As a fifth-generation resident of California’s Central Valley and a descendant of peach farmers, Representative Josh Harder knows the value of hard work. Starting as a paperboy for his local newspaper, Congressman Harder worked his way through school and spent the early years of his career growing small businesses before he switched to teaching at a local junior college. In 2018, he did what many believed to be impossible and won a Republican-held seat occupied by a career politician with an A rating from the NRA. Since then, Representative Harder has worked with both Democrats and Republicans to pass bills through the House that would strengthen public safety and decrease gun violence. 

Like many, Congressman Harder understands that California has one of the lowest rates of gun deaths in the country because it has some of America’s strongest gun safety policies. In Congress, he has sought to bring some of California’s success to the national level by pushing for funding for gun violence research and strong safe storage requirements. As a proud advocate for safer communities, Representative Harder also helped pass the Bipartisan Background Checks Act, which would expand background checks to all gun sales and help prevent individuals convicted of crimes and those who have committed domestic abuse from getting their hands on these dangerous weapons.

Now more than ever, it is vital that we reelect gun safety champions like Congressman Harder, who will always put the safety of his community over the wishes of the gun lobby. With gun violence on the rise from coast to coast and so much on the line this fall, the Central Valley cannot stand to lose such a powerful voice in Congress. To achieve any real wins on gun safety next Congress, we must maintain our current majority, and that starts with sending Representative Josh Harder back to Washington this November. 

We are proud to endorse Josh Harder for the US House of Representatives.