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2 years agoon
State Assemblyman Rudy Salas is joining the congressional race to unseat Rep. David Valadao, R-Hanford.
David Taub
Politics 101
Salas, D-Bakersfield, confirmed Monday his long-rumored candidacy. He is the eighth candidate in the race, but perhaps has the most name recognition of the challengers.
“I’ve brought home hundreds of millions of dollars in investment to increase workforce development, build clean water infrastructure, improve public safety, expand educational opportunities and fight Valley Fever. With the community’s support, I know that we can make sure that Washington once again delivers for the Central Valley on the issues that most affect us,” Salas said, as transcribed in a news release.
Political watchers have called Valadao’s 21st district seat one of the most vulnerable in the nation. The district, which covers all of Kings County and parts of Fresno, Tulare, and Kern counties, supports a Democratic president, but a (moderately) Republican congressman.
In recently released fundraising figures, Republican challengers have outraised Democratic hopefuls, although that could change with Salas’ entry.
Chris Mathys, the former Fresno councilman, is challenging Valadao from the right. Many Republican groups are upset over Valadao voting to impeach former President Donald Trump.
Mathys reported $323,509 raised thus far. Most of it, $300,000, is in the form of a self-loan.
Salas’ announcement comes after the most recent congressional fundraising reporting deadline. But, he does have $906,762 cash on hand in his Assembly account.
What will Salas’ entry mean for the other mainline Democratic candidates? Brian Osorio, the young mayor of Delano, continues to outraise former Assemblywoman-turned-lobbyist Nicole Parra.
Parra seems unnerved by Salas’ entry. Last week, she tweeted “Rudy, welcome to the race! Angel, Bryan, Rudy, David, Chris, Adam … a crowded field of men once again running for Congress. I was the first person to step up to challenge David and I will be the first woman elected to Congress ever from the So. San Joaquin Valley!”
Rudy, welcome to the race! Angel, Bryan, Rudy, David, Chris, Adam…a crowded field of men once again running for Congress. I was the first person to step up to challenge David and I will be the first woman elected to Congress ever from the So. San Joaquin Valley! #grit #love https://t.co/19RWyN6eLe
— Nicole Parra for Congress (@Parra4Congress) October 7, 2021
Hours ahead of Salas’ formal announcement, Parra issued a tweet storm of her supporters, including state Sen. Melissa Hurtado, D-Sanger, and Fresno City Councilman Miguel Arias.
But, will that help her fundraising? She is in fourth-place, lagging behind Valadao, Mathys, and fellow Democrat Osorio. She picked up $37,784 for the third quarter, $23,000 behind Osorio.
Race | Name | Fundraising | Spent | Cash on hand | |
Total | 3rd Quarter | ||||
21 | David Valadao (R)* | $1,122,712 | $317,963 | $251,577 | $1,026,964 |
21 | Chris Mathys (R) | $323,509 | $104,378 | $25,522 | $25,522 |
21 | Brian Osorio (D) | $101,216 | $60,582 | $41,814 | $59,402 |
21 | Nicole Parra (D) | $97,767 | $37,784 | $30,934 | $79,416 |
21 | Angel Lara (D) | $56,414 | n/a | $27,016 | $29,397 |
21 | Adam Medeiros (R) | $21,400 | n/a | $387 | $21,012 |
21 | Martha Elena Flores-Gibson (R) | $116 | n/a | $0 | $116 |
21 | Rudy Salas (D) | – | – | – | – |
Totals through Sept. 30; * incumbent
Third-quarter fundraising totals are in for congressional candidates.
In the other two Fresno-area congressional races, it is no surprise that the incumbents — Jim Costa, D-Fresno, and Devin Nunes, R-Tulare — have strong leads.
Costa, a notoriously slow starter when it comes to fundraising, outraised Madera businessman David Giglio. Nearly half of Giglio’s $545,519 haul is in the form of contributions or loans from himself.
Nunes continues to lap the field in 22nd District race fundraising.
Race | Name | Fundraising | Spent | Cash on hand | |
Total | 3rd Quarter | ||||
16 | Jim Costa (D)* | $811,305 | $420,352 | $286,049 | $935,426 |
16 | David Giglio (R) | $545,519 | $231,306 | $143,192 | $402,327 |
16 | Nathan Brown (R) | $124,495 | n/a | $15,690 | $108,804 |
22 | Devin Nunes (R)* | $3,320,027 | $794,660 | $2,422,323 | $11,805,658 |
22 | Phil Arballo (D) | $826,879 | $315,655 | $482,007 | $374,138 |
22 | Eric Garcia (D) | $189,135 | n/a | $177,586 | $11,549 |
22 | Lourin Hubbard (D) | $42,437 | n/a | $13,075 | $29,361 |
Totals through Sept. 30; * incumbent
After nearly three decades of service, Kevin Meikle is retiring as Fresno’s airports director. He has served 32 years with the city, 19 in the airport department, and the last eight as director.
“An architect and instrument-rated pilot, Meikle’s development and aviation background complemented numerous strategic initiatives and programs that have strategically positioned the airport for future growth,” airport spokeswoman Vikkie Calderon said.
His last project is probably his biggest — a $115 million terminal and parking lot expansion.
Calderon says the city will conduct a national search to find Meikle’s replacement.
It is still in the early stages, but the city is thinking of turning a vacant warehouse it owns on H Street between Mono and Inyo streets into a farmer’s market/restaurant/retail project.
The Fresno City Council voted last week to hire TAM+CZ Architects of Fresno to evaluate its potential. The contract costs $80,000.
While the city owns the warehouse — it has seen more action from the homeless in recent years than any economic activity — preliminary drawings show the project using space in the adjacent parking lot.
The city sold that parking lot to the Fresno Grizzlies years ago. Councilman Miguel Arias says the city is negotiating with the team to buy it back.
Curiosity drives David Taub. The award-winning journalist might be shy, but feels mighty with a recorder in his hand. He doesn't see it his job to "hold public officials accountable," but does see it to provide readers (and voters) the information needed to make intelligent choices. Taub has been honored with several writing awards from the California News Publishers Association. He's just happy to have his stories read. Joining GV Wire in 2016, Taub covers politics, government and elections, mainly in the Fresno/Clovis area. He also writes columns about local eateries (Appetite for Fresno), pro wrestling (Off the Bottom Rope), and media (Media Man). Prior to joining the online news source, Taub worked as a radio producer for KMJ and PowerTalk 96.7 in Fresno. He also worked as an assignment editor for KCOY-TV in Santa Maria, California, and KSEE-TV in Fresno. He has also worked behind the scenes for several sports broadcasts, including the NCAA basketball tournament, and the Super Bowl. When not spending time with his family, Taub loves to officially score Fresno Grizzlies games. Growing up in the San Francisco Bay Area, Taub is a die-hard Giants and 49ers fan. He graduated from the University of Michigan with dual degrees in communications and political science. Go Blue! You can contact David at 559-492-4037 or at Send an Email