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.
