NEWS & PRESS

Following the tragic shooting of Lorenzo Salgado Araujo by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer, Randy Villegas, candidate for Congress in California’s 22nd District, released the following statement:

Today, Randy Villegas, candidate for Congress in California’s 22nd District, joined advocates and labor leaders outside Republican David Valadao’s office to demand accountability for his deciding vote to cut healthcare for tens of thousands of working people in the Central Valley – the most of any district in the country. 

Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi, Senator Adam Schiff, Senator Alex Padilla, House Democratic Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar (CA-33), and Representative Zoe Lofgren (CA-18), Chair of the California Democratic Congressional Delegation announced their endorsement of Randy Villegas in a show of unity among top California and national Democrats following his primary victory in California’s 22nd Congressional District.

Today, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) announced that Randy Villegas has been added to its highly competitive ‘Red to Blue’ program, following his primary victory in California’s 22nd Congressional District. 

Randy Villegas is advancing to the general election in November to face Republican David Valadao. These primary results make clear that Valadao is more vulnerable than ever after receiving barely 40% of the total votes. Despite an onslaught of outside dark money groups and special interests attacking him, Randy Villegas, the son of working class immigrants who worked in his family’s auto shop, will be running in the general election to be a voice for working families in D.C.

In California’s Central Valley, Randy Villegas is hoping to win back Latino voters who cast ballots for Trump.

At campaign stops across California’s Central Valley, Randy Villegas asks a simple question: Do you or someone you know drive to Tijuana to get medicine or fix your teeth? Almost inevitably, hands go up.

The DCCC’s handpicked candidate Jasmeet Bains can’t be bothered to show up to work to protect our community. Today, Bains failed to show up and vote for AB 2230, which would require federal agents, including ICE, to have a warrant to enter child care centers and polling sites.

A new fact check from KGET of various misleading attack ads against Central Valley native and Congressional candidate, Randy Villegas, finds inaccuracies in the claims. The ads, which are part of a $500,000 blitz and $750,000 blitz in attack ads from various outside groups, seek to inflame viewers' concerns about victims of assault.

My top priority on the School Board has always been the safety and well-being of the school community, and I stand by my record of public service," said Randy Villegas. “It’s sickening to me that Jasmeet Bains and her super PACs would exploit survivors’ trauma and suffering for political gain. For me, that’s way over the line.

I am deeply saddened and horrified by yesterday's shooting at the Islamic Center of San Diego. I am praying for the families of those killed, the congregants, and first responders. No one should ever have to fear for their safety while practicing their faith or gathering in their community.

Today, Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY-14) announced her endorsement of Randy Villegas in California’s 22nd district. The endorsement comes just a week after the Democratic Congressional Campaign’s decision to put their thumb on the scale in the Central Valley by endorsing a Latino in this Latino majority district. 

A new poll shows Randy Villegas as the leading Democrat in California’s 22nd Congressional District, amid the meddling by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) in this Majority Latino district. The independent poll shows Randy Villegas leads the DCCC’s handpicked candidate Jasmeet Bains 25% to 21%.

The Sacramento Bee - A political action committee working to elect pro-Israel Democrats is pouring $500,000 into television ads to target a progressive challenger in one of California’s most competitive congressional primaries.

The DMFI PAC — the political arm of the Democratic Majority for Israel — reported Friday that the expenditure will be used against California 22nd District candidate Randy Villegas, according to filings with the Federal Election Commission.

Over the past three days, since the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) put its thumb on the scale for Jasmeet Bains, Randy Villegas has seen an outpouring of contributions from individual donors, gained key endorsements, and been featured in major local, state, and national press.

The New York Times - “It’s an extreme disconnect between party insiders who think they know best for our communities and our communities themselves,” said Randy Villegas, a candidate in California’s 22nd Congressional District who has the endorsement of the Congressional Progressive Caucus and the Congressional Hispanic Caucus’s campaign arm.

The Washington Post - “Right now, national Democrats are trying to put their thumb on the scale in our race to help support the corporate Democrat over us,” Randy Villegas, the Democratic candidate running against Bains in California, said in a video posted on X. “And this is unacceptable, especially at a time when people have lost faith in Democratic leadership.”

Backers of 22nd District Congressional candidate Randy Villegas decried a national group’s backing of his Democratic rival, Dr. Jasmeet Bains, less than a month ahead of a highly contested primary election.

Surrounded by about two dozen supporters Tuesday, Villegas, local Democratic party chairs and union leaders said the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee’s support for Bains was an attempt by party elites to put their thumb on the scale.

CNN - In California’s 22nd Congressional District, where Republican Rep. David Valadao is seeking reelection, the DCCC backed moderate state Assemblymember Jasmeet Bains over Randy Villegas, a political newcomer. Villegas has raised more money than Bains and earned endorsements from Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and other high-profile progressives.

