Progressive Randy Villegas to face Rep. David Valadao in key California congressional race

Mathew Miranda, The Sacramento Bee on Jun 10, 2026

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SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Progressive Democrat Randy Villegas has secured his spot in the general election and will battle Republican Rep. David Valadao for one of the nation’s most critical House races.

Villegas clinched the second-place finish for California’s 22nd District Tuesday afternoon following the latest primary election update, according to The Associated Press. He had captured 32.1% of the vote, compared to 27.2% for fellow Democrat Assembly member Jasmeet Bains. Valadao, who officially advanced last week, had 40.7%.

The outcome caps one of California’s most ferocious congressional primaries, a contest that reflected the broader struggle between the Democratic Party’s moderate and progressive wings.

Villegas built grassroots support in the heavily Latino, working-class district, running on policies such as Medicare for All and not accepting corporate money. Bains, backed by Democratic Party leaders and major labor organizations, ran as a more moderate Democrat with a healthcare background who occasionally broke with her party on Assembly votes. Both had raised similar amounts of money.

“Voters in the Central Valley have spoken and they have declared that the valley is not for sale,” Villegas said in a written statement Tuesday. “Despite the onslaught of outside corporate money spent against us, we have shown that working people are ready for change. We are ready for the government to work for us, not just the wealthy and well-connected.”

Bains’ campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Her loss is a blow to Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, an influential fundraising arm for House Democrats, who threw its support behind her last month. The move drew criticism from progressive and Hispanic Democrats who argued the DCCC was unfairly trying to tip the scales in the race.

Axios reported Tuesday that some Democrats were threatening to withhold dues from the group because of the Central Valley race intervention. The DCCC is expected to quickly pivot and back Villegas. The 22nd District is widely seen as crucial to determining which party controls the House.

The National Republican Congressional Committee — the campaign arm of House Republicans — quickly seized on Villegas’ victory by pointing to the DCCC’s support for Bains.

“Don’t just take it from us; take it from national Democrats themselves: They have no shot in CA-22 with radical socialist Randy Villegas,” said NRCC spokesperson Christian Martinez. “They tried to sink him. They failed.”

Valadao has largely withstood challengers in the Democratic-leaning Central Valley swing district since he entered Congress in 2012. He faces new challenges this year, however, including changes from Proposition 50’s redistricting, criticism from his key vote to cut Medicare and declining approval ratings for President Donald Trump.

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