Former Rep. Harley Rouda (D-CA) has launched a third bid for Congress, vying to replace Rep. Katie Porter (D-CA), who will not seek reelection and will instead run for the Senate.
Rouda launched his campaign on Wednesday, just one day after Porter announced her intent to run for the Senate seat currently held by Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA). As a result, Porter’s absence will leave that seat up for grabs in a district that was rated a toss-up in the 2022 midterm elections.
“After years of fires and droughts, California families are grappling with deadly storms and floods; disasters exacerbated by our climate crisis. In Congress, I will be laser-focused on resolving this crisis — and work with anyone to get it done,” Rouda tweeted. “Orange County deserves leaders that put bipartisanship ahead of brinkmanship, and are focused on delivering results for the hardworking families of our state. I was that leader in Congress, and I’m proud to run to be it again.”
Rouda previously served in the House representing California’s 48th Congressional District after defeating 15-term Republican incumbent Dana Rohrabacher in 2018. He was later defeated by Michelle Steel in 2020.
Rouda then decided not to run for election in 2022, declining to challenge Porter in the race for the newly redrawn 47th District.
Porter launched her campaign on Tuesday, getting a head start on other probable candidates, such as Democratic Reps. Adam Schiff (CA) and Ro Khanna (CA), who are likely to run for the seat as well. Porter’s early announcement gives her a leg up on her opponents, with reports indicating the California Democrat was planning to announce her campaign before Feinstein revealed her future plans.
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“California needs a warrior in the Senate — to stand up to special interests, fight the dangerous imbalance in our economy, and hold so-called leaders like Mitch McConnell accountable for rigging our democracy,” Porter said in a tweet announcing her candidacy.
It’s not yet clear what Feinstein plans to do after her term ends in 2024, but it’s widely expected the 89-year-old will retire. If so, her retirement would open a Senate seat in California that hasn’t been up for grabs since 1992.
