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Cook Report Calls California 22nd District Toss-Up

8/16/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Professor Randy Villegas is challenging Rep. David Valadao for California’s 22nd Congressional District seat.
The Cook Political Report rates the district a toss-up with a D+1 partisan lean.
RNC spokesperson Nick Poche called Villegas a “radical left’s perfect woke freak.”
Valadao voted for President Donald Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill,” a $1 trillion Medicaid package that could strip tens of thousands of Medi-Cal patients of coverage.

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Story summary

Professor Randy Villegas is challenging Rep. David Valadao for California’s 22nd Congressional District seat.
The Cook Political Report rates the district a toss-up with a D+1 partisan lean.
RNC spokesperson Nick Poche called Villegas a “radical left’s perfect woke freak.”
Valadao voted for President Donald Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill,” a $1 trillion Medicaid package that could strip tens of thousands of Medi-Cal patients of coverage.