Juan Ciscomani went from being a Mexican immigrant to a US Congressman; now he's seeking re-election in Arizona

David Valadao, a Republican Congressman from California’s 22nd Congressional District, is aiming to secure another term. His opponents in the 2026 midterm elections include Democratic nominees Randy Villegas and Jasmeet Bains. Valadao earned 40.7% of the votes in the June primary, outperforming his Democratic contenders. Elected to the US House of Representatives in 2020, he is now a member of the House Appropriations Committee.

A lifelong dairy farmer of Azorean-Portuguese descent, Valadao has championed agricultural policies and healthcare reforms. He is among the few Republicans who voted to impeach President Donald Trump in 2021. Valadao's campaign centers on healthcare, agriculture, economy, and immigration. He has introduced bills to strengthen agricultural transparency, improve water infrastructure, and support rural hospitals.

Valadao also backs public safety initiatives, such as the Romance Scam Prevention Act and the 988 Crisis Response Act. As a child of Portuguese immigrants, he advocates for a pathway to legal status for eligible immigrants while advocating for stricter border enforcement. He introduced the Specialty Crops Reporting on Opportunities and Promotion Act to address trade barriers, aiming to boost American farmers' competitiveness in international markets.

Despite facing criticism for his vote in favor of President Trump's budget reconciliation bill in 2025, Valadao continues to emphasize the importance of agriculture to the region's economy and employment.