Community college professor unseats six-term Republican David Valadao
Community college professor and Democrat Randy Villegas has won California’s 22nd congressional district, unseating six-term Republican incumbent David Valadao. The Guardian described the Proposition 50-redrawn seat as the state’s only true toss-up.
The district stretches from Bakersfield to just west of Fresno. The Guardian described it as one of the country’s poorest congressional districts and the site of California’s most competitive election this year.
Villegas and Valadao shared Central Valley roots. Both are natives of the region from immigrant families with working-class or agricultural ties, which The Guardian said reflected many of the district’s constituents. Beyond those similarities, the candidates took starkly different approaches to winning.
Residents told The Guardian that healthcare and rising costs were among their leading concerns. Health coverage carried particular weight because KFF data showed the district had the second-highest rate and number of Medicaid enrollees of any congressional district.
Residents also said they were feeling the effects of cuts to the federal health insurance program passed last year through the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. The cuts became a major talking point in Villegas’s campaign against Valadao, who cast one of the bill’s decisive votes.
Corporate financing was another major factor in the election. According to federal finance reports cited by The Guardian, Valadao finished with $1.7 million in cash on hand.
OpenSecrets reported that Valadao received more than twice as much money from political action committees as the average House candidate.
Villegas, by contrast, pledged not to accept corporate campaign donations. His platform repeatedly emphasized the power of the working class. He also drew endorsements from Bernie Sanders, Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez and Dolores Huerta. His win ended Valadao’s six-term tenure and delivered the seat to Democrats.