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Federal · Statewide General Election

United States Representative, District 22

Draft candidate list — early preview until the state’s official list publishes on August 27, 2026.

This is one contest. Enter your address to see every race on your November ballot, and keep track of your picks.

On the ballot

This person holds your district's seat in the U.S. House of Representatives (2-year term).

Representative David G. Valadao led the June 2 primary with 40.7% and Democrat Randy Villegas took 32.4%. The two campaigns have raised more than $7.5 million between them — the most expensive congressional contest on this ballot. The district covers Kings County and part of the southern San Joaquin Valley.

The winner holds one of 435 seats in the U.S. House for a two-year term. A member introduces bills, sits on committees that shape federal legislation, votes on the federal budget and on war powers, and handles casework between constituents and federal agencies. Seniority governs committee standing, so a longer-serving member carries influence a newcomer cannot.

This is among the most contested House seats in the state and the money reflects it. The two campaigns are funded very differently: the incumbent's largest single source is PACs and committees at $1.91 million, while the challenger's is individuals at $2.40 million. Weigh a decade of federal seniority against a challenger with an unusually broad individual base.

David G. Valadao

Republican, the sitting Representative for this district since 2013. He has sponsored 32 bills in the 119th Congress, and 1 of his career bills has become law. He raised $4,927,602, including $1,911,533 from PACs and committees and $1,423,592 from individuals.

Strengths

More than a decade of federal seniority and the largest campaign in this contest.

Trade-offs

His single largest funding source is PACs and committees; and one career bill enacted is a thin legislative return even by House standards.

Keep in mind

He took only 40.7% in his own primary, short of a majority, in a district his party is defending.

Randy Villegas

Democrat, who advanced with 32.4% of the June vote. He raised $2,645,560, of which $2,396,296 came from individuals and $190,098 from PACs and committees. He has not served in the California Legislature or U.S. Congress.

Strengths

More than $2.6 million raised as a first-time candidate, 91% of it from named individuals rather than institutional committees.

Trade-offs

He finished more than eight points behind, and has no record in office to be judged on.

Keep in mind

Coverage surfaced little detail about his platform; what we can document is the scale and composition of his campaign, not what he would do in office.

Record in office

David G. Valadao (Republican) has served in the U.S. House since 2013 and has sponsored 34 bills in the 119th Congress; 1 of their career bills have become law. Randy Villegas has not served in the California Legislature or U.S. Congress; these records cover only those offices. Per Congress.gov and the public-domain congress-legislators roster, retrieved 2026-08-10.

Record details

Valadao — Committees: Agriculture; Appropriations Valadao — HR 624 (2017): Social Security Number Fraud Prevention Act of 2017 Committee assignments and the most recently signed-into-law bills each record-holder lead-authored, from the official legislative record.

Financial info

David G. Valadao

$4,927,602raised
  • Individuals$1,423,59243%
  • PACs & committees$1,911,53357%
  • Party$10,000<1%

Randy Villegas

$2,645,560raised
  • Individuals$2,396,29693%
  • PACs & committees$190,0987%

Total raised is all receipts for the 2026 cycle; the breakdown lists direct contributions, so the pieces can sum below the total. Figures are FEC filings through June 30, 2026, per the FEC bulk campaign-finance summaries, retrieved 2026-08-22.

June 2 primary — how they advanced

David G. Valadao (Republican)40.7% · 32,491 votes
Randy Villegas (Democratic)32.4% · 25,808 votes
Jasmeet Bains (Democratic)26.9% · 21,458 votes
Source review: Very strong (95/100) · 5 cited sources

Official records anchor this contest, with multiple sources checked.

Last updated August 11, 2026.