National environmental groups Food & Water Action, Center for Biological Diversity Action Fund, Oil Change Action, GrayPAC, and Climate Hawks Vote are endorsing Randy Villegas for California’s 22nd Congressional District ahead of the June 2nd primary election. 

Villegas has made clear he is the best candidate to challenge Republican incumbent Rep. David Valadao in this newly drawn Central Valley district, which is on the frontlines of environmental justice. Villegas has taken unabashedly strong positions in support of working people. As a school board trustee, he has protected children in his community from toxic chemicals by banning the use of RoundUp on school property. He is also the strongest fundraiser in the Democratic field, having raised over $1 million while refusing contributions from corporate PACs.

Food & Water Action Political Director Sam Bernhardt, said: “Randy Villegas is the best choice for California’s 22nd Congressional District. He is a strong progressive fighting for Central Valley families and has committed to fighting for a moratorium on the data centers that are driving up electricity costs for California families. We’re proud to endorse him.” 

Center Action Fund, Deputy Political Director Rachel Rilee, said: “The Central Valley is the agricultural heart of the West Coast, but its communities have too often paid the price for pesticide exposure, pollution, and corporate neglect. The Center for Biological Diversity Action Fund is proud to endorse Randy Villegas for California’s 22nd District. Villegas has fought to protect his community from harmful pesticides and pollution, and he is the only candidate in this race refusing money from Big Ag and the fossil fuel industry. California needs a bold champion for working families, clean air and water, and a healthier future for the Central Valley.”

Collin Rees, Campaigns Manager at Oil Change Action, said: “Randy Villegas will fight for California Central Valley working families in Congress. He’s running to protect farmworkers from extreme heat, hold corporate polluters accountable for the harm they inflict on families’ health, and stop Trump’s attacks on California’s public lands. The Central Valley deserves a representative who will put people over polluters – that’s Randy and we are proud to endorse him.” 

RL Miller, political director at Climate Hawks Vote, said: “The contrast between Randy Villegas and his oil-funded opponents couldn’t be clearer. Randy is best positioned to win his primary because of the huge swell of grassroots support he’s mustered. The Central Valley needs a fighter. We’re proud to stand with Randy.”

Mike Johnson, Democracy Campaigns Manager with GrayPAC said: “Randy Villegas understands that building robust, resilient communities in California’s Central Valley takes a leader who listens, then leads on the issues that matter to families, not corporate donors.” 

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Food & Water Action, the political and lobbying arm of the national advocacy group Food & Water Watch, mobilizes people to build political power to move bold and uncompromised solutions to the most pressing food, water and climate problems of our time. We work to protect people’s health, communities and democracy from the growing destructive power of the most powerful economic interests. 

The Center Action Fund is a national nonprofit organization that advocates for legislation and legislators that will advance a progressive environmental agenda. The Center Action Fund is the 501(c)(4) affiliate of the Center for Biological Diversity, but these organizations’ names are not interchangeable. This news release is from the Center Action Fund, not the Center for Biological Diversity. 

Oil Change Action, the 501(c)(4) affiliate of Oil Change International, is dedicated to supporting real climate leadership, exposing the true costs of fossil fuels, and building a just, equitable, and renewable energy future. We coordinate the national No Fossil Fuel Money and Green New Deal Champions coalitions and work to promote bold leaders who will advance the phaseout of fossil fuels and hold polluters accountable. 

Climate Hawks Vote works to build grassroots political power for the climate movement…and we win our races. 

GrayPAC is the political action committee of Third Act, mobilizing Americans over 60 to elect leaders and support policies for a sustainable and vibrant future for our democracy and climate.

Not authorized by any candidate or candidate’s committee.