Sacramento, CA – Yesterday, in a rebuke of Trump’s anti-democratic attacks on Central Valley communities and his Big Tech agenda, Californians elected Randy Villegas to Congress, representing the 22nd district. Villegas, who ousted incumbent David Valadao, ran on a progressive platform of rejecting corporate money, restoring Medicaid and food assistance programs, fighting to fund clean water infrastructure, and fighting for a moratorium on data centers. 

Several data centers have been proposed throughout the Central Valley and his district. This prompted the typically conservative Kings and Tulare Counties to pass moratoria on data centers, along with the city of Visalia.

A survey done in September found that 82 percent of Central Valley voters support a pause on new data center construction. Randy Villegas was the only candidate in the primaries and general election that opposed data centers.

Food & Water Action Central Coast Organizing Manager Tomás Rebecchi released the following statement: 

“Villegas won big last night because he fought for what working families want and need in the Central Valley: lowering costs, expanding Medicare, protecting our environment, and opposing data centers. His populist platform and working-class background are what set him apart from his opponent – and from other Democrats who have tried and failed to win this seat in the past.”