Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility

Despite Last-Minute Changes, Senate Bill Deals Big Blow to Renewable Energy

10 hours ago

Trump-Backed Tax-Cut and Spending Bill Passes US Senate

11 hours ago

Homeland Security Secretary Noem Says CNN May Be Prosecuted Over Report on Migration App

12 hours ago

Israeli Officials to Hold Ceasefire Talks in Washington Amid Military Escalation in Gaza

13 hours ago

Trump Escalates Feud With Musk, Threatens Tesla, SpaceX Support

13 hours ago

Musk Vows to Punish Lawmakers Who Back Trump’s Spending Bill

1 day ago

Will Valadao Spoil Trump’s Plan for July 4th ‘Big Beautiful Bill’ Signing?

1 day ago

Shaver Lake and Reedley 4th of July Shows Are Wednesday. Who Else Is Celebrating?

1 day ago
Hotly Contested Valley Race Draws Former VP Mike Pence to Fresno
By admin
Published 3 years ago on
October 17, 2022

Share

 

Former vice president Mike Pence stumped for Rep. David Valadao, R-Hanford, at a fundraising event in Fresno Monday morning. Winning kitchen table issues such as the economy and public safety will return Valadao to Washington, Pence said.

Valadao is being challenged by Assemblyman Rudy Salas, D-Bakersfield, in the Valley’s 22nd Congressional District race.

“This country is in a lot of trouble,” Pence said. “In many respects, America is facing a crisis at home — in our economy, in a crime wave in our major cities, in the assault on our values and our liberties. That comes from the radical left.”

Pence said that Valadao’s policies helped the Trump administration create 7 million jobs, boost the economy and cut regulations.

He called Valadao “a man of integrity. A man that has stood strong for the conservative heartland values that literally are in the agricultural heartland of California.”

Pence is optimistic about Republicans’ chances. He said fellow Central Valley congressman Kevin McCarthy, R-Bakersfield, is in line to become Speaker of the House; and Valadao would continue to serve on the House Appropriations Committee.

Election experts call Valadao’s race with Salas a toss-up.

Tying Salas to Newsom

Valadao tied Salas to Gov. Gavin Newsom, blaming Democrats for the Central Valley’s water woes.

“Newsom has been horrendous for us on water and you’ve got someone running against me who’s worked with him apparently over the last few years, it has never stood up to him and asked him to step up and either one, stop the lawsuits against us on the federal level, that would help us on water or do something that would actually help us at the state level. And both those situations are dramatic,” Valadao said.

Valadao also criticized Salas for his energy policy, especially gas prices.

“It just made life difficult. And you’ve got someone running for office on these things that he says he’s done. But everything they’ve done at the state level has hurt us more than has helped us,” Valadao said.

Pence: No Word on 2024 Run

Former vice president Mike Pence would not say if he plans to run for president in 2024. (GV Wire/Jahz Tello)

Pence campaigned for Orange County Republican Scott Baugh yesterday. The former vice president then visited with daughter Charlotte, and her husband, Henry Bond — a lieutenant stationed at Naval Air Station Lemoore. They are expecting a child next year.

“I took (my son-in-law’s) pickup truck down to the gas station this summer and filled up like a father-in-law is supposed to do it. Just broke the bank. California is paying some of the highest gasoline prices in the country and we need a majority on Capitol Hill to unleash American energy,” Pence said.

When asked if he might run for president in 2024, Pence said he is “spending 100% of my energy on the 2022 elections.”

“I’m going to stay completely focused, all the way through Election Day, making sure people like David Valadao get re-elected,” Pence said. “Then my wife and I will do what we always do. And that is we will reflect, we’ll pray and we’ll go on where we are called.”

As far as possible Democrats running in 2024, Pence said: “I look at the entire field of Democratic candidates, most of whom I know personally, and I like our chances.”

Valadao Raised More Overall

(GV Wire/David Rodriguez)

Salas outraised Valadao in the most recent reporting quarter (July-Sept. 2022). Valadao has raised more overall. But, Valadao has nearly three times more cash on hand than Salas.

Outside spending in the race is more than $15 million combined, Open Secrets reports. Political action committees associated with the respective parties and their leaders have spent at least $2.7 million each.

Chart: Outside Spending in Valadao-Salas Race
(GV Wire/David Rodriguez)

Monday Morning Fundraiser

Valadao and Pence met with supporters at Harris Construction, near the Fresno airport. The pair later spoke to the media at the Piccadilly Inn Airport.

The fundraiser was hosted by the company’s owner, Richard Spencer, and his wife, Karen, along with ag business leader John Harris and his wife, Carole. The fundraiser featured a private photo reception for the host committee, followed by a brunch. Tickets were listed at $1,000 for individuals and $2,500 for the “host committee.”

Campaign officials said approximately 60 people attended. No other elected leaders were there.

RELATED TOPICS:

DON'T MISS

What Are Fresno Real Estate Experts Predicting for 2025 and Beyond?

