A recent Democratic primary contest in California’s Central Valley represented more than just another battle between the party’s progressive faction and moderate establishment forces.
The race was ultimately won by populist candidate Randy Villegas, but what makes this outcome significant is what happens next.
Rather than competing for a safely Democratic seat, Villegas will now face Republican Rep. David Valadao in November, representing one of the Democratic Party’s best opportunities to regain control of the U.S. House and counter President Donald Trump’s agenda.
The upcoming November election will put to the test a theory embraced by the political left: that voters will rally behind progressive, anti-establishment candidates even in areas that have historically leaned Republican.
“A populist message isn’t just for blue districts or certain parts of the country,” said Ravi Mangla, a spokesperson for the Working Families Party, one of the progressive groups that backed Villegas. “It can win anywhere people feel like politics is not working for them.”
“More than ever, voters across the political spectrum want candidates who are willing to stand up to power,” Mangla said.
The National Republican Congressional Committee has written off Villegas’ prospects, despite recent redistricting by state Democratic leaders that was designed to make the seat more competitive this cycle.
“Democrats know Villegas can’t beat Congressman David Valadao, as he embraces the same failed policies that have made California more expensive, less safe, and harder for working families in the Central Valley,” said spokesperson Christian Martinez.
Villegas’ win reflects a broader pattern this election cycle where significant portions of the Democratic base are turning away from candidates that party leadership views as having the best chances of winning Congressional seats.
In Maine this week, Graham Platner secured a decisive victory in the Democratic Senate primary after Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer’s preferred choice, the governor, withdrew from the race due to weak support just weeks before the election.
Platner, a combat veteran and oyster farmer who has never served in elected office, has faced scrutiny over past relationships with women, controversial social media posts, and a now-covered tattoo that has been identified as a Nazi symbol.
Michigan presents another battleground where Rep. Haley Stevens finds herself in a three-candidate fight for the Democratic Senate nomination against state Sen. Mallory McMorrow and progressive favorite Abdul El-Sayed. With the primary scheduled for Aug. 4, El-Sayed recently gained momentum by securing a major endorsement from the United Auto Workers union, a significant political force in the state that serves as the heart of America’s automotive industry.
Minnesota’s U.S. Senate race features progressive Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan locked in intense competition with U.S. Rep. Angie Craig, who has garnered backing from labor organizations, LGBTQ advocacy groups, and centrist Democrats before the Aug. 11 primary.
Colorado will provide another crucial test on June 30, where progressive Manny Rutinel will compete against establishment-supported Shannon Bird in the Democratic primary to challenge Republican Rep. Gabe Evans. Similar to Valadao, Evans represents a priority target for Democrats, and like the California contest, the Colorado race centers on debates over electability in the general election.
In California’s primary system, Valadao placed first while Villegas came in second, with both advancing to the general election as the top two vote-getters.
About a month before primary voting commenced, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee made an unusual public endorsement of Jasmeet Bains, a physician and state Assembly member who had secured endorsements from numerous elected officials, labor unions, and healthcare organizations.
“Dr. Jasmeet Bains has fought on the frontlines of health crises and built a track record of delivering for the Central Valley,” DCCC Chair Suzan DelBene said in a statement at the time. While she refrained from criticizing Villegas directly, the public backing of his opponent sent a clear message to Democratic donors and activists that party leadership considered Bains the stronger contender. It’s rare for Congressional leadership and the party infrastructure to openly intervene in competitive primaries for open seats.
The choice to support Bains angered many progressive activists, who viewed it as yet another instance of Washington establishment figures being disconnected from both the Democratic grassroots and frustrated voters who contributed to Trump’s electoral successes.
“I think the moderates are wrong. People don’t want status quo, pro-corporate candidates,” said Joseph Geevarghese, executive director of Our Revolution, a progressive organization that emerged from Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders’ 2016 presidential campaign. “They want people who are going to shake things up.”
Following Villegas’ victory, Washington Democrats are now expressing confidence in his candidacy and his ability to defeat Valadao. They highlight the grassroots enthusiasm that carried him through the primary and note that Democratic candidates collectively received 59% of primary votes compared to Valadao’s 41%, though general election turnout is expected to be much higher.
Any friction between Villegas and party officials appears to have been resolved by Wednesday, with both sides presenting a unified message. California Congressional members, including some who had previously supported Bains, released enthusiastic endorsements, while Villegas responded graciously.
“We’re all in to elect Randy and flip this seat,” said Anna Elsasser, a spokesperson for the DCCC, the Democratic Party’s House campaign arm. The district represents “a must-win seat for the House majority, and we are confident in winning with Randy as the Democratic nominee,” she added.
