Dr. Richard Pan enters race for California's 3rd Congressional District

Yesterday, former Democratic California Assembly Member and State Senator Dr. Richard Pan, M.D., announced his candidacy for California's 3rd Congressional District. The 3rd district, whose boundaries could change if Californian voters approve Proposition 50 in November, is represented by Republican Kevin Kiley.

In his social media announcement (see video below), Pan highlighted his advocacy for healthcare coverage during his time as a legislator. Pan was first elected to the Assembly in 2012 and successfully ran for the State Senate, serving two terms before meeting term limits in 2022.

He also had an unsuccessful candidacy for Sacramento Mayor in 2024.

During his time in the Assembly and especially the Senate, Pan was a strong advocate for child vaccinations. Pan's advocacy made him the target of virtual attacks across social media as well as actual assaults.

In 2019, Pan was assaulted by an anti-vaccine activist who live-streamed the attack. The assailant was cited for misdemeanor assault charges.

The vitriol towards Dr. Pan stemmed from legislation he sponsored, which eliminated most personal belief exemptions for childhood vaccines.

If Proposition 50 is adopted, the 3rd Congressional District will be considerably more moderate than its current configuration, which is considered conservative. The possible boundary change has already prompted Congressman Kiley to adopt a less strident pro-Trump stance, as seen in his recent appearance on CNN's Inside Poltics program.

Should Pan and Kiley make it out of the June 2026 California Primary and face off in the November general elections, vaccines could become one of the main issues.

While in the California Assembly, CalMatters reports that when Kiley was on the replacement ballot for the failed recall election of Gov. Gavin Newsom, he sponsored legislation that would have banned mandatory inoculations. That legislation, which is popular with conservative Republican voters in California's current 3rd Congressional District, failed to advance out of an Assembly Committee.

With a more moderate electorate in a redrawn district, Pan could use that anti-vaccine stance as a bludgeon against Kiley. Likewise, if Kiley backs down and supports mandatory vaccines and vaccine science, it could appeal to moderate voters but be viewed as a betrayal by his far-right conservative base.

The anti-vaccine crowd has already expressed anger toward Pan on his social media post announcing his candidacy. While issues of healthcare and the threats many Democratic candidates say Trump poses to American democracy are the most crucial issues nationally, in California's 3rd Congressional District, vaccinations could be the most critical issue.