June 25th, 2026 Len’s Political Note #821 Randy Villegas California 22
2026 General Election
California 22 is the last of the Cook Report Toss Ups. With this Note, I will have written about each of those Toss Ups.
When I looked for information about Randy Villegas, I found an interview with Kern Sol News shortly after he announced his candidacy for Congress.
Launched in 2011 with start-up funds from The California Endowment and currently funded by Community Initiatives, Kern Sol News is a “youth-led media outlet.” Young reporters, their website says, address topics like the quality of drinking water in schools, equitable school funding, sufficient health care access, and the availability of park space. These are goals consistent with the purposes of their funders.
Focusing primarily on health care, The California Endowment, a private organization, seeks to ensure quality health care for all Californians. Community Initiatives is a private organization with a goal to create the infrastructure needed to prepare effective community leaders.
The youth-led media says Randy Vellegas “got his start right here at Kern Sol News.” Randy Villegas says Kern Sol News “played a big role in shaping who I am today. It helped me grow as a writer, as a speaker, and as someone committed to making a difference in the community.”
Randy Villegas had other schooling. From Bakersfield, he went to local schools – Golden Valley High School, Bakersfield College, California State University – Bakersfield, and ultimately University of California, Santa Cruz where he got his doctorate. Now he teaches political science at the College of the Sequoias in Visalia and also serves on the school board for the city of Visalia.
A child of Mexican immigrants, Randy Villegas concluded his interview saying: “To go from working-class roots in Bakersfield to representing the Central Valley in Congress would be the honor of my life.” He explained that his campaign had three main issues: Jobs, Healthcare, and Education.
Randy Villegas described his reasons for supporting for Medicaid for All: “People shouldn’t have to choose between paying rent or going to the doctor,” A better healthcare system and a different economy would not force people to make that choice. He added: “Education changed my life. Every student should have the chance to succeed without going into debt.” Four year colleges should be available, He argues it is equally important for high school graduates to have access to trade schools.
Randy Villegas is critical of the incumbent Republican, David Valadao, for his votes to cut Medicaid, food stamps, and WIC. Families, he says, rely on these programs to survive. He was equally critical of Valadao’s silence about immigration raids in the area. Instead of having a Congressional advocate, farmworkers and their children were left to deal with their fears on their own.
In the non-partisan primary, the incumbent received 40.7% of the vote. Randy Villegas beat out Assemblywoman and medical doctor Jasmeet Bains for second place. Bains had been endorsed by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. Randy Villegas had his own supporters — Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders and New York Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. He had others on his side besides: The California Teachers Association, the United Auto Workers, the Working Families Party, the Indivisible movement.
The New York Times noted that Randy Villagas also had the Republican Party on his side for the primary. The Republicans believed he would be a weaker candidate than Jasmeet Bains in this relatively conservative Central California district. In this district, which is almost 75% Hispanic, he outpolled Bains 32.2 to 27.2. Now that we are in the top-two run off, general election phase, Randy Villegas will have to attract more than 50% of the vote.
In the run-up to the primary, Randy Villegas spent virtually the same amount as the incumbent – just about $1.4 million. On May 13, however, David Valadao had $2.9 million available for the balance of the campaign. Randy Villegas had $300,000. We have no recent polls. In August last year, a generic Democrat led Valadao 44-42. In the primary, the Democrats received more than 50% of the vote.
California voted to change its constitution to allow temporary changes in the Congressional districts. That vote was a response to Texas, whose political leadership obeyed Donald Trump’s orders and undertook to redistrict so that five Texas seats would flip from Democrat to Republican. California’s vote was a response. They would redistrict so that five California seats would flip from Republican to Democrat.
Three formerly Republican California seats have become Solidly Democratic. Two of them are close. One of those close races is California 22. DONATE to Randy Villegas’s campaign. Let’s make California 22 the fourth California seat to flip from Republican to Democrat.
I am a big tent Democrat. I am neither a moderate nor a progressive Democrat, I am a practical one. I try to recommend candidates for whom your donations could make a difference between winning and losing. Occasionally, I suggest a candidate for whom a good showing would be an important statement.
The New York Times listed several candidates that Bernie Sanders had endorsed. Several of them are well worth your financial support. Consider them and consider the other formerly Republican California seat that is now close.
From Bernie’s List
Bob Brooks of Pennsylvania 07 is a fire fighter and Union Leader. He won his primary 40 to 21 to 21. He is facing the Incumbent Republican Ryan McKenzie. McKenzie learned to be a legislator from his mother who was also a Pennsylvania state legislator. Bob Brooks has been a fire fighter for most of his working life, a union activist and ultimately President of the Union. Bob Brooks has a financial challenge ahead of him. On April 29, he had $350,000 available for the balance of the campaign; Ryan McKenzie had $2.6 million. There are no polls. DONATE to the Bob Brooks campaign. See Len’s Political Note #816.
Rebecca Cooke of Wisconsin 03 is a Small Business owner, non-profit head, and political activist. Wisconsin has not yet had its primary, but she is the overwhelming favorite for the nomination. On March 31, no other Democrat had $100,000. Rebecca Cooke had $4.4 million, more than the incumbent Derrick Van Orden’s $3.8 million. Van Orden is well known for his bullying behavior and is vulnerable to a strong campaign. DONATE to Rebecca Cooke’s campaign. See Len’s Political Note #767
Sam Forstag of Montana 01 is a Smokejumper. He has been a politically oriented union leader from the time he was in college. The. Incumbent is not running for reelection. Right wing radio host Aaron Flint is the Republican nominee. Neither of the nominees has big money. On May 13, Flint had $400,000, Sam Forstaghad $200,000. Your donation can make a difference here. DONATE. See Len’s Political Note #820
Brian Poindexter of Ohio 07 is an union ironworker and an organizer. The incumbent Republican Max Miller is embroiled in charges of abuse from his ex-wife who is also the daughter of Ohio’s US Senator Bernie Moreno. While Miller is vulnerable politically, he is protected by a substantial financial margin. On April 15, Miller had $1.2 million to Brian Poindexter’s less than $100,000. DONATE. Brian Poindexter needs every dime.
The Other California Seat to flip from Republican to Democrat
Marni von Wilpert of California 48 is a City Councilor, former prosecutor, and workers’ rights attorney. California 48 is now a Lean Democratic seat, far from a sure thing. The Republican candidate is County Supervisor Jim Desmond who opposed Covid restrictions in California, national immigration policies, and favored having local police departments cooperate with ICE. Marni Von Wilpert trails in the financial race. As of May 13, she had $300,000 to Desmond’s $1.1 million. DONATE to Marni Von Wilpert. It could make a difference.
