Randy Villegas
Coverage of Randy Villegas in the Nexus archive.
- Dems are trying everything in battlegrounds. Republicans are sticking with Trump.
Republicans remain aligned with Trump and MAGA candidates in battleground races, while Democrats face internal divisions over candidate selection. Trump-endorsed candidates dominate GOP primaries, and Democrats have nominated a mix of progressive and moderate candidates across key districts.
- Centrist Democrats are freaking out about progressives’ winning streak
Centrist Democrats are alarmed by progressive victories in New York primaries, fearing the left's winning streak could jeopardize the party's electoral prospects and reshape its ideological direction. Progressive candidates have won key House and Senate races, including upsets against establishment-backed incumbents, with upcoming contests in Colorado, Michigan, and Wisconsin testing the movement's momentum.
- Will Democrats win the congressional seats Newsom’s gerrymander made competitive?
California's congressional redistricting under Gov. Gavin Newsom aimed to shift five Republican-held districts to Democratic control. The gerrymander's impact is evident in key races like the 22nd District, where progressive Randy Villegas faces moderate Democrat Jasmeet Bains, and the 6th District, where Kevin Kiley challenges Richard Pan. Democrats may gain some seats, but Republicans could retain at least one, such as in Valadao's district.
- Establishment Dems face blowback for trying to play kingmaker
Democratic candidates supported by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) are losing primary races to progressive challengers amid backlash against perceived establishment interference. The DCCC's endorsement strategy, which includes adding candidates to its 'Red to Blue' list, has drawn criticism from grassroots voters who view the party's leadership as out of touch.
- House Democrats suffer 2nd crushing primary loss as party's pick falls short in Maine
House Democratic leadership's preferred candidate in Maine's 2nd district, Joe Baldacci, lost his primary to Matt Dunlap. This marks the second time this month a Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee-backed candidate failed to advance, following Jasmeet Bains' loss to Randy Villegas in California's 22nd district.
- A key congressional race in California will test progressives’ appeal in a Republican district
A California congressional race featuring Randy Villegas, a populist insurgent, will challenge Republican Rep. David Valadao, testing if progressive candidates can attract voters in traditionally Republican districts. Similar progressive-backed candidates are competing in key races in Maine, Michigan, and Minnesota, with varying levels of support from unions and political groups.
- Progressive California Democrat advances over rival backed by pro-Israel spending
Randy Villegas, who referred to Israel as a 'genocidal regime,' advanced to a runoff against moderate State Assembly member Jasmeet Bains, who received backing from Democratic Majority for Israel.
- A key congressional race in California will test progressives' appeal
Randy Villegas, a populist insurgent, has won the Democratic primary for a House seat representing California’s Central Valley. The race is described as a key test of progressives' appeal in the region.
- A key congressional race in California will test progressives’ appeal in a Republican district
Randy Villegas, a populist insurgent, won the Democratic primary for a House seat in California’s Central Valley. The race is considered a test of progressives' appeal in a Republican district.
- A key congressional race in California will test progressives' appeal in a Republican district
A California congressional race pits progressive Randy Villegas against Republican Rep. David Valadao, testing whether populist candidates can win in traditionally Republican districts. Similar progressive vs. establishment contests are unfolding in Maine, Michigan, and Minnesota, with outcomes potentially shaping Democratic strategies in key races.
- 2 prominent California congressional races will test Democrats’ redrawn US House map
Two California congressional races will test Democrats' redrawn House map, with independent Kevin Kiley and Richard Pan advancing in Northern California, and progressive Randy Villegas set to face Republican David Valadao in the Central Valley. These races are critical for determining if Democrats can secure control of California's midsection districts, which will influence the U.S. House balance in the midterm elections.
- Valadao to show down against progressive in California House battleground
Progressive Randy Villegas is projected to advance in the 22nd Congressional District race against incumbent Rep. David Valadao, according to Decision Desk HQ. Villegas, an educator and activist, defeated California State Assemblymember Jasmeet Bains after neither Democrat reached the 60-percent threshold for the California Democratic nomination.
- This Bernie Sanders-endorsed Democrat will try to oust California’s toughest GOP incumbent
Randy Villegas, endorsed by Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, defeated moderate Democrat Jasmeet Bains in a California district, advancing to challenge Republican Rep. David Valadao in November. The victory reflects voter support for anti-corporate, progressive policies over establishment-backed candidates.
- GOP Rep. Valadao to face progressive Villegas in key California House district
GOP Rep. Valadao will face progressive Randy Villegas in a key California House district. Villegas' victory is described as an embarrassing defeat for establishment Democrats amid an intraparty conflict over the party's direction.
