David G. ValadaoIncumbent
Candidate for U.S. Representative, Congressional District 22
David G. Valadao was born April 14, 1977, in Hanford, California. He is the son of Portuguese (Azorean) immigrants. His father started a dairy farm in Kings County in 1969. Valadao graduated from Hanford High School in 1995. He attended College of the Sequoias in Visalia but did not complete a degree. He and his brother operate Valadao Dairy. Valadao farms over 1,000 acres of almonds, corn, and wheat. He also runs two dairies. He served in the California State Assembly (30th District, 2010-2012). He was then elected to the U.S. House in 2012. He represented California's 21st District (2013-2019). He lost in 2018, returned to the House in January 2021, and has represented the 22nd District since January 2023. He serves on the House Appropriations Committee. He chairs its Legislative Branch Subcommittee. He also chairs the Republican Governance Group. He is running for re-election to CA-22 in the 2026 general election. Home: Hanford, California. Occupation: U.S. Representative; dairy farmer and co-owner of Valadao Dairy. Prior office: incumbent for California's 22nd District since January 2023. He earlier represented CA-21 (2013-2019 and 2021-2023). He also served in the California State Assembly (2010-2012).
On the issues
- Taxes & Cost of Living
Supports lower federal taxes and reduced government spending, and voted for the 2025 reconciliation bill extending 2017 tax cuts.
Source → - Health & Health Care
Favors a market-based approach to health care and has both supported past ACA-repeal efforts (with added funding for pre-existing-condition high-risk pools) and more recently opposed major Medicaid cuts, citing his district's high number of Medicaid beneficiaries -- though he also voted for the 2025 reconciliation bill that included new Medicaid work requirements.
Source → - Immigration & Border
Supports a pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants, has backed DACA protections and family-unity legislation, and favors focusing enforcement on those who have committed serious crimes rather than on families.
Source → - Reproductive & Social Issues
Has supported LGBTQ-related protections, including a 2016 vote for LGBT workplace anti-discrimination measures and support for the 2022 Respect for Marriage Act; no specific public position on abortion was found for this research session.
Source → - Environment, Energy & Climate
Favors expanding domestic energy production across both traditional and renewable sources, and has attributed past California drought conditions to water/regulatory policy rather than climate change.
Source → - Veterans' Affairs
Emphasizes ensuring veterans receive high-quality health care and strong education/employment support, describing the VA's role as providing top-tier care for veterans; no specific public position on broader defense policy, foreign aid, or trade agreements was found.
Source → - Government, Elections & Democracy
Has shown willingness to break with party leadership on accountability matters, including voting to impeach President Trump after January 6, 2021, and voting to establish a bipartisan commission to investigate the January 6 attack.
Source →
Profiles are compiled from the candidate’s own statements and public records. We never tell you how to vote.