How a showdown between Central Valley Democrats could help the GOP keep control of Congress

On a recent Friday, state Sen. Melissa Hurtado (D-Sanger) mingled with supporters inside the Kern County firefighters’ hall, posing for pictures, chitchatting about politics and raising $36 apiece from those seeking to elect her to replace the area’s Republican congressman.

That same night, 30 miles north up State Route 99, Rudy Salas, a former Democratic member of the state Assembly and current Cal State Bakersfield professor, handed out hats and work boots as part of a food and clothing drive at the Forty Acres, United Farm Workers’ historic former headquarters in Delano. He was there to remind them that he was running for Congress once again.

Either would seem to be a solid choice for the Central Valley’s 22nd Congressional District, where the Democratic Party far outweighs the GOP in voter registration. But the Republican incumbent, Rep. David Valadao of Hanford, has proven formidable.

The fight between the two prominent Democrats to unseat Valadao has become so fierce that there is a possibility neither will survive the March 5 primary, ensuring a Republican will hold a congressional seat considered pivotal in determining which party controls the House of Representatives.


https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2024-02-29/in-the-central-valley-two-democrats-face-off-to-decide-who-will-take-on-a-republican-incumbent?sfmc_id=65207012720486302919a491&skey_id=b9fed7f932e55c3f78be5261693c625e97a6df29e0881267876e7c3e53a2a926&utm_id=34515813&utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=NLTR-Email-List-Essential%20California&utm_term=Newsletter%20-%20Essential%20California