- Democrat Randy Villegas advances in newly redrawn California congressional district
Democrat Randy Villegas advances in California’s 22nd Congressional District, which was redrawn to favor Democrats. Republican-turned-independent Kevin Kiley and Democratic state Sen. Richard Pan will face off in the 6th Congressional District after redistricting.
- Sanders-Backed Progressive Advances in California Swing District Against Valadao
Randy Villegas, a progressive backed by Senator Bernie Sanders, defeated Dr. Jasmeet Bains in California’s 22nd Congressional District Democratic primary. He will face Representative David Valadao, the Republican incumbent.
- House Democrats threaten to withhold DCCC dues after party's California faceplant
House Democrats are threatening to withhold dues from the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) after it spent $135,000 to support a moderate candidate in a California Democratic primary, which clashed with endorsements from progressive and Hispanic caucuses. Lawmakers expressed frustration that the DCCC's actions undermined their influence over primary outcomes and the use of campaign funds.
- House Democrats' old guard strikes back in California
House Democrats' older representatives in California, such as Brad Sherman and Mike Thompson, have resisted challenges from younger candidates in primaries, defying expectations of a generational shift. Progressive candidates in other races, like Adam Hamawy and Sam Forstag, have seen success, but many older incumbents remain secure in their districts.
- Democrats redrew California's map to counter Trump. The primary tests whether it pays off for them
California Democrats redrew congressional maps to counter GOP redistricting in Texas, with the primary testing if this strategy succeeds. The top-two primary system risks Democratic vote splitting in San Diego suburbs, potentially excluding them from the general election. Key races include the 48th district and Central Valley, where Democrats aim to challenge Republican incumbents.
- A bitter slugfest in Central Valley exposes divisions in the Democratic Party
Two Democrats, Jasmeet Bains and Randy Villegas, are competing for a primary to challenge Republican Rep. David Valadao in a southern Central Valley congressional race. Valadao faces Democratic opposition after voting to cut Medicaid funds, highlighting internal party divisions.
- A bitter slugfest in Central Valley exposes divisions in the Democratic Party
Two Democrats, Jasmeet Bains and Randy Villegas, compete for a congressional nomination in southern Central Valley to challenge Republican Rep. David Valadao, who supported cutting Medicaid funds. The race highlights divisions within the Democratic Party.
- The House Democratic campaign arm's unusual new target: Democratic candidates
The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) is directly targeting Democratic primary candidates in key battleground districts by launching joint ad buys with endorsed candidates to weaken their opponents, a move criticized by progressives as undermining party unity. This strategy, aimed at countering Republican interference, has sparked internal backlash, with critics arguing it exacerbates existing primary challenges.
- Dem House hopeful tied to district’s secret sex-abuse settlements after touting transparency record
Randy Villegas, a California Democrat running for Congress, has been tied to secret sex-abuse settlements in his school district despite campaigning on transparency. The Visalia Unified School District settled five confidential cases totaling nearly $14.4 million during his tenure. Villegas's campaign did not respond to comments on the matter.
- Dem House hopeful tied to district’s secret sex-abuse settlements after touting transparency record
Randy Villegas, a California Democrat running for Congress, has been tied to secret sex-abuse settlements in his school district despite campaigning on transparency. The Visalia Unified School District settled five confidential cases totaling nearly $14.4 million during his tenure. Villegas's campaign and the school district did not respond to requests for comment.
- House Democrats' campaign arm draws progressive fury for trying to 'tip the scales' in key House primary
House Democrats' campaign arm has sparked backlash from progressive lawmakers for backing a centrist candidate over a far-left challenger in a key House primary, with critics arguing that the decision could unfairly influence the outcome of the election. The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) added California state Assemblymember Jasmeet Bains to its 'Red to Blue' program, prompting criticism from progressives who support Randy Villegas, a university professor backed by Sen. Bernie Sanders. The move has led to accusations that the DCCC is attempting to 'tip the scales' in the race.
- House Democrats' campaign arm draws progressive fury for trying to 'tip the scales' in key House primary
House Democrats' campaign arm has backed centrist candidate Jasmeet Bains over progressive challenger Randy Villegas in a key California primary, sparking backlash from progressive lawmakers who argue the campaign arm should remain neutral. The decision could impact control of the House and has drawn criticism from lawmakers such as Reps. Pramila Jayapal and Adelita Grijalva. The move is part of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee's 'Red to Blue' program.
- Infighting erupts among House Democrats as party picks favorites in contested races
The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee has endorsed multiple candidates in contested primaries, sparking infighting among House Democrats who argue that voters should pick nominees, not the DCCC. The endorsements include candidates like Jasmeet Bains and Bob Brooks, who face opposition in their Democratic primaries. This move has dredged up a debate about whether Democratic leadership is acting un-democratically.