In another stunning reversal of Democrats’ 2018 House gains, Republicans just flipped another blue seat red… IN CALIFORNIA!
Republican David Valadao has regained the CA21 Congressional seat he lost to Democrat TJ Cox in 2018 according to the Daily Wire. The Associated Press called the race Friday morning after a long and narrow count. In the end, the margin was only 1,795 votes, less than 1% of the electorate.
Which Seat Flipped?
California’s 21st congressional district is comprised of the San Joaquin Valley including Kings, Fresno, Kern and Tulare counties and was once represented by Devin Nunes before redistricting in 2012. Before redistricting helped usher Cox into office, this seat had been reliably Republican going back to 1981.
This loss is particularly devastating to as it has rendered Cox a one-term Representative. This could also point to a key demographic loss to Democrats as the 21st district is approximately 63% Latino. As the Lexit movement picks up steam, Cox has become a political casualty of the DNC considering Latinos a political monolith and taking them for granted. Isn’t it lovely to watch identity politics backfire?
As vote counts come to a close, I am honored to receive the support of #CA21 voters and look forward to returning to Congress to represent the Central Valley. Thank you to those who have worked tirelessly to make the voice of the Valley heard this election! https://t.co/SBzRLq8CS1
— David G. Valadao (@dgvaladao) November 26, 2020
The race was called in Valadao’s favor and then rescinded as Cox appeared to take the lead, however, with all votes counted Valadao arose the victor. This victory marks the third California Congressional seat to change hands in 2020, including Congresswomen-elect Michelle Steel and Young Kim.
Big Changes For California
The first domino to fall was Congressman Mike Garcia who gained his seat in a special election last year. Garcia’s was the first seat to flip since the 1990’s. It seems that the authoritarian-esque governorship of Gavin Newsom and a weak Democratic slate could be eroding the progressive-socialist hegemony. Democrats have enjoyed control of California since Republicans lost hold of the state in 1992.
As of this writing, Congressman TJ Cox has not yet conceded defeat in this race and is still posting mundane tweets with no reference made to the razor-thin race. Nor has Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi commented on her rapidly diminishing Democratic Congressional delegation.