Overview
- Randy Villegas declared victory in the jungle primary on Tuesday and is projected to advance to the November general election against Republican Rep. David Valadao.
- With roughly three quarters of returns reported Villegas led moderate Jasmeet Bains by about four points while Valadao held roughly 42 percent of the vote, leaving Valadao and Villegas as the top two finishers.
- Major outside groups intervened to shape the outcome: the DCCC and Democratic Majority for Israel backed Bains with large ad buys, while Republican and progressive-aligned super PACs spent to elevate Villegas.
- Villegas has drawn controversy for calling Israel a “genocidal regime” and for saying he would oppose additional military funding to Israel, a contrast with Bains’s pro-Israel statements that helped attract pro-Israel spending.
- The top-two primary system advances the two highest vote-getters regardless of party and, under a newly drawn map, Cook’s toss-up rating means the race is likely to draw heavy national spending and attention before November.