Stockton Mayor Kevin Lincoln to challenge Rep. Josh Harder for Congressional bid

Stockton Mayor Kevin Lincoln plans to launch a bid to unseat Democratic Rep. Josh Harder in California’s 9th Congressional District, which covers part of the north San Joaquin Valley, according to two Republicans familiar with the matter.

Lincoln has not officially launched his campaign but will get a fundraising hand from U.S House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, who will headline an event with other California Congressional Republicans July 20 in Stockton.

San Joaquin County Supervisor Tom Patti, who unsuccessfully challenged Harder for the seat in 2022, said in an interview he will run to replace Lincoln as mayor of Stockton.

“It was a big decision for [Lincoln]. I support it immensely,” Patti said. “He and I are going to work together to make sure we have strong leadership in the county and the city.”

Democrats hold an advantage in the 9th District – which includes the cities of Stockton, Tracy and Manteca. The National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) lists it as one of its 37 target districts for the 2024 elections in an effort to expand the slim GOP House majority.

Harder defeated Patti, a Republican, for the seat in November with 54.8% of the vote. But the county supervisor believes there will be “a dramatic difference” in 2024 with Lincoln on the ballot. 

“Plus, you have party support coming in, recognizing that Kevin’s the candidate for this election cycle,” he said.

Lincoln, a former pastor and Marine Corps veteran, previously defeated incumbent Stockton Mayor Michael Tubbs – then considered a rising Democratic star – in 2020. A community news website owned by a self-described “activist” took credit for Tubbs’ ouster.