The 8th district from 2013-2023 was located in a politically conservative region of the state with a "Strongly Republican" Cook Partisan Voting Index of R+10.

The Cook Political Report ranked it the 87th most Republican-leaning congressional district in the United States.

[5] As of 2023, California's 8th congressional district was significantly changed, now being located between the Sacramento and San Joaquin Valleys.

The 8th district takes in the north side of the cities of Antioch and Martinez, the cities of Pittsburg, Richmond, San Pablo, El Cerrito, Pinole, and Hercules and the census-designated places Kensington, East Richmond Heights, North Richmond, Rollingwood, El Sobrante, Montalvin Manor, Tara Hills, Bayview, Rodeo, Crockett, Port Costa, and Bay Point.

They are partitioned by Soda Springs Rd, Union Pacific, Alamo Dr, Leisure Town Rd, Hawkins Rd, Bay Area Exxextric, Shilo Rd, Collinsville Rd, and Montezuma Slough.