Representative Josh Harder will run for reelection in California’s newly-drawn 13th congressional district in 2022, which includes the west side of his hometown Turlock. 

Harder faced a difficult choice as redrawn maps approved this week dismantled his district, splitting communities like Turlock and Modesto, which he currently represents as a whole, almost cleanly in half. 

“It is the honor of a lifetime to serve my hometown in Congress. Today, with Pam and our first child on the way, I’m proud to share that I will run for reelection in California’s new 13th congressional district which includes my hometown of Turlock,” Harder said. “I’m excited to continue serving so many of the communities in my current district. At the same time, I’m disappointed that due to redistricting, I will no longer have the privilege of representing some of our communities in Stanislaus and San Joaquin Counties, including many of our neighbors in Modesto. Know that my team and I will keep working around the clock for the families in the 10th district through the end of my term. I truly believe the Central Valley is the greatest place in the world to live and raise a family, and I’m excited to get to work for everyone in the new 13th district.” 

The redistricting process, handled by an independent commission, saw new Districts 5, 9 and 13 take up the land formerly covered by District 10. Turlock’s east side, Denair, Hughson, Waterford and Oakdale are included in District 5, which stretches from the Sacramento area down into Kings Canyon, while District 9 includes cities like Tracy, Manteca, Ripon and Escalon. 

District 13, where Harder has announced he will run, includes everything in Turlock west of Golden State Boulevard, though the boundary line takes a detour into town to include Donnelly Park, the downtown core and some surrounding neighborhoods. The boundary lines in Turlock between Districts 5 and 13 include Pedras Road as well as portions of Geer Road, East Hawkeye Avenue, Colorado Avenue, East Main Street and Minaret Avenue. 

District 13 in its entirety also includes west Modesto, Merced County and much of Fresno County. Most of the area is currently represented by Rep. Jim Costa, who told the Sacramento Bee this week he'll be running for reelection in the new Fresno-based District 21.

The new 13th congressional district features a population of 760,103 where 51.66% of the voting population is Latino compared to 34% white. In the new District 5, the population is 757,644 and Latinos make up 20.09% of voters while white voters comprise 70.4% of the vote.

Josh Harder was first elected to represent District 10 in 2018 when the Democrat defeated then-incumbent Republican Jeff Denham. The new maps will be in effect for the 2022 primaries, and the Journal will provide updated coverage on what candidates are running where. 

To view the final maps, visit www.wedrawthelinesca.org/map_viewer.