Bains Makes it Official, Challenges Rep. Valadao

KMJ – After months of speculation and hints on her social media feeds, Assemblywoman Dr. Jasmeet Bains (D-Delano) made her bid for Congress official on Wednesday.

“I’m a doctor, not a career politician — and I’ve spent my life on the frontlines, listening to Valley families and fighting for their health, their safety, and their future,” said Dr. Bains. “I’m running for Congress because our communities deserve better than broken promises and backroom deals, and my community is tired of getting left behind. We deserve a representative who will actually show up, and stand up, for the Valley.”

Bains is a family doctor who also serves as the Central Valley’s Chief Medical Officer for the California Medical Assistance team, which organizes emergency health services across the state.

The Delano democrat is challenging Rep. David Valadao (R-Hanford). “David Valadao doesn’t work for us, Bains said in a statement. “He works for the donors and D.C. insiders who drive up drug prices and fund his campaigns as families here are rationing care,” said Dr. Bains. “In the middle of an affordability crisis in the Central Valley, while our communities struggle to afford care, food, or clean water, Valadao just voted to gut Medi-Cal that provides 68% of the affordable healthcare in our community, jack up prescription drug prices, and cut off food assistance for thousands of hardworking folks. That’s not leadership — that’s betrayal.”

CA-22 includes communities across Kern, Kings, and Tulare Counties.