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Congressional Races: Costa Declares Victory, Nunes Up, Cox Close
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By David Taub, Senior Reporter
Published 5 years ago on
November 4, 2020

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There is a point on a country road south of Fresno where the three congressional districts representing a bulk of the county intersect.

Lone Star Elementary School sits just south of the line in TJ Cox’s district. To the west of boundary is are trees growing with produce in Jim Costa’s district; to the east the is ag firm Sheehan Genetics in Devin Nunes’ district.

Those three congressman faced reelection today.

Here is a look at where the races stand on Election Night as results come through for the congressional districts in and around Fresno County.

At this point on Fowler Avenue south of Fresno, three congressional districts intersect: 16, 21, 22. (GV Wire/David Taub)

Congressional District 21

Photo combination of Rep. Tj Cox and David Valadao
Congressman TJ Cox (left) and David Valadao (GV Wire File)

This is expected to be the tightest race locally, if not the entire country. TJ Cox (D-Fresno) is defending his seat, won in 2018 by just 862 votes. David Valadao (R-Hanford) is hoping to regain the seat covering Fresno, Kings, Tulare and Kern counties.

Results as of 11:15 p.m.

Fresno and Kings counties are now 100% precincts reporting. Kern County still has plenty of votes to update.

Cox will wait out the count.

“Over the last month, the people of the Valley spoke out and voted in the most consequential election of our lifetimes, and they did so amid the largest public health crisis in recent history. The health and safety of California’s 21st district is my top priority. Although I wasn’t able to meet with constituents like I did last election, it was great connecting with voters from a distance on the phones and at the polls today. I’m proud to have run an innovative campaign that reinvented voter contact in order to keep everyone safe during the Covid-19 crisis. We owe it to the Valley to get this right, and ensure each and every vote is counted, no matter who wins. Tonight I’m urging the Central Valley to take a pause, so every voice can be heard,” Cox said via email.

Congressman TJ Cox at his election night event at his Selma campaign office (Image: Cox campaign)
Congress 21 Fresno Tulare Kings Kern TOTAL Lead
Cox 21,977 1,563 13,357          16,366 53,263
Valadao 21,069 1,614 21,510            9,622 53,815            552
Under/over votes                             861                          44 576                   –
Precincts reporting %                             100                        100 89.6                  68
Last reported  10:07 p.m.  10:44 p.m.  10:10 p.m.  10:13 p.m.
Registered voters 82,468 8,372 60,173    108,171
Remaining                        38,561                      5,151                  24,730            82,183

 

Congressional Race 22

Incumbent Devin Nunes (R-Tulare) has a sizable fundraising advantage with more than $23 million raised over Phil Arballo (D-Fresno). The district represents Fresno and Tulare counties.

Results as of 11:15 p.m.

Precincts for both counties, Fresno and Tulare, have reported 100% and Nunes leads by more than 11,000 votes.

Arballo is not conceding, in an email statement.

“While DC insiders and pundits predicted this race was a long shot, tonight’s results reflect the tremendous grassroots energy that we have always known existed across the district. The people of the Central Valley are tired of having an absent representative and are ready for change, and that shows in the record shattering turnout. We are in a position to win this race and with thousands of votes still outstanding, every vote must be counted,” Arballo said.

Congress 22 Fresno Tulare TOTAL Lead
Nunes 82,663 34,893 117,556          11,682
Arballo 74,940 30,934 105,874
Under/over votes                        3,003                        792                  3,795
Precincts reporting %                            100                          100
Last reported  10:07 p.m.  10:44 p.m.
Registered voters 256,500 151,072 407,572
Remaining                        95,894                    84,453             180,347

 

Congressional District 16: Costa Declares Victory

Photo combination of Rep. Jim Costa and Kevin Cookingham

Congressman Jim Costa and Kevin Cookingham (GV Wire File)Jim Costa (D-Fresno) is running for his ninth term. Former educator Kevin Cookingham (R-Madera County) is hoping to end his streak. The district covers Fresno, Madera and Merced counties.

Results as of 11:15 p.m.:

Costa with a 32,000 vote lead has declared victory.

“I would like to thank the voters of the valley for their overwhelming support. I want to get back to Congress and begin working on a national healthcare plan to deal with this pandemic and we also need a major infrastructure package for water transportation and schools,” Costa told GV Wire℠ via text.

Congress 16 Fresno Merced Madera TOTAL Lead
Costa 46,472                  34,272                12,048          92,792      32,376
Cookingham 20,254                  25,806                14,356          60,416
Under/over votes                          1,670                           –                         –
Precincts reporting %                             100  n/a  n/a
Last reported  10:07 p.m.  9:44 p.m.  10:43 p.m.
Registered voters 146,614               117,174 49,214       313,002
Remaining                        78,218                    57,096                  22,810       158,124

 

 

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David Taub,
Senior Reporter
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

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