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Republican Rep. David Valadao once again fended off Democratic challenger Rudy Salas to retain his seat representing California’s 22nd Congressional District in the Central Valley.
Valadao’s victory strengthens Republicans’ efforts to maintain a majority in the U.S. House of Representatives and moves them closer to controlling both arms of Congress after flipping the U.S. Senate last week.
The Associated Press called Valadao’s District 22 race Tuesday night, but official results will take more time. After Valadao’s victory, Republicans will need two more seats to gain a majority in the House. There are still about a dozen seats left to be called.
The race for the 22nd Congressional District was one of several seats in California considered crucial in determining which party controls the House of Representatives. Many races are won by close margins. Both parties have invested heavily in the district, pouring millions of dollars into advertising.
The rural swing district stretches across parts of Kern, Kings and Tulare counties and includes south Hanford to Bakersfield. The economy is centered on agriculture, and more than 70% of the residents are Latino. Here, 43% of voters are registered as Democrats, while 26% are registered as Republicans and 23% have not chosen a party. The Central Valley is home to many conservative Democrats who often vote differently than people in liberal metropolitan areas like Los Angeles and the Bay Area.
The district has long been represented by Valadao, who was first elected in 2012, lost in 2018, and regained his seat in 2020. Valadao was considered a weak Republican because he was one of the few sitting members of Congress to vote in favor of impeachment at the time. -President Trump took office in 2021 and refused to endorse the Republican presidential candidate in this election. With former President Trump winning the presidential election, Valadao’s position in Congress is attracting attention.
Two Congressional candidates held opposing views on abortion rights. While in Congress, Salas supported a 2022 statewide ballot measure that enshrined contraception and abortion rights into the California Constitution. Valadao previously co-sponsored the failed House bill, the Lifetime Conception Act, which would have banned abortion nationwide without exception. He has since pivoted to supporting exceptions in cases of rape, incest and when the mother’s life is in danger. In an interview with the Times, Valadao said abortion is not a big topic in his district, insisting that it is “not an issue” for Californians.
Candidates come from various parts of the Central Valley’s agricultural region. Mr. Valadao is a dairy farmer of Portuguese descent, while Mr. Salas grew up in a family of Latino farm workers. Valadao touted his career in Congress and cited funding he secured for local projects and police departments to show his support for the community.
Mr. Salas served in the California State Legislature for 10 years before becoming a political science instructor at California State University, Bakersfield. He told the Times earlier this year that he decided to run again because he felt residents were excited about the prospect of change.
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