Thien Ho Concedes CA-06 Primary Race, Finishes Fourth Despite High-Profile Endorsements
The race was viewed as one of California's most competitive congressional contests following voter-approved Proposition 50
Sacramento County District Attorney Thien Ho conceded Wednesday in California's 6th Congressional District primary, ending a campaign that failed to gain significant traction despite backing from a lengthy roster of prominent elected officials and political figures.
In a statement to supporters, Ho acknowledged the outcome of the June 2 primary election and thanked volunteers, donors and supporters who backed his bid for Congress.
"Election Day didn't go the way we hoped," Ho wrote. "I am incredibly proud of this campaign, and I am deeply grateful to every single person who volunteered, donated, knocked doors, and believed in what we were building together."
According to the California Secretary of State's unofficial election results, Ho was running fourth in the seven-candidate field as of Wednesday afternoon. Independent incumbent Kevin Kiley held first place, followed by Republican Michael Stansfield and Democrat Richard Pan.
Ho's finish was a disappointing outcome for a candidate who entered the race with significant name recognition after winning a countywide election as Sacramento County district attorney in 2022. During the campaign, Ho secured endorsements from numerous elected officials and public safety leaders, but those endorsements failed to translate into sufficient voter support in a crowded field.
The race was viewed as one of California's most competitive congressional contests following voter-approved Proposition 50, which redrew district boundaries and made the district a key battleground for control of the U.S. House of Representatives.
In his concession message, Ho argued that his campaign faced a difficult challenge against Kiley, citing the incumbent's fundraising advantage and national Republican support network.
"We knew this race wouldn't be easy," Ho wrote. "We were up against a deep-pocketed opponent in Kevin Kiley."
Ho said he remained committed to supporting Democratic efforts to win the seat in November and pledged to continue serving the region.
"My commitment to this community does not end today," he wrote. "This region has my full focus, and I will keep fighting for the people I have always fought for."
The results mark a setback for Ho's political ambitions and underscore the challenges of congressional campaigns, where local name recognition and endorsements often carry less weight than fundraising, districtwide organization and broader voter coalitions.
California's vote-counting process will continue for several weeks as counties tabulate remaining ballots, but Ho's concession effectively ends his congressional campaign and leaves the contest for the district's two November runoff positions to the leading candidates.
