Democratic Senator Hurtado Enters 22nd Congressional Race to Challenge Republican Incumbent Valadao

Posted on July 27, 2023
FILE: Democratic state senator Melissa Hurtado. Photo Courtesy Hurtado

FRESNO, CA (KMJ) – Democratic state senator Melissa Hurtado has entered the race to challenge republican incumbent Rep. David Valadao (R-Hanford).

There are now two democrats vying for the Valley’s 22nd congressional district seat against Valadao, a five-term incumbent republican.

On Wednesday, Hurtado filed paperwork with the Federal Election Commission to run in Congressional District 22, which allows fundraising to begin for her campaign.

Hurtado is challenging fellow democrat and former assemblyman Rudy Salas (D-Bakersfield) who lost to Valadao in 2022 by three percentage points.

FILE: Democratic state senator Melissa Hurtado campaigning in 2022. Photo Courtesy Melissa Hurtado

The Sanger native beat republican Andy Vidak in the 2018 election.

Hurtado won re-election last year by just 13 votes during a recount.

Listen to the report by KMJ’s Liz Kern.