Republican Rep. David Valadao and Democratic Rep. Rudy Salas are scheduled to face off in November in California’s 22nd Congressional District, a rematch of their previous close race.
The district runs through California’s Central Valley farmland, including part of Bakersfield. Considered one of the most competitive U.S. House races in the state, a few close races could be key to determining which party controls the chamber.
In 2022, Mr. Valadao defeated Mr. Salas by less than 4,000 votes.
2024 California Key Results
Democrats hold a 16-point lead over Republicans among registered voters. However, Valadao held his seat from 2013 to 2019, was disqualified for one term, and regained his seat in 2020. Since Valadao was first elected, the district boundaries have changed slightly due to redistricting.
UNITED STATES – MAY 12: Congressman David Valadao (R-Calif.) speaks during a press conference on the Protected Investments Act outside the Capitol on Thursday, May 12, 2022. (Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call, Inc, via Getty Images)
Valadao and Salas defeated Republican Chris Mathis and Democrat Melissa Hurtado in the primary. California puts all candidates, regardless of party, on one primary ballot, and the two candidates with the most votes advance to the general election.
In the weeks leading up to the primary, Democrats worried that splitting the vote between Salas and Hurtado could lock them out of the general election. Salas, a former state representative, was flanked by the state’s Democratic Party and other prominent leaders, including California Governor Gavin Newsom and former U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. But Hurtado, who is currently a state senator, is also well known in the district.
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“I’m really grateful to the voters who helped me in another important election, and I’m grateful to all the volunteers who worked so hard to get here,” Salas said. This was said in a statement posted on Twitter (formerly known as Twitter).
