David Valadao

David Goncalves Valadao /ˌvæləˈdeɪoʊ/ (born April 14, 1977) is an American politician who served as the U.S. Representative for California's 21st congressional district from 2013 to 2019. Before that, he served one term in the California State Assembly, representing the 30th district. He is a member of the Republican Party. Valadao is running for his former U.S. House seat in the 2020 election.

David Valadao
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from California's 21st district
In office
January 3, 2013 – January 3, 2019
Preceded byNew Constituency (Redistricting)
Succeeded byTJ Cox
Member of the California State Assembly
from the 30th district
In office
December 6, 2010 – November 30, 2012
Preceded byDanny Gilmore
Succeeded byRudy Salas
Personal details
Born
David Goncalves Valadao

(1977-04-14) April 14, 1977
Hanford, California, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
Spouse(s)
Terra Valadao
(
m. 1999)
Children3
EducationCollege of the Sequoias

Early life and education
Valadao with Devin Nunes in June 2004

Valadao was born and raised in Hanford, California. His parents are Portuguese immigrants; his father grew up on the Azores Islands. In a 2013 interview Valadao said his parents were initially registered Democrats but later switched to the Republican Party.[1]

Valadao graduated from Hanford High School in 1995.[2] From 1996 to 1998[3] he attended the College of the Sequoias in Visalia as a part-time student but did not graduate.[4]

Agriculture career

Valadao's father established a dairy farm in Kings County, California in 1969. Along with his brother, he became a partner in Valadao Dairy in 1992.[4] He has been a member of the California Milk Advisory Board, Western States Dairy Trade Association, and Regional Leadership Council Chairman for Land O' Lakes.[5]

In March 2018 Valadao, a general partner of Triple V Dairy, was named in two lawsuits against the dairy for defaulting on almost $9 million in loans and for failing to pay a supplier.[6] In June 2018 a bank seized the dairy and sold it off to pay its debts. Valadao said, "Like so many family dairy farms across the country, burdensome government regulations made it impossible for the operation to remain open."[7]

California Assembly

2010 election

Valadao announced his candidacy for California's 30th State Assembly district after the 2010 retirement of Republican Assemblyman Danny Gilmore. He defeated Stephanie Campbell in the Republican primary, 78%–22%.[8] In the general election, he defeated Shafter Mayor Fran Florez, 61%–39%.[9][10]

U.S. House of Representatives

Elections

2012
See also: 2012 United States House of Representatives elections in California § District 21

In August 2011 Valadao announced that he would seek the Republican nomination for California's 21st congressional district.[11] The district had previously been the 20th District, represented by four-term Democrat Jim Costa, but redistricting had shifted most of the district's share of Fresno to the new 16th District, and Costa sought reelection there.

In the June 5 open primary, he ranked first with 57% of the vote, ahead of Democrat John Hernandez – the head of the local Hispanic Chamber of Commerce – and Fresno city councilman Blong Xiong.[12] In the November 6 general election he defeated Hernandez, 58%–42%.[13] A Wall Street Journal op-ed cited his victory in a district that had long been held by Democrats as a potential template for the GOP, while other analysts cited his opponent's "weakness as a candidate and a campaigner" as playing a major role.[14]

2014
See also: 2014 United States House of Representatives elections in California § District 21

Valadao ran for reelection in November 2014. His challengers were Democrat Amanda Renteria, a former political aide to Dianne Feinstein and Debbie Stabenow,[15] and John Hernandez, the Democratic nominee Valadao defeated in 2012.[16] In the June 3 primary Valadao finished first once again with 63% of the vote, and received majorities of 60% or higher in every county except for Kern. In the November 4 general election he was reelected with 58% of the vote.[17]

2016
See also: 2016 United States House of Representatives elections in California § District 21

Valadao ran for reelection to a third term in 2016. His first challenger was Democrat Daniel Parra, the Mayor pro tem of Fowler, California.[18] Another Democratic challenger was Connie Perez, an accountant in Pasadena, California, who grew up in Tulare, but due to issues regarding her residency outside of the district, as well as an alleged recent change in party affiliation, Perez dropped out less than a month after announcing her candidacy.[19][20] In January 2016 Emilio Huerta, son of United Farm Workers co-founder Dolores Huerta, announced his candidacy in the race as a Democrat.[21] In the June 7 primary Valadao finished first with 54% of the vote and Huerta finished second with 24.2%.[22][23] In the general election Valadao was reelected with 56.7% of the vote to Huerta's 43.3%.[24]

