Central Valley voters grapple with health cuts and rising costs in tight congressional race

Vanessa Martinez, a Central Valley resident working as a hairdresser, funeral-home aide and construction subcontractor, fears the loss of her federal Pell grant and Medi-Cal benefits amid rising living costs. The district, California’s 22nd, voted 59% for Donald Trump in 2024 and now hosts a heated contest between Republican incumbent David Valadao and Democrat Randy Villegas, who criticizes both parties for neglecting the valley.

Valadao attributes price spikes to the Iran war and pushes deregulation, while Villegas attacks recent tax cuts and health-care rollbacks that stripped coverage from about 70,000 constituents. Health officials warn that Medicaid cuts could overwhelm already strained clinics, increasing emergency-room visits. The race is shaping up as a referendum on health policy, with voters like Martinez hoping for a candidate who will genuinely address their economic and medical hardships.