California 9th District

Josh Harder (D) holds this seat and is running again. 2 candidates were on the ballot on November 3, 2026.

• 

  Josh Harder

  Democrat · holds this seat today

  F

  Liberty Score F

  On the liberty side in 60 of 124 votes and bills.

  Raised $4,490,401 since January 2025: 72% from people, 15% transfers and other income, 13% from PACs and other committees. The filing at FEC.gov

  Every vote behind this grade
• JM

  John McBride

  Republican · strength coach and church elder

  B-

  Liberty Score B-

  81 out of 100 across 4 principles. Graded on what McBride has said and done, because I have no votes in Congress to count for McBride.

  Raised $77,473 since January 2025: 46% from people, 28% transfers and other income, 26% from PACs and other committees. The filing at FEC.gov

  See each one, with its source

Higher on Liberty Score: John McBride. John McBride: B-, 81 out of 100 from words and actions, with no votes in Congress to count. Josh Harder: F, 42 out of 100 from recorded votes.

Voting in California: how to register, vote early or vote by mail. Election Day was November 3.

Side by side

A solid letter is a grade from recorded votes on that principle. An outlined letter is on the same scale, for a candidate with no votes: it comes from what that candidate has said and done, and every source is listed below.

John McBride, on the record

I have no votes in Congress to count for McBride, so the grade above comes from this list: what McBride has said and done on my principles. Each line has its source, and each is marked with the same test I use for votes.

• October 2026 · StatementFree nations

  Said the Israel relationship is important to a degree but could lead the US into endless wars.

  “israel could easily lead us into never ending wars.”

  By the test I use for votes

  ?Not clear either way

  He neither backs nor opposes arms or aid to Israel, so the free nations test is not settled.

  Source: iVoterGuide, John McBride candidate questionnaireDiscuss this
• October 2026 · StatementFree markets

  Said people are not free if government can reign supreme over enterprise or private property.

  “we are not truly free if the government can reign supreme over enterprise or private property.”

  By the test I use for votes

  AWith liberty

  the free markets test counts less regulation and no to socialism as with.

  Source: iVoterGuide, John McBride candidate questionnaireDiscuss this
• October 2026 · His campaign siteFree markets

  Listed reducing oppressive tax policies and drastically shrinking government spending as priorities.

  “reduce oppressive tax policies”

  By the test I use for votes

  ?Not clear either way

  A tax cut with no tax named does not settle the free markets test.

  Source: John McBride for Congress, PrioritiesDiscuss this
• October 2026 · StatementEqual rights

  Said he never coached a female athlete who could have competed successfully against males, in answer to a question on males in women's sports.

  “i did not have any who could have successfully competed with males.”

  By the test I use for votes

  AWith liberty

  the equal rights test counts keeping women's sport female as with.

  Source: iVoterGuide, John McBride candidate questionnaireDiscuss this
• October 2026 · StatementConscience

  Said separation of church and state is not found in the Constitution.

  “separation of church and state is not found in our constitution.”

  By the test I use for votes

  FAgainst liberty

  the conscience test counts rejecting the separation of religion and government as against.

  Source: iVoterGuide, John McBride candidate questionnaireDiscuss this
• October 2026 · StatementBorders

  Called for a moratorium on nearly all immigration until illegal immigration is dealt with.

  “I think there should be a moratorium on nearly all immigration until we can successfully deal with the millions of illegal immigrants who entered this country during the Biden administration.”

  By the test I use for votes

  AWith liberty

  the borders test counts securing the border and dealing with illegal entry as with.

  Source: iVoterGuide, John McBride candidate questionnaireDiscuss this
• October 2026 · His campaign siteBorders

  Listed a stronger southern border among his priorities.

  “stronger southern border”

  By the test I use for votes

  AWith liberty

  the borders test counts securing the border as with.

  Source: John McBride for Congress, PrioritiesDiscuss this

Who is on the ballot: the state election offices, as listed on Wikipedia on November 3, 2026, checked against the candidate file of the Federal Election Commission. See a name that is wrong or missing? Say so in the discussion.