California House District 9 2026: the ads, and who's paying for them

Josh Harder won · 66.9% to 33.1%, with an estimated 80% of the vote counted · Called by AP on Nov 3

Josh Harder (Democrat) and John McBride (Republican) are the nominees for California's 9th congressional district in the November 3, 2026 general election. Josh Harder is the incumbent. By their latest FEC reports, Josh Harder's campaign had raised $4.5 million (through October 14, 2026) and John McBride's campaign $77,000 (through October 14, 2026). Outside groups have reported $1,000 for Josh Harder and $5,000 against.

Josh Harder (DEM, incumbent), John McBride (REP). 1 other filed with the FEC; any ads they ran are below. 0 ads analyzed, 0 with at least one technique in the copy. Newest first. The paid-for-by line is the advertiser's own filing.

Also on every California ballot: 14 statewide ballot measures → The ballot wording and the official arguments, read for rhetorical techniques.

How to vote in California

From California's official election office. Each line links to the official page it came from.

Registration Register by Mon, Oct 19 (Conditional (same-day) registration Oct 20 - Nov 3). Same-day registration: Conditional registration, provisional ballot, Oct 20 - Nov 3 (passed)Source: sos.ca.gov ↗Source: sos.ca.gov ↗
Early voting in person Mon, Oct 5 to (Varies by county; VCA vote centers open Oct 24)Source: sos.ca.gov ↗
By mail Anyone can vote by mail; return it by Tue, Nov 3 (Postmarked by Nov 3 and received by Nov 10; drop-off by 8 p.m. Nov 3) (passed)Source: elections.cdn.sos.ca.gov ↗Source: sos.ca.gov ↗
Election Day Tue, Nov 3. Polls: 7 a.m. - 8 p.m. (passed)Source: sos.ca.gov ↗
ID at the polls Generally no ID required; some first-time voters who registered by mail/online without ID may be askedSource: elections.cdn.sos.ca.gov ↗

Checked October 8, 2026. Rules can change; confirm with the official site before you go.

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Money in this race

From FEC filings for 2025–26. Outside spending is money a group spends on its own about a candidate — TV and online ads, mail, canvassing. It is not a donation to the campaign, and the candidate does not control it. Supporting means it was spent to help that candidate win; Opposing means it was spent to defeat them, usually on attack ads. Groups report it within 24 or 48 hours as the election nears. Raised is the campaign's own fundraising, as of its latest quarterly report. Largest donors come from each outside spender's own FEC receipts, with each donor's share of its itemized receipts; donors under $100,000 are not named. People are shown with the employer and occupation they reported. A donor that is itself a political committee is shown with its own largest donors. Companies and nonprofits don't report their funders to the FEC, so the trail ends there, and the page says so.

Josh Harder (DEM, incumbent)

