Republican candidate Christine Bish announced Tuesday, March 10, that she is shifting her 2026 congressional campaign from California’s 6th Congressional District to the newly redrawn 3rd District, citing major changes in the race following a high-profile party departure.
Bish had originally planned to challenge Democratic Rep. Ami Bera in the 6th District, a seat she previously contested in 2020 and 2024. However, the campaign landscape changed earlier this month when Rep. Kevin Kiley resigned from the Republican Party and declared his intention to run as an independent candidate, registering as “No Party Preference” on March 6.
The move prompted Bish to reevaluate her strategy and enter the race in the neighboring 3rd Congressional District.
“Kevin Kiley leaving the Republican Party created a vacuum in the 3rd District,” Bish said in a campaign statement announcing the change. “Voters deserve a strong Republican voice focused on lowering costs, protecting constitutional rights, and restoring economic opportunity.”
Redrawn District Expands Into Foothills
The change comes after the passage of Proposition 50, which reshaped several congressional boundaries across Northern California.
Under the new map, California’s 3rd District now spans portions of Sacramento County and several foothill and mountain communities. The district includes cities such as Folsom, Auburn, Rancho Cordova, Grass Valley and Truckee, as well as Sacramento-area communities including Florin, Arden-Arcade and Fair Oaks. Parts of El Dorado County foothill communities, including areas near Pollock Pines, also fall within the district’s expanded footprint.
Despite the geographic expansion, voter registration data suggests the district leans Democratic, with Democrats holding roughly an eight-percentage-point advantage over registered Republicans.
Democratic incumbent Ami Bera is also expected to run in the redrawn 3rd District during the 2026 midterm election cycle.
Campaign Platform Focuses on Economy, Energy and Public Safety
Bish, a Sacramento-based real estate agent and small business owner, has centered her campaign on reducing the cost of living, supporting small businesses and expanding domestic energy production.
She has proposed a 10% flat federal tax rate with no exemptions and argues that increased oil and gas drilling in California and Alaska could reduce fuel prices and overall consumer costs.
“Our region has seen businesses close and families struggle with rising costs,” Bish said. “Energy independence and responsible fiscal policy can help restore stability for middle-class households.”
Her platform also emphasizes public safety measures, including opposition to sanctuary city policies and support for stricter immigration enforcement, including expanded use of the federal E-Verify employment verification system.
On homelessness, Bish has suggested converting vacant commercial buildings into service-based housing facilities that would include mandatory mental health and addiction treatment programs.
Conservative Policy Positions
Bish identifies as a pro-life conservative and supports legislation commonly referred to as “heartbeat laws,” which would restrict abortions once fetal cardiac activity is detected. She also advocates school choice policies and has voiced opposition to the inclusion of Critical Race Theory in public school curricula.
A strong supporter of gun rights, Bish argues the Second Amendment is a “non-negotiable constitutional guarantee.” She has received high ratings from several gun rights advocacy groups, including the National Rifle Association and Gun Owners of America.
Bish maintains that addressing crime should focus on enforcing existing laws rather than imposing new restrictions on firearms.
Political Background and Community Involvement
Although Bish has not held elected office, she has been active in Republican politics in the Sacramento region for several years.
She previously served as vice chair of the Oakmont High School Site Council and as Sacramento-area director for the Educational Freedom Initiative. Within party circles, she has held leadership roles with the Sacramento Republican Assembly and has served on a California Republican Party committee focused on issues affecting blind, deaf and disabled voters.
Before entering real estate, Bish worked for about a decade as a financial investigator and loan officer.
Her campaign has received endorsements from several conservative organizations, including the California Republican Assembly, the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association and the California Pro-Life Council.
2026 Election Timeline
The primary election for California’s congressional races is scheduled for June 2, 2026. Under California’s “top-two” primary system, the two candidates receiving the most votes will advance to the general election in November, regardless of party affiliation.
With the district realignment and shifting party dynamics, the race for the 3rd Congressional District is expected to draw increased attention across the Sacramento region and foothill communities.
