In 2018, Democrat T.J. Cox had the distinction of winning the closest congressional race in the country, an 862-vote squeaker over Republican incumbent David Valadao.
Cox, a Fresno businessman and developer, faced ethical questions during the campaign, including a controversy regarding his primary residence. (He claimed two of his homes for tax purposes, which is illegal, and repaid a $692 credit he received from Montgomery County, Maryland.)
Still, Cox managed to pull off one of the biggest upsets of the midterm election, capping a nationwide romp that delivered control of the House to Democrats and shrank California's GOP congressional delegation to the size of a small dinner party — just seven members.
