FRESNO, CA (KMJ) After weeks of internal consternation, Rep. David Valadao (R-Calif) finally cast his vote in favor of Pres. Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill” last week.
Now, political analysts say that vote leaves him extremely vulnerable to a democrat challenge in District 22.
Stepping up to the plate is likely to be Assemblymember Dr. Jasmeet Bains (D-Delano). She hinted at a run with a recent post on X saying “It might be time to call in the Doctor!”

“She’s perfectly positioned to run on those issues and be the instant expert on healthcare,” political strategist Tracy Leach tells KGET.
Christian Romo, chair of the Kern County Democratic Party agreed, “Timing certainly is in Bains’ favor,” he said…“Medicaid and Medicare are top issues.”
Though she hasn’t filed to run for Congress yet, Dr. Bains has been promoting her medical credentials as a family doctor in the debate over potential cuts to Medicaid and Medi-Cal funding.
In a recent ad, Bains stated, “These kids will lose access to their doctors, medications and even our Valley hospitals. I’m trying to see as many patients as I can, because Congress is trying to cut their Medi-Cal—Tell Congressman Valadao to stop these cuts on Medi-Cal,” said Dr. Bains in the ad.
“It was not an easy decision for me, but I voted yes on the budget reconciliation bill,” said Congressman Valadao. “Since January when the reconciliation process began, I’ve been a vocal advocate for protecting and preserving Medicaid for the most vulnerable in my district. I know how important the program is for my constituents. Many policy changes were suggested over the past six months that would have devastated healthcare in my district, including changes to the federal match rate for California and per capita caps on the expansion population, and after months of meetings, I was able to prevent these provisions from being included. However, the Senate version of the budget reconciliation bill ultimately made more changes to Medicaid than the House-passed version, and I had several concerns.”

When asked if Valadao was caught between his constituents and party, Leach told KGET “Yes, I think he got significant pressure from his party, but they’re going to have to do a really good job to marketing the upside because the Democrats are coming after him for that vote.”
“Get your popcorn out. It’s going to be, once again, a barn burner,” Leach told the Bakersfield news outlet.