Primary Results Too Close to Call in Key Valley Swing Congressional District

One of the most competitive Congressional districts in California remains too close to call after Tuesday’s primary election. Incumbent Republican Congressman David Valadao is almost certain to advance to the November general election, having held his seat in nearly every election since 2012.

As of 11 p.m. Tuesday, Valadao led with 44% of the vote.

The uncertainty lies in which Democrat will join him on the ballot: Assemblymember Jasmeet Bains, a family doctor, or college professor and school board member Randy Villegas. Bains, who has made moderate votes in the state legislature, is endorsed by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.

Villegas, a teacher at College of the Sequoias and a trustee of the Visalia Unified School District, labels himself a “populist” and has received endorsements from Senator Bernie Sanders and Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. With 30% of the vote, Villegas held a narrow lead over Bains at 26%, but tens of thousands of ballots remain uncounted.

None of the candidates commented on the preliminary results Tuesday night. Earlier in the evening, Bains canceled her election watch party at a union hall in Bakersfield due to a nearby hostage situation at a Chase Bank.

A section of downtown Bakersfield was closed as police, FBI, and Department of Homeland Security negotiators worked to resolve the incident. “My thoughts are with all of the families impacted by this concerning situation,” Bains said in a press release.

The situation was still unfolding as of publication. Statewide redistricting last year increased the Democratic voter advantage in District 22, and party leaders see the seat as crucial for winning back Congress.

The top two vote-getters, regardless of party, advance to the general election. Final results may take days or weeks.