Democratic Candidate Aims for House Seat That Shifted Almost 20 Points Toward Trump

California Congressional Race Heating Up

Democrat Senator Jasmeet Baines from California is gearing up to take on Republican Senator David Valadao in the upcoming 2026 election, as the political landscape in the Baradao district shifts further right.

Baines, a Family Medicine and Addiction Physician, is set to launch her campaign for California’s 22nd Congressional District this month, according to reports. The state legislator has already initiated ads urging constituents to oppose former President Donald Trump’s significant legislation. Notably, Valadao cast his vote just last Thursday on this matter.

“I’m trying to see as many patients as possible because Congress seems intent on reducing their medical care,” Baines stated in an ad funded by a group named Health Care Saves Lives. This group focuses on highlighting the California Medicaid program’s critical role.

Baines has served Kern County in the state legislature since 2023 and currently holds the position of chief medical officer for the Central Valley of the California Medical Assistance Team, which manages emergency medical services across the state.

Interestingly, Baines was the sole Democrat in the state legislature to oppose a gas price gouging bill aimed at oil companies in 2023. Despite the bill’s support and eventual signing by Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom, her dissent led to her temporary removal from the Business and Occupational Committee by then-Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon.

In a post on X, Baines emphasized her commitment to her constituents, stating, “I would never throw my constituents under the bus.” She articulated her reasons for opposing the gas tax, especially considering Kern County’s deep ties to the oil industry.

The 22nd Congressional District spans from Bakersfield to Tulare County, with the population being over 70% Hispanic. There have been significant shifts to the right in voter sentiment; in the 2020 elections, Biden won by 13 points, but in 2024, Trump managed to defeat former Vice President Kamala Harris by 6 points, as reported by the California Secretary’s Office.

Valadao, who has been in Congress since 2013, initially distanced himself from Trump in the 2016 election. However, he has won back his seat in 2020 after losing it to Democrat TJ Cox in 2018, and he has also been involved in discussions surrounding potential legislation affecting Medicaid and rural hospitals, which are critical to his district’s farming community.

He mentioned in a recent statement, “I come to Congress as the voice of our community, advocating for provisions that support our agriculture and tax incentives for clean energy.” He also asserted that the proposed legislation would protect essential Medicaid services for vulnerable populations like children and seniors.

In addition, Valadao is facing competition from other Democratic hopefuls, including Randy Villegas from the Democratic Education Board of Visalia and state lawmaker Rudy Salas, both of whom have declared their intention to run in 2026 after previous defeats by Valadao.

California employs a top-two all-party primary system for congressional elections, allowing the top two candidates, regardless of party affiliation, to advance to the general election.