Political Breakdown
Randy Villegas Has a Theory of How to Win in the Central Valley
In the only true toss-up House race in California, a progressive Democrat is trying to unseat Republican Rep. David Valadao.
U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders stands with Randy Villegas, Democratic candidate for the US House of Representatives in California, during a stop on Sanders’ ‘Fighting Oligarchy: Where We Go From Here’ tour at Bakersfield High School on Oct. 4, 2026 in Bakersfield, California. (Mario Tama/Getty Images)
Can a progressive Democrat win in the Central Valley? Marisa sits down with Randy Villegas in Bakersfield as the community college professor attempts to unseat Republican Congressman David Valadao in California’s 22nd Congressional District. Democrats hold a registration advantage here, but the seat has been stubbornly difficult for them to win. Villegas is running a very different campaign than past unsuccessful Democrats.
Political Breakdown also extended multiple invitations to have Valadao on the show, but he has not responded.
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