2018
See also: 2018 California's 21st congressional district election

In 2018 Valadao was initially set to face Huerta again in a rematch, with Huerta announcing his bid in May 2017.[25] But in March 2018 Huerta suspended his campaign for lack of funds.[26][27] After Huerta’s withdrawal, engineer T. J. Cox of Fresno announced that he would challenge Valadao.[28] Cox had previously announced a challenge to Republican Congressman Jeff Denham in the 10th district before switching to Valadao’s seat.[29]

Valadao declared victory on November 6 after the Associated Press initially called the race in his favor, but the counting of mail-in ballots gave Cox a very narrow lead. Cox officially won the race on November 28,[30] and Valadao conceded on December 6.[31] The final count showed that Cox won by 862 votes. It was one of the last U.S. House races to be decided in the 2018 cycle.[32]

2020
See also: 2020 United_States House of Representatives elections in California § District 21

Valadao is running to reclaim his former seat in 2020.[33]

Political positions

In the 114th United States Congress, Valadao was ranked as the 42nd most bipartisan member of the U.S. House of Representatives in the Bipartisan Index created by The Lugar Center and the McCourt School of Public Policy.[34] Between 2017 and 2018, he voted in line with Donald Trump's stated position 97.9% of the time.[35]

Vote Smart Political Courage Test

According to Vote Smart's 2016 analysis, Valadao generally supported pro-life legislation, opposed an income tax increase, opposed requiring states to adopt federal education standards, supported lowering taxes as a means of promoting economic growth, supported the building of the Keystone Pipeline, supported government funding for the development of renewable energy, opposed the federal regulation of greenhouse gas emissions, opposed gun-control legislation, supported repealing the Affordable Care Act, opposed requiring immigrants who are unlawfully present to return to their country of origin before they are eligible for citizenship, opposed same-sex marriage, and supported increased American intervention in Iraq and Syria beyond air support.[36]

Donald Trump

After Donald Trump became the presumptive Republican presidential nominee in May 2016, Valadao said he would support his candidacy. He rescinded his support in June 2016, declining to endorse Trump and saying he could not support a candidate who "denigrates people based on their ethnicity, religion, or disabilities."[37]

In February 2017, Valadao voted against a resolution that would have directed the House to request ten years of Trump's tax returns, which would then have been reviewed by the House Ways and Means Committee in a closed session.[38]

FiveThirtyEight found that, as of September 2018, Valadao had voted in line with President Trump's stated position 99% of the time.[39]

Environment

In 2014, President Obama blamed a drought that California began experiencing in 2011 on global warming. According to The Hill, Valadao was among Republican candidates in three swing districts in California who said "climate change has nothing to do with the drought." Valadao argued that regulations by the Obama administration had worsened the drought.[40]

Food stamps

In 2013 Valadao was one of 15 House Republicans to vote against a Republican-backed bill to make deep cuts in food stamp spending.[41]

Healthcare

Valadao favored repealing the Affordable Care Act. On May 4, 2017, he voted to repeal it and to pass the American Health Care Act (AHCA).[42][43][44] He was one of three co-sponsors of a last minute amendment that added $8 billion to fund high risk pools for patients with pre-existing conditions.[45] The revised version of AHCA allowed states to get waivers to allow insurers to charge individuals with preexisting conditions more if the individual has had a gap in insurance coverage.[46]

In June 2017 Valadao and Jeff Denham (CA-10) introduced the Assessing Critical Care Efforts to Strengthen Services (ACCESS) Act. It would correct California's Medicaid reimbursement method in order to encourage physicians to operate in the Central Valley and to ensure patient access to doctors and specialists.[47]

In July 2017, Valadao and five other members of Congress introduced the Training the Next Generation of Primary Care Doctors Act of 2017, which would reauthorize the Teaching Health Center Graduate Medical Education (THCGME) Program. It would expand existing programs at health centers and establish new teaching health centers.[48]

