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Republican

Incumbent

David Valadao

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Republican

Incumbent

David Valadao

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CA-22 primary: first place

$783.55

JUN 6, 2026

Primary Election

Party selects its nominee.

Overview

Current roleU.S. Representative

PartyRepublican

Political ideologyModerate Republican

Age49 years old (Apr 14, 1977)

GenderMale

LocationCalifornia

BackgroundPolitician

EducationHanford High School

Notable personal detailsDavid Goncalves Valadao is a Republican U.S. Representative from California and a Central Valley dairy farmer. He was born and raised in Hanford, California, and attended the College of the Sequoias. He previously served in the California State Assembly (2010–2012) and was first elected to the U.S. House in 2012.

SourcesShow

valadao.house.gov govinfo.gov en.wikipedia.org wikidata.org thesungazette.com axios.com opencampaign.com fec.gov committoflipblue.com politicalcandidatedirectory.com commons.wikimedia.org kqed.org uschamber.com justfacts.votesmart.org valadaoforcongress.com latimes.com hanfordsentinel.com ontheissues.org gvwire.com congress.gov dccc.org legistorm.com sjvsun.com foxnews.com apnews.com cbsnews.com ballotready.org washingtonpost.com abcnews.go.com seattletimes.com history.house.gov house.gov developer.ballotpedia.org voterguide.ballotpedia.org cba.ballotpedia.org cha.house.gov cdn.ballotpedia.org clerk.house.gov ziplook.house.gov webster.house.gov

Positions

LiberalConservative

Economy & Taxes

Supports tax cuts and pro-growth business tax provisions and voted in favor of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act; has worked to extend TCJA business provisions. Shows some caution about deep entitlement cuts (Medicaid) for his district but overall favors lower taxes and business-friendly tax policy.

Healthcare

Supports market-based healthcare reforms and keeping healthcare decisions between patients and doctors rather than the federal government; has voted repeatedly for repeal/rollback of the Affordable Care Act but has also supported targeted federal assistance for hospitals and recent extensions of ACA premium subsidies. Positions emphasize expanding competitive choices and lowering costs while preserving coverage for vulnerable populations through targeted programs.

Immigration & Border

Supports comprehensive immigration reform including a pathway to citizenship and protections for Dreamers while also backing measures to secure the border and enforcement tools; emphasizes balancing humane treatment of families and the needs of agricultural employers with border security.

Abortion & Reproductive Rights

The candidate has supported federal personhood-style legislation and has voted against bills that would protect or codify abortion and contraception access; he cosponsored the Life at Conception Act which declares constitutional protection from conception. He has also said he supports some exceptions (rape, incest, and to protect the life of the mother).

Climate & Energy

Supports an all-of-the-above energy approach that expands domestic oil and gas production and reduces regulatory barriers while acknowledging renewable development; has advocated increasing California energy production to lower costs and boost jobs rather than immediately phasing out fossil fuels.

Public Safety & Guns

The candidate has voted against major federal gun-reform bills such as expanded background checks and the 2022 Protecting Our Kids Act while supporting measures to fund and equip local police. He cosponsored the Invest to Protect Act to provide grants for police training, body cameras, and recruitment. Overall his record favors law enforcement support and opposes several high-profile new firearm restrictions.

News

AINews Summary

Last updatedJun 9, 2026

David Valadao is in the news because California’s 22nd Congressional District primary is still being counted, and his runoff spot is set while the Democratic finalist remains undecided. The race is being described as very close, with later-counted ballots still able to affect the final outcome. Recent reports also say the newly redrawn district remains a toss-up and one of the most competitive House races in California.

valadao.house.gov+39

Articles

WEWashington Examiner6 days ago