Congressional District 22 Primary Advances Valadao to November — Two Democrats Fought for Second Spot

The June 2 primary delivered its first major result Tuesday night: incumbent Rep. David Valadao (R) will advance to November’s general election for U.S. House in California’s 22nd Congressional District, ABC News projected. The remaining question — which Democrat takes the second slot — hinged on a clash between state assemblymember Jasmeet Bains and Visalia School Board member Randy Villegas.

The race carries unusual weight. California’s jungle primary system sends the top two vote-getters forward regardless of party, meaning two Democrats could have faced off in November. That possibility mattered not only locally but nationally — the general election will decide the balance of power in Congress during President Trump’s midterm.

The district itself has shifted. Proposition 50 allowed redrawing of California’s congressional map through 2030. Previously spanning parts of Kings, Tulare, Fresno, and Kern counties, the redrawn 22nd now includes portions of western Fresno, Madera, and eastern Bakersfield. That shift moved the seat from toss-up to slightly favoring Democrats — though November is still expected to be competitive.

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Valadao, one of the last Republicans who voted in favor of Trump’s second impeachment, has lost his seat only once in seven congressional runs. The Democratic side split between Bains, considered one of the more moderate Democrats in the Assembly, and Villegas, backed by progressive leaders including Sen. Bernie Sanders and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. The California Democratic Party declined to endorse either.

The Breakdown

• Valadao (R) advances to the November general election for U.S. House District 22, ABC News projected Tuesday night.
• The primary will determine which of two Democrats — Jasmeet Bains or Randy Villegas — takes the second November slot under California’s jungle primary system, where the top two vote-getters advance regardless of party.
• The redrawn district now slightly favors Democrats after adding portions of western Fresno, Madera, and eastern Bakersfield under Proposition 50’s redistricting authority.
• The November race will help decide the balance of power in Congress during Trump’s midterm.

What This Means for You

This primary determined which candidate you’ll see on your November ballot opposite Valadao — a decision that shapes what kind of choice you’ll face in a race that could shift the House majority. Whether you’re looking at a moderate Democrat versus a Trump-impeachment Republican or a progressive versus that same incumbent, the policy contrast changes materially. The redrawn district now leans slightly Democratic but remains competitive — the kind of margin where turnout and persuasion actually decide the outcome, not just party registration.

What to Watch

The Democratic split in this primary reflects a contrast between moderate and progressive messaging in a Central Valley district that includes both Bakersfield and parts of Fresno. Whichever Democrat advances, November’s framing will be instructive: does the party run on bipartisan credibility in this competitive district, or does it bet that a clearer contrast with Valadao’s impeachment vote and Republican record will turn out enough base voters to overcome registration disadvantages? The answer matters beyond this seat — if a progressive wins the primary and then either wins or runs competitively in November, that shifts the calculus for how Democrats approach similar districts statewide.