Working-class progressive targets Valadao in California’s Central Valley

Randy Villegas, 31, a progressive backed by figures like Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, is challenging Republican Rep. David Valadao in California’s Central Valley, pitching his working-class roots and universal healthcare ideas while attacking donor influence in both parties. A former Visalia school-board appointee and first-time candidate, Villegas seeks to mobilize low-turnout Latino voters in a district Democrats see as competitive due to map changes and national issues, with both sides preparing for substantial outside spending.