Randy Villegas Beats Pro Israel Dem! Faces MAGA In General!

The doctor is in.

It appears to be Xavier Becerra and Steve Hilton for the California governor’s race.

It appears that Dr. Randy Villegas will face off against Rep. David Valadao (R-CA). 

The progressives claim victory against a pro Israel Democrat. 

California assemblywoman Jasmeet Bains was the Democratic Party's pick for their nominee. Being a physician and Indian American was good. Supporting Israel and continuing to push for the state to continue status quo politics doomed her.

While she was boosted by pro-Israel PACs and the Democratic establishment, her campaign was heavily criticized by the progressive base over a publicized flip-flop on whether Israel's military actions in Gaza constituted a genocide.

Bains received major backing and heavy ad spending from mainstream pro-Israel organizations like the Democratic Majority for Israel PAC and 314 Action, as well as endorsement from the DCCC's "Red to Blue" program.

Villegas clinched the second-place finish for California’s 22nd District Tuesday afternoon following the latest primary election update, according to The Associated Press. He had captured 31.4% of the vote, compared to 26.8% for fellow Democrat Assemblymember Jasmeet Bains. Valadao, who officially advanced last week, had 41.8%.

Dr. Jasmeet Bains, California Assemblywoman was defeated. Her ties to AIPAC, the establishment Democrats doomed her.

When California voters approved a mid decade redistricting, California redrawn its 52 districts to lean more Democratic. 

Valadao is likely to win the seat but he does face backlash for his support of President Donald J. Trump and Israel. 

The district’s redrawn boundaries under Proposition 50 make the 22nd District inherently more blue. Valadao has historically survived tough elections by running as a moderate independent, but being tethered to a polarizing Trump midterm while defending cuts to local healthcare and unconditional foreign military spending gives the unified Democratic coalition their cleanest shot yet at ousting him.

Villegas has successfully energized the district's working-class, heavily Latino base by directly linking foreign military aid to local economic neglect. Villegas' platform advocates for diverting billions of dollars from U.S. aid to Israel into local healthcare and infrastructure. Valadao's staunchly pro-Israel votes give Villegas a powerful, highly motivating contrast to drive voter turnout among anti-war and younger progressive voters who might otherwise sit out the midterms.