Giglio: ‘America First,’ Central Valley advocate needed in Congress

Small business owner David Giglio launched his campaign for the 20th Congressional District before Speaker Emeritus Kevin McCarthy announced his retirement from Congress. 

Giglio spoke with The Sun for political candidate podcast series, The Stump, airing on Sunrise FM. 

The big picture: Giglio, who owns a sports cards and collectible shop in Clovis, first broke onto the political scene in 2021 when he looked to end Rep. Jim Costa’s (D–Fresno) Congressional career. 

• But after the California Redistricting Commission redrew the Congressional district lines, Giglio launched his campaign for the open 13th District. He finished fourth in the 2022 primary, and Rep. John Duarte (R–Modesto) claimed the seat in the November election. 
• Shortly after McCarthey was removed as Speaker last year, Giglio launched a challenge in the 20th District, positioning himself as a more conservative America First Republican. 
• Giglio has been vocal about his support for former President Donald Trump and sees himself as an outsider who is not beholden to donors and the establishment. 
• The Sun spoke to Giglio about a variety of issues in the 20th District and in the nation, including his comprehensive water plan. 

What they’re saying: “I know how powerful Kevin is. Kevin controls everything in California politics, everything in Central Valley politics,” Giglio said. “He has a $20 million war chest. And I said, ‘You know what? I don’t care about any of that. I’m going to throw my hat in there. I’m going to get a lot of grief for it, but I’m going to do it because it’s the right thing to do, because it’s to help people.’” 

• Giglio said he does not plan to stay in office for many years and make a career out of it if elected, not sure if he would even want to stay four or five terms if elected. He said he would likely leave Congress once he got his comprehensive water plan passed. 
• “I believe we need some strong advocates in Washington that don’t really care about playing by the rules and don’t really care about pleasing donors and all the same kind of people – the elites – and just want to go there and advocate for the Valley and do what’s best for the Valley,” Giglio said.