Former Rep. Harley Rouda, D-Calif., announced Wednesday that he is running to replace Rep. Katie Porter’s House seat a day after she said she would run for Senate in 2024.
“After years of fires and droughts, California families are grappling with deadly storms and floods; disasters exacerbated by our climate crisis,” Rouda tweeted. “In Congress, I will be laser-focused on resolving this crisis - and work with anyone to get it done.”
The Newport Beach Democrat was first elected in 2018 to represent the 48th Congressional District when he defeated 15-term Republican Rep. Dana Rohrabacher.
Rouda lost his bid for reelection in 2020 to then-Orange County Supervisor Michelle Steel, a Republican.
In 2022, Rouda decided not to run for reelection in a newly redrawn state congressional seat that would have pitted him against Porter, a fellow Democrat.
On Tuesday, Porter announced she is seeking the seat currently held by Sen. Dianne Feinstein.
Former state Assembly member Scott Baugh, a Republican, also announced his bid for Porter’s seat.