Incumbent David Valadao (R) and Randy Villegas (D) are running in the general election for California's 22nd Congressional District on November 3, 2026.

The Sacramento Bee's Mathew Miranda said, "Valadao has largely withstood challengers in the Democratic-leaning Central Valley swing district since he entered Congress in 2012. He faces new challenges this year, however, including changes from Proposition 50’s redistricting, criticism from his key vote to cut Medicare and declining approval ratings for President Donald Trump."

The election is taking place in the context of redistricting changing the boundaries of the 22nd District from those used in 2024. Inside Elections' Nathaniel Rakich said the new district lines "would make it easier for Democrats to dislodge Valadao, who has frustrated them for years by overperforming the top of the ticket. But this district, too, is trending Republican; it would have voted for Biden by 17 points in 2020 but Trump by 2 points in 2024." As of July 2026, major election forecasters rated the general election Toss-up or Tilt Republican.

Valadao was first elected in 2012 and was re-elected in 2020 after losing the 2018 election. Valadao's campaign website says, "The Central Valley needs a full-time Representative that people can be proud of and trust. We need to protect our water, put an end to out-of-control inflation and outrageous gas prices, work to bring new jobs and job training to the Central Valley, and stand up for seniors and veterans to ensure they get the benefits they deserve. David Valadao will make a real difference for the Central Valley."

Villegas is a college professor and community organizer. In a statement, Villegas' campaign said he is "running for Congress to stand up for hard working families who are working hard but falling through the cracks, struggling to find jobs that pay a living wage and afford health care costs. Because he understands what it’s like to be a working person in California’s Central Valley, he’ll fight for a more just economy, where everyone who can afford to feed their family, have a safe place to live, save for the future, and get the health care they need without going bankrupt. [sic]"

The outcome of this race will affect the partisan balance of the U.S. House of Representatives in the 120th Congress. All 435 U.S. House districts are up for election.

Currently, Republicans have a 219-212 majority with four vacancies in the chamber.

As of May 13, 2026, Valadao had raised $4.23 million and Villegas had raised $1.75 million.