Valley GOP Lawmaker Valadao Votes To Impeach Trump
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By David Taub, Senior Reporter
Published 3 years ago on
January 13, 2021
David Valadao is sworn in by Kevin McCarthy in 2021 (Image: David Valadao)

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In his first major vote since returning to Congress, David Valadao voted to impeach President Donald Trump on Wednesday.

Valadao (R-Hanford) was one of 10 Republicans — and the only California GOP lawmaker — to favor impeachment. The vote was 232-197. Trump’s impeachment now moves to the U.S. Senate.

Valadao Statement on Vote

Valadao emailed this statement to GV Wire:

“President Trump was, without question, a driving force in the catastrophic events that took place on January 6 by encouraging masses of rioters to incite violence on elected officials, staff members, and our representative democracy as a whole.

“Speaker Pelosi has thrown precedent and process out the window by turning what should be a thorough investigation into a rushed political stunt. I wish, more than anything, that we had more time to hold hearings to ensure due process.

“Unfortunately, Speaker Pelosi did not afford us that option.

“Based on the facts before me, I have to go with my gut and vote my conscience. I voted to impeach President Trump. His inciting rhetoric was un-American, abhorrent, and absolutely an impeachable offense. It’s time to put country over politics.”

He did not speak on the House floor on Tuesday.

Fresno GOP Criticizes Valadao

On Wednesday evening, the Fresno County Republican Party said they “strongly condemns” Valadao’s vote.

“Congressman Valadao’s vote, one of 10 Republican votes, is a slap in the face to those who worked on or donated to the congressman’s recent campaign,” the local GOP said in a news release. “Congressman Valadao’s vote has shocked his constituents. We could have expected the same vote from former Congressman T. J. Cox [sic].”

Valadao Campaigned as Moderate Republican Not Tied to Trump

Valadao returned to Congress by defeating one-term Democratic lawmaker TJ Cox of Fresno in a 2020 rematch of their close, bitterly contested 2018 race.

During his campaign, Valadao stressed that he was interested in solutions and distanced himself from Trump’s far-right positions on immigration.

By voting to impeach Trump, Valadao signaled his independence from two of his longtime Valley allies, Rep. Devin Nunes (R-Tulare) and House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy of Bakersfield.

But McCarthy, it should be noted, had told Republicans they were free to vote their conscience on Trump’s second impeachment.

Valadao’s 21st Congressional District includes Kings County and portions of Fresno, Kern, and Tulare counties. It is 71% Hispanic, and President-elect Joe Biden won the district by nearly 11 percentage points over Trump.

Republicans Who Voted To Impeach Trump

  • Rep. Adam Kinzinger of Illinois
  • Rep. Liz Cheney of Wyoming
  • Rep. John Katko of New York
  • Rep. Fred Upton of Michigan
  • Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler of Washington
  • Rep. Dan Newhouse of Washington
  • Rep. Peter Meijer of Michigan
  • Rep. Anthony Gonzalez of Ohio
  • Rep. Tom Rice of South Carolina
  • Rep. David Valadao of California

McClintock Explains Why He Opposed Impeachment

GOP Rep. Tom McClintock of Elk Grove, who represents California’s 4th District which includes parts of Fresno and Madera counties, opposed Republican efforts to block certification of Biden’s victory the day of the Capitol riots. And he says that Trump was wrong “to set such a confrontational tone” with his speech that day.

Said McClintock in a statement posted on his office’s website:

“I cannot think of a more petty, vindictive, and gratuitous act than to impeach an already defeated President a week before he is to leave office.  President-elect Biden’s promise to heal the nation becomes a hollow mockery in the harsh reality of this unconstitutional act.

“God help our Country.”

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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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