Raised
$4.5M through 2026-10-14 individuals $3.2M · PACs $575K · party $2,193 · from the candidate's other committees $146K · cash on hand $4.8M
Outside spending
$4,552 opposing Harder · $1,103 supporting Harder · latest reported 2026-04-16
Largest outside spenders
THE CONSERVATIVE CAUCUS DBA AMERICANS FOR CONSTITUTIONAL LIBERTY — $4,552 opposing Harder DEMOCRACY THROUGH VOTING — $800 supporting Harder GIVEGREEN UNITED ACTION — $293 supporting Harder Largest donors: LEAGUE OF CONSERVATION VOTERS, INC. $946K (40%) (an organization: its own funders aren't reported to the FEC); NRDC ACTION FUND INC. $922K (39%) (an organization: its own funders aren't reported to the FEC); LCV VICTORY FUND $500K (21%) SIERRA CLUB INDEPENDENT ACTION — $10 supporting Harder
Bundled through PACs
$94K through 6 PACs · FEC bulk data of 2026-11-01 JSTREETPAC — $39K from 47 gifts Lobbyist/registrant PAC AMERICAN ISRAEL PUBLIC AFFAIRS COMMITTEE POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE — $27K from 15 gifts Lobbyist/registrant PAC FRONTLINE PAC — $21K from 6 gifts END CITIZENS UNITED — $3,500 from 1 gift COUNCIL FOR A LIVABLE WORLD CANDIDATE FUND — $2,618 from 5 gifts Lobbyist/registrant PAC and 1 more
168 PACs gave directly — alphabetical; the legal limit is $5,000 per election
  • ABUNDANCE PAC $10K
  • ACROSS THE AISLE PAC $8,500
  • AG PAC $5,000
  • AIR LINE PILOTS ASSOCIATION PAC $8,500
  • ALLIED PILOTS ASSOCIATION POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE $1,000
  • ALZHEIMERS IMPACT MOVEMENT POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE $1,000
  • AMALGAMATED SUGAR COMPANY POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE $1,000
  • AMALGAMATED TRANSIT UNION - COPE $2,500
  • AMERICAN ACADEMY OF DERMATOLOGY ASSOCIATION POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE (SKINPAC) $2,000
  • AMERICAN ACADEMY OF PHYSICIAN ASSOCIATES POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE (PA PAC) $2,500
  • AMERICAN ASSOCIATION FOR JUSTICE POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE (AAJ PAC) $7,500
  • AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF NURSE ANESTHETISTS SEPARATE SEGREGATED FUND (CRNA-PAC) $1,000
  • AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF NURSE PRACTITIONERS POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE $2,500
  • AMERICAN BANKERS ASSOCIATION PAC (BANKPAC) $1,000
  • AMERICAN CRYSTAL SUGAR COMPANY POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE $10K
  • AMERICAN DEFENSE AND MILITARY PAC $1,000
  • AMERICAN FEDERATION OF STATE COUNTY & MUNICIPAL EMPLOYEES P E O P L E $10K
  • AMERICAN FEDERATION OF TEACHERS, AFL-CIO COMMITTEE ON POLITICAL EDUCATION $10K
  • AMERICAN HEALTH CARE ASSOCIATION POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE $6,000
  • AMERICAN HOSPITAL ASSOCIATION PAC $1,000
  • AMERICAN HOTEL AND LODGING ASSOCIATION POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE ('HOTELPAC') $4,000
  • AMERICAN INNOVATION POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE (AMI PAC) $1,500
  • AMERICAN ISRAEL PUBLIC AFFAIRS COMMITTEE POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE $5,000
  • AMERICAN LAND TITLE ASSOCIATION TITLE INDUSTRY PAC (TIPAC) $1,000
  • AMERICAN PHYSICAL THERAPY ASSOCIATION PHYSICAL THERAPY POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE (PT-PAC) $5,500
  • AMERICAN PROPERTY CASUALTY INSURANCE ASSOCIATION FEDERAL ONLY POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE (INSURING AMERICA FOPAC) $1,000
  • AMERICAN SENIORS HOUSING ASSOCIATION (SENIORS HOUSING PAC) $5,000
  • AMERICAN SPEECH-LANGUAGE-HEARING ASSOCIATION PAC (ASHA PAC) $1,000
  • AMERICAN SUGAR CANE LEAGUE OF USA INC POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE $3,000
  • AMERICAN VETERINARY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE $5,000
  • AMERICANS FOR RESPONSIBLE INNOVATION LTD. POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE (ARI PAC) $2,500
  • AMERIPAC THE FUND FOR A GREATER AMERICA $10K
  • ANIMAL WELLNESS ACTION PAC $3,000
  • ARENTFOX SCHIFF CIVIC PARTICIPATION FUND (AFSPAC) $1,000
  • ARGENTUM'S SILVER PAC $1,500
  • ASIAN AMERICAN HOTEL OWNERS ASSOCIATION PAC (AAHOA PAC) $2,500
