2026 California (CA-22) US House Voters Guide

David Valadao (R) vs Randy Villegas (D)

House of Representatives | Election | Nov 3, 2026

The Candidates

David Valadao

David Valadao

Republican

Incumbent
Randy Villegas

Randy Villegas

Democrat

The Issues

Abortion

Ban or legal?

David Valadao (R)

Ban. Sponsored the Life at Conception Act, a nationwide abortion ban declaring right to life is guaranteed by the Constitution from the moment of fertilization. Voted to ban reimbursements to servicemembers for travel to receive abortion care. “Taxpayer dollars shouldn’t be used to fund abortions.” Voted in 2017 to ban abortions at 20 weeks.

Randy Villegas (D)

No position found..

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Climate Change

Should climate change be a top priority?

David Valadao (R)

No. Voted to end Biden-era clean energy tax credits. Voted against $369 billion in clean energy investments. Voted to repeal clean energy provisions in the Inflation Reduction Act. Voted to open public land in North Dakota to coal mining. “Frivolous litigation is blocking the development of America’s energy resources.”

Randy Villegas (D)

Yes. Would “protect our communities from extreme weather.” “We’re seeing record heat, year after year. If nothing changes, our food, water, and livable temperatures are all at risk.”

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Criminal Justice

How to ensure effectiveness and fairness in law enforcement?

David Valadao (R)

Voted against a bill that banned neck restraints and “no knock” warrants. Voted to require DHS detention of any undocumented immigrant charged with theft. Voted to provide police departments with de-escalation training.

Randy Villegas (D)

Is “proud to stand with our police officers.” “I do not believe local law enforcement should be cooperating with ICE.”

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Economy

Cut or increase government investment in, and regulation of, the economy?

David Valadao (R)

Cut. Voted against funding new infrastructure projects, including road repair, bridges, and rail lines. Voted to loosen regulation on the crypto industry. Voted to create new rules promoting the use of crypto stablecoins. Voted to cut funding to USAID.

Randy Villegas (D)

Increase investment. “We need an economy that works for everybody.” Supports “helping programs that support our working families.” Supports universal child care. Praised FDR for “saying we need to invest in jobs, we need to invest in health care, we need to take care of our neighbors” in taking on the challenge of the New Deal.

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Environment

Loosen or tighten environmental regulations?

David Valadao (R)

Mostly loosen. Voted to undo controls on companies emitting seven major hazardous pollutants. Voted to end a 20-year protection against mining upstream from the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. Voted to reverse an expansion of stream and wetlands protections. Sought emergency funding to battle the “invasive golden mussel in California waterways.”

Randy Villegas (D)

Tighten. Would “hold corporate polluters accountable.” Calls gas leaks, air pollution, and water contamination “crimes against nature” as well as “crimes against our communities.” “We need to expand our National Parks and wildlife conservation programs to ensure they can be enjoyed for generations to come.”

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Gun Laws

Loosen or tighten gun laws?

David Valadao (R)

Loosen. Sponsored a bill to allow carrying concealed guns across state lines. Voted against a bill that expanded background checks, closed the “boyfriend loophole,” and encouraged states to pass red flag laws. Sponsored a bill to remove silencers from the definition of firearms.

Randy Villegas (D)

Unclear. “I hope that one day we never have to hear about another school shooting. I hope that one day our state and federal officials find common sense and common ground.”

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Health Care

Increase or decrease government support for health care?

David Valadao (R)

Mostly decrease. Voted for a bill that included Medicaid cuts. Voted against capping Medicare out-of-pocket costs. “The best healthcare [reform] is a market-based approach.” Doesn’t support the Affordable Care Act. “We need to… get… government bureaucracy out of it.” Voted to extend ACA tax credits to “help soften the blow.”

Randy Villegas (D)

Increase. Healthcare is a human right.” “I want to fight for Medicare for All, to make sure that every single person, every working person across this Valley has access to healthcare.” Would “fight to cap the price of medical procedures and prescription drugs.” Would expand Medicare to include dental and vision coverage.

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Immigration

How to handle immigration?

David Valadao (R)

Voted to increase ICE funding by $75 billion. Voted against extending temporary protected status for Haitian migrants. Sponsored a bill to grant “legal status and a path to permanent residency for Dreamers.” Supports “a reasonable and responsible pathway to citizenship.” “Our current system is broken.”

Randy Villegas (D)

Supports “comprehensive and humane immigration reform with a path to citizenship.” “We do need to have secure borders.” “The current policies of blanket detention and deportation are unconstitutional and un-American.” “Immigrant families are under attack.” Would oppose additional ICE funding.

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Iran

Support the war in Iran?

David Valadao (R)

Mostly yes. Voted in March, April, May, and June against requiring Congressional authorization for U.S. military action in Iran. “Iran…absolutely cannot be allowed access to nuclear weapons.” Doesn’t support Trump’s issuing dire threats.

Randy Villegas (D)

No.Americans are sick of endless wars.” Opposes spending “a billion dollars a day in this war in Iran that nobody asked for.” “We must get our priorities straight and invest in our own communities, people, and country.”

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Labor

Make it easier or harder for unions to organize?

David Valadao (R)

Mostly harder. Voted against requiring employers to bargain with newly organized unions within 10 days after a vote to unionize. In 2021, voted against protecting employees’ organizing and collective bargaining rights. Voted to restore federal employees’ bargaining rights.

Randy Villegas (D)

Likely easier. “I’m proud to stand with…our unions.”

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LGBTQ Rights

Limit or expand LGBTQ rights?

David Valadao (R)

Mostly limit. Voted to amend a defense bill to bar transgender people from serving in the military. In 2021 voted against prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. Voted for federal recognition of same sex and interracial marriages.

Randy Villegas (D)

Likely expand. As a school board member, denounced a homophobic incident at a district high school: “We have to…create environments where all students feel welcome.” Sponsored the first PRIDE month resolution in Visalia School District.

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Minimum Wage

Raise the federal minimum from $7.25 per hour?

David Valadao (R)

No. Does not support a federal minimum wage. Said the issue should be left to the states. “Each state should have the right to make their own decisions.”

Randy Villegas (D)

Yes. “It’s time to raise the wage so everyone who works hard can have their basic needs met, and ease the burden on our support systems.”

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Taxes

Raise or lower taxes on corporations and wealthier individuals?

David Valadao (R)

Lower. Voted to extend the 2017 Trump tax cuts, which included the largest one-time cut in the corporate tax rate and large tax breaks for the wealthy. Voted against increasing taxes on corporations and the wealthy to pay for family services, health, and environmental programs.

Randy Villegas (D)

Raise. Supports taxing “the top 1% of income earners and wealth holders,” calling it “the most effective and fair way to increase government revenue.” “Working families shouldn’t be highly taxed…while the ultra rich use loopholes…to escape paying their fair share.”

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Voting Rules

Make voting harder or easier?

David Valadao (R)

Harder. In 2024 and 2026, voted for bills that would require proof of US citizenship in order to register to vote in federal elections.

Randy Villegas (D)

Harder. In 2024 and 2026, voted for bills that would require proof of US citizenship in order to register to vote in federal elections.

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