Voters settled House primaries across California on Tuesday, with all eyes on a handful of swing districts whose November matchups will help determine which party controls Congress for the next two years. All of California’s 52 congressional seats had primary elections. The top two vote-getters in each race will advance to the general election regardless of their political party.
About 10 of those seats figure to be competitive, and a handful are considered toss-ups. These races will be some of the most competitive in the country this fall, and the outcomes will help determine which political party controls Congress. Right now Republicans have 219 seats in the House of Representatives, while Democrats have 213. There are three vacancies.
In this article, we will take a closer look at some of the most competitive House races in California and how they reflect the state’s political landscape and national trends. We will also discuss how California’s role as a national leader and a swing state affects its House elections and its impact on Congress.
22nd District: Political Infighting Leads to Lockout Fears
One of the most closely watched districts in California is the 22nd district, which covers parts of the Central Valley and is currently held by Republican incumbent David Valadao. Democrat Rudy Salas, a former California Assemblymember, is running for Congress in this district as a crucial pickup opportunity for Democrats.
Democrats have feared that Salas and Melissa Hurtado, a state senator who is well known in the district, could splinter the Democratic vote and allow both Republicans to advance to the general election. That would be a major embarrassment for Democrats while dealing a major blow to their chances of retaking the House.
Other Competitive Races to Watch
Other competitive races to watch in California include:
- 13th district: A suburban Los Angeles district that was previously held by Republican Steve Knight, who lost his reelection bid in 2020 to Democrat Mike Garcia.
- 21st district: A coastal district that was previously held by Republican Mike Costa, who retired after serving six terms.
- 39th district: A rural district that was previously held by Republican David Valadao, who faces a tough challenge from Democrat Rudy Salas.
These races will showcase how California’s diverse and dynamic electorate shapes its House elections and its impact on Congress.
