In a significant electoral contest in California’s Central Valley, candidates from both the Democratic and Republican parties have diverged from their national platforms in an effort to secure victory in a politically competitive district.
Voters in the 22nd congressional district of California are experiencing a sense of déjà vu as Republican incumbent David Valadao faces off once again against his Democratic challenger, Rudy Salas. The stakes are particularly high in this evenly split district amidst a divided House of Representatives. According to KVPR’s Joshua Yeager, each candidate is attempting to win over voters by appealing beyond their party lines.
Campaign efforts are evident through political brochures crowding mailboxes, billboards along highways, and nonstop television advertisements. The race has been described as one of the country’s most competitive, though voter turnout in 2022 was notably low, ranking third lowest in the nation. Democratic canvassers, such as Noe Garcia, are hoping to change this trend by increasing voter participation.
Despite President Joe Biden winning this district by a significant margin in 2020 and the Democratic Party holding a 14-point advantage in registered voters, David Valadao has managed to represent the area for most of the past decade. Garcia expressed optimism that changes at the top of the Democratic ticket may entice more voters to participate this election cycle.
However, increased voter turnout does not guarantee success for the Democratic Party. Valadao is distinguished as one of the few Republicans who voted to impeach former President Donald Trump following the January 6 insurrection, a move that sets him apart from many in his party.
When discussing his choice of presidential candidate at a recent debate, Valadao declined to disclose his preference, choosing instead to focus on his own campaign and the concerns of the 22nd Congressional district. Immigration remains a key issue for the agricultural region, and Valadao has taken a balanced stance—advocating for increased border security while also supporting a pathway to citizenship for certain undocumented individuals, including DREAMers.
Rudy Salas, the Democratic challenger, has also shown independence from his party, notably opposing a controversial gas tax as a Bakersfield Assemblyman in 2017. Salas has positioned himself as a moderate choice, contrasting himself with Valadao, whom he labels as more extreme.
In the town of Shafter, local resident Sharon Nichol and her friends celebrated their long friendship at Don Pepe’s, a local Mexican restaurant. Nichol expressed her support for Valadao, not based on party affiliation, but on his potential to address issues like homelessness and crime in her rural community. Her sentiment is shared by her friends, who believe Democrats must offer compelling reasons for voters like Nichol to switch allegiance if they hope to win in this competitive district.