Democrat Randy Villegas Unseats Republican David Valadao in CA-22

Democrat Randy Villegas, a community college professor and school district trustee, defeated six-term Republican incumbent David Valadao to win the seat for California's 22nd Congressional District. Preliminary results from the California Secretary of State’s Office showed Villegas with 66.4% of the vote compared to Valadao's 33.6%.

Villegas ran a grassroots campaign focused on affordability, immigration, and protecting social safety nets. He specifically targeted Valadao's support for House Resolution 1, arguing that the bill threatened Medicaid and SNAP benefits in a district where 40% of the population relies on Medicaid. Despite receiving fewer large-dollar contributions than Valadao and facing over $6 million in spending from outside groups, Villegas utilized a superior small-dollar fundraising network to secure the win.

Valadao attributed the loss in part to secret immigration enforcement actions by the administration and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, which he claimed harmed Republican prospects. The race was previously identified by House Speaker Mike Johnson as a critical contest for the Republican majority.

Villegas's victory occurred alongside broader Democratic gains that reclaimed control of both the U.S. House and Senate. Valadao's departure, combined with the retirement of Representative Dan Newhouse, marks the final exit from office of the House Republicans who voted to impeach former President Donald Trump following the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot.