Randy Villegas Challenges David Valadao To Three Public Debates

In CA-22 Congressional Race, Randy Villegas Challenges David Valadao To Three Public Debates

“David Valadao should face the nearly 70,000 people he cut healthcare from across the Central Valley”

Bakersfield, CA – Today, Randy Villegas, Democratic candidate for Congress in California's 22nd district called on David Valadao to face voters by challenging him to three public debates. 

Villegas is calling on Valadao to hold debates in the Bakersfield media market, Fresno media market, and with a Spanish Language media partner to ensure as many voters as possible within the district get to hear directly from Randy and his vision for the Valley. The Bakersfield and Fresno media markets are the two media markets in the 22nd district – and Latinos, including Spanish speakers, represent a large population of voters in this district. 

Valadao, who cast deciding votes in D.C. to cut healthcare and SNAP benefits, while protecting Trump’s price-spiking tariffs, hasn't held an in person townhall in nearly a decade.  

“David Valadao cut healthcare for nearly 70,000 people in our district in exchange for tax breaks for billionaires. The least he could do is show up and look those people in the face,” Randy Villegas said. “For too long, the people of the Central Valley have been left behind by politicians like Valadao. Voters deserve answers as to why Valadao has broken his promise to put the Valley’s interest first, and would rather give hand outs to the wealthy and well-connected on the backs of working people already getting crushed by the cost of gas, groceries, and rent. Unlike my opponent, I want voters to hear from me about how I’ll stand up to leaders in both parties, the special interests selling us out, and fight for the Valley.”

Additional Background: 

• A poll released in July – just days after the campaign announced outraising Valadao – found Randy Villegas leading Republican incumbent David Valadao 48-44. 

• A nonpartisan national race rater recently shifted the race in Villegas’ direction. 

• Valadao cast the deciding vote for the largest cut to Medicaid in history, cutting healthcare from nearly 70,000 people in CA-22, the second highest Medicaid enrollment in the country, and the most of any House Republican where 82% of those reliant on Medicaid in CA-22 are Latino, and 87% are children.