Pan Says He Expects to Advance Despite Third-Place Standing in CA-06 Primary
Pan has centered his campaign on health care, affordability and his record in public service
Democratic congressional candidate Richard Pan expressed confidence this afternoon that he will advance to the November general election in California's 6th Congressional District, despite currently trailing Republican Michael Stansfield in the race for second place.
Pan, a former state senator and pediatrician, issued a statement thanking voters and saying his campaign expects to move into the general election once all ballots are counted.
"I am grateful to the voters of the 6th Congressional District," Pan said in a statement. "Once every vote is counted, we are confident I will advance to the General Election."
Unofficial results released by the California Secretary of State show incumbent Rep. Kevin Kiley leading the seven-candidate field. Stansfield, a Republican, currently holds second place, while Pan is running third. However, election officials continue to process thousands of outstanding ballots across the district's three counties — Sacramento, Placer and Yolo — a process expected to continue for several weeks.
Under California's top-two primary system, the two candidates receiving the most votes, regardless of party affiliation, advance to the November general election.
Pan has centered his campaign on health care, affordability and his record in public service. In his statement, he argued that voters are concerned about rising living costs and access to health care.
The former lawmaker also thanked voters and his fellow candidates for participating in the primary election.
Pan served in the California Legislature from 2010 to 2024, representing Sacramento-area districts in both the Assembly and Senate. A practicing pediatrician, he became widely known for his advocacy on public health issues during his legislative tenure.
The race remains unsettled as election officials continue counting ballots. Updated results are expected throughout the coming weeks before the election is certified.
