Mike Johnson, Bernie Sanders to campaign in Central Valley for 22nd District race

Mathew Miranda, The Sacramento Bee on Sep 29, 2026

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Two of the biggest names in politics are headed to the Central Valley this week to rally support for their preferred candidates in California’s crucial 22nd District race.

Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., will join a campaign event Wednesday in Bakersfield for Rep. David Valadao, R-Hanford. U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., will hold his own rally Sunday in Bakersfield with progressive Democratic challenger Randy Villegas.

The dueling visits come as Valadao and Villegas face off in one of the country’s most competitive congressional races. Valadao has won the Democratic-leaning swing district in six of the last seven elections, but Democrats see an opening this year with declining popularity of President Donald Trump and cuts to health care.

Villegas, a populist backed by major progressive names, is banking on an anti-establishment message to energize voters in a typically low voter turnout region. The district, which includes parts of five Central Valley counties, is considered critical to determining which major political party controls Congress.

Johnson’s event is scheduled for 12:30 p.m. Wednesday at a location in Bakersfield that has not been publicly disclosed.

Sanders’ rally is scheduled for 6 p.m. Sunday at Harvey Auditorium at Bakersfield High School. The event comes during a three-day California swing for Sanders, who is also scheduled to campaign with Reps. Ro Khanna, D-Fremont, and Aisha Wahab, D-Dublin.

Villegas advanced in a tough primary against Assemblymember Jasmeet Bains, D-Bakersfield, a moderate Democrat who was endorsed by the establishment wing of the party. He received 32.4% of the vote, compared to Bains’ 26.9%. Valadao carried 40.7% of voters in the district.

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