The picture of the Valley’s U.S Congressional races is becoming clearer as results for the five seats come in.

Veteran, Former FBI Agent Takes on Longtime Incumbent Costa

Longtime U.S. Congressman Jim Costa, D-Fresno, holds a 5,000-vote lead against his opponent, Republican Michael Maher.

Costa has a 52.8% lead against Maher, who has 47.2%, with 28.1% of precincts partially reporting.

Maher, a former FBI agent and veteran, vied for the region spanning from Fresno to Visalia that Costa has represented since 2005.

Costa beat Maher by more than 8 percentage points in 2022.

Costa has extensive experience in the political field, starting as a congressional intern for B.F. Sisk before moving onto the California State Assembly and eventually Congress.

He helped secure infrastructure and energy funding throughout the Central Valley.

Maher, however, said affordability has gotten out of control. He said he would work to reduce the high cost of gas and energy.

Costa spent $1.6 million on his campaign since January 2023, according to the Federal Election Commission. Maher spent $707,717 on his campaign in the same time period.

Valadao, Salas in Hotly Contested Seat

Republican Congressman David Valadao, R-Hanford, holds a sizeable lead against longtime Democratic opponent Rudy Salas.

With 31.4% of precincts reporting, Valadao has 53.8% of votes to Salas’ 46.2%.

Political pundits nationwide have had their eyes on the congressional seat spanning from Hanford to Bakersfield. The seat currently occupied by Valdao has been hotly contested for several election cycles.

If Valadao’s lead holds, this will be his third term after defeating Salas in 2022 and T.J. Cox in 2020.

Campaign spending shows the national interest in the race.

Salas reported $5.2 million spent from January 2023 to Oct. 16, according to the FEC. Valadao spent $3.7 million on his race.

Gray Leads in Close Fight for North Valley

The fight for the stretch of the Valley from Fresno County to San Joaquin County favors the Democratic challenger Adam Gray by a little more than 1,000 votes.

Gray holds a 50.7% lead against incumbent John Duarte’s 49.3%. The California Secretary of State has 92.5% of precincts partially reporting.

Both candidates have farming backgrounds, and the race gained national attention — and funding.

Gray spent $4.7 million on his campaign from January 2023 to Oct. 16, according to the FEC, while Duarte, R-Turlock, spent $3.2 million.

Fong Takes Commanding Lead in Race Seemingly Without Challenger

The race to fill former Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy’s Bakersfield seat appears ready to go to former California Assemblyman Vince Fong.

Former Tulare County Sheriff Mike Boudreaux stopped campaigning after losing the special election to Fong. Fong currently has a 66.9% lead to Boudreaux’s 33.1%, with 19.2% of precincts partially reporting.

McClintock Appears Ready to Hold onto Seat

In another apparent runaway race, incumbent Tom McClintock, R-Modesto, holds a strong lead against challenger Mike Barkley.

The Republican holds a 61.2% lead over Barkley, an accountant. McClintock significantly outspent Barkley, with Barkley spending just over $50,000 to McClintock’s $1 million.