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TULARE COUNTY, Calif. — California’s 22nd Congressional District race has become one of the most closely watched contests in the 2026 midterm election, which could help determine control of the U.S. House of Representatives.
Incumbent Rep. David Valadao (R) is seeking a seventh term against former Visalia School Board member Randy Villegas (D).
Valadao lost the seat previously in 2018 but got it back in 2020 and has held onto it since.
The race has been competitive to the point where both candidates have raised more than $11.5 million combined.
In its last ratings before the election, the Cook Political Report ranked District 22 as the only true toss-up race in California, meaning there is no clear leader in the race.
“Mr. Valadao’s district is one of the ones targeted and of one of the districts that California re-districted early in the year to make Mr. Valadao even more vulnerable,” said Fresno State political science professor Dr. Thomas Holyoke.
California is using a new congressional map that voters approved back in 2025, which redrew its districts to be more favorable for Democrats in response to Republican efforts in other states.
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