Democrat Randy Villegas is projected to advance to the general election in California's 22nd congressional district, where he will face Republican incumbent David Valadao. The party establishment is now uniting behind Villegas, a progressive candidate they initially shunned.
The race is considered a crucial battleground that could impact partisan control of the U.S. House of Representatives, with the Democratic establishment now rallying behind a progressive candidate they previously opposed.
Democrat Randy Villegas, a progressive backed by Bernie Sanders and advocating for single-payer healthcare, is projected to advance to the general election in California's 22nd congressional district. He defeated state Assemblymember Jasmeet Bains, a more moderate Democrat, despite efforts by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee to support Bains. The DCCC's intervention reportedly caused friction among House Democrats. Republicans, including the GOP Congressional Leadership Fund, appear to favor Villegas as an opponent for incumbent Republican Rep. David Valadao, believing he would be a weaker candidate. The district, located in California's Central Valley, was redrawn to be more favorable to Democrats and was won by Donald Trump by 1.8 points in the last presidential cycle. Valadao secured less than 41% of the votes counted by Tuesday evening, despite being the sole Republican candidate.
The party establishment is now uniting to support Villegas, a progressive candidate they initially shunned.