Rep. David Valadao (R-Calif.) will be elected to represent his district in Congress for another term, a key victory for Republicans as they seek to maintain their narrow House majority, and Policy Desk. This is a project of the headquarters.
Valadao defeated Democrat Rudy Salas in a rematch of the 2022 race for California's 22nd Congressional District. His victory is particularly noteworthy. That's because he's running in a district that voted comfortably for President Biden in 2020, making him a prime target for Democrats.
And with Vice President Harris expected to carry the district, he will likely have to rely on split votes again. One poll in October showed her leading former President Trump by 14 points.
Valadao only beat Salas by three points two years ago, but was able to hang on for another term. Mr. Salas is a former member of the California State Assembly.
Valadao's victory is notable because he is one of only two remaining House Republicans to vote to impeach Trump after the January 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol. Another is Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-Wash.), who won re-election early Thursday, according to Decision Desk/The Hill HQ.
Eight other House Republicans who voted to impeach Trump either declined to run for re-election or lost in the 2022 midterm elections. Mr. Trump elevated several of these members to become major opponents, but he placed less emphasis on ousting Mr. Valadao.