  • BEEPAC (BUILDING ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT PAC) $3,000
  • BLUE DIAMOND GROWERS POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE $6,000
  • BLUE MOMENTUM PAC $2,000
  • BLUEWAVEAMERICA LLC $1,000
  • BRIDGE PAC $2,500
  • BRIDGE THE GAP PAC $6,000
  • BUILD POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE OF THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF HOME BUILDERS (BUILDPAC) $2,500
  • CA LUV PAC (CALIFORNIA LEADERSHIP UNITED FOR VICTORY PAC) $10K
  • CALIFORNIA DAIRIES, INC. FEDERAL POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE $1,000
  • CALIFORNIA FARM BUREAU FEDERATION FUND TO PROTECT THE FAMILY FARM (FARM PAC ) $1,000
  • COMMITTEE FOR A DEMOCRATIC FUTURE $3,000
  • COMMITTEE ORGANIZED FOR THE TRADING OF COTTON PAC OF THE AMERICAN COTTON SHIPPERS ASSOCIAT $2,000
  • COMMON GOOD PAC $5,000
  • COMMONWEALTH PAC $1,000
  • COMMUNICATIONS WORKERS OF AMERICA - COPE POLITICAL CONTRIBUTIONS COMMITTEE $5,000
  • COZEN O'CONNOR POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE $1,000
  • CROPLIFE AMERICA POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE $1,000
  • CULAC THE PAC OF CREDIT UNION NATIONAL ASSOCIATION $1,000
  • DAIRY FARMERS OF AMERICA, INC. POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE; AKA DFA-PAC $4,000
  • DEBORAH ROSS FOR CONGRESS $1,000
  • DEFEND THE DREAM $2,500
  • DEFEND THE VOTE $2,500
  • DEMOCRATIC MAJORITY FUND $1,000
  • DEMOCRATS RESHAPING AMERICA PAC $3,000
  • DIGIDEMS PAC $2,000
  • DOING RIGHT - RESULTS ACTION UNITY LEADERSHIP PAC DR RAUL PAC $7,500
  • ELECT DEMS NOW PAC $1,000
  • ELECT MORE DEMOCRATS PAC $1,000
  • ELFRETH FOR MARYLAND $1,000
  • END CITIZENS UNITED $5,000
  • ENGINEERS POLITICAL EDUCATION COMMITTEE (EPEC)/INTERNATIONAL UNION OF OPERATING ENGINEERS $5,000
  • FAIR SHOT PAC $10K
  • FIGHT FOR PROGRESS PAC $1,000
  • FLORIDA SUGAR CANE LEAGUE PAC $1,000
  • FOLEY & LARDNER POLITICAL FUND, INC. $5,500
  • FRIENDS OF DON BEYER $3,000
  • GETTING RESULTS BY ENGAGING THE GRASSROOTS (GREG PAC) $1,000
  • GRACE FOR NEW YORK $1,000
  • HB STRATEGIES PAC $1,000
  • HMP $5,000
  • HOLLAND & KNIGHT COMMITTEE FOR EFFECTIVE GOVERNMENT $1,500
  • HOPE PAC $2,000
  • HOULAPAC $1,000
  • HUMAN RIGHTS CAMPAIGN $2,500
  • INDEPENDENT COMMUNITY BANKERS OF AMERICA POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE $1,000
  • INNOVATION FOR GOOD PAC $10K
  • INT'L ASSOCIATION OF BRIDGE, STRUCTURAL, ORNAMENTAL AND REINFORCING IRON WORKERS (IPAL) $2,500
  • INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF FIREFIGHTERS INTERESTED IN REGISTRATION AND EDUCATION PAC $5,000
  • INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF SHEET METAL, AIR, RAIL AND TRANSPORTATION WORKERS POLITICAL ACTION LEAGUE $5,000
  • INTERNATIONAL BROTHERHOOD OF BOILERMAKERS CAMPAIGN ASSISTANCE FUND $3,500
  • INTERNATIONAL BROTHERHOOD OF ELECTRICAL WORKERS POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE $2,000
  • INTERNATIONAL COUNCIL OF SHOPPING CENTERS INC POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE (ICSC PAC) $1,000
  • INTERNATIONAL FRANCHISE ASSOCIATION FRANCHISING POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE INC $5,000
  • JEFFRIES FOR CONGRESS $4,000
  • JOBS, EDUCATION, & FAMILIES FIRST - JEFF PAC $10K
  • JUDY CHU FOR CONGRESS $1,000
  • JULIA BROWNLEY FOR CONGRESS $1,000
  • KEVIN MULLIN FOR CONGRESS $1,500
  • LATEEFAH FOR CONGRESS $1,000
  • LAURA FRIEDMAN FOR CONGRESS $500
  • LEADERSHIP OPPORTUNITY INNOVATION SERVICE PAC $5,000
  • LEAGUE OF CONSERVATION VOTERS ACTION FUND $2,050
  • LIFTOFF PAC $2,000
  • MACHINISTS NON PARTISAN POLITICAL LEAGUE OF THE INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF MACHINISTS & $5,000
  • MAKING A DIFFERENCE PAC $1,000
  • MAKING A REAL CHANGE PAC $1,000
  • MANAGED FUNDS ASSOCIATION POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE $3,500
  • MARK DESAULNIER FOR CONGRESS $500
  • MAXWELL ALEJANDRO FROST FOR CONGRESS $1,000
  • MEDICARE FOR ALL $5,000
  • MICHIGAN SUGAR COMPANY GROWERS POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE $1,000
  • MINN-DAK FARMERS COOPERATIVE SUGAR PAC (MDSPAC) $1,000
  • MORTGAGE BANKERS ASSOCIATION POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE (MORPAC) $3,000
