2026 California's 6th Congressional District Election
Compare candidates’ positions, polling, and sourced race updates.
About this race
The 2026 general election for California's 6th Congressional District pits independent incumbent Rep. Kevin Kiley, a Republican who switched to No Party Preference, against Democratic former state senator and pediatrician Dr. Richard Pan. The race is being held under a dramatically redrawn district created by California's Proposition 50 mid-decade redistricting, which shifted the seat to cover parts of Sacramento, Placer, and Yolo counties; the district leans Democratic (Cook PVI D+5) and is rated leaning or solidly Democratic by major forecasters, so the outcome could help determine control of the U.S. House.
Kiley campaigns as an independent voice focused on cost-of-living and public safety while continuing to caucus with Republicans to keep his committee assignments, and he has opposed Proposition 40, the state's wealth-tax measure; Pan highlights protecting healthcare access and countering HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s vaccine policies, and has said he is ready for a third debate after the two clashed in an August 17, 2026 debate in The Sacramento Bee newsroom.
Candidates
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Richard Pan is a Sacramento pediatrician, former UC Davis professor, and former California state senator who advanced from the June 2, 2026 top-two primary to the general election for California's 6th Congressional District. His campaign emphasizes protecting healthcare access, countering the Trump administration's and HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s public health policies, lowering costs for working families, and gun safety; he is endorsed by the California Democratic Party, major labor unions, and prominent figures including former Vice President Kamala Harris and Gov. Gavin Newsom. Pan is running against independent incumbent Rep. Kevin Kiley in a race shaped by California's redrawn district map.
Kevin Kiley is a two-term U.S. representative who currently represents California's 3rd Congressional District and is running for re-election in the newly redrawn 6th District. A former Republican who switched to No Party Preference in March 2026, he is the House's only independent while continuing to caucus with Republicans to retain committee assignments, and he has said he is working to change House rules that tie committee seats to party caucuses. He emphasizes nonpartisan leadership focused on cost-of-living and public safety, opposes Proposition 40, and holds a significant campaign cash advantage over Democrat Richard Pan, with roughly $2.1 million on hand.
Forecast
Richard Pan favored
Richard Pan: 64% modeled win probability with a +3.5 pts estimated margin
Polling
2 polls, newest firstAbout this research
Data compiled from public sources and analyzed using AI. Last updated October 10, 2026. Visit candidate websites for the most current information.