Candidates advance in redrawn congressional districts

By Andrew Rice
The Center Square

Several candidates across altered congressional districts in California are projected to head to November’s general election.

California voters passed Proposition 50, a measure that altered congressional districts in the state, aiming to add more Democrat representatives in Congress, but in one redrawn district, results could position one Republican against another Republican in the general election.

Here are early projections from Tuesday night in some of the state’s newly drawn congressional districts.

District 22

In California’s 22nd Congressional District, incumbent Rep. David Valadao, R-California, had a lead with 44.1% of the vote at 10 p.m. Tuesday, according to the California Secretary of State’s Office. Randy Villegas followed with 29.7%, and Jasmeet Bains had 26.2% of the vote. That is with 74.1% of the precincts reporting.

Villegas, a college professor, was endorsed by Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vermont, and U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio Cortez, D-N.Y. He described himself as a progressive candidate compared to Bain, who was endorsed by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.

Valadao led the pack with $2.8 million in contributions, followed by Villegas with $1.7 million and Bains with $1.2 million, according to most recent campaign finance disclosures.

The San Joaquin Valley district was altered to favor areas that favor Democrats.

“We bring healthcare costs down by fighting for a system of Medicare for all,” Villegas said. “Solutions are not going to come from people like my opponents, Jasmeet Bains and David Valadao, who take hundreds of thousands of dollars from Big Pharma.”

District 40

California’s 40th district saw incumbent Reps. Ken Calvert and Young Kim, both Republicans, fight to be represented in the same area, following redistricting. Calvert had 35.5% of the vote while Kim maintained 20.4% at 9:30 on Tuesday night. Calvert and Kim were the top two vote getters with 96% of the precincts reporting, and under California law, the top candidates, regardless of party affiliation, will go on to the general election.

The Americans 4 Security Political Action Committee spent $250,000 on ads against Kim, part of a broader $2.9 million spending campaign to support Calvert in the redrawn district.

Esther Kim-Varet and immigration lawyer Lisa Ramirez, both Democrats, were the next two closest vote earners in the district at 9:30 p.m. on Tuesday. Kim-Varet held 16.4% of the vote, while Ramirez held 13.9% of the vote.

The race could set up a competition between two Republican incumbents, unless a Democrat overcomes Kim’s narrow second-place position. That means Democrats could be shut out of the general election despite a redistricting effort designed to pick up Democratic seats.

“It’s war for our democracy,” Ramirez said. “It’s war for our constitutional rights. It’s war for the voice of the American people. It’s a war for the future of this country.”

District 41

In the newly drawn 41st district Mitch Clemmons, a plumbing contractor, was the only Republican to run. He secured 38.6% of the vote at 9:30 p.m. Pacific time on Tuesday, with 100% of precincts reporting.

U.S. Rep. Linda Sanchez, D-California, was moved into this district after the passage of Proposition 50. She received 38.1% of the vote, as of 9:30 p.m.

Sanchez had more than $1.1 million in campaign contributions, including donations from Pfizer and UnitedHealth Group. She called for holding the Trump administration accountable for immigration enforcement policies.

“She has voted to impeach Trump and been on the front lines opposing his cruel immigration policies,” Sanchez’s website reads.

Sanchez and Clemmons appeared likely to square off in the Nov. 3 general election.

District 45

U.S. Rep. Derek Tran, D-California, secured 52.6% of the vote at 9:30 p.m. on Tuesday and is expected to notch a nomination to run in the seat in November. That is with 100% of precincts reporting.

Five Republicans sought to challenge Tran. Chuong Vo, a former police officer, ended up with 14.6% of the vote at 9:30 p.m. Tuesday night. Chi Ngyuen, the mayor of Westminster, followed closely behind with 12.1% of the vote.

Tran and Vo appeared destined to square off in the Nov. 3 general election.

Tran celebrated the projected victory in a post on social media Tuesday night. He highlighted the district’s large Vietnamese immigrant population for contributing to his victory.

“I am guided by what is best for my community, my country, and my conscience,” Tran wrote. “This moment isn’t about Democrats vs. Republicans. It’s about fighting for the notion that if you work hard and follow the rules, you should be able to get ahead no matter what neighborhood you come from.”

California’s 45th congressional district incorporated more traditionally conservative voting areas as part of the passage of Proposition 50. The upcoming race could be the closest Tran experiences while he seeks a second term in Congress.

Many of the races were too close to call across California’s congressional districts. For updated election information on Wednesday, visit thecentersquare.com/california.