DON'T MISS

First California EV Mandates Hit Automakers This Year. Most Are Not Even Close

DON'T MISS

Trump Pulls Back 150 Guard Troops From Federal Duties in California

DON'T MISS

Trump Says Israel Has Agreed to Conditions to Finalize 60-Day Gaza Ceasefire

DON'T MISS

Fresno County Man Arrested for Suspected Arson Hours After Separate Wildfire

DON'T MISS

New California Environmental Rollbacks Could Boost Housing Projects in Fresno

DON'T MISS

Iran Made Preparations to Mine the Strait of Hormuz, US Sources Say

DON'T MISS

Fresno Unified’s Embattled Nikki Henry Exits. ‘I Own My Mistake. I Won’t Let It Own Me.’

DON'T MISS

Trump Floats Daughter-in-Law Lara Trump for Senate Run in North Carolina

DON'T MISS

Google Hit With $314 Million US Verdict in Cellular Data Class Action

DON'T MISS

Tulare County Wildfire Prompts Advisory in Three Rivers Area

DON'T MISS

O’Brien Launches Fresno County Schools Chief Campaign by Handing Out ‘Homework’

UP NEXT

New California Environmental Rollbacks Could Boost Housing Projects in Fresno

UP NEXT

Fresno Unified’s Embattled Nikki Henry Exits. ‘I Own My Mistake. I Won’t Let It Own Me.’

UP NEXT

Trump Floats Daughter-in-Law Lara Trump for Senate Run in North Carolina

UP NEXT

Tulare County Wildfire Prompts Advisory in Three Rivers Area

UP NEXT

Trump Says US Could Reach Trade Deal With India, Casts Doubt on Deal With Japan

UP NEXT

Tulare County Gang Robber Sentenced to Life in Prison for Attempted Murder of Police Officer

UP NEXT

The Chainsmokers to Headline Dog Daze Festival at Chukchansi Park

UP NEXT

Sex Abuse Scandal Forces Fresno’s Catholic Diocese to Declare Bankruptcy

UP NEXT

California Republicans Send Message to Trump: Deport Criminals, Not Our Vital Workers

UP NEXT

Fresno Police Arrest Intoxicated Employee Following Morning Disturbance

New California Environmental Rollbacks Could Boost Housing Projects in Fresno

5 hours ago

Iran Made Preparations to Mine the Strait of Hormuz, US Sources Say

5 hours ago

Fresno Unified’s Embattled Nikki Henry Exits. ‘I Own My Mistake. I Won’t Let It Own Me.’

5 hours ago

Trump Floats Daughter-in-Law Lara Trump for Senate Run in North Carolina

5 hours ago

Google Hit With $314 Million US Verdict in Cellular Data Class Action

6 hours ago

Tulare County Wildfire Prompts Advisory in Three Rivers Area

6 hours ago

O’Brien Launches Fresno County Schools Chief Campaign by Handing Out ‘Homework’

6 hours ago

Trump Says US Could Reach Trade Deal With India, Casts Doubt on Deal With Japan

6 hours ago

Jury Reaches Verdict on Some Counts at Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’ Sex Trafficking Trial

6 hours ago

How Wimbledon Is Tackling Its Hottest Opening on Record

7 hours ago

Trump Pulls Back 150 Guard Troops From Federal Duties in California

LOS ANGELES — The Trump administration released about 150 National Guard troops on Tuesday in the first pullback since it dispatched a milit...

3 hours ago

3 hours ago

Trump Pulls Back 150 Guard Troops From Federal Duties in California

An Israeli military convoy manoeuvres near the Israel-Gaza border, as seen from Israel, July 1, 2025. (Reuters/Amir Cohen)
4 hours ago

Trump Says Israel Has Agreed to Conditions to Finalize 60-Day Gaza Ceasefire

Abel Joel Garcia Zarate, 39, of Biola, was arrested Sunday, June, 30, 2025, in Madera County on suspicion of starting a wildfire just hours after crews responded to a separate blaze sparked by farm equipment. (Madera County SO)
4 hours ago

Fresno County Man Arrested for Suspected Arson Hours After Separate Wildfire

5 hours ago

New California Environmental Rollbacks Could Boost Housing Projects in Fresno

An aerial view of the Iranian shores and the island of Qeshm in the strait of Hormuz, December 10, 2023. REUTERSStringerFile Photo
5 hours ago

Iran Made Preparations to Mine the Strait of Hormuz, US Sources Say

5 hours ago

Fresno Unified’s Embattled Nikki Henry Exits. ‘I Own My Mistake. I Won’t Let It Own Me.’

Lara Trump looks on during Republican presidential nominee and former U.S. President Donald Trump's rally, at the Palm Beach County Convention Center in West Palm Beach, Florida, U.S., November 6, 2024. (Reuters File)
5 hours ago

Trump Floats Daughter-in-Law Lara Trump for Senate Run in North Carolina

A Google logo is seen at a company research facility in Mountain View, California, U.S., May 13, 2025. (Reuters File)
6 hours ago

Google Hit With $314 Million US Verdict in Cellular Data Class Action

Help continue the work that gets you the news that matters most.

Search

Send this to a friend