Early results show the contentious race between educator Randy Villegas and incumbent Rep. David Valadao, R-Hanford, to represent the 22nd Congressional District seemingly going blue along with much of the rest of the country.

With 36.9% of precincts partially reporting, the California Secretary of State reported 64.9% of voters casting their ballots for the Democrat. That represents 40,019 votes to Valadao’s 21,621. The district includes portions of Kings, Kern, Fresno, Madera, and Tulare counties.

The results come after Proposition 50 redrew the map for the historically competitive race.

The Villegas-Valadao race had garnered nationwide attention, with national money pouring in on both sides. Federal election data show Valadao raising $6.3 million through Oct. 14 compared with Villegas’ $5.9 million.

The race had also brought out progressive politicians Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez to stump for the college professor.

Villegas is already claiming victory, although no major news networks had called the race one way or another as of publication.

In a statement, Villegas said he would support working families.

“This campaign has always been about something bigger than one election: ensuring every person in the Central Valley has access to good-paying union jobs, affordable healthcare, clean air and water, and the future we deserve,” Villegas said. “In the richest country in the world, no family should have to choose between putting groceries on the table, filling up their gas tank, or seeing a doctor.”

Other Valley Races Favor Incumbents

Democratic incumbent Jim Costa holds a comfortable early lead in the 21st Congressional District against Club One Casino President Kyle Kirkland.

State results show Costa with 62.6% of the vote, with 21.4% of precincts partially reporting. Costa’s seat has been considered safer by political pundits, as the longtime representative has served in the House since 2005.

This year, Costa raised just under $1.7 million, while Kirkland brought in $464,700, according to the Federal Election Commission.

In the South Valley, incumbent Rep. Vince Fong, R-Bakersfield, holds a similarly safe lead against his Democratic opponent, Sandra Van Scotter.

Fong holds 62.2% of the vote with 42.7% of precincts reporting. That equates to 69,840 votes compared with Van Scotter’s 42,526.

In a statement, Fong called his lead “insurmountable.”

“Over the next two years, I will keep fighting for the priorities that matter most to our communities: Lowering gas prices by expanding domestic energy production, strengthening water infrastructure to support our farmers, standing behind our local military installations, and protecting taxpayers and small businesses by keeping taxes low,” Fong said.

Mountain communities backed incumbent Rep. Tom McClintock with 54.9% of the vote compared with Democrat Michael Masuda. The Secretary of State’s website reports 71.2% of precincts partially reporting.

Incumbent Rep. Adam Gray holds a strong early lead against his Republican challenger, Kevin Lincoln, with 60.7% of the vote.

That district has 99.2% of precincts partially reporting.