  • NANCY PELOSI FOR CONGRESS $4,000
  • NATIONAL ACTIVE AND RETIRED FEDERAL EMPLOYEES ASSOCIATION POLITICAL ACTION COM (NARFE-PAC) $1,000
  • NATIONAL AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLERS ASSOCIATION PAC $1,000
  • NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF LANDSCAPE PROFESSIONALS INC. PAC $7,500
  • NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF POSTAL SUPERVISORS PAC $1,000
  • NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUSTS, INC. POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE $2,500
  • NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE $5,000
  • NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF SOCIAL WORKERS INC. POLITICAL ACTION FOR CANDIDATE ELECTION (PACE) $1,000
  • NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF WHEAT GROWERS POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE (WHEATPAC) $1,000
  • NATIONAL BEER WHOLESALERS ASSOCIATION POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE $2,500
  • NATIONAL MILK PRODUCERS FEDERATION PAC (NMPF PAC) $1,000
  • NATIONAL MULTIFAMILY HOUSING COUNCIL AND REAL ESTATE TECHNOLOGY AND TRANSFORMATION CENTER POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE (NMHC PAC) $5,000
  • NATIONAL NURSES UNITED PAC - A FUND FOR A HEALTHY AMERICA $1,000
  • NATIONAL TANK TRUCK CARRIERS INC POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE $2,500
  • NEW DEMOCRAT COALITION ACTION FUND $9,500
  • NO SURRENDER FUND $3,500
  • NRDC ACTION FUND INC PAC $572
  • OVERSIGHT ACTION FUND $2,500
  • PAC FOR GOOD $1,000
  • PAC TO THE FUTURE $10K
  • PACIFIC COAST PRODUCERS POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE FEDERAL $1,000
  • PATRIOT PAC $10K
  • PEOPLE IN RURAL AREAS TRANSFORM ELECTIONS (PIRATE) PAC $5,000
  • PETE AGUILAR FOR CONGRESS $4,000
  • PLANNED PARENTHOOD ACTION FUND INC. PAC, DBA PLANNED PARENTHOOD FEDERAL PAC $2,000
  • POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE OF THE INTERNATIONAL ALLIANCE OF THEATRICAL STAGE EMPLOYEES $2,500
  • PROGRESSIVE TURNOUT PROJECT $5,000
  • PUGET PAC $1,500
  • REMEDY PAC $500
  • REPRODUCTIVE FREEDOM FOR ALL PAC $2,500
  • ROBERT GARCIA FOR CONGRESS $1,000
  • SAC PAC $2,000
  • SCHAKOWSKY FOR CONGRESS $2,000
  • SERVING OUR COUNTRY (SOC) PAC $1,000
  • SHARICE FOR CONGRESS $2,000
  • SHORE PAC $2,500
  • SILICORN VALLEY PAC $2,000
  • SOUTHERN MINNESOTA BEET SUGAR COOPERATIVE POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE $2,000
  • SPIKE PAC $1,000
  • STANTON FOR CONGRESS $2,500
  • STOP GUN VIOLENCE PAC $2,500
  • SUNSHINE ORGANIZATION FOR TREMENDOUS OPPORTUNITIES (SOTO PAC) $500
  • SYDNEY KAMLAGER-DOVE FOR CONGRESS $1,000
  • SYNERGY PAC $5,000
  • THE FARM CREDIT COUNCIL POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE $5,000
  • THE NATIONAL RURAL ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE ASSOCIATION ACTION COMMITTEE FOR RURAL ELECTRIFICA $3,000
  • THE NEA FUND FOR CHILDREN AND PUBLIC EDUCATION $5,000
  • TRIED-AND-TRUE PAC $1,000
  • TRUCKING POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE OF THE AMERICAN TRUCKING ASSOCIATIONS INC. $1,000
  • UAW V CAP $1,500
  • UNITED EGG ASSOCIATION EGGPAC $1,000
  • UNITED MINE WORKERS OF AMERICA - COAL MINERS POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE $1,000
  • UNITED PILOTS PAC/UNITED AIRLINES MASTER EXECUTIVE COUNCIL $1,500
  • USA RICE FEDERATION PAC $1,000
  • VICTORY IN NOVEMBER ELECTION PAC (VINEPAC) $2,000
  • VPP $1,000
  • WESTERN SUGAR COOPERATIVE PAC $1,000
  • WINE AND SPIRITS WHOLESALERS OF AMERICA, INC. POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE $1,000
  • YINZER PAC $1,000

All filings at the FEC ↗

John McBride (REP)

Raised
$77K through 2026-10-14 individuals $36K · PACs $20K · from the candidate's other committees $22K · cash on hand $4,547
Outside spending
none reported
Bundled through PACs
none reported · FEC bulk data of 2026-11-01
1 PAC gave directly — alphabetical; the legal limit is $5,000 per election
  • MCBRIDE FOR CA-09 REPUBLICAN NOMINEE FUND 2026 $20K

All filings at the FEC ↗

No campaign ads analyzed for this race yet.

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