LOS ANGELES — Rep. David Valadao (R-CA), a Republican incumbent who faced a tougher challenge in a redrawn district, advanced to the general election on Tuesday for California’s 22nd Congressional District.
With roughly 54% of the vote counted as of early Wednesday morning, Valadao was at 44.5% with 17,763 votes, according to the Associated Press. Two Democrats, Randy Villegas and Jasmeet Bains, are battling for second place and the right to advance to the general election against Valadao. Villegas was at 29.8% with 11,894 votes while Bails was at 25.6% and 10,222 votes.
The top two vote getters overall, regardless of political party, advance to the general election. The race for California’s 22nd Congressional District is considered one of the most competitive nationwide.
Valadao, a moderate Republican who was first elected to Congress in 2012, has been a long-sought target for Democrats, who have held a sizable registration advantage in his district. Valadao had emphasized his support for immigration reform in the past only to be voted out of office when the blue wave of 2018 hit. He won it back in 2020. Two years ago, he kept his seat in a hard-fought race, making him one of two House Republicans who supported the impeachment of President Donald Trump and still held their seats.
Valadao, who has roots as a dairy farmer, has called mid-decade redistricting that redrew is histrict despicable, and has blasted Gov. Gavin Newsom (D-CA) for spearheading the ballot measure.
Valadao told the Washington Examiner that “instead of doing his job as a governor and actually functioning as an adult, he’s chosen political fights.”
As for the other two candidates seeking to join Valadao in the general election, both are children of immigrants. Bains is a physician who works at a clinic in Delano and is the daughter of Indian immigrants. She made history as the first South Asian woman elected to the California legislature. Meanwhile, Villegas is the son of Mexican immigrants. He earned the backing of progressive figures including Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and emerged as a formidable challenger despite facing a candidate favored by national Democrats.
REP. VALADAO TELLS NEWSOM TO ACT LIKE ‘AN ADULT’ AND GOVERN, NOT PUSH PROPOSITION 50
Earlier this cycle, the DCCC added Bains to its “Red to Blue” program, which provides fundraising and organizational support to candidates running in competitive House races. The move angered some local Democratic leaders, who said national party officials had previously indicated they would remain neutral until after the primary. The DCCC’s decision to back Bains intensified tensions within the party and added fuel to an already competitive primary battle.
REP. VALADAO TELLS NEWSOM TO ACT LIKE ‘AN ADULT’ AND GOVERN, NOT PUSH PROPOSITION 50
Running on a pledge not to accept corporate campaign contributions, Villegas exceeded expectations by outraising Bains and securing endorsements from Democratic Party chairs in all four counties that make up the district. Those local leaders credited his grassroots campaign with energizing voters frustrated by rising living costs, a weak job market, and concerns over cuts to government-funded healthcare programs.
