Rep. David Valadao, R-Hanford, defeated former Assemblyman Rudy Salas, D-Bakersfield, again in California’s 22nd Congressional District, the Associated Press projected. Valadao had 53.5% of the votes and Salas had 46.5% as of 6:36 p.m Pacific Time on Tuesday. An estimated 82% of votes had been counted.

Republican Rep. David Valadao managed to once again fend off Democratic challenger Rudy Salas to keep his U.S. House seat representing California's 22nd Congressional District in the Central Valley. Valadao's win bolsters the Republican Party's effort to retain control of the House of Representatives and brings the GOP closer to controlling both arms of Congress after flipping the U.