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● InformationalElections / Campaigns

A key congressional race in California will test progressives' appeal in a Republican district

Valadao finished first in the primary and will face Villegas in the general election.

A key congressional race in California will test progressives' appeal in a Republican district
Image · ABC News

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Outlet credibilityABC News85/100 HIGH
This article1 analysis · Oct 5, 2026
ABC News
Jun 11, 2026
tl;dr

Randy Villegas won the Democratic primary and will face Republican Rep. David Valadao in a California Central Valley House race that the article frames as a test of progressive candidates’ appeal in a Republican-leaning district.

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VOTING CLOSED
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David G. Valadao R · CA-22
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No good or bad look here

This story reports what happened without casting Valadao in a good or bad light, so readers don’t rate it and it doesn’t count toward Valadao’s record.

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People in this story

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Republican incumbent and general-election opponent of Randy Villegas

PRIMARY SUBJECT

Democratic nominee challenging David Valadao for the House seat

Villegas's version of this story ↗

Representative running in Michigan’s Democratic Senate primary

Michigan state senator running in the Democratic Senate primary

Democratic House candidate in Colorado’s primary

Donald Trump
R · President of the United States

President whose policies the article says Democrats seek to slow

Bernie Sanders
I · VT · SEN

Senator whose presidential campaign Our Revolution grew out of

California state assembly member and candidate backed by the DCCC in the primary

Angie Craig
D · MN-2

Representative running in Minnesota’s Democratic Senate primary

DCCC chair who publicly supported Jasmeet Bains before the California primary

Chuck Schumer
D · NY · SEN

Senate Minority Leader whose preferred Maine Senate candidate is discussed

Progressive candidate in Michigan’s Democratic Senate primary

Minnesota lieutenant governor and Senate candidate

Democratic Senate primary winner in Maine

Maine governor and former Democratic Senate candidate

Gabe Evans
R · CO-8

Republican representative and prospective general-election opponent in Colorado

Democratic House candidate in Colorado’s primary

Part of a bigger story

9 OUTLETS
Villegas Wins Primary to Face Valadao in November

Randy Villegas won California’s Democratic primary, setting up a November House race against incumbent Rep. David Valadao. Center outlets largely frame the matchup as a test of progressive candidates’ appeal in a traditionally Republican district. Coverage also considers redistricting’s potential effect on Democratic prospects and, in one article, Medicaid funding.

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