Democratic Rep. Mark DeSaulnier of Concord ("United States Congressman") faces Republican Jeff Frese of Moraga ("Small Business Owner") in California's 10th Congressional District on Nov. 3.

How they got here

Seven candidates ran in June. DeSaulnier won 59.7% (132,246 votes). Frese finished second with 12.9% (28,671), just ahead of fellow Republican Katherine Piccinini at 11.5%, according to Ballotpedia. About 221,600 votes were cast.

The outsider pitch

Frese founded the snack brand Fat Snax. "I'm not a politician," his website says. "I built a national snack brand from my own kitchen, sold it and have run consumer companies since." His "clean up Congress" agenda calls for eight-year congressional term limits, a ban on stock trading by members, no pay for members during shutdowns and "no cashing out as a lobbyist." On affordability, he wants to end deficit spending, cut "red tape" on building, bar Wall Street and hedge funds from buying single-family homes and block "foreign ownership of American farmland and family homes." He also took aim at DeSaulnier's record: "My opponent has had 11 years, 204 bills and two laws to show for it."

The incumbent's pitch

DeSaulnier's political career began on the Concord City Council in 1991. He went on to the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors and the Legislature before Congress. "Before I was a Congressman, I drove trucks, waited tables, ran restaurants and paid union dues," he told the Danville San Ramon. He says "AI and automation are changing jobs faster than Washington is reacting." He points to his "30 concrete policy recommendations on preparing workers for the AI economy" and his role as ranking member on the House Health, Employment, Labor, and Pensions Subcommittee. He also backed this year's renewal of Contra Costa's urban limit line, which voters passed in the primary.

Where they overlap

Both say the cost of living is the top concern. Both list protecting Medicare and Social Security among their priorities.

How to vote

Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3. Polls and vote centers close at 8 p.m., and mailed ballots must be postmarked by Election Day and arrive within seven days. You can check your registration and ballot status at sos.ca.gov/elections. California lets you register and vote the same day at a vote center.

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