LGBT rights

In 2016, Valadao opposed a measure that banned discrimination against LGBT employees by federal contractors.[49][50] He opposes same-sex marriage,[51][52] and voted to defend the constitutionality of the Defense of Marriage Act.[53][54]

Immigration

Valadao supports comprehensive immigration reform.[55][56]

In August 2014 he broke ranks with the Republican Party and voted against a bill that would have dismantled the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program.[57]

On February 23, 2017, Valadao called for a bipartisan solution to the U.S. immigration system. Later in 2017 Valadao and nine other lawmakers wrote to Speaker of the House Paul Ryan asking for legislation to address DACA's future.[58]

In June 2018 Valadao released a statement about the Department of Justice's "zero tolerance" policy, which involved separating children and parents at the Mexican border. "The substantial increase of minors at our southern border is both a humanitarian and national security crisis," Valadao wrote. "While we must work towards a solution that reduces the occurrence of illegal border crossings, it is unacceptable to separate young children from their parents. This is exactly why passage of a compromise solution, such as that being discussed in Congress right now, is absolutely necessary."[59]

Marijuana

The marijuana legalization advocacy group NORML gave Valadao a "D" grade in 2016 for his voting history on cannabis-related causes.[60]

Taxes

In December 2017 Valadao voted in favor of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.[61]

Trade

Valadao has criticized the Trump administration's imposition of tariffs against Chinese steel and aluminum imports, which prompted China to impose retaliatory tariffs on a range of U.S. agriculture products. In May 2018 he sent a letter to United States Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer expressing concern over the tariffs' impact on the Central Valley's economy, writing, "Not only do the proposed tariffs fail to adequately remedy China's unfair practices, such tariffs seriously jeopardize our farmers' access to export markets, which accounts for roughly twenty percent of their production."[62]

Veterans

In January 2017 Valadao introduced H.R. 299, the Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act, "to grant presumptive Agent Orange exposure status to U.S. service members who served in the territorial seas of Vietnam during the Vietnam War. This would enable eligible veterans to receive expedited consideration for Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits if they suffer from any of the diseases the U.S. Government has linked to Agent Orange." In August 2017 Valadao and Representative Joe Courtney sent a letter urging the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to ensure that Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans have access to medical care from the VA.[63]

Electoral history
California's 21st congressional district election, 2012
Primary election
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican David Valadao 27,251 57.0
Democratic John Hernandez 10,575 22.1
Democratic Blong Xiong 9,990 20.9
Total votes 47,816 100.0
General election
Republican David Valadao 67,164 57.8
Democratic John Hernandez 49,119 42.2
Total votes 116,283 100.0
Republican win (new seat)
California's 21st congressional district election, 2014
Primary election
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican David Valadao (incumbent) 28,773 63.0
Democratic Amanda Renteria 11,682 25.6
Democratic John Hernandez 5,232 11.5
Total votes 45,687 100.0
General election
Republican David Valadao (incumbent) 45,907 57.8
Democratic Amanda Renteria 33,470 42.2
Total votes 79,377 100.0
Republican hold
California's 21st congressional district election, 2016
Primary election
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican David Valadao (incumbent) 37,367 54.0
Democratic Emilio Huerta 16,743 24.2
Democratic Daniel Parra 15,056 21.8
Total votes 69,166 100.0
General election
Republican David Valadao (incumbent) 75,126 56.7
Democratic Emilio Huerta 57,282 43.3
Total votes 132,408 100.0
Republican hold
California's 21st congressional district election, 2018[64][65]
Primary election
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican David Valadao (incumbent) 34,290 62.8
Democratic TJ Cox 20,293 37.2
Total votes 54,583 100.0
General election
Democratic TJ Cox 57,239 50.4
Republican David Valadao (incumbent) 56,377 49.6
Total votes 113,616 100.0
Democratic gain from Republican

Honors and awards

In August 2014 the United States Chamber of Commerce awarded Valadao its Spirit of Enterprise Award.[55] He won the same award again in 2016.[66]

Personal life

Valadao lives in Hanford with his wife, Terra, and their three children.[67] Valadao consistently ranked as the poorest member of Congress during his tenure, with over $17.5 million in debt in 2018, mainly loans to his family's dairy farm.[68][69]

