Josh Harder

Joshua Keck Harder is born on August 1, 1986, in Turlock, California. He would later become a notable American politician, representing California's Central Valley in the U.S. House of Representatives. Raised in Turlock, he completed his education with a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Stanford University and an MBA and MPP from Harvard University.

On July 1, 2017, Josh Harder announced his candidacy for the United States Congress to represent California’s 10th Congressional District. At the time, Harder was a venture capitalist and former business lecturer. His campaign attracted significant attention as he focused on key issues such as healthcare reform, economic development, and improving infrastructure in the Central Valley.

Josh Harder was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives for California’s 10th Congressional District on November 6, 2018. He defeated incumbent Republican Jeff Denham in a closely watched race that was part of the Democrats' campaign to reclaim the House. Harder focused on healthcare, economic opportunity, and government accountability in his campaign.

Josh Harder was sworn into the 116th United States Congress on January 3, 2019. As a freshman congressman representing California's 10th Congressional District, Harder joined a Democratic majority in the House and pledged to address issues like healthcare, water infrastructure, and education, which are critical to his constituents in the Central Valley.

In February 2020, Josh Harder cosponsored the Save Our Sequoias Act, a bipartisan legislative effort focused on protecting giant sequoias from wildfires and environmental threats. This bill sought to provide the necessary resources for fire management and forest conservation to safeguard these iconic trees, recognizing their cultural and ecological significance.

On November 3, 2020, Josh Harder was re-elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, continuing to serve California’s 10th Congressional District. In a year marked by a global pandemic, Harder campaigned on pandemic responses, healthcare, and local economic issues, ultimately defeating his Republican challenger Ted Howze.

Josh Harder introduced the Mapping and Opening via Replacement of Entrances (MORE) Act on May 12, 2021. This legislation aims to increase funding for infrastructure improvements to provide better access to national parks for underserved communities. As a known advocate for environmental preservation, Harder emphasized the importance of ensuring that public lands are accessible for educational and recreational purposes.

Josh Harder secured a victory on November 8, 2022, to continue representing California's 13th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives. With a focus on water policies, agriculture, and climate resiliency, he successfully campaigned for a third term, vowing to tackle issues such as infrastructure development and technological innovation to benefit the Central Valley.

On March 15, 2023, Josh Harder announced his support and introduction of new legislation aimed at improving mental health services for veterans. The bill seeks to address the mental health crisis among veterans by providing better access to counseling and rehabilitation services. Harder, whose district includes many veterans, emphasizes the need for comprehensive mental health care and support.

On May 11, 2023, Josh Harder introduced the Forest Restoration and Resilience Act in Congress. This bill aims to increase funding for forest management and wildfire prevention measures. Harder's efforts focus on mitigating the impacts of climate change and promoting environmental sustainability, particularly in fire-prone regions like his own district in California.