“It is undemocratic to see DC elites putting their thumb on the scale in this race,” Villegas said in a statement.

Today, the DC Establishment announced they are supporting Jasmeet Bains, who has repeatedly refused to protect the interests of the Central Valley, including her Prop 50 vote to protect Trump's attempt to rig our elections, in her primary against Randy Villegas, who has the support of all four in-district Democratic Party County Committee Chairs. This comes during a time when the Democratic establishment is increasingly unpopular and out of touch with voters. 

La Raza Indivisible endorsed Randy Villegas because, in the battle against fascism, we need leaders like him. We’re proud to stand with La Raza Indivisibles to support Villegas in his run to be the next Representative for California’s 22nd district.

Villegas raised $451,251.21 in the first quarter bringing his total amount raised for the campaign to over $1.4M. With over 18,500 individual donations, he has been the top Democratic fundraiser in the race and is the strongest candidate to defeat Republican Incumbent David Valadao. Villegas has also been endorsed by Senator Bernie Sanders, National Nurses United, California Teachers Association, and End Citizens United. 

Randy Villegas, Democratic candidate for Congress in California’s 22nd Congressional District, launched his first television ads of the 2026 Primary Election, titled “Hard Work” and “Life in the Valley.” 

Villegas’ ads highlight his personal story and commitment to fighting for working-class families, not corporations. The ads will run on broadcast television, cable, and digital platforms across the district, with an initial ad buy of over $110,000. 

Randy Villegas, Democratic candidate for Congress in California’s 22nd Congressional District raised over $440,000 in the first quarter of 2026, making it his biggest fundraising quarter of his campaign so far.

Randy Villegas, candidate for Congress in California’s 22nd Congressional District, formally challenges Republican David Valadao and Democrat Jasmeet Bains to accept KGET 17’s invitation for a televised debate on May 6th at 7pm.

“We continue to see broken promises and an abuse of power by Donald Trump,” said Randy Villegas. “Our service members are being put at risk in order to satisfy Donald Trump’s unilateral need for power. What is the end game here? We must have transparency for the American people who want an end to forever wars and instead want to use their tax dollars for solutions to our economic priorities here at home.”

The stops on the tour are as follows:

Tuesday, February 24th at 5 pm (Kern County) - Salon Juarez, 815 E 18th St, Bakersfield, CA 93305

Sunday, March 15th at 2 pm (Tulare County) - Roox Agency, 127 E Tulare Ave, Tulare, CA 93274 - Sponsored by Tulare and Kings County Democratic Central Committees

TBD (Fresno County) - Location TBD

This week, after Donald Trump signed an executive order QUADRUPLING beef imports from Argentina — undercutting Valley producers — Valadao remains silent. Just last night, when other Republicans crossed party lines to bring down costs, Valadao voted to continue tariff policies that are driving up prices on everyday goods and squeezing working families across the Central Valley.

Remarkably, Villegas has accomplished this thanks to his grassroots donors. He has taken $0 from corporations unlike his opponents, who have been bankrolled over their careers from many of the same corporations ripping off working families like PG&E, UnitedHealth, and Comcast. Randy is committed to fighting for the people of the Valley, not corporate interests. 

“We have seen too many die at the hands of ICE and the Trump administration. This is already the third shooting and the second life lost in Minneapolis just this month. Our communities must be kept safe, but sending masked and heavily armed ICE agents is not the way to do this” said Randy Villegas.

“This campaign is fueled by grassroots energy and I am incredibly humbled to receive such an outpouring of support from everyday working class people in this race,” said Randy Villegas. “Every donation, no matter the size, brings us closer to flipping CA-22. This is a testament to the momentum behind us. I am ready to deliver real results for our Central Valley.” 

Politicians in DC have two choices: finally make healthcare affordable for hard-working families across the country, or continue to let Big Pharma and insurance corporations rip us off. David Valadao has spent over a decade turning his back on us, and the people of the Central Valley know it's time to kick him out for good. The Valley deserves better.

Today, 15 California elected officials and 10 community leaders are announcing their support for Randy Villegas for Congress in California's 22nd Congressional District.

Just over one week ago, Villegas launched his grassroots campaign for U.S. Congress in California’s 22nd Congressional District.

Today, Tony Cárdenas, former Congressman and longtime Chairman of CHC BOLD PAC, political arm of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, added his name to a growing list of current and former elected officials across the state supporting Randy Villegas in his campaign to unseat Republican Congressman David Valadao (CA-22).

Villegas: “Our community deserves a representative who will look out for them, but Rep. Valadao has sold us out to corporations and billionaires.”

Today, local professor and school board trustee, Randy Villegas announced his campaign for Congress in the 22nd Congressional District of California. As a first generation American and educator, Villegas has a proven record of fighting for his students and California working families and will fight for our community in Congress.