BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KFSN) — Sen. Bernie Sanders campaigned in Bakersfield on Sunday alongside Democratic congressional candidate Randy Villegas as part of his “Fighting Oligarchy” tour, with 30 days remaining until Election Day.
The event at Bakersfield High School’s Harvey Auditorium drew supporters who lined up for hours despite triple-digit temperatures in Bakersfield.
Sanders’ visit came days after House Speaker Mike Johnson campaigned in the district for Republican Rep. David Valadao during a rally Wednesday, highlighting the national attention focused on California’s 22nd Congressional District.
“We can do this, and it starts in California’s 22nd District. I am not kidding. The road to the majority, and thus the road to save the country, goes through the Central Valley,” Johnson said during the rally Wednesday.
RELATED: Speaker Mike Johnson in Bakersfield for David Valadao campaign event
Under the new Proposition 50 district map, Democrats hold a 16-point voter registration advantage in the district. However, low Democratic turnout, particularly among Latino voters, continues to make the race competitive.
As both campaigns make their case to voters, affordability remains a central issue in the district, which has a large farmworker population. Concerns over rising fuel prices amid the war with Iran, along with increasing fertilizer and grocery costs, have become key topics in the race.
RELATED: Senator Bernie Sanders holds rally supporting Prop. 40, CA billionaire tax proposal in SF
Valadao addressed the issue during the campaign.
“The reality is, Sacramento plays just as big a role. And so, for one side to point fingers, this is a temporary thing that’s going on in Iran. It will end,” Valadao said Wednesday.
A Valadao spokesperson also issued a statement to Action News regarding Sunday’s event, describing Villegas as “a partisan ideologue in lockstep with Sanders’ far-left agenda.”
Election Day is Nov. 3.
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