Becerra and SEIU Target Valadao's Medicaid Vote as CA-22 Becomes the Fall's Hottest Race

BAKERSFIELD, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 22: Democratic candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives Randy Villegas gestures with California Democratic gubernatorial candidate Xavier Becerra at a rally with union members from SEIU 2015 and Bakersfield Central Labor Council on October 22, 2026 in Bakersfield, California. Villegas is challenging incumbent Republican Rep. David Valadao for California’s redrawn 22nd Congressional District—a Central Valley midterm swing district. (Credit: Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)

The Briefing:

• Xavier Becerra and SEIU Local 2015 formally backed Randy Villegas in Bakersfield on October 22, making Valadao's vote for H.R. 1 — the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act" — the central argument of their healthcare-focused closing push.
• Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is scheduled to appear alongside Villegas tonight, Friday, October 23, at the Nile Theater in Bakersfield starting at 6:30 p.m., capping a stretch that also included a Sen. Bernie Sanders rally at the Harvey Auditorium at Bakersfield High School on October 4.
• Independent forecasters currently rate CA-22 a Toss-up or Tilt Republican; a Villegas campaign-internal poll from July placed him ahead 48 to 44, a margin that outside analysts have not independently confirmed.