Local Politics · Kern County
Progressive Villegas Challenges Incumbent Valadao in CA-22 Congressional Race
Randy Villegas, a Bakersfield-born community college professor endorsed by Sen. Bernie Sanders and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, is challenging Republican Rep. David Valadao of Hanford for California's 22nd Congressional District seat in the southern San Joaquin Valley. Villegas campaigns on Medicare For All and universal childcare while Valadao defends his vote for H.R. 1 (the One Big Beautiful Bill Act), which is expected to cause tens of thousands in the district to lose Medi-Cal coverage under stricter eligibility rules. California's Proposition 50 redrew boundaries, further increasing Democrats' registration advantage in the majority-Latino district. Valadao, who has won six of seven elections since 2012, maintains a fundraising advantage backed by Republican PACs while Villegas relies on grassroots organizing.