Republican Rep. Valadao wins California Central Valley vote

[Omaha Steve]

Source: AP

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — Republican U.S. Rep. David Valadao has defeated Democrat Rudy Salas in a Central Valley district, overcoming a strong Democratic registration advantage and fallout from his vote to impeach then-President Donald Trump.

With 98% of the ballots counted Monday night, Valadao had 52% of the votes to 48% for Salas, or a margin of about 4,500 votes.

Valadao was one of 10 House Republicans who voted to impeach Trump after the Jan. 6 Capitol insurrection. He is one of only two of those 10 to be reelected, along with Republican Rep. Dan Newhouse of Washington. Others retired or were defeated by Trump-endorsed primary challengers.

Democrats hold a staggering 17-point registration edge in the 22nd District in the state’s farm belt. But Valadao, who was never a Trump loyalist, has highlighted a bipartisan streak to win in left-leaning districts before. He held his seat from 2013 until January 2019, lost it for a term, then won it back in a 2020 rematch with Democrat T.J. Cox.



FILE - U.S. Rep. David Valadao, R-Calif., poses during a ceremonial re-enactment of his swearing-in ceremony in the Rayburn Room on Capitol Hill in Washington on Jan. 6, 2015. Valadao has defeated Democrat Rudy Salas in a Central Valley district, overcoming a strong Democratic registration advantage and fallout from his vote to impeach then-President Donald Trump. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin, File)


Read more: https://apnews.com/article/california-donald-trump-voter-registration-david-valadao-dan-newhouse-216d0f43fe68a22222f175d2a8a94daa

[Polybius]

1. What number are they up to now?

Is this 219?

[FBaggins]

2. Depends on how you count the Colorado race

220 if you assume the concession is enough to “call” the race.

Three races to go. One in Alaska that should be ours… two in California where we’re currently behind

[moose65]

3. Ugh

I don't know anything about Valadao, really, but a district that has a 17-point Democratic advantage in registration should NOT be held by a Republican, no matter how "independent" he may be.

Maybe this is one we can pick up in 2024.

[onetexan]

4. The GOP wins in CA & NY are worrisome

Dems need to get their act together & not assume these states are solidly blue. They need to invest & support the seats & candidates going fwd.

[Sucha NastyWoman]

7. But it's a zero sum game

If they put money here they have to take it from somewhere else that may need it also.

They don’t have unlimited finds.

[ananda]

5. How on earth did he win in a Dem district?

???

[onenote]

9. He's held that seat since 2012

Except from 2018-2020, when he lost by 800 votes in the blue wave. He won the seat back in 2020. He voted to impeach trump.

[peppertree]

8. Another "concerned" imp, that'll fall in line with whatever the Sedition Caucus wants

Here's a balloon.

[oasis]

10. K and R