MEMO: The Case Against David Valadao
TO: Interested Parties
FROM: Barb Solish, DCCC West Press Secretary
DATE: June 7, 2016
Tonight’s California Primary results mark the beginning of the general election race for California’s 21st Congressional district.
In this diverse Central Valley district, Valadao’s reelection campaign will be defined by Donald Trump, which is a damaging reality for Valadao, who has tried hard to paint himself as a moderate Republican. But Valadao’s vow to support Trump means he owns the divisive priorities and offensive, anti-immigrant policies that Trump promotes between now and Election Day.
Many dynamics, including anticipated presidential year turnout, Trump’s toxicity with Latino voters, and a strong Democratic candidate all point to a daunting reelection path for Congressman Valadao in November.
VALADAO IS ON THE TRUMP TICKET
Past data predicts increased turnout in California’s 21st district this presidential year, particularly among women and Latinos, which favors Democrats. Trump’s historically toxic candidacy may well accelerate this trend, further imperiling Valadao’s reelection chances. Donald Trump continues to have astronomically high disapproval ratings among Latinos, who make up the majority – over 73% – of the 21st District’s population. This spells trouble for Valadao, whose name will appear on the same ballot as Trump in this Democratic-leaning district.
Trump now defines everything for House Republicans like Valadao, particularly thanks to Speaker Paul Ryan’s recent Trump endorsement. In Presidential years, the top of the ticket always defines down-ballot races, and that will be especially true this year for Valadao, given Donald Trump’s willingness to be provocative and offensive on a daily basis. In addition to having to answer for Trump’s wildly offensive comments about Latinos, Valadao is now the Central Valley face of a Republican Party brand that is toxic to voters in a diverse district that voted for President Obama in both 2008 and 2012.
OUT OF STEP WITH THE CENTRAL VALLEY
It seems the longer that David Valadao stays in the Congress, the less he fights for the Central Valley and the more he falls in line with his D.C. Party leadership.
Instead of acting on his promise to pursue immigration reform, Valadao actually took a hard party-line stand by voting to send an amicus brief on behalf of the House of Representatives to the Supreme Court that would in effect tear apart hardworking immigrant families.
Last month, Valadao again came under scrutiny for blindly following Party leadership instructions. Valadao was one of just seven Republicans who flipped their vote in order for Republicans to defeat an anti-discrimination bill.
It is clear that when Valadao is in Washington, he throws principles out the window and becomes simply a tool for his D.C. bosses.
CONCLUSION
In 2016, Congressman David Valadao faces an uphill battle running for reelection with Donald Trump at the top of the ticket, a more Democratic and diverse electorate, and a continued pattern of putting D.C. Republican leaders before Central Valley families.