, he spent more than two decades at several radio stations. Cervantes’ campaign will focus on expanding affordable health care, billing billionaires, lowering the age for Medicare to 55 and transforming utilities like PG&E into community-owned, not-for-profit energy providers, according to his website.
Heidi Hall (D)
Hall, 64, has spent three decades working in environmental advocacy and has served on the Nevada County Board of Supervisors since 2017. Her career has largely been centered on water and resource management with experience in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Resources Conservation Board and the Department of Water Resources. According to her website, her top campaign issues include investing in first-time homebuyers funding, building a middle class tax cut, eliminating coal and oil subsidies and abolishing Immigration and Customs Enforcement. She has lived in the county for more than 20 years.
Robb Tucker (R)
Tucker is a lifelong resident of Nevada County who began serving on the board of supervisors in 2024. Once elected, his campaign website says, he has been an advocate for public safety, public businesses and “defending local quality of life.” His campaign for Congress will feature those priorities as well as “solutions-oriented leadership,” per his website.
This story was originally published February 12, 2026 at 9:17 AM with the headline "Who is running in California’s 3rd Congressional District?."
