A Republican who voted to impeach former President Donald Trump and a popular Democratic state Assemblyman are in what analysts say is a toss-up for a Central Valley congressional seat that could tip partisan balance in the House to the GOP in 2023.
Congressman David Valadao, R-Calif., held a slim lead over Assemblyman Rudy Salas, D-Calif., per the Associated Press. It is still too early — and way too close — to tell who will come out on top; only 21% of the votes had been counted. Valadao had 50.6% of the votes.
In this stretch of San Joaquin Valley farmland, the contest between Valadao and Salas has attracted relentless national media attention, a string of endorsements and heavy spending on ads.