References
  1. Trujillo, Mario; Rep. David Valadao is proof that the GOP can appeal to Hispanic voters; The Hill; May 6, 2013; http://thehill.com/capital-living/new-member-of-the-week/297831-rep-david-valadao-is-proof-that-the-gop-can-appeal-to-hispanic-voters
  2. Cassandra Sandoval, David Valadao keeps Congress seat, Kinsburg Recorder (November 16, 2016).
  3. VALADAO, David G., (1977 - ), Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.
  4. Calif., 21st House District: David Valadao (R), The Atlantic (November 6, 2012).
  5. "David Valadao Biography". California State Assembly. Archived from the original on June 26, 2012. Retrieved October 2, 2016.
  6. Calix, Brianna; Rep. David Valadao family's dairy slapped with lawsuits, revealing financial trouble, Fresno Bee (March 13, 2018).
  7. Garcia, Eric; Bank Seizes Valadao’s Family Farm,Roll Call (June 13, 2018).
  8. "CA State Assembly 30- R Primary Race – Jun 08, 2010". Our Campaigns.
  9. "CA State Assembly 30 Race – Nov 02, 2010". Our Campaigns.
  10. Wenner, Gretchen (November 3, 2011). "Florez loss bucks state trend". Bakersfield Californian. Retrieved January 24, 2012.
  11. Nidever, Seth (August 2, 2011). "Valadao says he's running for Congress". Hanford Sentinel. Retrieved January 24, 2012.
  12. "CA – District 21 – Open Primary Race – Jun 05, 2012". Our Campaigns.
  13. "CA – District 21 Race – Nov 06, 2012". Our Campaigns.
  14. Nidever, Seth (November 23, 2012). "Valadao win a 'template' for GOP?". Hanford Sentinel. Retrieved November 30, 2012.
  15. "Valadao, Vidak, Cannella off to strong fundraising start". The Fresno Bee. February 3, 2014. Archived from the original on February 21, 2014.
  16. "Election notebook: GOP releases poll showing Valadao well ahead". Bakersfield Californian. February 13, 2014.
  17. "U.S. House of Representatives District 21 - Districtwide Results". November 17, 2014. Archived from the original on November 18, 2014. Retrieved October 2, 2016.
  18. Cahn, Emily (April 6, 2015). "Democrat Announces Bid Against Valadao in California". Roll Call. Retrieved November 3, 2015.
  19. Ellis, John (October 9, 2015). "Tulare County native Connie Perez enters 21st Congressional race". The Fresno Bee. Retrieved November 3, 2015.
  20. "Perez drops out of 21st race". Central Valley Observer. November 3, 2015. Retrieved November 3, 2015.
  21. Panzar, Javier (January 6, 2016). "Emilio Huerta, son of labor icon, jumps into Central Valley congressional race". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved May 1, 2016.
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  28. Rory Appleton (March 6, 2018). "David Valadao has a new challenger in 2018 congressional race". Fresno Bee. Retrieved March 9, 2018.
  29. John Holland (July 6, 2017). "T.J. Cox announces bid for Denham seat in House". Modesto Bee. Retrieved March 9, 2018.
  30. https://www.latimes.com/politics/la-me-pol-valadao-cox-victory-20181128-story.html
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  48. House leaders introduce bill to continue bringing physicians to underserved areas; Ripon Advance; July 27, 2017; https://riponadvance.com/stories/house-leaders-introduce-bill-continue-bringing-physicians-underserved-areas/
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  57. Foley, Elise (August 1, 2014). "House Votes To Strip Deportation Relief From Dreamers". The Huffington Post.
  58. Rep. Valadao and colleagues send president letter, urging support for DACA; KMPH; August 25, 2017; https://kmph.com/news/local/rep-valadao-colleagues-send-president-letter-in-support-of-daca
  59. Appleton, Rory; Valadao switches from moral outcry to letter of the law with survey; Fresno Bee; June 20, 2018; https://www.fresnobee.com/news/politics-government/politics-columns-blogs/political-notebook/article213543509.html
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  63. Wentling, Nikki; House Approves Benefits for Blue Water Navy Veterans; Military.com; June 26, 2018; https://www.military.com/daily-news/2018/06/26/house-approves-benefits-blue-water-navy-veterans.html
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U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by
Devin Nunes		 Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from California's 21st congressional district
2013–2019		 Succeeded by
TJ Cox
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