David Valadao
David Valadao | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from California's 21st district | |
| Assumed office January 3, 2013 | |
| Preceded by | Devin Nunes |
| Member of the California State Assembly from the 30th district | |
| In office December 6, 2010 – November 30, 2012 | |
| Preceded by | Danny Gilmore |
| Succeeded by | Rudy Salas |
| Personal details | |
| Born | David Goncalves Valadao April 14, 1977 Hanford, California |
| Nationality | American |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | Terra Valadao |
| Residence | Hanford, California |
| Alma mater | College of the Sequoias |
| Profession | Dairy Farmer |
| Website | Representative David Valadao |
David Goncalves Valadao (born April 14, 1977) is an American politician who has been a member of the United States House of Representatives, representing California's 21st congressional district, since 2013. Prior to that, he served one term in the California State Assembly from the 30th district. He is a member of the Republican Party.
Early life, education, and farming career
Valadao was born and raised in Hanford, California. His parents are Portuguese immigrants. He graduated from Hanford High School in 1995, and attended the College of the Sequoias in Visalia. He currently serves as the managing partner of Valadao Dairy, which he owns with his brothers.[1] He has also been a member of the California Milk Advisory Board, Western States Dairy Trade Association, and Regional Leadership Council Chairman for Land O' Lakes.[2]
California Assembly
2010 election
Valadao announced his candidacy for California's 30th State Assembly district following the retirement of Republican Assemblyman Danny Gilmore in 2010. He defeated Stephanie Campbell in the Republican primary 78%-22%.[3] In the general election, he defeated Shafter Mayor Fran Florez 61%-39%.[4][5]
Committee assignments
- Assembly Agriculture Committee (Vice Chairman)
- Assembly Utilities and Commerce Committee
- Assembly Budget Committee
U.S. House of Representatives
- 2012
Valadao announced in August 2011 that he would seek the Republican nomination for California's 21st congressional district.[6] In the June 5 open primary, he ranked first with 57% of the vote, ahead of Democrat John Hernandez - the head of the local Hispanic Chamber of Commerce - and Fresno city councilman Blong Xiong.[7] In the November 6 election, he defeated Hernandez by a margin of 58%-42%.[8] His campaign victory in a district that had long been held by Democrats was cited in an op-ed article in the Wall Street Journal as a potential template for the GOP, while other analysts cited his opponent's "weakness as a candidate and a campaigner" as playing a major role.[9]
- 2014
Valadao is running for reelection in November of 2014. His challengers include Democrat Amanda Renteria, a former political aide for Dianne Feinstein and Debbie Stabenow,[10] and John Hernandez, the Democratic nominee whom he defeated in 2012.[11]
Tenure
In July 2013, the non-profit group Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington filed an ethics complaint against Valadao with the Office of Congressional Ethics for allegedly failing to disclose the impact that his opposition to proposed high-speed rail routes would have on the value of Valadao Dairy properties.[12][13]
In September of 2013, in response to threats of a government shutdown over defunding of the Affordable Care Act, Valadao cosponsored the Government Shutdown Fairness Act, which would prevent all members of Congress from receiving their salaries if a shutdown occurred.[14] Valadao himself is the poorest member of Congress, with over $12 million in loans to his family's dairy farm.[15]
Committee assignments
Caucus memberships
- American Sikh Congressional Caucus (Co-chair)
Electoral history
California's 30th State Assembly district, 2010 (Republican primary):[16]
- David Valadao - 11,296 (77.86%)
- Stephanie Campbell - 3,213 (22.15%)
California's 30th State Assembly district, 2010[17]
- David Valadao - 37,392 (60.53%)
- Fran Florez - 24,386 (39.47%)
California's 21st congressional district, 2012 (Republican primary):
- David Valadao - 27,251 (57%)
California's 21st congressional district, 2012:
- David Valadao - 49,205 (59.9%)
- John Hernandez - 32,967 (40.1%)
California's 21st congressional district, 2014 (Republican primary):
- David Valadao - TBA
California's 21st congressional district, 2014:
- David Valadao - TBA
- TBA - TBA
Personal life
Valadao lives in Hanford with his wife, Terra, and their three children.[1]
References
- ^ a b "About David". Valadao for Congress. Retrieved 24 January 2012.
- ^ http://arc.asm.ca.gov/member/30/?p=bio
- ^ http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=655207
- ^ http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=655206
- ^ Wenner, Gretchen (3 November 2011). "Florez loss bucks state trend". Bakersfield Californian. Retrieved 24 January 2012.
- ^ Nidever, Seth (2 August 2011). "Valadao says he's running for Congress". Hanford Sentinel. Retrieved 24 January 2012.
- ^ http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=740829
- ^ http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=768449
- ^ Nidever, Seth (23 November 2012). "Valadao win a 'template' for GOP?". Hanford Sentinel. Retrieved 30 November 2012.
- ^ http://www.fresnobee.com/2014/02/03/3748996/3-west-side-valley-republicans.html
- ^ http://www.bakersfieldcalifornian.com/politics/local/x1141091389/Election-notebook-GOP-releases-poll-showing-Valadao-well-ahead
- ^ Sheehan, Tim (July 23, 2013). "Watchdog questions ethics of Valadao's opposition to high-speed rail". The Fresno Bee. Retrieved August 7, 2013.
- ^ "CREW Renews Request for OCE to Investigate Rep. David Valadao (R-CA)". Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington. January 27, 2014. Archived from the original on February 10, 2014. Retrieved February 10, 2014.
{{cite news}}:|archive-date=/|archive-url=timestamp mismatch; February 11, 2014 suggested (help) - ^ http://valadao.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=350733
- ^ [1]
- ^ http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=655207
- ^ http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=655206
External links
- Congressman David Valadao official U.S. House website
- David Valadao for Congress
- David Valadao at Curlie
- Biography at the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
- Financial information (federal office) at the Federal Election Commission
- Legislation sponsored at the Library of Congress
- Profile at Vote Smart