Bera challenged three-term Republican incumbent Dan Lungren in the general election for California's 3rd congressional district.
He ran unopposed for the Democratic nomination in California's 3rd congressional district.
He raised more money than incumbent Dan Lungren for the five quarters through mid-2010, making him the only Democratic challenger with more cash than a sitting Republican member of the House.
Bera was one of 17 candidates the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee targeted to take over Republican-held or open seats in 2010.

Lungren was the only incumbent Republican whose race was rated as a "tossup" by CQ Politics, but was later rated back to "Lean GOP" in the final days before the election; and the district was considered competitive by both parties.
Polling by the liberal website Daily Kos in September 2010 showed Lungren leading Bera, 46%–38%.
Bera cited health care, education and economic recovery among his top legislative priorities.
In November, Lungren won re-election, defeating Bera 51%–43%.

In 2010, after Bera accepted a $250 donation from Basim Elkarra, Executive Director of the Sacramento chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the California Republican Party called on him to return the money.
Bera returned the money after these concerns were raised.
Bera was criticized because he "succumbed to the growing national hysteria about Islam in America and the NRCC's fear-mongering, in particular."
Bera challenged three-term Republican incumbent Dan Lungren in the general election for California's 3rd congressional district. He ran unopposed for the Democratic nomination in California's 3rd congressional district. He raised more money than incumbent Dan Lungren for the five quarters through mid-2010, making him the only Democratic challenger with more cash than a sitting Republican member of the House. Bera was one of 17 candidates the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee targeted to take over Republican-held or open seats in 2010.
Lungren was the only incumbent Republican whose race was rated as a "tossup" by CQ Politics, but was later rated back to "Lean GOP" in the final days before the election; and the district was considered competitive by both parties. Polling by the liberal website Daily Kos in September 2010 showed Lungren leading Bera, 46%–38%. Bera cited health care, education and economic recovery among his top legislative priorities. In November, Lungren won re-election, defeating Bera 51%–43%.
In 2010, after Bera accepted a $250 donation from Basim Elkarra, Executive Director of the Sacramento chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the California Republican Party called on him to return the money. Bera returned the money after these concerns were raised. Bera was criticized because he "succumbed to the growing national hysteria about Islam in America and the NRCC's fear-mongering, in particular."
Ami Bera