Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee Endorses Jasmeet Bains in California Primary

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee endorsed state Assemblymember Jasmeet Bains in the race for California's 22nd Congressional District. The endorsement came after the committee had previously indicated it would not intervene in the primary contest.

National Democrats have identified the 22nd Congressional District in the Central Valley as a priority seat in efforts to regain control of Congress. Incumbent Republican Rep. David Valadao currently holds the seat.

Democratic candidates are competing in the primary:

Assemblymember Jasmeet Bains and college professor Randy Villegas. Under California's open primary system, the top two vote-getters advance to the November general election regardless of party. The committee added the district to its list of priority races and endorsed Bains.

Committee chairperson Rep. Suzanne DelBene of Washington stated that the committee weighs in on primaries when one candidate stands out as the strongest nominee.

Democratic leaders in Kern, Tulare, Fresno, and Kings counties had endorsed Villegas. Christian Romo, chair of the Kern County Democratic Central Committee, said staff at the committee had told him multiple times that the organization would not get involved in the primary.

Romo described the endorsement as a move that disregarded local party preferences. The California Democratic Party did not endorse a candidate for the district at its February convention.

Bains has received support from labor unions including SEIU California and the State Building and Construction Trades Council. Villegas has been endorsed by the Working Families Party, Sen. Bernie Sanders, and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio Cortez. Both candidates reported similar fundraising totals in the most recent federal filings, with Bains showing approximately $700,000 on hand and Villegas showing $718,000.

Villegas has stated he will reject corporate PAC contributions. Outside groups have begun running advertisements in the race. The Working Families Party has spent $150,000 on digital ads targeting Bains. The Democratic Majority for Israel has launched $500,000 in ads against Villegas.