More than half a dozen U.S. House districts in California will elect Democratic representatives in the upcoming election, creating a significant challenge for party leadership. The outcome of these contests hinges on a series of Democrat-versus-Democrat runoffs, a feature of California's election system, where establishment figures face well-funded challengers who vow to oppose current leadership. This dynamic threatens to worsen the difficulties House Democrats face as they prepare for the 2027 session.
In the 4th District, Representative Mike Thompson, 75, faces a challenge from 35-year-old former venture capitalist Eric Jones. Jones has criticized Democratic leadership, stating in an interview with Axios that he does not believe current leaders are doing their jobs. He declined to say he would vote for House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries as speaker, replying that he would not vote for any member at this time. Jones aims to build a coalition of progressives and Republicans, describing himself as independent and refusing to take party money or vote along party lines.
Representative Doris Matsui, 85, faces a potentially vulnerable position in the 7th District after finishing second to Mai Vang in the June primary. Vang, a progressive Sacramento City Councilmember in her 40s, has aligned herself with a bloc of Democratic Socialists of America candidates, including Darializa Avila Chevalier, Chris Rabb, and Melat Kiros. Vang has previously told Axios she cannot support the current leadership and requires new direction.
The race in the 11th District to succeed former Speaker Nancy Pelosi is particularly contentious between State Senator Scott Wiener and San Francisco Supervisor Connie Chan. Chan has positioned herself to the left of Wiener, who has faced criticism from the pro-Palestinian movement for not being critical enough of Israel. Wiener told Mission Local he looks forward to electing Jeffries as speaker, while Chan stated that any speaker candidate, including Jeffries, must earn her vote.
In the 14th District, progressive Representative Aisha Wahab is competing against Melissa Hernandez for a full term after Wahab defeated Hernandez in an August special election. Wahab has already defied party leadership by running in the special election rather than allowing an unopposed caretaker to serve. Neither campaign responded to questions about whether their candidates would support Jeffries for speaker.
Representative Jimmy Gomez faces a challenge in the 34th District from Angela Gonzales-Torres, a progressive local councilor backed by left-wing groups supporting other insurgent candidates. Gomez is currently under investigation by the House Ethics Committee for allegations of sexual misconduct, which he denies. Gonzales-Torres told Axios she looks forward to supporting leaders not heavily funded by corporate super PACs and described herself as part of a national slate of progressive insurgents. She noted that the group is focused on winning elections to utilize their bargaining power in Congress.
Justin Chermol, a spokesperson for Jeffries, dismissed inquiries about these races as irrelevant stories that waste time. While few Democrats believe Jeffries will be denied the speakership, the uncertainty lies in the subsequent fights within the party. The size of the bloc of skeptics arriving in January could significantly impact leadership's ability to govern, a factor that may be tempered by the overall size of the Democratic majority.