Another Democrat appears poised to challenge Rep. David Valadao (R–Hanford) for Congress, and she’s already making a splash in the south Valley district.
Asm. Jasmeet Bains (D–Delano) has been featured in an advertisement in recent weeks calling on people to press Valadao to protect Medi-Cal.
Driving the news: In the ad, which is funded by SEIU CA and local healthcare unions, Bains talks about potential Medi-Cal cuts.
- “I’m trying to see as many patients as I can, because Congress is trying to cut their Medi-Cal,” Bains said. “Tell Congressman Valadao to stop these cuts on Medi-Cal.”
The big picture: Bains is in her second term in the Assembly after first being elected in 2022. She is also a working physician and is the Chief Medical Officer for the Central Valley with the California Medical Assistance Team.
- The advertisement simply identifies Bains as “Dr. Bains.” It does not identify her as an Assemblymember.
- Politico reported that SEIU is paying six figures for the ad to run for several weeks on broadcast television.
State of the race: Visalia Unified School District trustee Randy Villegas has already launched a campaign for Congressional District 22.
- Villegas appears to be the pick of progressives and appeared alongside Rep. Ro Khanna (D–Fremont) in March at a town hall event in Bakersfield.
- Former Asm. Rudy Salas (D–Bakersfield) has also filed campaign paperwork with the state but has not announced a campaign yet.
What they’re saying: “Dr. Jasmeet Bains is showing the Valley what strong leadership looks like: standing up for the health care a half million people in CD-22 – 200,000 of them children – rely on to live healthy lives,” said Riko Mendez, chief elected officer of SEIU Local 521, to Politico. “While David Valadao sides with extremists rushing through a plan to terminate health care for children, seniors, and veterans in the Valley, Dr. Bains is actively working to save their lives.”
- National Republican Congressional Committee spokesman Christian Martinez said the SEIU is the master of manufactured outrage and is propping up Bains to keep around 1.4 million illegal immigrants covered by Medi-Cal.
- “Democrats like Jasmeet Bains are fighting to give free healthcare to 1.4 million illegal immigrants at the expense of hardworking Californians,” Martinez said. “While Democrats rely on fear mongering and falsehoods, Congressman David Valadao stands as a trusted, commonsense leader who puts Central Valley families ahead of a radical agenda.”
