Who represents the California 8th congressional district?

Rep. John Garamendi (Democratic-CA) represents California’s 8th district in the U.S. House of Representatives.

California district 8 candidates 2026

Rep. John Garamendi (Democratic-CA) is the current representative for California’s 8th district. The district is heavily Democratic (D+48).

California district 8 election results

Rep. John Garamendi won the 2024 general election with 73.97% of the vote. 273,030 total votes were cast. The full result was 73.97% Democratic, 26.03% Republican. The district is heavily Democratic (D+48).

2026 MidtermsSolid SeatD+48R shift +4$301K raised

Recent Votes

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Representative John Garamendi, Democratic from California

Representative · CA-8

John Garamendi

Q: California district 8 demographics

The California 8th congressional district is 36.4% Hispanic, 27.5% White, 13.9% Black, 18.4% Asian. The median age is 38.9. Median household income is $97,897. 29.1% of residents are foreign-born. Source: Census ACS.

California's 8th congressional district

CA-8 Midterms Intelligence

Garamendi sits in a safely Democratic East Bay/Sacramento exurban seat that gives Democrats 74% and reflects the coalition now defining inland California: heavily diverse, middle-class but cost-squeezed, and tied as much to public-sector institutions and logistics corridors as to ideology. After 17 years in office, his profile is set by Armed Services and Transportation, a fit for a district where infrastructure, freight movement, and federal presence matter more than cable-news politics. The wrinkle is not partisan risk but a mild rightward drift, with an R shift of +4 signaling frustration around affordability and public order even in a deep-blue seat.

For advocates, the opening is pragmatic delivery, not partisan argument. With median income at $97,897 but home values at $642,200 and unemployment still 7.2%, voters are feeling the California squeeze; messages around transportation investment, resilient supply chains, defense-related jobs, and cost-reducing infrastructure will land. Coalition work should be multilingual and multiethnic, and campaigns that connect environmental or land-use goals to jobs, mobility, and household economics will outperform abstract climate rhetoric.

Representative John Garamendi represents California's 8th congressional district, serving 752,539 constituents. The district has an estimated median household income of $97,897 and an unemployment rate of 7.2%.

Economic & Demographic Snapshot

752,539Population

↓ 241

$97,897Median Incomenat'l $37,585

↑ $4,727

7.2%Unemploymentnat'l 3.5%

↑ 0.5%

8%Poverty Ratenat'l 12.4%

↑ 0.2%

60.3%Homeownershipnat'l 65.5%

→ no change

$2,157Median Rentnat'l $1,163

↑ $157

4.8%Public Transitnat'l 5%

→ no change

34.3 minMean Commutenat'l 26.4 min

↓ 1.6 min

Data sourced from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates (2017-2021 vs. 2019-2023). All figures are statistical estimates with 90% confidence level.

California District 8 Demographics

Median Age 38.9 (vs 38.5) · Homeownership 60.3% (vs 65.5%) · Bachelor’s+ 30.3% (vs 33.7%) · Poverty 8% (vs 12.4%) · Income $97,897 (vs $37,585)

Key Issues for This District

Immigration policyEducation accessWorkforce developmentRent burden

Age Distribution

Near the national median age (38.9 vs 38.5 nationally). The largest age cohort is 30–39 at 14.5%.

Race & Ethnicity

A majority-minority district. Also significant: White (27.5%), Asian (18.4%), Black (13.9%).

* Hispanic includes respondents of any race. Racial categories include both Hispanic and non-Hispanic individuals.

Education

30.3% hold a bachelor’s degree or higher, below the 33.7% national average. 15.1% of residents lack a high school diploma.

Income Distribution

Median household income is $97,897, well above the $37,585 national median.

Housing

Homeownership at 60.3% (vs 65.5% nationally). Median rent is $2,157. Median home value is $642,200.

How People Get to Work

66.4% drive alone. Average commute is 34.3 minutes.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates

Data represents 5-year statistical estimates for increased reliability.

California District 8 FAQ

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